GB2595478A

GB2595478A - Dispenser for selectively delivering a substance in a container

Info

Publication number: GB2595478A
Application number: GB2007927.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maggi Tomaso; Wesley Young Neil; Adam White Dean; Hayman Jon
Original assignee: Medcap Ltd
Current assignee: Medcap Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-27
Filing date: 2020-05-27
Publication date: 2021-12-01
Also published as: GB202007927D0; WO2021239853A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser (100, fig. 5) comprising a base 110, a chamber 130 at least partially delimited by a membrane 120, and a plunger (140, fig. 2) mounted moveably with respect to the base and having an actuating surface 142. The dispenser also has an opener 150 configured to open the membrane, and a mouthpiece (160, fig. 4) for drinking or pouring. The opener is part of, or attached to, the plunger, and the membrane is part of, or attached to, the base, or vice-versa. Upon actuation of the actuating surface the plunger can move from an unactivated position in which the opener is not engaged with the membrane to an activated position in which the opener has opened the membrane. The mouthpiece moves along with the plunger from the unactivated position to the activated position. Also claimed is a container (200, fig. 5) comprising the above dispenser, in which the dispenser base is engaged with or integrally formed with the neck (220) of the container.

Description

DISPENSER FOR SELECTIVELY DELIVERING A SUBSTANCE IN A

CONTAINER

Background of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to dispensers for use in relation with a container, the dispenser enabling to selectively deliver a substance in the container. More specifically the invention relates to a dispenser which further enables to selectively close the container on which it is mounted, so that the user can pour or drink from the container.

State of the art [0002] There is an increasing need for drinks containing supplements or additives, such as vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, proteins, flavor, etc. However for different reasons (denaturation of the supplement, deterioration of the drink, loss of taste, etc.), it might be more appropriate to add those supplements just before use. The supplements are generally under a liquid or powder form and need to be mixed with a liquid contained in a container.

[0003] Adding supplements to a regular container by removing a cap, pouring the supplements, then closing the cap is a tedious way to proceed. It also requires the user to carry separately with him or her the container and the supplements, which is generally cumbersome, especially during a training session or at the gym. In addition it might be preferable that the substance is not accessible to the user before being mixed with the liquid of the container (for instance in the pharmaceutical field).

[0004] There already exist dispensers enabling to instantly mix a powder or a liquid stored in the dispenser.

[0005] For instance, documents EP1737743 and FP2217508 disclose a dispenser mountable on a neck of a bottle. The dispenser comprises a mouthpiece portion, as a push-pull closure, and a reservoir with a membrane containing the supplement. The mouthpiece portion has a cylindrical shape and houses a stem, centered, which is movable with respect to the mouthpiece. One actuation extremity of that stem protrudes outwardly from the mouthpiece and the other extremity comprises cutting means to cut open the membrane.

The user presses on the actuation extremity to move the cutting means towards the membrane and rip it open.

[0006] However that dispenser has a certain number of drawbacks. One of them is that the force that can be exerted on the stem is limited due to the nature of the stem and the membrane might sometimes be hard to break. For instance the stem can bend. Another drawback is the stem is part of the mouthpiece portion and that the user, besides touching that stem, ends up touching the mouthpiece portion to press the stem. Another drawback is that a substantial part of the supplement might remain in the reservoir after the membrane is opened.

[0007] Document U38499971 discloses several embodiments of a dispenser mountable on a neck of bottle. In several of them the architecture is similar to that previously disclosed. In other embodiments, the stem is actuated while the dispenser is engaged with the neck of the container. Therefore the dispenser does not enable selective delivery of the substance in the container.

[0008] As a result, there exists a need for a dispenser not displaying any of the mentioned limitations.

Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention is defined in the appended claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a dispenser to be mounted on a neck of a container, the dispenser comprising: a base, configured to engage a neck of a container, a chamber configured to house a substance to be mixed with a content of the container, the chamber being at least partially delimited by a membrane, a plunger, mounted moveably with respect to the base, and comprising an actuating surface, an opener configured to open the membrane, a mouthpiece configured to drink or pour liquid from the dispenser, wherein the opener is part of, or attached to, the plunger and the membrane is part of, or attached to, the base, Or vice-versa, wherein upon actuation of the actuating surface the plunger is movable from an unactivated position in which the opener is not engaged with the membrane to an activated position in which the opener has opened the membrane, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to move along with the plunger from the unactivated position to the activated position.

