U.S. patent application number 13/442665 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-02 for container closure with additive reservoir.
Invention is credited to William S. Anapoell, Todd G. Buchhloz, Gerry R. Krippner, Eric K. Lizerbram.
Application Number | 20120193249 13/442665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40930657 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120193249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lizerbram; Eric K. ; et
al. |
August 2, 2012 |
CONTAINER CLOSURE WITH ADDITIVE RESERVOIR
Abstract
A closure with an additive reservoir is mounted on a container
for a consumable liquid such as a beverage liquid or health drink.
The closure has four components; a base, which includes the
additive reservoir; a spout mounted on the base; a plunger
positioned in the additive reservoir, and a tamper proof, dust
resistant outer cap. Upon advancing the plunger, an additive in the
reservoir is released into the consumable liquid upon the additive
or plunger rupturing a membrane barrier. Upon moving the spout from
a first position on the base to a second position on the base, a
passageway through the base is opened so that the consumable liquid
can flow to the consumer without having to remove the closure.
Preferably, the additive chamber is mounted in a support column of
the base with the passageway for the consumable liquid disposed
between the additive chamber and the support column.
Inventors: |
Lizerbram; Eric K.;
(Carlsbad, CA) ; Krippner; Gerry R.; (Oceanside,
CA) ; Buchhloz; Todd G.; (Solana Beach, CA) ;
Anapoell; William S.; (San Diego, CA) |
Family ID: |
40930657 |
Appl. No.: |
13/442665 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12341266 |
Dec 22, 2008 |
8152017 |
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13442665 |
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12025345 |
Feb 4, 2008 |
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12341266 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/222 ;
220/254.9; 220/521 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/243 20130101;
B65D 51/2821 20130101; B65D 51/2835 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/222 ;
220/521; 220/254.9 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/08 20060101
B65D025/08; B65D 39/00 20060101 B65D039/00; B65D 51/28 20060101
B65D051/28 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. The closure of claim 27 wherein the additive is a liquid.
3. The closure of claim 2 wherein the liquid is unencapsulated
within the additive chamber and the liquid directly engages the
barrier.
4. The closure of claim 2 wherein the liquid is within a gel cap
and the gel cap directly engages the barrier.
5. The closure of claim 27 wherein the additive is a solid in the
form of pellets, granules, powder or tablets.
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. The closure of claim 27 wherein the additive chamber is mounted
within the support column with the passageway disposed between the
additive chamber and the support column.
9. The closure of claim 8 wherein a stop is disposed between the
plunger and the additive chamber to prevent the plunger from
sliding out of the additive chamber.
10. The closure of claim 8 wherein the base, additive chamber,
plunger and spout are concentric.
11. The closure of claim 10 wherein the additive is retained in the
additive chamber by a membrane or foil sealing the additive chamber
off with respect to the consumable liquid within the container, the
membrane or foil being ruptured or dislodged upon pressing the
plunger which increases pressure within the additive chamber and
against the additive to cause the additive to rupture the membrane
barrier.
12. The closure of claim 11 wherein the additive is in the form of
a pellet, pellets, granules, powder, pills, gel and/or a
liquid.
13. The closure of claim 12 wherein the additive is a colorant,
flavorant or health product.
14. The closure of claim 27 further including a tamper proof and
dust resistant cap fitting over the plunger and spout to protect
the plunger from unauthorized activation.
15. The closure of claim 27 wherein the plunger is slidably mounted
in the additive chamber whereby pushing the plunger advances the
plunger toward the barrier.
16. The closure of claim 27 wherein the plunger has a first helix
that cooperates with a second helix in the additive chamber,
wherein rotating the plunger advances the plunger toward the
barrier.
17. The closure of claim 27 wherein the base, plunger and spout are
concentric.
18. The closure of claim 27 in which the plunger has a length
substantially the same as the length of the additive chamber,
wherein the plunger extends substantially to the barrier when
pressed to remove all of the additive from the additive chamber by
direct engagement with the plunger.
19. The closure of claim 27 in which the plunger has a length
substantially less than the additive chamber wherein depressing the
plunger is sufficient to breach the barrier allowing the additive
to drain from the additive chamber.
20. The closure of claim 19 wherein the additive chamber includes a
effervescing material which mixes with the additive liquid upon
advancing the plunger to release a gas that helps propel the liquid
from the additive chamber.
21. The closure of claim 27 wherein the additive chamber includes
an effervescing material which mixes with the liquid upon
depressing the plunger.
22. The closure of claim 27 wherein the additive chamber includes a
vitamin or vitamins, minerals, proteins or supplements.
23. The closure of claim 27 wherein the additive chamber is
disposed within a column which extends above a top surface of the
base to define therebetween the passageway which allows the liquid
to flow from the container to the consumer, the spout having a
selected height above the top surface of the base when in the first
position and the additive chamber having a height above the top
surface at least proximating the height of the spout.
24. The closure of claim 23 in combination with the container.
25. The closure of claim 27 in combination with the container.
26. The closure of claim 27 wherein the pressure surface of the
plunger and direct contact between the additive and barrier
provides the sole pressure link between the plunger and the
barrier.
