Title of Invention

MIXING DISPENSER

Abstract A dispenser(1)comprises a container having a first aperture (not shown) therein and a first closure means (not shown) for sealingly closing the first aperture and is characterized in that the container has a second aperture (3) and a second closure means (4) for closing said second aperture, said second closure means having a pressing means (5) operable to press inwardly towards said second aperture (3), a blister pack (6), locating means (8,9) locating said blister pack to span across said second aperture (3) and sealing means (7, 10) sufficient to ensure the second aperture is sealingly closable against leakage of the intended contents of the dispenser. The construction and arrangement is such that in end use the container holds a first substance and the blister pack holds la second substance and when the pressing means is pushed the blister pack is ruptured causing the second substance therein to mix with the first substance in the container through said second aperture, wherein said first aperture is configured to distribute the mixture.
Full Text TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a dispenser in the form of an additive
releasing container. The additive releasing container may be a
bottle which provides a means for separately retaining a fluid
and an additive (possibly in the form of a tablet such as a
vitamin tablet or pharmaceutical preparation) and also a means
for releasing the tablet into the fluid held in the bottle. The
additive releasing bottle would include a means to enable the
combined fluid and additive to be removed from the bottle,
perhaps a little at a time with the bottle being reseated
between dispensed amounts. The container mioht
alternatively be used to dispense a powder into a powder.
The actual substances to be mixed are not limited to just the
above examples, however.
MIXING DISPENSER
TITLE
BACKGROUND ART
When the dispenser is in the form of a liquid containing bottle, bottle caps, designed
to retain an additive such as a powder or tablet or liquid and to subsequently release
the additive into an attached bottle upon manipulation by a user, are known in the
pharmaceutical industry and more recently in the sports drinks industry. Examples of
such discharge caps are disclosed in WO98/40289, WO00/27717, WO98/00348 and
WO93/14990. Many of the prior art mechanisms are cumbersome and their size can
cause difficulties in the packaging, transportation and display of bottles. Their bulk
may also detract from the appearance of the product which is of importance in
relation to certain products such as sports drinks. Others may be complex and
difficult or costly to manufacture.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The invention resides in a dispenser comprising :
a container having a first aperture therein and
a first closure means for sealingly closing the first aperture
wherein the container has :
a second aperture,
and a second closure means for closing said second aperture,
said second closure means having :
a pressing means operable to press inwardly towards said
second aperture,
a blister pack,
locating means locating said blister pack to span across said second aperture,
sealing means sufficient to ensure the second aperture is sealingly closable
against leakage of the intended contents of the dispenser,
the construction and arrangement being such that in end use the container holds a
first substance and the blister pack holds a second substance and when the
pressing means is pushed the blister pack is ruptured causing the second substance
therein to mix with the first substance in the container through said second aperture,
wherein said first aperture is configured to distribute the mixture.
Preferably only a peripheral annulus of the blister pack is engaged by said locating
means and the blister pack, in conjunction with
said sealing means sealingly closes directly against the periphery of
said second aperture whether the blister pack is ruptured or not.
Alternatively the blister pack is held by said locating means in a
suitable position within said second closure means to span across said
second aperture but not to effect sealing closure of it and other parts
of said second closure means acting in conjunction with said sealing
means sealingly close the second aperture.
Preferably the second aperture is at the base of the container.
Preferably the pressing means is in the form of a flexible
diaphragm which is an integral part of the second closure
means.
Prefeably the second closure means includes security means
preventing the second closure means from being removed
from said container once fully fitted.
Preferably said second closure means is able to be partially
fitted to said container in a manner enabling its subsequent
removal to allow a blister pack to be added prior to fully fitting
the said second closure means and prior to inserting the
requisite substance into said container.
Alternatively said second closure means may removably and
sealingly close said second aperture even when partially fitted
thus allowing the requisite substance to be inserted in said
container prior to the placement of said blister pack.
Preferably the second closure means is substantially in the
form of a cup adapted to form the base of the dispenser and
to shield said pressing means from inadvertant pressing, at
least under the weight of the dispenser.
Preferably said second closure means has a cylindrical skirt
with a female thread adapted to mate with a corresponding
male thread on a cylindrical wall forming part of the base of
said container.
Preferably said cylindrical skirt and cylindrical wall have
mateable saw teeth so that when threaded sufficiently
together the respective teeth progressively mutually engage
and prevent counter-rotation.
Alternatively or additionally the skirt and wall are welded or
glued together.
Preferably the blister pack contains a solid tablet.
Preferably only the side of the blister pack facing inwards is
rupturable and the other side is flexible but not able to be
ruptured by operation of the pressing means.
Preferably the inner facing side is a metal foil.
Preferably the sealing means is an annulus of compressible
sealing material.
The second closure and container may be marketed empty and
separately from the additive blister packs which might be user
installed.
One or both of the second closure and container might be reusable to
some extent. Or the additive blister might be installed prior to sale
which would be the case if the contents to be held in the container
were not easily available to the end user, or for user convenience.
Once the blister pack is installed, however, the arrangement usually
desired is that the second closure becomes no longer removable from
the container. This can be achieved by the use of one-way thread
engagement or by ultrasonic welding etc.
The container and first and second closure and blister might be
heatable or coolable if required.
