EP0958187B1 - Dispositif de transfert d'un fluide dans le liquide d'un recipient - Google Patents

Dispositif de transfert d'un fluide dans le liquide d'un recipient Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0958187B1
EP0958187B1 EP96942452A EP96942452A EP0958187B1 EP 0958187 B1 EP0958187 B1 EP 0958187B1 EP 96942452 A EP96942452 A EP 96942452A EP 96942452 A EP96942452 A EP 96942452A EP 0958187 B1 EP0958187 B1 EP 0958187B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluid
container
fluid chamber
liquid
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96942452A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0958187A1 (fr
Inventor
Bernard Derek Frutin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rocep Lusol Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
Rocep Lusol Holdings Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rocep Lusol Holdings Ltd filed Critical Rocep Lusol Holdings Ltd
Publication of EP0958187A1 publication Critical patent/EP0958187A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0958187B1 publication Critical patent/EP0958187B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
    • B65D81/3205—Separate rigid or semi-rigid containers joined to each other at their external surfaces
    • B65D81/3211—Separate rigid or semi-rigid containers joined to each other at their external surfaces coaxially and provided with means facilitating admixture
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
    • B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
    • B65D51/2814—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it
    • B65D51/2828—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being a film or a foil
    • B65D51/2835—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being a film or a foil ruptured by a sharp element, e.g. a cutter or a piercer

