(en)In one embodiment, a storing and dispensing cap is provided and includes a housing movably couplable to a container neck having a lip, and a compartment disposed within the housing, wherein the compartment has a dispenser opening. The cap further includes a plug coupled to the housing by a flexible c-shaped bar, wherein the plug is movable between a first position and a second position for engaging or disengaging with the dispenser opening upon actuation of the c-shaped bar with the lip of the container neck. A storing and mixing system including such a cap, and a method of storing and mixing using such a cap are also provided.

1.ApplicationNumber: US-77282010-A
1.PublishNumber: US-2011147240-A1
2.Date Publish: 20110623
3.Inventor: KIM ERNEST J.

4.Inventor Harmonized: KIM ERNEST J(US)

5.Country: US
6.Claims:
(en)In one embodiment, a storing and dispensing cap is provided and includes a housing movably couplable to a container neck having a lip, and a compartment disposed within the housing, wherein the compartment has a dispenser opening. The cap further includes a plug coupled to the housing by a flexible c-shaped bar, wherein the plug is movable between a first position and a second position for engaging or disengaging with the dispenser opening upon actuation of the c-shaped bar with the lip of the container neck. A storing and mixing system including such a cap, and a method of storing and mixing using such a cap are also provided.

7.Description:
(en)CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/284,649 filed Dec. 18, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/284,613 filed Dec. 22, 2009, the full disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.


BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to containers with caps and, more particularly, pertains 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.
2. Description of the Related Art
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SUMMARY
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.
In accordance with an embodiment, a storing and dispensing cap is provided and includes a housing movably couplable to a container neck having a lip, and a compartment disposed within the housing, wherein the compartment has a dispenser opening. The cap further includes a plug coupled to the housing by a flexible c-shaped bar, wherein the plug is movable between a first position and a second position for engaging or disengaging with the dispenser opening upon actuation of the c-shaped bar with the lip of the container neck.
In accordance with another embodiment, a storing and mixing system is provided, the system including a storing and dispensing cap as noted above in conjunction with a container including a reservoir and a neck having a lip.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method of storing and dispensing is provided, the method including providing a container including a reservoir and a neck having a lip, wherein the reservoir holds a first material, and providing a storing and dispensing cap as described above. The method further includes actuating the c-shaped bar with the lip of the neck to engage the plug with the dispenser opening.
Other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent from the following disclosure and appended claims.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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, in which:
FIG. 1A illustrates a bottom perspective view of a storing and dispensing cap and a neck of a container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the storing and dispensing cap of FIG. 1A ;
FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the storing and dispensing cap coupled to the neck as shown in FIG. 1A ;
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate cross-sectional views of the storing and dispensing cap coupled to the neck as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C ;
FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a storing and dispensing cap coupled to a neck of a container in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a storing and dispensing cap coupled to a neck of a container in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the storing and dispensing cap as shown in FIG. 4A ;
FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, of the storing and dispensing cap as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B ;
FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate perspective, top, bottom, and side views of a storing and dispensing cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate cross-sectional views of the storing and dispensing cap as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C ; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storing and dispensing cap in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.



Embodiments of the present invention 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
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 invention 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 invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and/or sold in an orientation other than the position described.
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.
Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C and 2 A- 2 B, a storing and mixing system includes a storing and dispensing cap 100 operably coupled to a container having a neck 150 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1A illustrates a bottom perspective view of the storing and dispensing cap 100 and the container neck 150 , FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the storing and dispensing cap 100 , and FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the storing and dispensing cap 100 coupled to the container neck 150 , FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate cross-sectional views of the storing and dispensing cap 100 coupled to the container neck 150 along a line IT in FIG. 1B .
The container 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 150 , 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 neck 150 is cylindrical including vertical sidewalls, a top lip 152 , and external screw threads 154 for operably coupling to the cap 100 . It is noted that the container and neck may have differently configured and/or shaped walls in other embodiments. Lip 152 may be formed to have different widths in order to fully engage with a c-shaped bar of cap 100 , and/or a portion of lip 152 may be raised to further assist in the actuation of the bar of cap 100 to ensure a tight fit between a sealing plug and a dispenser opening of cap 100 .