ACCOMPANYING
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
The drawing shows a partial central longitudinal cross-sectional view
of one type of dispenser according to the present invention in the form
of a cylindrical bottle-shaped container, the baser of which is provided
by the second closure means which is shown in place with a blister
pack installed (the blister pack not being cross-sectioned).
PREFERRED MODE
The dispenser such as 1 may be provided with a container such as 2
in any shape for example, spherical or cuboidal. The container would
have a first aperture (not shown) therein and a first closure means (not
shown) for sealingly closing the first aperture, said first closure means
being openable to enable the contents of the container to be
dispensed therefrom in use. Such a description encompasses most
types of dispenser in various shapes.
The characteristic of the dispenser of this invention, however, is that
the container has a second aperture such as 3 in Figure 1. The
second aperture may be located at any convenient place on the
container, e.g. on the side wall, but for many uses the appropriate
position is at the base with the aperture facing downwards.
A second closure means 4 is provided for closing the second aperture
3.
The second closure means includes
• a pressing means 6 operable to press inwardly towards the second
aperture 3,
- a blister pack 6 and locating means locating the blister pack to
span
across the second aperture 3.
The locating means in Figure 1 comprise the shoulder 8 on which an
annular seal 7 rests and upon which in turn rests the blister pack, and
the internal skirt 9. There is an additional annular sealing ring 10 and
the sandwich of the sealing rings 7 and 10 and the blister pack 6 are
in practice compressed between the shoulder 8 and the periphery 18
of the second aperture 3. Figure 1 shows the assembly
uncompressed for clarity of illustration. The annular sealing means
are in some circumstances optional. One of them might be omitted or
both might be omitted in a circumstance where the contents of the
container would be at no risk of leakage out of the container because
of their nature, a sufficient sealing means being provided by other
parts of the second closure means, as will be described. For example,
the container may contain just a powder rather than a liquid and a
rapid sealing may not be necessary.
In the arrangement just described, the blister pack is described
spanning across the second aperture 3 and also sealing across the
second aperture. However the location means might simply hold the
blister pack in a similar position but without there being any sealing
across the second aperture 3 effected at all so that at all times the
blister pack would be immersed in the contents of the container but
would still be held in an appropriate position to be ruptured.
Rupturing is effected by pushing the pressing means 5 inwardly
towards the second aperture. The blister pack is preferably provided
with only one side rupturable, that being the side 11 facing inwards
towards the second aperture 3 and that side is preferably a metal foil
such as a thin aluminium foil. The opposite side 12 is preferably a
flexible plastics material.
The blister pack Is suitably formed in a shape having regard to its
contents such that pressure exerted through the pressing means 5 will
be transmitted through the side 12 and through the contents of the
blister pack to cause rupturing of the side 11 and release of the blister
pack contents into the container. The easiest way to ensure the
release of the blister pack contents is to compress them into a tablet
where release in that form would be satisfactory for the purposes of
the dispenser.
Preferably the pressing means 5 is integrally formed as a flexible
diaphragm portion of the second closure means. However, there could
be a separate part perhaps snap fitted into place or screwed into place
and a suitable construction is illustrated in the first filed application -
(No. 523406) from which priority is claimed for this invention. The
integral construction however has obvious advantages, especially if
the blister pack 6 itself is not to form the seal across the second
aperture 3. Where the blister pack is such that, whether ruptured or
not, ft, in conjunction with the sealing means annular rings 7 and 10,
always maintains a sealing closure across the second aperture, then
the other components of the second closure means merely have to
hold the blister pack in secure sealing engagement with the container
and do not themselves need to effect the seal across the second
aperture.
Because of the possible uses of the container according to the present
invention, it might be appropriate in some circumstances to ensure
that the second seating means was able to be partially or fully fitted to
the container. For example, there might be an application where it
was undesirable to fit the blister pack and contents until immediately
prior to the requisite mixing of the contents of the container. In such
a situation, the second closure means may be required to be partially
fitted without the blister pack to effect an adequate seal, e.g. by
annular sealing rings 7 and 10 with the container, which would be
inverted when the blister pack was to be added, the second closure
means removed, the blister pack inserted with the seals suitably
placed, and then the second closure means fully fitted to the
container.
In a case where the second closure means was in the form of a cup
,as illustrated, with the cylindrical skirt 13, projecting downwardly
sufficiently to shield the pressing means 5 from inadvertent pressing,
the skirt might have a female thread 14 which mated with a
corresponding male thread 16 on a cylindrical wall 16 forming part of
the base of the container 2. Partial fitting may be assisted by careful
control of the height of the inner skirt 9 in conjunction with the
thickness of the sealing rings 7 and 10 so that they were not
overcompressed during a partial fitting, but subsequently, when full
fitting was required, further rotation of the second closure means 4
with respect to the container 2 would enable the skirt 9 to bo
deformed somewhat and mateable ramped teeth (not shown) provided
at 17 in the top edge of the second closure means and a downwards-
facing part of the container wall 16 would progressively mutually
engage and prevent counter-rotation. The first closure means might
be similarly provided where such security was necessary. Then
rupturing of the blister pack which might result in a poisonous mixture,
could take place-at a time and location where the used dispenser
could be safely disposed of, while the results of mixing the two
substances could be observed. The sort of usages envisaged in an
application like that might be chemical or medical tests.
In another application, the blister pack might be fitted initially when
the dispenser was sold and to ensure that it was not removed from