[0011] With that configuration, the plunger can have a increased sized compared to that of the prior art. Thus the actuating surface, which corresponds to the surface onto which the users pushes, is increased as well. The effort is better distributed and a more intense effort can be exerted on the actuating surface. In addition, as the actuating surface is greater, the plunger can be activated without touching the mouthpiece.

[0012] In an embodiment, the actuating surface extends around the mouthpiece.

In an embodiment, the mouthpiece comprises a seat and a spout, the seat being moveable with the plunger and the spout being mounted such that it is moveable with respect to the seat, wherein the spout is configured to cooperate with the seat to form a push-pull type closure.

In an embodiment, the opener is located at an edge of the chamber.

In an embodiment, the plunger comprises a wall extending, in the unactivated position, towards the membrane. The wall may define, together with the membrane, the chamber. The wall may have cylindrical shape, preferably a circular cylindrical shape. The opener is located at a lower extremity of the wall. The plunger may be movable along a longitudinal axis of the dispenser and wherein the opener extends along a portion of circumference of the wall and the longitudinal position of the opener varies, preferably continuously between two extreme positions.

In an embodiment, the base comprises an inner skirt configured to guide movement of the plunger, the inner skirt being located within the neck of the container when the dispenser is mounted on the container, wherein the membrane is attached to the inner skirt. The membrane may extend along the inner skirt and is pinched between the inner skirt and the wall of the plunger.

In an embodiment the base comprises a outer skirt configured to engage and surround the neck of the container, the outer skirt delimiting, in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis, a surface, wherein the actuating surface of the plunger, when orthogonally projected on that plane, covers at least 80% of the surface, preferably more than 90%. In an embodiment, the dispenser comprising a cap hinged to the base and configured to entirely sit on the base in a closed position.

In an embodiment, the plunger is configured to move in a linear motion with respect to the base or in an helicoidal motion with respect to the base.

In an embodiment, the dispenser comprises a locking mechanism configured to attach the plunger to the base when in the activated position.

In an embodiment, the unactivated position, the opener is in contact with the membrane.

In an embodiment, the dispenser is configure to leave the membrane intact when base is engaged with the neck of the container.

[0013] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a container and a dispenser as disclosed previously. The dispenser is either provided separately, as in a kit, or mounted on the container.

[0014] The invention also relates to a container comprising a neck, a base, configured to engage the neck or integrally formed with the neck, a chamber configured to house a substance to be mixed with a content of the container, the chamber being at least partially delimited by a membrane, a plunger, mounted moveably with respect to the base, and comprising an actuating surface, an opener configured to open the membrane, a mouthpiece configured to drink or pour liquid from the container, wherein the opener is part of, or attached to, the plunger and the membrane is part of, or attached to, the base or the neck, or vice-versa, wherein upon actuation of the actuating surface the plunger is movable from an unactivated position in which the opener is not engaged with the membrane to an activated position in which the opener has opened the membrane, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to move along with the plunger from the unactivated position to the activated position.

[0015] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a dispenser to be mounted on a neck of a container, the dispenser comprising: a base, configured to engage a neck of a container, a chamber configured to house a substance to be mixed with a content of the container, the chamber being at least partially delimited by a membrane, a plunger, mounted moveably with respect to the base, and comprising an actuating surface, an opener configured to open the membrane, wherein the opener is part of, or attached to, the plunger and the membrane is part of, or attached to, the base, Or vice-versa, wherein upon actuation of the actuating surface the plunger is movable from an unactivated position in which the opener is not engaged with the membrane to an activated position in which the opener has opened the membrane, wherein the plunger is movable along a longitudinal axis of the dispenser and the base comprises a outer skirt configured to engage and surround the neck of the container, the outer skirt delimiting, in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, a surface, wherein the actuating surface of the plunger, when orthogonally projected on that plane, covers at least 80% of the surface, preferably more than 901.

[0016] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a dispenser to be mounted on a neck of a container, the dispenser comprising: a base, configured to engage a neck of a container, a chamber configured to house a substance to be mixed with a content of the container, the chamber being at least partially delimited by a membrane, a plunger, mounted moveably with respect to the base, and comprising an actuating surface, an opener configured to open the membrane, wherein the opener is part of, or attached to, the plunger and the membrane is part of, or attached to, the base, or vice-versa, wherein upon actuation of the actuating surface the plunger is movable from an unactivated position in which the opener is not engaged with the membrane to an activated position in which the opener has opened the membrane, wherein the opener is located at an edge of the chamber, and/or the plunger comprises a wall extending, in the unactivated position, towards the membrane and the opener is located at an a lower extremity of the wall.