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for releasing a fluid into a first liquid in a container.
  • liquids In a number of applications, such as mixtures of different liquids, it may be necessary to release and mix a liquid into another liquid shortly before the liquid mixture is used. It may not be possible or desirable to store the liquids in a premixed form, as they may react undesirably with each other when stored as the mixture for a period of time.
  • An example of this may be mixtures of alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks. However, it can also apply to other liquids or to mixtures of liquids and gases.
  • a device for releasing a fluid into a liquid according to Claim 1 there is provided a device for releasing a fluid into a liquid according to Claim 1.
  • a container of a liquid comprises an opening closed by a releasable closure and a device for releasing a fluid into the liquid in the container, the device being mounted in the container adjacent the opening, and the device being in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
  • An advantage of the invention is that by having a fluid chamber which releases fluid when it is punctured it is possible to delay puncturing the fluid chamber until the fluid is to be released into the liquid in the container, just before the liquid is to be used.
  • a further advantage is that when the pressure within the container is greater than ambient pressure or atmospheric pressure when the container is closed, the pressurisable portion will equalise to the same pressure as the container. When the container is opened a pressure differential will be created between the container and the pressurisable portion because pressure is not released from the pressurisable portion, and the pressure differential can be used to move the fluid chamber to the release position.
  • the housing may include a conduit into which the fluid passes after passing through the fluid outlet and the conduit extends below the surface of the liquid in the container.
  • the conduit extends to at least adjacent the mid-section of the first liquid in the first container and preferably, extends to adjacent the bottom of the first container.
  • the fluid may be released onto the surface of the liquid in the container by the device.
  • the fluid chamber may contain a liquid and/or a gas.
  • the fluid in the chamber is pressurised prior to puncturing of the chamber. Pressurisation of the fluid would aid expulsion of the fluid from the fluid chamber on release of the closure.
  • the fluid chamber includes a rupturable member which is punctured by the puncturing device to release the fluid from the fluid chamber.
  • the rupturable member may be a membrane.
  • the valve device may be a semi-permeable membrane which permits gas into the pressurisable portion of the housing but is not sufficiently permeable to permit the gas to escape from the pressurisable portion when the container is opened and before the fluid chamber moves to the release position.
  • the valve device may be a one-way valve.
  • the pressurisable portion may be sealed from the portion having the fluid outlet by the fluid chamber which co-operates with the housing to effect a seal between the fluid chamber and the housing.
  • a sealing device may be located on one or both of the fluid chambers and the housing to help effect the seal.
  • the fluid and the liquid may be any combination.
  • combinations are the fluid being lime juice and the liquid being lager, or the fluid being chocolate flavouring and gas and the liquid being milk.
  • the first combination would give the user a lager and lime drink, the second combination would give a chocolate milk shake with the gas helping to generate the froth on the shake.
  • Fig. 1 shows an example of a device 54, not according to the present invention, for releasing a fluid 58 into a liquid in a container 1.
  • the device 54 comprises a housing 57 which has spurs 33, 34 which hold a head 35 of a fluid chamber 36.
  • the chamber 36 has a sealing gasket 37 which defines an opening 38 which is closed by a foil membrane and plastic seal 39.
  • the opposite end of the chamber 36 has a hole which is covered by a membrane 40.
  • the lower portion of the housing 57 has a rupture portion 41 with a fluid passageway 42 therein. Depending from the rupture portion 41 is a connector 43 to which a dip tube 44 is attached. Hence, the fluid passageway 42 communicates with the interior of the dip tube 44.
  • the upper section of the housing 32 has a telescopic section 45 in which is located a plunger 46. Bleed holes 47 in the housing 57 and the telescopic section 45 permit gas to bleed into void 48 between the plunger 46 and the upper end of the fluid chamber 36 from air space 49 in the container 1.
  • an optional spring 50 may be located between the upper end of the chamber 36 and the inside of the plunger 46 (see Fig. 2).
  • the spring 50 is optional and is preferably used where the liquid in the container 1 is a still liquid. However, the spring 50 may also be used where the liquid is aerated or naturally produces a gas.
  • the device 54 is located in the container 1 in the neck 3 and is secured in position by a threaded cap 51 which also seals the container 1.
  • the cap 51 threadedly attaches to the opening 3, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the position of the device shown in Fig. 1 is the position in which the container 1 would be retailed or stored.
  • a user may press the plunger 46 downwards in the direction of the arrow 52. This causes the telescopic section 45 to move downwards, forcing the chamber 36 downwards by spurs 53 which are engaged against the upper end of the chamber 36. As the chamber 36 is forced downwards within the housing 54, the rupture portion 41 ruptures the foil membrane 39 which releases fluid 58 through the fluid outlet 42 into the dip tube 44.
  • the fluid 58 is either pressurised on insertion of the fluid 58 into the chamber 36, or else gas from the void 49 in the container 1 has pressurised the fluid 32 by entering the chamber 36 through bleed holes 37, void 48 and the semi-permeable membrane 40. The pressurised fluid 58 is expelled from the chamber 36 through the dip tube 44 into the liquid in the container 1 by this pressure.
  • the device 54 may be removed from the container 1 (see Fig. 4) by a user grasping nibs 55 on the top end of the telescopic section 45.
  • FIG. 5 An example of a device 80 according to the present invention for releasing a fluid 81 into a liquid in a container (not shown) is shown in Fig. 5.
