WO1995030588A1

WO1995030588A1 - Container adapted for preparation of a mixture obtained from salts, in-liquid soluble powder, or from two liquids

Info

Publication number: WO1995030588A1
Application number: PCT/IB1995/000330
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianpaolo Belloli
Original assignee: Gianpaolo Belloli
Priority date: 1994-05-05
Filing date: 1995-05-05
Publication date: 1995-11-16
Also published as: ITBO940088V0; ITBO940088U1; IT234104Y1; AU2266095A

Abstract

Container adapted for preparation of a mixture obtained from either liquid or solid component mixed with a mixing liquid, characterised in that it includes a body (2) with a pouring spout (6) and that features a hollow (4) closed by a breakable diaphragm (5) and containing a pre-determined quantity of either liquid or solid component, with a vessel (3) closed by the said diaphragm (5) and associated to the said body-portion (2), said vessel (3) containing said solvent liquid, diaphragm breaking means (10, 22) being provided inside the said vessel (3) which can be operated from outside for breaking the said diaphragm (5) to permit communication between said vessel (3) and said hollow (4) and, consequently, mixing of the said component with the said liquid.

Description

CONTAINER ADAPTED FOR PREPARATION OF A MIXTURE OBTAINED FROM SALTS, IN-LIQUID SOLUBLE POWDER, OR FROM TWO LIQUIDS.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container adapted for preparation of a mixture obtained from salts, in-liquid soluble powder, or from two li¬ quids.

BACKGROUND ART

The necessity is known of preparing such mixtures, e.g. just before drinking particular type of beverages, by mixing certain salts which are soluble in a liquid, usually water.

Beverages of this kind are know as energy- giving drinks and give help in recovering mineral salts needed by whom practice physical activity, in particular sport activities.

In other fields a liquid must often be mixed with another one, e.g. paint and solvent.

The technical aim of the present invention is to propose a container that allows to prepare the mixture just before using it.

To achieve this aim, the present invention has as it object to provide a container that is structurally simple, therefore not expensive, and that can be manufactured in accordance with conven- tional techniques. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The technical aim and the consequent object are achieved by providing a container adapted for preparation of a mixture obtained from either liquid or solid component mixed with a mixing liquid, characterised in that it includes a body with a pouring spout and that features a hollow closed by a breakable diaphragm and containing a pre-determined quantity of either liquid or solid component, with a vessel closed by the said diaphragm and associated to the said body-portion, the said vessel containing said mixing liquid, diaphragm breaking means being provided inside the said vessel which can be opera- ted from outside for breaking the said diaphragm to permit communication between said vessel and said hollow and, consequently, mixing of the said compo¬ nent with the said liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention will be better understood in the following specification and on the basis of the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a container made in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a partially sectional view of a contai¬ ner made in a second embodiment; Fig. 3 shows a partially sectional view of a contai¬ ner made in a third embodime" - and lastly Fig. 4 shows a sectional

;>f a container made in a fourth embodiment.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Having reference to Fig.l, numeral 1 general¬ ly indicates a container including an upper body 2 obtained by moulding a plastic material. A lower portion is associated to the upper body and defines a vessel 3 aimed at containing a mixing liquid.

The upper body delimits a hollow 4 closed by a diaphragm 5 that is sealingly fixed to the inner wall of the body 2 along a peripheral rim.

The diaphragm 5 is made of breakable mater- ial, e.g. a single- or multi-layer plastic-covered sheet that is water-tight on the side turned toward the vessel 3.

The body 2 is properly tapered toward the top, where it features a tubular member which con- stitutes a pouring spout 6 aimed at allowing the liquid inside the container to be poured or drunk.

The spout 6 is externally threaded so that a screw closing cap 7.

The cap 7 includes a cylindrical section 8 that enters the spout 6 and whose top has a knob 9 made integral therewith.

At the end located inside the body 2, the cylindrical section 8 features a piercing member formed by a protrusion 10 provided with points or teeth 11. The protrusion crosses the hollow 4 and terminates close to the diaphragm 5.

The vessel 3 can be manufactured in any way.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the vessel 3 is made of mono- or multi-layer sheet material that forms a pouch with the external rim sealed to the periphery of the body 2.

As it will be understood in the following, the container includes two compartments 12 and 13 in which the component, e.g. soluble salts, and the mixing liquid are introduced respectively.

Just before use, the cap 7 is pushed toward the diaphragm 5 so as the teeth 11 pierce it.

