EP2137080A2

EP2137080A2 - A dispensing device

Info

Publication number: EP2137080A2
Application number: EP08718651A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Amrik Pannu
Original assignee: Mixicap Ltd
Current assignee: Mixicap Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-09
Filing date: 2008-03-07
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-07
Also published as: ATE544695T1; GB0704641D0; WO2008110767A3; WO2008110767A2; EP2137080B1

Abstract

A dispensing device (10) for attachment to the mouth of a container. The device includes a plurality of closed chambers (15), each containing an additive wherein each chamber is adapted for individual opening on demand from the exterior side so that in use the additive is released into the container.

Description

A Dispensing Device

The invention relates to a device for the mouth of a container, and adapted to release additives into a container on demand.

It is known to provide variation in bottled water, such as flavour, sweetness, colour or carbonation, typically prior to bottling. One bottle provides one variety of water. There are known additives for water, which are readily available to consumers, such as flavoured concentrates or soluble tablets. However, these must be bought separately, and there is a risk of spillage or contamination if added to a bottle. In some cases, it may not be possible to buy such additives in the same shop as bottled water, which is inconvenient for the consumer. If immediate consumption is not desired, consumers also have the inconvenience of carrying the bottle and the additives. The disadvantages become increasingly significant as the number of additives increases.

It would be desirable to provide consumers with the choice of multiple varieties of water, for example, different flavours, different strengths of flavours, or fizziness, or combinations thereof, from a single bottle.

Although the problem as described is in relation to bottled water, it may also apply where other fluid materials are to be mixed, for example, the addition of a concentrate or a catalyst to a bulk product, such as the addition of a medical compound to animal feed.

There is therefore a need for a device which enables the contents of a container to be modified in a plurality of ways after manufacture simply, conveniently, and hygienically.

According to the present invention there is a dispensing device for attachment to the mouth of a container, the device including a plurality of closed chambers, each containing an additive wherein each chamber is adapted for individual opening on demand from the exterior side so that in use the additive is released into the container.

One device can contain multiple additives — for example, a plurality of flavourings

(although more than one chamber containing the same flavouring could also be provided, so that different strengths of a particular flavour can also be achieved), fizziness, sweeteners, scent, vitamins, and medical compounds such as aspirin. As these can all be dispensed individually, many combinations of additives are available, all conveniently contained within one container.

As the chambers are individual and self-contained, leakage and cross-contamination between chambers is prevented. In addition the chambers can be hermetically sealed to maintain sterility.

Preferably, two or more chambers are adapted to be opened simultaneously, thus facilitating fast dispensing of a plurality of additives, for example, to give flavouring and colouring, or to give a double concentration of additive.

Preferably, two or more chambers are adapted to be opened sequentially.

In a preferred embodiment, the device is attached to the mouth of a container in such a way as to provide a closure. Thus, the dispensing device and closure can be provided as a single component, which simplifies manufacture. The closure may be releasable and/or resealable, for example, by means of a screw cap.

To allow easy release of the additives, the chambers may be part of a blister pack. By blister pack we mean a sheet of deformable material, preferably of plastic material, having outwardly protruding blisters, and a thin easily ruptured layer, preferably a metal foil, and preferably aluminium foil, forming a closure for the blisters on the inward side.

The blister pack may be formed using conventional techniques.

The sheet may be heat sealed to the mouth of the container to form a closure.

UV protection means may be provided, so that the additive does not suffer UV degradation. This may be achieved by forming the plastic layer of the blister pack from UV resistive plastic.

It should be apparent that the number and shape of chambers can be varied according to the demands of the application. An upstanding wall may be provided on the closure or on the container to prevent accidental rupturing of the blisters.

The means for rupturing the chamber could also be varied. The device could further comprise one elongate member depending from said sheet into a blister for movement towards said layer for piercing thereof. Preferably, each blister would be provided with an elongate member. Preferably the elongate member would be a spike, making it easier to pierce the foil.

Alternatively, rather than applying pressure to the chamber directly, by hand, means for putting pressure on the chambers could be incorporated into the structure of the device, activated, for instance, by pushing or twisting a cap, for example by increasing pressure on a blister by use of a ramped abutment. A cap preferably includes a continuous external membrane so that piercing of a blister does not risk opening the container to the exterior.

In another preferred embodiment, one or more of said chambers may be gas tight and further comprise a release valve, the release valve being caused to open, and the additive to be dispensed, when a minimum pressure is reached inside said chamber.

