AU2019100448B4

AU2019100448B4 - Measured Dose & Closure cap for a Container

Info

Publication number: AU2019100448B4
Application number: AU2019100448A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dalton Anthony Grant Jnr
Original assignee: Twist Drop Shake Cap Pty Ltd; Twist Drop Shake Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Twist Drop Shake Cap Pty Ltd; Twist Drop Shake Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-04-28
Filing date: 2019-04-28
Publication date: 2020-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-28
Also published as: AU2019100448A4

Abstract

[0042] A closure cap for a container, the present invention relates to a closure cap for storing and dispensing a substance into a container. The closure cap has a first, second and third position, first position for storing, second position for dispensing and the third position for consuming the contents therein. As the closure cap is particularly suited for storing and subsequently dispensing seeds or powder into a container storing a beverage. The cap including a base portion securable to the container, and a top portion mountable to the base portion, the top portion including a storage chamber for storing material, the storage chamber having an outlet port for consuming its content therein, the top portion further including a passageway extending through the top portion of the storage chamber, where there is a consumer refill inlet which allows for multiple use after manufacturing.

Description

CLOSURE CAP FOR A CONTAINER

This application relates to and claims priority benefits from IP Australia provisional patent application no. 2017904125 entitled closure cap for a container which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a closure cap for a container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a closure cap for storing and dispensing a substance into a container. As the closure cap is particularly suited for storing and subsequently dispensing seeds or powder into a container storing a beverage, it will be convenient to describe the invention with reference to this particular application. It should however be appreciated that the invention is suitable for wider application and use and should not be limited to this particular application.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Preservatives of some form are often added to nutritional and health beverages during manufacture to provide the beverage product with a longer shelf life and prevent the ingredients from decomposing before consumption.

[0003] In the past, attempts have been made to avoid the use of preservatives by isolating and preventing various ingredients of the nutritional beverage, for example powders and seeds, from mixing with the ingredients stored in the container, for example water, milk, fruit juice or vegetable juices, prior to the container being opened. In this respect, a closure cap of the container may have some form of storage means for holding and isolating the powders and/or seeds until the beverage product is ready for consumption. In this regard, known closure caps require a seal of the beverage product to be broken and the closure cap removed in order to release the isolated ingredients into the container. The closure cap then needs to be reapplied to the container such that the container can be shaken to mix the ingredients without spillage. Once the mixing is complete, the closure cap needs to be again removed for the contents of the container to be consumed.

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 [0004] It would be desirable to provide a closure cap for a container which facilitates convenient storage of seeds and/or powdered ingredients and enables a more user-friendly mixing and consumption process to be adopted. It would also be desirable that such a device could then be reusable by the consumer.

[0005] The terms “comprises”, “comprising” and grammatical variations thereof, when used in this specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a closure cap for a container, the cap including a base portion securable to the container, and a top portion mountable to the base portion, the top portion including a storage chamber for storing material, the storage chamber having an outlet port, the top portion further including a passageway extending through the top portion, the base portion including a wall member having an aperture therein, the aperture extending through the base portion, [0007] The top portion of the storage chamber has a detachable bung clip that allows for refilling and deems it reusable by the end user.

the top portion being moveable with respect to the base portion between a first position, a second position and a third position, wherein:

in the first position, the wall member covers at least the outlet port of the storage chamber such that stored material is retained in the storage chamber, in the second position, the aperture in the base portion is aligned with the outlet port of the storage chamber to thereby permit release of stored material from the storage chamber into the container, and in the third position, the aperture in the base portion is aligned with the

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 passageway through the top portion to thereby permit release of contents within the container without removal of the cap from the container.

[0008] The top portion preferably includes an upper section, and a stem member projecting downwardly from the upper section, the storage chamber and passageway being formed within the stem member.

[0009] The stem member preferably includes a lower end. The outlet port of the storage chamber being provided in the lower end, which Is partially sealed by insert ramp which the lower end of the stem member preferably overlies the wall member of the base portion.

