U.S. patent application number 13/450381 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-09 for dispensing cap for beverage container.
Invention is credited to Anita DYRBYE, Dave DYRBYE.
Application Number | 20120199503 13/450381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46599926 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120199503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DYRBYE; Anita ; et
al. |
August 9, 2012 |
DISPENSING CAP FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINER
Abstract
A dispensing cap has an open-bottomed flow tube connected to a
surrounding skirt by a resilient diaphragm, and extending into a
storage chamber defined by the diaphragm, skirt, and a membrane
sealingly closing off the bottom of the skirt. The lower end of the
flow tube is disposed above and closely adjacent to the membrane,
and is adapted to pierce the membrane when pressed downward against
it. The dispensing cap is sealingly mountable to a beverage
container with the skirt and storage chamber disposed within the
throat of the container. A downward force applied to the flow tube
will resiliently deform the diaphragm and force the lower end of
the flow tube against and pierce the membrane, thus releasing the
contents of the storage chamber into the container, which can then
be agitated to mix the storage chamber contents with liquid in the
container.
Inventors: |
DYRBYE; Anita; (St. Albert,
CA) ; DYRBYE; Dave; (St. Albert, CA) |
Family ID: |
46599926 |
Appl. No.: |
13/450381 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12937516 |
Oct 12, 2010 |
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PCT/CA2009/000452 |
Apr 7, 2009 |
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13450381 |
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61045896 |
Apr 17, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/222 ;
220/521; 222/568 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/243 20130101;
B65D 2217/02 20130101; B65D 2217/04 20130101; B65D 51/2864
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/222 ;
220/521; 222/568 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/08 20060101
B65D025/08; B65D 51/28 20060101 B65D051/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2010 |
CA |
2718325 |
Claims
1. A dispensing cap sealingly mountable to a beverage container,
said dispensing cap comprising: (a) an open-bottomed flow tube; (b)
a skirt surrounding the flow tube so as to form an annular chamber
between the flow tube and the skirt, said skirt being adapted for
disposition within the throat of the beverage container; (c) a
resilient annular diaphragm sealingly connecting an upper perimeter
region of the skirt and an intermediate perimeter region of the
flow tube; and (d) a membrane sealingly attached to the periphery
of the skirt at the lower end thereof; wherein: (e) a storage
chamber is defined by the skirt, diaphragm, and membrane; (f) the
flow tube extends into the storage chamber, with the lower end of
the flow tube being disposed above the membrane; and (g) the lower
end of the flow tube is adapted to pierce the membrane upon being
pressed downward against the membrane; such that when the
dispensing cap is mounted to the beverage container with the skirt
disposed within the throat thereof and with a quantity of additive
substance stored in the storage chamber, a downward force applied
to the flow tube will resiliently deform the diaphragm, allowing
the lower end of the flow tube to push against and pierce the
membrane, thus allowing the contents of the storage chamber to flow
into the container.
2. A dispensing cap as in claim 1, further comprising a flow
assembly having a cap sleeve operable between an open position in
which liquid can flow from the container into the flow tube and out
of a flow opening in the cap sleeve, and a closed position in which
liquid flow from the container through the flow assembly is
prevented.
3. A dispensing cap as in claim 2 wherein the upper end of the flow
tube is closed and an upper region of the wall of the flow tube has
one or more perforations, and wherein the flow assembly comprises:
(a) a base flange sealingly connected, along its inner
circumference, to the outer perimeter of the flow tube at a point
below said perforations; (b) an open-topped perimeter retaining
wall having a lower end sealingly connected to the base flange so
as define an annular chamber between the perimeter wall and the
flow tube; and (c) a cap sleeve comprising a top closure and an
open-bottomed perimeter sidewall extending downward from the top
closure, wherein: c.1 the top closure has a flow opening adapted
for releasably sealing engagement with the upper end of the flow
tube; and c.2 the perimeter sidewall is sealingly slidable over
said retaining wall, between a closed position in which the upper
end of the flow tube is sealingly engaged within said flow opening
in the top closure, and an open position in which liquid can flow
through the flow opening.
