U.S. patent application number 14/828269 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-23 for storing and mixing device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ernest Kim. Invention is credited to Ernest Kim.
Application Number | 20170050783 14/828269 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58158607 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170050783 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Ernest |
February 23, 2017 |
STORING AND MIXING DEVICE
Abstract
A storing and mixing system having a container and a cap is
presented. The container includes a reservoir and a neck having a
lip. The cap removably couplable to the neck of the container and
has: a housing movably couplable to the neck by engaging an
interior screw thread of the housing with the neck; a dispensing
platform coupled to the housing by a plurality of ribs; and a
plurality of peripheral dispenser openings between an exterior edge
of the dispensing platform and the housing. The plurality of
dispenser openings is configured to be plugged or unplugged by the
lip of the neck. In an axial direction of the neck, a length of the
lip is larger than or equal to a length of the interior screw
thread of the container. Optionally, there are provided contact
surfaces between the cap and the container to seal the dispensing
platform from the ambient environment and from the interior of the
container, when the cap is securely screwed onto the container.
Inventors: |
Kim; Ernest; (Irvine,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kim; Ernest |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58158607 |
Appl. No.: |
14/828269 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/2807
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/28 20060101
B65D051/28 |
Claims
1. A storing and mixing system, comprising: a container including a
reservoir, a neck having a lip, and an external screw thread
extending between the lip and a root of the neck; and a storing and
dispensing cap removably couplable to the neck, the cap including:
a housing movably couplable to the neck by engaging an interior
screw thread of the housing with the external screw thread of the
container; a dispensing platform coupled to the housing; and a
plurality of peripheral dispenser openings between an exterior edge
of the dispensing platform and the housing, wherein the plurality
of dispenser openings is configured to be plugged or unplugged by
the lip of the neck; wherein the lip of the neck of the container
provides an impermeable seal between the storing and dispensing cap
and the container when plugged to the dispenser openings, and the
storing and dispensing cap is adapted to receive a mixing material
when the dispenser openings are plugged; wherein, in an axial
direction of the neck, a length of the lip is larger than or equal
to a length of the interior screw thread of the container.
2. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
interior screw thread of the housing is apart from the plurality of
dispenser openings by a predetermined distance.
3. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
length of the lip is at least equal to the predetermined distance
between the screw thread of the housing and the plurality of
dispenser openings.
4. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
housing further comprises a restraint ring formed in the
predetermined distance between the interior screw thread and the
dispenser openings, and the restraint ring has an annular surface
surrounding and abutting against the lip of the neck.
5. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
length of the lip is larger than the sum of the length of the
interior screw thread and a distance between the interior screw
thread and the restraint ring if any.
6. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
exterior edge has a peripheral groove communicating with the
dispenser openings and axially extending from the dispenser
openings by a depth, with the peripheral groove adapted to receive
the lip of the neck when the lip is plugged to the dispenser
openings to provide the impermeable seal.
7. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
interior screw thread of the housing is apart from the plurality of
dispenser openings by a predetermined distance, and the sum of the
predetermined distance and the depth of the peripheral groove is at
least equal to the length of the lip.
8. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a seal ring, wherein the root of the neck has a radially
extended support to bear the seal ring, and a bottom end of the
housing of the storing and dispensing cap is capable of making
abutting contact with the support when the lip of the neck is
plugged to the dispenser openings, thereby creating an air-tight
seal.
9. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a seal ring disposed on a shoulder region of the
container, and a bottom end of the housing of the storing and
dispensing cap is capable of making abutting contact with the
support when the lip of the neck is plugged to the dispenser
openings, thereby creating an air-tight seal.
10. A storing and mixing system, comprising: a container including
a reservoir, a neck having a lip, and an external screw thread
extending between the lip and a root of the neck; a seal ring
surrounding the neck and coupled to the neck of the container; and
a storing and dispensing cap removably couplable to the neck, the
cap including: a housing movably couplable to the neck by engaging
an interior screw thread of the housing with the external screw
thread of the container; a dispensing platform coupled to the
housing by a plurality of ribs; and a plurality of peripheral
dispenser openings between an exterior edge of the dispensing
platform and the housing, wherein the plurality of dispenser
openings is configured to be plugged or unplugged by the lip of the
neck; wherein the lip of the neck of the container provides an
impermeable seal between the storing and dispensing cap and the
container when plugged to the dispenser openings, and the storing
and dispensing cap is adapted to receive a mixing material when the
dispenser openings are plugged; wherein one of the neck and the
reservoir has a support bearing the seal ring, and the storing and
dispensing cap is capable of making an abutting contact with the
seal ring when the lip of the neck is plugged to the dispenser
openings.
11. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein
the support is a protrusion radially extended from the neck.
12. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein
the support is an upper surface of the reservoir.
13. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein,
in an axial direction of the neck, a length of the lip is larger
than or equal to a length of the interior screw thread of the
container.
14. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 13, wherein
the interior screw thread of the housing is apart from the
plurality of dispenser openings by a predetermined distance.
15. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the length of the lip is at least equal to the predetermined
distance between the screw thread of the housing and the plurality
of dispenser openings.
16. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the housing further comprises a restraint ring formed in the
predetermined distance between the interior screw thread and the
dispenser openings, and the restraint ring has an annular surface
surrounding and abutting against the lip of the neck.
17. The storing and mixing system as claimed in claim 16, wherein
the length of the lip is larger than the sum of the length of the
interior screw thread and a distance between the interior screw
thread and the restraint ring if any.
18. A storing and dispensing cap, comprising: a housing movably
couplable to a neck of a container having a lip, wherein the
housing has an interior screw thread adapted to couple with the
neck; and a dispensing platform coupled to the housing and having
an exterior edge, wherein a peripheral dispenser opening is formed
between an exterior edge of the dispensing platform and the
housing; wherein the dispenser opening is configured to be plugged
or unplugged by the lip of the container; wherein the lip of the
neck of the container provides an impermeable seal between the
storing and dispensing cap and the container when plugged to the
dispenser opening, and the storing and dispensing cap is adapted to
receive a mixing material when the dispenser opening is plugged,
wherein the interior screw thread is apart from the dispenser
opening by a predetermined distance.
19. The storing and dispensing cap as claimed in claim 18, wherein
the housing further comprises a restraint ring formed in the
predetermined distance between the interior screw thread and the
dispenser openings, and the restraint ring has an annular surface
adapted to surround and abut against the lip of the neck.
20. The storing and dispensing cap as claimed in claim 18, wherein
the exterior edge has a peripheral groove communicating with the
dispenser opening and axially extending from the dispenser opening
by a depth smaller than the predetermined distance, with the
peripheral groove adapted to receive the lip of the neck when the
lip is plugged to the dispenser openings to provide the impermeable
seal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates, in general, to containers
with caps and, more particularly, to containers having separate
compartments in which at least two materials may be stored
separately and then may be combined when it is desired to mix
them.
[0003] (2) Description of Related Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[0004] Many drugs, dyes, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, nutrients,
herbs, flavorings, and other chemicals are frequently supplied in
powder, granule, tablet, or crystal form and do not retain their
stability, strength and effectiveness for long after they have been
mixed in solution or suspension, a condition frequently necessary
for their administration or other use. It is also important that
admixtures of various chemicals be done under conditions wherein a
measured amount of one chemical be added to a measured amount of
the other chemical to insure that proper results are obtained with
a minimum of waste.
[0005] For example, some vitamins are combined with an effervescent
agent and added to liquid immediately prior to use in order to
retain the effectiveness of the vitamins. If the vitamins were
mixed with liquid and were not consumed within a short period of
time, the vitamins would deteriorate and would be less effective
after an extended storage period.
[0006] There are many other examples of materials or substances
which have an extended shelf life when not mixed, but which must be
utilized relatively soon after mixture to prevent deterioration.
Various cosmetics, medications, hair dyes, pigments, epoxy
adhesives, polishes, cleansing solutions and the like have the
foregoing characteristics. For example, conventional hair dyes
employ a base material with which a pigmented material or solution
is mixed for immediate application on the hair. If the pigmented
material is mixed with the base and allowed to stand, the mixture
may rapidly deteriorate and thus become unusable.