One or more of the closed chambers may be connected by a gas vent to a closed compartment, the compartment containing a pressurised pellet, said pellet having an internal pressure which, when the pellet is ruptured, causes the gas vent to open and further to increase the pressure in the chamber so that it exceeds said minimum pressure.

One or more of the closed chambers may be in the form of a syringe comprising a hollow body and a plunger, the plunger and the inner periphery of the body being substantially fluid tight and said increase in pressure being achieved by depression of said plunger.

The plunger may be adapted to rupture said pellet mechanically.

For one or more closed chambers, an elongate plunger may be provided and which extends from the interior to the exterior of the compartment, so that the gas pellet can be ruptured from the exterior of the container. One or more of the plungers may comprise a shaft and a pad on the external end of the shaft, the pad being greater in diameter than the shaft, thus limiting movement of the shaft into the chamber.

One or more of the plungers may be retractable from a pre-use condition to a latched condition for use, thus providing a longer plunger.

By using a retractable plunger with a handle, the plunger can be arranged in its unused state so that the handle prevents movement of the plunger into the chamber, but on demand the plunger can be retracted, so that it can be pushed into the chamber and the additive can be dispensed. This prevents unintentional dispensing, for example during transportation. In addition, it allows the plunger, when the syringe is unused, to protrude a minimal distance from the. chamber, so that, when attached to a container, the height of the container is not greatly increased.

The device may further incorporate a closure for the mouth of a container, which is preferably a screw cap, so that the device is suitable for forming a closure for the container.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure comprises an end wall and a side, wall and the device is substantially within the walls. The closure may define openings in the end wall to permit access to the chambers for application of manual force to open the chambers.

A configuration where the blisters are clearly visible, and especially where they are permanently deformed on applying pressure to release the additive, has the advantage that it will be evident if the blister had been tampered with.

The device and closure may be formed as a single component, in use the blisters being over the mouth of a container, for simplicity of manufacture and to aid in providing a closure.

As an alternative to a blister, the closed chamber may comprise a sac, preferably of a plastic material, with a release valve in the base thereof, said chamber being housed inside a compartment moulded as part of a closure of a container. The compartments housing sac-like chambers may be defined by the side wall of the cap and dividing walls.

In one embodiment the sac-like chambers are self-contained and placed with close fitting compartments. The chambers may have a weak lower wall in place of a release valve, in order to release the contents downwardly on demand. An additional easily broken membrane may be provided in the base of the compartments, and adapted to be opened on slight over-pressure from a chamber, or for example dissolved on contact with the contents of the chamber.

The device may include a tray provided beneath the layer, the tray defining through holes. Such a tray is adapted to hold the additive once released, whilst the holes allow either the additive to be shaken into the container or the contents of the container, for example water, to pass through the holes. The tray prevents all the additive entering the container at once, which may be desirable in aiding solubility of powder. In a preferred embodiment the tray has a raised lip around the perimeter thereof to hinder flow of the additive through the hole. The tray may also act to retain any pieces of a membrane layer which become completely detached.

The tray may form a cover, at one end of a hollow cylinder, the cylinder being fixed to the inside of the cap and having a screw thread on its internal wall.

An elongate member may be provided on the tray for piercing of said layer. In a preferred embodiment the member may be a hollow tube, the end for piercing said layer preferably being an edge, and the end attached to the tray preferably defining holes to allow the additive to flow onto the tray. In layer may also be provided with circular grooves which align with the end of the tube, thus aiding breaking of the layer.

An easily breakable layer, preferably a metal foil, may be provided to cover the holes in the tray, so that the additives are not released into the bottle until sufficient pressure is achieved to rupture the layer. The closure may be provided with an antitamper device, which will indicate if the closure has been opened since manufacture.

The device may further incorporate a protective covering which is at least partially movable, preferably in a hinged manner to reveal the chambers. The cover can provide protection for the chambers so that they are less likely to be accidentally opened, for example during transportation, but will also allow access to the chambers when the additive is to be dispensed.

The protective covering may be provided with an antitamper device, to indicate if the protective covering has been opened since manufacture.

For simplicity of manufacture, of the plastic layer, closure, protective covering, and hinge two or more preferably are preferably moulded as a single component.

A particular application of the invention is providing additives for bottled water. Providing additives, such as flavouring, and the bottle as one unit allows the consumer to buy both the water and additives at the same time. This avoids the inconvenience of a separate purchase, or of carrying additives in addition to the container. The additive can be kept separate from the contents of the container until the consumer is ready to decide what additives are required. The additives can then be dispensed into the container on demand, allowing the contents of the container to be modified after manufacture.

