U.S. patent application number 10/511619 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for disposable product dispenser.
Invention is credited to Browne, Jeremy James Clendinning, Harvey, Neal, Kelsey, Steven, O'Rourke, Timothy.
Application Number | 20050173014 10/511619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9934965 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050173014 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Browne, Jeremy James Clendinning ;
et al. |
August 11, 2005 |
Disposable product dispenser
Abstract
A disposable product dispenser for dispensing product (60) into
a liquid prior to consumption by a user comprises a quantity of
product (60) sufficient for a drink or dose, and a holder (1) for
the product. The holder (51) is arranged to permit a user to
release the product in a controlled manner and to mix the product
with a liquid. The dispenser may be for dispensing a liquid or
solid and has particular application in the beverage industry
permitting customers to mix their own drinks.
Inventors: |
Browne, Jeremy James
Clendinning; (Cheshire, GB) ; O'Rourke, Timothy;
(Wiltshire, GB) ; Harvey, Neal; (York, GB)
; Kelsey, Steven; (London, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
9934965 |
Appl. No.: |
10/511619 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
April 17, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB03/01700 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F 13/002 20130101;
B65D 81/3255 20130101; A47G 21/004 20130101; B01F 15/00506
20130101; B01F 5/0614 20130101; B01F 15/00512 20130101; B65D 25/08
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/001 |
International
Class: |
B65B 001/04; B65B
003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 17, 2002 |
GB |
0208747.6 |
Claims
1. A disposable product dispenser for dispensing product into a
liquid prior to consumption, the dispenser comprising a quantity of
product sufficient for a drink or dose and a holder for the
product, characterised in that the holder is arranged to permit a
user to release the product in a controlled manner and to mix the
product with the liquid.
2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, comprising means to maintain
the product in a sterile environment until the product is to be
dispensed.
3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder is
arranged to permit the user to dispense the product into the liquid
whilst controlling movement of the product in the liquid and
permitting the dispensing to be terminated if desired.
4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the product is in the
form of a solid block mounted on or towards one end of the
holder.
5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the holder is in the
form of a spoon with the product located on the lower region of the
spoon handle towards the bowl of the spoon
6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein the product is
contained in a water soluble starch.
7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder comprises
a mesh or apertured section defining a cage from which the product
is dispensed.
8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the dispenser is a
spoon with the cage mounted on the handle of the spoon towards the
bowl of the spoon.
9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spoon is formed
of a first portion and a second portion with the cage integrally
formed with one portion.
10. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and second
portions of the spoon are arranged to be moved relative to each
other to release the product.
11. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10, wherein movement of the
first portion relative to the second portion opens vents to permit
liquid to flow through the cage.
12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10, comprising a sealed
compartment in which the product is retained prior to use, the
spoon being arranged such that movement of the first portion
relative to the second portion causes the product to break through
the seal into a region through which liquid may flow.
13. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein
the first portion includes a handle portion of the spoon and the
second portion includes a bowl portion of the spoon.
14. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cage is on the
end of the handle of the spoon.
15. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the product is a
granular soluble solid.
16. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7, in which the product is a
liquid.
17. A dispenser as claimed in claim 16, wherein the liquid is oil
based.
18. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder
comprises a straw having product located therein, the straw and
product being arranged such that a user sucking liquid through the
straw causes the liquid to pass over and dissolve the product.
19. A dispenser as claimed in claim 18, wherein the product is
solid and formed integrally with the holder.
20. A dispenser as claimed in claim 18, wherein the holder
comprises a chamber located on the straw between a lower and an
upper section of the straw, which chamber is arranged to receive
product in the form of a capsule.
21. A dispenser as claimed in claim 20, wherein the capsule is
inserted into the chamber through the lower or upper section of the
straw.
22. A dispenser as claimed in claim 20, wherein the chamber
comprises flexible walls which can be compressed by a user wherein
the capsule is frangible such that the product is retained in a
sealed environment until the capsule is ruptured by squeezing the
chamber when the capsule is located in the chamber.
23. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22, wherein the capsule is
designed to rupture in a predetermined manner such that the product
is released at a predetermined rate, relative to the flow of liquid
through the chamber.
24. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispenser
comprises a straw having an inlet and outlet at opposite ends and
one or more intermediate apertures between the ends of the straw,
the intermediate apertures being surrounded by a compressible
reservoir containing product to be dispensed as liquid is sucked
through the straw.
25. A dispenser as claimed in claim 24, wherein the reservoir is
compressible and arranged such that pressure exerted on the outside
of the reservoir will control the rate at which the product is
dispensed.
26. A dispenser as claimed in claim 24, wherein the intermediate
apertures comprise seals arranged to dissolve as liquid is sucked
through the straw.
27. A dispenser as claimed in claim 24, wherein the intermediate
apertures comprise seals arranged to rupture when sufficient
pressure is exerted on the reservoir.
28. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder
comprises a dispensing valve in which product is retained, the
valve being arranged to receive and seal to a liquid reservoir such
that the product is mixed with the liquid as liquid passes from the
reservoir through the valve.
29. A dispenser as claimed in claim 28, wherein the holder further
comprises a dispensing nozzle arranged to be immersed in a drink,
the dispensing nozzle receiving liquid and product from the valve
and being arranged to direct this as jets into the drink.
30. A dispenser as claimed in claim 28, wherein the valve is
arranged to receive a capsule containing product to be
dispensed.
31. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder
comprises a compressible bulb containing a product, the bulb having
a plurality of outlets through which the product is directed as
jets when the bulb is compressed, the jets being covered by a seal
which is arranged to be removed prior to use.
32. A dispenser as claimed in claim 31, wherein a plurality of
bulbs are integrally formed as a strip, the bulbs being arranged to
be removed individually from the strip.
33. A dispenser as claimed in claim 31, wherein the product is an
alcoholic liquid.
34. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a
mixing section having an inlet and an outlet, means defining a
first path, extending helically in one sense about an axis, means
defining a second path extending helically in the opposite sense
about said axis, both said paths being positioned to receive
substantially equal amounts of fluid from said inlet and to
discharge the fluids flowing there along to a common location
adjacent said outlet, whereby to effect turbulent mixing.
35. A dispenser as according to claim 34, wherein said inlet lies
vertically above the outlet, and wherein each of said paths slopes
to the vertical at an angle in the range of from 30.degree. to
60.degree..
36. A dispenser according to claim 34, wherein said inlet lies
above said outlet and wherein each of said paths slopes with
respect to the horizontal at an angle in the range of from
40.degree. to 50.degree..
37. A dispenser according to claim 34, wherein said mixing section
comprises a cylindrical body having a central axially extending
member, and wherein said means defining the first and second paths
comprises first and second arcuate flanges supporting said central
member from the wall of said body.
38. A dispenser according to claim 37, wherein each of said arcuate
flanges subtends at an angle of 180.degree. about said axis and
lies on the diametrically opposite side of said axis to the other
flange.
39. A dispenser according to claim 37, wherein the downstream end
of each of said arcuate flanges defines an abrupt termination of
the path.
40. A dispenser according to claim 34, including a dispensing
section having an inlet coupled to the outlet of the mixing section
and having an elongate conical section which reduces in diameter
with distance from the inlet, the conical section having two
substantially planar faces on diametrically opposite sides thereof,
and apertures in each face to discharge fluid entering the conical
section from its inlet.
41. A dispenser according to claim 40, wherein the apertures in
each said face are arranged substantially equally spaced from one
another in a row extending centrally and longitudinally of said
faces.
42. A dispenser according to claim 34, including a storage section
having an outlet which can be coupled to the inlet of the mixing
section, and an elongate hollow bulbous portion extending form from
its inlet and for storing fluid.
43. A dispenser according to claim 37, including a sealing membrane
extending across the inlet of the storage section to seal the fluid
in the bulbous section.
44. A dispenser according to claim 43, wherein said mixing section
includes piercing means for piercing said membrane to release said
fluid from the storage section when the outlet of said storage
section becomes fully engaged with the inlet of said mixing
section.
45. A dispenser according to claim 43, as dependent on claims 4, 9,
10 and 11, wherein said piercing means is carried by the leading
end of said central axially extending member.
46. A dispenser according to claim 42, wherein said bulbous portion
is flaccid or flexible and can be squeezed.