[0017] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a dispenser to be mounted on a neck of a container, the dispenser comprising: a base, configured to engage a neck of a container, a chamber configured to house a substance to be mixed with a content of the container, the chamber being at least partially delimited by a membrane, a plunger, mounted moveably with respect to the base, and comprising an actuating surface, an opener configured to open the membrane, wherein the opener is part of, or attached to, the plunger and the membrane is part of, or attached to, the base, or vice-versa, wherein upon actuation of the actuating surface the plunger is movable from an unactivated position in which the opener is not engaged with the membrane to an activated position in which the opener has opened the membrane,

S

wherein the plunger comprises a wall extending, in the unactivated position, towards the membrane and the wall defines, together with the membrane, the chamber.

[0018] For any of those aspects, the invention also relates to an assembly and a container as disclosed previously.

Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. Those drawings are given for the purpose of illustrating the invention. However the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment(s) disclosed in those drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser according to an embodiment, with a cap on and in an unactivated position.

FIG. 2 illustrates the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the cap off.

FIG. 3 illustrates the dispenser of FIG. 2 in an activated position and a push-pull outlet in a closed position. FIG. 4 illustrates the dispenser of FIG. 3 with the push-pull outlet in an open position.

FIG. 5 illustrates the dispenser of FIG. 1 before being mounted on a neck of a container.

Detailed description

[0020] In relation to FIG. 1 to 4, a dispenser 100 according to several embodiments will be described. The dispenser 100 is configured to be mounted on a neck 220 of a container 200(FIG. 5). Alternatively, as it will be explained later, the dispenser can be part of the container.

[0021] The dispenser 100 enables delivery of, upon activation thereof, a substance in the container 200, while sealing the container 200, such that the substance is mixed with a content, such as a liquid, stored in the container 200. Preferably, the dispenser 100 selectively seals the container 200, as illustrated in FIG. 1 to 4.

[0022] The dispenser 100 comprises a base 110 which is configured to engage the neck 220 of the container 200 in a seal tight manner. In other words the contact area between the neck 220 of the bottle 200 and the base 110 does not permit any liquid to get in or out of the container 200. The dispenser 100 further comprises a chamber 130 which is at least partially delimited by a membrane 120. The chamber 130 defines a reservoir configured to house the substance to be delivered in the container 200 upon activation of the dispenser 100. The dispenser 100 further comprises a plunger 140, which is mounted moveably with respect to the base 110. The plunger 140 has an actuating surface 142 configured to receive a force by a user in order to displace the plunger 140 with respect to the base 110. The actuating surface 142 is therefore an accessible surface for a user. Finally, to open the membrane 120 and thus set the chamber 130 in fluidic communication with the container 200, the dispenser 100 comprises an opener 130.

[0023] The dispenser 100 extends along a longitudinal axis X. Along that longitudinal axis X, an inside of the container 200 and an outside of the container 200 can be defined, separated in a tight manner by the dispenser 100. In similar fashion, a user side and a container side of the dispenser 100 are defined.

[0024] Most parts of the dispenser 100 are essentially symmetrical around the longitudinal axis X and therefore have a cylindrical shape. When mounted on the container 200, the longitudinal axis X of the dispenser 100 is typically confounded with a longitudinal axis of a container 200. Any radial reference in the description will be made with respect with the longitudinal axis X. [0025] Relative movement between the opener 150 and the membrane 120 is used to open the membrane 120. In that respect, the opener 150 is part of the plunger 140 while the membrane 120 is part of the base 110, or vice-versa, such that, because of the motion of the plunger 140 with respect to the base 110, the opener 150 is moveable with respect to the membrane 120. By "part of", it is meant "attached to" or, if applicable, "integrally formed with".

[0026] In particular, the plunger 140 is movable from an unactivated position (FIG. 1 and 2) to an activated position (FIG. 3 and 4). In the unactivated position, the opener 150 is not engaged with the membrane 120 and the latter remains intact to store the substance in the chamber 130. In the activated position the opener 150 has opened the membrane 130 so that the substance stored in the chamber 130 can be delivered inside the container 200. Between both positions, there is a state in which the opener 150 is engaging the membrane 120. The motion between the plunger 140 and the membrane 120 has a linear component on the longitudinal axis X. The plunger 140 is set in motion by pushing the actuating surface 142. In the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the motion of the opener 150 is identical to that of the plunger 140.

