Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: ADDITIVE STORAGE AND SELECTIVE RELEASE APPARATUS
[0001] This is a national stage application of International Publication
No. WO 2007/1 01 348 Al, filed March 8,2007.
[0002] The section headings used herein are for organizational
purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter
described in any way.
FIELD
[0003] This invention relates to an apparatus for storing and selectively
releasing additives, particularly for use with containers such as, for
example,
but not limited to, beverage containers.
INTRODUCTION
(00041 Many kinds of beverage flavoring agents and drink mixes are
commercially available in, for example, powdered and/or concentrated forms.
Such agents/mixes can be transported, stored, and sold separately from a
solvent fluid such as water or coffee. This is economical for the
manufacturers, distributors and retailers in that the steps of having to
measure
and mix the drink mix or flavor agent with water (or another liquid),
packaging
the pre-mixed beverage in a fluid-tight container, shipping the pre-mixed
beverage, and possibly storing the pre-mixed beverage in a refrigerated case
are eliminated prior to purchase by a consumer.
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[0005] There is however a penalty of inconvenience that is thrust upon
the consumers of such mixes and flavoring agents. For example, mixes
provided in a powdered and/or concentrated form can be difficult to handle
and transport, requiring separate packaging that is often over-sized for
display
on a shelf in a typical grocery outlet. Additionally, a consumer must have a
suitable container for storing and mixing the ingredients at the desired time.
Accordingly, consumers often prefer pre-mixed beverages.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to a various aspects of applicant's teachings there
is
provided an apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives to a
beverage container, such as, for example, but not limited to, a bottle or
carton.
The apparatus comprises a body defining at least one reservoir, the body
further having at least one panel displaceable from a sealed position to a
ruptured position so as to provide at least one access opening to the
reservoir, and at least one actuator adapted to engage the panel, to displace
the panel from the sealed position to the ruptured position. For various
embodiments of applicant's teachings, the panel is a breakaway panel.
[0007] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a cam
element provided on the breakaway panel, and the actuator engages the cam
element to displace the breakaway panel.
[0008] In some embodiments, the reservoir is collapsible.
[0009] In some embodiments the cam element extends into the
reservoir.
[0010] In some embodiments the at least one actuator is arranged to
crush the collapsible body of the at least one reservoir.
[0011] In some embodiments the at least one actuator has a lobe
element for engaging the cam element.
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[0012] In some embodiments the breakaway panel is defined by lines
of weakness around the perimeter of the breakaway panel.
[0013] In some embodiments the apparatus is integrated into a cap for
a bottle, wherein the cap comprises: a base portion that includes a
cylindrical
sidewall with internal threads for threading onto the opening of the bottle, a
number of spaced-apart upwardly extending wall segments provided as
extensions to the cylindrical sidewall, and a generally planar seal panel
extends over the circular opening defined by the cylindrical sidewall to abut
the upper lip of the bottle opening when assembled thereon; and a reservoir
portion having a generally annular frame sized to be sealed against the upper
peripheral surface of the seal panel of the base portion, and a number of
collapsible reservoirs for storing respective additives, wherein each of the
collapsible reservoirs extends radially inwardly from the frame and is
disposed
over a respective one of the breakaway panels.
[0014] In some embodiments the reservoir portion further comprises a
number of actuators in the form of lever-shaped elements extending upright
from the frame, and wherein the actuators are arranged to fit in the gaps
between the upwardly extending wall segments and are connected to the
frame by a lower hinge line.
[0015] In some embodiments the apparatus is integrated into a sleeve
for a vessel, wherein the sleeve comprises the at least one reservoir defined
by a collapsible body and a breakaway panel, wherein the breakaway panel is
defined by lines of weakness and includes a cam element extending into the
reservoir; and the at least one actuator arranged to crush the collapsible
body
of the at least one reservoir, the at least one actuator having a lobe element
for engaging the cam element of the breakaway panel.