47. A dispenser according to claim 44, including locking means for
releasably locking said storage section and said mixer section in
partial engagement to prevent the rupture of said membrane by said
piercing means, release of said locking means enabling full
engagement to take place with the consequent rupture of said
membrane.
48. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quantity of
product is sufficient for only one drink or dose.
49. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a product dispenser for
dispensing a stored product into a volume of liquid. The product
may be either a liquid or a soluble solid and is particularly, but
not exclusively, applicable to the drinks and pharmaceutical
industries.
[0002] In the beverage field, concentrates are often added to base
liquids to change their flavour, aroma and/or colour. Typically,
different syrups are selectively added to carbonated water to
provide a selection of different soft drinks such as cola,
lemonade, orangeade, etc.
[0003] In bars mixers are added to various drinks to provide
cocktails. In both cases, large volumes of the concentrate or
spirits have to be stored and both accurate measuring and mixing
has to be thoroughly effected before serving to the customer. This
denies the customer the opportunity of mixing the drink to his
preferred taste.
[0004] It is an object to the invention to provide an improved
dispenser which allows the customer, rather than the server, to
dispense and mix his own beverages.
[0005] A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser
which permits a patient to conveniently mix appropriate
pharmaceuticals with a liquid.
[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a
disposable product dispenser for dispensing product into a liquid
prior to consumption, the dispenser comprising a quantity of
product sufficient for a drink or dose and a holder for the
product, wherein the holder is arranged to permit a user to release
the product in a controlled manner and to mix the product with the
liquid.
[0007] The present invention provides a dispenser which can
purchased by a customer in a bar which enables the customer to mix
a beverage, for example a soft water based drink, an alcoholic
drink or coffee to his desired taste. The customer may simply
purchase the dispenser containing a sealed and measured quantity of
product and dispense this into a volume liquid, for example
carbonated water or hot water, which may be freely available at a
collection point.
[0008] Employing the present invention, the time consuming mixing
of the drink is transferred from the vendor to the purchaser,
providing a significant advantage to the vendor. Meanwhile, the
purchaser can expect to receive product supplied, pre-packed in the
dispenser, of the desired quality and quantity and maintained in a
sterile environment prior to opening by the customer.
[0009] An additional benefit of the dispenser in accordance with
the invention is that it may be arranged to provide the customer
with a significant "play factor" when dispensing the product,
depending on the nature of the product and the environment in which
it is to be sold. For example the product, if a liquid, may be oil
based and if dispensed into water can be arranged to provide
interesting suspensions prior to complete mixing. The novelty
factor which can be provided by a dispenser in accordance with the
present invention can be of significant marketing importance,
particularly in a bar or coffee house environment.
[0010] Another major advantage of a dispenser in accordance with
the present invention is that it can be used to permit automated
dispensing of a product.
[0011] A dispenser in accordance with the present invention may be
used not only for the dispensing of beverages, but may also be used
to supply pharmaceutical preparations to a patient and has
application to the provision of any substance that requires mixing
with a bulk volume of liquid, particularly if that liquid is for
consumption by a human and it is important to know that the product
has been maintained in a sterile environment.
[0012] The dispenser may advantageously be in the form of a spoon
with a cage mounted on the handle of the spoon towards the bowl of
the spoon. A product in the cage, for example coffee, can then
released by a user into a cup of hot water.
[0013] A dispenser in accordance with the invention may comprise a
mixing section having an-inlet and an outlet, means defining a
first path, extending helically in one sense about an axis, means
defining a second path extending helically in the opposite sense
about said axis, both said paths being positioned to receive
substantially equal amounts of fluid from said inlet and to
discharge the fluids flowing there along to a common location
adjacent said outlet, whereby to effect turbulent mixing.
