U.S. patent application number 10/857061 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-01 for dispensing capsule.
Invention is credited to Harilela, David, Presser, Mark A., Zimmerman, Harry.
Application Number | 20050263414 10/857061 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35424001 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050263414 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harilela, David ; et
al. |
December 1, 2005 |
Dispensing capsule
Abstract
A dispensing capsule and venting system for dispensing materials
into a container. The dispensing capsule has a capsule body with a
sidewall having at least one vent, and a bottom wall which is
partially detachably attached to the capsule body. A cap portion is
provided that has a closed top end and a sidewall extending below
the top end, the cap portion being placed in the capsule body to
define a material containing cavity. An activation device is
provide for partially separating the bottom wall from the capsule
body. Vents are provided to insure no residual fluid collects
within the dispensing capsule, that the user can fully extract all
fluid of the from the holding container and that pressure can be
equalized between the internal pressure of the bottle with the
ambient outside pressure. A method of using the dispensing capsule
is also provided.
Inventors: |
Harilela, David; (Tsim Sha
Tsui, HK) ; Zimmerman, Harry; (Los Angeles, CA)
; Presser, Mark A.; (Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
35424001 |
Appl. No.: |
10/857061 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/221 ;
206/219; 206/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/242 20130101;
B65D 51/1683 20130101; B65D 47/32 20130101; B05B 11/0081 20130101;
B65D 81/3222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/221 ;
206/219; 206/222 |
International
Class: |
B65D 025/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dispensing capsule for containing and dispensing materials
contained therein, comprising: a capsule body having a sidewall,
the sidewall having at least one sidewall vent formed therethrough,
and a bottom wall which is at least partially detachably attached
to the capsule body; a cap portion having a closed top end and a
sidewall extending below the top end, the cap portion being adapted
to be placed in the capsule body to define a material containing
space; and an activation device for at least partially separating
the bottom wall of the capsule body from the capsule body; wherein
by activating the activation device, the bottom wall of the capsule
body is at least partially detached from the capsule body, and
wherein the top end of the cap will be positioned at a level of the
at least one sidewall vent when the activation device is
activated.
2. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the activation device
comprises a rod in contact with the bottom wall of the capsule body
and which extends upwardly so as to be contactable with the cap
portion.
3. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall of
the capsule body is partially frangibly attached to capsule
body.
4. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the
capsule body has an upper sealing engagement, and the cap portion
has a seal which interacts with the upper sealing engagement prior
to material in the materials containing space being released to
maintain the quality of the material contained in the material
containing space.
5. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the upper sealing
engagement comprises one of a groove and a bead, and the seal
comprises the other of a groove and a bead.
6. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the
capsule body includes a lower sealing engagement, with which the
seal of the cap portion engages when the material in the materials
containing space is released.
7. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the
capsule body has an upper sealing engagement below the at least one
sidewall vent, and the cap portion has a complementary sealing
engagement which interacts with the upper sealing engagement prior
to material in the materials containing space being released.
8. The dispensing capsule of claim 4, wherein the capsule body has
a lower sealing engagement which the sealing engagement of the cap
portion interacts with when the cap portion is in its activated
position.
9. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sidewall vent is sized and positioned on the sidewall of the
dispenser body such that liquid may pass therethrough whether or
not the dispensing capsule is in an unactivated state or its
activated state.
10. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sidewall vent is sized and positioned on the sidewall of the
dispenser body such that liquid will drain off of the cap portion
and back through the vent when the dispensing capsule is in its
activated state.
11. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sidewall vent comprises a plurality of upper vents and a plurality
of lower vents.
12. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the capsule body has
a lip extending from a top edge, which lip is adapted to seat on a
mouth of a container.
13. The dispensing capsule of claim 12, further comprising spacing
tabs located under the lip.
14. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, further comprising an
engagement for securing the dispensing capsule within a mouth of a
container.
15. The dispensing capsule of claim 11, wherein the engagement
comprises a threaded sleeve.
16. The dispensing capsule of claim 11, further comprising an upper
end for engagement with a bottle cap.
17. The dispensing capsule of claim 16, wherein the upper end of
the dispensing portion is sized to receive a bottle cap that is
used to seal off the bottle.
18. The dispensing capsule of claim 1, wherein the capsule body has
an open top and the cap portion is placed in the capsule body
through the open top.
19. A dispensing capsule for containing and dispensing materials
contained therein and adapted for positioning within an open mouth
of a container, comprising: a capsule body having an open top, a
sidewall and a bottom wall which is at least partially detachably
attached to the capsule body; a cap portion having a closed top end
and a sidewall extending below the top end, the cap portion being
adapted to be placed in the capsule body through the open top to
define a material containing space; a vent for venting gas and
liquid from the container though the dispensing capsule; and an
activation device for at least partially separating the bottom wall
of the capsule body from the capsule body; wherein by activating
the activation device, the bottom wall of the capsule body is at
least partially detached from the capsule body to release material
into the container.
20. The dispensing capsule of claim 19, wherein the vent is located
on one of the closed top end of the cap portion and a sidewall of
the capsule body.
21. The dispensing capsule of claim 18, wherein the vent comprises
a passageway from the closed top end of the cap portion through the
bottom of the capsule body.
22. A dispensing capsule for containing and dispensing materials
contained therein, comprising: a capsule body having a sidewall and
a bottom wall which is at least partially detachably attached to
the capsule body; a cap portion that is moveably positioned within
the capsule body, the cap having a closed top end and a sidewall
extending below the top end, the cap being placed in the capsule
body; a vent that opens up between the capsule body and the cap
when dispensing capsule is moved to an activated position; and an
activation device for at least partially separating the bottom wall
of the capsule body from the capsule body; wherein by activating
the activation device, the bottom wall of the capsule body is at
least partially detached from the capsule body, and wherein the top
end of the cap will be positioned at a level of the at least one
sidewall vent when the activation device is activated.