27. A closure for closing an opening of a container wherein the
container is configured to contain a consumable liquid and the
closure is configured to contain an additive, the closure having a
first end which connects to the container and a second end through
which the consumable liquid and additive are dispensed, the closure
comprising: a base including a reservoir defining an additive
chamber and a support column; the support column being spaced
laterally from, integral with and surrounding the reservoir and
additive chamber; a passageway having an outlet arrangement at the
second end of the closure for allowing the consumable liquid in the
container to flow past the reservoir and through the outlet
arrangement to a consumer, and the additive chamber having a
chamber opening allowing the additive to exit therefrom into the
consumable liquid, the chamber opening being closed by a barrier; a
plunger mounted in the additive chamber for movement with respect
to the additive chamber and the support column, the plunger closing
one end of the additive chamber and having a pressure surface for
causing the additive to pressurize and open the barrier upon
advancing the plunger toward the barrier, wherein the additive
flows out of the additive chamber opening and into the consumable
liquid; a spout movably mounted on the support column and
positioned around the plunger and the passageway, the spout having
a sealed relationship with the outlet arrangement of the passageway
when in a first position and an unsealed relationship with the
passageway when in a second position, wherein upon moving the spout
from the first to the second position and tilting the container,
the consumable liquid together with the additive flows through the
outlet arrangement to the consumer without having to remove the
closure from the container.
28. The closure of claim 27 wherein the outlet arrangement
comprises a plurality of openings between ribs supporting the
reservoir on the support column.
29. The closure of claim 27 wherein the chamber has a selected
length and the plunger has an insertion length selected with
respect to the length of the chamber wherein the plunger remains
out of direct contact with the barrier prior to the additive being
pressurized to open the barrier.
30. The closure of claim 27 wherein the reservoir and support
column have selected heights and wherein the base has a collar
portion for attachment to the container, the collar portion having
a selected height which when combined with the selected height of
the support column does not exceed the selected height of the
reservoir.
31. The closure of claim 27 wherein the passageway is disposed
between and extending around the support column and reservoir.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/025,345, filed Feb. 4, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a container closure
with an additive reservoir. More particularly, the present
invention is directed to a container closure with an additive
reservoir wherein the closure is used to close a container
containing a liquid, such as but not limited to, a consumable
liquid, and wherein the reservoir is opened to the container prior
to using or consuming the liquid to allow the additive to mix with
and enhance the consumable liquid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In order to enhance the experience or benefit of drinking a
consumable liquid, an additive or additives may be added to the
consumable liquid. As is disclosed in Applicants' U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,705,490 and 6,705,491, additives may be dispensed from a
reservoir in the closure of a consumable liquid container. In these
two patents, after an additive from a reservoir in a closure is
mixed with a consumable liquid, the consumable liquid is dispensed
from the consumable liquid container directly through the closure.
Thus there is no need to remove the closure from the container in
order to consume the consumable liquid.
[0004] Examples of additives which can enhance appeal and value of
a consumable liquid are various colorants. Many consumable liquids
are clear but would be more marketable if in various colors, which
for example are indicative of various flavors. Other examples of
additives which can be added to consumable liquids are vitamins and
other health related substances. Additives which enhance visuals,
taste, flavor and other properties of a consumable liquid may also
be dispensed from the reservoir in the closure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A closure with an additive reservoir for use with a
container for liquids is comprised of a base including a reservoir
for attachment to the container; a plunger that cooperates with the
reservoir to release the additive into the liquid, and a spout
mounted on the base and moveable to a position allowing the liquid
mixed with the additive to be dispensed through the closure without
removing the closure from the container. Where the additive is a
liquid, pressure by the plunger on the liquid is sufficient to open
a barrier retaining the liquid in the reservoir.
[0006] In a further aspect of the closure, a tamper-proof, dust
resistant cap encloses the spout and plunger, the cap being
removable before the consumer consumes the liquid. The cap is
preferably rigid and hard.
[0007] In a further aspect of the closure, the closure comprises a
base member including the reservoir in the form of an additive
chamber for containing the additive and a passageway for allowing a
liquid in the additive container to flow from the additive
container to a consumer. The closure further comprises a plunger in
the additive chamber for causing the additive in the chamber to
flow out of the chamber and into the liquid upon the plunger being
depressed. A spout is movably disposed on the base around the
additive chamber and around the passageway. The spout has a sealing
relationship with the passageway when in a first position and a
non-sealing relationship with the passageway when in a second
position, whereby upon activating the plunger to release the
additive into the liquid by moving the plunger from a first to a
second position, the liquid, together with the additive, can flow
through the container opening to the consumer.
[0008] In a further aspect of the closure, the base has a collar
portion for attachment to the container and a support column for
mounting the plunger on the base for movement between the first and
second positions.
[0009] In a further aspect of the closure, the additive chamber is
positioned in the support column of the base with a passageway
between the additive chamber and the support column for dispensing
the liquid.