  • the device 80 comprises a housing 82 which has an upper section 83 and a lower section 84. Attached to the upper section 83 is a cap 85 which has a number of ridges 86 on its top surface. In addition, there is a vent hole 87 in the cap 85 and the hole 87 is covered by a semi-permeable membrane 88. Located within the housing 82 is a fluid chamber 89 in which the liquid 81 is contained.
  • the fluid chamber 89 has an open end 90 which is sealed by an annular gasket 91 and a central aperture 92 of the gasket 91 is sealed by a foil membrane 93.
  • a protective cap 94 covers the gasket 91 and the cap 94 has a central aperture therein which coincides with the aperture 92 in the gasket 91.
  • the cap 94 is snapped over open end 90 of the fluid chamber 89 and the cap 94 terminates in sprung legs 95 at the side of the fluid chamber 89.
  • the lower portion 84 of housing 82 has a central rupturing portion 96 in which grooves 97 are formed.
  • the lower portion 84 of the housing 82 is formed by arms 98 which extend from upper portion 83 downwards and then radially inwards to join the rupturing portion 96 and there are gaps between the arms 98.
  • the device 80 may for example be filled with a liquid which is super-saturated with nitrogen.
  • the device 80 may then be attached to the underside of the cap of a drink can, in which the ring pull of the drink can is located.
  • the device 80 may be attached to the underside of the cap of the drink can by adhesive which attaches ribs 86 to the underside of the drink can.
  • the ridges 86 are not continuous thus permitting gas within the drink can to pass from the drink can, after it is sealed, through membrane 88 and vent hole 87 into air gap 99 between the top of the chamber 89 and the underside of the cap 85.
  • the drink can may be a can for beer or another drink in which the contents of the can are pressurised.
  • Fluid 81 in the chamber 89 which is pressurised, is then expelled through grooves 97 in the rupturing member 96 and out of the housing 82 via the gaps in the arms 98 in the lower section 84 of the housing 82, and into contact with the liquid in the can.
  • the excess pressure in the air gap 99 bleeds through the vent hole 87 and membrane 88, the pressure on the upper end of the chamber 89 reduces to atmospheric pressure and the chamber 89 relaxes to the position shown in Fig. 7.
  • An advantage of the device 80 shown in Figs. 5 to 7 is that the fluid 81 within the chamber 89 can be released into the contents of the liquid in the container, for example a drink can or a bottle, without requiring a user to activate the device 80.
  • a further advantage of the invention is that the fluid chamber is only punctured or ruptured, when the fluid needs to be released into the liquid in the container.
  • dip tube such as the dip tube 44 on device 54
  • gas in the fluid may be used, for example, to froth the liquid or generate a head on the mixed liquid.
  • a mixed liquid may be a flavoured milkshake, in which case the fluid may be a mixture of a flavour concentrate and a gas.
  • a further advantage of the invention is that the devices can be used with containers which are pressurised or non-pressurised and with fluid which may be a liquid, gas or a liquid/gas mixture.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Un dispositif (80) destiné à libérer un fluide dans un liquide dans un récipient ayant une fermeture détachable, le dispositif comprenant un logement (82) ; un dispositif de perforation (96) monté sur le logement (82) ; une chambre à fluide (89) montée de façon mobile au sein du logement (82) afin de se déplacer entre une position de stockage, dans laquelle du fluide (81) est retenu au sein de la chambre à fluide (89), et une position de libération, dans laquelle la chambre à fluide (89) est perforée par le dispositif de perforation (96) et du fluide est libéré de la chambre à fluide (89) pour sortir du dispositif par une sortie de fluide (92) dans ladite chambre à fluide,
    caractérisé en ce que :
    le logement comprend deux portions, une portion pressurisable (83) au sein de laquelle est montée la chambre à fluide (89) et une portion (84) possédant le dispositif de perforation (96), et un dispositif formant soupape (88) est emboíté sur la portion pressurisable (83) pour permettre à la pression au sein de la portion pressurisable (83) de s'équilibrer lentement avec la pression au sein du récipient, le dispositif formant soupape (88) empêchant sensiblement la pression d'être libérée immédiatement de la portion pressurisable (83) lorsque la fermeture détachable est ôtée afin d'ouvrir le récipient, de sorte que la pression au sein de la portion pressurisable (83) a pour effet d'entraíner un déplacement de la chambre à fluide (89) vers la position de libération.
  2. Un dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le fluide (81) dans la chambre à fluide (89) est pressurisé.
  3. Un dispositif selon n'importe lesquelles des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la chambre à fluide (89) contient un liquide (81) et/ou un gaz.
  4. Un dispositif selon n'importe lesquelles des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la chambre à fluide (89) comporte un élément pouvant être rompu (93), lequel est perforé par le dispositif de perforation (96) afin de libérer le fluide (81) de la chambre à fluide (89).
  5. Un dispositif selon la revendication 4, dans lequel l'élément pouvant être rompu (93) consiste en une membrane.
  6. Un dispositif tel que revendiqué dans n'importe lesquelles des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le dispositif formant soupape est une membrane semi-perméable (88).
  7. Un dispositif tel que revendiqué dans n'importe lesquelles des revendications précédentes dans lequel la portion pressurisable (83) est séparée de façon hermétique de la portion (84) possédant le dispositif de perforation (96) par la chambre à fluide (89), laquelle coopère avec le logement (82) afin de réaliser un joint hermétique entre la chambre à fluide (89) et le logement (82).
  8. Un récipient (1) d'un liquide comprenant une ouverture fermée par une fermeture détachable et un dispositif (80) selon n'importe lesquelles des revendications précédentes, le dispositif libérant un fluide (81) dans le liquide (64) dans le récipient, et le dispositif étant monté dans le récipient de façon adjacente à l'ouverture.
EP96942452A 1995-12-13 1996-12-13 Dispositif de transfert d'un fluide dans le liquide d'un recipient Expired - Lifetime EP0958187B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9525414 1995-12-13
GBGB9525414.0A GB9525414D0 (en) 1995-12-13 1995-12-13 A device for releasing a fluid into a liquid in a container
PCT/GB1996/003092 WO1997021605A1 (fr) 1995-12-13 1996-12-13 Dispositif de transfert d'un fluide dans le liquide d'un recipient