[0007] Many products are, by their very nature, required to be used
by the consumer shortly after their manufacture as they lose
certain desirable characteristics within a short period of time.
Yet, the product can be stored for extended periods of time if a
reactive compound thereof is maintained separate from the base
compound. In such case, the two compounds may be mixed together to
form the desired product shortly before use. In marketing such
goods, it is desirable that the reactive compound and the base
compound be sold as part of the same package. From an aesthetic as
well as a handling standpoint, it is desirable that a single
package be utilized for maintaining such compounds separately.
[0008] For example, in the chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical
industries it is often necessary to separately store two products
which are not to be mixed until just before the resulting mixture
is to be used because the properties of that mixture are not
acceptable for the application envisaged except at the moment at
which the mixture is formed. The stability of the mixture, for
example, is a property which may vary in the course of time and may
therefore have values which are most efficacious at the time the
mixture is formed.
[0009] Another important field of use for containers of this type
lies in the storage of foodstuffs and particularly beverages. Thus,
a new flavoring, nutrient, additive, etc. constituted of dry
ingredients, and being in the form of granular material, or a
powder may have been developed for carbonated beverages which has
significant potential consumer appeal in comparison with existing
products, with the beverage, however, having a limited shelf life
after the flavoring, nutrient, additive, etc., is mixed with the
liquid or carbonated water present in the container. The additive
has a lengthier shelf life when maintained in a dry condition and
separate from the water or liquid, and with the product being more
flavorful, nutritious, effective, etc. and marketable when stored
in a container which maintains the additive and liquid in separate
compartments and inaccessible to each other until opening of the
container for the purpose of dispensing the beverage.
[0010] Many different types of packages have been designed having
two compartments to enable product components to be kept separate
until use. However, prior devices have required many moving parts
that required connection, or they required the user to take several
actions to combine the ingredients and then use the mixture, such
as pushing down on a pushbutton in order to initiate the mixing of
the ingredients, and then opening of a cap. Furthermore, if a seal
was previously used, it may have required puncturing of the seal,
which could become detached, be not fully punctured, or otherwise
hinder the flow of reactants.
[0011] Furthermore, the types of structures used for many prior
two-compartment containers are complicated and often subject to
higher manufacture costs and additional assembly time. Many prior
art containers have required a high degree of manufacturing
accuracy in order to work as intended. For example, in series
production of plastic objects at industrial levels, it can be
difficult to obtain consistently accurate results which would
guarantee a constantly correct and desired connection between
elements requiring a high degree of manufacturing accuracy, such as
for a cutting element and a frangible seal.
[0012] Further, some prior packages provide that the compartment
stays in the mouth of the container even after a closure device or
cap has been extracted and the separately stored materials have
been mixed, which represents an obstacle which can interfere with
the pouring-out or use of the mixture.
[0013] Further, some prior packages would not work well if it is
important that the contents of the container are kept dry. One
prior art package describes a plug that would fit into a dispenser
opening and prevent the dry contents of the compartment from mixing
with the liquid contents of the container. However, the plug is
located in the center of the bottle neck, and during the bottling
process when liquid is poured into the container, the plug itself
would get wet and would then contaminate the contents of the
compartment.
[0014] Thus, there remains a need to have two-compartment packages
which keep the components separate until just before use, which
allow the two components to be easily mixed together, and which are
simple to manufacture and assemble.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present disclosure provides an advantageous package in
which two or more separate components may be contained in a
separated condition until just before use but which allow the
separate components to be easily and efficiently mixed
together.
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment, a storing and dispensing
cap is provided. The cap includes a housing movably couplable to a
neck of a container having a lip, wherein the housing has an
interior screw thread adapted to couple with the neck; and a
dispensing platform coupled to the housing and having an exterior
edge, wherein a peripheral dispenser opening is formed between an
exterior edge of the dispensing platform and the housing. The
dispenser opening is configured to be plugged or unplugged by the
lip of the container. The lip of the neck of the container provides
an impermeable seal between the storing and dispensing cap and the
container when plugged to the dispenser opening, and the storing
and dispensing cap is adapted to receive a mixing material when the
dispenser opening is plugged. The interior screw thread is apart
from the dispenser opening by a predetermined distance.
[0017] In accordance with another embodiment, a storing and mixing
system is provided, the system including a container including a
reservoir, a neck having a lip, and an external screw thread
extending between the lip and a root of the neck; and a storing and
dispensing cap removably couplable to the neck. The cap includes a
housing movably couplable to the neck by engaging an interior screw
thread of the housing with the external screw thread of the
container; a dispensing platform coupled to the housing by a
plurality of ribs; and a plurality of peripheral dispenser openings
between an exterior edge of the dispensing platform and the
housing, wherein the plurality of dispenser openings is configured
to be plugged or unplugged by the lip of the neck. The lip of the
neck of the container provides an impermeable seal between the
storing and dispensing cap and the container when plugged to the
dispenser openings, and the storing and dispensing cap is adapted
to receive a mixing material when the dispenser openings are
plugged. In an axial direction of the neck, a length of the lip is
larger than or equal to a length of the interior screw thread of
the container.
[0018] In accordance with further another embodiment, a storing and
mixing system is provided, the system including a container
including a reservoir, a neck having a lip, and an external screw
thread extending between the lip and a root of the neck; a seal
ring surrounding the neck and positioned between the external screw
thread and the root of the neck; and a storing and dispensing cap
removably couplable to the neck. The cap includes a housing movably
couplable to the neck by engaging an interior screw thread of the
housing with the external screw thread of the container; a
dispensing platform coupled to the housing by a plurality of ribs;
and a plurality of peripheral dispenser openings between an
exterior edge of the dispensing platform and the housing, wherein
the plurality of dispenser openings is configured to be plugged or
unplugged by the lip of the neck. The lip of the neck of the
container provides an impermeable seal between the storing and
dispensing cap and the container when plugged to the dispenser
openings, and the storing and dispensing cap is adapted to receive
a mixing material when the dispenser openings are plugged. One of
the neck and the reservoir has a support bearing the seal ring, and
the storing and dispensing cap and the support air-tightly clamp
the seal ring when the lip of the neck is plugged to the dispenser
openings.
[0019] Other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent
from the following disclosure and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the
inventive container constructed pursuant to the teachings of the
present disclosure may be more readily understood by one skilled in
the art, having reference to the following detailed description of
preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0021] FIG. 1A illustrates a top perspective view of a storing and
dispensing cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0022] FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate a top view and a side view,
respectively, of the storing and dispensing cap of FIG. 1A in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIGS. 1D and 1E illustrate cross-sectional views of the
storing and dispensing cap along lines I-I' and II-II',
respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate cross-sectional views of a
storing and dispensing cap coupled to a container neck and
uncoupled or disengaged from the container neck, respectively, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of the storing and dispensing
cap of FIGS. 2A and 2B in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3A illustrates a top perspective view of a storing and
dispensing cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0027] FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate a top view and a side view,
respectively, of the storing and dispensing cap of FIG. 3A in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIGS. 3D and 3E illustrate cross-sectional views of the
storing and dispensing cap along lines III-III' and IV-IV',
respectively, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate cross-sectional views of a
storing and dispensing cap coupled to a container neck and
uncoupled or disengaged from the container neck, respectively, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of the storing and dispensing
cap of FIGS. 4A and 4B in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storing and
dispensing cap coupled to a container neck in accordance with
another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storing and
dispensing cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0033] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate cross-sectional views of a
storing and dispensing cap having an annular ring, and the cap is
coupled to a container neck and uncoupled or disengaged from the
container neck, respectively, in accordance with further another
embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment also
illustrates a support platform extending from the neck, and the cap
is capable of making abutting contact with the support
platform.
[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storing and
dispensing cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure showing an annular ring similar to that shown in FIGS.
7A and 7B, yet having a different support platform for the cap to
make abutting contact with.