[0027] As the membrane 120 gets opened by breaking or piercing it, it is therefore understood than the dispenser works as a single-use dispenser for the substance in the chamber.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1 to 4, the dispenser 100 may also comprise a mouthpiece 160 configured to enable a user to drink or pour the content of the container 200. The mouthpiece 160 may be configured to selectively open or close the dispenser 100 so that the content of the container 200 can or cannot flow out of the container 200.

[0029] When the plunger 130 is moved from the unactivated position to the activated position, the mouthpiece 160 is moved together with the plunger 130.

[0030] This enables a plunger 130 with greater dimensions than the prior art and hence a greater actuating surface 142 : it is easy to activate the dispenser, the effort to activate the dispenser can be better distributed (less painful for the hand) and a stronger effort can be applied. Several advantages result from that arrangement, as will described below. In addition the actuating surface 142 can extend around the mouthpiece 160 (at least partially around) such that the user can actuate the plunger 160 without touching the mouthpiece 160. In addition, all the visible surface of the plunger 130 around the mouthpiece 160 (or even the mouthpiece 160 if the user is not bothered by hygiene reasons), when mounted on the container 200, can be used as the actuating surface 142.

[0031] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 160 is comprised of a seat 162 and a spout 164 which cooperate which each other and are movable with respect to each other. The seat 162 is part of, integral with, or attached to the plunger 140. The seat 162 may be centered on the longitudinal axis X. In another embodiment (non-illustrated), the mouthpiece is only comprised of a spout, like a nipple or similar.

[0032] The seat 162 comprises an opening 166 to permit fluid from the container 200 to be poured by the user (from inside the container to outside the container). As indicated above, the spout 164 is movable with respect to the seat 162. In a closed position, the spout 164 closes the opening 166 in a fluid tight manner, such that mouthpiece 160 is fluid tight. In an open position, the spout 164 no longer closes the opening 166, which permits fluid from the container 200 to flow through the opening 166.

[0033] In an embodiment the mouthpiece 160, with its seat 162 and spout 164, forms a so-called "push-pull" mechanism. Movement of the spout 164 (typically a translation or an helicoidal movement) is guided by the seat 162, preferably along the longitudinal axis X thereof. A spout stop 168 stops the motion of the spout 164 and ensures that the spout 168 remains engaged with the seat 162. As illustrated on FIG. 4, gap G2 show the extent of the motion of the spout 164. The push-pull mechanism enables the user to open and close the dispenser 100 with his or her mouth, and in particular without using his or her hands. The dispenser 100 is hence more hygienic. This directly echoes the advantage of the present disclosure according to which the mouthpiece does not need to be touched by the user to activate the dispenser. In addition, there is no risk of losing any part of the dispenser.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece 160 is in fluidic communication with the chamber 130. More precisely, the opening 166 is in fluidic communication with the chamber 130, so that when the chamber 130 is open (referred to as the opened chamber) there is a fluidic communication between the inside of the container and the opening 166, via the opened chamber 130. For simplicity reasons, the opening 166 opens directly in the chamber 130.

However, in another embodiment, the opening may be in fluidic communication with inside of the dispenser via a channel, thereby circumventing the chamber. In this embodiment, when the membrane gets opened, the substance of the chamber is mixed with the content of the container 200.

Then the mixture can then flow through the channel towards the opening.

[0035] The base 110 is the part of the dispenser 100 which engages the neck 220 of the container 200 to be coupled therewith. To achieve that function, the base 110 comprises an outer skirt 112 extending along, or substantially along, the longitudinal axis X, and configured to surround the neck 220 of the container 200 when mounted thereon. The outer skirt 122 typically comprises a thread 114 complementary to an outer thread 222 located on an outer surface of the neck 220. The dispenser 100 can therefore be easily threaded on to the neck 220 of the container 200, like a common cap of a regular container. The base 110 further comprises an inner skirt 116 extending along, or substantially along, the longitudinal axis X, and configured to be located inside the neck 220 of the container 200. The inner skirt 116 and the outer skirt 112 are linked via a bridge portion 118. Both the outer skirt 112 and the inner skirt 116 have a cylindrical (preferably circular cylindrical), or substantially cylindrical (preferably circular cylindrical), shape around the longitudinal axis X. The outer skirt 112 and the inner skirt 116 are preferably levelled on the longitudinal axis X. [0036] The inner skirt 116 may serve as a guide for movement of the plunger 140 between the unactivated position and the activated position.