23. The dispensing capsule of claim 22, further comprising a prong
located on an inside wall of the capsule body, and wherein the vent
is located on the closed top end is frangibly openable when the cap
portion is pushed down such that the prong pushes the vent
open.
24. A dispensing capsule for containing and dispensing materials
contained therein, comprising: a capsule body having a sidewall, a
bottom wall which is at least partially detachably attached to the
capsule body, and an upwardly extending tube; a cap that engages
within the capsule body, the cap having a closed top end with a
walled passageway extending therethrough, and a sidewall extending
below the top end, the cap being placed in the capsule body such
that the walled passageway slides on the upwardly extending tube;
and an activation device for at least partially separating the
bottom wall of the capsule body from the capsule body; wherein by
activating the activation device, the bottom wall of the capsule
body is at least partially detached from the capsule body, and
wherein the top end of the cap will be positioned at a level of the
at least one sidewall vent when the activation device is
activated.
25. The dispensing capsule of claim 24, wherein the upwardly
extending tube is hollow and functions as a vent opening through
the dispensing capsule.
26. A dispensing capsule for containing and dispensing materials
contained therein, comprising: a capsule body having a sidewall, a
bottom wall which is at least partially detachably attached to the
capsule body, and a upwardly extending tube; a cap portion that
engages within the capsule body, the cap having a top end with a
walled passageway extending therethrough, and a sidewall extending
below the top end, the cap being placed in the capsule body such
that the walled passageway slides on the upwardly extending tube;
and an activation device for at least partially separating the
bottom wall of the capsule body from the capsule body; wherein by
activating the activation device, the bottom wall of the capsule
body is at least partially detached from the capsule body.
27. The dispensing capsule of claim 26, wherein the top end of the
slant inwardly from a perimeter region where the top end joins with
the sidewall towards the walled passageway.
28. The dispensing capsule of claim 26, wherein the bottom wall
comprises two hingedly attached portions which are frangibly
attached to the capsule body.
29. The dispensing capsule of claim 26, wherein the sidewall of the
capsule body has an upper sealing engagement, and the cap portion
has a seal which interacts with the upper sealing engagement prior
to material in the materials containing space being released to
maintain the quality of the material contained in the material
containing space.
30. The dispensing capsule of claim 29, wherein the sidewall of the
capsule body includes a lower sealing engagement, with which the
seal of the cap portion engages when the material in the materials
containing space is released.
31. The dispensing capsule of claim 26, wherein the capsule body
has a lip extending from a top edge, which lip is adapted to seat
on a mouth of a container.
32. The dispensing capsule of claim 26, further comprising an
engagement for securing the dispensing capsule within a mouth of a
container.
33. The dispensing capsule of claim 32, wherein the engagement
comprises a threaded sleeve.
34. A dispensing capsule for containing and dispensing materials
contained therein, comprising: a capsule body having an at least
partially threaded sidewall, a bottom wall which is at least
partially detachably attached to the capsule body, and a upwardly
extending tube; a threaded cap portion that engages within the
capsule body; an activation device for at least partially
separating the bottom wall of the capsule body from the capsule
body; wherein by turning the cap portion in the capsule body, the
threaded cap portion will activate the activation device, and at
least partially detach the bottom wall from the capsule body.
35. The dispensing capsule of claim 34, wherein the capsule at
least one vent is formed through the sidewall of the capsule body,
such that when the threaded cap portion is in an unactivated
position, any fluid that may collect above the threaded cap portion
will pass through the at least one vent and out of the dispensing
capsule.
36. The dispensing capsule of claim 34, wherein the capsule at
least one vent is formed through the sidewall of the capsule body,
such that when the threaded cap portion is in an activated
position, any fluid that may collect above the threaded cap portion
will pass through the at least one vent and out of the dispensing
capsule.
37. A dispensing capsule for containing and dispensing materials
contained therein and adapted for positioning within an open mouth
of a container, comprising: a capsule body having an upper chamber
with an aperture formed in an upper wall therein and a lower
material containment chamber, the upper and lower chambers being
separated by a dividing wall having a shaft aperture formed
therethrough, the lower material containment chamber having a lower
aperture, with at least one vent formed through the upper chamber;
a shaft have a lower portion with a seating end and a hollow upper
portion with a vent formed therein; and a spigot connected to the
shaft, the spigot adapted to permit fluid to flow through the vent
and out the hollow upper portion of the shaft and out the spigot
when the spigot is in an open position; wherein in an unactivated
state, the seating end of the shaft will block the lower aperture
of the lower material containment chamber, and a region of the
shaft above the narrowed neck region will closely engage with the
shaft aperture of the dividing wall, and in an activated state, the
spigot will be raised, thereby withdrawing the seating end of the
shaft from the lower aperture of the lower material containment
chamber to release material therefrom.
38. The dispensing capsule of claim 37, wherein the dividing wall
is stationary and unmovable.
39. The dispensing capsule of claim 37, wherein the shaft has a
narrowed neck region above the seating end, and in the activated
state, the narrowed neck region will be aligned with the shaft
aperture of the dividing wall and thereby permit fluid to flow from
the lower material containment chamber to the upper chamber through
a space between the narrowed neck region and the shaft
aperture.
40. The dispensing capsule of claim 37, wherein the at least one
vent formed through the upper chamber is formed through a side wall
of the upper chamber positioned above the dividing wall.
41. A venting system for a dispensing capsule, comprising: a body
portion having a sidewall and an openable bottom; at least one vent
for venting fluid through the dispensing capsule; and a mechanism
for opening the openable bottom of the body portion.
42. The venting system of claim 41, further comprising a cap
portion that engages with the body portion, wherein the vent is
formed through the body portion.
43. The venting system of claim 41, wherein the mechanism for
opening the openable bottom of the body portion comprises a rod for
pushing or pulling a bottom wall of the body portion open.
44. The venting system of claim 41, wherein the mechanism for
opening the openable bottom comprises a shaft which is withdrawn
from an aperture in the openable bottom.