[0010] In a further aspect of the closure, a stop arrangement is
disposed between the plunger in the chamber to block the plunger
from sliding out of the chamber both before and after the plunger
is depressed.
[0011] In a further aspect of the closure, the base, additive
chamber, plunger and spout are concentric.
[0012] In a further aspect of the closure, the additive is in the
form of granules, powder, gel and/or a liquid.
[0013] In a further aspect of the closure where the additive is a
particulate solid, such as a powder, a projection extends from the
plunger and dislodges or ruptures the barrier prior to the plunger
advancing to push the particulate solid from the additive
chamber.
[0014] In a further aspect of the closure, the additive is a solid
configured to transmit sufficient force from the plunger to the
barrier to open the barrier by direct engagement by the
additive.
[0015] In a further aspect of the closure, the height of the
plunger is substantially less than the length of the additive
chamber to minimize the initial height of the closure prior to
advancing the plunger.
[0016] In a further aspect of the closure an effervescent material
is dispensed into the additive to help propel the additive from the
additive chamber.
[0017] In a further aspect of the closure, the plunger is advanced
by depressing the plunger.
[0018] In a further aspect of the closure, the plunger is advanced
by rotation of the plunger.
[0019] In a further aspect of the invention the additive chamber
projects above the base to a height substantially the same as the
height of the spout.
[0020] In still a further object of the invention, the closure is
in combination with the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Various other features and attendant advantages of the
present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure containing an
additive and being mounted on a container containing a liquid;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but
illustrating a plunger mounted in the closure and being depressed
to release the additive into the liquid;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 but
showing the plunger depressed;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 1-3 but
showing a spout mounted around a column on the base and lifted to
open the closure so that the contents thereof can be dispensed to a
consumer;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 1-4 but
showing liquid from the container being dispensed through the
closure;
[0027] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the closure showing the three
parts comprising the closure, as well as an additive in the form a
rupturable capsule;
[0028] FIG. 7. is an elevation of the closure parts of FIG. 6
assembled;
[0029] FIG. 8. is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the plunger
depressed and additive in the capsule being released from the
additive chamber and showing a spout in a first position,
preventing liquid in the container to which the closure is attached
from passing through the closure;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the spout moved
to a second position allowing liquid to pass through the closure
from the container on which the closure is connected;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a plunger used with the
second embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
invention wherein a sealing barrier is shown used with an additive
capsule;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the operation of the
plunger and sealing barrier, and
[0035] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the
invention prior to releasing the capsule into the liquid;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the
invention showing the capsule falling toward a consumable
liquid;
[0038] FIG. 17 is a perspective elevation of a sixth embodiment of
the invention showing the enclosure containing the additive wherein
the additive is in the form of an unencapsulated liquid;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17, but showing the
plunger being pressed to eject a liquid additive stored in the
reservoir into a consumable liquid in a bottle attached to the
closure;
[0040] FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIGS. 17 and 18, but showing
the plunger completely pressed down;
[0041] FIG. 20 is a view showing the embodiment of FIGS. 17-19 with
a spout opened to enable the beverage or liquid therein to drain
from a container to the consumer;
[0042] FIG. 21 is a view of an arrangement for securing the
additive in the additive chamber using a membrane or foil wherein
the additive chamber has an opening of a constant diameter;
[0043] FIG. 22 is a view showing the arrangement of FIG. 21 after
the membrane or foil has been ruptured showing the additive
draining from the additive chamber through the rupture in the
foil;
[0044] FIG. 23 is a bottom view of another arrangement for sealing
the additive chamber;
[0045] FIG. 24 is a side elevation of the bottom portion of the
additive chamber of FIG. 23;
[0046] FIG. 25 is a side elevation of the chamber after the
additive has been dispensed therefrom;
[0047] FIG. 26 is a view of still another arrangement for the
additive chamber wherein a slotted plug is used to retain the
additive in the additive chamber;
[0048] FIG. 27 is a view showing the arrangement of FIG. 26 but
with the plug displaced downwardly upon advancing the plunger of
FIGS. 17-20 so that the additive exits through slots in the
plug;
[0049] FIG. 28 is a seventh embodiment of the invention showing a
plunger of decreased length and a reservoir of increased
length;
[0050] FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 but showing the
protective hard cap removed and the plunger pressed to eject liquid
from the reservoir of the cap;
[0051] FIG. 30 is an eighth embodiment of the invention wherein a
gas assist is used to empty the additive chamber upon pressing the
plunger, the plunger being shown in its initial position;
[0052] FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30 but showing the plunger
depressed to open the barrier and to release the gas assist;
[0053] FIGS. 32-35 illustrate a ninth embodiment of the invention
having figures corresponding to FIGS. 17-20 but showing a plunger
with a cruciform cross section;
[0054] FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate a tenth embodiment of the
invention having figures corresponding to FIGS. 17 and 19 but
showing a solid rather than a liquid being dispensed;
[0055] FIGS. 38 and 39 illustrate an eleventh embodiment of the
invention and correspond to FIGS. 36 and 37 but show a projection
extending from the plunger, and
[0056] FIG. 40 is an elevation showing a twelfth embodiment of the
invention wherein a plunger advances into an additive chamber upon
rotation of the plunger.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a closure 10,
configured in accordance with the principles of the present
invention and mounted on a container 11 containing a consumable
liquid. The consumable liquid may be, but is not limited to, a
beverage, a component of a health aide or a medicinal agent. The
closure 10 is comprised of a base 12, a spout 14 and a plunger 16
with the base 12 containing an additive and being mounted on the
container 11 by a collar 18. The collar 18 may be in the form of a
threaded collar that threads with the neck in 19 of the container
11. In order to protect the closure 10 from unauthorized access to
the plunger 16, a plastic cap 20 is disposed over the plunger and
the plunger is secured to the base 12 with a plastic band. The cap
20 prevents the plunger 16 from being easily depressed by people
who are not purchasers.