[0016] In some embodiments, the apparatus for storing and selectively
releasing additives to a beverage container comprises a body defining at least
one reservoir, the reservoir having an access opening, a breakaway panel
sealingly fastened over the access opening of the reservoir, and at least one
actuator adapted to exert a force on the breakaway panel sufficient to
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separate the breakaway panel from the access opening of the reservoir. The
reservoir can be collapsible. Further, the at least one actuator can be
arranged to crush the collapsible body of the at least one reservoir. As
above,
the at least one actuator can have a lobe element adapted to crush the
collapsible body. The force to cause the breakaway panel to separate from
the access opening can be, but not limited to, air pressure caused by the
actuator crushing the collapsible body of the at least one reservoir.
[0017] The breakaway panel can be, for example, but not limited to, a
sealing film. Further, the breakaway panel can be sealingly fastened over the
access opening by, for example, but not limited to, induction heat sealing,
laser welding, or a suitable adhesive.
[0018] According to an aspect of an embodiment of the invention there
is provided a kit of parts comprising: a base portion including at least one
breakaway panel, wherein the breakaway panel includes a cam element; a
reservoir portion including at least one reservoir, wherein the reservoir has
an
open end that is sized to create a seal around a corresponding breakaway
panel on the base portion; and at least one actuator connectable to one of the
base portion or the reservoir portion, the at least one reservoir have a lobe
element for engaging the cam element of the breakaway panel.
[0019] According to an aspect of an embodiment of the invention there
is provided a kit of parts comprising: an apparatus for storing and
selectively
releasing additives, the apparatus including at least one body defining at
least
one reservoir, the body further having at least one breakaway panel
displaceable from a sealed position to a ruptured position to provide at least
one access opening to the reservoir, and at least one actuator adapted to
engage the breakaway panel to displace the breakaway panel from the
sealed position to the ruptured position; and at least one vessel, the vessel
adapted to receive the apparatus for storing and selectively releasing
additives.
[0020] These and other features of the applicant's teachings are set
forth herein.
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DRAWINGS
[0021] The skilled person in the art will understand that the
drawings,
described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not
intended to limit the scope of the applicant's teachings in any way.
[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a bottle in combination with
a
bottle-cap, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, for
storing
and selectively releasing additives;
[0023] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the bottle-cap, in
accordance
with the first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 1;
[0024] Figure 2B is a perspective view of a base portion of the bottle-
cap shown in Figure 2A;
[0025] Figure 2C is a perspective view of a reservoir portion of the
bottle-cap shown in Figure 2A;
[0026] Figure 3A is a first cross-sectional view of a portion of the
bottle-
cap shown in Figure 1 taken along line E-E;
[0027] Figure 3B is a second cross-sectional view of a portion of the
bottle-cap shown in Figure 1 taken along line E-E;
[0028] Figure 4A is an exploded view of a container in combination
with
an apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives (into the
container)
in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
[0029] Figure 4B is an assembled view corresponding to Figure 4A;
[0030] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective drawing of the apparatus
for
storing and selectively releasing additives shown in Figures 4A and 4B;
[0031] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
invention;
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[0032] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the base portion and reservoir
portion of the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6;
[0033] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of
Figure 6;
[0034] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
invention showing the actuators in one position;
[0035] Figure 10 is a further perspective view of the fourth embodiment
of the invention;
[0036] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth
embodiment of the invention taken from below;
[0037] Figure 12 is a further perspective view of the fourth embodiment
of the invention taken from below;
[0038] Figure 13 is a first cross-sectional view taken along lines F-F
of
Figure 10;
[0039] Figure 14 is a second cross-sectional view taken along line F-F
of Figure 10;
[0040] Figure 15 is an elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the
invention;
[0041] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of
Figure 15;
[0042] Figure 17 is an enlarged cross-section of portion A taken from
Figure 16; and
[0043] Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the fifth
embodiment of the invention.