[0037] The outer skirt 112 delimits, in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X, a surface. That surface is preferably circular as the outer skirt 112 has a cylindrical shape. The actuating surface 142, when orthogonally projected on the plane, covers at least 80% (preferably at least 90%) of the surface. This means that, for a given size of the dispenser, the actuating surface 142 is maximized. If the surface defined by the inner skirt 116 instead of the outer skirt 114 is to be considered, then the value is preferably 100%. This basically means that, when the dispenser 100 is mounted on the container 200, all the visible part of the dispenser 100 besides the base 110 is the actuating surface 142. The effort on the actuating surface can be stronger and better distributed. In addition, the mouthpiece needs not be touched to activate the dispenser.

[0038] In the embodiment of FIG. 1 to 4, the plunger 140 comprises a wall 146 which has a generally cylindrical shape or, as will be explained later on, a truncated cylindrical shape. The wall 146 extends along the longitudinal axis X. More precisely, when the dispenser 100 is in the unactivated position, the wall 146 extends, along the longitudinal axis X, towards the membrane 120. The wall 146 and the inner skirt 116 are concentric (the wall 146 being radially inside the inner skirt 116) and, as explained above and as illustrated on FIG. 1 to 4, can cooperate together to guide movement of the plunger 140. When the dispenser 100 has the mouthpiece 160, the plunger 140 further comprises the seat 162 which has a substantially cylindrical shape also extending along the longitudinal direction X. The seat 162 has a smaller radius than that of the wall 146, such that the seat 162 and the wall 146 are linked via a flange 144. The seat 162 and the wall 146 extends from the flange 144 in an opposite direction. The actuation surface 142 is at least partially formed from the flange 144, and can optionally comprise the mouthpiece 160.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1 to 4, the plunger 140 is essentially hollow, which enables it to house the chamber 130. The wall 146 and, in some embodiments, the flange 144 and/or the seat 162, partially delimit the chamber 130. The rest of the chamber 130 is delimited by the membrane 120.

With such a configuration the wall 146 is as close as possible to the inner skirt 116, which is in turn as close as possible to the neck 220 of the container 200 (that is to say as close as possible to the outer skirt 112), the volume of the chamber 130 is maximized.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated on FIG. 1 to 4, the opener 150 is located at a lower extremity of the wall 146 (at the other extremity of the wall is the flange 144). The wall 146 is sturdier than a stem and is less likely to bend.

This ensures that the effort exerted by the user on the actuating surface 142 will be transmitted to the opener 150 to open the membrane. To simplify the manufacturing process, the opener 150 is integral with the wall 146 and consists of either the mere edge or a sharp edge of the wall 146.

[0041] In an embodiment, the opener 150 extends along a portion of the circumference of the extremity the wall 146. As the wall 146 has a cylindrical shape, the opener 150 has therefore a continuous arcuate shape. Upon activation of the plunger 140, the plunger 140 moves along the longitudinal axis K, such that the opener 150 moves towards the membrane 120. By taking advantage of the shape of the wall 146, whose circumference is maximized, the size of the opened portion of the membrane 120 can be maximized as well. Language "circumference" should not be interpreted as being limited to a circular cylinder.

[0042] Furthermore, like the wall 146, the opener 150 is preferably in contact (directly or indirectly, for instance with the membrane in between, as will be described) with the inner skirt 126, or in close contact therewith (less than lmm away). This again is aimed at maximizing the size of the opening in the membrane 130 when broken.

[0043] When the dispenser 100 is in the unactivated position the opener 150 is in contact with (but not engaging), or at least in close contact with(less than 1mm), the membrane 120. As a result, as soon as the motion of the plunger 140 begins, the opener 150 engages the membrane 120 and starts to open it. A stronger effort might be required to start breaking the membrane 120, but the size of the actuating surface 142 permits such effort. This configuration enables to minimize the course of the plunger 140 and therefore the bulkiness of the dispenser 100.