The additives may be substances soluble in water, such as powders or syrups, and, because the device allows additives to drop directly into the mouth of the container, tablets can also be easily dispensed. The additives may add flavouring, scent, or colour to the contents of the container, for example, creating orange- flavoured water. One chamber may have different contents to another chamber.

In use it is envisaged that a conventional closure will be provided to give access to the contents of the container, and that such a closure may incorporate the device of the invention.

It should be noted that the device of the invention is not restricted to creating different varieties of bottled water. It could be applied to any use where release of a substance into a container on demand is required, the substance in the container not necessarily being a liquid. The device would be particularly suited to applications which require a hygienic, hermetically sealed environment; for example, the release of medical ingredients, for example, vaccinations into food or drink. Further, the device may be used for cases where medical ingredients need to be added in a certain order, aided by numbering on the device.

A dispensing device in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side profile view of a first embodiment of the device with blisters attached to a bottle;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the device of Fig. 1 with blisters, showing the position of three chambers; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 before insertion into a cap, and a cap;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a second embodiment of the device with the blisters with spikes and a screw cap formed as a single component;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the device of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the third embodiment of the device with the blisters with spikes and a cap and further featuring an internal tray;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of the fourth embodiment of the device with an internal tray with a tubes for piercing the foil;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of a fifth embodiment of the device with a three syringe mechanism (two syringes seen) and a cap;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side view of an individual syringe of Fig. 7 unused;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic side view of an individual syringe of Fig. 7 with the plunger retracted; Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic side view of an individual syringe of Fig. 7 with the plunger locked and the additive dispensed;

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation of a sixth embodiment of the device with three compressed gas tubes (two gas tubes seen) and a cap;

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of the seventh embodiment of the device with three chambers (only two shown) incorporated within the cap;

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation of the seventh embodiment of the device with shortened side walls;

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation of the seventh embodiment of the device with an extended mid wall;

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional representation of the seventh embodiment, showing the three chambers; and

Fig. 17 is a sectional elevation of an eighth embodiment of the device.

The following descriptions of dispensing devices relate specifically to examples where the device is attached to a water bottle 8 of plastics material and is for dispensation of flavouring.

Embodiment 1

Figs. 1-3 illustrate this embodiment. The dispensing device 10 comprises a cap 12, a sheet 13 inside the cap 12, and a protective cover 14.

The sheet 13 contains three closed chambers 15, and comprises two layers: a plastic layer 16 and a metal foil layer 18. The plastic layer faces outwards with respect to the interior of the bottle 8. The plastic layer 16 comprises three open blisters 20. The foil layer 18 is on the inner side of the sheet 13, with respect to the interior of the bottle, and provides closures for the blisters 20, thus forming closed chambers 15. Within each chamber 15 is a syrup 22 containing concentrated flavouring. Each chamber may have a different flavour syrup 22. The syrups 22 are highly soluble in water. The cap 12 has three through holes 24 in its top face. The sizes and positions of the holes 24 are such that the chambers 15 are able to protrude through the holes 24, and so can be easily accessed from the exterior of the bottle 8.

The cap 12 and the plastic layer 16 may be attached or formed together as a single plastic component, to provide a closure for the bottle 8.

In use, pressure is applied to a blister 20 from the exterior of the container, that is, to deform the plastic layer 16, causing the foil layer 18 underneath to break, and thus enabling the syrup 22 to be released into the water in the bottle 8. The syrup 22 then dissolves in the water, thus flavouring the water. Releasing and dissolving the syrup 22 can be aided by shaking the bottle 8. If the different chambers 15 contain different syrups 22 with different flavours, then opening different combinations of chambers 15 will result in differently flavoured waters.

The protective cover 14 is provided over the top of the cap 12 so that the cover 14 is not in contact with the chambers 15. The cover 14 and the cap 12 are attached via a hinge 28, and are formed as a single component. The cover 26 is rigid, so that it prevents pressure being applied to the chambers 24 unintentionally, for example during transportation.

Embodiment 2

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate this embodiment. The dispensing device 30 comprises a plastic screw cap 32, with an internal screw thread 33, with three chambers 34 moulded into the end wall 36 of the cap 32.

