GB2388363A

GB2388363A - Container closure for keepeing two substances separate until dispensing

Info

Publication number: GB2388363A
Application number: GB0207220A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Ward
Original assignee: Metal Closures Ltd
Current assignee: Arconic Closure Systems International UK Ltd
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2002-03-27
Publication date: 2003-11-12
Also published as: GB0207220D0

Abstract

A closure (1) for a container (2) comprises a top portion (3), and a downwardly depending side portion (4) for engagement with said container, the inside surface of the top portion being provided with chamber mating means (5) for mating to a chamber (6), said chamber mating means having a profiled mating surface (7) for centering and enhancing contact with said chamber. A dispensing member 13 may be provided, including a supporting cage structure 14, wherein the closure 1 is moved axially downwardly relatively to the dispensing member 13, such that the dispensing member 13 punctures or pierces the chamber 6. The dispensing member 13 initially plugs the chamber 6, upon further axial downward movement of the closure 1, the contents of the chamber 6 may pass through apertures (Fig 2, 17) provided in the end 15 at the dispensing member 13. The closure may also be provided with a tamper evident band.

Description

1 - CONTAINER CLOSURE

The present invention relates to a closure for a container and it has particular, though not exclusive, 5 application to closures for bottles.

Typically, bottles are formed with screw threaded necks and are provided with correspondingly threaded closures, allowing the closure to be unscrewed and subsequently replaced. 10 Such bottles, when used to contain certain high quality or expensive products, such as, for example, alcoholic beverages, are often provided with metallic cap-like closures.

Recent trends have seen the introduction of so-called

"alcopop" type drinks, these including ready-mixed spirits and 15 mixers, for example, vodka and cranberry juice.

Such concoctions can have a relatively short shelf-life as the constituent substances can begin to degrade and turn stale within the container after mixing. Moreover, if the drinks are carbonated, in time they may begin to lose their 20 Dizziness.

However, if the constituent substances of the drink were to be mixed in si to at the time of consumption, they will be fresh. As a consequence of this, the applicant is involved in 25 producing a closure arrangement whereby a sealed chamber

- 2 - comprising one or more constituent substances, for example, flavouring, mixer, spirit or compressed gas, is provided within a container, the main body of the container holding a second substance. On loosening the closure for opening the 5 container, the seal is broken and the chamber's contents are released into the container.

To this end, a chamber has been developed that can be attached to the underside of a container closure.

However, there are problems associated with the 10 attachment of such a chamber to the underside of container closure. In this regard, the contacting surfaces of the chamber and the closure need to be kept clean prior to their adhesion, which can be problematic where, for example, one or more 15 manufacturing processes is being carried out within the interior of the closure, such as seal formation.

Further, poor positioning and alignment of the chamber within the container can seriously affect the operation of the chamber arrangement, to the extent that its contents are not 20 correctly dispersed into the main container body.

Further, if the chamber is not attached sufficiently firmly to the inside of the closure, the chamber may become detached, resulting in its malfunction leading to, for example, the premature mixing and possible degradation of 25 constituent substances. Further, on opening the closure,

3 - components of the chamber may undesirably fall into a serving receptacle. It is therefore an object of the present invention to seek to overcome these problems.

5 According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure for a container, the closure comprising: a top portion; and a downwardly depending side portion for engagement with 10 said container; wherein the inside surface of the top portion is provided with chamber mating means for mating to a chamber, said chamber mating means having a profiled mating surface for centering and enhancing contact with said chamber.

15 In this connection, the profiled mating surface of the chamber mating means is arranged to provide an increased surface area of contact between the chamber and the closure than would exist in the absence of the chamber mating means.

Further, the profiled mating surface of the chamber mating 20 means is configured to naturally centre the chamber on the closure. Also, a substantial extent of the profiled mating surface is spaced from its adjacent remainder inside surface of the top portion. In so doing, the likelihood that the profiled 25 mating surface becomes damaged or soiled during other

- 4 - manufacturing processes, in particular the introduction of a

sealing element, is reduced.

Preferably, the chamber mating means is located at the centre of the inside surface of the top portion.

5 In preferred embodiments, the chamber mating means is downwardly depending, away from the top portion of the closure. Conveniently, the profiled mating surface of the chamber mating means is arcuate. An arcuate surface allows for smooth 10 fine adjustment between the contacting surfaces of the closure and the chamber.