4. A dispensing cap as in claim 1, further comprising a security
tab disposable around the flow tube in a region between the base
flange and the diaphragm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 12/937,516, which was filed on Oct. 12, 2010 as the U.S.
national stage of International Application No. PCT/CA2009/000452,
filed on Apr. 7, 2009, claiming priority from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/045,896, filed on Apr. 17, 2008. All three said
earlier applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety for continuity of disclosure.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates in general to beverage
container closure devices having reservoirs for holding an additive
substance, and operative to dispense the additive substance into
the container to facilitate mixing of the additive substance with
the beverage.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is known to use dispensing caps and closures with
beverage containers such as bottled water and sport beverages. A
dispensing cap incorporates a reservoir for receiving a quantity or
dose of an additive substance, to be mixed with the base liquid
(e.g., water; sport beverage) in the container. The additive
substance could be of various types, and could be in either liquid
or powdered form; examples would include flavoring ingredients,
medicinal or pharmaceutical agents, dietary supplements, and
therapeutic substances. Some additives may have diminished efficacy
if mixed with the base liquid a significant length of time before
consumption, or early mixing could reduce the mixture's shelf life.
In other cases, such as for medicinal, therapeutic, or other
health-related additives, proper proportioning of the additive may
be important to ensure that the additive will have the desired
benefits for the person consuming the mixture. Provision of the
additive in a dispensing cap facilitates precise proportioning of
the additive and base liquid, and also allows a consumer to ensure
optimal freshness of the additive/base liquid mixture by dispensing
the additive into the base liquid just prior to consumption.
[0004] The prior art discloses numerous examples of container
closures for dispensing an additive into the container, including
the following patent documents:
[0005] DE 31 40 398 A1
[0006] DE 42 38 819 A1
[0007] FR 1178 115 A1
[0008] FR 2 814 156 A1
[0009] JP 2002-282565
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,570 A1
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,433
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,528
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,573
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,335
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,341 B1
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,650 B2
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,070 B1
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,595 B2
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,839 B2
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,453 B2
[0021] US 2007/0074979 A1
[0022] US 2007/0090000 A1
[0023] US 2008/0067172 A1
[0024] US 2008/0073307 A1
[0025] US 2008/0093381 A1
[0026] US 2008/0116221 A1
[0027] WO 2006/050538 A1
[0028] WO 2008/014444 A2
[0029] Notwithstanding the identified prior art, there remains a
need for an improved dispensing cap for beverage containers.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0030] In general terms, the present disclosure teaches a
dispensing cap that may be screwed onto or otherwise sealingly
mounted to a conventional beverage container, and which may be
actuated to dispense an additive substance from a reservoir within
the dispensing cap, into the beverage container. The dispensing cap
has an open-bottomed flow tube which is connected to a surrounding
skirt by means of a resilient diaphragm, forming an annular
reservoir or storage chamber surrounding the flow tube.
[0031] In accordance with a first embodiment, a substantially rigid
annular base cap is provided at the bottom of the flow tube, with
the outer perimeter of the base cap being adapted for releasably
sealing circumferential engagement with the skirt, so as to close
off the bottom of the storage chamber. The dispensing cap is
threaded or otherwise adapted for sealing attachment to a beverage
container, such that the skirt and storage chamber are disposed
within the throat or neck of the container. A downward force
applied to the flow tube will induce resilient downward deformation
of the diaphragm, disengagement of the base cap from the skirt, and
downward displacement of the base cap relative to the skirt, thus
opening the lower end of the storage chamber and releasing the
contents thereof into the container, whereupon the container can be
agitated to mix the storage chamber contents with a liquid in the
container.
[0032] The flow tube extends above the storage chamber and
terminates in a flow assembly which enables consumption of the
container contents without removing the dispensing cap from the
container. The upper end of the flow tube is closed off, and is
sealingly engageable with an opening in a cap sleeve which is
slidingly mounted over a wall structure defining a flow chamber.