Storing and dispensing cap 100 includes a housing 101 having a compartment 102 , interior screw threads 108 , and a spring housing 110 . Compartment 102 includes a space 102 a and a dispenser opening 102 b for dispensing of the contents within compartment 102 when the dispenser opening 102 b is not plugged or sealed by a plug 104 . In one embodiment, compartment 102 is configured 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.
Compartment 102 may be manufactured as a unitary member of the cap 100 in one embodiment, or alternatively may be manufactured as a separate member that is operably couplable to the outer housing 101 of cap 100 , which can then be attached to housing 101 by glue, induction melting, ultrasonic melting, snap-fit tabs, or the like. In one example, compartment 102 is generally conical in shape and is located in an interior underside of the cap 100 within housing 101 . In other embodiments, compartment 102 may be generally cylindrically-shaped or otherwise shaped differently than in a conical shape. In this embodiment, cap 100 includes a single compartment 102 , but in other embodiments, cap 100 may include multiple compartments to hold different second materials or different amounts of the same second material. In yet another embodiment, the compartment 102 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, the compartment 102 can contain vertical dividing walls within the compartment 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 and being connected to a portion of the dispenser opening. In yet another embodiment, the compartment 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.
Although not illustrated in this embodiment, a lid (e.g., a lid 203 in FIG. 3 ) is operably coupled to compartment 102 , in one example, to access interior space 102 b of the compartment 102 for provision of the second material. The lid may be coupled to compartment 102 in various ways, such as by a movable joint (e.g., a hinge joint), screw threads, tabs, friction fit, snap fit, and so on.
In one embodiment, the dispenser opening 102 b is located at the tapered end of the conically-shaped compartment 102 , which opens to the container neck 150 . In one example, dispenser opening 102 b is a small aperture approximately at a vertex of a downward conically-shaped compartment 102 such that the second material in the compartment 102 is directed downward toward the container neck 150 when the dispenser opening is unobstructed. The dispenser opening 102 b allows the second material to fall from the compartment by gravity or user agitation when the cap 100 is in an opened position over container neck 150 and the dispenser opening 102 b is not sealed or plugged, such that the second material from the compartment 102 may be mixed with the first material within the container. During storage, the dispenser opening 102 b is obstructed by a plug 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). When detached from the plug, the second material contents of the compartment can drop through the dispenser opening into the interior of the container and mix with the first material. In some embodiments, the dispenser opening 102 b may include raised circular ridges around an opening to provide a seal with a flat plug embodiment.
In this embodiment, interior screw threads 108 of housing 101 may operably couple or mate to exterior screw threads 154 of neck 150 for operably coupling cap 100 to compartment neck 150 . In one embodiment, the contact of the interior screw threads 108 and exterior screw threads 154 may create a seal which prevents leakage from the container through neck 150 . However, in other embodiments, cap 100 may be operably coupled to container neck 150 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 container neck 150 to prevent leakage of the first material through neck 150 . Such a seal may be provided by a seal ring (e.g., seal ring 414 in FIGS. 6A-6C ) positioned within an interior of the housing 101 of cap 100 . The seal ring can be formed by a horizontal ring protruding from the interior of housing 101 and extending towards the center of the cap. The seal ring is configured to contact the upper exterior circumference of the container lip 152 when the cap is securely fastened onto the container neck 150 in order to form a seal around the exterior 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 101 as well.