[0010] The base portion preferably includes a central cavity into which the stem member is seated. The central cavity includes a bottom wall defines said wall member of the base portion. The said base portion has an oval and rectangular cavity in which the canister washer is seated affix to seal the passageway from the storage chamber and the content of the bottle.

[0011] The top portion is preferably rotated with respect to the base portion when moving between the first, second and third positions. Rotational movement of the stem member within the cavity is preferably guided by internal side walls of the cavity. In this regard, the internal side walls of the cavity preferably include at least one projecting member for engaging with one or more corresponding protruding members provided on an exterior of the stem member to thereby provide at least some resistance to rotational movement of the top portion with respect of the base portion when in at least one of the first, second and third positions. This advantageously provides a user with some indication as to the position of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion.

[0012] The upper portion preferably includes a downwardly projecting peripheral skirt having a plurality of ridges or indentations to facilitate gripping by a user’s hand when turning the top portion between the first, second and third positions.

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 [0013] The closure cap further includes an annular collar for securing the top portion to the base portion. The annular collar preferably includes an inner threaded section for threading the annular collar to a corresponding outer threaded section of the base portion. The annular collar is preferably positioned to maintain a rim of the peripheral skirt in abutment with the base portion.

[0014] The upper section of the closure cap includes a drinking nozzle defining an upper end of the passageway through the top portion.

[0015] The closure cap includes a cap cover for covering the upper section of the top portion. The cap cover advantageously protects the drinking nozzle and prevents foreign debris entering the drinking nozzle.

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to limit the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 is a combination of 2 exploded side perspective view of various components of a closure cap in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is an exploded sectional and side bottom up perspective view of the various components of the closure cap illustrated in Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 3 is a top perspective view of collar portion component of the closure cap illustrated in Figure 1;

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 [0021] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the lid portion component of the closure cap illustrated in Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 5 is a top perspective view of a bung clip portion component of the closure cap illustrated in Figure 1;

[0023] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the top and internal portion and exit nozzle component illustrated in Figure 1, and [0024] Figure 7 is a top view of the insert ramp illustrated in figure 2 exploded version right.

[0025] Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the canister washer seal illustrated in figure 2 exploded version right.

[0026] Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the bottom portion of the base outer and tamper proof locking component illustrated in figure 2 right exploded version [0027] Figure 10 is a top perspective view of the bottle washer illustrated in figure 2 exploded version right.

[0028] Figure 11 is a side view of a closure cap in accordance with an embodiment of invention illustrated in figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0029] With reference to Figures 1 to 11, there is shown a closure cap 1 for a container 3 which may be in the form of a beverage container. The closure cap 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment includes a base portion 5 and a top portion 7 mountable to the base portion 5. The closure cap 1 further includes an annular collar 9 for securing the top portion 7 to the base portion 5, and a cap cover 11 for covering an upper section 13 of the top portion 7. The closure cap 1 may further

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 include a washer 15 for sealing the closure cap 1 on the container 3, for example when the cap 1 is threaded onto a corresponding threaded neck of the container 3.

[0030] The top portion 7 of the cap 1 includes a storage chamber 17 for storing material, for example seeds and/or powders, in preferably an air tight and water proof environment prior to being dispensed and mixed with other beverage ingredients, for example water, milk, fruit juice or vegetable juices, housed within the container 3. The storage chamber 17 includes an outlet port 19 through which the stored material can be released. Atop the storage chamber 17 is the consumer refill inlet 57. The kidney shaped bung 55 is seated in the inlet 57 and seals it with an indent 63 which the consumer can use leverage to remove the bung 55. The presence of the bung refill portion allows the closure cap to be reusable by the end user on multiple occasions. The outlet port 19 can also be used as an inlet to fill the storage chamber 17 with the desired supplement during manufacturing of the beverage product.