[0035] Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages
are best understood by referring to the detailed description that
follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are
used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the
figures. It should also be appreciated that the figures may not be
necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The present disclosure provides a storage and mixing
apparatus allowing for the separate storage of at least two
materials and the admixing of the materials upon "opening" of the
apparatus. For ease of description, the dispensing structure of
this disclosure is described in the normal (upright) operating
position, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are
used with reference to this position. It will be understood,
however, that the dispensing structure of this disclosure may be
manufactured, stored, transported, used, and/or sold in an
orientation other than the position described.
[0037] Further, this description's terminology is not intended to
limit the invention. For example, spatially relative terms, such as
"beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper" "proximal", "distal",
and the like, may be used to describe one element's or feature's
relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the
figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass
different positions and orientations of the device in use or
operation in addition to the position and orientation shown in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be "above" or "over" the other elements or
features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both
positions and orientations of above and below. The device may be
otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations),
and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly. In addition, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the"
are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context indicates otherwise. And, the terms "comprises",
"comprising", "includes", and the like specify the presence of
stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but
do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups.
Components described as coupled may be electrically or
mechanically, directly coupled, or they may be indirectly coupled
via one or more intermediate components.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1E, FIG. 1A illustrates a top
perspective view of a storing and dispensing cap 100 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIGS. 1B and 1C
illustrate a top view and a side view, respectively, of the storing
and dispensing cap 100 of FIG. 1A in accordance with an embodiment
of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 1D and 1E illustrate
cross-sectional views of the storing and dispensing cap 100 along
lines I-I'and II-IF, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] In one embodiment, cap 100 includes a housing 102 movably
couplable to a container neck having a lip (e.g., a neck 252 of a
container 250 in FIGS. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, and 5), a dispensing platform
110 coupled within and to the housing 102, and a dispenser opening
120 (e.g., dispenser openings 122, 124, 126, 128) between an
exterior edge 111 of the dispensing platform 110 and the housing
102. The dispenser opening 120 is configured to be obstructed or
plugged by the lip of the container neck when the housing 102 is
coupled to the container neck, and the dispenser opening 120 is
configured to be unplugged when the housing 102 is not coupled to
or disengaged from the container neck.
[0040] In one embodiment, dispensing platform 110 is coupled to
housing 102 by at least one rib, although four ribs 112, 114, 116,
and 118 are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B of this embodiment. In
other embodiments, dispensing platform 110 may be coupled to
housing 102 via various applicable coupling structures. For
example, instead of a rib, dispensing platform 110 may be coupled
along a portion of exterior edge 111 to housing 102 by horizontal
extensions or other coupling structures. Combinations of different
coupling structures, such as a combination of ribs and horizontal
extensions, are within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0041] In a further embodiment, housing 102 has an annular form
factor and includes interior screw threads 104 engageable with
exterior screw threads (e.g., exterior screw threads 254 of neck
252 in FIGS. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, and 5) on a container neck.
[0042] In a further embodiment, the dispensing platform 110
includes an upper surface 113 sloped downward extending from a
center area of the dispensing platform 110 toward the exterior edge
111 of the dispensing platform 110. In one example, the dispensing
platform 110 has a substantially conical form factor with a flat
apex directed toward the top center of the cap 100. Other form
factors for the dispensing platform 110 are within the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0043] In a further embodiment, cap 100 includes a plurality of
dispenser openings 120 (e.g., dispenser openings 122, 124, 126,
128) between the exterior edge 111 of the dispensing platform and
the housing 102, and in particular between the exterior edge 111
and an interior surface of housing 102. In one example, the
plurality of dispenser openings 120 has an annular shape or form
factor (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4C), but each dispenser opening may
also have one of various geometric shapes, such as a circle (e.g.,
as shown in FIG. 2C). Other shapes for the dispenser openings are
within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0044] In a further embodiment, each dispenser opening 120 of the
plurality of dispenser openings is between adjacent ribs (e.g.,
between ribs 112 and 114, or between ribs 114 and 116, or between
ribs 116 and 118, or between ribs 118 and 112) of the plurality of
ribs 120 coupling the dispensing platform 110 to the housing
102.
[0045] The cap 100 may further include a lid (e.g., lid 206, 406,
506, or 606 of FIG. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, 5, or 6, respectively) coupled to
a top of the housing 102 for providing access to an interior of the
housing. Although not illustrated in this embodiment, a lid (e.g.,
lid 206, 406, 506, or 606 of FIG. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, 5, or 6,
respectively) is operably couplable to housing 102, in one example,
to access an interior space of the housing above dispensing
platform 110 for provision of the second material. The lid may be
coupled to housing 102 in various ways, such as by a movable joint
(e.g., a hinge joint), screw threads, tabs, friction fit, snap fit,
induction seal, and so on.
[0046] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, cap 100 may be coupled to a neck of a container (e.g.,
a container 250 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, and 5) as noted
above. The container may be adapted to hold a quantity of a first
material, such as a liquid (not shown) or other solvent, in an
interior reservoir, and includes an opening via the neck (e.g., a
neck 252 in FIGS. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, and 5), which allows access to the
interior reservoir of the container and which further allows the
first material (e.g., a liquid) to be supplied to or withdrawn from
the container. The container may be made of various materials, and
in one example may be comprised of a plastic, glass, a metal, or
various chemically-inert materials. The container may have a single
reservoir or alternatively may include a plurality of reservoirs to
hold different materials or different amounts of the same material.
In one embodiment, the container is in the shape of a bottle having
a single reservoir, and the neck is cylindrical including vertical
sidewalls, a top lip (e.g., a lip 256 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B,
4A-4B, and 5), and external screw threads (e.g., external screw
threads 254 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, and 5) for operably
coupling to the internal screw threads 104 of housing 102. It is
noted that the container and neck may have differently configured
and/or shaped walls in other embodiments. The lip of the neck may
be formed to have different widths in order to fully engage with
housing 102 of cap 100, and/or a portion of the lip may be raised
to ensure a tight fit between the container neck and the cap.
[0047] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, storing and dispensing cap 100 includes a compartment
space above dispensing platform 110 (e.g., bounded by upper surface
113 of dispensing platform 110, an inner surface of housing 102,
and a lid) for storing a second material (not shown), such as
liquid-soluble flavorings, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, nutrients,
herbs, microbial cultures, coloring agents, chemicals, etc., which
is segregated from the first material in the container prior to
use. The material may be stored in the compartment space above
dispensing platform 110 when the dispenser openings 120 are plugged
or obstructed by the lip of a container neck. When the dispenser
opening is not plugged or sealed by the lip of the container neck,
the material in the compartment space above dispensing platform 110
is released through the dispenser openings 120, for mixing with the
first material within the container in one example.
[0048] In one example, dispensing platform 110 is generally conical
in shape and is located in an interior underside of the cap 100
within housing 102. In other embodiments, the dispensing platform
may be generally cylindrically-shaped or otherwise shaped
differently than in a conical shape. In this embodiment, cap 100
may include multiple compartments (formed by the ribs, the
dispensing platform, and the housing) to hold different second
materials or different amounts of the same second material, but in
other embodiments, cap 100 may include a single compartment above
the dispensing platform. In yet another embodiment, the compartment
space above the dispensing platform 110 can be made in different
heights to accommodate different volumes of the second material and
thereby provide for different mixing ratios in the arrangement. In
yet another embodiment, dispensing platform can include additional
vertical dividing walls (besides the ribs) within the compartment
space which creates a plurality of compartments. Each compartment
can hold a different material or different amounts of the same
material, with each compartment having access to a corresponding
dispenser opening and/or being connected to a common dispenser
opening. In yet another embodiment, the housing 102 can include
colorant which would create visual stimulation to the user when the
materials are mixed together. Visual stimulation increases the
interest in using and consuming food items. The colorant can be
mixed with a clear or neutral beverage for visual entertainment
while consuming the beverage.
[0049] The dispenser opening 120 allows the second material to fall
from the cap 100 by gravity or user agitation when the cap 100 is
not coupled to a container lip or a container neck and the
dispenser opening 120 is not sealed or plugged by the container lip
or the container neck, such that the second material from the cap
may be mixed with the first material within the container. During
storage, the dispenser opening 120 is obstructed by the container
neck to completely block the dispenser opening in order to prevent
a leak of the second material and the first and second materials
from combining (e.g., a liquid impermeable seal may be
provided).