Preferably, the profiled mating surface of the chamber mating means is dome-shaped. The use of a dome-shaped profile allows for threedimensional smooth fine adjustment and 15 natural centering in threedimensions.

Conveniently, the dome-shaped profile of the profiled mating surface is formed by providing an indentation in the top lion ot said container closure. The dome-shaped profile formed in this manner will enhance the strength of the 20 closure, making it less vulnerable to so-called "doming" problems where the pressure produced by the contents of the container is such as to distort the profile of the container.

Preferably, the side portion of the container closure is afforded a threaded profile to match a corresponding profile 25 provided on the container.

5 - Conveniently, the side portion of the container closure is provided with a tamper evident band.

Preferably, the container closure has a sealing element.

It is further preferable that the sealing element is 5 annular and is provided at or adjacent the outer edge of the inside surface of the top portion.

Preferably, the inside surface of the top portion is further provided with an annular ridge provided radially inwardly of the side portion. Such a ridge, together with the 10 side portion, provides an annular groove for housing said sealing element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure apparatus for dispensing a first substance into a container, said apparatus comprising: 15 a closure for closing an aperture of a container; a chamber mounted on said closure, said chamber containing said first substance; a dispensing member mounted within said aperture, said dispensing member being mounted within the aperture for 20 puncturing and plugging said chamber when the closure is first applied to the container, the apparatus further being arranged such that on subsequent loosening of the closure from the container, the dispensing member becomes retracted from within the chamber thereby leaving an opening for releasing the first 25 substance from the chamber into the container.

- 6 - Preferably, said dispensing member is hollow.

In preferred embodiments, said dispensing member has one or more apertures which allow dispersion of said first substance through said dispensing member.

5Conveniently, said dispensing member is a tubular member.

Preferably, said dispensing member is closed at the end for puncturing the chamber.

An embodiment of the present invention shall now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:-

10Figure 1 is a part cross-sectional view of a closure for a container; and Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show enlarged cross-sectional views of the interaction of the closure and container of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, a closure 1 for a container 2 is 15 shown in part cross-section, the closure 1 comprising a top portion 3, a downwardly depending side portion 4 provided with a threaded profile 11 to match a corresponding profile 12 provided on the container neck, a chamber mating means 5 having a profiled mating surface 7, and an annular groove 8 20 housing a sealing element 9. The closure has a tamper evident band 19 at a lower portion of the skirt that forms its side portion 4.

A chamber 6 is attached to the profiled mating surface 7 of the chamber mating means 5. The chamber contains a 25 substance, for example a flavouring, mixer, spirit or

- 7 carbonating agent. The presence of the chamber mating means 5 provides an increased surface area of contact between the chamber 6 and the closure 1 than would exist in the absence of the chamber mating means 5.

5 Further, the chamber mating means 5 is located at the centre of the inside surface of the top portion 3. The chamber mating means aids in naturally centering the chamber on the closure during the attachment process.

It can be seen that the profiled mating surface 7 of the 10 chamber mating means 5 is dome-shaped. This profile is formed by providing an indentation in the top portion 3 of the container closure 1. The dome- shaped profile formed in this manner enhances the strength of the closure, making it less vulnerable to so-called "doming" problems where the pressure 15 produced by the contents of the container is such as to distort the profile of the container. The dome-shaped profile also allows for smooth fine adjustment of the chamber 6 on the profiled mating surface 7 so that the chamber may be accurately aligned.

20 It can also be seen that a substantial extent of the profiled mating surface 7 is spaced from its adjacent remainder inside surface of the top portion, thus the likelihood of the profiled mating surface 7 becoming damaged or soiled during other manufacturing processes, in particular 25 the introduction of the sealing element, is reduced. This

- 8 - also reduces or removes the requirement to clean inside the top portion of the closure before the chamber is adhered thereto. There is also an annular ridge 10 on the inside surface 5 of the top portion 3 of the closure, provided radially inwardly of the downwardly depending side portion 4. Such a ridge, together with the side portion, provides an annular groove 8 for housing the sealing element 9.

The container 2 has mounted therein a dispensing member 10 13 in the form of a tubular member. The dispensing member is supported by a cage structure 14 which holds a first end 15 of the dispensing member at a specific position within the neck of the container. A discussion on the interaction of components of the closure and the container is given below.