45. The venting system of claim 42, wherein the at least one vent
comprises an upper aperture formed through the sidewall of the body
portion such that fluid is adapted to flow through the upper
aperture and out through the body portion before the bottom of the
openable bottom of the body portion is opened.
46. The venting system of claim 42, wherein the at least one vent
comprises a lower aperture formed through the sidewall of the body
portion such that fluid is adapted to flow through the lower
aperture and out through the body portion after the bottom of the
openable bottom of the body portion is opened.
47. The venting system of claim 42, wherein the cap portion movably
engages with the body portion and the vent comprises an aperture
formed through cap portion and through the body portion.
48. A venting system for a dispensing capsule, comprising: a body
portion having a sidewall and an openable bottom; at least one vent
for venting fluid through the dispensing capsule; a cap portion
that fits in the bottom portion, the space between the body portion
and the cap portion defining a cavity for containment of a
material; and a mechanism for opening the openable bottom of the
body portion.
49. The venting system of claim 48, wherein the mechanism for
opening the openable bottom of the body portion comprises a rod for
one of pushing and pulling an bottom wall of the body portion
open.
50. The venting system of claim 48, wherein the mechanism for
opening the openable bottom comprises a shaft which is withdrawn
from an aperture in the openable bottom.
51. The venting system of claim 48, wherein the at least one vent
comprises at least one of an upper aperture formed through the
sidewall of the body portion such that fluid is adapted to flow
through the at least one vent and out through the body portion
before the bottom of the openable bottom of the body portion is
opened, and a lower aperture formed through the sidewall of the
body portion such that fluid is adapted to flow through the at
least one vent and out through the body portion after the bottom of
the openable bottom of the body portion is opened.
52. The venting system of claim 48, wherein the cap portion movably
engages with the body portion and the vent comprises an aperture
formed through cap portion and through the body portion.
53. A method of dispensing a material into a container containing a
fluid, comprising the steps of: inserting a material containing
dispensing capsule into a container; activating the material
containing dispensing capsule to release the material into the
fluid in the container; mixing the material into the fluid in the
container; and placing the container upright to permit the fluid
containing the material to drain back into the container.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of activating the
material containing dispensing capsule can consist of actions of
one of pushing, pulling, turning and twisting, and combinations
thereof.
55. The method of claim 53, wherein during the step of activating
the material containing dispensing capsule, a noise can be
generated to communicate to the user that the material containing
dispensing capsule has been activated.
56. A method of dispensing a material into a bottle containing a
fluid, comprising the steps of: providing a material containing
dispensing capsule that is inserted into a container containing
fluid; activating the material containing dispensing capsule to
release the material into the fluid of container; mixing the
material into the fluid in the bottle; and placing the bottle
upright to permit the fluid containing the material to drain back
into the container.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of activating the
material containing dispensing capsule can consist of actions of
one of pushing, pulling, turning and twisting, and combinations
thereof.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein during the step of activating
the material containing dispensing capsule, a noise can be
generated to communicate to the user that the material containing
dispensing capsule has been activated
59. A method of dispensing a material into a bottle containing a
fluid, comprising the steps of: providing a material containing
dispensing capsule with at least one vent that is inserted into a
container containing fluid, the material; activating the material
containing dispensing capsule to release the material into the
fluid of container; mixing the material into the fluid in the
bottle; discharging fluid mixed with the material from the bottle;
and placing the bottle upright to permit the fluid containing the
material to drain back into the container through the at least one
vent.
60. The method of claim 59, wherein the step of activating the
material containing dispensing capsule can consist of actions of
one of pushing, pulling, turning and twisting, and combinations
thereof.
61. The method of claim 59, wherein during the step of activating
the material containing the dispensing capsule, a noise will be
generated to communicate to the user that the material containing
dispensing capsule has been activated
62. The method of claim 59, further comprising a method of engaging
the material containing dispensing capsule with a bottle cap of the
container by twisting the bottle cap down onto the material
containing dispensing capsule such that threads on the bottle cap
will engage the material containing dispensing capsule, to permit
its easy removal from the bottle.
63. The method of claim 59, wherein the method further comprises
providing venting between the material containing dispensing
capsule and the container, wherein the venting permits gas and
fluid to travel through the dispensing capsule whether the device
is activated or unactivated.
64. A method for using a dispensing capsule with a container with
fluid, comprising the steps of: screwing onto the top of a
container a dispensing capsule by utilizing the existing threads of
the container to fasten the dispensing capsule to the container;
activating the dispensing capsule to release material from the
dispensing capsule into the container; mixing the material into the
fluid in the container; and standing the container upright to drain
fluid back into the container.
65. The venting system of claim 45, wherein the at least one vent
comprises a lower aperture formed through the sidewall of the body
portion such that fluid is adapted to flow through the lower
aperture and out through the body portion after the bottom of the
openable bottom of the body portion is opened.
Description
SUMMARY
[0001] This invention relates to a dispensing capsule that will
hold material(s) such as liquids, dry ingredients, pastes, gels,
etc. until these materials are dispensed into a container into
which the capsule is engaged and then activated. For example, the
dispensing capsule can be inserted into the neck, throat or opening
of a bottle, jar, bag, etc. filled with another material, such as
water, carbonated water, a solvent, a solution, beverages, foods,
chemical solutions, and other materials contained or containable in
the container. The material(s) stored in the dispensing capsule can
then be rapidly dispensed into the container when desired and mixed
into the contents of the container. Vents can be provided to insure
the users ability to empty the fluid from the container, drain any
residual fluid from the capsule and insure pressure equalization
between the inside pressure of the container with ambient pressure
outside the container. The dispensing capsule may be built integral
with the existing bottle cap, the dispensing capsule may be
pre-mounted in the container at the factory after the container
itself is filled with material, and/or the dispensing capsule can
be used with existing containers and inserted by a user. A
conventional bottle or other container cap or closure can used to
seal the container's contents, including the dispensing capsule, or
a specialized cap design can be provided.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many foods, beverages, nutritional supplements,
nutraceuticals, drugs, cosmetics, and chemicals such as adhesives,
polishes, cleansers, pesticides, dyes and other substances are
often supplied in liquid, powder, paste or other form, and have
active ingredients mixed with inactive ingredients, carriers and
solvents. Often times, these mixtures (and/or their active
ingredients) do not retain their flavor, appearance, stability,
strength, effectiveness or other important properties for long
periods of time after their various ingredients have been mixed
together. For example, while sugar and other ingredients in
beverages can remain stable and resist spoilage for very long
periods of time, once mixed with water, flavorings, other
ingredients, a much shorter shelf life typically begins. Certain
compounds, like amino acids will remain fairly stable in a dry
form, but once exposed to water, will quickly break down, thus
giving some mixed solutions a relatively short shelf life. Indeed,
the commonplace incompatibility after mixing of ingredients can
mandate that certain products be used relatively soon after the
mixing process to prevent deterioration, discoloration,
interactions and the like.
