WO2004031048A1 - Liquid dispensing device - Google Patents

Liquid dispensing device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004031048A1
WO2004031048A1 PCT/ZA2003/000146 ZA0300146W WO2004031048A1 WO 2004031048 A1 WO2004031048 A1 WO 2004031048A1 ZA 0300146 W ZA0300146 W ZA 0300146W WO 2004031048 A1 WO2004031048 A1 WO 2004031048A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
dispensing device
liquid dispensing
liquid
collapsible
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2003/000146
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sheldon Denholm Tree
Deon Edward Timcke
Ryan Wale
Original Assignee
Sheldon Denholm Tree
Deon Edward Timcke
Ryan Wale
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sheldon Denholm Tree, Deon Edward Timcke, Ryan Wale filed Critical Sheldon Denholm Tree
Priority to AU2003280012A priority Critical patent/AU2003280012A1/en
Publication of WO2004031048A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004031048A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
    • B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
    • B65D51/2814—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it
    • B65D51/2842—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being provided with a preformed weakened line
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/36—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/365—Containers, or parts thereof, simulating or being incorporated into other items, e.g. puppet, animal, vehicle, building, dumb bells
    • B65D81/366—Containers, or parts thereof, simulating or being incorporated into other items, e.g. puppet, animal, vehicle, building, dumb bells the container closure only being provided with a three dimensional figure, e.g. chess piece, animal

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a liquid dispensing device.
  • a liquid dispensing device which device includes: a collapsible container for containing a liquid to be dispensed into a second container containing a substance; a plunger having a piercing means for piercing the collapsible container and an urging means to collapse the container and urge the liquid out of the collapsible container into the second container containing the substance.
  • liquid will be understood to include a gel.
  • the collapsible container may include: a flexible corrugated sidewall which is collapsible in a bellows-like fashion; a pierceable membrane forming a wall to separate the liquid from the substance; and a wall opposite the pierceable membrane.
  • the opposite wall may be formed by the urging means of the plunger.
  • the piercing means may be a line of weakness formed in the collapsible container.
  • the piercing means may be a sharp protrusion projecting from the opposite wall towards the pierceable membrane, with the sharp end proximate the pierceable membrane.
  • the collapsible container may be filled with, for example, a soft drink concentrate in syrup form, powder form, or gel form.
  • the collapsible container is typically filled with a liquid to be added to a substance contained in the second container.
  • the protrusion ruptures the membrane and the collapsible sidewall compresses to expel the liquid contained in the collapsible container, allowing the liquid contained in the collapsible container to mix with the substance in the second container.
  • the dispensing device may be a cap for a second container, which cap houses the collapsible container, which cap includes an attachment means for attaching to the second container.
  • the attachment means may include a thread for a threaded connection.
  • the attachment means may include a press-fit connection.
  • the sides of the cap may be of a rigid material and may include a removable strip surrounding the collapsible container whereby the collapsible container is only compressible if the strip has been removed from the cap. It will be appreciated that the removable strip ensures that the contents of the chamber is not unnecessary released into the container, especially during transit, or the like.
  • Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view of a liquid dispensing device, in accordance with the invention.
