US20180072473A1 - Ingredient dispensing cap for beverage container - Google Patents
Ingredient dispensing cap for beverage container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180072473A1 US20180072473A1 US15/705,119 US201715705119A US2018072473A1 US 20180072473 A1 US20180072473 A1 US 20180072473A1 US 201715705119 A US201715705119 A US 201715705119A US 2018072473 A1 US2018072473 A1 US 2018072473A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- reservoir
- dispenser
- beverage
- seal
- seal assembly
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Classifications
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- 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
-
- 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
- B65D51/2821—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 blister, a capsule or like sealed container
-
- 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
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
- B65D47/24—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with poppet valves or lift valves, i.e. valves opening or closing a passageway by a relative motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of the seat
- B65D47/245—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with poppet valves or lift valves, i.e. valves opening or closing a passageway by a relative motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of the seat the valve being opened or closed by actuating a stopper-type element
- B65D47/247—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with poppet valves or lift valves, i.e. valves opening or closing a passageway by a relative motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of the seat the valve being opened or closed by actuating a stopper-type element moving linearly, i.e. without rotational motion
-
- 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
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/08—Closures specially adapted for closing container mouths of differing size or configuration, e.g. screw/snap combination
Definitions
- the inventions disclosed herein relate to ingredient dispensing devices, for example, devices that can be connected to an opening of a beverage container for facilitating release of beverage ingredients stored therein into the beverage container for later consumption.
- beverage ingredient dispensing devices include a reservoir containing dried, compressed and liquid beverage ingredients and a threaded water bottle engagement collar.
- the threaded collar can be screwed to the top a water bottle with the same thread configuration.
- the reservoir can then be pierced so as to allow the ingredient to be discharged from the reservoir and mixed with the water in the water bottle.
- Some versions of this type of cap include drink-through spouts which allow a user to drink the mixed beverage through the dispensing device itself.
- An aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed here includes the realization that some beverage ingredient dispensing caps, such as those described above, suffer from several drawbacks.
- one aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that some known beverage ingredient dispensing caps, which rely on a threaded engagement with the opening of a water bottle, can only be used on one size water bottle.
- some known beverage ingredient dispensing caps which rely on a threaded engagement with the opening of a water bottle, can only be used on one size water bottle.
- there are a range of different sizes of water bottles with differently sized openings presently on the market many of which have different threads, including different thread sizes, and different thread pitches.
- a dispensing cap provided with a threaded collar designed for engagement with one water bottle will not work on most other water bottles.
- Such beverage ingredient dispensing caps can leave a user without the ability to connect the cap to the bottles that may be available at a given time.
- a beverage ingredient dispenser can include a seal assembly configured to seal against inner surfaces of the openings.
- the beverage ingredient dispenser can avoid the need for threaded engagement surfaces, such as those used on the prior art devices described above, thereby avoiding unnecessary costs.
- threaded engagement surfaces such as those provided on the caps of water bottles add a significant amount of cost to the manufacturing of such caps from plastic.
- Such caps are typically manufactured with a molding process and after an initial stiffening of the material molded with internal threads, the molded part must be unscrewed from the mold itself.
- the timing and procedures necessary for successfully molding such a part presents significant cost to the manufacturing of such a component.
- a beverage ingredient dispenser that includes a seal assembly configured to seal against the inner surfaces of the openings of a beverage container can avoid the cost associated with the formation of internal threads for engaging the external threads typically found on many beverage containers.
- a beverage ingredient dispense can include a seal assembly configured to seal against the inner surfaces of a range of sizes of beverage container openings.
- the seal assembly is configured to seal with a range of sizes of inner diameters of beverage container necks over a range of at least about 3 ⁇ 8 of one inch. This can be particularly convenient for users because a significant number of different water bottles have inner diameters within a range of about 3 ⁇ 8 of an inch, for example, about 0.80 inches to about 11 ⁇ 4 inches.
- the seal assembly can be configured to seal with a range of sizes of inner diameters of beverage container necks over a range of at least about 5 ⁇ 8th of one inch, for example, about 0.63 inches.
- seal assemblies that can seal with a range of sizes of inner diameters of 3 ⁇ 4 of one inch to about 1 and 3 ⁇ 4 of one inch, for example, from 0.8 inches to about 1.77 inches.
- beverage ingredient dispensers can be used with a wide variety of different, widely available water bottles.
- beverage ingredient dispensers whether they include powdered, liquid or tablet ingredients
- some known beverage ingredient dispensers can require an unnecessarily complicated installation procedure.
- some known beverage ingredient dispensers such as those described above which include a threaded collar for threaded engagement with a water bottle, require a user to first rotate the dispenser so as to threadedly engage the dispenser with a water bottle. Then after the dispenser has been threadedly engaged, the user must press an actuator to dispense the beverage ingredient into the liquid in the water bottle.
- beverage ingredient dispensers can be configured with a sealing and dispensing mechanism that provides the dual functions of sealing to an opening of a primary beverage container, and also dispensing a stored ingredient into the liquid, using a single motion.
- a beverage ingredient dispenser can include a reservoir, a sealing mechanism, and an actuator.
- the actuator can be connected to both the dispenser and the sealing mechanism so as to cause the sealing mechanism to enhance a seal between the dispenser and the primary beverage container, as well as actuating the dispenser so as to dispense the beverage ingredient into the liquid in the primary container.
- the actuator can be configured for a single actuating movement such that a user can simply place the dispenser onto the opening of a water bottle, then press straight down, thereby actuating the sealing mechanism and dispenser with movement in a single direction.
- a beverage ingredient dispenser can include a rotating actuator also connected to both the sealing mechanism and a dispenser so as to actuate the sealing mechanism and the dispenser with a single rotational movement.
- beverage ingredient dispensers include dispensing actuators that result in interference with the discharge of beverage ingredient into the primary container, the mixing of the liquid in the primary container, as well as the discharge of the mixed beverage through the dispenser, for example, in the context of drink-through dispensers.
- some known beverage ingredient dispensers include a frangible wall, such as a layer of foil.
- the dispensing mechanism on this type of device includes a rod with a piercing end, such as a sharpened point, configured to pierce the foil when the user pushes the rod downwardly.
- an aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that merely piercing the foil often leaves pieces of the foil in a position interfering with the movement of the beverage ingredient out of the reservoir as well as movement of liquid into the reservoir for mixing purposes.
- a piercing rod may initially cut and push pieces of the foil outwardly away from the reservoir, the foil remains free to bend back and forth and thus can interfere with the movement of the beverage ingredient out of the reservoir as well as liquid from the primary container into the reservoir.
- a beverage ingredient dispenser includes a piercing member and a frangible wall deflecting member.
- a piercing member of the beverage ingredient dispenser can be actuated so as to pierce a frangible wall, such as a layer of foil, and then further deflect the foil away from a center of the bottom wall of the dispenser.
- the frangible wall such as the layer of foil, can be pushed farther out of the way of the beverage ingredient and thus interfere less with movement of the beverage ingredient out of the reservoir and liquid into the reservoir.
- the deflection member includes a ring or collar disposed adjacent to an inside wall of the reservoir and positioned so as to fold a frangible wall toward a perpendicular orientation relative to the orientation of the frangible wall before piercing.
- Other configurations can also be used.
- beverage ingredient dispensers such as those described above
- dried beverage ingredients can become more viscous (more resistant to movement) over time, for example, by caking.
- the piercing rod is moved downwardly through the beverage ingredient so as to pierce the foil, some of the beverage ingredient can remain lodged in the reservoir.
- a beverage ingredient dispenser can include a dispensing element configured for axial movement relative to the ingredient reservoir.
- the dispensing element can include at least one laterally extending surface extending into the ingredient reservoir.
- the laterally extending surface can assist movement of the beverage ingredient axially through the reservoir and thereby better overcome the potential effects of caking of a dry beverage ingredient.
- the laterally extending surface can also, by way of moving a greater amount of ingredient out of the reservoir upon actuation, help push open a frangible wall through the interaction of the ingredient with the opened wall.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that certain known beverage ingredient dispensers suffer from breakage and leaks due to the structural configuration of a bellows. More specifically, some known beverage ingredient dispensers include bellows attached to an actuator, for example, those designs described, with reference to FIG. 14 therein, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,906 Apr. 22, 2014 titled Ingredient Dispensing Cap For Mixing Beverages with Push-Pull Drinking Spout.
- the bellows in these devices are flat sided, such as hexagonal or octagonal.
- An aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein include the realization that failures of this flat-sided bellows configuration can be solved by using circular bellows, which avoids stress concentrations caused at the corners of the flat-sided bellows.
- a beverage ingredient dispenser includes an actuator connected to a beverage ingredient reservoir with a circular bellows member.
- a sealing mechanism can achieve enhanced performance with regard to the ability to seal to a variety of different sizes of inner diameters of beverage container openings by including moveable members configured to increase the size of the contact patch between a resilient sealing member and the inner diameter of the beverage container opening.
- a beverage dispenser can include a ratcheting mechanism configured to modulate movement of sealing mechanism components during insertion of the dispenser into the opening of a beverage container opening, so as to press against the seal member and thereby increase a contact patch between the seal member and the inner surface.
- Ratcheting mechanisms can be configured to engage through axial movement or radial movement. Further, in some examples, ratcheting mechanisms can be used in conjunction with cooperating wedge shaped members.
- a beverage ingredient dispenser can include retention members configured to extend into a primary beverage container for engagement with a portion of a neck of a beverage container to resist inadvertent withdrawal of the dispenser from the container.
- a beverage ingredient dispenser can include extendable arms configured to extend into a beverage container, and radially outwardly into a space within the beverage container beneath the neck of the beverage container. As such, a beverage ingredient container can better retain a desired engaged position with the opening of the beverage container, and thereby resist unintended removal of the beverage dispenser.
- beverage ingredients are sold in containers which can be inconvenient or difficult to open and dispense into a beverage container, such as a bottle of water.
- some beverage ingredients can come in the form of a “blister pack”.
- Such blister packs typically contain a frame portion, a frangible portion, and a compressible portion.
- a beverage ingredient can be stored between the compressible portion and the frangible portion such that the beverage ingredient can be discharged by a user by pressing on the compressible portion such that a beverage ingredient is pushed through the frangible portion, causing the frangible portion to break and release the ingredients therethrough.
- a blister pack for discharging ingredients into a beverage container, such as a bottle of water
- users can find and encounter difficulty in releasing the full contents of the blister pack into the beverage container.
- wind can interfere with the process of discharging the ingredient into a beverage container, for example, by blowing some of the ingredients away from the opening of the container at the moment the frangible portion is broken.
- a user may fail to mix all of the ingredient with the beverage in the container.
- This problem can be more undesirable in the context of unintended discharge of strong coloring agents (typical in high anti-oxidant nutrients) or volatile bubbling additives.
- a user may find it awkward to hold beverage container and at the same time rupture the frangible portion of the blister pack while holding the beverage container securely, thereby accidently spilling some of the beverage and/or ingredient out of the bottle. Further, some of the ingredient may stick or adhere to the inside of the compressible portion or frangible portion of the blister pack found thereby preventing all of the ingredient from reaching the beverage in the beverage container.
- beverage ingredient dispenser can include blister pack alignment and sealing features and functionality for connection to a beverage container so as to facilitate a more accurate and complete discharge of the beverage ingredient from a blister pack into a beverage container.
- beverage ingredient dispenser can include a seal assembly configured to seal to an opening of a beverage container, a blister pack receiver portion ends an aperture aligned with the opening of the beverage container.
- a user can attach the dispenser to a beverage container with the aperture aligned with the opening of the container.
- user can insert a blister pack into the blister pack receiving portion such that the frangible portion of the blister pack is aligned with the aperture.
- a user can compress the compressible portion of the blister pack so as to compress the ingredient against the frangible wall, thereby breaking the frangible wall and allowing the ingredient to flow into the opening of the beverage container.
- the blister pack receiving portion can be configured to form a leak reducing seal with a portion of the bottom surface of the blister pack surrounding the frangible portion.
- the blister pack receiving portion can include a surface complimentary to the bottom surface of a blister pack and with a conforming material such that when a user presses the blister pack against the blister pack receiving portion, a spill proof seal can be formed against the blister pack receiving portion and the bottom surface of the blister pack. With such a sealing feature, a user can hold the water bottle while pressing down on the blister pack and shake the water bottle, thereby more thoroughly mix the ingredient within the blister pack with the beverage contained in the beverage container.
- beverage ingredient dispensers with blister pack related features and functionality can include blister pack receiving portions configured to simplify the process of insertion of the blister pack into the receiving portion, for example, so as to more easily achieve alignment of the blister pack in the blister pack receiving portion.
- blister pack portions can be provided with a circular shape around at least a portion of the outer periphery of the blister pack.
- the blister pack receiving portion can include a complimentary, partly circular shape.
- a blister pack assembly can include a plurality of individual blister packs connected together, for example, with frangible portions.
- Each of the blister pack members can include an outer periphery, at least having a circular shape around at least approximately 180 degrees around the periphery thereof. Further, in some embodiments, the blister pack members can be circular around substantially the entire parameter thereof. Further, in some embodiments, the blister pack members include frangible portions at four locations spaced around the circular periphery, at which the blister pack can be connected to four other blister pack members, forming a blister pack assembly. The frangible portions can present minor discontinuities and/or imperfections along the outer circular periphery of the blister pack members.