The portion of the flow tube disposed within the flow chamber has
openings to permit liquid flowing in the flow tube to pass into the
flow chamber. When the cap sleeve is in its closed position with
the upper end of the flow tube engaging the cap sleeve opening,
liquid cannot flow out of the container through the cap sleeve
opening. When the cap is slidingly moved to its open position, with
the upper end of the flow tube disengaged from the cap sleeve
opening, liquid can flow from the container, through the flow tube,
into the flow chamber, and out the cap sleeve opening.
[0033] In accordance with a second embodiment, the bottom of the
storage chamber is closed off by a substantially impermeable
membrane which is sealingly attached to the periphery of the skirt.
The membrane may be made from metal foil, but other materials may
be used for the membrane without departing from the scope of the
disclosure. In this embodiment, the open lower end of the flow tube
is initially disposed slightly above the membrane, and is
configured such that it can readily pierce the membrane when pushed
downward against the membrane. The other elements of this
embodiment of the dispensing cap, including the flow assembly, are
similar to corresponding elements of the first embodiment described
previously.
[0034] A downward force applied to the flow tube will induce
resilient downward deformation of the diaphragm and cause the lower
end of the flow tube to pierce the membrane, thus opening the lower
end of the storage chamber and dispensing its contents (i.e.,
additive substance) into the container, whereupon the container can
be agitated to mix the additive substance with a liquid in the
container. The container can then be tipped back so that the
mixture formed inside the container can flow through the flow tube
and flow assembly and out the cap sleeve opening. In this
embodiment, the portion of the flow tube below the diaphragm may
optionally be provided with slots or other types of openings to
enhance flow of the mixed liquid into and out of the flow tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will
now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in
which numerical references denote like parts, and in which:
[0036] FIG. 1 is an isometric section through a first embodiment of
a dispensing cap in accordance with the present disclosure, with
the dispensing cap being screwed onto a beverage container and with
security tab in place.
[0037] FIG. 2 is an elevational section through the dispensing cap
of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 3 is an isometric section through the dispensing cap of
FIG. 1, with security tab removed in preparation for dispensing
additive into the container.
[0039] FIG. 4 is an isometric section through the dispensing cap of
FIG. 1, shown after actuation to dispensing additive from the
reservoir.
[0040] FIG. 5 is an isometric section through the dispensing cap of
FIG. 1, shown after actuation to allow consumption from the
container.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a vertical section through second embodiment of a
dispensing cap in accordance with the present disclosure, shown
with an additive substance stored in the storage chamber and with
the security tab being removed in preparation of dispensing the
additive substance.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a section through the dispensing cap of FIG. 6,
showing the lower end of the flow tube having pierced the membrane
to dispense the additive substance from the storage chamber into
the container.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a section through the dispensing cap of FIG. 6,
illustrating the flow path from the container through the
dispensing cap and out the cap sleeve opening.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0044] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a first embodiment of a dispensing cap
10 in accordance with the present disclosure, shown mounted on a
beverage container 100 having a throat section 110. In the
illustrated embodiment, the dispensing cap 10 is adapted for
mounting on a container 100 having a threaded neck, but this is not
essential; dispensing cap 10 may be readily adapted for use with
containers designed to receive alternative, non-threaded types of
closures. All components of dispensing cap 10 are preferably made
of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, but other materials
providing suitable functional effectiveness may be used without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0045] Dispensing cap 10 has a flow tube 20 having an upper end 20U
and a lower end 20L. In the illustrated embodiment, flow tube 20 is
of generally cylindrical configuration, and the descriptions herein
will be in the context of a generally cylindrical flow tube 20.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate,
however, that flow tube 20 could be of a different geometric
configuration without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0046] Having reference to FIG. 2, flow tube 20 may be considered
as comprising four contiguous sections, as follows: [0047] lower
section 22L, extending upward from lower end 20L of flow tube 20 to
a first intermediate point 20-1; [0048] middle section 22M,
extending upward from first intermediate point 20-1 to a second
intermediate point 20-2 a selected distance above first
intermediate point 20-1; [0049] a perforated section 22P, extending
upward from second intermediate point 20-2 to a third intermediate
point 20-3 a selected distance above second intermediate point
20-2; and [0050] a top section 22T, extending upward from third
intermediate point 22-3 to upper end 20U of flow tube 20.