  • a liquid dispensing device in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
  • the liquid dispensing device 10 includes a collapsible container 12 for containing a liquid 20 to be disposed into a second container (not shown) containing a substance; a plunger 14 having a piercing means 16 for piercing the collapsible container 12 and an urging means 18 to collapse the container 12 and urge the liquid 20 out of the collapsible container 12 into the second container.
  • the collapsible container 12 has a flexible corrugated sidewall 22 which is collapsible in a bellows-like fashion with a pierceable membrane 24 forming a wall to separate the liquid 20 from the substance and a wall 26 opposite the pierceable membrane 24.
  • the opposite wall 26 is formed by the urging means 18 of the plunger 14.
  • the piercing means 16 includes a line of weakness 28 formed in the collapsible container 12.
  • the piercing means 16 further includes a sharp protrusion projecting from the opposite wall 26 towards the pierceable membrane 24, with the sharp end proximate the pierceable membrane 24.
  • the dispensing device 10 is a cap for a second container (not shown), which cap houses the collapsible container 12 and includes attachment means 30 for attachment to the second container.
  • the attachment means 30 connects threadedly to the second container.
  • the side of the cap includes a removable strip 32 that surrounds the collapsible container 12.
  • the collapsible container 12 is only compressible if the strip 32 has been removed from the cap.
  • the device in use, is typically used for playing a game where a user hits the urging means 18 of the device 10 to forcefully expel the liquid 20 from the container 12. This typically produces an entertaining sound.
  • different devices 10 typically contain different coloured liquids in their collapsible containers 12. The different coloured liquids represent different flavoured substances. The colour of the liquid is generally not visible from the outside of the container. A user purchases the second container with the device 10 attached, unaware of the colour and subsequent flavour of the liquid 20 in the container 12, which may provide the user with a sense of expectation.
  • the second container further contains indicia which becomes more legible when the liquid 20 in the container 12 is dispensed into the second container where it mixes with another clear liquid.
  • the indicia becomes more legible due to the colouring effect of the liquid 20 mixing with the clear liquid in the second container, forming a darker background.
  • the removable strip 32 may have promotional and/or instructional indicia printed on the inside facing the collapsible container 12, which is only legible once the strip 32 has been removed from the device 10.
  • the strip 32 may further be used for entering a competition.
  • the piercing means 16 may be shaped like an animal character, a toy, or any other suitable shape.
  • the piercing means 16 may be removably attached to the urging means 18 such that, after the container 12 has been collapsed and the liquid 20 expelled, the piercing means may be removed from the urging means 18.
  • the piercing means may also be expelled, together with the liquid 20, by the urging means after the membrane 24 has been pierced.
  • the piercing means 16 is then generally retrieved from the second container after the contents of the second container has been emptied.
  • different devices 10 may include a differently shaped piercing means 16, which piercing means forms a series that may be collected.
  • the urging means 18 will typically engage the bottom portion of the device 10 when the container 12 has been fully collapsed. In this engaged position, the device is easily unscrewed from the second container.
  • the device 10 is typically moulded as a single component, through injection moulding of plastic materials.
  • the Inventor regards it as an advantage that the device enables the storing of a liquid and the subsequent easy dispensing of the liquid into a container.