[0031] With reference to Figures 2 and 6, the top portion 7 further includes a stem member 21 within which the storage chamber 17 is formed. The stem member 21 preferably projects downwardly from the upper section 13 of the top portion 7. The stem member 21 includes a lower end 23 in which the outlet port 19 of the storage chamber 17 is provided. The top portion 7 also includes a passageway formed within the stem member 21 that leads up to the top portion inlet 57 in which the bung clip seal 55 sits. The passageway 25 extends through the top portion 7 and, in cooperation with the base portion 5, facilitates access to the beverage for consumption following the release of the stored material into the container 3. Figure 2 middle portion of 7 incorporates a passageway 31 that is the outlet portion which extends from the base portion 5 and extends through 7 top portion to become a drinking nozzle.

[0032] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9, the base portion 5 preferably includes a central cavity 27 into which the stem member 21 is seated. The stem member 21 preferably includes a bottom wall 29 having an aperture 31 therein which extends through the base portion 5. The lower end 23 of the stem member 21

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 preferably rests on the bottom wall 29. The bottom wall 29 of base portion 5 incorporate a rectangular portion 59 situated in the centre of 29 adjacent to 31 of the stem member 21 or is slightly spaced therefrom. Above the bottom wall 29 of base portion 5, the stem member 21 locks into the bottom washer seal 61. The washer portion 61 seal buds into the top of 29 with grooves that slot into 59 and seals waterproof 31 with the downward compression between 7 & 5. The top portion 7 is able to be twisted or turned within the central cavity 27 to move with respect to the base portion 5 between a first position, a second position and a third position. The rotational movement of the stem member 21 within the central cavity 27 is guided by internal side walls 33 of the cavity 27 which lie closely with the stem member 21.

[0033] When in the first position, the bottom wall 29 of the cavity 27 preferably covers at least the outlet port 19 of the storage chamber 17 such that seeds and/or powders stored within the chamber 17 are blocked from exiting the storage chamber 17 and falling into the container 3. Outlet port 19 of storage chamber 17 is air and moisture sealed by 61 until chamber 17 outlet port 19 lines up with 31. When in the second position, the aperture 31 in the bottom wall 29 of the central cavity 27 is aligned with the outlet port 19 of the storage chamber 17 to thereby permit release of the stored seeds and/or powders from the storage chamber 17 into the container 3.

In the third position, the aperture 31 in the bottom wall 29 is aligned with the passageway 25 which extends through the top portion 7. Accordingly, in the third position, the contents of the container 3 can be released from the container 3 via the passageway 25. In this regard, the passageway 25 facilitates the release and consumption of the contents from the container 3 without the closure cap 1 requiring removal from the container 3. Atop storage chamber 17 is refill cavity 57 in which kidney bung seal 55 is located. 55 & 63 gives above access to storage chamber 17 which allows for the consumer to refill and reuse the device on multiple occasions as require.

[0034] The annular collar 9 shown in Figures 1,2,3 and 11 functions to secure the top portion 7 to the base portion 5. In this regard, the annular collar 9 includes an inner threaded section to facilitate threading of the annular collar 9 to a corresponding outer threaded section 35 of the base portion 5. In this regard, the

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 upper section 13 of the top portion 7 includes a downwardly projecting peripheral skirt 37 having an outwardly projecting annular rim 39 which is held underneath the annular collar 9 when the annular collar 9 is threaded onto the outer threaded section 35 of the base portion 5. The annular collar 9 maintains the annular rim 39 in abutment with a plainer upper surface 41 of the base portion 5 shown in Figure 9. In order to prevent removal of the annular collar 9 and disassembly of the cap 1, a bottom edge 43 of the annular collar 9 is provided with a series of serrations which inter-engage with a corresponding serrated ledge 45 provided around the base portion 5.

[0035] The top portion 7 is preferably able to be turned in both a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction with respect to the base portion 5 when moving between the first, second and third positions. In moving between the first and second positions, the top portion 7 is preferably rotated between approximately 80° and 120°. Similarly, moving between the second and third positions requires rotation between approximately 80° and 120°. To limit and prevent complete rotation, the internal side walls 33 of the central cavity 27 may include at least one radially inwardly projecting stop member 47 which is engageable with one or more corresponding protruding stop members 49 provided on an exterior of the stem member 21 which project radially outwardly. A projecting stop member 47 and a protruding stop member 49 may be positioned to abut one another when the top portion 7 is the first and third positions with respect to the base portion 5.