15 During manufacture of the closure, the profile of the top portion 3 comprising the profiled mating surface 7 and the annular ridge 10, is stamped into a closure blank. Then, with the closure turned upside down, it is rotated whilst injecting sealing element material into the annular groove 8 formed 20 between the ridge 10 and the side portion 4.

As the domed profile of the chamber mating means 7 is raised above and away from the groove 8, the likelihood of sealing element material soiling the profiled mating surface 7 is reduced. It should be borne in mind that the operating 25 conditions are difficult for the size of closures envisaged,

namely 28 mm diameter closures.

Reference will now be made to Figures 2A, 2B and 2C which show a closure apparatus for dispensing a first substance into a container.

5 As shown in Figure 2A, as an initial step, the closure 1 and container 2 are screwed together by operation of their respective threaded portions 11 and 12, such that the closure moves axially downwards on the container neck.

At Figure 2B, the chamber 6 has moved axially downwardly 10 relative to the dispensing member 13, such that the dispensing member has punctured a weakened frangible area 16 at the bottom surface of the chamber. However, since the end 15 of the dispensing member is closed, the dispensing member 13 plugs the chamber such that the contents 18 of the chamber 15 remain therewithin. Hence, the contents of the chamber and those of the container main body (not labelled) remain separate. At Figure 2C, at the point of consumption, a user has loosened the closure, thereby moving the chamber axially 20 upwards to thereby unplug the dispensing member 13 from the punctured chamber. Hence, the contents of the chamber are released and pass through apertures 17 provided in the dispensing member. The dispensing member projects downwards into the lower portion of the container to ensure the 25 chamber's content are reliably spread throughout.

- 10 It will be understood that the embodiment illustrated shows one application of the invention only for the purposes of illustration. In practice the invention may be applied to many different configurations, the detailed embodiments being 5 straightforward for those skilled in the art to implement.

For example, the chamber is described as containing a flavouring, mixer, spirit or carbonating agent. These need not be liquids or gases but could include solids/powders.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A closure for a container, the closure comprising: a top portion; and a downwardly depending side portion for engagement with 5 said container; wherein the inside surface of the top portion is provided with chamber mating means for mating to a chamber, said chamber mating means having a profiled mating surface for centering and enhancing contact with said chamber.

2. A closure for a container according to claim 1 wherein the chamber mating means is located at the centre of the inside surface of the top portion.

15 3. closure for a container according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the chamber mating means is downwardly depending, away from the top portion of the closure.

4. A closure for a container according to any preceding 20 claim wherein the profiled mating surface of the chamber mating means is arcuate.

5. A closure for a container according to any preceding claim wherein the profiled surface of the chamber mating means 25 is dome-shaped.

- 12 6. A closure for a container according to claim 5 wherein the domeshaped profile of the profiled mating surface is formed by providing an indentation in the top portion of said container closure.

7. A closure for a container according to any preceding claim wherein the side portion of the container closure is afforded a threaded profile to match a corresponding profile provided on the container.

8. A closure for a container according to any preceding claim wherein the side portion of the container closure is provided with a tamper evident band.

15 9. A closure for a container according to any preceding claim wherein the container closure has a sealing element.

10. closure for a container according to claim 9 wherein the sealing element is annular and is provided at or 20 adjacent the outer edge of the inside surface of the top portion. 11. A closure for a container according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the inside surface of the top portion is further 25 provided with an annular ridge provided radially inwardly of

the side portion.

12. A closure apparatus for dispensing a first substance into a container, said apparatus comprising: 5 a closure for closing an aperture of a container; a chamber mounted on said closure, said chamber containing said first substance; a dispensing member mounted within said aperture, said dispensing member being mounted within the aperture for 10 puncturing and plugging said chamber when the closure is first applied to the container, the apparatus further being arranged such that on subsequent loosening of the closure from the container, the dispensing member becomes retracted from within the chamber thereby leaving an opening for releasing the first 15 substance from the chamber into the container.

13. A closure apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said dispensing member is hollow.

20 14. A closure apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 wherein said dispensing member has one or more apertures which allow dispersion of said first substance through said dispensing member.

25 15. A closure apparatus according to any one of claims

- 14 12 to 14 wherein said dispensing member is a tubular member.

16. A closure apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein said dispensing member is closed at the end 5 for puncturing the chamber.

17. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to for use in the apparatus of claims 12 to 16.

10 18. A closure for a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 19. A closure apparatus substantially as hereinbefore 15 described with reference to the accompanying drawings.