- the outer periphery of blister pack members can include other shapes, for example, but without limitation, other nonrectangular shapes including semi hexagonal, hexagonal, semi octagonal, octagonal, oval, semi oval, or other curved and/or faceted shapes or combinations thereof.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that some designs for ingredient dispensers can be improved by including a drink through valve mounted to an ingredient reservoir which can be mounted for piercing movement relative to a piercing element.
- the piercing element can be coupled to a beverage container opening.
- the piercing element can be connected to a sealing assembly configured to seal to a range of sized of openings of beverage containers, including ranges of different sizes of threaded openings typically provided on water bottles.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of two known water bottles of different sizes that are presently commercially available.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a beverage ingredient dispenser.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a variation of the dispenser of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the dispenser of FIG. 3 indicating an expansion direction of a seal member.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded diagram of a variation of the dispenser of FIG. 2 , in a position spaced above the opening of a beverage container.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the dispenser of FIG. 5 moved into contact with the opening of the bottle and showing initial deformation of a seal assembly.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the dispenser of FIG. 6 moved further into the opening of the bottle and the seal assembly conforming to the bottle.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of a beverage ingredient dispenser, which can be used in conjunction with the embodiment of FIG. 2 and its variations, and further including a dispensing member with an optional laterally-projecting surfaces and an optional deflection device.
- FIG. 9 is a variation of the dispenser of FIG. 8 including an actuator optionally connected to both the dispensing member and the seal assembly.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the dispenser of FIG. 9 illustrating movement of the dispensing member and deflecting device extending through a lower frangible wall of the dispenser, as well as movement of the laterally projecting surfaces.
- FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the dispenser member of FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 12 is perspective view of the dispenser member of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevational view of the piercing end of the dispenser member of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 14 is perspective view of the enlarged view of FIG. 13 .
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the piercing tip of FIG. 13 piercing a frangible wall of a reservoir.
- FIG. 16 is further perspective view of the piercing member of FIG. 12 , illustrating further cutting of the frangible wall.
- FIG. 17 is a further perspective view of the piercing member of FIG. 15 , illustrating a deflection of cut pieces of the frangible wall by the deflecting member.
- FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a variation of the dispenser of FIG. 2 , including a multi-layered seal assembly.
- FIG. 18B is another perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 18A .
- FIG. 18C is a side elevational and sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 18A .
- FIG. 18D is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 18A .
- FIG. 18E is a side elevational and sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 18E , illustrating a state in which the actuator has been actuated.
- FIG. 18F is a perspective and exploded view of a further embodiment of a seal assembly and two different sizes of bottles to which the seal assembly can seal.
- FIG. 18G is a perspective view of the seal assembly of FIG. 18F with a dispenser assembly assembled thereto, and attached to three sizes of beverage container openings.
- FIG. 18H is a sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 18G .
- FIG. 18I is a top plan view of a blister pack assembly formed of square or rectangular blister pack members attached to each other with frangible portions, and with one blister pack member missing.
- FIG. 18J is a perspective view of a beverage ingredient dispenser showing the insertion movement of a blister pack member.
- FIG. 18K is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the beverage ingredient dispenser of FIG. 18J .
- FIG. 18L is a side elevational view of an ingredient receiver portion of the beverage ingredient dispenser of FIG. 18J .
- FIG. 18M is a perspective and partial sectional view of the beverage ingredient receiver portion of 18 L, taken along section line 18 M- 18 M.
- FIG. 18N is a sectional view of the beverage ingredient dispenser with a blister pack member received therein in the position of FIG. 18J .
- FIG. 18O is a top plan view of a blister pack assembly including a plurality of hexagonal blister pack members attached to one another with frangible portions.
- FIG. 18P is a perspective and partial sectional view of a modification of the beverage ingredient receiver portion of FIG. 18M , having a partially hexagonal receiver portion.
- FIG. 18Q is a perspective view of a modification of the beverage ingredient dispenser of 18 J including a partially hexagonal receiver portion illustrated in FIG. 15P .
- FIG. 18R is a top plan view of a blister pack assembly including a plurality of circular blister pack members attached to one another with frangible portions.
- FIG. 18S is a modification of the beverage ingredient receiver portion of FIG. 18P having a partially circular receiver portion.
- FIG. 18T is a perspective view of yet another modification of the beverage ingredient dispenser of FIG. 18J , and including the ingredient receiver portion of embodiment of FIG. 18S .
- FIG. 18U is a side elevational view of a modification of the reservoir of FIG. 18C .
- FIG. 18V is a front elevational view of the embodiment of the reservoir of FIG. 18U .
- FIG. 18W is a top plan view of the reservoir of FIG. 18U .
- FIG. 18X is a perspective and exploded view of the reservoir of FIG. 18U with a dustcap.
- FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of a variation of the dispenser of FIG. 5 and which can incorporate the dispenser member of FIG. 11 and its variations or other dispensing members.
- FIG. 20 is a perspective and sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 19 .
- FIG. 21 is a side elevational, sectional of the dispenser of FIG. 19 .
- FIG. 22 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 21 , illustrating conforming deflection of the seal assembly during insertion of the dispenser into the opening of a bottle.
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view of yet another variation of the embodiment of FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3-4 having a seal assembly thereof positioned within the opening of a beverage bottle.
- FIG. 24 is a perspective and partial sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 23 .
- FIG. 25 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 23 .
- FIG. 26 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 23 illustrating a change in state of the dispenser relative to the state illustrated in FIG. 25 .
- FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 .
- FIG. 28 is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 27 .
- FIG. 29 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 27 .
- FIG. 30 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 27 illustrating a change in state from the state illustrated in FIG. 29 .
- FIG. 31 is a perspective view of yet another variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 .
- FIG. 32 is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 31 .
- FIG. 33 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 31 .
- FIG. 34 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 31 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated in FIG. 33 .
- FIG. 35 is a schematic perspective view of a further variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 5-7 illustrating two positions of the embodiment being placed inside the bottle neck.
- FIG. 36 is a perspective and partially translucent view of the dispenser in FIG. 35 .
- FIG. 37 is a perspective and partial sectional view of the dispenser in FIG. 35 , illustrating a spring assist option to maintain Force/pressure against inside wall of bottle neck.
- FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 35 , removed from a beverage bottle.
- FIG. 39 is perspective view of a spring mechanism that can be incorporated into the dispenser of FIGS. 35-38 .
- FIG. 40 is a perspective and partial sectional view of a modification of the dispenser of FIG. 35 , including a radial leaf spring assembly.
- FIG. 41 is a schematic perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 40 , illustrating a conforming movement of the seal assembly and radial leaf spring.
- FIG. 42 is a perspective view of yet another modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 5-10 .
- FIG. 43 is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 42 .
- FIG. 44 is sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 42 .
- FIGS. 45A and 45B are sectional views of the dispenser of FIG. 42 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated in FIG. 44 .
- FIG. 46 is a side elevational view of another modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 5-10 .
- FIG. 47 is perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 46 .
- FIG. 48 is a sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 46 .
- FIG. 49 is a sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 46 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated in FIG. 49 .
- FIG. 50 is an enlarged sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 46 illustrating a drink through valve in a closed state
- FIG. 51 is an exploded view of the dispenser of FIG. 46 .
- FIG. 52 is a perspective view of yet another modification of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 5-10 .
- FIG. 53 is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 52 .
- FIG. 54 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 52 .
- FIG. 55 is a sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 52 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated in FIG. 54 .
- FIG. 56 is a sectional and partial perspective view of yet another modification of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 5-10 .
- FIG. 57 is side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 56 .
- FIG. 58 is an enlarged isolated view of a bottle locking mechanism included in the dispenser of FIG. 56 .
- FIG. 59 is an enlarged isolated view of the bottle locking mechanism in FIG. 58 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated in FIG. 58 .
- FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 and 8-10 .
- FIG. 61 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 59 .
- FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a shell of a closure according to another embodiment
- FIG. 63 is a side elevation view of the shell of FIG. 62 ;
- FIG. 64 is a front elevation view of the shell of FIG. 62 ;
- FIG. 65 is a top plan view of the shell of FIG. 62 ;
- FIG. 66 is a bottom plan view of the shell of FIG. 62 ;
- FIG. 67 is a front section view of the shell of FIG. 1 taken along section line A-A in FIG. 65 ;
- FIG. 68 is a side section view of the shell of FIG. 62 taken along section line B-B of FIG. 64 ;
- FIG. 69 is a side elevation view of a cap of a closure according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 70 is a top plan view of the cap of FIG. 69 ;
- FIG. 71 is a section of the cap of FIG. 69 taken along section line A-A of FIG. 70 ;
- FIG. 72 is a side elevation view of a dust cover a closure according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 73 is a top plan view of the cover of FIG. 72 ;
- FIG. 74 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIG. 72 ;
- FIG. 75 is a section of the cover of FIG. 72 taken along section line A-A of FIG. 74 ;
- FIG. 76 is an enlarged view of the section view of FIG. 75 ;
- FIG. 77 is a sectional of the closure according to another embodiment, with a cap thereof in a closed sealed position;
- FIG. 78 is a sectional of the closure of FIG. 77 with the cap thereof in the open, dispensing position;
- FIG. 79 is a schematic, perspective and partial exploded view of another embodiment of an ingredient reservoir including a drink through valve
- FIG. 80 is a schematic, perspective, and sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 79 with the drink through valve in a closed position;
- FIG. 81 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 79 , with the drink through valve in an open position;
- FIG. 82 is a schematic sectional view of yet another embodiment of the dispenser device including the ingredient reservoir of FIGS. 79-81 , in a closed and sealed position;
- FIG. 83 is another sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 82 in a pierced condition with the drink your valve in a closed position;
- FIG. 84 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 82 with the drink through valve in an open position and with the reservoir in a pierced condition.
- inventions disclosed herein are described in the context of beverage ingredient dispensers that can be attached to beverage containers because they have utility in this context.
- the inventions disclosed herein can be used in other contexts as well, including but without limitation, dispensers for other types of ingredients, attachments to other types of devices, other food and beverage related contexts, pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical mixing and/or delivery devices, as well as other industrial and commercial non- food contexts, such as chemical organic/inorganics additives, plasticizers, coloring agents, etc.
- FIGS. 2-10 illustrate embodiments and variations of a beverage ingredient dispenser 100 .
- FIGS. 11-82 illustrate variations and further embodiments of the dispenser 100 .
- the embodiments of FIGS. 18-62 are identified generally by the reference numbers 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 , 800 , 900 , 1000 , 1100 , 1200 , 3000 , 3200 .
- 2-82 are identified using reference numerals with the same 1s and 10s digits used to identify the same or similar parts, components, and features of the other embodiments, but with a 100s digit ( 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 , 800 , 900 , 1000 , 1100 , 1200 , 3000 or 3200 ) corresponding to the subject embodiment.
- a 100s digit 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 , 800 , 900 , 1000 , 1100 , 1200 , 3000 or 3200 .
- a primary container such as a beverage container.
- a primary container can be a beverage or water bottle that is commercially available. It has been determined that a substantial portion of the commercially available beverage bottles, and in particular water bottles, have openings that fall within a well-defined range of sizes.
- the water bottle 10 corresponds to beverage containers with a smaller opening at the lower end of a range.
- the water bottle 12 corresponds to beverage containers with larger openings, at the upper end of the range.
- the illustrated beverage containers 10 , 12 have similar shapes.
- the water bottle 10 includes an opening 20 having an inner surface 22 which is generally cylindrical in shape.
- the inner surface 22 thus can define an inner diameter.
- the opening 20 includes a shaft length 24 that extends from the upper end 26 of the opening 22 to a lower end 28 .
- the water bottle 10 tapers outwardly along a tapering wall 30 out to the maximum diameter portion 32 which forms the bulk of the volumetric capacity of the bottle 10 .
- the water bottle 10 includes a shoulder 34 .
- the water bottle 12 includes an opening 40 having an upper end 42 and an inner surface 44 .
- the opening 40 has a lower end 46 transitioning to a tapering wall 48 at a shoulder 50 .
- the tapering wall 48 connects to the main portion 52 of the bottle 12 .
- the water bottle 10 illustrated FIG. 1 includes an inner diameter of 0.85 inches at its inner surface 22 .
- the bottle 12 has an inner diameter of 1.25 inches at its inner surface 44 . It has been determined that a substantial portion of the presently commercially available water bottles have openings with inner diameters falling within the range of 0.85 inches to 1.25 inches. Thus the range of inner diameter sizes defined by the bottles 10 , 12 extends over approximately 0.4 inches.
- FIG. 18F illustrated in greater detail below, illustrates bottles 12 a, 12 b having other inner diameter sizes.
- the shaft length 24 of the bottle 10 has a length of 0 . 38 inches and the shaft length of the bottle 12 is approximately 0.775 inches. It has been determined that a significant portion of the presently commercially available water bottles have shaft lengths within the range of approximately 0.38 inches to 0.775 inches, for example, approximately 0.4 inches to approximately 0.8 inches. Thus, the range of shaft lengths in a portion of the presently commercially available water bottles is 0.395 inches or approximately 0.4 inches.
- the water bottles 10 , 12 , and other water bottles falling within the range of sizes of the water bottles 10 , 12 described above, include threads on the outer surfaces of the openings 20 , 40 , for threaded engagement with caps.
- a device to be connected to such threads would need to have threads of a corresponding size and pitch.
- the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 can include a reservoir 110 for containing a beverage ingredient.
- the reservoir 110 can be used to contain a beverage ingredient to be mixed with water or other liquids which may be contained in a primary container such as one of the water bottles 10 , 12 .