[0050] In this embodiment, interior screw threads 104 of housing
102 may operably couple or mate to exterior screw threads (e.g.,
exterior screw threads 254) of a container neck (e.g., neck 252)
for operably coupling cap 100 to the container neck. In one
embodiment, the contact of the interior screw threads 104 and
exterior screw threads may create a seal which prevents leakage
from the container through the neck. However, in other embodiments,
cap 100 may be operably coupled to a container neck by one of
various means and techniques, such as by a slidable joint, glue,
induction melting, ultrasonic melting, or the like. In such a case,
cap 100 may form a seal with the container neck to prevent leakage
of the first material through the neck. Such a seal may be provided
by a seal ring positioned within an interior of the housing 102 of
cap 100. The seal ring can be formed by a horizontal ring
protruding from the bottom of the dispensing platform and extending
downward towards the container neck. The seal ring is configured to
contact the upper and/or interior and/or exterior circumference of
the container lip (e.g., lip 256) when the cap is securely fastened
onto the container lip or the container neck in order to form a
seal around the circumference of the container lip. In one example,
the seal ring can be formed of a soft rubbery material to create a
tighter seal. Such a seal ring may be formed in conjunction with
screw threads in the housing 102 as well.
[0051] In an embodiment where a screw thread is used to secure the
cap 100 to the container neck, when the cap 100 is twisted open to
move the cap 100 to an opened position, cap 100 including dispenser
opening 120 is moved vertically-upwards away from the container
neck, thus unplugging or uncoupling the dispenser opening 120 from
the container lip. The second material within housing 102 may be
dispensed through an unobstructed dispenser opening 120 to combine
with the first material within the container. In this embodiment,
additive second material may be deposited into the compartment
space above the dispensing platform through the open top surface of
the cap 100 after the dispenser opening is coupled to the container
neck. Then the top of cap 100 can be sealed, covered, or closed
(e.g., by a lid) to contain and store the additive in the
compartment.
[0052] Advantageously, the device of the present disclosure permits
the combination of separated ingredients by a simple single motion
of opening or twisting the cap 100 relative to the container neck,
and further permits the user to conveniently combine two or more
ingredients without the necessity of the user contacting the
ingredients directly or risking spillage or contamination of the
ingredients. In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, cap 100 (in one example excluding the lid) including
housing 102, dispensing platform 110, ribs 112-118, and dispenser
openings 120 may be advantageously manufactured as a unitary
member. In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, cap 100 may be made of various materials, and in one
example may be comprised of a plastic, glass, a metal, various
chemically-inert materials, and/or a combination of materials.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate
cross-sectional views of a storing and dispensing cap 200 coupled
to a neck 252 of a container 250 and uncoupled or disengaged from
the container neck 252, respectively, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C illustrates a top
view of the storing and dispensing cap 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0054] Cap 200 and container neck 252 have similar features,
functionality, and variations as cap 100 and the container and neck
described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1E, and similar features
are similarly numbered and applicable in this embodiment but may
not be described in detail below in order to avoid repetitive
descriptions.
[0055] The container 250 is adapted to hold a quantity of a first
material, such as a liquid (not shown) or other solvent, in an
interior reservoir, and includes an opening via the neck 252, which
allows access to the interior reservoir of the container and which
further allows the first material (e.g., a liquid) to be supplied
to or withdrawn from the container. The container neck 252 includes
a top lip 256 and external screw threads 254 for operably coupling
to the cap 200. The container 250, neck 252, lip 256, and external
screw threads 254 are similar to those described above with respect
to FIGS. 1A-1E with similar variations being applicable.
[0056] In one embodiment, cap 200 includes a housing 202 movably
couplable to container neck 252 having lip 256, a dispensing
platform 210 coupled to the housing 202, and at least one dispenser
opening (e.g., dispenser openings 220) between an exterior edge 211
of the dispensing platform 210 and the housing 202. The dispenser
opening is configured to be plugged by the lip 256 of the container
neck 252 when the housing 202 is coupled to the container neck 252,
and the dispenser opening 220 is configured to be unplugged when
the housing 202 is not coupled to the container neck 252.
[0057] In one embodiment, dispensing platform 210 is coupled to
housing 202 by at least one rib (e.g., ribs 112, 114, 116, and/or
118 as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D). In other embodiments, dispensing
platform 210 may be coupled to housing 202 via various applicable
coupling structures. For example, instead of a rib, dispensing
platform 210 may be coupled along a portion of exterior edge 211 to
housing 202 by horizontal extensions or other coupling structures.
Combinations of different coupling structures, such as a
combination of ribs and horizontal extensions are within the scope
of the present disclosure.
[0058] In a further embodiment, housing 202 has an annular form
factor and includes interior screw threads 204 engageable with
exterior screw threads 254 on the container neck 252.
[0059] In a further embodiment, the dispensing platform 210
includes an upper surface 213 sloped downward extending from a
center area of the dispensing platform 210 toward the exterior edge
211 of the dispensing platform 210. In one example, the dispensing
platform 210 has a substantially conical form factor with an apex
215 directed toward the top center of the cap 100. Advantageously,
a pointed apex 215 may allow for greater ease of transport of the
second material through the dispenser openings. Other form factors
for dispensing platform 210 are within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0060] In a further embodiment, cap 200 includes a plurality of
dispenser openings 220 between the exterior edge 211 of the
dispensing platform and the housing 202, and in particular between
the exterior edge 211 and an interior surface of housing 202. In
one example, the plurality of dispenser openings 220 may have one
of various geometric shapes, such as a circle, as shown in FIG. 2C,
but the plurality of openings 220 may also have an annular shape or
form factor, as shown in FIG. 4C. Other shapes for the dispenser
openings are within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0061] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, storing and dispensing cap 200 includes a compartment
space above dispensing platform 210 (e.g., bounded by an upper
surface 213 of dispensing platform 210, an inner surface of housing
202, and a lid 206) for storing a second material (not shown), such
as liquid-soluble flavorings, vitamins, minerals, enzymes,
nutrients, herbs, microbial cultures, coloring agents, chemicals,
etc., which is segregated from the first material in the container
prior to use. The material may be stored in the compartment space
above dispensing platform 210 when the dispenser openings 220 are
plugged or obstructed by the lip of a container neck. When the
dispenser opening is not plugged or sealed by the lip of the
container neck, the material in the compartment space above
dispensing platform 210 is released through the dispenser openings
220, for mixing with the first material within the container in one
example.
[0062] An aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is lid 206
which is operably coupled to housing 202 to access the compartment
space of the housing 202 for provision of the second material. The
lid 206 may be coupled to housing 202 in various ways, such as by a
movable joint (e.g., a hinge joint) to rotatably move the lid
relative to the housing 202, screw threads, tabs, friction fit,
snap fit, and so on. Lid 206 may be moved between an opened
position, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, and a closed position, as
illustrated in FIG. 2B.
[0063] The dispenser opening 220 allows the second material to fall
from the cap 200 by gravity or user agitation when the cap 200 is
not coupled to a container lip or a container neck and the
dispenser opening 220 is not sealed or plugged by the container lip
or the container neck, such that the second material from the cap
may be mixed with the first material within the container. During
storage, the dispenser opening 220 is obstructed by the container
neck to completely block the dispenser opening in order to prevent
a leak of the second material and the first and second materials
from combining (e.g., a liquid impermeable seal may be provided).
In one embodiment, a top surface 256 a of lip 256 seals dispenser
opening 220 and is exposed to a second material within cap 200, as
shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In one embodiment, the lip surface 256 a
of lip 256 can be sloped downwardly inward (not shown) so the
material in the compartment will fall into the container without
resting on the lip.