Cap 100 further includes a plug 104 that is operably coupled to housing 101 by a flexible c-shaped bar 106 having a spring portion 106 a . In one embodiment, plug 104 is generally conical in shape and is movable between a first position and a second position relative to dispenser opening 102 b for engaging or disengaging with the dispenser opening 102 b upon actuation of the c-shaped bar 104 with the lip 152 of the container neck 150 . In one example, the plug 104 may include or be comprised of a rigid material or plastic that snap-fits with dispenser opening 102 b such that the second material held within the compartment 102 does not dispense (i.e., a liquid-impermeable seal is created). In another example, the plug may be a deformable material that seals the dispenser opening and/or the lip of the dispenser opening can be made of deformable material which may be pressed tightly against the plug in order to create a liquid-impermeable seal. In yet another example, the plug 104 may have a tapered shape with a point that enters compartment 102 through dispenser opening 102 b and then seals the opening. Plug 104 may be of varying shape and size, it may be solid or hollow, and/or the base portion of the plug, which is exposed to the contents of the container, can be made wider to prevent such container contents from entering the compartment 102 . In other embodiments, the plug may be formed to have a flat surface which simply blocks the dispenser opening 102 b (e.g., by interfacing with raised ridges around the opening) without the plug entering the compartment in order to create a seal over the dispenser opening. In yet other embodiments, plug 104 may have a shape that contours to the exterior of the dispenser opening to prevent leakage from compartment 102 .
In one example, a first position of plug 104 may be a “closed” position in which plug 104 is fully engaged with dispenser opening 102 b to close or seal the dispenser opening 102 b of compartment 102 . In the first position of plug 104 , bar 106 is actuated by or propped up by lip 152 of neck 150 such that spring portion 106 a is contracted and plug 104 is engaged with the dispenser opening 102 b . A second position of plug 104 may be an “opened” position in which plug 104 is not engaged with dispenser opening 102 b to allow contents of compartment 102 to dispense through dispenser opening 102 b . In an embodiment where a screw thread is used to secure the cap 100 to the container neck 150 , when the cap 100 is twisted open to move the cap 100 to an opened position, cap 100 including compartment 102 and dispenser opening 102 b is moved vertically-upwards away from compartment neck 150 including lip 152 , such that lip 152 disengages or no longer supports c-shaped bar 106 , causing spring portion 106 a to expand toward a rest state and bar 106 and plug 104 to move to the opened position downward and away from the dispenser opening 102 b . Thus, the second material within compartment 102 may be dispensed through an unobstructed dispenser opening 102 b to combine with the first material within the container. In this embodiment, additive second material may be deposited into the compartment 102 through the open top surface of the cap 100 after the dispenser opening is coupled to the plug. Then the top of cap 100 can be sealed, covered, or closed to contain and store the additive in the compartment.
Bar 106 may include an indentation or slot 112 for receiving the lip 152 of container neck 150 , and the spring portion 106 a of bar 106 acts as a resilient spring and may be housed within spring housing 110 . In this embodiment, spring portion 106 a of bar 106 is c-shaped and fixedly coupled to housing 101 near spring housing 110 and can flex because of the c-shape and stiffness of the material forming the bar 106 . When actuated by the lip 152 of neck 150 , spring portion 106 a will contract and bar 106 can move from a non-actuated position away from compartment 102 with plug 104 in an opened position (i.e., plug 104 is not engaged with dispenser opening 102 b ) to an actuated position toward compartment 102 with plug 104 in a closed position (i.e., plug 104 is engaged with dispenser opening 102 b ). In other embodiments, bar 106 may be hingedly coupled to an interior wall of housing 101 , or it may be coupled by way of some other type of swivel joint, such that the bar can swivel upward or downward at such point of attachment when actuated by lip 152 of neck 150 . In a non-actuated or relaxed state, spring portion 106 a will expand and bar 106 with plug 104 will be in an opened position downward and away from the dispenser opening. In other words, spring portion 106 a of bar 106 provides resilient spring action when the cap 100 is disengaging or disengaged from container neck 150 . Bar 106 may also be formed with a curvature or a projection 106 b near the part of the bar which comes into contact with or which is actuated by the lip 152 of the neck 150 , such that when the curvature or projection 106 b comes into contact with lip 152 , additional upward force is provided from such contact to enable increased engagement of the plug with the dispenser opening. Curvature or projection 106 b may include indentation or slot 112 in one example. Although spring portion 106 a is shown as c-shaped in this embodiment, spring portion 106 a of bar 106 may be configured to have a greater or lesser amount of curvature, such as a u-shaped portion. Furthermore, although only one c-shaped bar is shown in this embodiment, a plurality of bars having a c-shaped portion may be used to hold and actuate a plug. In yet another example, bar 106 can be bracketed between closely located framing or blocking walls (e.g., blocking walls 416 in FIGS. 6A-6B ), which prevent bars 106 (and therefore plug 104 ) from moving sideways or horizontally, in particular when the cap 100 is being fastened onto container neck 150 . The blocking walls thus ensure that bar 106 moves in an up or down motion to ensure the sealing plug is positioned correctly into the dispenser opening. Blocking walls may barricade the bar 106 on either side of the bar to prevent horizontal or transverse motion.