[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plastic cap 20 is
removed from the closure 10 so that plunger 16 and the spout 14 are
able to move with respect to the base 12 in order to allow an
additive in the base 12 to be released into the container 11.
Consequently, the consumable liquid 25 in the container 11 mixes
with the additive. As is evident from FIG. 2, this is accomplished
by pressing the plunger 16 with a finger, such as a forefinger or
thumb to move the plunger toward the container 11 and into the base
12 of the closure 10, as is shown in FIG. 3.
[0059] As is further seen in FIG. 3, the spout 14 has a bottom end
30 in engagement or close proximity with the top surface 32 of the
closure 10. A top surface 34 of the spout is substantially flush
with a top flange 36 on the now depressed plunger 16. As will be
explained hereinafter, the closure 10 is still closed preventing
dispensing of the consumable liquid 25 although the additive has
been released into the consumable liquid by depressing the plunger
16.
[0060] Referring to now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the spout 14 has been
moved from a first position to a second position on a column 29
that projects from the base 12, wherein the bottom 30 of the spout
is displaced from the top surface 32 of the base 12 instead of
being in abutment or close proximity therewith. As will be
explained hereinafter, this opens a passageway 40 between the
plunger 16 and the spout 14 to allow the consumable liquid 25 in
the container 11, now mixed with the additive from the base 12, to
flow through the passageway and out the container when the
container is tilted, as is seen in FIG. 5.
[0061] The plunger 16 and spout 14 are positioned in proximity to
one another so that in moving from the first position of FIG. 3 to
the second position of FIG. 4, the plunger 16 may be pushed down or
depressed by the thumb of the customer while the spout 14 is
gripped between the index and forefinger and pulled away from the
top surface 32 of the base 12 to open the passageway 40. When the
container 11 is held in the other hand of the consumer the
container is easily tilted to drain the liquid 25, now mixed with
an additive, into the mouth, cup or glass of the consumer.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 6, where the closure 10 is shown
exploded, it is seen that the closure is comprised of three parts
that are readily assembled by a machine. Machine assembly is
facilitated when an additive 50 is contained within a capsule 52
having a wall 53 that is rupturable upon depressing the plunger 16.
The capsule 52 preferably is made of a fragile gelatin material and
preferably has an impermeable coating, such as a hydrophobic
coating, which is crushable to release the additive 50. Preferably,
the base 12, the collar 14 and the plunger 16 are concentric and
made from a plastic material.
[0063] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the components of FIG. 6 assembled
with the capsule 52 within the base 12. The collar 18 of the base
12 is preferably threaded for coupling with a threaded neck 19 of
the container 11. Other arrangements such as adhesion or crimping
may be utilized to accomplish a coupling between the collar 18 and
the container 11, or the base 12 may even be integral with the
container 11. The support column 29 projects upwardly from the top
service 32 of the base 12 to support the spout 14. Around of the
support column 29 there are two shoulders 60 and 62 between which
there is a gap 64. A circular rib 66, projecting inwardly from the
inner surface 68 of the spout 14, is received in the gap 64 to
retain the spout 14 on the support column 29. When the spout 14 is
in the first position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (and FIGS. 1 and 2),
the spout 14 is down and in abutment with the annular upper surface
32 of the base 12. When the spout 14 is in the second position
shown in FIG. 9 (and FIGS. 4 and 5), the inner annular rib 66 on
the spout is in engagement with the outer annular shoulder 62 on
the support column 29.
[0064] The support column 29 also supports a cylindrical reservoir
70 that has the plunger 16 slidably received therein. The reservoir
70 defines an additive chamber 71 that contains the capsule 52 and
the reservoir 70 is connected to the support column 29 by an
annular bridge 72. As is seen in FIG. 8, the floor 74 of the
reservoir 70 has at least one conical blade 76 in the form of a
punch that punctures or ruptures the capsule 52 to release the
additive 50 therefrom into the chamber 72 when the plunger 16
presses against the capsule. The floor 74 has at least one opening
78 through which the released additive 50 drains into the liquid
25. The at least one opening 78 can be a central opening, or any
opening allowing the additive 50 to flow into the consumable liquid
25. The opening 78 could also be in the form of peripheral slots 78
disposed in the floor 74 or disposed between the floor and the
inner surface of the wall of the cylindrical reservoir 70.