[0064] FIG. 2A illustrates cap 200 coupled to container neck 252
and lid 206 in an opened position in accordance with an embodiment
of the present disclosure. Interior screw threads 204 of housing
202 are operably coupled or mated to exterior screw threads 254 of
container neck 252 for operably coupling cap 200 to the container
neck. In one embodiment, the contact of the interior screw threads
204 and exterior screw threads 254 may create a seal which prevents
leakage from the container through the neck. However, in other
embodiments, cap 200 may be operably coupled to container neck 252
by one of various means and techniques, such as by a slidable
joint, glue, induction melting, ultrasonic melting, or the like. In
such a case, cap 200 may form a seal with the container neck to
prevent leakage of the first material through the neck. Such a seal
may be provided by a seal ring positioned within an interior of the
housing 202 of cap 200. The seal ring can be formed by a horizontal
ring protruding from the bottom of the dispensing platform and
extending downward towards the container neck. The seal ring is
configured to contact the upper and/or interior and/or exterior
circumference of the container lip (e.g., lip 256) when the cap is
securely fastened onto the container neck in order to form a seal
around the circumference of the container lip. In one example, the
seal ring can be formed of a soft rubbery material to create a
tighter seal. Such a seal ring may be formed in conjunction with
screw threads in the housing 202 as well.
[0065] FIG. 2B illustrates cap 200 partially disengaged from
container neck 252 and lid 206 in a closed position in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment
where a screw thread is used to secure the cap 200 to the container
neck, when the cap 200 is twisted open to move the cap 200 to an
opened position, cap 200 including dispenser opening 220 is moved
vertically-upwards away from the compartment neck 252, thus
unplugging or uncoupling the dispenser opening 220 from neck 252
and lip 256. The second material within housing 202 may be
dispensed through an unobstructed dispenser opening to combine with
the first material within the container 250. In this embodiment,
additive second material may be deposited into the compartment
space above the dispensing platform through the open top surface of
the cap 200 after the dispenser opening is coupled to the container
neck. Then the top of cap 200 can be sealed, covered, or closed
(e.g., by a lid) to contain and store the additive in the
compartment.
[0066] In other words, when the cap 200 is actuated by the user,
for example by twisting the cap or translating the cap in a
vertically upward direction, dispenser opening 220 is then opened,
unblocked, or disengaged such that the contents of the cap
compartment can drop through the dispenser opening into the
interior of the container and mix with the first material.
[0067] FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of cap 200 without a lid and
illustrates dispenser openings 220 which have a circular shape or
form factor in one example.
[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3E, FIG. 3A illustrates a top
perspective view of a storing and dispensing cap 300 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIGS. 3B and 3C
illustrate a top view and a side view, respectively, of the storing
and dispensing cap 300 of FIG. 3A in accordance with an embodiment
of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 3D and 3E illustrate
cross-sectional views of the storing and dispensing cap along lines
III-IIII' and IV-IV', respectively, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0069] Cap 300 has similar features, functionality, and variations
as caps 100 and 200 described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1E and
2A-2B, and similar features are similarly numbered and fully
applicable in this embodiment but may not be described in detail
below in order to avoid repetitive descriptions.
[0070] In one embodiment, cap 300 includes a housing 302 movably
couplable to a container neck having a lip (e.g., a neck 252 of a
container 250 in FIGS. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, and 5), a dispensing platform
310 coupled within and to the housing 302, and a dispenser opening
320 (e.g., dispenser openings 322, 324, 326, 328) between an
exterior edge 311 of the dispensing platform 310 and the housing
302. The dispenser opening 320 is configured to be obstructed or
plugged by the lip of the container neck when the housing 302 is
coupled to the container neck, and the dispenser opening 320 is
configured to be unplugged or disengaged from the container lip
when the housing 302 is not coupled to or disengaged from the
container neck.
[0071] In one embodiment, dispensing platform 310 is coupled to
housing 302 by at least one rib, such as ribs 312, 314, 316, and
318 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B of this embodiment. In other
embodiments, dispensing platform 310 may be coupled to housing 302
via various applicable coupling structures. For example, instead of
a rib, dispensing platform 310 may be coupled along a portion of
exterior edge 311 to housing 302 by horizontal extensions or other
coupling structures. Combinations of different coupling structures,
such as a combination of ribs and horizontal extensions, are within
the scope of the present disclosure.
[0072] In a further embodiment, housing 302 has an annular form
factor and includes interior screw threads 304 engageable with
exterior screw threads (e.g., exterior screw threads 254 of neck
252 in FIGS. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, and 5) on a container neck.
[0073] In a further embodiment, the dispensing platform 310
includes an upper surface 313 sloped downward extending from a
center area of the dispensing platform 310 toward the exterior edge
311 of the dispensing platform 310. In one example, the dispensing
platform 310 has a substantially conical form factor with a flat
apex directed toward the top center of the cap 100. Other form
factors for the dispensing platform 310 are within the scope of the
present disclosure, such as a conical form factor with a pointed
apex as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B and 4A-4B.
[0074] In a further embodiment, cap 300 includes a plurality of
dispenser openings 320 (e.g., dispenser openings 322, 324, 326,
328) between the exterior edge 311 of the dispensing platform and
the housing 302, and in particular between the exterior edge 311
and an interior surface of housing 302. In one example, the
plurality of dispenser openings 320 has an annular shape or form
factor, but may also have one of various geometric shapes, such as
a circle. Other shapes for the dispenser openings are within the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0075] In a further embodiment, each dispenser opening 320 of the
plurality of dispenser openings is between adjacent ribs (e.g.,
between ribs 312 and 314, or between ribs 314 and 316, or between
ribs 316 and 318, or between ribs 318 and 312) of the plurality of
ribs 320 coupling the dispensing platform 310 to the housing
302.
[0076] The cap 300 may further include a lid (e.g., lid 206, 406,
506, or 606 of FIG. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, 5, or 6, respectively) coupled to
a top of the housing 302 for providing access to an interior of the
housing.
[0077] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, cap 300 may be coupled to a neck of a container (e.g.,
a container 250 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, 4A-4B, and 5) as noted
above.
[0078] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, storing and dispensing cap 300 includes a compartment
space above dispensing platform 310 (e.g., bounded by upper surface
313 of dispensing platform 310, an inner surface of housing 302,
and a lid) for storing a second material (not shown), such as
liquid-soluble flavorings, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, nutrients,
herbs, microbial cultures, coloring agents, chemicals, etc., which
is segregated from the first material in the container prior to
use. The material may be stored in the compartment space above
dispensing platform 310 when the dispenser openings 320 are plugged
or obstructed by the lip of a container neck. When the dispenser
opening is not plugged or sealed by the lip of the container neck,
the material in the compartment space above dispensing platform 310
is released through the dispenser openings 320, for mixing with the
first material within the container in one example.
[0079] In one example, dispensing platform 310 is generally conical
in shape with a flat apex and is located in an interior underside
of the cap 300 within housing 302. Other form factors or shapes for
the dispensing platform 310 are within the scope of the present
disclosure, such as a conical form factor with a pointed apex as
shown in FIGS. 2A-2B and 4A-4B.
[0080] The dispenser opening 320 allows the second material to fall
from the cap 300 by gravity or user agitation when the cap 300 is
not coupled to a container lip or a container neck and the
dispenser opening 320 is not sealed or plugged by the container lip
or the container neck, such that the second material from the cap
may be mixed with the first material within the container. During
storage, the dispenser opening 320 is obstructed by the container
lip or the container neck to completely block the dispenser opening
in order to prevent a leak of the second material and the first and
second materials from combining (e.g., a liquid impermeable seal
may be provided).
[0081] In this embodiment, housing 302 includes interior sidewalls
that extend above dispensing platform 310 and which also extend to
have a greater width than housing 102 or 202, which have vertical
sidewalls. Housing 202 also has vertical sidewalls above dispensing
platform 210. Housing 302 includes vertical interior sidewalls
above dispensing platform 310 and outwardly extending sidewalls
below vertical interior sidewalls. Accordingly, housing 302 has a
larger compartment space than housings 102 or 202, and housing 202
has a larger compartment space than housing 102, in one
example.