[0036] The second position is located between the first and third positions. In order to provide at least some indication as to when the top portion 7 is positioned in the second position with respect to the base portion 5, at least one of the projecting stop members 47 on the internal side walls 33 of the cavity 27 may be in the form of two closely spaced elongate ribs 50. A protruding stop member 49 on the exterior of the stem member 21 may be positioned such that the protruding stop member 49 is seated between the spaced ribs 50 when the top portion 7 is in the second position with respect to the base portion 5. The two closely spaced ribs 50 may be dimensioned to provide at least some resistance to rotational movement in both

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 directions to thereby provide the user with the ability to sense when the top portion 7 is in the second portion with respect to the base portion 5.

[0037] The peripheral skirt 37 of the upper section 13 includes a plurality of ridges or indentations 51 to facilitate gripping by a user’s hand when turning the top portion 7 between the first, second and third positions. The upper section 13 of the top portion 7 further include a drinking nozzle 53 which defines an upper end of the passageway 25 through the top portion 7. In order to protect the drinking nozzle 53, the cap cover 11 is preferably positioned over the upper section 13 of the top portion 7.

[0038] In operation, a predetermined amount of seeds or powders, for example Chia seeds, is placed within the storage chamber 17 during production. In this respect, the storage chamber 17 is preferably capable of holding up to approximately 25 grams of seeds, powders or another suitable ingredient. In order to more easily facilitate the insertion of storage chamber 17 content, a portion of the lower end 23 of the stem member 21 may be removable to improve access to the storage chamber 17 and clips into the bottom of portion stem member 21. Once the storage chamber 17 has been filled with the desired amount of seeds or powders, the removable portion of the lower end 23 is repositioned. The stem member 21 of the top portion 7 is then inserted into the central cavity 27 of the base portion 5. The top portion 7 is then rotated if necessary, with respect to the base portion 5 such that the outlet port 19 of the storage chamber 17, and preferably the passageway 25, are covered by the bottom wall 29 and washer seal 61 of the central cavity 27 inside stem member

21. In this position the removable portion of the lower end 23 may overlie and cover the aperture 31. The annular collar 9 can then be applied over the top portion 7 and threaded onto the base portion 5 such that the top portion 7 is retained in abutment with the bottom portion 5. A seal of some form may then be applied, for example into or over the aperture 31 in the bottom wall 29, such that the storage chamber 17 is air tight and water proof such that the seeds or powders within the storage chamber 17 are isolated from the container contents. The cap cover 11 may then be applied to the upper section 13 of the top portion 7 to complete the assembly of the closure cap 1. Washer 15 may then be applied to the base portion 5 prior to the

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 closure cap 1 being applied and threaded onto the neck of the container 3 shown for example in Figure 1.

[0039] When a consumer is ready to consume the contents of the container 3 and closure cap 1 the cover cap 11 is first removed from the top portion 7. The peripheral skirt 37 of the top portion 7 is then gripped by the user and turned. In the embodiments illustrated, the top portion 7 is turned in a clockwise direction which preferably results in the breaking of the seal between the lower end 23 of the stem member 21 and the bottom wall 29 of the base portion 5. When a protruding stop member 49 on the stem member 21 locates between the two closely spaced ribs 50 provided in the internal side walls 33 of the central cavity 27, the top portion 7 is in the second position with respect to the base portion 5 such that the outlet port 19 of the storage chamber 17 is aligned with the aperture 31 in the bottom wall 29. The seeds or powders in the storage chamber 17 are then free to fall through the aperture 31 and into the container 3. The top portion 5 is then rotated in the opposite direction in order to return the top portion 5 to the first position. The container 3 can then be shaken to mix the seeds or powders with the other ingredients of the container 3 without the contents being mixed entering the storage chamber 17. Once the container contents are sufficiently shaken and mixed, the top portion 7 is then again rotated in the clockwise direction, past the second position, until the third position is reached. The aperture 31 in the bottom wall 29 is then aligned with the passageway 25 extending through the top portion 7. In this third position, the user is able to drink the contents of the container 3 via the drinking nozzle 53 of the passageway 25 without the base portion 5 being removed from the container 3. Upon completion, the top portion 7 can then be rotated in the opposite direction until the first position is reached such that the passageway 25 is again blocked, sealed and access to the container contents prevented and secured for later consumption. The cover cap 11 may then be again positioned over the top portion 7 and consumption of the beverage finished at a later stage.