[0065] By having projection the additive chamber 71 above the top
surface 32 of the base 12 limited to or slightly less than the
height of the spout 14 when the spout 14 is in the first or closed
portion, the height of the closure 10 is minimized.
[0066] The annular bridge 72 has slots 84 that communicate with an
annular channel 86 that opens to a space 88 defined by the collar
wall 18 to form the aforementioned passageway 40. Consequently,
liquid 25 from the container 11 can flow through the passageway 40
as long as the passageway 40 is not blocked as in FIG. 8 where the
top annular flange 34 of the spout 14 covers outlets 90 of the
slots 84. Upon shifting the spout 14 from its first position in
FIG. 8 to its second position in FIG. 9 where the annular flange 34
on the spout clears the top edge 92 of the support column 29, the
passageway 40 becomes unblocked by the annular flange 34, allowing
liquid to flow past the support column 29 and thus through the
closure 10 to the consumer.
[0067] In the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 10
and 11, the bottom of the reservoir 70' is covered by foil 100 and
the additive 50' is in the form of a powder, pills or liquid. The
plunger 16' has a projection 102 thereon which punctures or
ruptures the foil 100 to allow the additive 50 to drain or fall
into the liquid 25 when the plunger is depressed.
[0068] Referring now to the third embodiment of the invention shown
in FIGS. 12 and 13, if the wall 53 of the capsule 52 is not
hydrophobic and is permeable by the consumable liquid 25, it is
necessary to use a barrier such as the barrier 100'' between the
capsule 52 and the consumable liquid 25. In the embodiment shown,
the barrier 100'' is adhered by heat sealing it very strongly to
the floor 74'' at one peripheral location 104 beneath the floor and
heat sealing it less strongly along the remainder of its periphery
at location 106 beneath the floor. The plunger 16'' has a depending
blade 102'' which is arcuate and passes an arcuate slot 110 in the
floor 74'' of the reservoir 70'' to engage and dislarge the barrier
100'' along the periphery 106. Thereafter, the capsule 52 is
crushed by the plunger 16'' against the punches 76, releasing the
additive 50 to flow through the openings 78 through the floor 74''.
The barrier 100'' is preferably a metal foil although it can also
be made of plastic film. The strong adhesion at location 104
provides a hinge that allows the barrier 100'' to remain attached
to the reservoir 70'' and not fall into the container. The plunger
16'' is prevented from rotating by a longitudinal rib 114 on the
inner wall of the reservoir 70'', which rib engages a longitudinal
groove (not shown) in the plunger.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 14, a fourth embodiment of the invention,
a breakable barrier such as a foil or membrane 120 is heat sealed
or otherwise adhered in the cavity 71 in spaced relation to the
floor 74. Pressure from the plunger 16 applied through the capsule
52 breaks the foil or membrane 122 allowing the capsule to pass
through the foil or membrane and be crushed against punches or
blades 76 on the floor 74.
[0070] Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, in a fifth embodiment of
the invention, the capsule 52 has a rapidly dissolvable shell 130
of consumable material which rapidly disintegrates and dissolves
upon immersion in the consumable liquid 25 releasing the additive
50. The capsule 52 is initially rigid enough to apply sufficient
pressure to a heat sealed foil or membrane 132 to pivot the foil or
membrane aside so as to let the capsule pass into the consumable
liquid 25 in the container 11.
[0071] In another configuration of the capsule shown in FIGS. 15
and 16, the capsule 52' is a readily dissolvable solid body or
pellet which disintegrates upon dropping into the liquid 25 in the
container 11 (see FIGS. 1-5). The solid body or pellet 52' need not
necessarily have the dissolvable shell 130 and can be made of
material, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,794 issued
Sep. 115, 1981, that effervesces upon dropping into the liquid
25.
[0072] In all embodiments of the invention, the plunger 16 is
prevented from being accidentally dislarged from the reservoir 70
by at least one circular rib 110 on the plunger that registers with
first and second circular grooves 112 and 114 in the wall of the
reservoir 70. The circular rib 110 is near the bottom of the
plunger 16 while the first circular groove 112 is near the top of
the reservoir 70 to releasably hold the plunger 16 in the projected
position of FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 7 and 11. Preferably the rib 110 has a
flat top surface. The second circular groove 114 is near the bottom
of the reservoir 70 and registers with the circular rib 110 on the
plunger 16 and serves as a stop to hold the plunger retracted in
the reservoir while the consumable liquid 25 is being poured or
drunk. While one circular rib 110 and two circular grooves 112 and
114 are shown. There may be more ribs and grooves. The ribs and
grooves may also be reversed so that the rib or ribs are placed on
the reservoir 30 and the grooves on the plunger 16.