- the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 is configured for achieving a spill proof seal with a plurality of different water bottles having different sizes, such as the water bottles 10 , 12 .
- the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 includes a seal assembly 120 that is configured to generate at least spillproof seals with both water bottle 10 and water bottle 12 , as well as one or more additional sizes of water bottles having intermediate sizes between the size of water bottle 10 and water bottle 12 .
- another water bottle (not shown) can have an opening with an inner diameter between 0 . 85 inches and 1.25 inches.
- the seal assembly 120 can be configured to generate at least spillproof seals with different ranges of bottle sizes, optionally, inclusive of and/or greater than inner diameters of 1.25 inches such as 38 mm or about 1.5 inches or inclusive of and/or less than 0.85 inches, or other diameters.
- the seal assembly 120 can be configured to form spillproof seals with the inner surfaces of beverage containers, such as the inner surfaces 22 , 44 of the water bottles 10 , 12 . As such, the seal assembly 120 is more likely to generate spillproof seals with different water bottles having different thread patterns on the outer diameter.
- seal assembly 120 can be configured to form a spillproof seal with the inner diameter of primary containers having any inner diameter, but with different thread patterns because such different thread patterns would not interfere with forming seals with the inner surfaces of the openings of such bottles.
- inner surfaces of beverage containers which can be inwardly facing, can cooperate with attached devices to provide an anchoring function, for anchoring the attached device to the beverage container.
- the seal assembly 120 can be configured to form a spill proof seal and to achieve an anchoring engagement with the inner surface with sufficient anchoring to prevent the dispenser 100 from being unintentionally removed from the beverage container, for example, when the dispenser is subjected to small axial forces in a direction away from the beverage container.
- the seal assembly 120 can be configured to form a spill proof seal and to achieve an anchoring engagement with the inner surface with sufficient anchoring to prevent the dispenser 100 from being removed from the associated bottle when a user pulls axially on a drink-through valve (described below).
- the seal assembly 120 can be configured to generate an anchoring engagement with the inner surface of the beverage container that is sufficiently strong to support the entire weight of the beverage container to which it is attached, and optionally, a beverage contained therein, if the dispenser 100 is grasped by a user and lifted off of a table.
- the anchoring engagement between the seal assembly 120 and the inner surface of the beverage container can be sufficiently strong to resist a kilogram-force of about 1 kilogram generated by the weight of the beverage container and the 1 L of the beverage contained therein.
- the dispenser 100 can include an additional anchoring device configured to engage a portion of the beverage container 10 , 12 not in contact with the seal assembly 120 , with additional anchoring to further resist the dispenser 100 from being unintentionally removed from the beverage container 10 , 12 , for example, when the dispenser 100 is subjected to small axial forces in a direction away from the beverage container 10 , 12 .
- the combination of the anchoring engagement generated by the seal assembly 120 and such an additional anchoring device can generate an engagement with additional strength for resisting inadvertent removal of the dispenser 100 from the associated bottle, as described above.
- the additional anchoring device can generate further anchoring engagement sufficient to resist forces greater than the total weight of the beverage container and a beverage contained therein.
- the seal assembly 120 can have various different configurations.
- the seal mechanism 120 can comprise an assembly including multiple sealing surfaces at least one configured to be sealable against the inner surface of the opening 20 of bottle 10 and at least one other configured to be sealable against the inner surface 44 of bottle 12 .
- the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 can include a dispensing mechanism 160 configured to cause the discharge of the beverage ingredient contained in the reservoir 110 and into a liquid contained within a water bottle 10 , 12 to which the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 is attached.
- the dispenser 100 can include a frangible lower wall 111 on the reservoir 110 and the dispensing mechanism can be in the form of a moveable piercing member disposed within the reservoir 110 .
- the dispensing mechanism 160 can be mounted in a fixed position relative to the seal assembly 120 and the reservoir 110 can be mounted to be moveable relative to the seal assembly 120 . In such configurations, the movement of the reservoir 110 can cause the frangible lower wall to be pressed against the piercing member, thereby opening the reservoir 160 for discharge of an ingredient container therein.
- the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 can include an actuator 190 configured to trigger operation of the dispenser mechanism 160 .
- the actuator 190 can also be integrated with a drink-through mechanism configured to allow a user to discharge liquid from the associated beverage container 10 , 12 , through the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 , and outwardly, for example, for consumption.
- FIGS. 3-7 illustrate a variation of the dispenser 100 , identified with the reference numeral 100 A having seal mechanisms 120 A, 120 B which operate under various principles of operation.
- FIGS. 8-10 illustrate variations 100 C, 100 D of the dispenser 100 , including variations of the discharge mechanism 160 C, 160 D, respectively, as well as a variation of the actuator identified with the reference numeral 190 D.
- the beverage ingredient dispensers 100 A can include a seal assembly 120 A that is configured to move between contracted and expanded states.
- FIG. 3 illustrates the seal assembly 120 A in a first contracted state 121 A.
- the dimension 121 A can define an outer diameter of the seal assembly 120 A.
- the outer dimension 121 A can be smaller than both the inner surfaces 22 , 44 of bottles 10 , 12 .
- FIG. 4 illustrates the seal assembly 120 A in an expanded state in which the seal assembly 120 A is expanded to an outer dimension 122 A that is larger than the dimension 121 A.
- the outer dimension 122 A can define an outer diameter of the seal assembly 120 A.
- the outer dimension 122 A can be the same as the inner diameter of the bottles 10 or 12 .
- the seal assembly 120 A can be configured to expand from the outer dimension 121 A, which can be the same or less than the inner diameter of the bottle 10 (e.g. 0.85 inches) up to dimension 122 A that can be the same or greater than the inner diameter of the inner surface 44 (1.25 inches).
- the seal assembly 120 A can be configured to expand the seal assembly 120 A to both of the inner diameters of the inner surfaces 22 , 44 and exert sufficient pressure to achieve a spillproof seal with both inner surfaces 22 , 44 . Additionally, optionally, the seal assembly 120 A can be configured to expand the seal assembly 120 A to the inner diameters of both the inner surfaces 22 , 44 and exert sufficient pressure to achieve anchoring of the dispenser 100 A to both of the bottles 10 , 12 .
- the seal assembly 120 A can include a seal member 124 A and an expansion device 125 A.
- the expansion mechanism 125 A can expand the seal member 124 A in the direction of arrow E.
- the expansion mechanism 125 A can be any type of expansion mechanism, manually or passively activated, electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical or other types of expansion mechanisms.
- the expansion mechanism can be configured to generate the desired forces.
- the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 B includes an outer dimension that is larger than the inner surfaces of both bottles 10 , 12 , to which the dispenser 100 B can be attached. Further, the seal assembly 120 B is configured to have a dimension of its outer surface reduced as it is moved into contact with the opening of a bottle 10 , 12 . For example, a seal assembly 120 B can be configured to be constricted so as to enhance a seal formed with a desired bottle 10 , 12 .
- the seal assembly 120 B can include a seal member 124 B.
- the seal member 124 B can include upper end having an outer dimension 126 B and a lower end having an outer dimension of 127 B.
- the outer dimension 126 B is larger than the largest bottle to which the dispenser 100 B is designed to be attached.
- the outer dimension 126 B can be greater than 1.25 inches.
- the outer dimension 127 B can be smaller than the smallest size bottle 10 to which the dispenser 100 B is designed to be attached.
- the outer dimension 127 B can be less than about 0.85 inches.
- the seal member 124 B can be conical in shape. However, other configurations can also be used.
- the dispenser 100 B is illustrated as having been moved downwardly into the opening of a bottle 10 , 12 .
- the seal number 124 B distorts forming an initial contact patch 129 B.
- the seal assembly 126 B allows for further deformation of the seal member 124 B, so as to better conform to the inner surface of the bottle 10 , 12 and thereby increase the size of the contact patch to a larger contact patch 130 B.
- the seal assembly 120 B can include a relief mechanism 131 B configured to allow contraction of a portion of the seal number 124 B, for example, in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 7 .
- the relief mechanism 131 B can be configured to bias the seal member 124 B into an expanded state, for example, illustrated in FIG. 5 and to allow gross deformation of the seal member 124 B, so as to allow a portion of the seal number 124 B to lie more parallel to an inner surface of a bottle 10 , 12 , and thus increase the size of a contact patch between the seal number 124 B and the inner surface of a bottle 10 , 12 from a smaller contact patch 128 B to a larger contact patch 130 B.
- the seal assembly 120 B can be configured to form a contact patch having a height 132 B, axially along the opening of the associated bottle 10 , 12 , of at least one-tenth of an inch and up to about 11 ⁇ 4 inches. Other heights can also be used.
- the seal assembly 120 B can be configured to generate the contact patch 132 B of at least one-tenth of one inch when the dispenser 100 B is attached, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7 , to a bottle 10 having an inner diameter of 0.85 inches and when attached to a bottle 12 having an inner diameter of 1.25 inches, and optionally, bottles having other inner diameters between 0.85 inches and 1.25 inches, as well as a range of 0.4′′ of bottles sizes of different diameters.
- the seal assembly can be configured to form larger contact patches, such as at least 3/16′′ or 1 ⁇ 4′′ over such ranges of sizes of inner diameters.
- a lower portion of the seal member 124 B can have a conical shape, and the upper portion in contact with the inner surface ( 22 or 44 ) can have a more cylindrical shape.
- the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 C can include a dispensing mechanism 160 C having a piercing member 161 C configured to pierce a frangible bottom wall 111 C disposed at a lower end of the reservoir 110 C.
- the lower wall 111 C can be formed of frangible material such a foil, other materials commonly used in the food and beverage and/or pharmaceutical industries, or other materials.
- the frangible wall 111 C can be configured to retain a beverage ingredient within the reservoir 110 C.
- the piercing member 161 C can include a lower end 162 C configured to pierce the frangible wall 111 C when the piercing end 162 C is pressed against the frangible wall 111 C.
- the dispensing mechanism 160 C can include at least one laterally extending surface 170 C extending laterally from piercing member 161 C.
- the lateral surface 170 C can be configured to assist in discharging a beverage ingredient from the reservoir 110 C when the piercing member 161 C is moved downwardly (as viewed in FIG. 8 ) (further described with reference to lateral surface 170 D of FIG. 10 ).
- the dispensing mechanism 160 C can include a frangible wall deflecting assembly 180 C.
- the frangible wall deflecting assembly 180 C can be configured to deflect separated pieces of the frangible wall 111 C away from a center axis of the reservoir 110 C. Such deflection, for example, can assist in preventing pieces of the broken frangible wall 111 C from interfering with the flow of beverage ingredient out of the reservoir 110 C or liquid from the attached container flowing into the reservoir 110 C.
- the frangible wall deflecting assembly 180 C can be connected to the piercing member 161 C with a connection assembly 181 C.
- a connecting assembly 181 C can connect the piercing member 161 C with the deflecting assembly 180 C such that the deflecting assembly 180 C moves with the piercing member 161 C.
- the actuator 190 C can be also connected to the piercing member 161 C.
- the actuator 190 C can be configured to allow a user to press on an upper surface of the actuator 190 C to thereby move the piercing member 161 C in a downward direction, as viewed in FIG. 8 .
- the actuator 190 D of the beverage ingredient dispenser 100 D can be connected to both the dispensing mechanism 160 D and the seal assembly 120 D. Further, optionally, the actuator 190 D can be configured to actuate both the dispensing mechanism 160 D and the seal assembly 120 D by a single movement of the actuator 190 D in a single direction. For example, the actuator 190 D can be configured to be pressed downwardly (as viewed in FIG.
- a user can press downwardly on the actuator 190 D can cause the seal assembly 120 D to deform, expand, or contract into a spillproof sealing engagement with the associated bottle 10 , 12 , as illustrated in FIG. 10 .
- the piercing member 161 D can be pressed downwardly, such that the piercing and 162 D pierces the frangible wall 111 D, thereby opening the frangible wall 100 D and allowing a beverage ingredient to be released from reservoir 110 D.
- Such downward movement can also cause downward movement of the lateral extending surface 170 D.
- the laterally extending surface 170 D which is oriented perpendicular, skewed, or oblique relative to the movement of the piercing member 161 D, can further cause discharge of ingredient from the reservoir 110 D downwardly through the opening in the frangible wall 110 D.
- the downward movement of the piercing member 161 D can also cause downward movement of a frangible wall deflection assembly 180 D.
- the deflection assembly 180 D is spaced juxtaposed to an inside wall of the reservoir 110 D.
- the deflection assembly 180 D further pushes a broken portion of the frangible wall 110 D downwardly and away from a center of the reservoir 110 D.
- the deflection assembly 180 D can further enhance discharge of ingredient from the reservoir 110 D and prevent the broken piece of frangible wall 110 D from moving back into a position interfering with the flow of material in and out of the reservoir 110 D.
- the actuator 190 D can also include a drink through valve, described in greater detail below with reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 42-60 .
- FIGS. 11-17 illustrate a variation of the dispenser mechanism 160 D, identified generally with the reference number 160 E.
- FIGS. 11-17 illustrate the dispensing mechanism 160 E in detail as being separated from nearly all other components of a beverage ingredient dispenser, however, the dispensing mechanism 160 E can be used with any of the beverage ingredient dispensers described above with reference to FIGS. 2-10 as well as any of the beverage ingredient dispensers disclose below with regard to FIGS. 18-62 .
- the dispensing mechanism 160 E includes a piercing member body 161 E having the lower piercing tip 162 C and an upper end 163 C.