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DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0044] The desires of consumers and those of drink manufacturers are
not always the same. On the one hand, it can be more economical for
manufacturers to provide flavoring agents and drink mixes in powdered and/or
concentrated forms. On the other hand, consumers have grown accustomed
to purchasing ready-made drink products that do not require further mixing
before consumption. Provided by aspects of the present invention are
apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives into liquids such
as,
for example, but not limited to, water, coffee or milk. In accordance with
various embodiments of the invention an apparatus for storing and selectively
releasing additives is incorporated into a bottle-cap. Also, in accordance
with
various embodiments of the invention an apparatus for storing and selectively
releasing additives can be incorporated into another portion of a
vessel/container, such as for example, but not limited to, a sleeve that is
fitted
around a sidewall of a specific vessel, or built into a sidewall of the vessel
itself.
[0045] Referring to Figure 1, shown is a simplified schematic drawing
of
a bottle 12 in combination with a cap 10 for the bottle 12. In accordance with
various embodiments of the invention, the cap 10 is provided for storing and
selectively releasing additives into the bottle 12. With reference to Figures
2A,
2B, 2C and 3A, and with continued reference to Figure 1, the cap 10 includes:
a base portion 14 that is illustrated independently in Figure 2B; and, a
reservoir portion 16 that is illustrated independently in Figure 2C.
[0046] With specific reference to Figures 2B and 3A, the base portion
14 is adapted to securely fit over the opening of the bottle 12, thereby
sealing
the bottle 12. The base portion 14 includes a cylindrical sidewall 20 with
internal threads 22b (see Figure 3A) for threading onto the corresponding
threads 22a of the opening of the bottle 12. It can be appreciated, however,
that the invention is not to be limited to threaded engagement between the
cap and the bottle, but this arrangement is shown for purposes of illustrating
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applicant's teachings. Other forms of securing the cap and the bottle are
contemplated by this invention, for example, but not limited to, a snap fit.
[0047] The base portion 14 also includes a generally planar seal panel
24 that extends over the circular opening defined by the cylindrical sidewall
20, to abut the upper lip of the bottle 12 opening when assembled thereon
(see Figures 3A and 3B). The base portion 14 also has a number of optional
spaced-apart upwardly extending wall segments 32, extending from the
planar seal panel 24. In some embodiments the wall segments 32 are
provided as extensions to the cylindrical sidewall 20. Additionally and/or
alternatively, in other embodiments the wall segments 32 may not be provided
as contiguous extensions to the cylindrical sidewall 20. In some embodiments
the optional spaced-apart upwardly extending wall segments 32 are not
included at all.
[0048] The seal panel 24 has a plurality of breakaway panels 26
defined by lines of weakness 28 provided in the top surface 24a of the seal
panel 24. Additionally and/or alternatively, the lines of weakness 28 can be
provided on the bottom surface 24b of the seal panel 24. In some
embodiments, the lines of weakness 28 do not include perforations that
extend through the seal panel 24, since perforations may lead to leakage
and/or spoilage of the additives therein. Each breakaway panel 26 has an
upwardly protruding cam element 30 to facilitate rupturing of the breakaway
panels 26 as described in greater detail below.
[0049] With specific reference to Figures 2C and 3A, the reservoir
portion 16 is provided to store additives that can be released into the bottle
12. The reservoir portion has a generally annular frame 40 sized to be sealed
against the upper peripheral surface of the seal panel 24 of the base portion
14.
[0050] In some embodiments, the reservoir portion 16 is sealed to the
base portion 14 by, for example, but not limited to, ultrasonic welding.
Ultrasonic welding works best when each of the components to be welded
together is made from similar amorphous polymers that have little or no
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crystalline structure. Examples of preferable amorphous polymers include
ABS, Acrylic, Polycarbonate and PVC. The embodiments of the invention are
not intended to be limited to these polymers, however, and other polymers
such as, for example, polyethelene, polypropylene, polyester and NyIonTM,
which are semi-crystalline, are also contemplated.
[0051] Other forms of sealing are contemplated, however, such as, for
example, but not limited to, fusing the two portions together using a laser.