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0958187A1 EP0958187A1 (fr) 1999-11-24
EP0958187B1 true EP0958187B1 (fr) 2003-03-12

Family

ID=10785315

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96942452A Expired - Lifetime EP0958187B1 (fr) 1995-12-13 1996-12-13 Dispositif de transfert d'un fluide dans le liquide d'un recipient

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0958187B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE234236T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU1182197A (fr)
DE (1) DE69626701T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0958187T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2194124T3 (fr)
GB (1) GB9525414D0 (fr)
PT (1) PT958187E (fr)
WO (1) WO1997021605A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6561232B1 (en) 1998-10-29 2003-05-13 Rocep Lusol Holdings Limited Bottle closure having means for mixing a predetermined dose of an additive into a liquid
FR2787716B1 (fr) * 1998-12-24 2001-03-16 Jean Francois Dhieux Dispositif de decontamination de matieres susceptibles d'etre contaminees
US6843368B1 (en) * 1999-06-22 2005-01-18 Rocep Lusol Holdings Limited Device for introducing a predetermined dose of additive into a packaged liquid
US7482116B2 (en) 2002-06-07 2009-01-27 Dna Genotek Inc. Compositions and methods for obtaining nucleic acids from sputum
KR20060108697A (ko) * 2003-10-28 2006-10-18 안드레이 뷔아체스라보비치 아가르코브 다중 구성요소 제품 용기
AU2004287738B2 (en) * 2003-11-05 2011-11-03 Jeong-Min Lee Method and structure for mixing different materials
TR200603045T2 (tr) * 2003-11-28 2007-03-21 Young Kook Cho Şişe
DK1956969T3 (da) 2005-12-09 2012-01-30 Dna Genotek Inc Beholdersystem til udløselig opbevaring af stof
WO2008100819A1 (fr) * 2007-02-13 2008-08-21 Poly-D, Llc Contenant ayant un réservoir secondaire pour un dosage mesuré d'additifs
BR112013032629A2 (pt) 2011-06-19 2017-08-01 Abogen Inc dispositivos, soluções e métodos para coletamento de amostra
US10252836B2 (en) 2015-10-08 2019-04-09 Stephen Frank Charles Geldard Applicator apparatus, mouth fill devices, collapsible containers and methods
CN106945932B (zh) * 2017-05-09 2018-06-08 青海纳瑞亚生物科技有限公司 一种塞筒以及设置该塞筒的饮料瓶
CN109625625B (zh) * 2018-12-14 2023-09-26 重庆医科大学 用于调配酸奶制品的包装盒

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2432290A1 (de) * 1974-07-05 1976-01-22 Erich Wunsch Verschlossenes kleinbehaeltnis
US4201316A (en) * 1975-04-25 1980-05-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Capsule having frangible wall portion
DE3611690A1 (de) * 1986-04-08 1987-10-15 Pfeiffer Erich Gmbh & Co Kg Austragvorrichtung fuer mischmedien
GB9316317D0 (en) * 1993-08-06 1993-09-22 Smithkline Beecham Plc Novel container
WO1995006605A1 (fr) 1993-09-01 1995-03-09 Paktek Limited Element rapporte pour recipient de boisson
AU678056B2 (en) 1993-10-01 1997-05-15 Scottish & Newcastle Plc Beverage can with foam generating capsule
GB9410493D0 (en) 1994-05-25 1994-07-13 Metal Box Plc Beverage container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69626701T2 (de) 2004-02-12
PT958187E (pt) 2003-07-31
DE69626701D1 (de) 2003-04-17
DK0958187T3 (da) 2003-07-07
EP0958187A1 (fr) 1999-11-24
WO1997021605A1 (fr) 1997-06-19
GB9525414D0 (en) 1996-02-14
ATE234236T1 (de) 2003-03-15
AU1182197A (en) 1997-07-03
ES2194124T3 (es) 2003-11-16

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