- the upper end 163 C can form an actuator 190 (not shown in FIG. 11 ), can be configured for connection to an actuator 190 , and/or connection to a drink through valve which can be optionally incorporated into an actuator 190 .
- the piercing member body 161 E includes a central shaft member 164 E.
- the central shaft member 164 E can extend between the upper end 163 C and the piercing tip 162 C. Additionally, the central shaft member 164 E can be provided with sufficient strength to withstand a compression force required for example, the piercing of the frangible wall 111 C.
- the dispensing mechanism 160 E can include at least one laterally extending surface 170 E.
- the at least one laterally extending surface 170 E includes at least a first laterally extending member 171 E extending laterally away from an outer surface of essential shaft member 164 E.
- the laterally extending member 171 E includes at least one surface 172 E oriented transverse, oblique and/or skewed relative to the direction of movement of the central shaft member 164 E.
- the arrow D of FIG. 11 represents the direction of movement of the central shaft member 164 E when used in conjunction with a beverage ingredient dispenser.
- the surface 172 E is disposed between the upper end 163 C and the lower end 162 C along the portion of the central shaft number 164 E that is disposed within a reservoir 110 of an associated beverage ingredient dispenser.
- the surface 172 E would also move beverage ingredient disposed below the surface 172 E and urge it in the direction of arrow D.
- the at least one laterally extending surface 170 E includes a plurality of laterally extending members 171 E disposed around the circumference of central shaft 164 E.
- the laterally extending members 171 E are spaced apart from each other in a cloverleaf-like pattern. Other patterns and shapes can also be used.
- the dispensing mechanism 160 E can also include a frangible wall deflection assembly 180 E.
- the deflection assembly 180 E comprises a ring member 181 E having an outer surface 182 E juxtaposed and closely spaced to an inner wall 112 E of an associated reservoir 110 E. With the member 181 E positioned as such, as the member 181 E is moved downwardly past the lower end of the reservoir 110 E, the member 181 E can deflect portions of a frangible wall 111 E away from the center of the reservoir 110 E.
- the deflection assembly 180 E can include radially oriented cutting blades 183 E.
- the deflection assembly 180 E includes five blades 183 E.
- other numbers of blades and configurations can also be used.
- the blades 183 E extend from the central shaft member 164 E, at a position above the piercing tip 162 E and laterally outwardly to a position laterally beyond the outer surface 182 E and into close spacing or in contact with the inner surface 112 E.
- the blades 183 E can be fixed to the ring member 181 E so as to directly connect the ring member 181 E to the central shaft member 164 E.
- a lower edge 184 E of the ring member 181 E can be rounded or sharpened.
- the blades 183 E extend beyond the outer surface the ring member 182 E by a distance of 185 E.
- This distance 185 E can be chosen so as to achieve the desired deflection of an associated frangible wall and allow sufficient space for the ring member 181 E to pass by a folded frangible wall portion.
- this spacing 185 E is at least two or three times the thickness of the associated frangible wall. Other spacings can also be used.
- FIGS. 15-17 schematically illustrate the process of the piercing tip and deflection assembly 180 E piercing and deflecting a frangible wall 111 E. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15 , a lower end of a reservoir 110 E is illustrated in perspective view, and includes a lower frangible wall 111 E. In the position illustrated in FIG. 15 , the dispensing mechanism 160 E (illustrated largely in phantom line) has been displaced downwardly along the direction of arrow D until the piercing tip 162 E has pierced a central area of the frangible wall 111 E.
- the cutting blades 183 E cut and/or cause further cleavage of the frangible wall 111 E.
- the configuration of the assembly 180 E causes the frangible wall 111 E to tear into wedges circumferentially arranged about a center of the frangible wall 111 E.
- the ring member 181 E folds the remaining wedge shaped pieces of the frangible wall 111 E downwardly.
- the spacing 185 E described above with reference to FIG. 13 can provide the additional advantage of providing space for the frangible wall portions to fold along the outer circular edge of the lower end of the reservoir 110 E. Such a folding movement is not a natural movement for the material, and can cause wrinkles or gathers 186 E. Additionally, the spacing 185 E reduces the likelihood that the frangible wall 111 E would be pulled off from the lower end of the reservoir 110 E.
- the spacing 185 E is sized such that the frangible wall 111 E is not pulled off from the lower end of the reservoir 110 E.
- the magnitude of the spacing 185 E sufficient to prevent the frangible wall 111 E from being pulled off from the lower end of the reservoir 110 E can be effected by the material used for and the thickness of the frangible wall 111 E, as well as the manner of attachment of the frangible wall 111 E.
- the minimum magnitude of the spacing 185 E can be determined by experimentation.
- the spacing 185 E can be at least 1/16′′. Further, in some embodiments, the spacing 185 E can be between 1/16′′ and 5/16′′.
- the dispensing mechanism 160 E can remain in the position illustrated in FIG. 17 , allowing discharge of ingredient from the reservoir 110 E and allowing liquid from the associated bottle to flow into the reservoir 110 E. Additionally, the ring member 181 E prevents the remaining portions of the frangible wall 111 E from folding toward the center of the reservoir 110 E and potentially interfering with the flow of ingredients and/or liquids in and out of the reservoir 110 E.
- the folding deformation of the portions of the frangible wall 111 E which can cause wrinkles or folds 186 E noted above, can create a plastic deformation in some materials, such as foil, thereby also generating some resistance against movement of the pieces of the frangible wall 111 E toward the center of the reservoir 110 E.
- FIGS. 18A-18E illustrate a modification of beverage ingredient dispenser 100 , identified generally by the reference numeral 200 .
- Parts, components, and feature of the dispenser 200 that are the same or similar to corresponding parts, feature, or components of the embodiments described above are identified with the same reference numeral, except that 100 has been added to the value of the numeral.
- the same convention of numeral identification applies to the embodiments of FIGS. 19-62 , described below.
- the seal assembly 220 can be configured to form spillproof seals for the plurality of different bottle sizes having openings with different inner diameters.
- the seal assembly 220 can be configured to form seals with the inner surfaces of a range of sizes of bottles having diameters that differ over a range of approximately 0.4 inches.
- a seal assembly 220 includes a seal member assembly 224 which includes a plurality of concentric layers 228 , 229 .
- the concentric layers 228 , 229 can be separate concentric rings or can be formed with a single, monolithic piece of resilient material.
- Such materials can include any of the following silicone, urethane, various rubber, elastomers, soft plastics, and other materials can also be used.
- the materials used for the layers 228 , 229 can have a hardness of 30-90 Shore A scale. Other materials with other hardnesses can also be used.
- the layers 228 can have outer surfaces shaped to fit within the openings, and seal therewith, of bottles of different sizes.
- the layer 228 can include a lower end 227 A defining an outer diameter that is less than 0.85 inches.
- the inner layer 228 can define an outer diameter 226 A that is larger than 0.85 inches.
- the outer layer 229 can include a lower end 227 B defining a diameter that is less than 1.25 inches but greater than 0.85 inches.
- the outer layer 229 can include an upper end defining an outer diameter 226 B that is greater 1.25 inches.
- the opening of the bottle 10 can be inserted around the lower end 227 of the layer 228 and moved into a spillproof sealing engagement with the layer 228 .
- bottles of other sizes can also achieve spillproof seals with either the layer 228 or 229 .
- a user can actuate the actuator 290 to actuate the dispensing mechanism 260 .
- a user can push downwardly on the actuator 290 , which is connected to the dispensing mechanism.
- the dispensing mechanism opens the lower wall 211 of the reservoir 210 , thereby allowing beverage ingredient to be released from the reservoir 210 .
- a user can apply the downward force to the actuator 290 to cause the movement required to seal the seal assembly 220 with the inner surface of the bottle 12 .
- the dispenser 200 can be installed and sealed to either of the bottles 10 , 12 with a single direction of movement.
- FIGS. 18F-18H illustrate another modification of the beverage ingredient dispenser 200 , identified generally by the reference number 200 a.
- Parts, components, and features of the dispenser 200 a that are the same or similar to corresponding parts, features, or components of the dispenser 200 described above are identified with the same reference number, except that the letter “a” has been added thereto.
- the dispenser 200 a is configured to form spillproof seals with a plurality of different bottle sizes having openings with different diameters, over a larger range of different sizes than those described above with reference to dispenser 200 .
- the seal assembly 220 a is illustrated juxtaposed two different bottles, the first bottle 12 a having an inner diameter of approximately 11 ⁇ 8 inches, for example, 1.14 inches or 29 millimeters and second larger beverage container 12 b which has an inner diameter of approximately 13 ⁇ 4 inches, for example, 1.77 inches or 45 millimeters.
- the seal assembly 220 a includes at least two annular sealing members configured to provide a seal that can seal with a range of beverage container sizes having inner diameters that vary over a range of approximately 5 ⁇ 8ths of an inch, for example, 0.63 inches.
- the seal assembly 200 a can include a first seal layer 228 a and a second seal layer 229 a, arranged concentrically relative to one another. As such, similarly to the embodiments of FIGS. 18A-18E , the seal assembly 220 a can generate substantially spillproof seals with a range of sizes of beverage containers.
- the seal assembly 200 a can have a third layer 228 a 1 .
- the layer 228 a 1 can be configured to generate spillproof seals with smaller beverage containers, for example, the beverage container 10 illustrated in FIGS. 18G and H.
- the dispenser 200 a can include a reservoir 210 a and an actuator 290 a connected to a dispenser mechanism (not shown) for discharging a beverage ingredient from the reservoir 210 a.
- FIGS. 18I-18N illustrate another modification of the beverage ingredient dispenser 200 , identified generally by the reference number 200 b.
- Parts, components, and features of the dispenser 200 b that are the same or similar to the corresponding parts, features, or components of the embodiments described above are identified with the same reference number, except that a letter “b” has been added thereto.
- the dispenser 200 b can be configured to receive blister pack members and provide for convenient alignment of the frangible part of the blister pack member for discharging a beverage ingredient into a beverage container.
- FIG. 18I illustrates a blister pack assembly 2300 which includes a plurality of blister pack members 2302 .
- each blister pack member has a stiffer frame portion 2304 extending around the periphery of a compressible portion 2306 and a frangible portion 2308 .
- a beverage ingredient 2310 is disposed between the compressible and frangible portions 2306 , 2308 .
- a user can compress the compressible portion 2306 so as to press the beverage ingredient 2310 against the frangible portion 2308 to thereby break the frangible portion 2308 and thereby discharge the beverage ingredient 2310 from the blister pack assembly 2302 .
- the beverage ingredient dispenser 200 b can include a seal assembly 220 b and a blister pack receiver portion 210 b.
- the seal assembly 220 b can be configured to generate a spillproof seal against an inner surface of the opening of a beverage container.
- the seal assembly 220 b can include one or more layers 228 b, 229 b, configured to form spillproof seals the inner surfaces of a plurality of different sizes of beverage containers.
- the seal assembly 220 b can include a third layer, such as layer 228 a 1 of the embodiment of FIG. 18H . More layers can also be used.
- the blister pack receiver 210 b can include a central portion 2310 and an optional sealing arrangement 2312 configured to seal against an inner surface 2314 of the seal assembly 220 b.
- the blister pack receiver 210 b can also include a blister pack receiving portion 2316 configured to receive a blister pack member 2302 . Additionally, the blister pack receiver 210 b can include a central aperture 2320 aligned with the central portion of the blister pack receiver portion 2316 .
- the blister pack receiving portion 2316 can include a slot 2322 having a shape and size sufficient to receive the blister pack member 2308 and to register a position of the blister pack member 2308 in which the frangible portion 2308 is aligned with the aperture 2320 .
- the slot 2322 can include first and second side walls 2324 and 2326 that match a shape of lateral side edges of the blister pack member 2302 .
- the slot 2322 can include a back wall 2328 also shaped complimentary to a side edge of the blister pack member 2302 .
- the spacing of the walls 2322 , 2326 , 2328 can be configured, shaped and positioned such that the frangible portion 2308 of the blister pack member 2302 is aligned with the aperture 2320 when the side walls of the blister pack member 2302 are pressed against the walls 2324 , 2326 , 2328 .
- a user can push down on the compressible portion 2306 to thereby press the beverage ingredient 2310 against the frangible portion 2308 and thereby break the frangible portion 2308 and discharge the beverage ingredient 2310 through the frangible portion 2308 , through the aperture 2320 , and into the beverage container.
- the slot 3322 can include a bottom surface 2330 configured to improve a seal between a lower surface of the blister pack member 2302 and the receiver 210 b.
- the bottom wall of the 2330 of the slot 2322 can be made from a silicone material or another conforming.
- the entire receiver 210 b can be made from the same material.
- annular portion 2332 encircling the aperture 2320 can be made from a different material configured to improve a seal between the lower surface of the blister pack member 2302 and the bottom wall of the slot 2322 .
- the surface 2332 is configured to extend around and/or across a portion of the frangible portion 2308 of the blister pack member 2302 .
- a user when a user presses down on the compressible portion 2306 and discharges the ingredient 2310 into the beverage container, a user can maintain pressure on the compressible portion 2306 and simultaneously shake the beverage container 10 , 12 , 12 a, 12 b so as to enhance mixing of the beverage ingredient 2310 with the liquid in the beverage container 10 , 12 , 12 a, 12 b.
- FIGS. 18O-18Q illustrate a modification of the dispenser 200 b, identified generally by the reference number 200 c.