[0051] Lower end 20L of flow tube 20 has an opening 21 which leads
into a flow passage 24 extending the full length of flow tube 20,
from lower end 20L to upper end 20U. The cylindrical walls of flow
tube 20 are solid except within perforated section 22P, which is
formed with a plurality of perforations 25, for purposes to be
explained herein. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment,
perforations 25 are provided in the form of vertical slots, but
this is not essential; perforations 25 could alternatively be
provided in various other forms (e.g., round holes). In the
preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, upper end 20U of flow
tube 20 is closed off by a cap member 26. Top section 22T of flow
tube 20 is preferably somewhat smaller in cross-sectional diameter
than perforated section 22P. However, this feature is not
essential, and in alternative embodiments top section 22T and
perforated section 22P may be of substantially the same
diameter.
[0052] Dispensing cap 10 also has a cylindrical skirt 30 which
surrounds lower section 22L of flow tube 20, so as to form a
generally annular storage chamber 40 between the inner surface of
skirt 30 and the outer surface of lower section 22L of flow tube
20. The outer diameter of skirt 30 is smaller than the inner
diameter of throat section 110 of the container 100 on which
dispensing cap 10 is to be installed, such that skirt 30 may be
readily disposed within throat section 110. Preferably (but not
necessarily), the outer diameter of skirt 30 is only slightly
smaller than the inner diameter of throat section 110, thus
maximizing the volume of storage chamber 40. Skirt 30 has an upper
end 30U and a lower end 30L. An annular skirt flange 31 extends
radially outward from upper end 30U of skirt 30, and transitions at
its outmost edge to a downwardly extending cylindrical collar 32.
As may be seen in the Figures, collar 32 has internal threads 32A
and is of a suitable diameter such that it can be screwed onto the
top of container 100 with its internal threads 32A engaging the
external threading 115 at the top of container 100.
[0053] A resiliently flexible and generally annular diaphragm 42 is
circumferentially and sealingly connected to flow tube 20 at first
intermediate point 20-1, and extends radially outward therefrom to
circumferentially and sealingly connect to upper end 30U of skirt
30. Flow tube 20, skirt 30, and diaphragm 42 are preferably (but
not necessarily) molded as an integral unit. Although this integral
unit may thus be made of a rigid or semi-plastic material, the
required flexibility of diaphragm 42 may be provided by making
diaphragm 42 substantially thinner than the components to which it
is connected (i.e., flow tube 20 and skirt 30).
[0054] A substantially rigid and generally annular base cap 44 is
circumferentially and sealingly connected to flow tube 20 at lower
end 20L, and extends generally radially outward therefrom for
circumferentially sealingly engagement with lower end 30L of skirt
30. Unlike the connection of diaphragm 42 to upper end 30U of skirt
30, the circumferential engagement of base cap 44 with lower end
30L of skirt 30 is not integral, but is adapted to permit ready
disengagement and downward displacement of base cap 44 relative to
skirt 30 in response to application of a sufficient downward force
on flow tube 20 relative to skirt 30.
[0055] As shown in the Figures, base cap 44 preferably (but not
necessarily) has a downward slope radially away from lower end 20L
of flow tube 20, to promote efficient and complete dispensing of an
additive substance from.
[0056] Also as shown in the Figures, base flange 44 may be provided
in the form of a discrete component that snaps onto a
circumferential retention flange 20F formed at lower end 20L of
flow tube 20. In alternative embodiments, however, base cap 44
could also be integrally formed or molded with flow tube 20.