[0014] Disposable product dispenser embodying the present invention
will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are used to
indicate like parts and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the system;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the system of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the system of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are, respectively, a front elevation, a
side elevation and a plan view of the mixing component of the
system of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 7-7 of FIGS. 4 and
6;
[0020] FIG. 8 and 9 are, respectively, a front and a side elevation
of the dispensing component of the system of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 10 is an under plan view of the dispensing component of
FIGS. 8 and 9;
[0022] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are, respectively, a front elevation, a
side elevation and a plan view of the storage component of the
system of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a section taken along lines 14-14 of FIG. 13;
[0024] FIG. 15 illustrates a dispenser in accordance with the
present invention for mixing liquid product into a drink;
[0025] FIG. 16 illustrates how a plurality of dispensers of FIG. 15
may be packaged;
[0026] FIGS. 17 to 18 disclose an embodiment similar to that
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 where a product for mixing is
additionally contained within the mixing section;
[0027] FIGS. 19 to 21 illustrate various embodiments of the present
invention when applied to a straw;
[0028] FIGS. 22 to 23 illustrate the present invention applied to a
mixing stick; and
[0029] FIGS. 24 to 38 illustrate various embodiments of a dispenser
in accordance with the present invention, applied to a spoon.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of the
invention consists of three components, a storage component 2 for a
product, a mixing component 4 and a dispensing component 6.
[0031] The mixing component, which can be more clearly seen in
FIGS. 4 to 7, comprises a hollow cylindrical body 8 of
predetermined internal and external diameter. The body has an upper
rim or collar portion 10 of reduced internal diameter sized to
accommodate the lower end portion of the storage component, and has
a lower rim or collar portion 12 of reduced external diameter to
matingly engage an opening in the upper end of the dispensing
component 6.
[0032] The body 8 has a central axially extending rod 14 with a
pointed upper end 14A which extends into the region of the upper
rim portion 10. The rod 14 is supported within the body 8 by a pair
of arcuate flanges 16 and 18 which extend between the inner wall of
the body 8 and the rod 14. Each flange subtends at an angle of
180.degree. about the axis of the rod 14 and spirals downwardly in
opposite senses about the axis of the rod 14.
[0033] Thus, the upper radially extending end of each flange 16 and
18 starts from a common line extending diametrically across the
cylindrical body at junction with the lower end of the upper rim
portion and the lower radially extending end of each flange
terminates in a common line extending diametrically across the
cylindrical body at the junction with the upper end of the lower
rim portion. Thus, the axial length of each flange equals the
distance between the upper and lower rim portions. In operation,
when a liquid is discharged into the upper rim portion 10, half the
liquid will be swirled about the rod 14 in a clockwise sense by one
of the flanges and the other half of the liquid will be swirled
around the rod 14 in an anticlockwise sense. The resulting two
streams of liquid leaving the flanges will meet swirling around in
opposite senses to ensure a high degree of turbulence in the
resulting flow.
[0034] The free lateral faces of the two flanges at their lower
ends lie in a common vertical plane to ensure that the liquid
flowing down each flange breaks away from the surface of the flange
as it is discharged therefrom.
[0035] The angular downward slope of each flange preferably lies in
the range of from 40.degree. to 60.degree. but more advantageously
lies in the range of from 45.degree. to 55.degree..
[0036] The dispensing component which is more clearly shown in
FIGS. 8 to 10 consists of an upper cylindrical support or collar 28
which has an internal diameter matching the external diameter of
the lower rim portion 12 of the mixing component 4. Depending
downwardly from the support 28 is an elongate hollow conical
portion 29 decreasing in diameter with distance from the support
28. The conical portion is provided with two substantially flat
faces 20 and 22 on diametrically opposite sides thereof.
[0037] Each flat face is provided with an axially extending row of
six equally spaced openings 24 in the lower region thereof.
[0038] In operation, when the dispensing component is lowered into
a body a liquid to a level in which all the openings 24 are
submerged and a turbulent flow is introduced from the mixing
component 4, the turbulent flow will emerge from all the openings
24 in a turbulent fashion to ensure a thorough mixing with the body
liquid.
[0039] The storage component 2, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 11
to 14, has a lower collar 30 having an external diameter matching
the internal diameter of the upper rim portion 10 which is arranged
to receive the collar 30. Extending upwardly from the collar 30 is
a generally elongate hollow bulbous portion 32 which is arranged to
store the fluid which is to be discharged from the system.
[0040] The mouth of the collar 30 is bridged by a rupturable
membrane (not shown) eg of plastics lined aluminium foil to seal
the contents within the bulbous portion 32.