the container the second closure means might even be welded or
glued to the container when fully fitted.
In another application, the dispenser might be Intended to be re-usable
and might be provided with or without any installed blister pack, but
the user could install a blister pack of choice prior to filling the
container with, say, water. The blister pack might contain some form
of dietary supplement mixable with water but which should only be
mixed immediately prior to use.
In yet another application, the dispenser might be provided with
another closure means identical to the second closure means for
closing a different aperture in the container. That aperture might be.
the first aperture and thus it might be possible to have a bottle, say,
with a liquid in it, into which two different substances could be
released into the liquid simultaneously or one after the other by
utilising the present invention. Obviously, that concept could be
extended to any number of apertures and closures.
The essential advantage of the present invention is the very simple
means by which provision is made for the separation of two
substances and their subsequent mixing within the dispenser.
The arrangement allows the use of a simple first closure means for the
first aperture, such as a standard sipper top. The complications
inherent in the closures discussed in the background section of this
specification are entirely avoided.
The term "blister pack" is intended to cover any type of envelope
sandwiching a substance between two layers.
WE CLAIM :
1. A dispenser comprising :
a container having a first aperture therein and
a first closure means for sealingly closing the first aperture
wherein the container has :
a second aperture,
and a second closure means for closing said second aperture,
said second closure means having :
a pressing means operable to press inwardly towards said
second aperture,
a blister pack,
locating means locating said blister pack to span across said second aperture,
sealing means sufficient to ensure the second aperture is sealingly closable
against leakage of the intended contents of the dispenser,
the construction and arrangement being such that in end use the container holds a
first substance and the blister pack holds a second substance and when the
pressing means is pushed the blister pack is ruptured causing the second substance
therein to mix with the first substance in the container through said second aperture,
wherein said first aperture is configured to distribute the mixture.
2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein only a peripheral annulus of the
blister pack is engaged by said location means and the blister pack, in conjunction
with said sealing means sealingly closes directly against the periphery of said
second aperture whether the blister pack is ruptured or not.
3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blister pack is held by said
locating means in a suitable position within said second closure means to span
across said second aperture but not to effect sealing closure of it and other parts of
said second closure means having said sealing means sealingly close the second
aperture.
4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second aperture is
substantially formed at the base of the container.
5. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
pressing means is in the form of a flexible diaphragm which is an integral part of the
second closure means.
6. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
second closure means has security means preventing the second closure means
from being removed from said container once fully fitted.
7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second closure means is able
to be partially fitted to said container in a manner enabling its subsequent removal to
allow a blister pack to be
added prior to fully fitting the said second closure means and prior to inserting the
requisite substance into said container.
8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second closure means may
removably and sealingly close said second aperture even when partially fitted thus
allowing the requisite substance to be inserted in said container prior to the
placement of said blister pack and subsequent fully fitting said second closure
means.
9. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
second closure means is substantially in the form of a cup adapted to form the base
of the dispenser and to shield said pressing means from inadvertant pressing.
10. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second closure means has a
cylindrical skirt with a female thread adapted to mate with a corresponding male
thread on a cylindrical wall forming part of the base of said container.
11. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10, wherein said cylindrical skirt and said
cylindrical wall have mateable ramped teeth so that when threaded sufficiently
together the respective teeth progressively mutually engage and prevent counter-
rotation.
12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the cylindrical wall and the
cylindrical skirt are welded or glued together when fully fitted.
13. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blister
pack contains a solid tablet.
14. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein only the
side of the blister pack facing inwards is rupturable and the other side is flexible but
not able to be ruptured by operation of the pressing means.
15. A dispenser as claimed in claim 14, wherein the inner facing side is a metal
foil.
16. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
sealing means is an annulus of compressible sealing material.
17. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first
closure means and said first aperture and surrounding portion of the container are
substantially identical to those of said second aperture and said second closure
means.
A dispenser (1) comprises a container having a first aperture (not shown) therein
and a first closure means (not shown) for sealingly closing the first aperture and is
characterized in that the container has a second aperture (3) and a second closure means
(4) for closing said second aperture, said second closure means having a pressing means
(5) operable to press inwardly towards said second aperture (3), a blister pack (6), locating
means (8, 9) locating said blister pack to span across said second aperture (3) and sealing
means (7, 10) sufficient to ensure the second aperture is sealingly closable against leakage
of the intended contents of the dispenser. The construction and arrangement is such that in
end use the container holds a first substance and the blister pack holds a second
substance and when the pressing means is pushed the blister pack is ruptured causing the
second substance therein to mix with the first substance in the container through said
second aperture, wherein said first aperture is configured to distribute the mixture.

