U.S. patent application number 09/911564 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-31 for device for maintaining separate ingredients in liquid food products.
Invention is credited to Castillo, James A..
Application Number | 20020011277 09/911564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26983072 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020011277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Castillo, James A. |
January 31, 2002 |
Device for maintaining separate ingredients in liquid food
products
Abstract
A device for maintaining ingredients separately within a
container, of the type having a removable container cap applied on
a neck with a central opening, has a sub-container body mounted in
the container neck which is formed with a proximate end having
screw threads which can be engaged with internal screw threads in
the container neck for holding them securely together to allow the
ingredients to be shaken out of the sub-container body and mixed
with fluid in the container. The sub-container body can have inner
divider walls forming multiple compartments with respective
orifices for dispensing ingredients selectively from the
compartments. The sub-container body may be sealed to the underside
of the cap with a sealing film, or seated on the neck rim and held
by the cap. In one version, the proximate end of the sub-container
body has a protruding shape with inclined walls for guiding it into
the neck opening. In other versions, the sub-container body is
formed integrally with the container cap, or is formed as an
annular ring shape carried between inner and outer flanges of the
cap. These improved devices allow viscous or powdered ingredients
to be mixed by shaking with fluid in the container without risk of
spilling or splashing outside the container.
Inventors: |
Castillo, James A.;
(Honolulu, HI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEIGHTON K. CHONG
OSTRAGER CHONG & FLAHERTY (HAWAII)
841 BISHOP STREET, SUITE 1200
HONOLULU
HI
96813
US
|
Family ID: |
26983072 |
Appl. No.: |
09/911564 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09911564 |
Jul 23, 2001 |
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09493361 |
Jan 28, 2000 |
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6263923 |
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09493361 |
Jan 28, 2000 |
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09321676 |
May 28, 1999 |
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6250346 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
141/100 ;
141/381; 141/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/28 20130101;
Y10S 215/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/100 ; 141/9;
141/381 |
International
Class: |
B65B 001/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
of the type having a removable container cap threaded on a
container neck having an upper rim and central opening therein,
comprising: a sub-container body in cylindrical form, removably
mounted in the container neck covered by the container cap, having
a proximate end of a protruding shape provided with inclined walls
leading toward a central opening sealed by a sealing member and an
annular flange on its outer surface adjacent said inclined walls,
such that when said sub-container body is removed from the
container neck, the proximate end of the sub-container body can be
inserted into the opening in the container neck guided by its
inclined walls until its annular flange abuts the rim of the neck,
whereby ingredients in the sub-container body can be dispensed by
shaking or mixing with fluid in the container without risk of
spilling or splashing outside the container.
2. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
according to claim 1, wherein said sub-container body has an inner
wall parallel to its cylindrical axis dividing its interior into a
plurality of axially oriented compartments, wherein each
compartment is formed with a dispensing orifice at the proximate
end of the sub-container body, which is separately sealed so that
one or more of the compartments can be selectively unsealed for
dispensing the respective ingredients into the container.
3. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
according to claim 1, wherein the underside of the cap has a shape
complementary to the shape of the protruding proximate end of said
sub-container body, and said sub-container body is mounted to the
underside of the cap by a thermally fusible sealing film.
4. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
according to claim 1, wherein said sub-container body is held in
the container neck by seating the annular flange on the neck rim
and covering the neck with the container cap.
5. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
according to claim 1, wherein sealing films are applied to upper
and lower sides of the annular flange of the sub-container
body.
6. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
of the type having a removable container cap threaded on a
container neck having an upper rim and central opening therein,
comprising: a sub-container body having an annular flange fixed to
its outer surface near a proximate end thereof, which is removably
mounted in the container neck covered by the container cap, the
proximate end of the sub-container body having other screw threads
formed on its outer surface adjacent the annular flange, and the
container neck having complementary screw threads on an inner
surface of the neck opening, such that when the sub-container body
is removed from the container neck, the proximate end of the
sub-container body can be inserted into and threaded to the inner
surface of the container neck until its annular flange abuts the
rim of the neck, whereby ingredients in the sub-container body can
be dispensed by shaking or mixing with fluid in the container
without risk of spilling or splashing outside the container.
7. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
according to claim 6, wherein said sub-container body has an inner
wall parallel to its cylindrical axis dividing its interior into a
plurality of axially oriented compartments, wherein each
compartment is formed with a dispensing orifice at the proximate
end of the sub-container body, which is separately sealed so that
one or more of the compartments can be selectively unsealed for
dispensing the respective ingredients into the container.
8. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
according to claim 6, wherein said sub-container body is held in
the container neck by seating the annular flange on the neck rim
and covering the neck with the container cap.
9. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
according to claim 8, wherein the cap has an annular holding
portion for holding against said annular flange when seated on the
neck rim.
10. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
according to claim 9, wherein sealing films are applied to upper
and lower sides of the annular flange of the sub-container
body.
11. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
of the type having a removable container cap threaded on a
container neck, comprising: a sub-container body in cylindrical
form which is integrally formed with the container cap so as to be
removably mounted in the container neck, said sub-container body
having a hollow interior therein which is covered by an outer flap,
and having a proximate end provided with an annular flange which is
connected to a depending flange for the container cap having screw
threads formed on its inner surface facing inwardly for engagement
with screw threads on an outer surface of the container neck.
12. A device for maintaining ingredients according to claim 11,
wherein said outer flap is hinged to one side of the container cap
and covers an opening at the proximate end of the sub-container
body leading in to the hollow interior.
13. A device for maintaining ingredients according to claim 11,
wherein said hollow interior of the sub-container body holds a
single or multi-compartment package unit therein.