[0082] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate
cross-sectional views of a storing and dispensing cap 400 coupled
to a neck 252 of a container 250 and partially uncoupled or
disengaged from the container neck 252, respectively, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4C illustrates a
top view of the storing and dispensing cap 400 of FIGS. 4A and 4B
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0083] Cap 400 has similar features, functionality, and variations
as caps 100, 200, and 300 described above with respect to FIGS.
1A-1E, 2A-2B, and 3A-3E, respectively, and similar features are
similarly numbered and fully applicable in this embodiment but may
not be described in detail below in order to avoid repetitive
descriptions.
[0084] The container 250 is adapted to hold a quantity of a first
material, such as a liquid (not shown) or other solvent, in an
interior reservoir, and includes an opening via the neck 252, which
allows access to the interior reservoir of the container and which
further allows the first material (e.g., a liquid) to be supplied
to or withdrawn from the container. The container neck 252 includes
a top lip 256 and external screw threads 254 for operably coupling
to the cap 200. The container 250, neck 252, lip 256, and external
screw threads 254 are similar to those described above with respect
to FIGS. 1A-1E with similar variations being applicable.
[0085] In one embodiment, cap 400 includes a housing 402 movably
couplable to container neck 252 having lip 256, a dispensing
platform 410 coupled to the housing 402, and at least one dispenser
opening (e.g., dispenser openings 420) between an exterior edge 411
of the dispensing platform 410 and the housing 402. The dispenser
opening is configured to be plugged by the lip 256 of the container
neck 252 when the housing 402 is coupled to the container neck 252,
and the dispenser opening 420 is configured to be unplugged when
the housing 402 is not coupled to the container neck 252. In one
embodiment, a sidewall surface 256 b of lip 256 seals dispenser
opening 420 and is exposed to a second material within cap 400, as
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0086] In one embodiment, dispensing platform 410 is coupled to
housing 402 by at least one rib (e.g., ribs 312, 314, 316, and/or
318 as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3D). In other embodiments, dispensing
platform 410 may be coupled to housing 402 via various applicable
coupling structures.
[0087] In a further embodiment, housing 402 has an annular form
factor and includes interior screw threads 404 engageable with
exterior screw threads 254 on the container neck 252.
[0088] In a further embodiment, the dispensing platform 410
includes an upper surface 413 sloped downward extending from a
center area of the dispensing platform 410 toward the exterior edge
411 of the dispensing platform 410. In one example, the dispensing
platform 410 has a substantially conical form factor with an apex
415 directed toward the top center of the cap 400.
[0089] In a further embodiment, cap 400 includes a plurality of
dispenser openings 420 between the exterior edge 411 of the
dispensing platform and the housing 402, and in particular between
the exterior edge 411 and an interior surface of housing 402. In
one example, the plurality of dispenser openings 420 may have an
annular shape or form factor, as shown in FIG. 4C. Other shapes for
the dispenser openings are within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0090] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, storing and dispensing cap 400 includes a compartment
space above dispensing platform 410 (e.g., bounded by an upper
surface 413 of dispensing platform 410, an inner surface of housing
402, and a lid 406) for storing a second material (not shown), such
as liquid-soluble flavorings, vitamins, minerals, enzymes,
nutrients, herbs, microbial cultures, coloring agents, chemicals,
etc., which is segregated from the first material in the container
prior to use. The material may be stored in the compartment space
above dispensing platform 410 when the dispenser openings 420 are
plugged or obstructed by the lip of a container neck. When the
dispenser opening is not plugged or sealed by the lip of the
container neck, the material in the compartment space above
dispensing platform 410 is released through the dispenser openings
420, for mixing with the first material within the container in one
example.
[0091] FIG. 4A illustrates cap 400 coupled to container neck 252
and lid 406 in an opened position in accordance with an embodiment
of the present disclosure. Interior screw threads 404 of housing
402 are operably coupled or mated to exterior screw threads 254 of
container neck 252 for operably coupling cap 400 to the container
neck. In one embodiment, the contact of the interior screw threads
404 and exterior screw threads 254 may create a seal which prevents
leakage from the container through the neck. However, in other
embodiments, cap 400 may be operably coupled to container neck 252
by one of various means and techniques, such as by a slidable
joint, glue, induction melting, ultrasonic melting, or the like. In
such a case, cap 400 may form a seal with the container neck or lip
to prevent leakage of the first material through the neck.
[0092] FIG. 4B illustrates cap 400 disengaged from container neck
252 and lid 406 in a closed position in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment where a
screw thread is used to secure the cap 400 to the container neck,
when the cap 400 is twisted open to move the cap 400 to an opened
position, cap 400 including dispenser opening 420 is moved
vertically-upwards away from the container neck 252, thus
unplugging or uncoupling the dispenser opening 420 from neck 252
and lip 156. The second material within housing 402 may be
dispensed through an unobstructed dispenser opening to combine with
the first material within the container 250. In this embodiment,
additive second material may be deposited into the compartment
space above the dispensing platform through the open top surface of
the cap 400 after the dispenser opening is coupled to the container
neck. Then the top of cap 400 can be sealed, covered, or closed
(e.g., by lid 406) to contain and store the additive in the
compartment.
[0093] FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of the cap 400 without a lid
and shows the plurality of dispenser openings 420 (e.g., dispenser
openings 422, 424, 426, and 428) having an annular shape or form
factor in one example.
[0094] In this embodiment, cap 300 and 400 each include a
dispensing platform 310 and 410 that has a sealing lip or notch 311
and 411, respectively, engageable with the lip 256 of the container
neck 252. Further, housing 302 and 402 may each include housing
sidewalls that extend outwardly from the dispensing platform to
provide a greater compartment space above the dispensing
platform.
[0095] Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view is
illustrated of a storing and dispensing cap 500 coupled to a neck
252 of a container 250 in accordance with another embodiment of the
present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a
storing and dispensing cap 600 in accordance with another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0096] Caps 500 and 600 have similar features, functionality, and
variations as caps 100, 200, 300, and 400 described above with
respect to FIGS. 1A-1E, 2A-2C, 3A-3E, and 4A-4C, respectively, and
similar features are similarly numbered and fully applicable in
these embodiments but may not be described in detail below in order
to avoid repetitive descriptions.
[0097] Cap 500 illustrates inwardly-sloped sealing dispenser
platform 511 to provide a tighter seal with lip 256 and neck 252 of
container 250. Cap 600 illustrates the housing sidewalls of housing
602 extending above the dispensing platform 610 to provide for
greater compartment space for the second material above the
dispensing platform, as also noted above with respect to FIGS.
2A-2C, 3A-3E, and 4A-4C.
[0098] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, another embodiment of the
storing and mixing system is illustrated. Here, a storing and
dispensing cap 700 and a container 750 are provided. Similar to
container 250 illustrated previously, the container 750 also has an
interior reservoir to hold a quantity of the first material, and
includes an opening via a neck 752. The neck 752 includes an
external screw thread 754 for operably coupling to the cap 700. The
neck 752 has a top lip 756 at a distal end of the neck 752.
Specifically, the external screw thread 754 extends between the lip
756 and a root of the neck 752. Particularly, in an axial direction
of the neck 752, the lip 756 has a length "L1."
[0099] In one embodiment, the root of the neck 752 may further have
a support 758 radially extending outwards, so as to bear a seal
ring 780 surrounding the neck 752 and positioned between the
external screw thread 754 and the reservoir of the container
752.
[0100] In this particular embodiment, the seal ring 780 on the
support 758 is adapted to prevent the second material in the
storing and dispensing cap 700 from ambient air and humidity, which
may otherwise enter the storing and dispensing cap 700 along the
tiny slit between the external and interior screw threads 754, 704
and another tiny slit between the lip 756 and the restraint ring
708. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the cap 700 is screwed in
a downward direction thereby causing the lip 756 of the neck 752 to
be plugged to the dispenser openings 720, the bottom portion of the
cap 700 also makes abutting contact with the seal ring 780,
creating an air-tight seal.
[0101] Optionally and less preferably, the bottom portion of the
cap 700 makes abutting contact with the support 758 without having
a seal ring 780, also creating an air-tight seal.