Documents:

01284-kolnp-2005-abstract.pdf

01284-kolnp-2005-claims.pdf

01284-kolnp-2005-description complete.pdf

01284-kolnp-2005-drawings.pdf

01284-kolnp-2005-form 1.pdf

01284-kolnp-2005-form 3.pdf

01284-kolnp-2005-form 5.pdf

01284-kolnp-2005-international publication.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-abstract.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-assignment.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-claims.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-correspondence.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-description (complete).pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-drawings.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-examination report.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-form 1.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-form 18.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-form 3.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-form 5.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-gpa.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-letter patent.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

1284-kolnp-2005-granted-specification.pdf

abstract-01284-kolnp-2005.jpg


Patent Number 214995
Indian Patent Application Number 01284/KOLNP/2005
PG Journal Number 08/2008
Publication Date 22-Feb-2008
Grant Date 20-Feb-2008
Date of Filing 01-Jul-2005
Name of Patentee SJI LIMITED
Applicant Address C/- HOLLAND BECKETT MALTBY, BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS, 96, CAMERON ROAD, TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 HESTER ADAM DAVID 59, HIGGINS ROAD, HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND
2 PEARCE ALISDAIR GILBERT HARRIS ROAD, R.D.3, PUTARURU, NEW ZEALAND.
3 SHARP JEFFREY JOHN 59, HIGGINS ROAD, HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND
PCT International Classification Number B65D 51/28
PCT International Application Number PCT/NZ2003/000295
PCT International Filing date 2003-12-24
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 526774 2003-06-30 New Zealand
2 523406 2003-01-03 New Zealand