Each chamber 34 protrudes beneath the inner side of the end wall 36 of the cap 32 as a short hollow cylinder 37. The walls of the chambers 34 taper inwards slightly within the end wall 36 of the cap 32 and above the top of the face of the cap 32 there is a domed roof 38 on each chamber 34, which protrudes above the top face 36 of the cap 32. The roof 38 is of a thickness to deflect resiliently when manually pressed.

A foil layer 42 is welded or heat sealed to the bottom of the walls of the chambers 34, so that they are closed. A wedge-shaped spike 44 depends vertically from the centre of the roof 38 so that the point 46 is just above the foil layer 42. The chamber is partially filled with additive 48. The foil layer 42 has grooves 50 on its outside face, relative to the insides of the chambers 34, in cross shapes, so that the centre of the cross is directly below the point 46 of the spike 44.

In use, pressure is applied to the exterior of a roof 38 of a chamber 34. As the roof 38 is deflected downwards, the spike 44 is pushed through the foil layer 42. This is aided by the grooves 50 in the foil layer 42, which make it break more easily. The chamber 34 is thus opened, and the additive 48 released into the bottle 8. Dissolving of the additive 48 can be aided by shaking the bottle 8.

Embodiment 3

Fig. 6 illustrates this embodiment. The dispensing device 51 comprises a two-part plastic screw cap 52, the first part 54 being the same as that of Embodiment 2, but without the screw thread on the inside cylindrical surface, there instead being a second hollow cylindrical part 56, joined to the inside of the first part 54. The second part is about half the depth of the first part 54 and is joined to the inside cylindrical surface of the first part 54 so that one end 57 of the wall is level with edge of the first part 54 at its open end. The other end of the second cylinder 56 has a tray 58 attached, which is parallel to the end wall 36 of the first part 54, for catching most of the additive 48 once it is released. The tray 58 also helps to stop any large pieces of the foil layer 42 which become completely detached entering the container. The tray 58 defines openings 60 to allow water through so that the additive 48 can be mixed with the water in the bottle 8 when the bottle 8 is moved from an upright position. The edge of the tray 58 around each opening has a raised lip 62 to prevent the additive 48 spilling over the edge of the tray 58 before the bottle 8 is moved from the upright position.

Embodiment 4

Fig. 7 illustrates this embodiment. The dispensing device 202 is similar to embodiment 3. However, instead of a spike 44, a hollow tube 204 is provided beneath each chamber 34, attached by one end to the tray 58. The end 206 of the tube 204 nearest the foil 42 is jagged, to aid in breaking the foil 42. The foil 42 has circular shaped grooves in it, which align with the edge of the tube 204, and allow the foil 42 to break more easily. At the end of the rube 204 which is attached to the tray 58 there are openings 206.

In use, when the roof 38 of a chamber 34 is depressed, the foil 42 is caused to move into contact with the jagged edge 206 of the tube 204, thus breaking the foil 42 and releasing the additive 48. The openings 206 at the bottom of the tube allow the additive 48 to flow out onto the tray 58.

Embodiment 5

Figs. 8-1 1 illustrate this embodiment. The dispensing device 64 comprises a screw cap 66, three syringes 68, and a protective cover 70.

The syringes 68 each comprise a plunger 72 which is partially inside a cylindrical chamber 74, so that their longitudinal axes are coincident. The plunger 72 comprises an upper section 76 and a lower section 78. The upper section 76 and the lower section 78 both comprise shafts, the upper shaft 80 and the lower shaft 82, respectively. The upper shaft 80 is narrower than the lower shaft 82, and the lower shaft 82 is at least partially hollow, so that, in the unused position, the end of the upper shaft 82 is located roughly at the longitudinal midpoint of the lower shaft 82. On the free end of the upper shaft 80 is a disc-shaped pad 84, arranged coaxially with the upper shaft 80: On the free end of the lower shaft 82 is a dispensing disc 86, arranged coaxially with the lower shaft 82.

The plunger 72 is positioned so that the dispensing disc 86 is inside the chamber 74 and the pad 84 is outside the chamber 74. The portion of the chamber 74 which does not contain the lower shaft 82 is filled with liquid additive 88, and the dispensing disc 86 forms a fluid tight seal with the inside of the chamber 74.

The syringes 68 are arranged so that the chambers 74 are within the bottle 8, below the top face of the cap 66, and the upper shafts 80 of plungers 72 protrude through openings 90 in the top of the cap 66. Each syringe has an additional upper chamber 91 which joins the chamber 74 to the underside of the cap 66, and surrounds the portions of the upper shaft 80 and lower shaft 82 which are outside the chamber 74. In use, to release the additive from a syringe, the handle 84 is used to retract the upper shaft 80 until it reaches a position inside the lower shaft 82 at which it locks, creating a longer plunger. Pressure can then be applied to the plunger 72 in the reverse direction so that the dispensing disc 86 is pushed towards the end of the chamber, forcing the additive 88 out through a release valve 92 on the end wall of the chamber 74.