Abstract

This invention provides for a liquid dispensing device (10) that includes a collapsible container (12) for containing a liquid (20) to be dispensed into a second container containing a substance. The device (10) further includes a plunger (14) having a piercing means (16) for piercing the collapsible container (12) and an urging means (18) to collapse the container (12) and urge the liquid (20) out of the collapsible container (12) into the second container containing the substance.

Description

LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a liquid dispensing device.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
The idea of a container cap that contains a substance for adding to a substance contained in the container, is known. These devices find particular application in the packaging of drinkable liquids. These devices focus mainly on dispensing a solid into the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a liquid dispensing device which device includes: a collapsible container for containing a liquid to be dispensed into a second container containing a substance; a plunger having a piercing means for piercing the collapsible container and an urging means to collapse the container and urge the liquid out of the collapsible container into the second container containing the substance.
In this specification a liquid will be understood to include a gel.
The collapsible container may include: a flexible corrugated sidewall which is collapsible in a bellows-like fashion; a pierceable membrane forming a wall to separate the liquid from the substance; and a wall opposite the pierceable membrane.
The opposite wall may be formed by the urging means of the plunger. The piercing means may be a line of weakness formed in the collapsible container. Alternatively, the piercing means may be a sharp protrusion projecting from the opposite wall towards the pierceable membrane, with the sharp end proximate the pierceable membrane.
It is to be appreciated that the collapsible container may be filled with, for example, a soft drink concentrate in syrup form, powder form, or gel form.
It will be appreciated that the collapsible container is typically filled with a liquid to be added to a substance contained in the second container. In use, when pressure is applied to the urging means of the plunger, the protrusion ruptures the membrane and the collapsible sidewall compresses to expel the liquid contained in the collapsible container, allowing the liquid contained in the collapsible container to mix with the substance in the second container.
The dispensing device may be a cap for a second container, which cap houses the collapsible container, which cap includes an attachment means for attaching to the second container.
The attachment means may include a thread for a threaded connection.
The attachment means may include a press-fit connection.
The sides of the cap may be of a rigid material and may include a removable strip surrounding the collapsible container whereby the collapsible container is only compressible if the strip has been removed from the cap. It will be appreciated that the removable strip ensures that the contents of the chamber is not unnecessary released into the container, especially during transit, or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is now described, by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein
Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view of a liquid dispensing device, in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the accompanying drawing, a liquid dispensing device, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a collapsible container 12 for containing a liquid 20 to be disposed into a second container (not shown) containing a substance; a plunger 14 having a piercing means 16 for piercing the collapsible container 12 and an urging means 18 to collapse the container 12 and urge the liquid 20 out of the collapsible container 12 into the second container.
It is to be appreciated that, in this embodiment of the invention, the collapsible container 12 has a flexible corrugated sidewall 22 which is collapsible in a bellows-like fashion with a pierceable membrane 24 forming a wall to separate the liquid 20 from the substance and a wall 26 opposite the pierceable membrane 24.
The opposite wall 26 is formed by the urging means 18 of the plunger 14.
The piercing means 16 includes a line of weakness 28 formed in the collapsible container 12. The piercing means 16 further includes a sharp protrusion projecting from the opposite wall 26 towards the pierceable membrane 24, with the sharp end proximate the pierceable membrane 24.
In this embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device 10 is a cap for a second container (not shown), which cap houses the collapsible container 12 and includes attachment means 30 for attachment to the second container. The attachment means 30 connects threadedly to the second container.
The side of the cap includes a removable strip 32 that surrounds the collapsible container 12. The collapsible container 12 is only compressible if the strip 32 has been removed from the cap.
It is to be appreciated that the device, in use, is typically used for playing a game where a user hits the urging means 18 of the device 10 to forcefully expel the liquid 20 from the container 12. This typically produces an entertaining sound. It is also to be appreciated that different devices 10 typically contain different coloured liquids in their collapsible containers 12. The different coloured liquids represent different flavoured substances. The colour of the liquid is generally not visible from the outside of the container. A user purchases the second container with the device 10 attached, unaware of the colour and subsequent flavour of the liquid 20 in the container 12, which may provide the user with a sense of expectation.
The second container further contains indicia which becomes more legible when the liquid 20 in the container 12 is dispensed into the second container where it mixes with another clear liquid. The indicia becomes more legible due to the colouring effect of the liquid 20 mixing with the clear liquid in the second container, forming a darker background.
It will be appreciated that the removable strip 32 may have promotional and/or instructional indicia printed on the inside facing the collapsible container 12, which is only legible once the strip 32 has been removed from the device 10. The strip 32 may further be used for entering a competition.
The piercing means 16 may be shaped like an animal character, a toy, or any other suitable shape. The piercing means 16 may be removably attached to the urging means 18 such that, after the container 12 has been collapsed and the liquid 20 expelled, the piercing means may be removed from the urging means 18. The piercing means may also be expelled, together with the liquid 20, by the urging means after the membrane 24 has been pierced. The piercing means 16 is then generally retrieved from the second container after the contents of the second container has been emptied.
It will also be appreciated that different devices 10 may include a differently shaped piercing means 16, which piercing means forms a series that may be collected.
It is to be appreciated that, when the device is used as a cap for the second container, the urging means 18 will typically engage the bottom portion of the device 10 when the container 12 has been fully collapsed. In this engaged position, the device is easily unscrewed from the second container.
The device 10 is typically moulded as a single component, through injection moulding of plastic materials.
It shall be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.
The Inventor regards it as an advantage that the device enables the storing of a liquid and the subsequent easy dispensing of the liquid into a container.