- Parts, components, and features of the dispenser 200 c that are the same or similar to corresponding parts, features, or components of the embodiments described above are identified with the same reference numbers, except that a letter “c” has been added thereto.
- the dispenser 200 c can be configured to receive non-square blister pack members 2302 c, which can come in the form of a blister pack assembly 2300 .
- the blister pack assembly 2300 includes blister pack members 2302 c which include a frame portion that is hexagonal, and surrounding the compressible portion 2306 c and the frangible portions 2308 c.
- the blister pack member 2302 c can be partially hexagonal, for example, having a part rectangular frame portion and a part of hexagonal frame portion, as illustrated in the lower portion of the lower right hand portion of the assembly 2300 c illustrated in FIG. 180 .
- the blister pack members 2302 c can be connected to one another at the periphery of the frame portions with frangible portions, for example, at the points at which the blister pack members 2302 c contact each other. When broken, the frangible portions can present imperfections along the peripheral edges of the thereby separated blister pack members 2302 c.
- the blister pack receiver 210 c can include a slot 2322 c configured to receive hexagonal or partly hexagonal blister pack members 2302 c and register alignment of the frangible portion 2308 c of the blister pack member 2302 c with the aperture 2320 c.
- sidewalls 2324 c, 2326 c and 2328 c can be configured, sized, and shaped to be complimentary to hexagonal sidewalls of the blister pack member 2302 c and the align the blister pack member 2302 c with the frangible portion 2308 c thereof aligned with the aperture 2320 when the hexagonal sidewalls are pressed against the sidewalls 2324 c, 2326 c, 2328 c of the slot 2322 c.
- the configuration, size, and shape of the sidewalls 2324 c, 2326 c and 2328 c can accommodate imperfections that may remain from the frangible portions that may have been broken to separate the blister pack member 2302 c from the blister pack assembly 2300 c.
- FIGS. 18R-18T illustrate yet another modification of the beverage dispenser 200 , identified generally by the reference number 200 d.
- Parts, components, and features of the dispenser 200 d that are the same or similar to corresponding parts, features, or components of the embodiments described are identified with the same reference number except that a letter “d” has been added thereto.
- the blister pack receiver 210 d can be configured to receive semicircular or circular blister pack members 2302 d.
- the blister pack member 2302 d can be attached to one another at frangible portions forming a blister pack assembly 2300 d.
- the blister pack members 2302 d can include a generally circular frame member portion surrounding the compressible portions 2306 c and frangible portions 2308 d. When broken, the frangible portions can present imperfections along the peripheral edges of the thereby separated blister pack members 2302 d.
- blister pack member 2302 d can be entirely or semicircular, for example, having a partly flat or rectangular outer periphery and a partly circular or semicircular portion.
- the non-rectangular portion or the partly circular or semicircular portion of the blister pack member 2302 d can extend around about half-way around the periphery, for example, in some embodiments, about 180 degrees around the periphery of the blister pack member 2302 d.
- the blister pack receiver 210 d can include a partly circular 2322 d slot.
- the back wall 2328 d can be circular or semicircular and configured to be complimentary to an outer shape of the blister pack members 2302 d.
- the walls of the slot 2322 d, including the back wall 2328 d can be configured, sized, and positioned so as to hold the blister pack member 2302 d in a position with the frangible portion 2308 d aligned with the aperture 2320 d when the blister pack member 2302 d is pressed against the back wall 2328 d.
- the configuration, size, and shape of the sidewalls 2324 d, 2326 d and 2328 d can accommodate imperfections that may remain from the frangible portions that may have been broken to separate the blister pack member 2302 d from the blister pack assembly 2300 d.
- the circular or semicircular shape of the blister pack member 2302 d can provide a further advantage in simplifying the insertion process of the blister pack member 2302 d into the slot 2322 d.
- FIGS. 18U-18X illustrate a modification of the chamber 210 of the dispenser 200 illustrated in FIGS. 18A-18E , identified generally by the reference numeral 210 e, including a dustcap.
- Parts, components, and features of the reservoir 210 e that are similar or the same as the reservoir 210 are identified with the same reference numerals except that a letter “e” has been added thereto.
- the reservoir 210 e can be configured to engage with a dustcap 291 , or other structures that can extend over the actuator 290 e.
- the reservoir 210 e can include arcuate recesses 292 disposed on opposite edges of a peripheral flange 293 thereof.
- the arcuate recesses 292 can have a uniform depth 294 along the arc lengths of the recesses 292 .
- the dustcap 291 can be configured to extend over the actuator 290 e and engage the peripheral flange 293 .
- a lower end 295 of the dust 291 can include an inner peripheral edge 296 extending around in inner side of the periphery of the lower end 295 .
- the dustcap 291 includes one or more anchoring projections 297 .
- the one or more anchoring projections 297 can extend inwardly from the inner peripheral edge 296 and have a shaped complimentary to the arcuate recesses 292 on the reservoir 210 e.
- the anchoring projections 297 can have a uniform depth 298 is approximately the same as or slightly less than the depth 294 of the recesses 292 .
- the anchoring projections 297 can be disposed on opposite sides of the dustcap 291 , in positions corresponding to the recesses 292 on the chamber 210 e. As such, the dustcap 291 can be securely anchored to the chamber 210 e in such a position so as to protect the actuator 290 e from inadvertent actuation. Additionally, the arcuate recesses 292 and anchoring projections 297 can be chamfered or otherwise configured to allow a user to remove the dust 291 from the chamber 210 e by manual manipulation.
- FIGS. 19-20 illustrate a variation of the beverage ingredient dispensers of FIGS. 2 and 5-10 and is identified generally by the reference numeral 300 .
- the seal assembly 320 includes a conically shaped seal member 324 extending around the reservoir 310 .
- a lower end 327 of the seal body 324 can be attached to the reservoir 310 .
- the reservoir 310 includes an outwardly projecting ridge 315 that extends continuously or discontinuously around an outer surface of the reservoir 310 .
- the lower end 327 of the seal number 324 includes a recess shaped complimentary to the ridge 315 for attachment thereto.
- the seal member can be permanently affixed to the ridge with an adhesive or other attachment techniques.
- the connection between the ridge 315 of the reservoir 310 and the seal body 324 can be spill proof and/or water tight.
- the seal member 324 can be made from a tubular piece of resilient material.
- the resilient material forming the seal member 324 can have a straight cylindrical shape at rest.
- the seal body 324 can be joined with the dispenser 300 such that the upper end 326 of the seal member 324 is elastically deformed in a radially outward direction, for example, in the conically-shaped state illustrated in FIG. 19 . This can provide the added advantage that when the seal body 324 is constricted, for example, in a radially inward direction, the seal body 324 would be relaxed, thereby absorbing the inward constriction without forming folds.
- the relief mechanism 331 includes at least one member configured to press outwardly against an inner surface of the seal member 324 so as to support the seal body 324 in the shape illustrated in FIG. 19 .
- the at least one member 324 can be in the form of a leaf spring or cantilevered member attached to the reservoir 310 and at a lower end thereof.
- the member can be shaped to extend upwardly and radially outwardly from the lower end, relative to the reservoir 310 .
- the at least one member 331 can include a lower end 332 attached to an outer wall of the reservoir 310 .
- the lower end 332 can be attached to the ridge 315 .
- the member 331 can be mounted in an orientation and made from a material so as to maintain the position illustrated in FIGS. 19-21 when at rest and to contract inwardly when moved against an inner surface of the sealed body 324 .
- the at least one member 331 can deflect inwardly, deforming in accordance with the principle of operation of a cantilever spring or a leaf spring.
- the relief mechanism 331 can include a support member 335 configured to maintain a desired arrangement and orientation of the upper end of the member 332 for example, prior to connection with a beverage container.
- the support member 335 can be formed of a ring of relatively rigid material and be engaged with the upper end 336 of the member 332 .
- the upper end 336 can be engaged to the support member 335 with a frangible connection, such as a thin or weakened plastic section.
- the frangible connection between the upper end 336 and the support member 335 can be formed to have sufficiently low strength such that the frangible connection is broken with the dispenser 300 is used in the manner illustrated in FIG. 22 (described below).
- the relief mechanism 331 can include a plurality of members 332 arranged concentrically around an outer wall of the reservoir 310 .
- the members 332 can provide a more balanced support for the seal member 324 .
- the dispenser or the relief mechanism 331 includes 14 members 332 spaced apart from each other.
- the members 332 can be spaced apart by approximately 0.1 to 0.3 inches. However, other configurations can also be used.
- the seal member 324 when a user pushes the dispenser 300 downwardly into a bottle, such as the bottle 10 illustrated in FIG. 22 , the seal member 324 is deformed inwardly as it is pressed against the inner surface 22 of the bottle 10 . With continued movement into the bottle 10 , the seal member 324 presses against the members 332 with sufficient force to break that frangible connection between the upper end 336 and the support member 335 .
- the members 332 Constructed as a cantilever or leaf spring, the members 332 bend into a curved shape, allowing an upper portion, for example, in the vicinity of the upper end 326 of the seal body 324 , to deflect inwardly and achieve an enlarged contact patch between the outer surface of the seal member 324 and the inner surface 22 of the bottle 10 .
- a user can discard the support member 335 .
- the actuator 390 includes a cap member 390 having an upper surface 391 and a lower surface engaged with an upper end 363 of the piercing member 361 . Additionally, the actuator 390 is engaged with an upper wall 315 of the reservoir 310 .
- the upper wall 315 of the reservoir 310 can be configured to be deflectable along the direction of arrow D.
- the upper wall 315 includes corrugations forming bellows 316 .
- the actuator 390 can be moved relative to the lower portion of the reservoir 310 , the deformation of the bellows 316 , for example, in response to the application of force downwardly onto the actuator 390 , by a user.
- the downwardly directed force imparted to the actuator 390 can provide both movement of the piercing member 361 downwardly through the reservoir 310 so as to pierce the frangible wall 311 , as well as providing a force for the deformation of the seal number 324 as it is pressed against the inner surface of the bottle 10 .
- the application of a force F onto the actuator 390 causes all three of the downward movement of the dispenser 300 into the bottle 10 , the deformation of the seal member 324 , and the downward movement of the piercing member 361 .
- the installation of the dispenser 300 onto a water bottle 300 can be performed by the application of a force in a single direction causing movement along a single direction relative to the bottle 10 , thereby simplifying the procedure for mounting the dispenser 300 to a bottle.
- FIGS. 23-26 illustrate a modification of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-4 and 8-10 , and is identified generally by the reference numeral 400 .
- the dispenser 400 includes an actuator 490 with an upper actuation surface 491 and a lower end 492 configured to interact with the expansion mechanism 425 of the seal assembly 420 .
- the actuation surface 491 is disposed atop of a plurality of bellows 493 formed in the upper wall of the actuator 490 .
- An outer wall 494 extends outwardly from the bellows 493 , and downwardly to the lower wall 492 .
- the lower wall 492 tapers inwardly, along a conical shape to the lower end 495 of the actuator 490 .
- the seal assembly 420 in the illustrated embodiment, optionally includes two seal members 424 A, 424 B. Additionally, the seal assembly 420 includes an inner bushing member 428 disposed within the seal members 424 A, 424 B and attached to inner surfaces of the seal members 424 A, 424 B.
- the bushing member 428 includes an inner surface 429 that has a ramped or conical shape.
- the shape of the inner surface 429 can be complimentary to the shape of the lower wall 492 of the actuator 490 .
- the bushing member 428 can be resilient and expandable.
- a force F applied to the upper surface 491 of the actuator 490 causes deformation of the upper wall, for example the bellows 493 , thereby displacing the piercing member 461 downwardly through the frangible wall 411 of the reservoir 410 .
- FIGS. 27-30 illustrate another variation of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-4 and 8-10 , identified generally by the reference numeral 500 .
- the dispenser 500 includes an actuation surface 591 that is generally dome-shaped.
- the actuator 590 is made from upper and lower pieces 597 , 598 attached together at a joint 599 .
- the upper portion 597 can be made from a flexible or resilient material.
- the lower portion 598 can be made from a harder material.
- the outer surface 592 of the actuator 590 can include surface features 592 A which can form part of a ratcheting mechanism.
- the bushing member 528 can include cooperating surface features 529 A which can form second part of the ratcheting mechanism.
- the surface features 592 A and 529 A can be configured to engage in an interference or ratcheting manner, so as to resist movement of the actuator 590 away from the seal assembly 520 .
- the surface features 592 A can include upwardly slanted ridges and the surface features 529 A can include recessed channels.
- the actuator 590 when the actuator 590 is in the position in the state of illustrated in FIG. 30 , the surface features 529 A, 592 A would resist movements of the actuator 590 upwardly in the opposite direction of arrow D. Additionally, the upper portion 597 can be deformed, for example, by application of a force F by a user thereby causing downward movement of a piercing member 516 .
- FIGS. 31-34 illustrate yet another variation of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-4 and 8-10 , identified generally by the reference numeral 600 .
- the seal assembly 620 includes a bushing 628 having a generally cylindrical shape and a ramp or conically-shaped inner surface 629 .
- the bushing 628 can include a plurality of internal passages 628 A to provide the grommet 628 with increased flexibility.
- the internal passages 628 A can be in the form of continuous circular hollow passages or discontinuous voids. Other configurations can also be used.
- FIGS. 35-39 illustrate another variation of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 5-10 and is identified generally by the reference numeral 700 .
- FIG. 35 illustrates the dispenser 700 engaged with the bottles 10 , 12 , to illustrate the adaptability of the dispenser 702 engage with the range of sizes of bottles represented by the bottles 10 , 12 .