In
some embodiments, the reservoir portion 16 and base portion 14 may be of
integral construction. In these embodiments, a reservoir 42 can be provided
with a separate and sealable opening for introducing additives into the
reservoir. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the reservoir 42 may be pre-
formed with the additive therein.
[0052] In some embodiments, the reservoir portion 16 includes a
number of collapsible reservoirs 42 for storing respective additives 44. In
some embodiments, each reservoir 42 extends radially inwardly from the
frame 40 and is disposed over a respective one of the breakaway panels 26.
[0053] The reservoir portion 16 also includes a number of actuators 46
in the form of lever-shaped elements extending upright from the frame 40 and
connected to the frame 40 by a lower hinge line 48. In accordance with some
embodiments the actuators 46 are arranged to fit between the upwardly
spaced-apart extending wall segments 32 of the base portion 14. The
actuators have lobe elements 49 in the form of radially inwardly directed webs
for engaging the cams 30 of the breakaway panels 26. Additionally and/or
alternatively, the actuators 46 may instead be included on the base portion
14. For example, each actuator 46 may be connected by a hinge line to the
seal panel 24.
[0054] In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, once
assembled together, the base portion 14 and reservoir portion 16 create a
number of distinct reservoir chambers. In Figures 2A-2C the number of
distinct reservoir chambers is six. However, Figures 2A-2C are provided to
show only a very specific example of an embodiment in accordance with
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aspects of the invention and is not intended to limit the number of reservoirs
covered by the scope of the claims. In general, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that any number of distinct reservoir(s) can be included. Moreover,
in accordance with some embodiments, since the reservoir(s) are distinct from
one another the contents of one reservoir are unable to mix with the contents
of another reservoir, until a user intentionally selects the two additives to
be
added to the bottle 12 in a process that is described below with reference to
Figures 3A and 3B, whereupon the additives mix, in some embodiments,
within bottle 12. It can be appreciated that for some embodiments, the
additives can be selected to, at least initially, layer within the bottle 12.
[0055] In operation, with specific reference to Figures 3A and 3B, the
actuators 46 are moveable from a retracted or upright position (shown in
Figure 3A) to an advanced position (shown in Figure 3B), by pivoting about
the lower hinge line 48. In use a selected actuator 46 is moved from the
retracted position to the advanced position by pushing on the actuator 46 so
that it pivots about the hinge line 48. As the actuator 46 moves from the
retracted position to the advanced position the respective collapsible
reservoir
42 collapses and is deformed; and, the lobe 49 exerts a force against the cam
30, forcing the breakaway panel 26 downwards and rupturing the lines of
weakness 28 surrounding the breakaway panel 26 displacing the breakaway
panel 26 in the direction of the applied force, as shown in Figure 3B, thereby
breaking the seal panel 24 and creating an access opening 27 between the
reservoir 42 and contents of the bottle 12. The additive 44 is then free to
pass
through the access opening 27 created by the breaking of the seal panel 24 to
the contents of the bottle 12. As reservoir 42 collapses and deforms it is
preferable that the outer wall of the reservoir 42 retains integrity. This
ensures
that the reservoir 42 will not rupture and the additive only passes through
the
access opening 27 created by displacement of the breakaway panel 26, as
described above.
[0056] Additionally and/or alternatively, in some embodiments, the
reservoir portion 16 may be provided with only one collapsible reservoir, and
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similarly the base portion 14 may be provided with only one breakaway panel.
Moreover, the number of breakaway panels and collapsible reservoirs does
not have to be the same. In some embodiments, the number of collapsible
reservoirs may outnumber the number of breakaway panels and vice versa.
Accordingly, it should be understood that the illustrations provided herein
only
show possible example embodiments in accordance with aspects of the
invention.
[0057] Other
embodiments of the invention are shown in Figures 4A,
4B and 5, where an apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives
50 is provided in the form of a sleeve that conforms to a portion of the
vessel
60. The apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives 50 will
simply
be referred to as the sleeve 50.