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing device which device includes: a collapsible container for containing a liquid to be dispensed into a second container containing a substance; a plunger having a piercing means for piercing the collapsible container and an urging means to collapse the container and urge the liquid out of the collapsible container into the second container containing the substance.
2. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the collapsible container includes: a flexible corrugated sidewall which is collapsible in a bellows-like fashion; a pierceable membrane forming a wall to separate the liquid from the substance; and a wall opposite the pierceable membrane.
3. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opposite wall is formed by the urging means of the plunger.
4. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the piercing means includes a line of weakness formed in the collapsible container.
5. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claims 2 to 4, wherein the piercing means is a sharp protrusion projecting from the opposite wall towards the pierceable membrane, with the sharp end proximate the pierceable membrane.
6. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein the dispensing device is a cap for a second container, which cap houses the collapsible container and which cap includes an attachment means for attaching to the second container.
7. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the attachment means includes a threaded connection.
8. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the attachment means includes a press-fit connection.
9. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sides of the cap includes a removable strip surrounding the collapsible container whereby the collapsible container is only compressible if the strip has been removed from the cap.
10. A liquid dispensing device, according to the invention, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
11. A new liquid dispensing device substantially as herein described.
PCT/ZA2003/000146 2002-10-04 2003-10-06 Liquid dispensing device WO2004031048A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003280012A AU2003280012A1 (en) 2002-10-04 2003-10-06 Liquid dispensing device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA02/7348 2002-10-04
ZA200207348 2002-10-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004031048A1 true WO2004031048A1 (en) 2004-04-15

Family

ID=32070319

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2003/000146 WO2004031048A1 (en) 2002-10-04 2003-10-06 Liquid dispensing device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003280012A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004031048A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10369572B2 (en) 2015-07-31 2019-08-06 Point Of Care Diagnostics, Llc Reagent dispensing apparatus

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2631521A (en) * 1953-03-17 Beverage mixing container
US4982875A (en) * 1985-08-02 1991-01-08 Zambon S.P.A. Cap, reservoir and dropper assembly for bottles
EP0561322A1 (en) * 1992-03-19 1993-09-22 Lameplast S.R.L. Dropper bottle for two products to be mixed prior to use
JP2000128251A (en) * 1998-10-20 2000-05-09 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Two liquid mixing container
US6165523A (en) * 1999-04-26 2000-12-26 Story; Douglas Injector bottle cap assembly
US6305576B1 (en) * 2000-01-19 2001-10-23 Nalge Nunc International Corporation Cartridge for aseptically holding and dispensing a fluid material, and a container and method for aseptically holding and mixing the fluid material

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2631521A (en) * 1953-03-17 Beverage mixing container
US4982875A (en) * 1985-08-02 1991-01-08 Zambon S.P.A. Cap, reservoir and dropper assembly for bottles
EP0561322A1 (en) * 1992-03-19 1993-09-22 Lameplast S.R.L. Dropper bottle for two products to be mixed prior to use
JP2000128251A (en) * 1998-10-20 2000-05-09 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Two liquid mixing container
US6165523A (en) * 1999-04-26 2000-12-26 Story; Douglas Injector bottle cap assembly
US6305576B1 (en) * 2000-01-19 2001-10-23 Nalge Nunc International Corporation Cartridge for aseptically holding and dispensing a fluid material, and a container and method for aseptically holding and mixing the fluid material

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 08 6 October 2000 (2000-10-06) *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10369572B2 (en) 2015-07-31 2019-08-06 Point Of Care Diagnostics, Llc Reagent dispensing apparatus

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