14. A device for maintaining ingredients according to claim 11,
wherein said hollow interior holds non-ingredient objects
therein.
15. A device for maintaining ingredients separately in a container
of the type having a removable container cap threaded on a
container neck, comprising: a sub-container body in annular ring
form which is mounted between inner and outer depending annular
flanges of the container cap, said container cap having an inner
bore provided with screw threads on an inner surface thereof facing
inwardly for engagement with screw threads formed on an outer
surface of the container neck, wherein said sub-container body in
annular ring form has at least one compartment formed therein for
holding separate ingredients which is provided with a dispensing
orifice for dispensing the ingredients into the container neck.
16. A device for maintaining ingredients according to claim 15,
wherein said sub-container body has a plurality of compartments
formed by respective divider walls therein, said compartments being
provided with respective dispensing orifices and being distributed
around the annular ring form of the sub-container body.
17. A device for maintaining ingredients according to claim 15,
wherein said container is a bottle having a cylindrical container
body of a given outer diameter and a narrower bottle neck, and said
annular ring form of the container cap holding the sub-container
body is made with an outer diameter that is flush with the outer
diameter of the container body, so that the bottle resembles a can
in shape and can be stocked in and dispensed from can vending
machines.
Description
SPECIFICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/321,676, of the same title, by the same
inventor, filed on May 28, 1999.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention generally relates to a device for maintaining
ingredients separate in liquid food products until the time of use,
and more particularly, to such improvements as used with standard
beverage bottles or cans.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] In the storage of liquid foodstuffs, and particularly
beverages, the food product can have better flavor, have a longer
shelf life, be made without preservatives, and/or can use less
stable or unstable ingredients if certain of the ingredients can be
stored separately from the carrier liquid until the food product is
to be consumed. For example, a beverage can have better taste if
the flavoring can be stored in dry form and mixed with the carrier
liquid just prior to use. Some flavorings, oils, vitamins,
supplements, medicines, and other ingredients when mixed with
water, soda, or other liquid media are unstable, and therefore may
not be used with currently sold beverages and liquid mixtures.
Oxygenated water is known to have health benefits but is chemically
reactive, and therefore flavors, vitamins, supplements, and
pharmaceuticals cannot be combined with it in a stored product.
Many beverages, sauces, and condiments require high levels of
preservatives to control fermentation with sugar content.
[0004] Prior devices have been proposed for storing ingredients
separately from the carrier liquid until the product is to be used,
however they have a number of disadvantages. Some devices, as shown
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,779,372, 5,529,179, 5,431,276, and 5,885,635,
for example, have a burstable compartment attached to the underside
of the container lid or cap which is burst open to mix ingredients
into the carrier liquid by levering a puncturing tab or depressing
a plunger element with an applied pressure. However, these devices
may be unsafe or messy to use since a high applied pressure must be
used to burst open the compartment, and may cause the ingredients
spew out of the container or back toward the user.
[0005] Other devices, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,179,275
3,225,915, or 5,064,073, for example, have a sub-compartment formed
in the container top or held in the container neck with can be
accessed by removing an outer seal strip, flap, or membrane.
However, these devices are not suitable for the current vending
machine environment, since the outer sealing member can become
accidentally dislodged or punctured during transport or
handling.
[0006] Some devices, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,024,952,
4,221,291 and 4,264,007, for example, have one or more
sub-compartments formed inside the container on the underside of
the container lid or cap which have a tilting or gate type element
that is actuated by releasing or applying pressure to a component
from the outside of the container lid or cap. These types of
devices have the disadvantage that the ingredients are completely
discharged into the liquid upon release, and cannot be metered or
controllably added to the liquid according to the tastes of the
user.
[0007] Another device, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,011,
for example, has a removable sub-container with removable seal
which rests in the container neck covered by the container cap
until it is ready to be used. However, this type of device has only
a single compartment and does not have provision for easily
metering ingredients into the container after the seal is
opened.
[0008] Other types of devices, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,011,
for example, have a sub-container formed with one or more
sub-compartments which is mounted to the underside of the container
cap. However, the sub-compartments in these devices are disposed at
opposite ends of the sub-container element and are opened by
threaded elements, thereby making them costly to fabricate and
awkward to use.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages
and shortcomings of the prior devices by providing improved
structures for holding ingredients separately within a container
which is inexpensive to manufacture, convenient and easy to use,
and prevents accidental unsealing or release during shipping or
handling.
[0010] In accordance with the present invention, a device for use
with a container having a removable container cap comprises a
sub-container body having means for removably mounting it in the
container beneath the container cap, said sub-container body being
formed with squeezable plastic outer walls and at least one inner
divider wall dividing the interior of the sub-container body into a
plurality of compartments, wherein each compartment has a
respective dispensing orifice, and an ingredient contained in the
respective compartment is controllably dispensed through the
orifice by squeezing on a part of the squeezable plastic outer
walls corresponding to the compartment.
[0011] In a first embodiment of the invention, the device has a
sub-container body in cylindrical form having a proximate end
mounted to an underside of the container cap, and at least one
inner divider wall aligned in parallel with a cylinder axis of the
sub-container body dividing the interior of the sub-container body
into a plurality of axially oriented compartments, wherein each
compartment has a dispensing orifice formed at a distal end of the
sub-container body and an ingredient contained in the compartment
is controllably dispensed through the orifice by squeezing on a
part of the squeezable plastic outer walls corresponding to the
compartment.
[0012] In a second embodiment, the device comprises a sub-container
body in cylindrical form having a proximate end detachably mounted
to an underside of the container cap, and at least one inner
divider wall aligned in parallel with a cylinder axis of the
sub-container body dividing the interior of the sub-container body
into a plurality of axially oriented compartments, wherein each
compartment has a dispensing orifice formed at the proximate end of
the sub-container body and an ingredient contained in the
compartment is controllably dispensed through the orifice by
detaching the proximate end of the sub-container body from the
container cap and squeezing on a part of the squeezable plastic
outer walls corresponding to the compartment.