[0058] The
sleeve 50 includes breakaway panels 66 defined by lines of
weakness 68 similar as described above with reference to some
embodiments, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B. Each breakaway panel 66
includes a cam 67 and is arranged to fit over a corresponding opening 61 in
the vessel 60. The sleeve 50 also includes a number of actuators 56 in the
form of lever-shaped elements extending upright. The actuators 56 are
arranged to fit in co-operative movement with the breakaway panels 66 and
are connected to the sleeve 50 by a lower hinge line 58. The actuators 56
have lobe elements 59 in the form of radially inwardly directed webs for
engaging the cams 67 of the breakaway panels 66.
[0059] Once
assembled, each breakaway panel is 66 is covered by a
respective collapsible reservoir 52, which can be, for example, but not
limited
to, sealed to the sleeve 50 by ultrasonic welding, to create a sealed chamber
for storing additives. The collapsible reservoirs 52, as described above, are
provided to store additives until a selected actuator 56 is used to crush a
respective collapsible reservoir 52 and engage a respective cam 67, thereby
rupturing the lines of weakness 68 around a respective breakaway panel 66.
That is, in operation, the actuators 56 are displaced from a retracted or
upright
position (similar to that shown in Figure 3A) to an advanced position (similar
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to that shown in Figure 3B), by pivoting about the lower hinge line 58. In use
a
selected actuator 56 is moved from the retracted position to the advanced
position by pushing on the actuator 56 so that it pivots about the hinge line
58.
As the actuator 56 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position
the respective collapsible reservoir 52 collapses and is deformed; and, the
lobe 59 exerts a force against the cam 67, forcing the breakaway panel 66
downwards and rupturing the lines of weakness 68 surrounding the
breakaway panel 66. The additive inside the collapsible reservoir 52 is then
free to pass into the vessel 60 through the opening 61.
[0060] Having regard to Figures 6 and 7 a further embodiment of the
invention is shown. For this embodiment the apparatus 110 for storing and
selectively releasing additives is provided on a sidewall 104 of a carton 112,
such as, for example, but not limited to, a milk carton. Apparatus 110 can be
provided on, for example, sidewall 104 that forms one of the sloped upper
sidewalls of a typical beverage carton. It can be appreciated, however, that
the apparatus for releasing and storing additives into the contents of the
carton can be provided on any sidewall of the carton that allows access to the
contents of the carton.
[0061] Having particular reference to Figure 7, apparatus 110 has a
base portion 114 adapted to be built into the sidewall of the carton,
typically
by, for example, but not limited to, ultrasonic fusing, induction heat
sealing, or
laser welding.
[0062] As for the embodiment described above having regard to
Figures 1 to 3B, the base portion of 114 includes a generally planar seal
panel
124 that typically extends over an opening into the carton 112 through which
the additives can be selectively released into the contents of the carton. The
base portion 114 has a number of optional spaced apart upwardly extending
wall segments 132, or partial wall segments 133 extending from the upper
surface 124a of the planar seal panel 124. For the embodiment illustrated,
wall segments 132 and partial wall segments 133 are arranged in a line, with
the partial wall segments 133 provided at each end of the line. In some
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embodiments, the optional spaced apart upwardly extending wall segments
132 are not included at all.
[0063] The seal panel 124 has a plurality of breakaway panels 126
defined by lines of weakness 128 provided in the top surface 124a of the seal
panel 124. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the lines of weakness 128 can
be
provided on the bottom surface 124b of the seal panel 124. In some
embodiments, the lines of weakness 128 do not include perforations that
extend through the seal panel 124, since perforations may lead to leakage
and/or spoilage of the additive therein. Each breakaway panel 126 has an
upwardly protruding cam element 130 to facilitate rupturing of the breakaway
panels 126, similar to the invention as described in relation Figures 1 to 3B
above.