[0073] Referring now to the sixth embodiment of the invention set
forth in FIG. 17-27, an additive chamber 200 contains a liquid
additive 202 sealed behind an openable barrier 204 at a bottom end
206 of the chamber. The top end 208 of the chamber is closed by a
plunger 210 that abuts the liquid additive 202 with a pressure face
212. The plunger projects from the top end 208 of the chamber 200
by a height h. In order to minimize tampering by non-authorized
persons, such as people who are not purchasers, a hard cap 216
overlies the plunger 210 and is seated against an internally
threaded base 218 which is integral and preferably unitary with the
additive chamber 200. The hard cap 216 may snap on to the top
surface 220 of the base 218 and be held by an arcuate detent 222 so
that the customer must apply effort to dislodge the cap 216 by for
example twisting or flexing the cap 216. The hard cap 216 is
optionally further secured by a frangible or breakable sealing band
224. Generally, the cap 216 is retained on the base 218 in the same
manner as hard caps are retained on "sports bottles" while the base
218 is retained on the container by a safety ring 225 that remains
on the neck of the container when the collar portion 219 of the
internally threaded base 218 is unscrewed from the container.
[0074] As is seen in FIG. 21, the hard cap 216 is removed by the
customer before the plunger 210 is activated by being pressed. This
is accomplished by breaking the seal 224 and usually twisting or
popping the hard cap from the surface 220 of the base 218. The top
surface 230 of the plunger 210 is then pressed as is shown in FIG.
18 so that the pressure face 212 of the plunger applies sufficient
pressure to the additive liquid 202 to breach the barrier 204.
[0075] FIG. 18 shows one approach to breaching the barrier 204. The
barrier 204 is a flap which is breached by pressure on the liquid
202 that causes the barrier to detach from the opening 203 of the
chamber 202 along a first portion 230 of the periphery of the
barrier 204 while remaining secured to the opening 203 along a
second peripheral portion 332. The additive liquid 202 continues to
flow into the liquid 25 of the attached container 11 after the
barrier is breached. As is seen in FIG. 19, once the plunger 210 is
pressed all the way down so that the top end 230 of the plunger
engages with the top end 208 of the chamber 200, the liquid 202 is
completely pushed out and emptied from the chamber by the pressure
face 212 of the plunger 210. This can be insured by the plunger
having a length sufficient to push the pressure face 212 to the
bottom end 206 of the chamber 200.
[0076] As is seen in FIG. 20, which is similar to FIG. 5, after the
spout 214 is pulled in the direction of arrow 215, the liquid 25 in
the container 11, that is now mixed with the liquid additive 202,
is drained from the container by tilting the container so that the
liquid 25 bypasses the additive chamber 200 and flows out through
the spout 214.
[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 21-27 where the barrier 204 has
several configurations, the selected configuration opens upon
advancing the plunger 210 as is seen in FIGS. 17-20. The first
configuration is that shown in FIGS. 17-20 wherein the open end 206
is merely the cylindrical end of the additive chamber 200 with the
barrier 204 heat sealed or otherwise adhered or bonded to the open
end 206 of the additive chamber. In the embodiment of FIG. 17-20,
the thickness of the wall of the chamber 200 is constant at the
lower end 206, but the adherence is weaker at one portion of the
heat welded joint between the barrier 204 and the end 206, than at
another portion, so that the barrier 204 operates as the flap as
shown in FIGS. 18-20 where the flap is hinged at peripheral portion
232 and dislodged along peripheral portion 230.
[0078] FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate another embodiment of the barrier
204 when the barrier 204 is adhered in the same way as the barrier
204 of FIGS. 17-20 in that it is heat sealed to the end 206 of the
additive chamber 200, however as is seen in FIG. 25 pressure
applied by the plunger 210 causes the barrier 204 to rupture at its
weakest point, which occurs at the central portion of the barrier
230 that is inboard of the periphery 232 of the barrier. Normally,
the weakest point of barrier 204 occurs substantially at its center
so that once the barrier is breached, the tear or tears propagate
out toward the periphery 232 of the barrier allowing the liquid
additive 202 to pour through the breach into the container 11 where
it mixes with the beverage or other liquid 25.
[0079] Referring now to FIGS. 23-25, in order to facilitate a
barrier 204 functioning as a flap as opposed to rupturing in the
suspended portion, the lower end 206 of the chamber 2000 has an
arcuate flange 236 that extends partially around the circumference
of the opening 203 so as to provide an increased bonding area when
the barrier 204 is heat sealed to the additive chamber 200.
Consequently, as seen in FIG. 25, the barrier 204 detaches more
readily from the narrow portion 238 of the flange 236 or from the
bottom end 206 of additive chamber 200, rather than from the wide
portion of the flange 236 since there is less surface area of the
barrier to bond with. Accordingly, the barrier 204 stays attached
to the arcuate flange 236 over the flange's wider portion while the
heat seal at the narrower portion 238 ruptures due to fluid
pressure.
[0080] While heat sealing is the preferred method of attachment for
the barrier 204, other methods such as adhesion with adhesives may
be used in FIGS. 21-25.