[0013] In a third embodiment, the device comprises a sub-container
body in cylindrical form having a proximate end mounted to a collar
adapted to be held on a neck of the container by the container cap,
said sub-container body having at least one inner divider wall
aligned in parallel with a cylinder axis of the sub-container body
dividing the interior of the sub-container body into a plurality of
axially oriented compartments, wherein each compartment has a
dispensing orifice formed at a distal end of the sub-container body
and an ingredient contained in the compartment is controllably
dispensed through the orifice by removing the sub-container body
from the container neck and squeezing on a part of the squeezable
plastic outer walls corresponding to the compartment.
[0014] In the above-described embodiments, predetermined portions
of the squeezable plastic outer walls corresponding to the
respective compartments are formed with an area of lesser wall
thickness than that of surrounding portions of the outer walls,
such that the thinner wall areas can be squeezed more readily to
dispense ingredients from the respective compartments.
[0015] In a fourth embodiment, the device comprises a sub-container
body in cylindrical form having a proximate end mounted to an
underside of the container cap, and at least one inner divider wall
aligned transverse to a cylinder axis of the sub-container body
dividing the interior of the sub-container body into a plurality of
transversely oriented compartments, wherein each compartment has a
dispensing orifice formed at a predetermined position of the outer
walls and an ingredient contained in the compartment is
controllably dispensed through the orifice by squeezing on a part
of the outer walls corresponding to the compartment opposite from
the orifice.
[0016] In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention for
use with a container having a fixed container top and a pull-tab
with a pull portion, a tab portion removably covering a tab opening
in the container top, and a center fixture detachably mounted to an
outer surface of the container top, the device comprises the
container top being formed with a plurality of exterior wells
positioned on radially spaced sides from the pull tab and recessed
into the outer surface of the container top, said exterior wells
having respective sub-container vessels of matching shape carried
therein with upper surfaces thereof disposed evenly with the outer
surface of the container top, each said sub-container vessel having
a radially inward portion thereof being held and protected by the
pull tab in its unremoved position, wherein when the pull tab is
removed from the container top the sub-container vessels can be
removed from their respective exterior wells for dispensing of
their respective ingredients.
[0017] In a sixth embodiment, the device comprises the container
top being formed with an exterior well positioned on a radially
spaced side from the pull tab and recessed below the outer surface
of the container top, said exterior well having a sub-container
vessel of matching shape carried therein with an upper surface
thereof disposed evenly with the outer surface of the container
top, said sub-container vessel being divided into a plurality of
compartments each having a dispensing orifice for dispensing a
respective ingredient therefrom, said sub-container vessel having a
radially inward portion thereof being held and protected by the
pull tab in its unremoved position, wherein when the pull tab is
removed from the container top the sub-container vessel can be
removed from the exterior well for dispensing of the ingredients
from the respective compartments.
[0018] In a seventh embodiment, the device comprises a
sub-container body in cylindrical form, removably mounted in a neck
of the container and covered by the container cap, having a
proximate end with inclined walls leading to a central opening and
an annular flange adjacent the inclined walls, such that when the
sub-container body is removed from the container neck, the
proximate end can be inserted into the neck opening until the
annular flange abuts the neck rim, whereby ingredients contained in
the sub-container body can be dispensed into the container without
risk of spilling or splashing outside the container. The
sub-container body may be mounted to the underside of the container
cap, or held by its annular flange between the cap and the rim of
the container neck. The inclined walls and annular flange serve to
guide the proximate end positively into the neck opening and be
held securely in place.
[0019] In an eighth embodiment, the device comprises a
sub-container body in cylindrical form, removably mounted in the
container neck and covered by the container cap, having a proximate
end with inclined walls leading to a central opening, an annular
flange adjacent the inclined walls, and an inner wall parallel to
its cylindrical axis dividing the interior of the sub-container
body into a plurality of axially oriented compartments, wherein
each compartment is formed with a dispensing orifice at the
proximate end of the sub-container body, each orifice being
separately sealed, such that when the sub-container body is removed
from the container neck and one or more of the compartment orifices
is selectively unsealed, the proximate end can be inserted into an
opening in the container neck with the annular flange abutting an
upper rim of the neck, whereby ingredients contained in the
selected compartments can be dispensed into the container without
risk of spilling or splashing outside the container.
[0020] In a ninth embodiment, the device comprises a sub-container
body in cylindrical form which is removably mounted in the
container neck and covered by the container cap, having a proximate
end provided with an annular flange fixed to its outer surface and
screw threads formed on the outer surface of the proximate end on
an upper side of the annular flange, the container neck having
complementary inner threads on an inner surface recessed in the
neck opening, such that when the sub-container body is removed from
the container neck, the proximate end of the sub-container body can
be inserted in and threaded to the inner surface of the container
neck until its annular flange abuts the rim of the neck, whereby
ingredients in the sub-container body can be dispensed by shaking
or mixing with fluid in the container without risk of spilling or
splashing outside the container. The outer threading of the
sub-container body and inner threading of the container neck and
the annular flange allow the parts to be securely held together.
Sealing films may be provided on upper and lower sides of the
annular flange.