The protective cover 70 is provided over the top of the cap 66 so that the cover 70 is not in contact with the plungers 72. The cover 70 and the cap 66 are attached via a hinge 93 and an antitamper mechanism 94 at a position opposite the hinge 93. The cap 66, cover 70, hinge 93 and antitamper mechanism 94 are formed as a single component. The cover 70 prevents the syringes 68 from being easily accessible, so acting as a deterrent to dispensing the additives 88 prior to purchase.

Embodiment 6

Fig 12 illustrates this embodiment. The dispensing device 95 comprises a cap 96, three syringes 98, and a protective cover 99.

The syringes 98 each comprise an elongate plunger 100, a cylindrical closed compartment 102, and a cylindrical closed chamber 104, the chamber 104 being greater in diameter than the compartment 102. The plunger 100 is positioned partially inside one end of the compartment 102 so that their longitudinal axes are coincident. There is an airtight seal between the plunger 100 and the compartment 102. The other end of the compartment 102 is positioned inside the chamber 104. The compartment 102 contains a gas pellet 106, which can be ruptured when pressure is applied by the plunger 100. There is a gas vent 108 in the wall of the compartment 102, between the compartment 102 and the chamber 104. The chamber 104 is filled with a liquid additive 110 and there is a release valve 1 12 at the other end of the chamber 104.

The syringes 98 are arranged so that the compartments 102 and chambers 104 are within the bottle 8, inside the end wall 113 of the cap 96, with the compartments 102 nearest the cap, and the plungers 100 protruding through openings 1 14 in the end wall 113 of the cap 96. In use, a plunger 100 can be moved into a compartment 102 by applying pressure from the exterior of the bottle 8. This causes the gas pellet 106 to rupture, releasing pressurised gas into the compartment 102. The pressure in the compartment 102 is such that the gas vent 108 is opened, and the gas is able to move into the chamber 104. In turn, the increase in pressure in the chamber 104 causes the contents to be expelled through the release valve 1 12. The additive 1 10 then dissolves in the water, thus flavouring the water. Dissolving the additive 1 10 can be aided by shaking the bottle 8.

The protective cover 99 is provided over the top of the cap 96 so that the cover 99 is not in contact with the plungers 100. The cover 99 and the cap 96 are attached via a hinge 116, and are formed as a single component. The cover 99 is rigid, so that it prevents pressure being applied to the plunger 100 unintentionally, for example during transportation.

Embodiment 7

Figs. 13 to 16 illustrate this embodiment. The dispensing device 150 comprises a plastic screw cap 152, with an internal screw thread 154, with three chambers 156 moulded as part of the cap 152.

The closure element of the cap 152 comprises a side wall 158, and a mid wall 160 perpendicular to the side wall 158, which combine to form a closure for a container below the mid wall 160. Above the mid wall 160 the side wall 158 forms the sides of the chambers 156. The end wall 162 of the cap 152 is parallel to the mid wall 160. The end wall 162 is thin enough to be easily deflected. The chambers 156 are separated by three equal length dividing walls 164 (Fig. 16) which extend from the side wall 158 to the central point 166 of the perimeter of the side wall 158. The dividing walls 164 are equally spaced, creating chambers 156 of equal volume. A release valve 168 connects the interior of a chamber 156 to the interior of the container.

Beneath the mid wall 160 of the cap, and parallel, is an optional tray 170 attached to the side wall 158. The tray 170 has the same features as that of Embodiment 3. In use, pressure is applied manually to the chambers 156 via the end wall of the cap 152, causing the release valve 168 to open and the additive 172 to be released onto the tray 170. The openings 60 through the tray 170 are sealed with a foil layer 174, which ruptures when sufficient pressure is achieved in the space between the mid wall 160 and the tray 170. The foil layer is optional.

A protective cover 176 is attached to the end wall 152 of the cap via a hinge 178, the cover 176 and cap 152 being formed as a single component. The cover 176 is rigid, so that it prevents pressure being applied to chambers 156 unintentionally, for example during transportation.

The closure may define separate compartments within a plastic sac 178 attached to the release valve 168 is contained.

As shown in Fig. 14, the height of the side wall 158 extending above the mid wall 160 can be varied. For example if it is made lower than the height of the plastic sacs 178, this allows greater access to the chambers 156 for the application of manual pressure. In such an embodiment the protective cover 176 must be shaped to cover the portions of the plastic sacs not covered by the side wall 158. The height of the compartments can also be varied to accommodate different volumes of additives 172.

The mid wall 160 can be shaped, as shown in Fig. 15, to extend the chambers 156 further towards the interior of the bottle 8, again enabling accommodation of different volumes of additives 172.

Embodiment 8

Fig. 17 illustrates a three compartment screw cap 181 comprising a single plastics moulding which defines screw thread 182, cover 183 and depending walls 184. A lower closing membrane 185, attached by welding, heat sealing or the like, closes each compartment after filling and incorporates one-way valves 186 to allow expulsion of contents under pressure applied by deformation of the cover 183. The embodiments described herein are examples, and variation and modification are to be expected from the skilled worker within the scope of the invention. For example, although the descriptions have been for screw cap closures, flip-top closures could also be used.

Claims

1. A dispensing device for attachment to the mouth of a container, the device including a plurality of closed chambers, each containing an additive wherein each chamber is adapted for individual opening on demand from the exterior side so that in use the additive is released into the container.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which two or more chambers are adapted to be opened simultaneously.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which two or more chambers are adapted to be opened sequentially.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which said chambers comprise a sheet of deformable material having outwardly protruding blisters, and a thin easily ruptured layer forming a closure for the blisters on the inward side.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising an elongate member depending from said sheet into a blister for movement towards said layer for piercing thereof.

6. A device as claimed in claims 5 in which the elongate member is a spike.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 in which each blister is provided with an elongate member.

8. A device as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7 in which the sheet is of plastic material.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 in which the plastic is UV resistant.

10. A device as claimed in any of claims 4 to 9 in which the layer is metal foil.

11. A device as claimed in any of claim 10 in which the metal foil is aluminium foil.

12. A device as claimed in claims 4 to 11 in which the device features include a tray provided beneath the layer, the tray defining through holes.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 in which the tray has a raised lip at the perimeter thereof.

14. A device as claimed in claims 1 , 2, or 3 in which one or more of said chambers is gas tight and further comprises a release valve, the release valve being caused to open, and the additive to be dispensed, when a minimum pressure is reached inside said chamber.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14 in which one or more of the closed chambers is connected by a gas vent to a closed compartment, the compartment containing a pressurised pellet, said pellet having an internal pressure which, when the pellet is ruptured, causes the gas vent to open and further to increase the pressure in the chamber so that it exceeds said minimum pressure.

16. A device as claimed in claim 14 in which one or more of said closed chambers is in the form of a syringe comprising a hollow body and a plunger, the plunger and the inner periphery of the body being substantially fluid tight, and said increase in pressure being achieved by depression of said plunger.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16 in which said plunger is adapted to rupture said pellet of claim 15 mechanically.

18. A device as claimed in claims 14 to 16 in which one or more of the plungers comprises a shaft and a pad on the external end of the shaft, the pad being greater in diameter than the shaft.

19. A device as claimed in any of claims 16, 17, or 18 in which one or more of the plungers is retractable from a pre-use condition to a latched condition for use.

20. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the device further incorporates a closure for the mouth of a container.

21. A device as claimed in claim 20 in which the closure comprises an end wall and a side wall, and the device is substantially within the walls.

22. A device as claimed in claim 21 in which the closure defines openings in the end wall to permit access to the chambers for application of manual force to open the chambers.

23. A device as claimed in claim 20 in which the device and the closure are formed as a single component, in use the chambers being over the mouth of a container.

24. A device as claimed in claims 20 to 23 in which the closure is a screw cap.

25. A device as claimed in any of claims 20 to 24 in which an antitamper device is provided on the closure.

26. A device as claimed in any preceding claim which further incorporates a protective covering which is at least partially movable.

27. A device as claimed in claim 26 in which the closure and protective covering are moulded as a single component.

28. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the additives are soluble in water.

29. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which one or more of the additives is a syrup.

30. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which one or more of the additives is a powder.

31. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which one or more of the additives is a tablet.

32. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which one or more of the additives comprises a flavouring,

33. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which one or more of the additives is a colouring.

34. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which one chamber has contents different from the another chamber.

35. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the device is attached to the container to provide a closure for the mouth thereof.

36. A dispensing device for attachment to the mouth of a container substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.