[0044] To limit the motion of the plunger 140 with respect to the base 110, a stop 148 is provided on the plunger 140. The stop 148 may conveniently be located on a radially outermost part of the flange 144, so that it can abuts against the bridge portion 148 of the base 110. On FIG. 1 to 4, the stop 148 is a rim at the radially outermost extremity of the flange 144. In the unactivated position, the stop 148 is at distance G1 (see FIG. 2) of the base 110 on the longitudinal axis X. Distance G1 is chosen so that the activated position is always achieved when the stop 148 abuts the base 120.

[0045] To avoid clogging the container 200 or the dispenser 100, it is preferable that the membrane 120 remains attached to the base 110 in the activated position. To achieve that, the longitudinal position (position on the longitudinal axis X) of the opener 150 may vary in function of its location around a circumference of the extremity of wall 146. As visible in FIG. I to 4, the longest side of the wall 146 is visible on the left and the shortest side of the wall 146 is visible on the right. The longest side of the wall 146 may just be a point or a small portion (less than 10 degrees) of the circumference. As the opener 150 is located at the extremity of the wall 146, the longitudinal position of the opener 150 along the circumference varies.

Preferably the variation is continuous between the two extreme positions (such that only one aperture is created in the membrane and gets extended). Therefore, as the plunger 140 moves from the unactivated position to the activated position, the opener 150 is progressively engaged with the membrane 150 and the contact point between the membrane 120 and the opener 150 moves along that circumference. This enables at every moment the force to be concentrated on a small portion of the membrane 120 to break it. The amount of membrane 120 that can be opened therefore depends on the ratio of the distance G3 (distance along the longitudinal axis X between the extremal longitudinal positions of the opener 150 on the circumference of the wall) over the distance Cl (distance along the longitudinal axis X between the stop 148 of the plunger 140 and the base 110). 03 is chosen to be equal or greater than 01 so that the membrane remains attached to the base 110 even when the stop 148 of the plunger 140 abuts the base 110.

[0046] In addition, while the membrane 120 remains preferably attached to the base 110, it is important that the substance of the chamber 130 in its entirety is delivered to the container 200. In particular, a way to achieve such result is to ensure that the substance will slide from the membrane. The opener 150 extending along a circumference of the wall 146 enables to open the membrane 120 at the edge of the chamber 130 (since the wall 146 defines the edge of the chamber 130) and therefore enable a substantial part of the membrane, if not all, to fold, as illustrated on FIG. 3 and 4. Preferably, the opener 150 is configured so that only a fraction of the membrane 130 remains attached, such as Less than 20 degrees along the circumference (as measured from the longitudinal axis X). Another advantage is that the chamber 130 is in a better fluidic communication with the inside of container 200 and the flow of liquid going through the mouthpiece 160 is not obstructed. This means that the user does not have to squeeze the container 200 or suck harder on the mouthpiece due to obstructions as may occur with the prior art.

[0047] In the embodiment of FIG. 1 to 4, the membrane 120 is attached to the inner skirt 116. More specifically, the membrane 120 is attached at an extremity of the inner skirt 116 which is at the level of the bridge portion 118. A lateral part 122 of the membrane 120 can be defined, which extends along the inner skirt 116, towards the other extremity of the inner skirt 116, opposed to the bridge portion 118. A bottom part 122 of the membrane 120 can also be defined, extending across the longitudinal axis X, hereby delimiting the chamber 130. As the wall 146 has a circular cylindrical shape, the bottom part 122 has a circular (or generally circular) shape. While it is observed that the chamber 130 is delimited by the bottom part 124 of the membrane 120, it is observed that upon the shape of the wall 146, the lateral part 122 of the membrane 120 may also define the chamber 122. For instance, because of distance G3, the extremity of the wall 146 is not at the same longitudinal position all around the circumference and therefore the lateral part 122 of the membrane 120 is exposed to the chamber 130 and defines it.

[0048] The membrane 120 is thus pinched between the wall 146 of the plunger 140 and the inner skirt 116. This permits to ensure that the membrane is properly stretched prior to opening and leakage from the chamber 130 is avoided, especially because of the clearance required to enable the motion of the plunger 140 with respect to the base 110. The plunger 140, especially the wall 146, delimits the rest of the chamber 130.

[0049] In a non-illustrated embodiment, the membrane may simply be attached to the extremity of the inner skirt 116 opposed to the bridge portion 118. In that case the membrane is not pinched between the inner skirt 116 and the wall 146.