[0064] Continuing with reference to Figure 7, the reservoir portion
116
is provided to store additives that can be released into the carton 112. The
reservoir portion is sealed to the base portion 114 by, for example, but not
limited to, ultrasonic welding, fusing the two portions together using a
laser, or
forming the reservoir portion and base portion of integral construction,
similar
to the embodiments described above.
[0065] In some embodiments, the reservoir portion 116 includes a
number of collapsible reservoirs 142 for storing respective additives 144. In
some embodiments, each reservoir 142 is disposed over any respective one
of the breakaway panels 126.
[0066] The reservoir portion 116 can also include a number of
actuators 146 in the form of lever shaped elements extending generally
upwardly from a frame 140 of reservoir portion 116 and connected to the
frame 140 by a lower hinge line 148, similar to that described for the
embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 3B. In operation, the actuators 146
are moved from a retracted or upright position, shown in Figures 6 and 7 to an
advance position, by pivoting about the lower hinge line 148.
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[0067] In accordance with some embodiments the actuators 146 are
arranged to fit between adjacent upwardly spaced-apart extending wall
segments 132 and partial wall segments 133 of the base portion 114. The
actuators have lobe elements 149 (see Figure 8) in the form of radially
inwardly directed webs for engaging the cams 130 of the breakaway panels
126. Additionally and/or alternatively, the actuators 146 may instead be
included on the base portion 114. For example, a hinge line to the surface
124 may connect each actuator 146.
[0068] In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, once
assembled together, the base portion 114 and reservoir portion 116 create a
number of distinct reservoirs 142.
[0069] In use, and having regard to Figure 8, a selected actuator 146
is
moved from the retracted position 150 to the advanced position 151 (shown in
dotted lines in Figure 8) by pushing on the actuator 146 so that it pivots
about
the hinge line 148. As the actuator 146 moves from the retracted position to
the advanced position the respective collapsible reservoir 142 collapses and
is deformed. Further, the lobe 149 exerts a force against the cam 130, forcing
the breakaway panel 126 downwards and rupturing the lines of weakness 128
surrounding the breakaway panel 126 to thereby displace the panel 126 in the
direction of the applied force, thereby breaking the seal panel 124 and
creating a access opening between the reservoir 142 and the contents of the
carton 112. As described above, the additive is then free to pass through the
access opening in the seal panel 124 to the contents of the carton 112.
[0070] Yet a further embodiment of the invention is disclosed in
Figures
9 to 14. As will hereinafter become apparent, the principles of this
embodiment, can be used as a cap for a bottle, or a sleeve, or in a sidewall
of
a carton, as previously described, but it is to be understood is not limited
to
only the configurations described.
[0071] With specific reference to Figures 9 and 10, the base portion
214 of apparatus 210 is adapted to securely fit over the opening of a bottle
(not illustrated), to thereby seal the contents in the bottle. The base
portion
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214 includes a cylindrical sidewall 220 having internal threads 222a (see
Figure 13) similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures Ito 3B. This would
allow the cap 210 to be threaded unto the opening of a bottle (not
illustrated)
as described above. Of course, other forms of securing the cap and the bottle
are contemplated by this invention, for example, but not limited to, a snap
fit.
[0072] The base portion 214 also has a number of optional spaced
apart extending wall segments 232, similar to that described above in relation
to Figures 1 to 3B.
[0073] In some embodiments illustrated in Figures 9 to 14, base
portion
214 of apparatus 210 is adapted to receive a breakaway panel 226, which, for
some embodiments, is in the form of a sealing film, such as, for example, but
not limited to, a lamination of aluminum bonded to a plastic film, such as,
for
example, polystyrene. The breakaway panel 226 can be provided with slits or
perforations 228 to allow individual segments 229 of the breakaway panel 226
to separate from one another and from sealing engagement with the base
portion 214, as will hereinafter be described.