[0041] In operation, when the collar 30 is made to engage the upper
rim portion 10 and urged downwardly, the pointed upper end 14A of
the rod will pierce the membrane to release the contents into the
mixing component 4 where turbulent mixing will occur. As the
turbulent contents discharges from the mixing component 4, it
enters the discharge component 6 to be released into a surrounding
body of liquid through the openings 24.
[0042] The three components may be coupled together in a variety of
ways, the couplings may be achieved by a force fit, adhesive or
even a screw threaded connection.
[0043] The fluid may flow through the system under gravitational
force or the flow may be assisted by making the bulbous portion 32
of flaccid or resilient material so that pressure can be applied to
it to force the fluid therefrom.
[0044] A variety of different sized or shaped storage components
can be fitted to a standard sized mixing component. Equally,
different sized dispensing portions or ones having different sized
apertures, can be fitted to the mixing portion.
[0045] While the three components can be provided as separate
components for assembly at the point of sale, it is preferable to
provide the system ready assembled with the particular size and
shape combination dedicated to each different type of fluid to be
dispensed.
[0046] In this situation, the assembly of the storage component
with the mixing component would need to be in a semi complete state
in order to prevent the pointed end 14A of the rod prematurely
piercing the membrane. Thus, for example, a tear off ring (not
shown) may be provided around the collar 30 to prevent the collar
30 from fully engaging the upper rim portion and so holding the
membrane spaced from the pointed end 14A.
[0047] By subsequently tearing off the ring, the two components 4
and 6 can then be fully pushed together to cause the pointed end
14A to pierce the membrane and release the fluid.
[0048] If the coupling between the collar 30 and the upper rim
portion 10 is of the screw threaded type, the components may be
initially only partially screw threaded together and locked or
clamped in that state by an encircling band of plastics. Tearing
off the band allows the two components to be fully screw threaded
together to again release the fluid.
[0049] Other means of achieving the same end will be apparent. For
example, the collar 12 may be closed by a valve which can be opened
by the rod 14 or some other separate means. The valve may be
magnetically operated by an external magnet.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 15, there is illustrated an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, where the
dispenser comprises a bulb 33 which forms a holder for a liquid
product to be mixed into a drink. The bulb 33 is squeezable so that
the product inside the bulb can be forced out through apertures 34
in the bulb. The apertures are configured such that when the bulb
33 is squeezed the liquid product exists the apertures 34 under
pressure forming a jet of liquid, such that when the lower portion
of the bulb 33 is immersed in a liquid, for example carbonated
water, the contents of the bulb, which may be a flavouring, mix
rapidly with the liquid already present.
[0051] Prior to use, the jets 34 are covered by a seal 35. This
ensures that the product in the bulb 33 is of the quantity and
quality expected and the seal may indicate the product type or
flavour.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 16, there is illustrated a plurality of
bulbs 33 which are formed by a blown technique. The blown technique
of manufacture not only produces bulbs 33 but also a retention
portion 36 by which a plurality of bulb are joined to form a strip.
Adjacent retention portions 36 are separated by pre-weakened lines
37 enabling the bulbs 36 to be separated. In turn each bulb 33 is
joined to its retention portion 36 by further pre-weakened line 38,
enabling the bulb 33 to be separated therefrom. The bulb 33, when
separated from retention portion 36 has an aesthetically pleasing
shape.
[0053] The dispenser of FIGS. 15 and 16 can be used to dispenser
cocktails in a bar environment, but could equally be used for
dispensing pharmaceuticals or other product it is desired to
maintain in a sterile environment prior to mixing with a volume of
liquid for internal consumption.
[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, there is illustrated a
dispenser in accordance with the present invention, which is
similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 14. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.
17 and 18, a mixing component 4 additionally comprises a product in
solid form to be dispensed. The product to be dispensed may be a
flavour for a drink, or a pharmaceutical. In a beverage
application, the bulb and mixing section may be of some
aesthetically pleasing design, as illustrated at 40 with, for
example, an alcoholic beverage contained and sealed in bulb 2, with
a colouring, flavouring or nucleating product, to cause fizz,
contained in the mixing component 4. In this application, the
quality and quantity of liquid in bulb 2 is known, being provided
as a sealed item, and dispensing is controlled through the mixing
component 4, the user controlling the volume of liquid in the bulb
2 dispensed. The dispenser also permits the individual to mix and
match mixing components and bulbs to obtain a drink of a desired
combination.