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 container neck 150 , 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.
Referring now to FIG. 3 , a side cross-sectional view of a storing and dispensing cap 200 coupled to a container neck 250 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Cap 200 and container neck 250 have similar features, functionality, and variations as cap 100 and neck 150 described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B , and similar features are similarly numbered and applicable in this embodiment but may not be described further below in order to avoid repetitive descriptions.
The container 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 250 , 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 250 includes a top lip 252 and external screw threads 254 for operably coupling to the cap 200 . The container, neck 250 , lip 252 , and external screw threads 254 are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variations being applicable.
Storing and dispensing cap 200 includes a housing 201 having a compartment 202 , interior screw threads 208 , and a spring housing 210 . Compartment 202 includes a space 202 a and a dispenser opening 202 b for dispensing of the contents within compartment 202 when the dispenser opening 202 b is not plugged or sealed by a plug 204 that is operably coupled to housing 201 by a flexible c-shaped bar 206 having a spring portion 206 a . The cap 200 including housing 201 , compartment 202 , dispenser opening 202 b , plug 204 , bar 206 , and spring portion 206 a are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variations being applicable.
An aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is a lid 203 which is operably coupled to compartment 202 to access interior space 202 b of the compartment 202 for provision of the second material. The lid 203 may be coupled to compartment 202 in various ways, such as by a movable joint (e.g., a hinge joint) to rotatably move along a direction “B”, screw threads, tabs, friction fit, snap fit, and so on.
In one example, plug 204 is configured to rotatably move along a direction “A” upon actuation by lip 252 of neck 250 between a first position and a second position. A first position of plug 204 may be a “closed” position A 1 in which plug 204 is fully engaged with dispenser opening 202 b to close or seal the dispenser opening 202 b of compartment 202 . In the first position of plug 204 , bar 206 is actuated by or propped up by lip 252 of neck 250 such that spring portion 206 a is contracted and plug 204 is engaged with the dispenser opening 202 b . A second position of plug 204 may be an “opened” position A 2 in which plug 204 is not engaged with dispenser opening 202 b to allow contents of compartment 202 to dispense through dispenser opening 202 b . In an embodiment where a screw thread is used to secure the cap 200 to the container neck 250 , when the cap 200 is twisted open to move the cap 200 to an opened position A 2 , cap 200 including compartment 202 and dispenser opening 202 b is moved vertically-upwards away from compartment neck 250 including lip 252 , such that lip 252 disengages or no longer supports c-shaped bar 206 , causing spring portion 206 a to expand toward a rest state and bar 206 and plug 204 to move to the opened position A 2 downward and away from the dispenser opening 202 b . Thus, the second material within compartment 202 may be dispensed through an unobstructed dispenser opening 202 b to combine with the first material within the container.
In other words, the dispenser opening 202 b is illustrated as engaged with plug 204 in a first position A 1 so as to close, block, or seal the dispenser opening 202 b such that a material within compartment 202 does not leak through the dispenser opening. When the cap 200 is actuated by the user, for example by twisting the cap or translating the cap in a vertically upward direction, plug 204 is no longer engaged by the lip 252 of neck 250 such that plug 204 moves to a second position A 2 away from dispenser opening 202 b , which is then opened, unblocked, or disengaged such that dispenser opening 202 b opens to the container neck 250 . When plug 204 is in the opened position, the contents of the cap compartment can drop through the dispenser opening into the interior of the container and mix with the first material.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C , views of a storing and dispensing cap 300 coupled to a container neck 350 are illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a side cross-sectional view and a perspective cross-sectional view, respectively of storing and dispensing cap 300 . FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, of the storing and dispensing cap 300 . Cap 300 and container neck 350 have similar features, functionality, and variations as cap 100 and neck 150 described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B , and similar features are similarly numbered and applicable in this embodiment but may not be described further below in order to avoid repetitive descriptions.