[0057] Having reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 and the foregoing
descriptions, it will be seen that when base cap 44 is sealingly
engaged with lower end 30L of skirt 30, annular storage chamber 40
becomes a sealed and preferably liquid-tight chamber. Storage
chamber 40 may be filled or partially filled with a selected
additive substance in liquid, powder, or other form as
appropriate.
[0058] Dispensing cap 10 also incorporates a beverage flow assembly
50, which may be most clearly understood with reference to FIG. 3.
In the illustrated embodiment, flow assembly 50 comprises a base
flange 52 which extends radially outward from second intermediate
point 20-2 on flow tube 20. An open-topped cylindrical flow chamber
wall 54 extends upward from base flange 52, forming a generally
annular flow chamber 56 surrounding perforated section 22P of flow
tube 20. A generally dome-shaped, cylindrical cap sleeve 58 having
a top closure member 59, with a flow opening 59A formed in top
closure 59, is disposed over and around flow chamber wall 54 such
that cap sleeve 58 is slidingly movable relative to cylindrical
wall 54 between: [0059] a closed position (as seen in FIGS. 1 to 4)
in which top section 22T of flow tube 20 sealingly engages flow
opening 59A; and [0060] an open position (as seen in FIG. 5) in
which top closure 59 is displaced to a position above top section
22T of flow tube 20 such that liquid can flow out of flow chamber
56 through flow opening 59A.
[0061] Flow chamber wall 54 and cap sleeve 58 are designed and
configured such that cap sleeve 58 forms a substantially
liquid-tight seal against flow chamber wall 54 as cap sleeve 58
moves between the closed and open positions. The Figures
conceptually illustrate one particular design whereby this
liquid-tight seal may be achieved, but the present disclosure is
not limited to this or any other particular method or means of
providing a sliding seal between cap sleeve 58 and flow chamber
wall 54, which as persons skilled in the art will recognize can be
accomplished in a variety of ways using known technology.
[0062] Although flow chamber wall 54 is described and illustrated
herein as being generally cylindrical, persons skilled in the art
will readily appreciate that flow chamber wall 54 and flow chamber
56 could be of different geometric configurations (with
corresponding modifications to cap sleeve 58) without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0063] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a generally annular security tab
60, with pull tab 62, is preferably (but not necessarily) disposed
provided around middle section 22M of flow tube 20, between skirt
flange 31 and base flange 52. As will be explained in greater
detail below, security tab 60 prevents unintentional release of the
additive substance from storage chamber 40, as could result from
inadvertent downward displacement of flow tube 20 relative to skirt
30. Accordingly, security tab 60 will typically be left in place
until it is desired to release the additive substance into
container 100.
[0064] The particular security tab configuration shown in the
Figures is exemplary only. Embodiments incorporating a security tab
are not limited or restricted to the use of a security device as
specifically illustrated herein or in accordance with any other
particular design or style.
[0065] The operation of dispensing cap 10 may be readily understood
with reference to the Figures and the foregoing descriptions. FIGS.
1 and 2 illustrate dispensing cap 10 threadingly mounted over the
threaded neck of a beverage container 100, with skirt 30 (and lower
section 22L of flow tube 20) disposed within throat 110 of
container 100. Security tab 60 is in place, storage chamber 40 has
been filled with a selected additive substance (not shown), and cap
sleeve 58 is in the closed position.
[0066] FIG. 3 illustrates dispensing cap 10 essentially as in FIGS.
1 and 2 but with security tab 60 removed.
[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates dispensing cap 10 in the "dispense"
position, which is achieved by applying a downward force on top
closure 59 (and flow assembly 50 as a whole), such that flow tube
20 moves downward within skirt 30 (with corresponding deformation
and downward deflection of diaphragm 42), causing base cap 44 to
become disengaged from and displaced below lower end 30L of skirt
30, such that the additive substance will readily flow out of
storage chamber 40 and into container 100, whereupon the additive
substance will become mixed with the liquid (e.g., water; sport
beverage) in container 100.