[0081] Referring now to FIGS. 26 and 27 the barrier 204 is in the
form of a vented plug 240. The vented plug seats with a sealing
relation against the inner periphery 237 of a flange 238 at the
opening 203 defined by the bottom end 206 of the additive container
200. The plug 240 has arms 242 with shoulders 243, the arms 242
being separated by slots 244. Upon applying pressure to the liquid
202 in the additive chamber 200, the plug 240 moves from the
position of FIG. 26 down to the position of FIG. 27, the downward
motion of the plug 240 being arrested by the shoulders 243 on the
arms 242. This retains the plug 240 in place and allows the liquid
202 in the container 200 to exit through the slots 244 between the
arms as the plunger 210 advances downwardly as shown in FIGS. 18
and 19. As the additive liquid 202 exits from the slots 244 between
the arms 242, it flows into the liquid 25 to form the beverage or
other consumable liquid being dispensed in FIG. 20. Optionally, the
vented plug has an overlying membrane or foil 204 which is breached
by pressure from the plug 240 on the membrane or foil.
[0082] In each case the barrier of FIGS. 21-27, although ruptured
or breached, does not enter the beverage 25 due to peripheral
adherence with the additive chamber opening.
[0083] Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, where a seventh embodiment
of the invention is shown the plunger 310 has a second
configuration wherein its length is substantially reduced so that
the plunger extends only a distance h' from the top end 208 of the
chamber 200 which is less than the height of the plunger 210 of
FIG. 17. A comparison of FIG. 28 with FIG. 17 shows that the
plunger 310 has a lower profile than the plunger 210 so that the
free end 330 of the plunger does not extend initially as far above
the top end 208 of the chamber 200 as the plunger 210 of FIG. 17.
Consequently, the hard cap 316 has a height substantially less than
the hard cap 216 of FIG. 17. This gives the height of the container
12 having the liquid 25 therein a height which can be similar to
the height of containers with sports caps already on the market.
The additive chamber 300 has notches or ribs 317 on the interior
wall thereof for keeping the plunger 310 within the additive
chamber, both before and after the plunger is pressed.
[0084] As is seen in FIG. 29, when the cap 316 is removed and the
plunger 310 is pressed downwardly by pushing on the surface 330,
pressure from the face of the plunger 312 is transmitted to the
barrier 304 so as to open the barrier in the same manner that the
barrier 204 is opened in FIGS. 18-27. The barrier 304 can have the
same configuration as any of the barriers shown in FIGS. 17-27 or
the configuration of any other barriers capable of responding to
pressure. Since liquids, such as the liquid 202, is for all
practical purposes incompressible, the length of the plungers 310
and 210 are not only determined primarily by the amount of pressure
necessary to stress the barriers 204 and 304, but also by
sufficient pressure required to open the barriers. In the sixth
embodiment of FIG. 17-20, physical contact with liquid 202 by the
pressure face 212 ensures that the liquid is substantially removed
by the pressure face 212 since the pressure face 212 travels all
the way to the bottom end 206 of the additive chamber 200. In the
seventh embodiment of FIGS. 28 and 29, the short distance h' that
the plunger 310 travels is sufficient to both open the barrier 304
and sufficient to cause substantial evacuation of the chamber 300
due to travel of the pressure face 312 into the chamber 300.
[0085] Referring now to FIGS. 30 and 31 where an eighth embodiment
of the invention is shown, if there is resistance in the liquid 202
that prevents rapid and complete draining of the additive chamber
300, a gaseous propellant such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or air
is released into the propellant upon pressing the plunger 310. This
can be accomplished by releasing into the liquid additive 202 a gas
generating pellet 340 such as a "pop rock" disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,289,794 issued Sep. 15, 1981. As is seen in FIG. 30, upon the
pop rock dropping into the additive liquid 202, encapsulating
material surrounding carbon dioxide bubbles in the pellet or
pellets 340 dissolves and releases carbon dioxide which rises to or
remains adjacent to the top surface 350 of the additive liquid 202
and propels the liquid past the barrier 304 and out of the open end
303 of the additive chamber 300. The carbon dioxide releasing
pellet 340 may be disposed above a relative weak walled barrier 352
between the additive liquid 202 and the face 312 of the piston 310
or in a suggested embodiment of the invention, the carbon dioxide
releasing pellet or pellets 340 are contained in a pouch or pouches
354 having a relatively light wall (see FIG. 31). Continued
pressure on the plunger 310 opens the barrier 304 and ruptures the
pouch 354, releasing carbon dioxide from the pellet or pellets 340.
Carbon dioxide gas then accumulates adjacent the top surface 356 of
additive liquid 202 and assists in propelling the additive liquid
from the additive chamber 300.
[0086] While carbon dioxide may be a preferable gas, the gasified
particles or pellets 340 may utilize other gases such as nitrogen
or air. Gas generation may occur also utilizing different
substances such as sodium bicarbonate, which will release carbon
dioxide when dropped into the additive liquid 202 as long as the
additive liquid is acidic.