[0021] In a tenth embodiment, the device comprises a sub-container
body in cylindrical form which is removably mounted in the
container neck and covered by the container cap, said sub-container
body having a proximate end with an annular flange fixed to its
outer surface and screw threads formed on the outer surface of the
proximate end on an upper side of the annular flange, the container
neck having complementary inner threads on an inner surface
recessed in the neck opening, the sub-container body having an
inner wall parallel to its cylindrical axis dividing the interior
of the sub-container body into a plurality of axially oriented
compartments, wherein each compartment is formed with a dispensing
orifice at the proximate end of the sub-container body, each
orifice being separately sealed such that when the sub-container
body is removed from the container neck, one or more of the
compartment orifices can be selectively unsealed, and the proximate
end of the sub-container body can be inserted into and threaded to
the inner surface of the container neck until the annular flange
abuts with the neck rim, whereby ingredients in the unsealed
compartments can be dispensed by shaking or mixing with fluid in
the container without risk of spilling or splashing outside the
container. The plurality of compartments and separately sealed
orifices allow different ingredients to be selectively dispensed in
the container. Sealing films may be provided on upper and lower
surfaces of the annular flange.
[0022] In an eleventh embodiment, the device comprises a
sub-container body in cylindrical form which is integrally formed
with the container cap so as to be removably mounted in the
container neck, said sub-container body having a hollow interior
therein which is covered by an outer flap, and having a proximate
end provided with an annular flange which is connected to a
depending flange for the container cap having screw threads formed
on its inner surface facing inwardly for engagement with screw
threads on an outer surface of the container neck. The hollow
interior of the sub-container body may be used to hold a single or
multi-compartment container therein, or to hold other objects such
as capsules or prizes.
[0023] In a twelfth embodiment, the device comprises a
sub-container body in annular ring form which is mounted between
inner and outer depending annular flanges of the container cap,
said container cap having an inner bore provided with screw threads
on an inner surface thereof facing inwardly for engagement with
screw threads formed on an outer surface of the container neck,
wherein said sub-container body in annular ring form has at least
one compartment formed therein for holding separate ingredients
which is provided with a dispensing orifice for dispensing the
ingredients into the container neck. The sub-container body may
have multiple compartments distributed around its annular ring
form.
[0024] With these improved devices, multiple ingredients can be
safely stored separately from the carrier liquid and conveniently
used and selectively dispensed into the container according to the
user's tastes. Thus, a wide range of new liquid food products can
be provided with better flavor, longer shelf life, and using
otherwise unstable ingredients, and without any or with reduced
amounts of preservatives.
[0025] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be explained in the following detailed description
of the invention having reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two versions of a prior art
device having a sub-container body with one or two compartments
mounted to a container cap or held on a container neck by the
container cap.
[0027] FIGS. 2A through 2G illustrate a first embodiment of the
invention having a multi-compartment sub-container body with
squeezable plastic, outer cylindrical walls, which is mounted to
the container cap.
[0028] FIGS. 3A through 3E illustrate a second embodiment of the
invention having a multi-compartment sub-container body with
squeezable plastic, outer cylindrical walls, which is detachably
removable from the container cap.
[0029] FIGS. 4A through 4F illustrate a third embodiment of the
invention having a multi-compartment sub-container body with
squeezable plastic, outer cylindrical walls, which is mounted by
the container cap on a container neck.
[0030] FIGS. 5A through 5G illustrate a fourth embodiment of the
invention having a sub-container body with multiple compartments
arranged transversely, which is mounted to the container cap.
[0031] FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate a fifth embodiment of the
invention having multiple sub-container vessels held in exterior
wells recessed in the outer surface of a fixed container top, which
are held in place and protected by a container pull-tab.
[0032] FIGS. 7A through 7H illustrate a sixth embodiment of the
invention having a sub-container vessel with multiple compartments
held in an exterior well recessed in the outer surface of a fixed
container top, which is held in place and protected by a container
pull-tab.
[0033] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a seventh embodiment of the
invention having a sub-container body mounted in the container neck
which has a protruding proximate end and abutting flange for
inserting into the opening in the container neck.
[0034] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an eighth embodiment of the
invention having a sub-container body mounted in the container neck
which is divided into a plurality of compartments with respectively
sealed orifices and which has a protruding proximate end and
abutting flange for inserting into the opening in the container
neck.
[0035] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a ninth embodiment of the
invention having a sub-container body with outer threading at a
proximate end thereof for threading in the container neck.
[0036] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a tenth embodiment of the
invention having a sub-container body divided into a plurality of
compartments having respectively sealed orifices, and outer
threading at a proximate end thereof for threading in the container
neck.
[0037] FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate an eleventh embodiment of the
invention having a sub-container body which is formed integrally
with the container cap and is provided with a hollow interior and
an outer flap for holding separate ingredients or an
ingredient-holding container therein.
[0038] FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate a twelfth embodiment of the
invention having a sub-container body in annular ring form mounted
between inner and outer depending flanges of the container cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0039] A broad objective of the present invention is to overcome
the disadvantages of the prior art devices, as represented in FIGS.
1A and 1B. In FIG. 1A, a container 10 holding a liquid 100 has a
neck 10a and a cap 11 with upper wall 12 and depending skirt 13.
The cap is applied on the neck to close the container by threading
the inter-engaging threads 14 and 15. A rigid sub-container 16 has
a lower portion 16a containing a dry ingredient 17 that is held,
through inter-engaging threads 20a and 20b, to an upper closure
portion 16b fixed to the underside 12a of the cap 11 by an adhesive
layer 19. When the cap is removed from the container, the lower
portion 16a of the sub-container body can be un-threaded from the
fixed upper portion 16a and its ingredient can be dispensed into
the liquid 100. In another version shown in FIG. 1B, the
sub-container body 16 is held on the cap on the container neck
suspended by a collar 23, and has separate compartments 16a and 16b
which are opened by unthreading them from each other. This type of
prior art device is costly to manufacture and inconvenient to
use.