[0055] As indicated above the device may equally well be used for
dispensing pharmaceuticals. In this case, as illustrated at 41, the
bulb 2 and mixing component 6 may be of a simple functional design,
bulb 2 possibly containing sterile water, to be mixed with a
pharmaceutical, thereby providing safe sterile water of a known
volume to be mixed with the appropriate dosage of drug, as
desired.
[0056] As illustrated at 42, the invention is equally applicable to
chemicals and an appropriate liquid chemical could be contained in
bulb 2 to be mixed in mixing component 4 with another chemical. The
dispenser ensuring proper mixing of the chemicals prior to
dispensing into a liquid.
[0057] Regardless of the application, the dispensing component 6
may comprise fins 39 to assist in manual stirring of the final
composition. In either embodiment, the bulbs 2 would normally be
sealed to maintain the contents in a sterile environment, the seal
being pierced by insertion of the bulb 2 into the mixing
component.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 19, there is illustrated a further
embodiment of the present invention where the holder of the
dispenser comprises a straw 40 having an upper section 41 and a
lower section 42 joined by a casing 43 in which is stored a product
to be dispensed which is in a solid form. As liquid is sucked
through the straw 40, where it comes into contact with the product
and dissolves the product. The product is designed to dissolve at
an appropriate flow rate to add the desired taste to the liquid
being drawn through the straw. The product may alter the texture of
the liquid, by thickening it, introducing fizz or modify the taste
of the product by introducing a flavour. Additionally, the product
could be a menthol based product which provides a cooling effect in
the mouth.
[0059] A further straw type dispenser is illustrated in FIG. 20
where a chamber 44 is located between the upper and lower sections
of the straw. The chamber 44 is compressible and arranged to
receive a capsule 45 which can be inserted through lower end of the
straw. Once inserted, because of the shape of the capsule, it is
difficult for the capsule to leave the chamber and therefore the
capsule 45 is retained in the chamber. The capsule 45 contains a
product to be released as the liquid is drawn through the straw
and, immediately prior to use, the walls of the chamber 44 are
compressed in order to rupture the capsule 45. The capsule 45 has a
frangible section designed to rupture in a predetermined manner
such that product is released from the capsule 45 at a
predetermined rate, relative to the flow of liquid through the
chamber 44.
[0060] Referring now to the FIG. 21 embodiment, this again
illustrates a dispenser comprising a straw, but in this embodiment
the straw 40 has a plurality of intermediate apertures 46. These
are surrounded by a compressible reservoir 47 containing a liquid
product. The apertures 46 are sealed prior to use by appropriate
seals (not shown). The seals may be arranged to dissolve as liquid
is drawn through the straw, for example starch based seals, or the
seals may be designed to rupture when sufficient pressure is
exerted on the walls of the flexible reservoir 47. As liquid is
drawn through the straw 40, pressure is applied by the user to the
reservoir 46 such that the product within the reservoir is mixed
with the liquid being drawn through the straw at an appropriate
rate to produce the desired taste.
[0061] In FIGS. 22 and 23, there is illustrated an embodiment of
the present invention where product to be dispensed is in the form
of a pellet 48 formed on the bottom of a mixing stick 49. The
product, as shown in FIG. 22, is retained in a sealed wrapper 50,
the wrapper being removed, as shown in FIG. 23, prior to use when
the pellet is swirled around a drink until an appropriate quantity
has dissolved.
[0062] Depending on the product to be dispensed, it may be
advantageous to employ a dispenser in the form of a spoon. There
are any number of possible configurations for such a spoon, but
examples of particularly advantageous configurations are
illustrated in FIGS. 24a to 38c.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 24a, there is illustrated a nylon spoon 51
having a recess 52 therein, in which is moulded a predetermined
quantity of product 53 which is in the form of a solid comprising
flavouring contained within a solid starch. In use, a customer
purchases the spoon 51, obtains a cup of hot water which he/she
then stirs with the spoon 51 until the product 53 dissolves,
leaving the spoon as shown in FIG. 24b. An alternative embodiment
is shown in FIGS. 25a and 25b where the spoon 51 comprises two
portions, a handle portion 51a and a bowl portion 51b. Between the
two portions is a spindle 54, on which the product in the form a
short tube 55 is held in place, as shown in FIG. 25a, by the two
sections 51a and 51b being snapped together. The spoon when
purchased is contained in a sealed bag 56, as shown in FIG.