[0040] The present invention advantageously enables seeds, for example Chia seeds, and powders intended to be added to a beverage or controlled dose product to be isolated from moisture prior to the closure cap 1 on a container 3 being

2019100448 07 Nov 2019 opened. Accordingly, the seeds and the like are prevented from expanding due to moisture. Further, preservatives that would otherwise have been added to the container contents may no longer be required. The enclosure cap 1 is an airtight, tamper proof and water proof enclosing container cap, allowing seeds or powders to be held in a moisture and contaminant free chamber. By using bio degradable material and multiuse capability makes for a sustainable, social and environmentally friendly device.

[0041] Variations of the inventive concepts described above would become apparent to a person skilled in the art and these variations are clearly encompassed by the present invention and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS V2.5 THIRD SUBMIT:

1. A closure cap for a container, the cap including a base portion securable to the container, and a top portion mountable to the base portion, the top portion including a storage chamber for storing material, the storage chamber having an outlet port nozzle, refill inlet secured with a kidney shape releasable bung. The top portion further including a passageway extending through the top portion, the base portion including a wall member having an aperture therein, the aperture extending through the base portion, the top portion being moveable with respect to the base portion between a first position, a second position and a third position, wherein:

in the first position, the wall member covers at least the outlet port of the storage chamber such that stored material is retained in the storage chamber, in the second position, the aperture in the base portion is aligned with the outlet port of the storage chamber to thereby permit release of stored material from the storage chamber into the container, and in the third position, the aperture in the base portion is aligned with the passageway through the top portion to thereby permit release of contents within the container without removal of the cap from the container. A washer seal is present between the base portion and the top portion to provide a seal in the first, second or third position to ensure maximum compression. The washer seal also acts as a seal to protect the contents of the storage chamber from moisture, contaminants and the contents of the container until use. The closure cap wherein the top portion includes an upper section, a sealable top refill inlet and a stem member projecting downwardly from the upper section, said storage chamber and passageway being formed within the stem member.
2. The Closure cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stem member includes a lower end, the outlet port of the storage chamber being provided in the lower end of the stem member, the lower end of the stem member overlying the wall member of the base portion. The Closure cap as wherein the base portion includes a central cavity into which the stem member is seated, the central cavity having a bottom wall, the bottom wall of the central cavity defining said wall member of the base portion is sealed with said washer from the contents of the container it is threaded on. The closure cap wherein the top portion is rotated with respect to the base portion when moving between the first, second and third positions, rotational movement of the stem member within the cavity being guided by internal side walls of the cavity. The closure cap wherein the internal side walls of the cavity include at least one projecting member for engaging with one or more corresponding protruding members provided on an exterior of the stem member to thereby provide at least some resistance to

2019100448 17 Dec 2019 rotational movement of the top portion with respect to the base portion when in at least one of the first, second and third positions.
3. The closure cap as claimed in claim 2 wherein the upper section includes a downwardly projecting peripheral skirt having a plurality of ridges or indentations to facilitate gripping by a user’s hand when turning the top portion between the first, second and third positions. A closure cap as claimed in claim 2 further including an annular collar for securing the top portion to the base portion, the annular collar including an inner threaded section for threading the annular collar to a corresponding outer threaded section of the base portion, the annular collar being positioned to maintain a rim of the peripheral skirt in abutment with the base portion.
4. The closure cap as claimed in claim 3 wherein the upper section further includes a drinking nozzle, the drinking nozzle defining an upper end of the passageway through the top portion.
5. The closure cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further including a cap cover for covering the upper section of the top portion.