[0050] The plunger 140 is preferably moveable in a linear motion only with the base 110. This eases the manufacturing process. However, a helicoidal motion is possible, for instance by means of a threading between the wall 146 of the plunger 140 and the inner skirt 116 of the base 110.

[0051] Once the dispenser 100 is in the activated position, it is preferable that the plunger 140 become attached to the base 110. In other words, it is desirable that the plunger 140 be no longer moveable with respect to the base 110. A locking mechanism 170 is provided between the plunger 140 and the base 110. In FIG. 1 to 4, the locking mechanism 170 is comprised of a clipping system with a hook 172 and a rim 174 configured to retain the hook once engaged. The hook 172 can be engaged with the rim by deformation. The rim 174 is located on the bridge portion 118 of the base 110 and the hook 172 is located at the junction between the wall 146 and the flange 144 of the plunger 140 (typically the hook 172 is located on the stop 148). Such an arrangement minimizes the bulkiness of the dispenser 100.

[0052] In an embodiment, the dispenser 100 comprises a cap 180 configured to protect, in a closed position, the mouth piece 160 during storage, transport and between the user taking drinks from the container 200. The cap 180 sits, in a closed position, on the base 110, so that any effort exerted on the cap 180 is transmitted to the base 110 and not to the plunger 140. This ensures that the plunger 140 is not inadvertently moved from the unactivated position to the activated position.

[0053] As illustrated on FIG. 1 and 2, the cap 180 is hinged with the base 110, for instance at the bridge portion 118 so that it remains attached to the dispenser 100 when removed to drink therefrom. The hinge is located only locally and does not extend along a circumference of the bridge portion 118. The hinge defines an axis of rotation, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis K (and orthogonal to plane in which the drawings are represented). Preferably in the closed position, the cap 180 is configured to also cover the plunger 140. The cap 180 may also comprise a top skirt 182. The top skirt 182 is of a complementary shape to the mouthpiece 160 and is located on a top portion of thecap 180 so that the top skirt 182 can engage an external circumference of the mouthpiece 160 (the spout 164 on FIG. 1 to 4), in particular a radially external lip of the spout 164.

[0054] The substance can be of any form, such as a liquid, more or less viscous than the content of the container, or solid (compact or powder). The substance can comprise nutrients, vitamins, proteins, etc. Alternatively or complementary, the substance can also comprise a pharmaceutical compound, such an a drug with an active ingredient.

[0055] The membrane 120 is openable, either by ripping, cutting, folding, piercing, breaking, etc. It is preferably made of PE (polyethylene) or metal foil, for example, but may be made of any other suitable material.

[0056] The plunger 140 is preferably made of plastic, as well as the mouthpiece 160, the base 110, the opener 150.Different types of plastic made be used.

[0057] A method to manufacture such dispenser will also be described. In addition, the size of the base 110 can be easily adapted during manufacturing to fit different size of neck of the container [0058] The container 200 may be a plastic bottle or a glass bottle, or any type of storage being able to store a content and onto which the dispenser 100 can be mounted.

[0059] A method of using the dispenser 100 will now be described. In a first step El, the dispenser 100 is mounted on the neck 220 of a bottle 200. In a second step E2, if applicable, the cap 180 is removed from the dispenser 100, to give the user access to the actuating surface 142 of the plunger 140. In a third step E3, the actuating surface 142 is pushed along the longitudinal axis, so that the plunger 140 is moved from the unactivated position to the activated position. The chamber 130 gets opened and the substance stored therein is delivered to the container 200. In a fourth step E4, the spout 164 is pulled away from the seat 162 to uncover the opening 166 so that the user can drink the content of the container 200, mixed with the substance.

A step of shaking the container 200 can be executed, between step E3 and E4.

[0060] While an independent dispenser (100) has been disclosed that is mountable on a container, it is also possible to design an assembly with a container comprising some or all the characteristics of the dispenser previously disclosed. For instance, the membrane may be attached to the container or the base may be integrally formed with the neck.