- the dispenser 700 can include a seal assembly 720 with an inwardly delectable seal member 724 .
- the seal member 724 can be in the shape of a conical seal member.
- the dispenser 700 can including a bushing 728 disposed within the seal member 724 .
- the bushing 728 can be in the configuration of an expandable split ring.
- the dispenser 700 can include a ratcheting ring 729 , disposed within the bushing member 728 .
- the dispenser 700 can include a spring 731 disposed within the ratcheting ring 729 .
- the spring 731 includes an outer end 736 with an engaging feature 740 configured to engage with the ratcheting ring 729 in a ratcheting manner.
- the ratcheting ring 729 can include surface features 729 A in the form of slots, for example.
- the engaging feature 740 on the spring 731 can be in the form of a ramped tooth, configured to slide over the slots in one direction, for example, a radially inward compression direction of the spring 731 , but resist a movement in the opposite direction.
- portions of the seal member 724 can deflect inwardly, against the outward bias of the spring 731 during insertion of the dispenser 700 onto a bottle.
- the spring 731 can compress in a ratcheting manner, to allow the compression of the seal member 724 to better conform to the shape of the bottle opening and to achieve a spill proof seal.
- FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate a modification of the spring 731 of the dispenser 700 , identified generally by the reference numeral 731 A.
- the spring includes an inner, circumferential base member 731 A 1 and a plurality of flexible, arcuate arms 731 A 2 .
- the arms 731 A 2 can be configured to be deflectable between a relaxed state ( FIG. 40 ) and a compressed state ( FIG. 41 ) in which the arms 731 A 2 are elastically deflected inwardly and pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the bushing 728 A.
- FIGS. 42-45B illustrate another modification of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 5-10 , identified generally by the reference numeral 800 .
- the dispenser 800 can include a seal assembly 824 that can be similar to or the same as the seal assembly 320 described above with reference to FIGS. 19-22 .
- the dispenser 800 can include an integrated drink through device 870 .
- the drink through device 870 defines at least a portion of a fluidic passage extending from the interior of the reservoir 810 , through an upper wall of the reservoir 810 , and to an exterior of the dispenser 800 .
- the drink through mechanism 870 can include a valve 871 including a valve seat and a valve body 873 moveable relative to the valve seat 872 .
- valve 871 is in a closed position.
- the valve seat 872 can be integrated with the dispensing mechanism 860 .
- the piercing member 861 includes an upper laterally extending flange 887 attached to the upper end 863 of the central member 864 .
- the flange 887 defines an upper wall of the reservoir 810 .
- the flange member 887 can include one or more fluid passages 887 A connecting the interior of the reservoir 810 with the chamber 888 A.
- the piercing member 861 further defines an intermediate chamber 888 disposed between the flange 887 and the valve 871 .
- the piercing member 861 can further include a second flange 889 disposed above the chamber 888 and defining an upper wall of chamber 888 .
- the flange 889 can also include the valve seat 872 .
- the piercing member 861 can also include walls defining a second chamber 888 B disposed above the chamber 888 A.
- the flange 889 can define a lower wall of the chamber 888 B.
- the drink through mechanism 870 can include an upper external flange member 872 and a fluid aperture 874 defining an opening to the exterior of the dispenser 800 .
- the drink through mechanism 870 can also include an axial fluid passage 875 terminating at the valve member 873 . Further, the mechanism 870 can include lateral fluid passages 876 connecting the axial fluid passage 875 with passages within the piercing member 861 .
- the drink through mechanism 870 can be mounted so as to be axially movable relative to the piercing member 861 .
- the mechanism 870 can be mounted to be movable between opened ( FIG. 45B ) and closed ( FIG. 45A ) positions.
- the position illustrated in FIGS. 43, 443, and 45A is the closed position, in which the valve member 873 is received in the valve seat 872 , thereby blocking a fluidic passage between the reservoir 810 and the aperture 874 .
- the mechanism 870 when the mechanism 870 is positioned in the upward, open position ( FIG. 45B ), a continuous fluidic passage is opened, allowing fluids to pass from the reservoir 810 , upwardly through the aperture 887 A, into the chamber 888 A, through the valve seat 872 , into the passages 876 , upwardly through the axial passage 875 , and out of the aperture 874 , to the exterior of the dispenser 800 .
- the mechanism 870 can also serve as the actuator 890 .
- the drink through mechanism 870 can be considered as being integrated with the actuator 890 .
- a user attaches the dispenser 800 to a container such as a water bottle and presses the upper member 872 downwardly ( FIG. 45A ), thereby driving the piercing member 861 through the lower frangible wall 811 , ingredients can flow out of the reservoir 810 and mix with liquid in the container, creating a mixed beverage. Then a user can pull on the upper member 872 ( FIG. 45B ), thereby opening the drink through mechanism 870 , and drink a mixed beverage within the bottle, wherein the beverage passes through the broken frangible wall 811 up to the reservoir 810 , through the chambers 888 A and 888 B, into the central passage 875 and out through the orifice 874 .
- FIGS. 46-50 illustrate another modification of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 5-10 , identified generally by the reference numeral 900 .
- the dispenser 900 can include a seal assembly 920 that is similar or the same as the seal assembly 320 of the embodiment of FIGS. 19-22 , and thus the description of this seal assembly 920 is not repeated with reference to FIGS. 46-51 .
- the relief mechanism 931 includes a plurality of members 932 with lowers end connected to an outer surface of the reservoir 910 .
- the upper ends 936 engage with the upper support member 935 at a plurality of different positions which can be arranged radially.
- the support member 935 includes a lower surface 937 with a plurality of surface features 938 .
- the surface features 938 comprise through holes that pass from the lower surface 937 through the top of the support member 935 .
- other configurations can also be used, for example, where the surface features 938 do not extend to the top surface of the support member 935 and for example, are in the form of recesses on the lower surface 937 .
- the surface features 938 are arranged in a plurality of a radially extending groups 939 .
- Each of the groups 939 is aligned with the upper end 936 of one of the members 932 .
- the upper ends 936 of the members 932 include a surface feature 940 which is configured to interact with the surface features 938 .
- the surface feature 940 can be in the form of a tooth optionally with a ramped face.
- the surface features 940 , 938 can interact in accordance with the ratcheting principle of operation.
- the members 932 can be deflected radially inwardly, as described above with reference to FIGS. 19-22 .
- the tooth 940 of each moving member 932 can slip from radially outward features 938 in a particular grouping, to a surface feature 938 closer to the axial center of the support member 935 .
- the ramped surface of the surface feature 940 can be slanted away from the axial center of the dispenser 900 thereby providing lowered resistance to radially inward movement.
- the tooth forming the surface feature 940 can include a non-ramped surface on a radially outward side thereof so as to provide greater resistance against radially outward movement.
- the radially inward movement of the upper ends 936 of the members 932 can be guided in a more control manner. Additionally, locking the upper ends 936 of the members 932 at a particular radial position can affect the curvature or bending deformation of the member 932 , and can further enlarge a contact patch between the seal member 924 and the inner surface of an opening of a beverage container.
- FIGS. 51-55 illustrate yet another variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 2-10 , identified generally by the reference numeral 1000 .
- the dispenser 1000 can include a seal assembly 1020 that can have the same or similar construction to the seal assembly 920 , and thus the description is not repeated with reference to FIGS. 51-55 .
- the dispenser 1000 can be considered as including both expansion mechanism 1025 and a relief mechanism 1031 .
- the relief mechanism 1031 has the same structure and performs in accordance with the description of the relief mechanism 331 described above with reference to FIGS. 19-22 .
- members 1032 are deflected radially inwardly so as to conform to an inner surface of the opening of a beverage container.
- the expansion mechanism 1025 can further enhance the seal achieved between the seal member 1024 and the inner surface of the bottle.
- the expansion mechanism 1025 can include a catch plate 1050 disposed between the inner surface of the members 1032 and an outer surface of the reservoir 1010 .
- the members 1032 can include surface features 1051 on radially inwardly facing surfaces thereof.
- the surface features 1051 can be in the form of ramped teeth or grooves, for example, slanted downwardly.
- the catch plate 1050 can be configured to move axially along with surface features 1051 .
- the catch plate 1050 can include an engaging surface 1052 configured to interact with the surface features 1051 .
- the surface features 1051 and 1052 can be configured to provide less resistance to movement in the direction of arrow D and more resistance against movement of the member 1050 in the opposite direction of arrow D.
- the actuator 1090 can be subjected to a force F thereby driving the catch plate 1050 downwardly into the space between the inner surfaces of the members 1032 and the outer surface of the reservoir 1010 .
- the member 1050 will move sequentially to lower positions, snapping into and out of engagement with the surface features 1051 under the ratcheting principle of operation.
- the member 1050 can help further to form the seal member 1024 to increase a contact patch between the seal member 1024 and the inner surface of the average container.
- FIGS. 56-59 illustrate another modification of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 5-10 , identified generally by the reference numeral 1100 .
- the dispenser 1100 can include a seal assembly 1120 and drink-through mechanism 1170 , and dispensing mechanism 1160 , such as those described above with regard to the previously described embodiments.
- the dispenser 1100 can also include a bottle anchoring mechanism 2000 .
- the bottle anchoring mechanism 2000 can include a mechanism configured to engage surfaces within a container which are oriented obliquely relative to the inner cylindrical surfaces of the opening of such a container.
- many typical beverage containers include a cylindrical inner surface 22 , 44 , formed along an opening neck. Inwardly from the opening, many beverage containers include a shoulder transitioning to a tapering wall.
- the container anchoring mechanism 2000 can include at least one member moveably mounted to the dispenser 1100 between retracted and expanded states.
- the at least one member In the retracted state, the at least one member can be positioned such that the dispenser 1100 and the member can fit within an opening of a beverage container. In the extended position, the at least one member can move to a position into contact or into an interfering fit with at least one wall within the container disclosed or oriented at an oblique angle relative to the cylindrical inner surface of the opening.
- a surface can be a surface at the shoulder or tapered wall of a beverage container.
- the anchoring mechanism 2000 includes a plurality of anchoring members 2002 .
- Each of the anchoring members 2002 includes an upper end 2004 and a lower end 2006 .
- the dispenser 1100 includes 14 anchoring members 2002 evenly spaced around the outer periphery of the reservoir 1110 .
- other numbers of anchoring members 2002 and configurations can also be used.
- the anchoring members 2002 can be pivotally mounted relative to the reservoir 1110 .
- the anchoring members 2002 are pivotally mounted along a pivot mount 2010 which extend circumferentially around the reservoir 1110 .
- the pivot mount pivotally attaches the anchoring members 2002 to the reservoir 1110 .
- the anchoring members 2002 can pivot between a state in which the lower ends 2006 are in a contracted orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 58 to an expanded state, as illustrated in FIG. 59 , in which the lower ends 2006 are pivoted away from the reservoir 1110 .
- the anchor members 2002 can be sized and configured such that in the retracted state illustrated in FIG. 58 , the lower ends 2006 are arranged in a configuration in which they can pass through an opening of a beverage container 10 , for example. Then, with reference to FIG. 59 , as the dispenser 1100 is pushed downwardly into the bottle 10 , the seal member 1124 and resilient members 1132 are pressed inwardly (radially inwardly toward the central axis of the dispenser 1100 ). This radially inward movement of the seal member 1124 and/or the resilient members 1132 can also act on the upper ends 2004 of the anchor members 2002 , thereby pivoting the anchor members 2002 from the retracted position illustrated in FIG. 58 to the extended position illustrated in FIG. 59 .
- the lower ends 2006 when the anchor members 2002 are in the extended position, extend radially outwardly, beyond the inner surface of the opening of the bottle 10 , in a location below a shoulder 34 of the container 10 .
- the anchoring mechanism 2000 can enhance an anchoring of the dispenser 1100 to an associated container.
- FIGS. 60 and 61 illustrate yet another variation of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 through 4 and 8 through 10 , identified generally by the reference numeral 1200 .
- the dispenser 1200 can include an expansion device 1225 configured to operate under a pneumatic principle of operation.
- the dispenser 1200 can include an expandable air bladder 2200 disposed circumferentially around the reservoir 2010 .
- the expansion mechanism 2025 can be configured to inflate the bladder 2200 with any type of pneumatic mechanism.
- the expansion mechanism 1225 can include an air pump mechanism 2210 configured to the actuatable body user, for example, by actuation of the actuator 1290 .
- the pneumatic pump 2210 can include a compressible chamber and one or more check valves 2212 connecting an interior of the pump chamber 2210 with an interior of the bladder 2200 .
- the pump chamber 2210 can be deformed so as to reduce its interior volume, thereby urging a gas disposed therein, such as air, into the inflatable bladder 2200 .
- Inflatable bladder 2200 is thereby inflated, causing a radially outward expansion.
- the dispenser 1200 includes a seal member 1224 disposed around the outer surface of the inflatable bladder 2200 .
- the seal member 1224 is deformed and/or moved radially outwardly, into contact with an inner surface of an associated container 10 .
- valves 2212 can be one-way check valves. Additionally, in some embodiments, the pump chamber 2210 can include additional passages opening to the atmosphere, so as to allow refilling of the pump chamber 2210 upon the expansion of the pump chambers 2210 .
- the pump chamber 2210 can be sized such that a single downward movement of the actuator 1290 causes a sufficient deformation of the pump chamber 2210 to inflate the bladder 2200 sufficiently to generate seals with a range of different sizes of containers 10 , such as the inner surfaces of the containers 10 , 12 described above, or other ranges of sizes.