[0040] In accordance with one principal approach in the present
invention, a device for storing ingredients separately within a
container has a sub-container body held by a container cap, such as
is commonly used for a beverage bottle, which has squeezable
plastic outer walls and inner divider walls forming multiple
compartments with respective orifices for dispensing ingredients
contained therein. Each compartment can be separately opened (by
removing a sealing element) and its ingredient can be dispensed
into the container by squeezing on corresponding portions of the
outer walls. Four embodiments of this approach are described
below.
[0041] In another principal approach, the device has a plurality of
sub-container vessels or a single vessel with multiple compartments
held in exterior well(s) recessed in a fixed container top, such as
is commonly used for a beverage can. The sub-container vessels are
held in place by and protected by the pull tab on the container
top. When the pull tab is removed and the tab opening is exposed,
the sub-container vessels can be removed from the exterior wells to
dispense their separate ingredients into the container. Two
embodiments of this approach are described below.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a first embodiment of the
device for use with a bottle container has a sub-container body 201
in cylindrical form with a proximate end 201a mounted to the
underside of the container cap 210. The sub-container body 201 has
squeezable plastic outer walls 202 and at least one inner divider
wall 203 which is aligned in parallel with a cylinder axis AX of
the sub-container body. The divider wall 203 divides the interior
of the sub-container body into two axially oriented compartments
204, 205. A greater number of compartments can be formed by using
more than one divider wall.
[0043] The compartments 204, 205 are used to contain respective
flavorings, oils, vitamins, supplements, medicines, and other
ingredients to be mixed in the carrier liquid at the time of use.
The compartments have respective dispensing orifices 204a and 205a
formed through closure walls at the distal end 201b of the
sub-container body. The orifices of the individual compartments are
sealed with individual adhesive foil tabs 204c and 205c. The distal
end of the sub-container body 201 is sealed by a removable adhesive
film membrane 206 with pull tabs to protect the foil tabs covering
the orifices.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, predetermined portions 204b and
205b of the outer cylindrical walls 202 corresponding to the
respective compartments are formed with a lesser wall thickness
than the surrounding wall portions. The thinner wall areas can be
squeezed more readily to dispense ingredients contained in the
respective compartments, as illustrated in FIG. 2G. the combination
of a readily manipulable squeezing area and dispensing orifice
allows the user to controllably dispense the ingredient from the
respective compartment.
[0045] In further details shown in FIGS. 2D, 2E, and 2F, the
sub-container body 201 is mounted at its proximate end 201b to the
underside of the cap 210, which may be accomplished by any suitable
means. In this embodiment, the sub-container body has a indented
portion 207 with a detent surface and the cap 210 has a projection
211 with a detent-engaging surface for snap-fitting the
sub-container body to the cap. This allows the parts to be molded
separately, and also gives the user the option of removing the
sub-container body from the cap to dispense ingredients and/or to
reclose the cap. The cap 210 has threads 210a for threading on the
neck of the container. The orifices 204a and 205a are sealed with
individual foil tabs 204c and 205c. The annular edges of the
orifices 204a and 205a may be provided with anti-drip indentations
212 which hold back any residue ingredient drips after pressure on
the compartment is released.
[0046] The sub-container body can be made of clear
polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), or other suitable
plastic material that is durable and has sufficient flexibility to
allow it to be elastically squeezed. Typical overall wall thickness
is in the range of about 0.50 mm, and about 0.20 mm for the
thinner-walled portions. The dimensions of the sub-container body
may be varied depending on the size of the cap, container, and
desired holding capacity for the ingredients. For a bottle cap of
typical 35 mm diameter, the sub-container body can have a diameter
of about 22 mm. The orifice preferably have an elliptical shape
with dimensions of about 3 mm by 5 mm.
[0047] In FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, a second embodiment of the device
is shown having a cylindrical sub-container body 301 with its
proximate end detachably mounted to the underside of the container
cap 310 by detent surfaces 307 snap-fitted onto projections 311 on
the underside of the cap. The sub-container body 301 has squeezable
plastic outer walls 302. The divider wall 303 divides the interior
of the sub-container body 301 into compartments 304 and 305. The
compartments 304 and 305 have respective dispensing orifices 304a
and 305a formed at the proximate end of the sub-container body. As
shown in more detail in FIGS. 3D and 3E, the orifices are sealed
with removable sealing tabs 304c and 305c, and have anti-drip edges
312. In this embodiment, positioning the compartment orifices at
the proximate end keeps them away from the carrier liquid and
reduces the possibility of seepage or liquid penetration into the
seals.
[0048] In FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, a third embodiment of the device,
similar to the first embodiment, has a cylindrical sub-container
body 401 formed with squeezable plastic outer walls 402, divider
wall 403, compartments 404 and 405, respective orifices 404a and
405a at its distal end, and thin-walled squeeze portions 404b and
405b. In FIG. 4D, the sub-container body 401 is shown fixed to a
collar 413 which is to be held on the container neck by the
container cap 410 (in a manner similar to the prior art device of
FIG. 1B). When the cap is removed from the container neck, the
sub-container body 401 can be lifted out and the orifices 404a and
405a unsealed to dispense the respective ingredients. In FIGS. 4E
and 4F, the orifices 404a and 405a for the compartments of the
sub-container body 401 are shown having individual sealing tabs
404c and 405c, anti-drip edges 412, and outer sealing membrane
406.
[0049] The sub-container body 401 has a diameter which easily fits
within the bottle neck opening, while the collar has a diameter
large enough to fit within the inside of the cap and rest on the
upper rim of the neck. The collar can be made of a rigid plastic
such as high density polyethylene.