The container is again 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 350 , 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 350 includes a top lip 352 and external screw threads 354 for operably coupling to the cap 300 . The container, neck 350 , lip 352 , and external screw threads 354 are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variations being applicable.
Storing and dispensing cap 300 includes a housing 301 having a compartment 302 , interior screw threads 308 , and a spring housing 310 . Compartment 302 includes a space 302 a and a dispenser opening 302 b for dispensing of the contents within compartment 302 when the dispenser opening 302 b is not plugged or sealed by a plug 304 that is operably coupled to housing 301 by a flexible c-shaped bar 306 having a spring portion 306 a and a protrusion 306 b . The cap 300 including housing 301 , compartment 302 , dispenser opening 302 b , bar 306 , and spring portion 306 a are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variations being applicable.
An aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is a plug lip 304 a of plug 304 . Plug lip 304 a is at the base of plug 304 and contacts the exterior of compartment 302 to achieve a tighter seal over dispenser opening 302 b . In one example, plug lip 304 a is formed to have a shape that contours to the exterior of the dispenser opening and also helps prevent container contents from entering the compartment 302 .
Another aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is c-shaped bar 306 is coupled indirectly to housing 101 by direct coupling to cap compartment 302 , which is another possible variation of the storing and dispensing cap.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C and 6 A- 6 C, views of a storing and dispensing cap 400 coupled to a container neck 450 are illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate perspective, top, bottom, and side views of storing and dispensing cap 400 , and FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate cross-sectional views of the storing and dispensing cap 400 along line II-II′ in FIG. 5B . Cap 400 and container neck 450 have similar features, functionality, and variations as cap 100 and neck 150 described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B , and similar features are similarly numbered and applicable in this embodiment but may not be described further below in order to avoid repetitive descriptions.
The container is again 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 450 , 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 450 includes a top lip 452 and external screw threads 454 for operably coupling to the cap 400 . The container, neck 450 , lip 452 , and external screw threads 454 are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variations being applicable.
Storing and dispensing cap 400 includes a housing 401 having a compartment 402 , interior screw threads 408 , and a spring housing 410 . Compartment 402 includes a space 402 a and a dispenser opening 402 b for dispensing of the contents within compartment 402 when the dispenser opening 402 b is not plugged or sealed by a plug 404 that is operably coupled to housing 401 by a plurality of flexible c-shaped bars 406 . The cap 400 including compartment 402 , dispenser opening 402 b , and screw threads 408 are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variations being applicable.
An aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is the plurality of bars 406 having a c-shaped portion 406 a which may be used to hold and actuate plug 404 along a vertical direction “C” between a first position 404 b and a second position 404 a . Housing 401 also includes a plurality of spring housing 410 . Each of the bars 406 includes a spring portion 406 a and a protrusion 406 b , which includes an indentation or notch 412 for receiving lip 452 of container neck 450 . Spring protrusions are noted by 406 b ′ in the first closed position of plug 404 and by 406 b in the second opened position of plug 404 .
Another aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is a seal ring 414 which forms a seal with container neck 450 to prevent leakage of the first material in the container through neck 450 . Seal ring 414 is positioned within an interior of the housing 401 of cap 400 . The seal ring 414 can be formed by a horizontal ring protruding from the interior of housing 401 and extending towards the center of the cap. The seal ring 414 is configured to contact the upper exterior circumference of the container lip 452 when the cap is securely fastened onto the container neck 450 in order to form a seal around the exterior circumference of the container lip. In one example, the seal ring can be formed of a soft rubbery material to create a tighter seal.