- the expansion mechanism 1225 can include one or more ratchet members 2214 .
- the ratchet members 2214 connect upper ends 2216 fixed to the actuator 1290 .
- the ratchet members 2214 can include lower ends 2218 configured for a ratcheting engagement with the seal member 1224 .
- the ratcheting members 2214 can be configured for one-way movement relative to the seal member 1224 such that a single downward movement of the actuator 1290 will lock the actuator 1290 into an orientation in which the pump chamber 2210 is compressed.
- using the ratchet members 2214 can avoid the need for other check valves, such as the check valves 2212 .
- the check valves 2212 can be replaced with open passages, the ratcheting members 2214 venting air from the bladder 2200 from reentering the pump chamber 2210 .
- Other configurations can also be used.
- FIGS. 62-78 illustrate yet another embodiment of a dispenser, identified generally by the reference numeral 3000 .
- the dispenser 3000 can be in the form of a single use unit dosage dispenser 3000 .
- the dispenser 3000 is adapted to be attached to a container, such as a range of sizes of bottles, 10 , 12 , described above.
- the dispenser can include a seal assembly 3020 configured to form seals with a range of sizes of bottles, such as bottles 10 , 12 , described above.
- the dispenser 3000 includes a shell 3012 , shown alone in FIGS. 62-68 , which is adapted to be attached to the container by way of the seal assembly 3020 .
- the dispenser 3000 can incorporate any of the other seal assemblies disclosed above in FIGS. 2-61 .
- the shell 3012 can include a tubular inner guide 3022 with an open lower end in communication with the interior the container 10 , 12 , to which it can be attached by way of the seal assembly 3020 .
- the inner guide 3022 can include one or more sealing ring(s) 3024 , a lower stop 3026 at a lower end thereof and an upper stop 3028 at an upper end thereof.
- the stops 3026 , 3028 can be configured to form interference fits, bump fits, snap fits, one-way latches, or other types of engagements.
- the sealing ring 3024 can be configured to form a sliding seal with an outer surface of an ingredient chamber 3040 , described in greater detail below.
- the inner guide 3022 can also include a finger access 3030 adjacent an upper end thereof and a second stop 3031 above the seal ring 3024 .
- the shell 3012 may further include an alignment nub on the exterior of the guide 3022 for alignment of the guide during manufacturing.
- a piercing element 3032 can be disposed on the inner guide 3022 . As such the piercing element can be considered as being fixed relative to the seal assembly 3020 .
- the piercing element 3032 can be formed integrally with the inner guide 3022 .
- the piercing element 3032 can be configured to pierce a frangible wall on the ingredient chamber, described in greater detail below. Such a frangible wall can be made from materials such as foils and other materials, as described above with reference to the frangible walls 111 .
- the piercing element 3032 can include a plurality of radial blades 3034 at a lower end of the inner guide 3022 .
- the radial blades 3034 can converge to form a piercing tip extending toward the upper end of the inner guide 3022 .
- the piercing tip can form a triangular center piercing tip with a center point for improved piercing of the frangible wall 3050 A.
- folding elements 3036 can be disposed adjacent the blades 3034 and can be adapted to engage and fold back a sealing element to facilitate discharge of the unit dosage as will be described. Additionally, the folding elements 3036 can help prevent pieces of the seal from interfering with movement of a mixed beverage from the interior, through the shell 3012 , for example, through a drink-through valve described in greater detail below.
- the piercing element 3032 can also be constructed in accordance with the dispensing mechanism 160 C and frangible wall deflecting assembly 180 C described above with reference to FIGS. 11-17 .
- the various seals, undercuts and other “jump” features are formed in or integral with the shell 3012 .
- the shell can be made of a polymer that accommodates such features, such as polyolefin or other materials. Some materials that accommodate these jump features do not have significant moisture or gas barrier properties (i.e. high moisture and gas permeability).
- An axially movable reservoir member 3040 shown separately in FIGS. 69-71 , can be attached to the shell 3012 so as to be moveable along the inner guide 3022 .
- the reservoir member 3040 defines an inner chamber 3042 therein adapted to hold a unit dosage of material to be dispensed into the container.
- the reservoir member 3040 can include a top 3044 and a cylindrical side 3046 forming the chamber 3042 .
- the reservoir member 3040 can be formed from a relatively rigid material, and wherein the cap 3040 and the shell 3012 are made from different polymer materials.
- the axial movable reservoir member 3040 can be formed from a material with a higher oxygen and water barrier property than the material forming the shell 3012 .
- the reservoir member 3040 can be formed a rigid material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polypropylene (PP) with low shrink filler, and polyethylene (PE) with low shrink filler.
- Low shrink fillers include talc and mica. Other materials can also be used.
- a frangible wall 3050 can be coupled to the reservoir member 3040 for containing an ingredient within the chamber 3042 .
- the frangible wall 3050 can be in the form of any of the frangible walls 111 described above.
- the chamber 3042 is sealed with the frangible wall 3050 extending across a lower open end of the reservoir member 3040 at the open end of the cylindrical side member 3046 .
- the inner guide 3022 , reservoir member 3040 and the piercing element 3032 can be configured such that axial movement of the reservoir member 3040 along the inner guide 3022 , toward the piercing member 3032 will cause the piercing element formed by blades 3034 to pierce the frangible wall 3050 and dispense the contents of the chamber 3042 into the container 10 , 12 to which the dispenser 3000 is attached.
- This movement is illustrated by FIG. 77 in which the reservoir 3040 is not yet actuated and FIG. 78 in which the reservoir member 3040 has been moved axially until the piercing member 3032 has pierced the frangible wall 3050 .
- frangible wall 3050 can be in the form of metallic foil, a plastic film, or other materials.
- the sealing ring 3024 of the guide 3022 engages and seals against the outer surface of the cylindrical side member 3046 .
- the upper stop 3028 and the second stop 3031 can engage against an outward projection of the top 3044 to limit the respective axial motion of the reservoir member 3040 .
- the lower stop 3026 engages against the lower end of the cylindrical side member 3046 .
- the dispenser 3000 can additionally include a dust cover 3060 shown in FIGS. 72-75 .
- the dust cover has a top 3062 with an extending cylindrical skirt 3064 .
- a coupling bead 3066 will engage the shell 3020 .
- the cover 3060 is removed prior to actuation of the dispenser 3000 and can further include tamper evident band for security.
- the shell 3012 would include associated engaging beads for such tamper evident bands, as generally known in the art.
- the addition of the dust cover 3060 may further assist in the stacking of vertical containers. Further, the dust cover 3060 prevents premature actuation of the reservoir member 3040 , since the reservoir member 3040 cannot be pressed downward until the cover 3060 is removed.
- FIGS. 79-81 illustrate a modification of the dispenser 3000 and reservoir member 3040 , identified generally by the reference numerals 3000 A and 3040 A, respectively.
- Parts, components, and features of the dispenser 3000 A and reservoir member 3040 A that are the same or similar to the corresponding parts, components, and features of the dispenser 3000 and reservoir member 3040 , respectively, are identified with the same reference numerals except that a letter “A” has been added thereto.
- the reservoir member 3040 A can include a drink through valve assembly 3100 .
- the drink through valve assembly 3100 can include a stem portion 3102 and a valve member 3104 .
- the configuration of the stem portion 3102 and the valve member 3104 can be in accordance with known designs for drink through valves.
- the stem portion 3102 can include a central passage 3106 having a lower end 3108 open to the interior of the chamber 3042 A.
- the stem portion 3106 can include an upper end 3110 having at least one opening 3112 and a stopper plug 3114 .
- the stem portion 3102 can include a lower ridge 3120 and an upper ridge 3122 , projecting from an outer surface of the stem portion 3102 .
- the valve member 3104 can include a lower skirt portion 3130 and an upper mouthpiece 3132 .
- the upper mouthpiece 3132 can protect radially outwardly relative to the an outer surface of the lower skirt portion 3130 . This outward projection can provide a grasping ridge for users to pull upwardly on the valve member 3104 to move the valve member 3104 between closed and open positions.
- the upper mouthpiece 3132 can include a through hole 3134 .
- the through hole 3134 can be aligned with the plug 3114 so as to form a seal when the valve 3100 is in the closed position ( FIG. 80 ). In this position, the through hole 3134 is sufficiently sealed such that a user could shake a bottle 10 , 12 to which the chamber member 3040 a may be attached, without a liquid in the bottle 10 , 12 leaking our through the dispenser 3000 A. In an open position ( FIG. 81 ), the through hole 3134 can be spaced from the plug 3114 .
- the lower skirt portion 3130 can include a radially inward projection 3140 .
- the inward projection 3140 can be captured between the lower and upper projections 3120 , 3022 and configured to limit movement of the valve member 3104 between the closed ( FIG. 80 ) and opened ( FIG. 81 ) positions.
- the stem portion 3102 can also include a further projection 3123 configured to form an interference fit between the stem portion 3102 and the valve member 3104 configured to retain the valve member 3104 in the closed position ( FIGS. 80 and 83 ).
- the projection 3123 can be in a configuration with a bead-shaped cross section and interact with the inward projection 3140 so as to form a snap fit, retaining the valve member 3104 in the closed position and withstand an kilogram-force of about 1 kilogram, and up to an upper limit, for example, but without limitation, 1 . 8 kilograms.
- the aperture 3134 is closed by the plug 3114 .
- the through holes 3112 are closed by inner surfaces of the valve member 3104 .
- the valve member 3104 when in the open position, the valve member 3104 is positioned such that the through hole 3134 is spaced from the plug 3114 , thereby allowing material, including fluids, to flow from the chamber 3042 A to flow upwardly, through the through holes 3112 , and through the through hole 3134 , thereby defining a drink-through fluidic passage 3150 .
- the cylindrical outer wall 3046 a can include one or more projections for limiting movement of the chamber member 3040 A during use.
- the outer cylindrical wall 3046 A can include at least a first closed position projection 3160 defining a closed position and at least a first dispensing position projection 3170 defining a dispensing position.
- the first closed position projection 3160 can extend radially outwardly from the surrounding outer surface of the cylindrical wall 3046 A and can have, for example, a bead-type cross-sectional shape.
- the first closed position projection 3160 can be configured to maintain or limit the movement of the chamber member 3040 A in a closed position in which the frangible wall 3050 A is not pressed against the piercing member 3032 A ( FIG. 82 ).
- the shell 3012 can include an alignment projection 3180 positioned and sized to cooperate with the first closed position projection 3160 , when the reservoir member 3040 A is disposed within the shell 3012 ( FIG. 82 ).
- the first closed position projection 3160 is disposed above the projection 3180 , thereby resisting downward movement of the chamber member 3048 towards a dispensing position.
- the cylindrical wall 3046 can include a second closed position projection 3162 disposed below the first closed position projection 3160 ( FIG. 79 ). Together, the first and second closed position projections 3160 , 3162 can positively define a closed position of the dispenser 3040 A, resisting both upward and downward movement of the reservoir member 3040 A (as viewed in FIG. 82 ).
- the first closed position projection 3160 and projection 3180 can be configured to allow downward movement of the chamber member 3040 A relative to the shell 3012 under an actuation force applied by a user, for example, with a user's hand or fingers.
- the materials used for forming the cylindrical wall 3046 A, the size and shape of the first closed position projection 3160 and the alignment projection 3180 can be chosen to provide the desired resistance to movement.
- the first dispensing position projection 3170 can be configured and positioned so as to pass over and be disposed below the alignment projection 3180 , when the chamber member 3040 A is pressed downwardly to the dispensing position ( FIG. 83 ) with sufficient force. As such, the interaction of the dispensing position projection 3170 and the alignment projection 3180 can maintain the chamber member 3040 A in the dispensing position, illustrated in FIG. 83 . Additionally, the dispensing position projection 3170 and the alignment projection 3180 can cooperate to resist upward movement of the chamber member 3040 A after the chamber 3040 A has been moved to the dispensing position ( FIG. 83 ).
- the cooperation of the dispensing position projection 3170 and the alignment projection 3180 can resist forces greater than approximately 3 - 4 pounds of force, which is approximately the force required to open a typical drink-through valve.
- a user can pull upwardly on the valve member 3104 so as to move the valve member 3104 to the open position ( FIGS. 81 and 84 ).
- the valve member 3104 and stem 3102 can include snap fits so as to resist movement from the closed position to the open position. In some typical, known valves, a force of approximately 3.7 to 4 pounds is required to move the valve member to the from the closed to the open position.
- the projections 3170 , 3180 can maintain the chamber member 3040 A in the dispensing position during movement of the valve member 3104 from the closed to the open position.
- the seal assembly 3020 can be configured to resist upward movements of the seal assembly 3020 off of the opening of the bottle 10 , 20 .
- the seal assembly 3020 can be configured to generate sufficient friction with the openings of a range of sizes of bottles 10 , 12 , to resist axial loads greater than about 3.7-4 pounds.
- both the seal assembly 3020 and the chamber member 3040 a can be held in place in the position illustrated in FIG. 83 , for example, while the valve member 3104 is moved from the closed to open positions.
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Abstract
A beverage ingredient dispenser can include a seal assembly configured to form spillproof seals with the inner surface (I.D.) of a beverage container opening. Additionally, a beverage ingredient dispenser can include a beverage ingredient reservoir containing a beverage ingredient to be mixed with another ingredient for creating a mixed beverage. For example, the beverage ingredient dispenser can include a dried powdered, tablet, or liquid ingredient to be mixed with water contained in a water bottle. The dispenser can also include a sealing mechanism configured to generate spillproof seals with a plurality of different sizes of beverage containers. The dispenser can also include an anchoring mechanism configured to enhance an anchoring of the dispenser to a beverage container.