[0050] In FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, a fourth embodiment of the device
is shown having a sub-container body 501 in cylindrical form with
its proximate end 501a mounted to the underside of the container
cap 510. The sub-container body is formed with squeezable plastic
outer walls 502, and has divider walls 503 aligned transverse to
the cylinder axis AX dividing the interior of the sub-container
body into a plurality of transversely oriented compartments 504,
505, and 506. The compartments have respective orifices 504a, 505a,
and 506a formed at predetermined positions of the outer walls for
each compartment.
[0051] In FIG. 5D, the sub-container body 501 is shown in greater
detail having an indented detent surfaces 507 to which projections
511 on the underside of the cap are snap-fitted to mount the
sub-container body to the cap. The portions of the outer walls at
the positions of the orifices can be formed with puckers 504d,
505d, and 506d for better directing of ingredients from the
orifices under pressure. In FIG. 5E, the orifices 504a, 505a, and
506a are shown having anti-drip edges 512. FIGS. 5E, 5F, and 5G
show in greater detail the orifices sealed by individual, removable
sealing element 504c, 505c, and 506c.
[0052] The sub-container body in the three-compartment example
described above can have typical dimensions of about 20 mm diameter
(excluding the puckered areas around the orifices) and 45 mm
length, resulting in each of the three compartments having about
4.7 cc capacity. The sub-container body may be formed with any
desired number of separate compartments for the ingredients by
providing the required number of divider walls. For an example
where it is used for iced coffee beverage, it can have three
divider walls forming four compartments to hold coffee flavoring,
creamer, sugar, and synthetic sweetener.
[0053] A fifth embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS.
6A, 6B, and 6C, is used with a container 610 with a fixed container
top 601, such as for a beverage can. The container top 601 has an
outer surface fitted with a pull-tab 602 having a pull portion
602a, a tab portion 602b, and a center fixture 602c which is
detachably mounted to a center position on the outer surface of the
container top. A tab opening formed in the container top is
removably covered by the tab portion 602b of the pull-tab. Two (or
more) exterior wells 604 and 605 are arranged at positions radially
spaced from the pull tab 602 and are recessed below the outer
surface of the container top 601.
[0054] The exterior wells have respective sub-container vessels
604a and 605a of matching shape carried therein with their upper
surfaces disposed evenly with the outer surface of the container
top. FIG. 6D shows each sub-container vessel 504a (505a) having a
dispensing orifice 604c sealed by a sealing element 604b. When the
sub-container vessels are positioned in their exterior wells, a
radially inward portion thereof is covered and held in place by a
portion of the pull tab 602 in its unremoved position. When the
pull tab is removed from the container top, the sub-container
vessels can be removed from their respective exterior wells for
dispensing of the respective ingredients into the container tab
opening.
[0055] The sub-container vessels are formed with squeezable plastic
outer walls, as previously described, to allow pressure to be
applied to dispense the contents. For typical beverage cans having
a can top of about 60 mm, the exterior wells can have a width of
about 15 mm, spaced about 8 mm in the radial direction from the
center position of the pull tab, a length of about 25 mm, and a
depth of from 8 to 12 mm, resulting in each vessel having a
capacity of about 3.7 to 4.0 cc. The interior walls of the exterior
wells opposite their open end can be formed at varied depths to
vary the volume of each of the wells. The walls of the exterior
wells can be slanted towards the center position of the pull-tab to
bias the vessels toward the pull tab and prevent them from being
accidentally dislodged from the wells during handling.
[0056] In production on a form/fill/seal line, the container top is
fabricated with the exterior wells press-formed therein, and with
the tab portion scored in the tab opening and the mounting fixture
for the pull portion riveted to the center of the top. The top is
crimp-rolled onto the container body with the liquid media filled
therein. The sub-container vessels can be inserted in the exterior
wells by rotating the pull portion of the pull-tab about its center
fixture to clear the openings of the wells. After the vessels are
inserted therein, the pull portion is rotated back to its original
position to overlap the openings of the wells and hold and protect
the vessels therein. A protective paper, plastic, or nonwoven
substrate may be placed over the container top and under the pull
portion (usable also for printed advertising and by the user as an
absorbent surface).
[0057] In FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, a sixth embodiment of the device
for use with a container can has a exterior well 703 recessed in
the outer surface of the container top 701 of the container 710.
The pull-tab 702 has a pull portion 702a, tab portion 702b, and
center fixture 702c detachably mounted to a center position of the
container top. In its unremoved position, the pull portion 702a of
the pull-tab 702 overlaps partially the opening of the exterior
well 703, and the tab portion 702b seals a tab opening 702b' in the
container top.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 7D, 7E, 7F, and 7G, a sub-container vessel
704 of matching shape is adapted to be carried in the exterior well
703 with its upper surface disposed evenly with the outer surface
of the container top 701. As described for the earlier embodiments,
the sub-container vessel has squeezable plastic outer walls and at
least one inner divider wall 708 dividing its interior into
compartments 705 and 706. The compartments have respective
dispensing orifices 705a and 706a formed at the lower end of the
vessel, which is not exposed at the surface when the vessel is
seated in the exterior well. The orifices are sealed by individual,
removable sealing tabs 705c and 706c.
[0059] For use, as shown in FIG. 7H, when the pull-tab is removed,
the vessel 704 can be removed from the exterior well 703 (by
pulling on a tab 704a), and ingredients can be dispensed from the
respective compartments by removing the sealing tabs 705c and 706c
and squeezing on respective portions of the outer walls
corresponding to the compartments (outlined arrows in FIG. 7H). The
vessel may have thinner wall portions for the compartments, as
previously described, to facilitate controllable dispensing of the
respective ingredients. The exterior well can have side walls that
incline outwardly to facilitate removal of the vessel, particularly
if it has a depth longer than the width of the opening. For a
typical beverage can having a can top of about 60 mm diameter, the
exterior well can be radially spaced about 7 mm from the center
position of the pull tab, and have dimensions of about 24 mm
diameter at the top and a variable depth of from 10 to 40 mm.