[0087] Referring now to FIGS. 32-35 where a ninth embodiment of the
invention is shown, the plunger 410 has a different configuration
in which the plunger is cruciform in cross-section. The plunger
configuration 410 has four ribs 412, three of which are seen in the
drawings and one of which is obscured in the drawings. The four
ribs 412 support disks 420, 422 and 424. The disk 420 is adjacent
the top of the plunger 410 and extends radially beyond the ribs 412
to engage the top end 408 of the additive container 400 when the
plunger is pressed down in FIGS. 34 and 35, while the bottom disk
424 provides a pressure surface 425 that exerts pressure on the
liquid 202. The intermediate disk 422 engages a rib 426 on the
inner wall 428 of the additive chamber 402 to prevent the plunger
410 from being withdrawn from the chamber 400. At the lower end 406
of the chamber 400 a flange 430, similar to the flange 236 in FIGS.
23-25, retains the barrier 204. As is seen in FIGS. 33-35, upon
removing the cap 416 and pressing the plunger 410, the liquid 202
is dispensed into the consumable liquid 25 to form the beverage
which is a mixture of the consumable liquid 25 and the liquid
additive 202. Upon lifting the spout 430 and inverting the
container 11 the consumable liquid 25 and additive are delivered to
the consumer.
[0088] Thus far the inventors have illustrated and discussed
different configurations for the additive chambers and the
cooperating plungers. It is pointed out that the closure cap 10,
additive chambers and plungers, as well as the barriers can have
any size, shape or configuration which is consistent with rational
operation of the disclosed device. For example, the closure can
have a width that will cooperate with the width of the container,
and the additive chamber can have a length so that it projects
below the collar that retains the closure on the bottle. Moreover
the cross-section of elements of the closure, while preferably
circular, may be polygonal such as being rectangular, triangular,
square or hexagonal, etc. In addition, the additive chamber may
have a diameter which changes and which can be for example oval or
oblong. The additive chamber can be of any reasonably volume, for
example, one to sixty CCs.
[0089] Thus far, configurations have been disclosed in FIGS. 17-37
in which a liquid additive has been dispensed. In the tenth
embodiment shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the additive 502 being
dispensed is in solid form. In FIGS. 36 and 37 the configuration of
the closure 10 is substantially similar to that of FIGS. 17-20,
however the additive 502 that is in the form of a solid material is
configured as pellets or particles which have surfaces that provide
for sufficient slippage so that the pellets or particles do not
bind and are capable of transmitting force down through the
additive chamber 500 so as to open the barrier 504 which may have a
configuration similar to the foil or membranes 204 shown in FIGS.
21-27. Pellets or particles 502 capable of transmitting force upon
pressing the plunger 510 generally have a slippery or lubricating
surface so that the particles or pellets can slip past one another
and apply pressure against the barrier 504 so as to exert
sufficient force to open the barrier.
[0090] Referring now to the eleventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 38
and 39, where a solid additive in the form of a powder 602 is
contained in an additive chamber 600 by a barrier 604, a plunger
extension 606 preferably in the form of an arcuate blade extends
from the pressure face 608 of a plunger 610. The plunger extension
606 has a bottom end 612, which engages the barrier 609 so that
upon pressing on the plunger 610, direct mechanical force is
applied by the bottom end 612 of the arcuate blade to the barrier.
Preferably, a space 614 is provided between the top surface of the
solid additive 602 so that the plunger 610 can push downwardly
without being obstructed by the solid additive for a distance
sufficient to allow the barrier 604 to be pushed open along one
portion of the periphery as is seen in FIG. 39. The barrier is
preferably a foil or membrane configured as shown in FIGS. 21-25.
While the plunger extension 606 is shown as an arcuate blade in
FIGS. 38 and 39, the extension may also have other configurations
such as a projection extending down from the center of the plunger
610 for rupturing the barrier 604 in an area, such as the central
area of the barrier.
[0091] While the plungers illustrated thus far are pushed in order
to dislodge the additive from the additive chamber 700, the twelfth
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 40 utilizes a plunger 710 that is
rotated to advance toward the barrier 704 to apply increased
pressure against and thus open the barrier. To facilitate rotation
and advancement of the plunger 710, the plunger has a helix 720 on
the outer surface 722 thereof which meshes with a helix 724 on the
inner surface 726 of the additive chamber 700. Rotation of the
plunger 710 in the direction of arrow 730 advances the plunger
downwardly in the direction of arrow 732 to apply pressure to the
liquid inside of the additive chamber 700, which pressure ruptures
or otherwise breaches the barrier 704. The barrier 704, for
example, can have one of the various configurations shown in FIGS.
21-27.
[0092] In each of the embodiments of the invention the length of
the additive chamber may be longer than the length of the collar
portion of the base. This allows a heat sealed membrane or foil
barrier to be applied conveniently to the additive chamber. For
example, in FIGS. 17-20 the additive chamber 200 may extend below
the collar 219, as is the case in the embodiment of FIGS.
28-31.
[0093] From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can
easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention,
and without departing form the spirit and scope thereof, can make
various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to
various usages and conditions.
* * * * *