[0074] In some embodiments, for example as illustrated, the reservoir
portion 216 is provided of integral construction with the base portion 214. It
can be appreciated, however, that the reservoir portion 216 and the base
portion 214 can be of separate construction and fused together as described
above. The reservoir portion 216 can include a number of collapsible
reservoirs 242, similar to the reservoirs described above. It can be
appreciated that the breakaway panel 226 is to be received within base
portion 214 to seal off the access opening 227 of each reservoir (access
opening 227 is best seen in Figure 14). In particular, a respective segment
229 of the breakaway panel 226 seals each access opening 227 of each
reservoir. Breakaway panel 226 is sealingly fastened or bonded to the
underside of reservoir portion 216 by, for example, but not limited to,
induction
heat sealing, laser welding, or by a suitable adhesive. Where an adhesive is
used, one example of a suitable adhesive is an EVA wax-type pressure
sensitive adhesive. It can be appreciated, however, that there are many
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commercially available adhesives that can be used. As will become apparent
from the description below, whatever method is used to sealingly fasten or
bond the breakaway panel 226 to the underside of reservoir 216, the bond is
to be strong enough so that the breakaway panel 226 seals the access
opening 27 of the reservoir portion 216, however, upon application of a force,
the strength of the bond is overcome and the panel breakaway 226 (or at
least a segment 229 thereof) separates from the reservoir portion 216.
[0075] Further, the reservoir portion 216 can also include a number of
actuators 246 in the form of lever shaped elements extending upright from the
sidewalls 220 of base portion 214 and connected to the base portion by a
hinge line 248. In some embodiments, for example as illustrated, the
actuators 246 are arranged to fit between the upwardly spaced apart
extending walls segments 232 of the base portion 214. The actuators 246 can
also have lobe elements 249 in the form of radially angularly directed webs
for
engaging the collapsible reservoirs 242.
[0076] In operation, and having regard to Figures 13 and 14, a
selected
actuator 246 is moved from the retracted upright position shown, for example,
in Figure 13 to the advanced position shown, for example, in Figure 14 by
pivoting about the lower hinge line 248. As the actuator 246 moves from the
retracted position to the advanced position the respective collapsible
reservoir
242 collapses and is deformed. This increases the pressure within the
collapsible reservoir which in turn exerts a force against the respective
segment 229 of the breakaway panel 226 forcing the segment 229 of the
breakaway panel 226 downward until the force is greater than the strength of
the suitable bond, thereby causing the segment 229 of the breakaway panel
226 to separate from its sealing engagement with the base portion 216.
Further, in some embodiments, for example as illustrated, the segment 229
separates from the adjacent segments of the breakaway panel 226 along the
slits or perforations 228 provided to thereby allow the segment 229 to be
displaced about one edge 250, as shown, for example, in Figure 14. The
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additive 244 is then free to pass through the access opening 227 and to the
contents of the container.
[0077] Further embodiments of the invention are shown in Figures 15,
16, 17, and 18. It is to be understood that the following description is not
limited to only the configurations described.
[0078] With specific reference to Figures 15 to 18, apparatus 305
comprises a cap assembly 310 for container 312. In some embodiments, cap
assembly 310 includes a housing 350 adapted to receive a reservoir portion
316 therein, and, for some embodiments, as illustrated, a base portion 314
adapted to fit over an open end 307 of the housing 350. For some other
embodiments reservoir portion 316 can include or incorporate base portion
314 as a part thereof. Together, housing 350, reservoir portion 316, and base
portion 314 form the cap assembly 310 which can then be secured to the
container 312.
[0079] In some embodiments, for example as illustrated, base portion
314 of cap assembly 310 is adapted to securely fit over the opening 309 of
the container 312, thereby sealing the contents of the container within the
container 312. The base portion 314 can be adapted to snap-fit on the rim
311 of the container 312 sealing to the rim 311 of the container 312. Other
forms of securing the cap assembly 310 to the container 312 are also
contemplated, such as, for example, a threaded fit between base portion 314
and the container 312.