[0061] Reference signs: - Dispenser 100 - Container 200 -Container neck 220 - Outer thread 222 - Base 110 - Outer skirt 112 - thread 114 - Inner skirt 116 -Bridge portion 118 - Membrane 120 - Lateral part 122 - Bottom part 124 - Chamber 130 -Plunger 140 - Actuating surface 142 - Flange 144 - Wall 146 - Stop 148 -Opener 150 - Mouthpiece 160 - Seat 162 - Spout 164 - Opening 166 -Spout stop 168 - Locking mechanism 170 - Hook 172 - Rim 174 - Cap 180 -Top skirt 182 - Longitudinal axis X

Claims

-23 -What is Claimed is: 1. A dispenser (100) to be mounted on a neck (220) of a container (200), the dispenser (100) comprising: a base (110), configured to engage a neck (220) of a container (200), a chamber (130) configured to house a substance to be mixed with a content of the container, the chamber (130) being at least partially delimited by a membrane (120), a plunger (140), mounted moveably with respect to the base (110), and comprising an actuating surface (142), an opener (150) configured to open the membrane (120), a mouthpiece (160) configured to drink or pour liquid from the dispenser, wherein the opener (150) is part of, or attached to, the plunger (140) and the membrane (120) is part of, or attached to, the base (110), or vice-versa, wherein upon actuation of the actuating surface (142) the plunger (140) is movable from an unactivated position in which the opener (150) is not engaged with the membrane (120) to an activated position in which the opener (150) has opened the membrane (120), wherein the mouthpiece (160) is configured to move along with the plunger (140) from the unactivated position to the activated position.
2.A dispenser (100) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating surface (142) extends around the mouthpiece (160).
3. A dispenser (100) according to any of claims 12, wherein the mouthpiece (160) comprises a seat (162) and a spout (164), the seat (162) being moveable with the plunger (140) and the spout (164) being mounted such that it is moveable with respect to the seat (162), wherein the spout -24 - (162) is configured to cooperate with the seat (162) to form a push-pull type closure.
4.A dispenser (100) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the opener (150) is located at an edge of the chamber (130).
5. A dispenser (100) according to any of claims 14, wherein the plunger (140) comprises a wall (146) extending, in the unactivated position, towards the membrane (120).
6. A dispenser (100) according to claim 5, wherein the wall (246) defines, together with the membrane (120), the chamber (130).
7. A dispenser (100) according to any of claims 56, wherein the wall (146) has a cylindrical shape, preferably a circular cylindrical shape.
8. A dispenser (100) according to any of claims 56, wherein the opener (150) is located at a lower extremity of the wall (146).
9. A dispenser (100) according claim 8, wherein the plunger (140) is movable along a longitudinal axis (X) of the dispenser (100) and wherein the opener (150) extends along a portion of circumference of the wall (146) and the longitudinal position of the opener (150) varies, preferably continuously between two extreme positions.
10. A dispenser (100) according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the base (110) comprises an inner skirt (114) configured to guide movement of the plunger (140), the inner skirt (114) being located within the neck (220) of the -25 -container (200) when the dispenser (100) is mounted on the container, wherein the membrane is attached to the inner skirt (114).
11. A dispenser (100) according to claim 10 in combination with any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the membrane (120) extends along the inner skirt (114) and is pinched between the inner skirt (114) and the wall (146) of the plunger (140).
12. A dispenser (100) according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the plunger (140) is movable along a longitudinal axis (X) of the dispenser (100) and wherein the base (110) comprises a outer skirt (112) configured to engage and surround the neck (220) of the container (200), the outer skirt (112) delimiting, in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (X), a surface, wherein the actuating surface (142) of the plunger (140), when orthogonally projected on that plane, covers at least 80% of the surface, preferably more than 90%.
13. A dispenser (100) according to claim 1, comprising a cap (180) hinged to the base (110) and configured to entirely sit on the base (110) in a closed 25 position.
14. A assembly comprising a container and a dispenser (100) according to any claims 1-13.
15. A container comprising: a neck (220), a base (110), configured to engage the neck (220) or integrally formed with the neck, -26 -a chamber (130) configured to house a substance to be mixed with a content of the container, the chamber (130) being at least partially delimited by a membrane (120), a plunger (140), mounted moveably with respect to the base (110), and comprising an actuating surface (142), an opener (150) configured to open the membrane (120), a mouthpiece (160) configured to drink or pour liquid from the container, wherein the opener (150) is part of, or attached to, the plunger (140) and the membrane (120) is part of, or attached to, the base (110), or vice-versa, wherein upon actuation of the actuating surface (142) the plunger (140) is movable from an unactivated position in which the opener (150) is not engaged with the membrane (120) to an activated position in which the opener (150) has opened the membrane (120), wherein the mouthpiece (160) is configured to move along with the plunger (140) from the unactivated position to the activated position.