[0068] FIG. 5 illustrates dispensing cap 10 in the open or
"consume" position, which is achieved subsequent to the release of
the additive substance from storage chamber 40, by simply sliding
cap sleeve 58 into the "consume" position as previously described.
With dispensing cap 10 in the "consume" position, container 100 may
be tilted or inverted to allow the mixed beverage to flow through
opening 21 of flow tube 20 into flow passage 24 within flow tube
20, and thence through perforations 25 in perforated section 22P of
flow tube 20 into flow chamber 56, and out through flow opening 59A
in top closure 59.
[0069] A particular advantage of this first embodiment of the
dispensing cap is that it provides the beverage consumer with the
option of drinking the base liquid from container 100 without
releasing the additive substance from storage chamber 40 into
container 100. This may be done by simply by sliding cap sleeve 58
into the "open" position without displacing flow tube 20; this can
be done with security tab 60 either removed or in place.
[0070] Another advantage of this first embodiment is that it gives
the beverage consumer the option of releasing only a portion of the
additive substance into container 100. This can be done by, for
example, displacing flow tube 20 only partially downward and then
retracting flow tube 20 (by pulling upward on base flange 52) so as
to sealingly re-engage base cap 44 with lower end 30L of skirt 30,
thus retaining the remaining amount of additive substance within
storage chamber 40 until the consumer is ready to dispense it into
container 100 at a later time.
[0071] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate a dispensing cap 200 in accordance with
a second embodiment. In FIGS. 6-8, elements similar or identical to
corresponding components of the first embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1-5 are denoted by the same reference numbers.
[0072] FIG. 6 shows dispensing cap 200 mounted to a beverage
container 100 containing a liquid 105. Dispensing cap 200 comprises
a flow tube 220 having an open-ended lower end 200L and defining a
flow passage 224. The uppermost region of flow tube 200 defines a
perforated section 220P having one or more perforations 25, for
purposes as previously described with reference to the embodiment
in FIGS. 1-5. The uppermost end of perforated section 220P is
closed off by a cap member 26.
[0073] A cylindrical skirt 30 surrounds a lower portion of flow
tube 220 so as to form a generally annular storage chamber 40. A
resiliently flexible and generally annular diaphragm 42 is
circumferentially and sealingly connected to flow tube 200 at a
point below perforations 25, and extends radially outward therefrom
to circumferentially and sealingly connect to the upper end 30U of
skirt 30, thereby closing off the top of storage chamber 40. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, diaphragm 42 in its initial, pre-use
configuration has a generally conical form, with its connection to
flow tube 220 being at a level higher than its connection to skirt
30. A substantially impermeable membrane 210 is sealingly attached
to the periphery of skirt 30 at its lower end 30L, thereby closing
off the bottom of storage chamber 40. Membrane 210 may be made from
metal foil, but other materials may be used for the membrane
without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0074] Dispensing cap 200 also incorporates a beverage flow
assembly 50 generally as previously described with reference to
FIG. 3, and comprising a base flange 52 and an open-topped
cylindrical flow chamber wall 54 which extends upward from base
flange 52 to form a generally annular flow chamber 56 surrounding
perforated upper section 220P of flow tube 220. A generally
dome-shaped, cylindrical cap sleeve 58 having a top closure member
59, with a flow opening 59A formed in top closure 59, is disposed
over and around flow chamber wall 54 such that cap sleeve 58 is
slidingly movable relative to cylindrical wall 54 between closed
and open positions as previously described.
[0075] As illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, base flange 52 may be of a
downwardly-oriented, generally conical configuration. However, this
configuration is not essential, and in variant embodiments base
flange 52 could be of a different configuration (generally flat or
planar, for example, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5).
[0076] Dispensing cap 200 optionally may be provided with a
generally annular security tab 60 disposed between diaphragm 42 and
base flange 52, such that dispensing cap 200 cannot be actuated to
dispense the contents of storage chamber 40 into container 100
until security tab 60 has been removed.