[0003] It can also be important that admixtures of various
ingredients be carried out in a clean and sterile environment and
with careful measurement of the various components to guarantee
that proper results are obtained. In many cases, it is beneficial
to avoid contact with a user's hands to avoid possible
contamination and also possible contact of the user's skin with the
material. It is also important that attention be paid to preventing
any residual fluid being left either in the capsule or the
container to aid in the prevention of bacterial and mildew types of
growth.
[0004] The use of conventional liquid containers such as glass and
plastic bottles for carrying water, punches, juice mixes, milk,
formulas, hydrating formulas, power drinks and other beverages is
well-known. There are numerous active and non-active substances
including activated oxygen, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs,
nutrients, colorants and flavorants that would be desirable to add
to liquids such as water, milk, juices or other beverages to give
the consumer added benefits, particularly those useful for the
health of the consumer. Many of these substances, however, have
short shelf lives, discolor, interact or degrade quickly when
combined with liquids or other substances. Therefore, many
beverages are currently sold either without the added beneficial
ingredients, or have otherwise shortened shelf lives.
[0005] It is known in the art to provide dispensers containing a
concentrate of soluble materials to a fixed quantity of solute,
usually water, for dispensing. Thus, the prior art teaches
containers for beverages wherein the interior of the container is
divided into a compartment having a basic ingredient (e.g., a
diluent) and a compartment which can be ruptured so as to mix,
within the container, the basic ingredient and some form of a
modifier. This style of container permits for mixing action at the
time of consumption since prior mixing would be less desirable.
[0006] It is also known to provide a dispensing capsule that fits
into the mouth of a bottle, which dispensing capsule can be
activated to dispense the materials into the bottle. However, prior
designs can have problems in that they do not provide for adequate
drainage of liquid out of the dispensing capsule and in many cases
leave mixed fluid trapped in the container. In both cases the net
result is the accumulation of a small reservoir of fluid, which is
susceptible to bacterial growth and mildew.
[0007] It would be desirable to have a dispensing capsule that
could be conveniently activated and used with a container with or
without removal, and in a highly sanitary manner by allowing the
user to operate the capsule through a mechanical means without
requiring the user to actually touch the capsule and or allowing
for the removal of the capsule without the user having to pull the
capsule out of the bottle by hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The invention is described in greater detail with respect to
the following drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first exemplary
embodiment of a dispensing capsule of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the first
exemplary embodiment of a dispensing capsule of the invention of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a partially exposed detail showing the upper end
of an exemplary bottle with a liquid therein for which the
dispensing capsule can be used.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the capsule body of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a detail showing the push rod extending upwardly
from the capsule bottom wall near the frangible area.
[0014] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view showing the
dispensing capsule in the bottle of FIG. 3 in its unactivated
position, with fluid 88 from the bottle being poured from the
bottle.
[0015] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the exemplary
dispensing capsule of FIG. 2 in the bottle of FIG. 3, with the
dispensing capsule in its unactivated position and the bottle
upright.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view showing the dispensing
capsule in the bottle of FIG. 3 being activated as the bottom wall
of the capsule body is started to be opened to release material
stored therein into the bottle.
[0017] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional side view showing the
dispensing capsule in the bottle of FIG. 5 but showing the
dispensing capsule after it is activated and all of the material
stored therein has been released into the bottle.
[0018] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view showing the activated
dispensing capsule of FIG. 8A with the material containing liquid
pouring out.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the dispensing capsule showing
spacers tabs on the dispensing capsule to permit fluid to escape
around the dispensing capsule and the bottle.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view showing a plurality of tabs on
the underside of the rim of the capsule body.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a partially exposed cross-sectional view showing
how the rim of the capsule body can be snapped or screwed into a
bottle cap and thereby be captured there to be removed the
dispensing capsule from the bottle.
[0022] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a second
exemplary embodiment of a dispensing capsule of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a second
exemplary embodiment of a dispensing capsule of the invention for
use with spray bottle applications.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a cross-section view showing the dispensing
capsule of FIG. 13 in its activated state.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary spray bottle
which can be used with the dispensing capsule of FIG. 13.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a cross-section view showing another exemplary
embodiment of a spray bottle engagable dispensing capsule in its
activated state.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of
the dispensing capsule that screws onto a bottle and which can be
used with the bottle's cap.
[0028] FIG. 18 shows a cap portion of another exemplary embodiment
of dispensing capsule of the invention with a vent which opens when
the dispensing capsule is in its activated state.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the cap portion of
FIG. 18 in a capsule body, in its unactivated state.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the cap portion of
FIG. 19 in a capsules body, but in the activated state to open the
vent.
[0031] FIG. 21 is a screw open embodiment of a dispensing capsule
of the invention in partially activated state.
[0032] FIG. 22 is a twist and push embodiment of a dispensing
capsule of the invention in its unactivated state.