Inserting the vessel in the well is accomplished in the same manner
previously described.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a seventh embodiment of the
device has a sub-container body 801 in cylindrical form and a
proximate end 801a provided with inclined walls 803 leading to a
central opening 807. Preferably, the container cap 810 is formed
with a complementary part 811 with inclined walls 811a and a top
wall 811b. The sub-container body is also formed with an annular
flange 804 on its outer surface adjacent the inclined walls of the
proximate end 801a. The sub-container body is mounted in the neck
of the container covered by the cap. It can be mounted to the
underside of the container cap by thermally bonding the cap and
annular flange 804 with a fusible polyethylene sealing film 805.
Alternatively, the sub-container body can simply be inserted by its
distal end 801b into the container neck 802, with the annular
flange 804 seated on the upper rim of the neck and held by the cap
810 threaded on the outer threading of the neck. A sealing film 806
is formed on a lower side of the annular flange 804 to act as a
seal between the flange and the rim of the container neck 802.
[0061] The opening 807 in the proximate end 801a is sealed with a
foil 807a adhesively sealed to the edges of the opening. When the
sub-container body 801 is removed from the container neck, the
sealing foil 807a can be removed (by its pull tab) and the
protruding proximate end 801a can be inserted into the opening in
the container neck 802 guided by the inclined walls 803 until the
annular flange 804 abuts the upper rim of the neck, as shown in
FIG. 8B. The action of the inclined walls guiding the protruding
end into the neck opening and abutting the flange on the neck rim
provides the user with a positive feel for putting the two parts
together. For example, the opening in the proximate end can be a
distance of about 7 mm above the annular flange, which is
sufficient to allow a user to hold the sub-container body with the
proximate end lodged in the container neck securely so that the
combined unit can be shaken. After dispensing, the sub-container
body can be discarded. The cap can be threaded on the bottle neck,
and the bottle shaken further to allow complete mixing of the
ingredients before use, or saved for later use.
[0062] The provision of the protruding proximate end allows
ingredients contained in the sub-container body 801 to be dispensed
into the container without risk of spilling or splashing outside of
the container. This measure against spilling allows the use of more
viscous liquids such as syrups or powdered contents in the
sub-container body which can then be dislodged by shaking and/or
mixed with fluid in the container by shaking.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, an eighth embodiment is shown
as a variation of the previously described version, in which the
sub-container body 901 has an annular flange 904, inclined walls
911b at its proximate end 901a, and an inner wall 913 parallel to
its cylindrical axis dividing the interior of the sub-container
body into a plurality of axially oriented compartments,
illustratively numbered 913a and 913b. Each compartment is formed
with a dispensing orifice at the proximate end of the sub-container
body, respectively 907 and 908. Each orifice is separately sealed
with an adhesively foil, respectively 907a and 908a, so that they
can be selectively removed, depending on the ingredients desired to
be mixed with the fluid in the container. The sub-container body
may be mounted to the underside of the container cap by a thermal
sealing film, or held by its annular flange between the cap and the
container neck.
[0064] In use, the cap 910 with complementary protruding part 911
is removed from the neck 902 of the container, and the
sub-container body 901 is removed either from the underside of the
cap (by pulling it from the sealing film 905) or by retrieving it
from the container neck. The foil(s) are removed from the desired
compartment(s), then the protruding proximate end 901a is inserted
in the neck until the annular flange is abutted against the upper
rim of the neck. The contents of the opened compartment(s) can then
be shaken into and/or mixed with fluid in the container.
[0065] In FIGS. 10A and 10B, a ninth embodiment of the invention is
shown as another variation of the single-compartment sub-container
body 1001 having an annular flange 1004 and outer screw threads
1005 on an outer surface of its proximate end 1001a, which is
provided with an opening 1007 sealed by an adhesive foil 1007a. The
sub-container body is removably mounted by the annular flange 1004
in the container neck, held between an annular portion 1011
projecting from an underside of the container cap 1010 and an upper
rim of a neck 1002 of the container. Sealing films 1004a are
applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the annual flange. The
cap 1010 is secured to the neck by inner screw threads 1011a mating
with outer screw threads 1002a, respectively. The screw threads
1005 at the proximate end 1001a of the sub-container body are
formed on its outer surface above the annular flange 1004, and
engages complementary inner threads 1002b on the inner surface of
the neck opening.
[0066] In use, when the cap 1010 is unscrewed from the container
neck 1002, and the sub-container body 1001 is removed, the sealing
foil 1007a can be removed from the opening 1007, and the proximate
end 1001a of the sub-container body can be inserted into and
threaded to the inner surface of the container neck until the
annular flange 1004 abuts the upper rim of the neck, as shown in
FIG. 10B. A tight seal is formed by the pressure of the abutting
flange 1004 on the neck rim with the sealing film 1004a in between.
It this manner, the sub-container body is held securely to allow
the ingredients to be dispensed by shaking or mixing with fluid in
the container, without risk of spilling or splashing outside of the
container.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a tenth embodiment is a
variation of the previously described version, in which the
sub-container body 1101 has a flange 1104, outer screw threads 1105
on an outer surface at its proximate end 1101a, and an inner wall
1103 parallel to its cylindrical axis dividing the interior of the
sub-container body into a plurality of axially oriented
compartments, illustratively numbered 1103a and 1103b. Each
compartment is formed with a dispensing orifice at the proximate
end of the sub-container body, respectively 1107 and 1108. Each
orifice is separately sealed with an adhesively foil, respectively
1107a and 1108a, so that they can be selectively removed.