[0102] In many contemplated embodiments, the cap 700 includes a
housing 702 detachably couplable to the neck 752 by engaging an
interior screw thread 704 of the housing 702 with the external
screw thread 754 of the container 750. The cap 700 further includes
a dispensing platform 710 coupled to the housing 702 via a
plurality of ribs, and a plurality of dispenser openings 720 formed
between an exterior edge 711 of the dispensing platform 710 and the
housing 702. Specifically, the interior screw thread 704 is formed
on an inner wall 706 of the housing 702 and has a length "L2" in
the axial direction of the neck 752. The interior screw thread 704
of the housing 702 is apart from the plurality of dispenser
openings 720 by a predetermined distance "L3". Furthermore, the
exterior edge has a peripheral groove 712 communicating with the
dispenser openings 720 and axially extending from the dispenser
opening by a depth "L4". Preferably, the housing 702 further
includes a restraint ring 708 disposed within the space indicated
predetermined distance "L3" and extending inwards from the inner
wall 706. The restraint ring 708 includes an annular surface 709
surrounding the lip 756 of the neck 752. It should be noted that
the axial distance of annular surface 709 need not be at distance
"L3." As shown in FIG. 7A, the axial distance of annular surface
709 is shorter than "L3."
[0103] In some preferred embodiments, the plurality of dispenser
openings 720 is configured to be plugged or unplugged by the lip
756 of the container neck 752. Namely, the lip 756 of the container
neck 752 of the container 750 provides an impermeable seal between
the storing and dispensing cap 700 and the container 750 when
plugged to the dispenser openings 720. The storing and dispensing
cap 700 is adapted to store a second material when the dispenser
openings 720 are plugged. Specifically, the extended lip 756 with
its extended smooth surface in the axial direction is adapted to
make abutting contact with the annular surface 709 of the
restraining ring 708. This abutting contact prevents the second
material from entering into and getting caught between the internal
and external threads 754, 704. Preferably, even when the cap 700 is
unscrewed (yet still attached to) from the container 750 to unplug
the dispenser openings 720 (as shown in FIG. 7B), there still
exists this abutting contact between the annular surface 709 and
the lip 756. That way, a user can unscrew the cap 700 to release
the second material into the container 750, without having to worry
about some of the second material being stuck in the threads
because the restraining ring 708 extending inward from the inner
surface of the cap will prevent it from dropping into the
threads.
[0104] In one embodiment, it is preferred that the length "L1" of
the lip 756 is larger than or equal to the length "L2" of the
interior screw thread 704 as shown in FIG. 7B.
[0105] In yet another embodiment, it is preferred that the annular
surface 709 of the restraining ring 708 tightly abuts against the
lip 756 when the external screw thread 754 still engages with the
interior screw thread 704.
[0106] In other embodiments, the length "L1" of the lip 756 is at
least equal to the predetermined distance "L3". Furthermore, the
sum of the predetermined distance "L3" and the depth "L4" of the
peripheral groove 712 is at least equal to the length "L1" of the
lip 756, so that the peripheral groove 712 may receive the lip 756
when the lip 756 is plugged to the dispenser openings 720 to
provide the impermeable seal. Preferably, the length "L1" of the
lip 756 is larger than the sum of the length "L2" of the interior
screw thread 704 and a distance between the interior screw thread
704 and the restraint ring 708, which is shown in FIG. 7B as "L5".
This way, there remains an abutting contact/seal between the lip
756 and at least some part of the annular surface 709.
[0107] Please now refer to FIG. 8, which shows a further embodiment
of the storing and mixing system. The storing and dispensing cap
800, the container 850, and the seal ring 880 are similar to those
of the previous embodiments, except for that the restraint ring 808
is capable of axially touching the interior screw thread 804
because there is no gap between the restraint ring 808 and the
interior screw thread 804. Also, in some embodiments, the support
858 is formed by an upper surface of the reservoir 850 in a
shoulder region of the container 850.
[0108] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a
closure device (e.g., cap 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 or 800)
is disclosed which fits upon a container (e.g., container 250, 750,
or 850) and provides for the separate storage of at least two
materials and the admixing of the materials upon separation of the
closure device from the container.
[0109] In one embodiment, the container has an outlet and holds a
quantity of a first material, such as a liquid. The container may
include a closure device (such as a screw type bottle cap), with
the closure device being adapted to close the outlet of the
container. The closure device may incorporate a compartment for
storing a second material such as flavorings, vitamins, minerals,
enzymes, nutrients, chemicals, coloring agents, microbial cultures,
etc., which is segregated from the first material prior to use. The
compartment may be located in the interior of the closure device
and may be manufactured as a unitary member of the closure device
or as a separate unit. When the closure device is fully fastened
onto the container, the bottle lip may contact the bottom surface
of the base of the compartment.
[0110] The base of the compartment may have one or more openings
(e.g., dispenser openings 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, or
820) which may be positioned along the exterior circumference of
the compartment base, so that the openings provide a pathway from
the interior of the compartment to the interior of the container.
The purpose of the openings is to allow material stored in the
compartment to fall down through the openings into the interior of
the container. When the openings are not obstructed, the second
material in the compartment may drop through said openings and
admix with the first material in the container. The openings may be
obstructed until the user is ready to admix the materials.
[0111] The openings may be positioned so that when the closure
device is fully fastened atop of the container, the openings may be
obstructed by the outlet orifice of the container (also commonly
called the lip of the bottle). The lip of the bottle may block the
openings when the closure device is fully secured on top of the
container. When the closure device is separated from the container,
the openings become unobstructed, and the contents of the
compartment may fall by operation of gravity through the openings
into the container and admix with the first material.
[0112] The openings may be located along the circumference of the
base of the compartment, and more specifically, in the area of the
compartment base which contacts the uppermost surface of the bottle
lip when the closure device is fastened onto the container.
Accordingly, in one example, the openings may be obstructed by the
width of the uppermost surface of the bottle lip, and such width
may completely block the openings in order to prevent the first and
second material from combining.
[0113] When the closure device is securely fastened onto the
container outlet, the base of the compartment may be in contact
with the lip of the bottle, and the openings may be placed on the
base of the compartment in the location such contact. By locating
the openings where the bottle lip and the base of the compartment
make contact, the bottle lip can obstruct the openings by such
contact. When the closure device is unfastened, it moves upwards
away from the bottle lip, thereby disengaging said bottle lip from
the openings and causing the openings to become unblocked.
[0114] If the closure device is attached to the container with a
screw-type engagement, the user will twist open the closure device
which will cause the lip of the container to disengage from the
base of the compartment, and unblock the openings. When the bottle
lip becomes disengaged from the closure device, it is no longer
blocking the openings, and allows the material in the compartment
to flow through the openings and allows such material to mix with
the material in the container.
[0115] In one embodiment, the container may be in the shape of a
bottle having an outlet orifice and container interior, and wherein
the closure is of the bottle cap type, the compartment being
cylindrically shaped with the upper surface of the base being
shaped as a cone with the highest point of the cone being at the
center of the base, with a plurality of openings along the bottom
circumference of the compartment base.
[0116] In another embodiment, the openings can be positioned so the
outer edge of the bottle lip is blocking the material in the
compartment from dropping into the container. If the openings are
blocked by the uppermost top surface of the container lip, then the
size of the openings are limited to the width of the container lip.
If the openings are positioned to be blocked by the outer edge of
the container lip, then there is no such constraint on the size of
the opening. In this embodiment, the container lip will contact the
base of the compartment, and the interior walls of the closure
device will extend outwards (away from the center) in the vicinity
where the compartment base contacts the container lip. Since the
base of the compartment has a smaller circumference than the walls
of the closure device, there is a gap created between the outer
edge of the compartment base and the interior surface of the
closure device. When the container lip is contacting the bottom
surface of the compartment base, the gap is blocked by the
container lip. When the closure device is separated from the
container lip, the gap is no longer blocked, allowing the contents
of the compartment to fall down into the interior of the container.
The compartment base can be connected to the interior of the
closure device with one or more supporting rods.