[0033] FIG. 23 is a twist and push embodiment of a dispensing
capsule of the invention of FIG. 22 but in its unactivated
state.
[0034] FIG. 24 is a screw-cut embodiment of the dispensing capsule
of the invention in its unactivated state.
[0035] FIG. 25 is a screw-cut embodiment of the dispensing capsule
of the invention of FIG. 24, but in its activated state.
[0036] FIG. 26A is an embodiment of a dispensing capsule of the
invention for dispensing thick materials such as pastes, shown in
its partially activated state.
[0037] FIG. 26B is an embodiment of a dispensing capsule of the
invention for dispensing thick materials such as pastes, shown in
its fully activated state.
[0038] FIG. 27 is an embodiment of a dispensing capsule of the
invention which is activated by pulling, in its unactivated
state.
[0039] FIG. 28 is an embodiment of a dispensing capsule of the
invention of FIG. 27, but in its activated state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an exploded
perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a first exemplary
embodiment of a dispensing capsule 10 for containing and dispensing
materials contained therein of the invention. The dispensing
capsule includes a capsule body 12 and cap portion 14. The capsule
body 12 has a sidewall 16 with an inner surface 18 and an outer
surface 20. The sidewall 16 has sidewall vents 24 and 28 formed
therethrough. Both vents need not be provided in every embodiment.
For example, there might be a situation where exact proportions of
materials are desirable and prevention of use prior to activation
is not desirable. In this case only a bottom vent would be
appropriate, or in the alternative the material being dispensed may
be a solid in which case only the top vent may be desirable for
pressure equalization. In FIG. 1, upper vents 24 are formed nearer
to top rim 26 of the capsule body, and lower vents 28 are formed
lower down on the sidewall 16 nearer to a bottom edge 30. Portions
32 of the sidewall uninterrupted by vents can be located between
the upper vents 24 of sidewall and portions 34 of the sidewall
uninterrupted by vents can be located between the lower vents 28 of
sidewall. An upper, inner engagement 36 (e.g., a groove) is
preferably formed on the inner surface 18 of the sidewall.
Optionally, a lower, inner engagement 38 (e.g., a groove) is
preferably formed on the inner surface 18 of the sidewall. Spacer
tabs 40 can optionally be formed under the lip and on the upper end
of the sidewall 16, as is better shown in FIG. 9. The capsule body
12 has an open top 42 into which the cap portion will fit, as best
shown in FIG. 4.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a partially exposed detail showing the upper end
of an exemplary bottle 80 having an opening 82, with a male
threaded top end 84 with a top rim 86, with a liquid 88 contained
therein. The opening 82 has an inner surface 90. The opening 82 has
an inner dimension "D", into which the dispensing capsule 10 will
fit.
[0042] Although the capsule body 12 and the cap portion 14 are
shown as having generally cylindrical shapes, they can be made to
have other shapes.
[0043] Turning back to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the vicinity of the bottom
edge 30, there is at least partially attached a capsule bottom wall
50, which can be engaged to the vicinity of the bottom edge 30 of
the sidewall 18. The engagement between the capsule bottom wall 50
and the vicinity of the bottom edge 30 can comprise a frangible
perimeter area where the material between at least part of a
perimeter of the capsule bottom wall 50 and the vicinity of the
bottom edge 30 can be made thinner or weaker than in other areas.
Alternately, a tight (e.g., interference) fit can be designed
between the capsule bottom wall 50 and the vicinity of the bottom
edge 30, or other known separatable connections can be established.
An activation device 52 for at least partially separating the
capsule bottom wall 50 from the capsule body (e.g. in the form of a
push rod) can be attached or formed together with the capsule
bottom wall and extend upwardly therefrom. Alternately, the push
rod can extend downwardly from the bottom of cap portion 14 (not
shown).
[0044] Turning to FIG. 4, there is shown a bottom view of the
capsule body 12, which shows in dashed lines a frangible perimeter
area 44 where the material between part of a perimeter of the
capsule bottom wall 50 and the vicinity of the bottom edge 30 is
made thinner and thus weaker than in another unweakened tab area
46, which will act as a hinge. Generally opposite the unthinned tab
area 46, a push rod 52 extends upwardly therefrom. The push rod 52
can be located close to the frangible perimeter area 44 so that
pressure applied downwardly thereon will tear through the frangible
area, and thus cause the capsule bottom wall 50 to tear away from
the bottom edge 30 of the capsule body 12.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a detail showing the push rod 52 extending
upwardly from the capsule bottom wall 50 near the thinned area
44.
[0046] Turning again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap portion 14 has a top
surface 54, a sidewall 56 with an outer surface 58, and an
engagement 60 (e.g., a bead) that goes around the sidewall 56. The
cap portion 14 is sized to snuggly fit within the opening 40 in the
capsule body. In its unactivated position shown in FIG. 6A, the
bead 60 of the cap portion 14 will rest in the upper groove 36 and
thereby provide a tight seal to supplement the seal provided by the
tight fit between the cap and the interior sidewall of the capsule
body. The sidewall 58 has a length "L" from the top surface 54 to a
bottom perimeter that is at least as long as the height "H" of the
lower vent 28. This is so that when the cap portion 14 is inserted
in the capsule portion 12 in its unactivated position, the cap
portion sidewall 56 will completely cover the lower vent 28 so that
the material 70 (e.g. a powder, liquid, past, pills, etc.)
contained in the space 72 defined between the capsule body 12 and
the cap portion 14 will remain sealed inside. The material 70 in
the space will remain out of contact with the liquid 88 of the
bottle 80. As can be seen, the top surface 54 of the cap portion 14
can be convex or otherwise slanted so that any liquid on top will
tend to flow downwardly and towards vents 24 where the liquid can
pass through back into the bottle in the space 100 between the
outside of sidewall 16 of the capsule body 12 and the inner surface
90 of the bottle 80. This drainage feature will help prevent any
liquid from accumulating on top of the cap portion, where it could
heat up. In the case of products such as milk, formula, sweetened
beverages, or even water, a small volume of liquid can heat up
rapidly, which may not only be unpleasant, but could lead to
accelerated spoilage of the beverage. In addition, having a vent
toward the top of the capsule area allows the user to extract all
the fluid contained in the container which otherwise would be
trapped within the container by virtue of the capsule body
sidewalls otherwise acting as a standpipe preventing the fluid from
being removed.