[0068] When the cap 1110 is removed from the container neck 1102,
and the sub-container body 1101 is removed, the sealing foil(s) can
be removed from the desired compartment(s). The sub-container body
is inverted, and the proximate end 1101a is inserted into and
threaded in the neck, with the outer threads 1105 being screwed
into the inner threads 1102b in the neck opening, until the annular
flange 1104 abuts the upper rim of the neck (with sealing film
sandwiched between). A tight seal is formed by the pressure of the
abutting flange 1004 on the neck rim with the sealing film 1004a in
between. The entire unit can then be vigorously shaken to fully
dispense and mix viscous or powdered contents with the fluid
contents of the container. After complete dispensing and mixing,
the sub-container body is removed, and the mixed contents of the
container are ready to be consumed.
[0069] In FIGS. 12A-12D, an eleventh embodiment of the invention
has a sub-container body 1201 formed integrally with the container
cap 1200. The sub-container body has an annular flange 1204 formed
as its proximate end which is connected to the depending annular
flange 1210 of the cap 1201. The cap has inner screw threads formed
on an inner surface of the depending flange 1210 which engage
complementary screw threads formed on an outer surface of the
container neck 1202. The sub-container body has a hollow interior
1213 and an opening at its proximate end which is covered by an
outer flap 1216. The flap can be hinged to one side of the cap and
have a rim 1216a which snap engages with an annular bead around the
cap. The sub-container opening may be sealed with an adhesive foil
1207. The sub-container body is removable from the container neck
with the container cap. Ingredients held in the hollow interior are
dispensed by opening the flap and unsealing the seal 1207, and
pouring them into the container neck. The sub-container may be
re-sealed by the hinged flap 1216.
[0070] Ingredients may be stored directly in the hollow interior
1213 of the sub-container body, or other ingredient package units
may be stored therein, such as the multi-compartment units 1218 and
1219 shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D, respectively. The volume of the
sub-container can vary with diameter and depth in the container
neck opening. The sub-container may also be used to store
non-ingredients such as pills, toys, or prizes. Toys placed in the
sub-container could be used to entice children to drink the
container's nutritional formulations, medications, vegetable
juices, etc. New marketing strategies can be fashioned by placing
coupons or drawing tickets in the interior.
[0071] With this version, the cap and sub-container body are an
integral unit. The ingredients or package units held in the
sub-container body would not come into contact with the fluids in
the container at all. This would increase the shelf life and
intactness of the sealed units. Dry ingredients can be dispensed
into the container readily since they are kept completely dry.
[0072] In FIGS. 13A-13C, a twelfth embodiment is shown having a
sub-container body 1301 in annular ring form which is mounted
between inner and outer depending annular flanges 1305 and 1303,
respectively of the container cap 1300. The container cap 1300 has
an inner bore provided with screw threads on an inner surface
thereof facing inwardly for engagement with screw threads formed on
an outer surface of the container neck 1302. The sub-container body
1301 has at least one compartment formed therein for holding
separate ingredients. Two compartments 1313a, 1313b are formed by
divider walls 1314, and have respective dispensing orifices 1315a,
1315b for dispensing the respective ingredients selectively into
the container neck (see FIG. 13C). The number of compartments can
be increased with additional divider walls, and are distributed
radially around the annular ring form of the sub-container body. A
seal 1309 may be adhered over the opening of the container neck to
keep the fluids in the container from leaking out. A step flange
1307 may be provided on the outer surface of the container neck for
positive engagement with the inner annular flange 1305 of the
container cap.
[0073] In this version, the sub-container body is carried entirely
outside of the bottle without contacting the fluids in the bottle.
This would increase the shelf life of the container and
ingredients, and ensure easy dispensing for dry ingredients. This
is especially suitable for fluids other than water. For bottles
having a cylindrical body and narrow bottle neck, the annular ring
form of the container cap holding the sub-container body can be
made flush with the outer diameter of the container body, so that
the bottle resembles a can in shape and can be stocked in and
dispensed from can vending machines.
[0074] With these improved devices, multiple ingredients can be
safely stored separately from the carrier liquid and conveniently
used and controllably metered to the user's tastes. The device
structures can be manufactured using standard plastic molding or
extrusion production, lamination, filling, and sealing techniques
at relatively low cost. The multiple compartments provided by the
devices allow a wide range of ingredients to be stored separately
and added at the time of use, thereby increasing the types of
products that can be produced and marketed, and accommodating a
greater range of consumer choices and tastes.
[0075] For beverages, sauces, and condiments having high sugar
content which might otherwise ferment, the ingredients can be kept
separate and mixed in the liquid media at the time of use, thereby
allowing the product to be packaged without the need for
preservatives. The taste of such products can be improved by
keeping flavorings separate until ready to use and by lower levels
or elimination of preservatives. Such products can also be exported
to countries which have strict controls on the use of
preservatives.
[0076] A wide range of new liquid food products can be introduced
to the marketplace where previously the ingredients might be
unstable or become deteriorated when stored with oxygenated water,
soda, and other liquid media. Health products using oxygenated
water can thus be handled in mass market packaging, shipping, and
vending environments.
[0077] The multiple compartments of the new device would also allow
a variety of flavors to be delivered with a packaged beverage
product and allow the user to select the one or ones they prefer.
This would allow the manufacturer to produce and ship only one
product to the market in place of multiple products that would
incur multiplied production, shipping, handling, storage, and
stocking costs.
[0078] It is to be understood that many modifications and
variations may be devised given the above description of the
principles of the invention. It is intended that all such
modifications and variations be considered as within the spirit and
scope of this invention, as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *