GB2309681A

GB2309681A - Multi-compartment container with mixing means

Info

Publication number: GB2309681A
Application number: GB9601894A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gavin Robert Watson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-01-31
Filing date: 1996-01-31
Publication date: 1997-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-31
Also published as: GB9601894D0; GB2309681B

Abstract

A container 5 is adapted to store at least two different ingredients in isolation. The ingredients are stored in compartments defined by projecting members (14), that project radially inward from the interior of the container wall 9, and extend for the length of the container. These members do not extend to the centre of the container, instead abutting with a central plugging means 10, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the container, which seals the compartments. The plugging means may be flexible, for example a membrane or inflatable diaphragm, or inflexible, such as a cork. The plugging means may be released by pulling an attached cord 11, that may be connected to the cap 6 of the container, or to a ringpull (57), thus unsealing the compartments and allowing the ingredients to mix. Another embodiment comprises a container with a teat (77) that forms both the outlet and the plugging means. An annular compartment (63) is defined by an annular projecting member (71), and is sealed by a section of the inwardly extending teat, keeping it isolated from the main volume. The container is opened by pulling the teat outwards, thus breaking the seal, allowing the ingredients in the compartment and the main volume to mix.

Description

A CONTAINER This invention relates to a container.

Many products are mixtures of various different substances. As well as the relative proportions of the substances, the time at which the mixture is formed can be important to the final quality or use of the product.

In particular many foodstuffs benefit from their ingredients being mixed just before consumption. Other substances, for example, some types of glue or paste, need to be mixed into their final form just before use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a container which improves the storage of the abovementioned products.

According to this invention there is provided a container having outlet means, said container being adapted in one state to confine therein at least two substances separately, the substances being ingredients of a particular mixture, wherein the container has releasing means operable to release at least one of those ingredients from its confinement and is arranged so that said at least one ingredient which is so released moves to combine with the other ingredient or ingredients to form said mixture within the container.

Preferably the container comprises compartments in which in said one state the ingredients are confined by plugging means, said plugging means being operable to release said ingredients from their confinement.

The compartments may comprise projecting means which extend from an internal wall of the container and plugging means which in one state cooperate with the projecting means to define at least two volumes so that an ingredient confined in one of those volumes is isolated from an ingredient or ingredients confined in the other volume or volumes, said plugging means being operable to release said ingredients from their confinement.

The plugging means may comprise a cork or a solid member or diaphragm means or membrane means. The diaphragm means may be inflated.

The outlet means may comprise a teat so that the container can be used by a child. Alternatively, the' outlet means may comprise a spout or a tube.

Several containers in which the present invention is embodied will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings of which: Figure 1 is a section on line I-I of a container shown in Figure 2; Figure 2 is a section on line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section, similar to that of Figure 1, of another container; Figure 4 is a section of the container of Figure 3 in a different configuration; Figure 5 is a section similar to that of Figure 1, for yet another container, and Figure 6 is a section of the container of Figure 5 in a different configuration.

Figure 1 shows a container 5 which comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 8, a base portion 12 and a neck portion 7 over which is fitted a cap 6. The cylindrical portion 8 defines the main volume of the container 5. A central plug portion 10 is provided inside the cylindrical portion 8.

The neck portion 7 comprises a coned annular portion from an inner periphery of which projects a circular ridge 17. The circular ridge 17 extends to the outside of the container 5. The circular ridge 17 has an inner cylindrical wall 18 which defines a circular opening 16 into the cylindrical portion 8. The inner cylindrical wall 18 and the cylindrical portion 8 are coaxial.

The base portion 12 comprises a substantially saucer shaped portion which is inside the cylindrical portion 8. The substantially saucer shaped portion has a coned ring portion and a central recess 22. The coned ring portion extends from an inner wall 9 of the cylindrical portion 8 towards the end thereof which is remote from the neck portion 7. The coned ring portion has several holes 31 formed therethrough which are closed by a base cover 13 which touches the coned ring portion so that a seal is formed around each hole 31.

The recess 22 is defined by a circular base 21 and a wall portion 20 which extends around the circumference of the circular base 21 and is substantially perpendicular thereto. The recess 22 is directly below the circular opening 16 and the diameter of the circular base 21 is substantially the same as that of the circular opening 16.

Figure 2 shows that projections 14 extend from the inner wall 9 of the cylindrical portion 8. Each projection 14 extends radially inwardly as far as the cylindrical wall 18 which defines the circular opening 16 and the wall 20 which defines the recess 22 and each extends along the full length of the container 5. Hence, a series of sectors is formed around the inner circumference of the container 5.

The central plug portion 10 is made of a flexible material.

Figure 1 shows the container 5 in a configuration in which the central plug portion 10 is formed into a tubular portion and extends between the circular opening 16 and the recess 22 in the base portion 12. The central plug portion 10 is closed at the end which is nearest the recess 22. The diameters of the circular opening 16, the circular base 21 of the recess 22 and the tubular portion of the central plug portion 10 are substantially the same.

An upper ring portion 19 of the tubular portion 10 touches the wall 18 so as to form a seal and a lower ring portion 24 thereof touches the wall 20 which defines the recess 22 again so that a seal is formed. The tubular portion 10 also touches along its length each of the edges of the projections 14 so that seals are formed between the tubular portion 10 and each of these edges.

Hence, a series of discrete compartments is formed, each compartment 15 being defined by two adjacent projections 14, the portion of the inner wall 9 between those projections 14, the ring portion of the base 12, the coned annular portion of the neck portion 7 and the central plug portion 10 (see Figure 2). Each of these compartments 15 is isolated from the others.

The closed end of the central plug portion 10 is slightly spaced from the circular base 21 of the recess 22 so that an air gap is formed.

A cord 11 extends through the tubular portion and is attached at one end to the closed end of the central plug portion 10. It is attached at its other end to the cap 6.

The holes 31 in the ring portion of the base portion 12 are provided so that the compartments 15 can be filled therethrough. The holes are closed by the base cover 31 after the compartments 15 are filled. Once sealed the container 5 is ready for use.

The compartments 15 are filled with the appropriate ingredients in the correct quantities, so that each compartment 15 is filled with a measured dosage of a particular ingredient of the final mixture When the mixture is required the cap 6 is removed. This pulls on the cord 11 which is attached to the closed end of the central plug portion 10 and thereby breaks the seal between the tubular portion and the wall 20 of the recess 22 and the seals formed where the tubular portion and the edges of the projections 14 touch. The ingredients in the individual compartments 15 are then released from their confinement within those compartments 15 and move, under gravity or as a result of shaking the container, to combine with each other to form the final mixture within the container 5.

In order to remove the mixture from the container 5 for use, the seal between the upper ring portion 19 and the wall 18 must be broken. Thereafter, the central plug portion 10 can be fully removed from the container 5 and the mixture can be removed thereform.

Figure 3 shows another container 34 which comprises a cylindrical portion 35, a base portion 37 and a top portion 39. The cylindrical portion 35 defines the main volume of the container 34.

The base portion 37 comprises an annular disc 38 from the inner edge of which a tubular component 41 extends into the container 34.

The cylindrical portion 35 extends from the circumference of the annular disc 38 of the base portion 37 to the top portion 39.

The top portion 39 comprises an annular disc 40 from the inner edge of which a neck portion 43 extends outside of the container 34. The neck portion 43 is substantially tubular. The end of the neck portion 43 on the outside of the container 34 is closed by a cap 45.

Inside the cylindrical portion 35 there is a plug portion 47. The plug portion 47 is made of a flexible material.

Figure 3 shows the container 34 in a first configuration in which the plug portion 47 is formed into a tubular portion 48 which is closed at both ends.

The tubular component 41, the neck portion 43 and the tubular portion 48 have the same diameters and are coaxial with the cylindrical portion 35.

Projections extend from an inner wall of the cylindrical portion 35. Each projection 49 is substantially rectangular and extends along the length of the cylindrical portion 35 so that the respective ends of each such projection 49 abut the annular discs 38,40 of the base and top portions 37 and 39 respectively. Each projection 49 also extends radially inwardly as far as the tubular component 41 and the neck portion 43.

The tubular portion 48 extends between the neck portion 43 and the tubular component 41. It touches along its length each of the projected edges of the projections 49 so that seals between it and the edges are formed. A lower ring portion 54 of the tubular portion 48 is sealed to the inner wall of the tubular component 41. Hence, a series of discrete compartments is formed, each compartment being defined by two adjacent projections 49, the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 35, the annular discs of the base and top portions 37 and 39 respectively and the plug portion 47. Each such compartment is isolated from the others.

A cord 55 extends through the tubular portion 48 and is attached at one of its ends to the closed top end 51 thereof. Its other end is attached to and extends slidably through the closed bottom end 53 of the plug 47.

At this end the cord 55 is attached to a ring pull arrangement 57.

The arrangement at the closed bottom end 53 of the plug 47 is such that the cord 55 can be pulled therethrough without allowing any of the contents of the container 34 to leak thereform when the container 34 is in an upright position.

Again openings 58 are provided in the base portion 37 so that the compartments can be filled therethrough. The openings 58 are sealed when the compartments are filled.

Each of the compartments is filled with one of the ingredients of the final mixture in the appropriate quantity, so that each compartment is filled with a measured dosage of a particular ingredient.

When the final mixture is required the cord 55 is pulled using the ring pull arrangement 57. This pulls on the closed top 51 of the plug 47 and breaks the seals between the tubular portion 48 and the projecting edges of the projections 49, as shown in Figure 4. The substances in the individual compartments are then released from their confinement in the compartments and move, under gravity or as a result of shaking, to combine with each other to form the final mixture.

Figure 5 shows a bottle 59 for use by infants. The bottle 59 is shown in a first configuration. It comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 61 which is closed at one end 62 and which forms the main volume of the bottle 59. A compartment 63 extends around an inner wall 65 of the cylindrical portion 61.

The compartment 63 is formed by a annular disc 67, a ring portion 69 of the cylindrical portion 61, a coned annulus 71 and a diaphragm 73.

The ring portion 69 extends from the outer edge of the annular disc 67. The coned annulus 71 projects from the end of the ring portion 69 remote from the annular disc 67 into the cylindrical portion 61 and towards its closed end. The diaphragm 73 is cylindrical and is made of a flexible material. It extends from the inner edge of the coned annulus 71 to the inner edge 75 of the annular disc 67.

The diaphragm 73 touches the inner edge of the coned annulus 71 so that a seal is formed between that edge and the diaphragm 73. It is connected at its end which touches the coned annulus 71 to the base of a rubber teat 77 which is for use by the infant. In the configuration shown in Figure 4 the nipple of the teat 77 extends into the main volume of the container 59. The diaphragm 73 and the teat 77 may be formed as a single part.

A cord 79 is connected to the teat 77.

The compartment 63 and the cylindrical container 61 are each filled with one of the ingredients of the final mixture in the appropriate quantity, so that each is filled with a measured dosage of that ingredient.

When the bottle 59 is to be used by an infant the teat 77 is pulled from the interior of the container 59 to the outside of the container using the cord 79. In doing so, the seal between the diaphragm 73 and the inner edge of the coned annulus 71 is broken and the diaphragm 73 is released therefrom 71 and is pulled up with the teat 77.

Hence, the ingredient confined in the compartment 63 is released from its confinement within that compartment 63 and moves under gravity to combine with the ingredient in the main volume of the bottle 59. Figure 6 shows the bottle 59 in the configuration in which it is ready for use by a child.

The coned annulus 71 facilitates the combination of the ingredients as the ingredient confined within the compartment slides or flows off the surface of that annulus 71 on removal of the diaphragm 73.

It will be understood that the bottle 59 described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 need not be fitted with a teat 77. It would be sufficient for there to be any means for pulling up the diaphragm 73 to release the ingredient confined within the compartment 63.

This bottle is particularly useful for the storage of the ingredients of milk made from a powder because such milk when prepared typically must be used within twelve hours.

The powder would be stored in the compartment 63 and water would be in the main volume of the bottle 59. The two could be mixed when desired to form milk for a child.

It should be noted that while the containers shown in Figure 1 to 6 and described above use plugs which are made of a flexible material it would be possible to use plugs made of inflexible materials such as cork. The details of containers which use such plugs would of course vary from those described above, however, the principle of operation would be the same. It is also envisaged that the plug could comprise an inflated member operable to cooperate with the projections to form the isolated compartments and which could be deflated to release substances confined in those compartments from their confinement in such a way that said substances combine to form the final mixture within the container.

It should also be noted that while the containers shown in Figures 1 to 4 have compartments which are defined by projections each of which extend along the full length of the container, this is not essential. For example, the projections could instead each comprise an annular disc which extends from the inner wall of the container. In this case each projection would be positioned in the container so that it is coaxial with the cylindrical portion and is spaced apart from any other such projections. Hence, when the compartments are formed, each compartment would be annular and coaxial with the cylindrical portion.

The containers shown in Figure 1 to 3 and described above are ideal for storing some foodstuffs, for example salad dressing, as the freshness of some such foodstuffs varies with the amount of time they are in their prepared forms.

Hence, by enabling a consumer to delay the time at which the ingredients are mixed until they actually require the foodstuff, the freshness and quality of that foodstuff is improved. The containers are also suitable for storing drinks, for example gin and tonic, which benefit from being mixed just before consumption.

In order to further improve the freshness of products which use garlic, it is proposed that the container could incorporate a garlic crushing mechanism. This would allow garlic cloves to be stored in the volume of the container so that they can be crushed when required.

Claims

1. A container adapted to store separately therein at least two ingredients of a particular mixture wherein the ingredients are maintained in isolation from each other by releasable confining means, the arrangement being such that when the confining means is released the ingredients are movable to combine and thereby form said mixture within the container.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container includes compartments which cooperate with said confining means to maintain the ingredients in isolation from each other until the confining means are released.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein said compartments are defined by projecting means which extend inwardly from an internal wall of the container and said confining means comprise plugging means which cooperate with the projecting means to define at least two volumes for confining therein the at least two ingredients.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein said projecting means is annular and the plugging means abut an inner periphery thereof until released to enable the mixture to be formed.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of annular projecting means is provided, each being spaced apart from the others along a longitudinal axis of the container.

6. A container according to claim 3, wherein said projecting means comprise at least one elongate projection which extends along the length of the container.

7. A container according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said plugging means comprises a flexible member.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein said flexible member comprises a diaphragm or a membrane.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein said diaphragm is inflated.

10. A container according to any one of claims 3 to 61 wherein said plugging means comprises a inflexible member.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein said inflexible member comprises a cork.

12. A container according to any one of the preceding claims including an outlet which comprise a spout or a tube.

13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, including an outlet which comprises a teat, so that the container can be used by a child.

14. A container substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings and as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 or Figure 3 or Figure 4 or Figure 5 or Figure 6 of those drawings.