[0047] FIG. 6A shows the unactivated dispensing capsule 10 in a
bottle 80 being tilted and shows that the liquid 88 in the bottle
can exit the bottle even while the dispensing capsule 10 is used
since the liquid may flow from the bottle, through the space 100,
in through the vents 24, and out above the top surface 54 of the
cap 14 (shown diagrammatically as arrows 102.
[0048] FIG. 6B is a cross section view showing the unactivated
dispensing capsule 10 in bottle 80 in an upright position. Any
liquid that may have remained above the top surface 54 of the cap
portion 14 will drain downwardly through the upper vents 24 and
back down into the bottle 80 through the spaces 100.
[0049] Turning to FIG. 7, there is shown a cross-sectional view
showing the dispensing capsule 10 in a bottle 80 in a
mid-activation position, where the cap portion 14 has been
depressed, which thereby pushes the push rod 52 downwardly, tearing
the frangible areas between the capsule bottom wall and the
vicinity of the bottom edge, causing the capsule bottom wall 50 to
swing out and release the material 70 into the bottle 80 where it
can mix with the liquid 88 contained therein.
[0050] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing the dispensing
capsule 10 in a bottle 80 in its completely activated position,
where the cap portion 14 has been depressed such that the cap
portion's bead 56 will be in engagement with the lower groove 38,
and the capsule bottom wall 50 is fully swung out and the material
is released into the bottle 80. In this state, the mixed liquid 104
in the bottle (containing the material 70) can pass through the
space 100 and through lower vents 28 and upper vents 24 when the
bottle is tiled, as shown in FIG. 8B. Mixed liquid 104 is also show
diagrammatically as arrows. In use, as the bead 60 moves out of the
upper groove and into the lower groove 38, a noise (e.g., a
popping) can be generated to communicate to a user that the
dispensing capsule 10 has been activated.
[0051] FIG. 9 is a detail showing the spacers tabs 40 on the
underside of the rim 26 of the capsule body 16 and sidewall 20 that
permit fluid to pass through the space 100 around the dispensing
capsule and the bottle.
[0052] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view showing a plurality of the
spacing tabs 50 on the underside of the rim 26 of the capsule body.
A portion of the threaded bottle's rim 84 is also shown.
[0053] FIG. 11 is a detail showing how the rim 26 of the capsule
body 12 can be snapped or screwed into the inside of a bottle cap
110 and thereby be captured there to be removed the dispensing
capsule from the bottle. This can be made possible by sizing the
rim 26 such that it extends beyond an upper edge of a bottle's
mouth and snaps or screws into the threads 112 on the inside of the
bottle cap 110.
[0054] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a second
exemplary embodiment of a dispensing capsule 120 of the invention.
It can have the same features as the first embodiment of the
dispensing capsule of FIGS. 1-11, except that instead of having
upper vents and lower vents on its capsule body 122, single vents
122 are provided. In use, the single vents 122 will permit fluid
unmixed with the material to exit the bottle through an upper end
of the single vents 122 when the dispensing capsule 120 is
unactivated, and will permit mixed fluid to exit through the single
vents 122 more extensively, when the dispensing capsule 120 is
activated. In other respects, this embodiment can be similar to the
first embodiment of the dispensing capsule 10.
[0055] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a third exemplary
embodiment of a dispensing capsule 130 of the invention, designed
for use with spray bottle applications. In this embodiment a cap
portion 132 has a passageway 134 with an inner diameter "ID" and
has walls 136, which go from a top surface 138 down to the bottom
139 of the cap portion. The cap portion has an outer wall 140. A
capsule body 150 has an open top 152 into which the cap portion 132
will slideably fit. The capsule body 152 has a perimeter sidewall
154 and extends to a bottom edge 156. A bottom wall 158 is at least
partially connected to the vicinity of the bottom edge 156. A
hollow tube 160 with an outer diameter "OD" extends upwardly from
the two bottom wall sections 158. The outer diameter "OD" is sized
to slideably fit into the central passageway 134 of the cap portion
132. Extending upwardly from the bottom wall sections 158 are push
rods 162. The bottom wall sections 158 are detachably attached in
areas to the rest of the capsule body, e.g. by frangible areas 164.
A bridge area 166 supports the hollow tube 160 and the bottom wall
sections 158 are hingeably attached thereto along hinge areas
168.
[0056] FIG. 14 is a cross-section view showing the dispensing
capsule of FIG. 13 in its activated state, in which the cap portion
132 is pushed down, thereby pushing on the push rods 164, which
breaks the frangible areas 164, swings down the bottom walls 158,
and opens up the capsule body. As can be seen, the top surface 138
of the cap portion can preferably be slanted inwardly towards the
passageway 134, so that any liquid will drain through the
passageway 134 and down through the hollow tube 160 back into the
bottle.
[0057] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary spray bottle
190 which has a spray head 192 on a bottle 194. The spray head 192
has a suction tube (not shown). The spray head 192 can be used with
the dispensing capsule of FIGS. 13 and 14, with the suction tube
(not shown) being loosely passing through the passageway 134 of the
dispensing capsule.
[0058] FIG. 16 is a cross-section view of another exemplary
dispensing capsule 200 in its activated state, which is adapted for
use with a spray bottle. In this embodiment, when a cap portion 202
is pushed down, this pushes on push rods 204, which breaks
frangible areas attaching bottom wall-portions 206, allowing the
bottom wall portions 206 to swing downwardly. In this exemplary
embodiment, the bottom wall portions 206 swinging down towards the
center. A portion of the spray bottle suction straw 208 is
shown.