[0077] As seen in FIG. 6, when dispensing cap 200 is in its pre-use
configuration, with a desired amount of additive substance having
been placed in storage chamber 40, lower end 200L of flow tube 200
will be disposed above and fairly close to membrane 210. Lower end
200L of flow tube 200 is designed and configured such that it will
readily pierce or puncture membrane 210 when pressed downward
against membrane 210. In FIGS. 6-8, lower end 200L of flow tube 200
is shown as having a chisel point (similar to the point of a
hypodermic needle). However, this is only one example of how lower
end 200L of flow tube 220 could be configured to facilitate
piercing of membrane 210, and the present disclosure is not limited
to this or any other particular means or method for providing this
functionality.
[0078] The operation and use of dispensing cap 200 may be readily
understood with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 7, a downward
force has been applied to flow tube 220, thereby resiliently
deforming diaphragm 42 to a downwardly-deflected position as shown,
and causing lower end 200L of flow tube 220 to pierce membrane 210,
thus allowing the additive substance to flow out of storage chamber
40 into container 100. To facilitate the flow of the additive
substance out of storage chamber 40 into container 100, the side
wall of flow tube 220 may be provided with one or more slots 222
(or openings of a different configuration) such that the additive
substance can flow from storage chamber 40 through slots 222 and
then downward through flow passage 224 of flow tube 220 and exit
lower end 200L of flow tube 220 into container 100. In preferred
embodiments, however, lower end 200L of flow tube 220 will be
configured to pierce membrane 210 in such as manner as to create a
large enough opening in membrane 210 to allow the additive
substance to flow directly out of storage chamber 40 into container
100 without having to flow through slots 222 and flow passage 224
(or to flow partially via flow passage 224 and partly directly out
of storage chamber 40 into container 100).
[0079] FIG. 8 illustrates how liquid 105, after being mixed with
the additive substance dispensed from storage chamber 40, can flow
through dispensing cap 200 for consumption. When container 100 is
tipped back or inverted by a consumer as shown, the liquid mixture
can flow into directly into flow chamber 224 of flow tube 220 via
the open lower end 220L of flow tube 200 (as indicated by flow path
arrows A in FIG. 8), and thence through openings 25 in perforated
section 220P of flow tube 200 and out through flow opening 59A in
top closure 59 (as indicated by flow path arrows B). Alternatively
or in addition, the liquid mixture can flow through the opening in
membrane 210 external to flow tube 200 and then through slots 222
in the side wall of flow tube 200 into flow chamber 224 (as
indicated by flow path arrows C), and thence via flow path B to
exit through flow opening 59A in top closure 59. In unillustrated
alternative embodiments, lower end 220L could be closed (but still
adapted to pierce membrane 210), such that all flow of the additive
substance from storage chamber 40 into container 100 is directly
through the opening in pierced membrane 210, and such that all flow
of the liquid mixture from container 100 and out through flow
opening 59A is via flow paths C and B in sequence.
[0080] It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art
that various modifications of the disclosed dispensing cap may be
devised without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and all
such modifications are intended to come within the scope of the
disclosure and the claims appended hereto. It is to be especially
understood that dispensing caps in accordance with the present
disclosure not intended to be limited to illustrated embodiments,
and that the substitution of a variant of a claimed element or
feature, without any substantial resultant change in functionality,
will not constitute a departure from the scope of the
disclosure.
[0081] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in
its non-limiting sense to mean that items following that word are
included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A
reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not
exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is
present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and
only one such element. The word "sealing" and derivative forms
thereof, as used herein, are to be understood as connoting the
provision of a substantially liquid-tight seal. As used in this
patent document, the words "cylindrical", "annular", or other words
relating to shape, form, or properties are not intended to denote
or require geometrical or technical precision, and are accordingly
to be understood as denoting general or substantial conformity
(e.g., "cylindrical" would be understood as "at least substantially
cylindrical") unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
* * * * *