Another aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment are framing or blocking walls 416 , which can bracket bars 406 therebetween to prevent bars 406 (and therefore plug 404 ) from moving sideways or horizontally, in particular when the cap 400 is being fastened onto container neck 450 . The blocking walls 416 thus ensure that bar 406 and plug 404 move in an up or down motion to ensure the sealing plug is positioned correctly into the dispenser opening. Blocking walls may barricade the bar 406 on either side of the bar to prevent horizontal or transverse motion.
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storing and dispensing cap in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Cap 500 and container neck 550 have similar features, functionality, and variations as cap 100 and neck 150 described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B , and similar features are similarly numbered and applicable in this embodiment but may not be described further below in order to avoid repetitive descriptions.
The container is again 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 550 , 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 550 includes a top lip 552 and external screw threads 554 for operably coupling to the cap 500 . The container, neck 550 , lip 552 , and external screw threads 554 are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variations being applicable.
Storing and dispensing cap 500 includes a housing 501 having a compartment 502 , a lid 503 , interior screw threads 508 , and may or may not include a spring housing. Compartment 502 includes a space 502 a and a dispenser opening 502 b for dispensing of the contents 505 (as shown by the bubbles) within compartment 502 when the dispenser opening 502 b is not plugged or sealed by a plug 504 that is operably coupled to the compartment 502 (or housing 501 in other embodiments) by a plurality of flexible c-shaped bars 506 . The cap 500 including compartment 502 , dispenser opening 502 b , and screw threads 508 are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variations being applicable.
An aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is the plurality of bars 506 having a c-shaped portion which may be used to hold and actuate plug 504 in a vertical direction “D” between a first position 504 a and a second position 504 b . Bars 506 are coupled to an underside of compartment 502 (although they may be coupled directly to housing 501 in other embodiments). In this embodiment, the c-shaped portions of bars 506 are shaped to have an arc kept substantially between the inner diameter of the housing 501 of cap 500 . When actuated, the bottle lip 552 , which has a smaller circumference than the inner circumference of the housing 501 of cap 500 , will pinch bars 506 inward and push plug 504 upward toward dispenser opening 502 b . Furthermore, in this embodiment, bars 506 do not include a protrusion nor an indentation or notch for receiving the lip 552 of container neck 550 . Instead, bars 506 are actuated along the c-shaped portion by lip 552 to pinch inwardly or relax outwardly and move plug 504 between a first position 504 a and a second position 504 b to engage and disengage with dispenser opening 502 b.
As noted above, in the embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 3-7 , similar elements may have similar structure and/or functionality as those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B and are similarly numbered. For example, caps 200 , 300 , 400 , and 500 may be operably coupled to necks 250 , 350 , 450 , and 550 , respectively, by the outer housing coupling to the container neck by one of various means and techniques, such as by screw threads (e.g., mating screw threads on an interior surface of the outer shell with an exterior surface of the neck), a slidable joint, glue, induction melting, ultrasonic melting, or the like. Also, compartments may be manufactured as a unitary member of the caps in one embodiment, or alternatively may be manufactured as a separate member that is operably couplable to the housing of a cap. Furthermore, caps and containers may include a single compartment and reservoir, respectively, or caps and containers may include multiple compartments and reservoirs. In addition, the plugs may include a rigid plastic end that snap-fits with a dispenser opening to create a liquid-impermeable seal, or the plug/dispenser opening lip may include a deformable material that seals the interface between the plug and the dispenser opening. In yet another example, the plug may have a tapered shape with a point that enters the compartment through the dispenser opening and then seals the opening.
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 novel attachment for a container closure device with a dispensing opening which has a bottom end opening suitable for use as a compartment or reservoir for the storage of a material or chemical. 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 closure 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.
Finally, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container which is adapted to separately store at least two materials, including a structure for separating the constituents by a liquid-impermeable barrier; and which will allow for utilization of a standard size beverage can or bottle; which will require little or no modification of a standard container whereby any increase in container cost is minimal; will pour easily when opened; will not contain loose debris from the barrier after opening; and will be compatible with standard carbonated beverage filling and sealing equipment, with the possible exception that special provisions may be required to fill the second material into its compartment in the closure.
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.