[0059] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view showing an embodiment of
the dispensing capsule 220 that screws onto the male threaded end
84 of a bottle 80 and which can be fastened to the existing
container and optionally can be used with the bottle's existing cap
222. The dispensing capsule can be similar to that of the first
embodiment, but will has a female threaded region 224 which is
adapted to screw onto the male threaded end 84 of the bottle, and,
at the discretion of the user, with the male threaded a male
threaded region 226 which can be used with the bottle's existing
cap 222. The embodiment of FIG. 17 also depicts how the top of the
cap portion 228 can, in its unactivated state, be situated above
the female threaded region 224 and, when pushed down to fully
activate the dispensing capsule, have its upper end above or flush
with the level of the female threaded region 224. This feature will
prevent the accumulating of any liquid above the cap. This features
can be incorporated with other embodiments of the invention if
desired.
[0060] FIG. 18 shows a cap portion 240 of another embodiment of a
dispensing capsule with a vent 242 on a top surface 244 which opens
when the dispensing capsule is in its activated state, as shown in
FIG. 20. The cap portion 240 has a slot 246 formed on its sidewall
248. The vent 242 will pop open when pushed up from below, as will
be further described in FIG. 20.
[0061] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the cap portion
240 of FIG. 18 in a capsule body 260, in the unactivated state. The
capsule body 260 has a prong 262 extending inwardly from the inside
of a sidewall 264. A bottom wall 266 is detachably attached to the
lower end of the capsule body 260, and has a push rod 268 extending
upwardly.
[0062] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the cap portion
240 in a capsule body 260, but pushed down in the activated state
to open the vent 242. This accomplished by the prong 262 driving
the vent 242 upwardly.
[0063] FIG. 21 is a screw open embodiment of a dispensing capsule
of the invention 280 in a partially activated state. In this
embodiment, the capsule body 282 has an upper threaded end 284 and
a lower unthreaded end 286. A screw activator 288 threadably fits
into the threaded end 282. A push rod 300 is connected to a bottom,
swinging wall 302, which can be detachably attached to the bottom
end of the capsule body 282 as described with previous embodiments.
Upper vents 304 and lower vents 306 can be formed through a
sidewall 308 of the capsule body 282, and will aid in draining
liquid in the bottle, draining fluid from the dispensing capsule,
as well as equalizing pressure between the ambient pressure with
that inside the container when the capsule is activated by
mechanical means from outside the sealed cap, as described with
reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11. Single, continuous vents
can also be provided (not shown). When a user turns the screw
activator 288, this pushes downwardly on the push rod 300 and
pushes open the bottom wall 302, thereby allowing any material
contained therein (not shown) to fall out.
[0064] FIG. 22 is a twist and push embodiment of a dispensing
capsule 310 of the invention in its unactivated state. In this
embodiment, a drinking spigot 312 is threadably engaged with a
threaded shaft 314 that extends upwardly from a cap 316 that has
threads 318 for attachment to a bottle 80. A plunger carousel 320
has an upper end 322 which contacts with an underside of the
drinking spigot 312 when the drinking spigot 312 is screwed (or
pushed) down. The plunger carousel 320 has arms 324 passes through
apertures 338 in a top wall 326 of the cap 316 and has a lower
portion 328 that is positioned above a cap portion 328. As shown in
FIG. 23, the drinking spigot 312 can be twisted down slightly (see
phantom lines) above solid lines of drinking spigot 312, which will
open up the drinking spigot 312 to permit fluid to flow
therethrough even before the dispensing capsule is activated. By
twisting, or pushing down the drinking spigot 312 further, the
plunger carousel 320 will push down on a cap portion 330, which
pushes on a plunger 332 that swings down a bottom wall 334, which
thus activate the dispensing capsule and releases the material into
the bottle.
[0065] FIG. 24 is a screw-cut embodiment of the dispensing capsule
of the invention 360 in its unactivated orientation attached to the
threaded end 84 of the bottle 80. In this embodiment, a spigot 362
is mounted on a shaft 364 that has an upper hollow portion 366 and
a lower portion 368. An opening 370 extends into the upper hollow
portion 366. The lower portion 368 optionally has a narrowed neck
region 372, and has a seating end 374. A capsule body 380 has an
upper chamber 382 and a lower material containment chamber 384 with
a seating aperture 386. A shaft aperture 388 is formed in a
non-movable dividing wall 390 formed between the upper chamber 382
and the lower chamber 384. A top cap 392 has a shaft opening 394
into which the hollow portion 366 of the shaft 364 will slideably
move. Vents 396A (and optionally 396B) pass into the upper chamber
382 of the capsule body 280. In its closed orientation, the spigot
362 and its connected shaft 364 is pushed down such that the
seating end 374 blocks the seating aperture 386, preventing
material 398 in the lower material containment chamber 384 from
being released. In this state, an unnarrowed portion 400 the lower
portion of the shaft 368 will also block the shaft aperture 388.
While the material 398 is keep dry, any fluid in the bottle will be
free to pass through the vents 396A and optionally 396B, into the
upper chamber 382, through the opening 370 in the upper hollow
portion 366 of the shaft, and out through the spigot 362. Although
not shown, the spigot can optionally be opened simply by turning to
permit fluid to exit, yet without activating the dispensing capsule
to release the material 398. In a closed position, the passage of
liquid from the bottle out through the spigot will not occur as the
openings 370 will be blocked and not pass through an opening 402 in
the spigot. Threads 404 can be formed on the top cap for engagement
with a threaded top 84 of a bottle 80.
[0066] Turning to FIG. 25, there is shown the screw-cut embodiment
of the dispensing capsule of FIG. 24, but in its activated
orientation. When the spigot is opened and pulled up, this
withdraws the seating end 374 from the seating aperture 386, and
permits material to wall into the bottle. Also, in this position,
the optional narrowed neck region 372 of the shaft will positioned
in the area of the shaft aperture 388, and thus allow any liquid
that might have collected in the upper portion 382 of the capsule
body to pass therethrough and down through the seating aperture
386. The optionally narrowed neck region 372 can be eliminated if
it is not desired that fluid flow between the lower chamer and the
upper chamber.