Rotating the cap 7 at the same time provokes braking of the diaphragm around the piercing region and a widening of the opening that put in communica- tion the compartments 12 and 13. In this way the liquid inside the compartment 13 and the salt con¬ tained in the compartment 12 mix up thus forming the mixture that can be poured through the spout 6, after removing the cap 7. In fact many changes and modifications can be made, all falling within the scope of the invention.

For example, the cap 7 can be simply inserted into the spout 6 instead of being threaded thereon- to, so that it can be pushed toward inside the hollow 2 to provoke piercing of the diaphragm.

A removable warranty ring 14 is properly situated between the lower edge of the knob 9 and the rim of the spout 6 ] and axial displacement of the cap are prevented until the ring is removed thus ensuring that the diaphragm, and consequently the container 1, have not been tampered.

In the embodiment shown in Fig.2 the vessel 3 is formed by a cup 15 made of semi-stiff plastic material. The rim of cup has a lip 16 turned outward that is welded to a similar lip 17 made along the edge of the portion 2 and also turned outward.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment that is similar to the one of Fig.2 but the cup 15 and the portion 2 have the lips 18 and 19, to be welded, turned in- ward.

Lastly, Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which numerals 2 and 3 respectively indicate a cone-shaped upper body and a cylindrical vessel of the contai¬ ner, which are separated by the diaphragm 5. The diaphragm 5 is peripherally welded be¬ tween the peripherical lips 20,21 of the upper and lower compartments .

The peculiarity of the embodiment of Fig. 4 is that the diaphragm piercing member 22 is fastened to the bottom 23 of the vessel and includes a rod provided at the top with a piercing point 24.

In order to allow the piercing member 22 to move axially by an adequate displacement, the bottom 23 is made of elastic material and is suitably shaped so as to form a corrugated surface 25. By pushing with a finger on the corrugated surface 25, it gets deformed inward provoking braking of the diaphragm 5 by means of the piercing member 22. Thus, the liquid contained in the vessel 3 and the component inside the upper body 2 are mixed up toge- ther.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 is particular¬ ly useful for mixing two liquids, without any action on the spout or on the cap, which have only the task of pouring.

Claims

1. Container adapted for preparation of a mixture obtained from either liquid or solid component mixed with a mixing liquid, characterised in that it includes a body (2) with a pouring spout (6) and that features a hollow (4) closed by a breakable diaphragm (5) and containing a pre-determined quant¬ ity of either liquid or solid component, with a vessel (3) closed by the said diaphragm (5) and associated to the said body-portion (2) , said vessel

(3) containing said solvent liquid, diaphragm break¬ ing means (10,22) being provided inside the said vessel (3) which can be operated from outside for breaking the said diaphragm (5) to permit communica¬ tion between said vessel (3) and said hollow (4) and, consequently, mixing of the said component with the said liquid.

2. Container as in claim 1, characterised in that the said diaphragm (5) is formed by a mono- or multi-layer plastic-covered sheet material peripher¬ ally welded to the inner wall of the said hollow

(4) .

3. Container as in claim 2 characterised in that the said vessel (3) is formed by a pouch made of mono- or multi-layer plastic-covered sheet material whose rim is welded to the periphery of the said hollow body (2) .

4. Container as in claim 2, characterised in that the said vessel (3) includes a cup (15) made of semi-stiff plastic material with an edge featuring a up (16) turned either outward or inward, and welded to a similar lip (17) made along the edge of the hollow body ( 2 ) .

5. Container as in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes a cap (7) with a threaded portion that can be screwed onto the said spout (6) , the said cap featuring a handling knob (9) and a protrusion (10) placed inside the said hollow so as to terminate close to the said dia¬ phragm (5) , provided with points or teeth (11) , screwing the said cap (7) provoking piercing and breaking of the said diaphragm (5) .

6. Container as in claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it includes a cap (7) with a cylindrical sec- tion (8) that is sealingly guided inside the said spout (6) and provided with a handling knob (9) and a protrusion (10) placed inside the said hollow so as to terminate close ^"to the said diaphragm (5) , provided with points or teeth (11) , pushing the said cap (7) toward inside the said hollow (4) provoking piercing and breaking of the said diaphragm (5) .

7. Container as in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that that a removable warranty ring (14) is placed between the said knob (9) and the edge of the said spout (6) , said ring (14) being aimed at avoiding displacement of the cap (7) toward inside the said portion (2) until it is removed, so that integrity of the contained is guaranteed.

8. Container as in claim 4, characterised in that the bottom (23) of the said vessel (3) is elastic and is equipped with a piercing member (22) made integral therewith and including a rod provided at the top with a point (24) designed to pierce the said diaphragm (5) when the bottom (23) is pushed.