[0117] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the opening can be
shaped as holes that are vertical, or can be angled in a manner to
cause the contents of the compartment to fall inwards and towards
the center of the container, or the opening can be a gap. This gap
is created by having the interior walls of the closure device
extend beyond the circumference of the compartment base, and the
compartment base would be attached to the interior walls of the
compartment with one or more supporting rods. In other words, the
interior wall of the closure device would have a circumference
which is greater than the circumference of the compartment base,
thereby leaving space (or a gap) between the compartment base and
the interior walls of the closure device.
[0118] In another embodiment of the disclosure, if a screw thread
is used to secure the closure device to the container, then when
the closure device is twisted open it will cause a
vertically-upward movement of said closure device. Such
vertically-upward movement will cause the lip of the container to
disengage from the closure device. Upon disengagement, the openings
of the compartment base will no longer be blocked by the lip of the
container, and the second material will drop down and combine with
the first material.
[0119] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the compartment can
be made in different heights to accommodate different volumes of
the ingredients and thereby providing different mixing ratios in
the arrangement.
[0120] In another embodiment, the compartment can be attached to
the closure device by glue, induction melting, ultrasonic melting,
or the like.
[0121] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the outlet orifice
of the container (lip of the bottle) can be made in different
widths in order to fully engage with the openings, or a portion of
the lip can be made wider to further assist in the obstructing of
the openings.
[0122] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the lip of the
container can be made of a deformable material to ensure a liquid
impermeable seal with the openings.
[0123] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the bottom surface
of the compartment base (or dispensing platform) can be indented so
that the bottle lip will fit snugly into the indentation, to ensure
a stronger liquid impermeable seal. In another embodiment, the
bottom surface of the compartment base (or dispensing platform) can
be sloped inwardly becoming narrower at the base of the sealing
ring so that the bottle lip contacting the sloped surface of the
sealing ring will create a stronger liquid impermeable seal.
[0124] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the closure device
can be formed as a hollow body, with the bottom end consisting of
the dispenser opening, and the other end consisting of the top of
the closure device that is open and unsealed. During manufacture,
the closure device can be attached to the container, and with the
container lip obstructing the openings on the base of the
compartment, the additive can be deposited into the compartment
from the top of the closure device. Then, the top surface of the
closure device can be sealed, covered, or closed to contain and
store the additive in the compartment. The top surface of the
closure device can also be hingedly connected.
[0125] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the compartment can
contain vertical dividing walls within the compartment which allow
the creation of a plurality of compartments. Each compartment can
contain a different material, with each compartment having access
and being connected to one or more openings.
[0126] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the compartment can
include colorant which would create visual stimulation to the user
when the materials are mixed together. Visual stimulation increases
the interest in using and consuming food items. The colorant can be
mixed with a clear or neutral beverage for visual entertainment
while consuming the beverage.
[0127] In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, a method of
storing and mixing is provided. The method includes providing a
container including a reservoir and a neck having a lip, and
providing a storing and dispensing cap. The storing and dispensing
cap includes a housing movably couplable to the neck, a dispensing
platform coupled to the housing, and a dispenser opening between an
exterior edge of the dispensing platform and the housing. The
method further includes coupling the housing of the cap to the neck
to plug the dispenser opening with the lip of the neck.
[0128] In other embodiments, a method of storing and mixing further
includes uncoupling the housing and the neck to unplug the
plurality of dispenser openings from the lip of the neck, providing
a first material in the reservoir and providing a second material
in the housing through a top opening of the housing accessible via
a movable lid, and/or dispensing the second material out of the
housing through the plurality of dispenser openings and into the
reservoir holding the first material.
[0129] In other embodiments, a storage/dispensing closure for a
container is disclosed. In one embodiment, the closure comprises a
body, and a coupling section defined in the body, configured to
movably couple the body to an opening defined by a lip on the
container between a fully coupled position to a less than fully
coupled position. The closure further includes a storage section
defined in the body in flow communication with the coupling section
via a dispensing opening. The dispensing opening is sealed by the
lip when the body is in the fully coupled position, and the
dispensing opening is not sealed by the lip when the body is in the
less than fully coupled position, thereby permitting flow
communication between the storage section and the coupling section
and into the container.
[0130] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, the coupling section may define a twist-off coupling, a
threaded coupling, and/or a slidable coupling.
[0131] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, the compartment may comprise a compartment having a
base defining the dispensing opening. The base may comprise a
platform that slopes towards the dispensing opening to facilitate
dropping of substance stored in the compartment through the
dispensing opening. The platform may slope from a center to an end
of the platform. The dispensing opening may comprise a plurality of
openings evenly distributed with respect to the base.
[0132] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, the storage section may comprises a wall and a base
defining the compartment, wherein the dispensing opening is located
at the edge of the base near the wall. The wall may extend to
define the coupling section. An interior surface of the wall at the
coupling section may be threaded. The storage section may further
comprise a lid sealing the compartment on a side away from the
coupling section.
[0133] Advantageously, the present disclosure provides a package
including a storing and dispensing cap that can be coupled to a
container such that two or more separate products may be contained
in a separated condition. Means are also provided for separately
storing at least two materials or ingredients of a product within a
cap prior to opening of the container and which, upon opening of
the container closure, provides for the automatic admixing of the
separately stored materials. The present disclosure further
provides for longer storage times of materials which would degrade
if mixed together by providing for separate storage compartments
for each such material. In such case, the two compounds may be
mixed together to form the desired product shortly before use in
order to preserve efficacy. The present disclosure may also obviate
the need to refrigerate ingredients to preserve efficacy. The
present disclosure further permits a reactive compound and a base
compound to be sold as part of the same package. From an aesthetic
as well as a handling standpoint, it is desirable that a single
package be utilized for separately maintaining such compounds. The
present disclosure further permits combining of the ingredients by
a simple single motion of opening the closure device. The present
disclosure further provides a means for maintaining properly
proportioned amounts of the ingredients in one package, so that the
user may easily and quickly mix proper amounts in an accurate and
uniform manner, and very quickly and economically within a
prepackaged container. The present disclosure further provides a
storing and dispensing cap which may be easily manufactured or
fabricated from readily available materials and which is relatively
inexpensive and relatively fool-proof in use. The present
disclosure further provides an improved device permitting the user
to conveniently combine two or more ingredients without the
necessity of contacting the ingredients used and without the risk
of spillage. The present disclosure further provides a package for
storing and mixing a plurality of ingredients with a minimum of
time and effort. The present disclosure further provides a novel
package for storing, mixing and then dispensing ingredients with
little or no danger of contamination. The present disclosure
further provides for the conservation of resources and decreases
manufacturing time and costs with the use of less materials. The
present disclosure also provides a sealing device that is solidly
supported in a position to prevent any mixture between the
separated ingredients until intended. The present disclosure
further provides a method for proportioning ingredients for the
purpose of accurate and expeditious mixing immediately prior to
use. The present disclosure further provides for the release of
pressure which may result from the combining of the ingredients
because the single action of removing the cap which causes the
combining of the ingredients will also cause air to enter the
container. The present disclosure further provides a container
which is simple to construct, easy to operate both as to filling
with the separated ingredients and as to discharge of the mixed
product, and which embodies certain safety features which protect
against accidental, premature mixing of the separated ingredients,
and against accidental discharge of the mixed product. The present
disclosure further keeps the sealing device from getting wet during
the bottling process when liquid is poured into the container.
[0134] Although several embodiments of the invention have been
described herein in detail, the teachings of the present invention
will suggest many other embodiments to those skilled in the art.
For instance, although only two separately stored ingredients for a
product are shown and described in the disclosed embodiments, it
should be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments fall
within the scope of the invention wherein three or more materials
may be separately stored and automatically admixed upon or
preceding opening of the container. For example, the cap
compartments and/or the container reservoirs may be sectioned to
include space for separately storing more than one material in each
cap compartment and/or container reservoir. Furthermore, the device
of the present disclosure may be used to separately store various
materials, including but not limited to foodstuff, drugs, dyes,
cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, nutrients,
herbs, flavorings, and other chemicals. While this invention is
susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this
specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some
specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not
intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. It
should also be understood that numerous modifications and
variations are possible in accordance with the principles of the
present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is
defined only by the following claims.
* * * * *