25c.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 26, an alternative embodiment, is
illustrated which again, as shown in FIG. 26a, is sold in a sealed
bag 56. In this example, the spoon 51 comprises a cage 57 formed by
the body of the spoon and nylon meshes 58 and 59. Mesh 58 is
moulded integrally with the spoon while mesh 59 snaps into the
spoon, as illustrated in FIG. 26c, after the product 60 has been
inserted. The product 60 may be coffee granules for example. As
shown in FIGS. 27a and 27b, the mesh 58, and the corresponding mesh
59, can be sealed by a heat shrink seal 61 which is removed prior
to use. When the seal is removed the spoon is immersed in hot water
and stirred, causing the hot water to flow through the cage 57
dissolving the coffee or product contained therein
[0065] FIGS. 28a, 28b, 29a and 29b show a further variation of the
spoon 51, in which the product 60 is again retained in a cage 57 by
meshes 58 and 59, but in this embodiment the cage has a hinged door
61.
[0066] FIGS. 30a and 30b show the cage 57 sealed by a heat shrink
sleeve 62. Prior to use, a tear strip 63 is used to remove the heat
shrink sleeve 62.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 31a and 31b, there is illustrated a
further alternative embodiment of spoon, where the bowl section 51b
is removed from the handle section 51a to open a cage 57 formed
integrally with the handle section 51a.
[0068] In a further alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 32a and
32b, coffee or another product 60 is contained within a spoon 64.
Spoon 64 comprising a plunger 65 for forcing the product 60 through
a membrane 66, rupturing previously sealed compartment 67. The
product 60 then enters the chamber 68 through which fluid may flow
as indicated by arrows 69 in FIG. 32b.
[0069] A variation of the FIG. 32a and 32b embodiment is
illustrated in FIGS. 33a and 33b, where depressing a plunger 70 in
spoon 71 conveys product 60 to a cage 72 where to be dissolved by
water entering the cage 72, as shown in FIG. 33b.
[0070] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 34a and 34b, the
spoon, indicated generally as 72, comprises a bowl portion 73 and a
handle portion 74, the handle portion 74 being raised to permit
fluid to flow through vents 75 into the cage 76 where product 60 is
dissolved.
[0071] In a further variation, the two sections of spoon may be
arranged to be rotated relative to each other to align vents 75,
permitting the liquid to dissolve the product, as illustrated in
FIGS. 35a and 35b.
[0072] As an alternative to having the product to be dispensed
towards the bowl portion of the spoon, as previously described, the
product, as illustrated in FIGS. 36a and 36b may be contained in a
cage 77 having nylon mesh inserts 78, the cage being located at the
top of the handle of the spoon. The cage 77 may be a snap fit to
the top of the shaft of the spoon 78 thereby permitting easy
filling of the cage 77 with an appropriate product. The cage
preferably has a protective sleeve 79 around it, which sleeve may
indicate the product therein and which is slipped off prior to
use.
[0073] A further embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 37a and 37b
where a spoon, indicated generally as 80, comprises a handle
portion 80a and a bowl portion 80b. The handle portion 80a
comprises a cage 81 containing a product 60 retained in place by a
clip-in disc 82. When the handle portion 80a is fully inserted in
the bowl portion 80b, as shown in FIG. 37a, the cage 81 is sealed
by the bowl portion 80b of the spoon. To dissolve the contents of
the cage, the cage is removed from the bowl portion 80b of the
spoon and the product dissolved in liquid before the cage is
reinserted in the handle portion 80b.
[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 37c and 38c, a product may come in
any number of flavours or types and these may be indicated by the
protective seals on the cages of the spoons.
[0075] Various embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated by way of example, but many more variations will be
apparent which fall within the scope of the appended claims. In
particular, the invention has been described primarily with
reference to beverage applications but the claimed invention is not
limited to any particular application.
* * * * *