[0067] FIGS. 26A and 26B are cross-sectional views of an embodiment
of a dispensing capsule 420 of the invention for dispensing thick
materials such as pastes, shown in its activated position. This
embodiment can be similar to other embodiments, but its cap 420 has
a sealed bottom 422. When the cap is fully activated and pushed
down completely, material 424 will be ejected out through a bottom
wall 426 which is forced open by virtue of an activator mechanism,
such as a push rod 428. Since the material will be naturally
pressurized during the process of pushing the cap portion down, the
push rod 428 can be left out. Other activation mechanisms can also
be used. FIG. 26A shows a partially activated state and FIG. 26B
shows the fully activated state where the level enclosed bottom of
the cap will be level with the interior cavity of the dispensing
capsule, insuring that all material will be displaced into the
container.
[0068] FIGS. 27 and 28 shown an embodiment of a dispensing capsule
of the invention 440, which is activated by pulling an activation
handle 442, which causes a bottom wall 444 to flip open to thereby
permit the release of any material contained therein.
[0069] The dispensing capsule can be conveniently be made from
materials such as plastics. Also, while the bottom walls in the
embodiment are shown as being partially frangibly attached to the
dispensing body, other detachable attachment mechanisms, such as
mechanical connections, can be used.
[0070] While a threaded cap is shown in the embodiments of FIGS.
17, 22 & 23, and 24 & 25, it is possible for other
embodiments of the dispensing capsule to be provided with threaded
cap for securing to a bottle.
[0071] Although the embodiments depict the dispensing capsule
attached to a bottle, the container can comprise jars, wide mouth
bottles, containers with apertures, hard and soft plastic
containers and bags (e.g. for containing solutions, such as medical
solutions for drip infusion, etc.), cans, or other containers.
[0072] With regards to all of the above described embodiments that
include vents, the vents will permit venting and pressure
equalization between the contents of the bottle (or other
container) and the outside atmosphere. If one simply squeezes a
bottle of water on hot day it becomes readily recognizable that the
internal pressure inside the bottle leaves very little room for
displacement. In the case of dispensing capsule without vents, it
can be difficult to activate the dispensing capsule by pushing down
on a cap since there can be substantial back pressure in the can
which will prevent this from occurring. On the other hand, if a
vent is provided, this will help relieve back pressure by
permitting pressure in the container to equalize with the ambient
pressure before the dispensing capsule is activated.
[0073] As explained above, the vents can further permit a user to
drink liquid either liquid that is unmixed with the material in the
dispensing capsule, or liquid with the material mixed in, in either
case without having to remove the dispensing capsule beforehand.
This can be very convenient because it gives a user a choice of
drink fluid with, or without the material mixed in. For example, a
user may start out with pure water, and later decide to mix in the
material, or mix the material in from the beginning, and then later
use the bottle with plain water. In addition, the vents allow the
user to extract all the fluid material in the container which
otherwise would be trapped by virtue of the capsule blocking its
exit in a similar manner to a standpipe trapping fluid within a
reservoir.
[0074] Now that embodiments of the dispensing capsules have been
described, some of the methods of use of the device are
described.
[0075] In a first method, there is provided a method of dispensing
a material into a container containing a fluid, comprising the
steps of:
[0076] inserting a material containing dispensing capsule into a
container;
[0077] activating the material containing dispensing capsule to
release the material into the fluid in the container;
[0078] mixing the material into the fluid in the container; and
[0079] placing the container upright to permit the fluid containing
the material to drain back into the container.
[0080] In another method, there is provided a method of dispensing
a material into a bottle containing a fluid, comprising the steps
of:
[0081] providing a material containing dispensing capsule that is
inserted into a container containing fluid;
[0082] activating the material containing dispensing capsule to
release the material into the fluid of container;
[0083] mixing the material into the fluid in the bottle; and
[0084] placing the bottle upright to permit the fluid containing
the material to drain back into the container.
[0085] In yet another method, there is provided a method of
dispensing a material into a bottle containing a fluid, comprising
the steps of:
[0086] providing a material containing dispensing capsule with at
least one vent that is inserted into a container containing fluid,
the material
[0087] activating the material containing dispensing capsule to
release the material into the fluid of container;
[0088] mixing the material into the fluid in the bottle;
[0089] discharging fluid mixed with the material from the bottle;
and
[0090] placing the bottle upright to permit the fluid containing
the material to drain back into the container through the at least
one vent.
[0091] In another method, there is provided a method for using a
dispensing capsule with a container with fluid, comprising the
steps of:
[0092] screwing onto the top of a container a dispensing capsule by
utilizing the existing threads of the container to fasten the
dispensing capsule to the container;
[0093] activating the dispensing capsule to release material from
the dispensing capsule into the container;
[0094] mixing the material into the fluid in the container;
[0095] and standing the container upright to drain fluid back into
the container.
[0096] In these methods, the step of activating the material
containing dispensing capsule can comprise actions of pushing,
pulling, turning and twisting, and combinations thereof.
[0097] During the step of activating the material containing
dispensing capsule, a noise can be generated to communicate to the
user that the material containing dispensing capsule has been
activated.
[0098] The method also provides a way to engage the material
containing dispensing capsule with a bottle cap by twisting the
bottle cap down onto the material containing dispensing capsule
such that threads on the bottle cap will engage the material
containing dispensing capsule, to permit its easy removal from the
bottle.
[0099] The material containing dispensing capsule that is inserted
into a container containing fluid can comprise a cap portion and a
capsule body with vents, wherein the vents permit venting of gas
and fluid when the device is activated.
[0100] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that
the above disclosures are exemplary only and that various other
alternatives, adaptations and modifications may be made within the
scope of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments
are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive.
* * * * *