[0080] Base portion 314 of apparatus 310 is adapted to provide at
least
one breakaway panel 326 defined by lines of weakness 328 provided in the
top surface 324a of the base portion 314. Additionally and/or alternatively,
the
lines of weakness 328 can be provided on the bottom surface of the base
portion 314. Each breakaway panel 326 has an upwardly protruding cam
element 330 to facilitate rupturing of the breakaway panels 326 as previously
described with respect to other embodiments and as will be described in
greater detail below.
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[0081] The reservoir portion 316 is provided to store additives that
can
be selectively released into the container 312. In some embodiments, the
reservoir portion 316 has a generally annular frame 340 sized to be sealed
against the top surface 324a of the base portion 314. In some embodiments,
the reservoir portion 316 is sealed to the base portion 314 by, for example,
but not limited to, ultrasonic welding. Ultrasonic welding is one possible
example when each of the components to be welded together is made from
similar amorphous polymers that have little or no crystalline structure.
Examples of preferable amorphous polymers include ABS, Acrylic,
Polycarbonate and PVC. The invention is not intended to be limited to these
polymers, however, and other polymers such as, for example, polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester and NyIonTM, which are semi-crystalline, are also
contemplated.
[0082] Other forms of sealing, such as, for example, fusing the two
portions together using a laser may also be used. In some embodiments, as
previously described, the reservoir portion 316 and base portion 314 may be
of integral construction.
[0083] In some embodiments, the reservoir portion 316 includes a
number of collapsible reservoirs 342 for storing respective additives 344 (see
Figure 16). In some embodiments each reservoir 342 extends radially
inwardly from the frame 340 and is configured so that when assembled with
the base portion 314 each reservoir 342 is disposed over a respective
breakaway panel 326.
[0084] Housing 350 of the cap assembly 310 has, in some
embodiments, a generally frustoconical sidewall 352 having disposed therein
a number of actuators 346 in the form of lever-shaped elements. For some
embodiments, for example as illustrated, the actuators 346 are connected to
the sidewall 352 of the housing 350 at a lower hinge line 348. When
advanced the actuators 346 breakaway from the sidewall 352 through lines of
weakness 354 provided in the sidewall 352 that generally follow the perimeter
of the actuator 346. The actuators 346 typically remain coupled to the
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sidewall 352 of the housing 350 at the lower hinge line 348. The lines of
weakness can be defined on either the inner or outer surface of the sidewall
352.
[0085] As shown in Figure 17, the actuators 346 have lobe elements
349 in the form of radially inwardly directed webs for engaging the cams 330
of the breakaway panels 326, similar to what has been previously described
for other embodiments.
[0086] Also, as previously described with respect to the other
embodiments, once assembled, the base portion 314 and reservoir portion
316 create a number of distinct reservoirs so that the contents of one
reservoir are unable to mix with the contents of another reservoir.
[0087] In operation, similar to previous embodiments, when the
actuators 346 are moved from the retracted position to an advanced position,
by breaking the actuator 346 away from the sidewall 352 of the housing 350,
the actuator 346 pivots about the lower hinge line 348. As the actuator 346
moves from the retracted position to the advanced position the respective
collapsible reservoir 342 collapses and is deformed. The lobe 349 exerts a
force against the cam 330, forcing the breakaway panel 326 downwards and
rupturing the lines of weakness 328 surrounding the breakaway panel 326,
displacing the panel 326 in the direction of the applied force and thereby
breaking the base portion 314 and creating an access opening between the
reservoir 342 and contents of the container 312. The additive 344 is then free
to pass from the reservoir 342 through the access opening to the container
312. Typically, as reservoir 342 collapses and deforms the outer wall of the
reservoir 342 does not rupture. This ensures that the additive passes from the
reservoir 342 to the container 312.
[0088] Once the desired additives have been added to the container
312, the cap assembly 310 can snap off or otherwise be removed from the
container 312 leaving the contents of the container 312 accessible through
the opening 309.
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[0089] While the applicant's teachings are described in conjunction
with
various embodiments, it is not intended that the applicant's teachings be
limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the applicant's teachings
encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be
appreciated by those of skill in the art.