Description
- The inventions disclosed herein relate to ingredient dispensing devices, for example, devices that can be connected to an opening of a beverage container for facilitating release of beverage ingredients stored therein into the beverage container for later consumption.
- Presently, there are thousands of beverage products widely available to the consuming public. The vast majority, if not all, of these beverages are made by mixing dry or concentrated ingredients with water. Alongside these beverages, various brands of bottled water in variety of differently sized bottles are also widely marketed.
- Many retailers normally cannot sell all of the different beverages and waters currently offered by beverage manufacturers. The practical reality of the large amount of shelf space required for selling beverages effectively limits the number of different beverages many retailers can offer for sale at any one time. Thus, most retailers must choose a limited number of beverages of the many available, they wish to sell through their establishment.
- Recently, beverage ingredient dispensing devices have become available. Such dispensing devices include a reservoir containing dried, compressed and liquid beverage ingredients and a threaded water bottle engagement collar. The threaded collar can be screwed to the top a water bottle with the same thread configuration. The reservoir can then be pierced so as to allow the ingredient to be discharged from the reservoir and mixed with the water in the water bottle. Some versions of this type of cap include drink-through spouts which allow a user to drink the mixed beverage through the dispensing device itself.
- An aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed here includes the realization that some beverage ingredient dispensing caps, such as those described above, suffer from several drawbacks. For example, one aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that some known beverage ingredient dispensing caps, which rely on a threaded engagement with the opening of a water bottle, can only be used on one size water bottle. However, there are a range of different sizes of water bottles with differently sized openings presently on the market, many of which have different threads, including different thread sizes, and different thread pitches. Thus, a dispensing cap provided with a threaded collar designed for engagement with one water bottle will not work on most other water bottles. Such beverage ingredient dispensing caps can leave a user without the ability to connect the cap to the bottles that may be available at a given time.
- Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, a beverage ingredient dispenser can include a seal assembly configured to seal against inner surfaces of the openings. As such, the beverage ingredient dispenser can avoid the need for threaded engagement surfaces, such as those used on the prior art devices described above, thereby avoiding unnecessary costs. For example, threaded engagement surfaces such as those provided on the caps of water bottles add a significant amount of cost to the manufacturing of such caps from plastic. Such caps are typically manufactured with a molding process and after an initial stiffening of the material molded with internal threads, the molded part must be unscrewed from the mold itself. Thus the timing and procedures necessary for successfully molding such a part presents significant cost to the manufacturing of such a component. Thus, a beverage ingredient dispenser that includes a seal assembly configured to seal against the inner surfaces of the openings of a beverage container can avoid the cost associated with the formation of internal threads for engaging the external threads typically found on many beverage containers.
- Further, in some embodiments, a beverage ingredient dispense can include a seal assembly configured to seal against the inner surfaces of a range of sizes of beverage container openings. For example, in some embodiments, the seal assembly is configured to seal with a range of sizes of inner diameters of beverage container necks over a range of at least about ⅜ of one inch. This can be particularly convenient for users because a significant number of different water bottles have inner diameters within a range of about ⅜ of an inch, for example, about 0.80 inches to about 1¼ inches. Further, in some embodiments, the seal assembly can be configured to seal with a range of sizes of inner diameters of beverage container necks over a range of at least about ⅝th of one inch, for example, about 0.63 inches. This can also be convenient for users because a significant number of different water bottles have inner diameters within a range of about 0.63 inches, for example, from about 1.14 inches to about 1.77 inches, a range of sizes larger than those noted above, which can include some bottles commonly used as infant feeding bottles or “baby bottles”. Some of the beverage containers commonly available include inner diameters of about 1.3 inches and 1.61 inches, which also fall within this range.
- Further embodiments can provide further advantages by including seal assemblies that can seal with a range of sizes of inner diameters of ¾ of one inch to about 1 and ¾ of one inch, for example, from 0.8 inches to about 1.77 inches. Thus, such beverage ingredient dispensers can be used with a wide variety of different, widely available water bottles.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that some known beverage ingredient dispensers, whether they include powdered, liquid or tablet ingredients, can require an unnecessarily complicated installation procedure. For example, some known beverage ingredient dispensers, such as those described above which include a threaded collar for threaded engagement with a water bottle, require a user to first rotate the dispenser so as to threadedly engage the dispenser with a water bottle. Then after the dispenser has been threadedly engaged, the user must press an actuator to dispense the beverage ingredient into the liquid in the water bottle.
- An aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that beverage ingredient dispensers can be configured with a sealing and dispensing mechanism that provides the dual functions of sealing to an opening of a primary beverage container, and also dispensing a stored ingredient into the liquid, using a single motion. For example, a beverage ingredient dispenser can include a reservoir, a sealing mechanism, and an actuator. The actuator can be connected to both the dispenser and the sealing mechanism so as to cause the sealing mechanism to enhance a seal between the dispenser and the primary beverage container, as well as actuating the dispenser so as to dispense the beverage ingredient into the liquid in the primary container. For example, in some embodiments, the actuator can be configured for a single actuating movement such that a user can simply place the dispenser onto the opening of a water bottle, then press straight down, thereby actuating the sealing mechanism and dispenser with movement in a single direction. Alternatively, in some embodiments, a beverage ingredient dispenser can include a rotating actuator also connected to both the sealing mechanism and a dispenser so as to actuate the sealing mechanism and the dispenser with a single rotational movement.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that some known beverage ingredient dispensers include dispensing actuators that result in interference with the discharge of beverage ingredient into the primary container, the mixing of the liquid in the primary container, as well as the discharge of the mixed beverage through the dispenser, for example, in the context of drink-through dispensers. More specifically, some known beverage ingredient dispensers include a frangible wall, such as a layer of foil. The dispensing mechanism on this type of device includes a rod with a piercing end, such as a sharpened point, configured to pierce the foil when the user pushes the rod downwardly. However, an aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that merely piercing the foil often leaves pieces of the foil in a position interfering with the movement of the beverage ingredient out of the reservoir as well as movement of liquid into the reservoir for mixing purposes. For example, even though a piercing rod may initially cut and push pieces of the foil outwardly away from the reservoir, the foil remains free to bend back and forth and thus can interfere with the movement of the beverage ingredient out of the reservoir as well as liquid from the primary container into the reservoir.
- Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, a beverage ingredient dispenser includes a piercing member and a frangible wall deflecting member. Thus, for example, a piercing member of the beverage ingredient dispenser can be actuated so as to pierce a frangible wall, such as a layer of foil, and then further deflect the foil away from a center of the bottom wall of the dispenser. As such, the frangible wall, such as the layer of foil, can be pushed farther out of the way of the beverage ingredient and thus interfere less with movement of the beverage ingredient out of the reservoir and liquid into the reservoir. In some embodiments, the deflection member includes a ring or collar disposed adjacent to an inside wall of the reservoir and positioned so as to fold a frangible wall toward a perpendicular orientation relative to the orientation of the frangible wall before piercing. Other configurations can also be used.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that some beverage ingredient dispensers, such as those described above, can fail to discharge the desired amount of beverage ingredients from the associated reservoir because the piercing rod is smooth-sided. For example, in such known beverage ingredient dispensing devices, dried beverage ingredients can become more viscous (more resistant to movement) over time, for example, by caking. Thus, when the piercing rod is moved downwardly through the beverage ingredient so as to pierce the foil, some of the beverage ingredient can remain lodged in the reservoir.
- Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, a beverage ingredient dispenser can include a dispensing element configured for axial movement relative to the ingredient reservoir. Additionally, the dispensing element can include at least one laterally extending surface extending into the ingredient reservoir. Thus, when the dispenser is actuated, for example, moved axially relative to the ingredient chamber, the laterally extending surface can assist movement of the beverage ingredient axially through the reservoir and thereby better overcome the potential effects of caking of a dry beverage ingredient. Additionally, the laterally extending surface can also, by way of moving a greater amount of ingredient out of the reservoir upon actuation, help push open a frangible wall through the interaction of the ingredient with the opened wall.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that certain known beverage ingredient dispensers suffer from breakage and leaks due to the structural configuration of a bellows. More specifically, some known beverage ingredient dispensers include bellows attached to an actuator, for example, those designs described, with reference to
FIG. 14 therein, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,906 Apr. 22, 2014 titled Ingredient Dispensing Cap For Mixing Beverages with Push-Pull Drinking Spout. The bellows in these devices are flat sided, such as hexagonal or octagonal. An aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein include the realization that failures of this flat-sided bellows configuration can be solved by using circular bellows, which avoids stress concentrations caused at the corners of the flat-sided bellows. - Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, a beverage ingredient dispenser includes an actuator connected to a beverage ingredient reservoir with a circular bellows member.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that a sealing mechanism can achieve enhanced performance with regard to the ability to seal to a variety of different sizes of inner diameters of beverage container openings by including moveable members configured to increase the size of the contact patch between a resilient sealing member and the inner diameter of the beverage container opening. For example, in some embodiments, a beverage dispenser can include a ratcheting mechanism configured to modulate movement of sealing mechanism components during insertion of the dispenser into the opening of a beverage container opening, so as to press against the seal member and thereby increase a contact patch between the seal member and the inner surface. Ratcheting mechanisms can be configured to engage through axial movement or radial movement. Further, in some examples, ratcheting mechanisms can be used in conjunction with cooperating wedge shaped members.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that a beverage ingredient dispenser can include retention members configured to extend into a primary beverage container for engagement with a portion of a neck of a beverage container to resist inadvertent withdrawal of the dispenser from the container. For example, a beverage ingredient dispenser can include extendable arms configured to extend into a beverage container, and radially outwardly into a space within the beverage container beneath the neck of the beverage container. As such, a beverage ingredient container can better retain a desired engaged position with the opening of the beverage container, and thereby resist unintended removal of the beverage dispenser.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that some forms of beverage ingredients are sold in containers which can be inconvenient or difficult to open and dispense into a beverage container, such as a bottle of water. For example, some beverage ingredients can come in the form of a “blister pack”. Such blister packs typically contain a frame portion, a frangible portion, and a compressible portion. A beverage ingredient can be stored between the compressible portion and the frangible portion such that the beverage ingredient can be discharged by a user by pressing on the compressible portion such that a beverage ingredient is pushed through the frangible portion, causing the frangible portion to break and release the ingredients therethrough.
- When using such a blister pack for discharging ingredients into a beverage container, such as a bottle of water, users can find and encounter difficulty in releasing the full contents of the blister pack into the beverage container. For example, wind can interfere with the process of discharging the ingredient into a beverage container, for example, by blowing some of the ingredients away from the opening of the container at the moment the frangible portion is broken. As such, a user may fail to mix all of the ingredient with the beverage in the container. This problem can be more undesirable in the context of unintended discharge of strong coloring agents (typical in high anti-oxidant nutrients) or volatile bubbling additives. Additionally, a user may find it awkward to hold beverage container and at the same time rupture the frangible portion of the blister pack while holding the beverage container securely, thereby accidently spilling some of the beverage and/or ingredient out of the bottle. Further, some of the ingredient may stick or adhere to the inside of the compressible portion or frangible portion of the blister pack found thereby preventing all of the ingredient from reaching the beverage in the beverage container.
- An aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed here includes the realization that a beverage ingredient dispenser can include blister pack alignment and sealing features and functionality for connection to a beverage container so as to facilitate a more accurate and complete discharge of the beverage ingredient from a blister pack into a beverage container. For example, in some embodiments, beverage ingredient dispenser can include a seal assembly configured to seal to an opening of a beverage container, a blister pack receiver portion ends an aperture aligned with the opening of the beverage container. As such, a user can attach the dispenser to a beverage container with the aperture aligned with the opening of the container. Additionally, user can insert a blister pack into the blister pack receiving portion such that the frangible portion of the blister pack is aligned with the aperture. As such, a user can compress the compressible portion of the blister pack so as to compress the ingredient against the frangible wall, thereby breaking the frangible wall and allowing the ingredient to flow into the opening of the beverage container.
- In some embodiments, the blister pack receiving portion can be configured to form a leak reducing seal with a portion of the bottom surface of the blister pack surrounding the frangible portion. For example, the blister pack receiving portion can include a surface complimentary to the bottom surface of a blister pack and with a conforming material such that when a user presses the blister pack against the blister pack receiving portion, a spill proof seal can be formed against the blister pack receiving portion and the bottom surface of the blister pack. With such a sealing feature, a user can hold the water bottle while pressing down on the blister pack and shake the water bottle, thereby more thoroughly mix the ingredient within the blister pack with the beverage contained in the beverage container.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that beverage ingredient dispensers with blister pack related features and functionality can include blister pack receiving portions configured to simplify the process of insertion of the blister pack into the receiving portion, for example, so as to more easily achieve alignment of the blister pack in the blister pack receiving portion. In some embodiments, blister pack portions can be provided with a circular shape around at least a portion of the outer periphery of the blister pack. As such, the blister pack receiving portion can include a complimentary, partly circular shape. Thus, a blister pack can be inserted with the partly circular periphery pressed against the partly circularly shaped portion of the blister pack receiving portion and thus be more easily alignable with the blister pack receiving portion.
- Thus, in some embodiments, a blister pack assembly can include a plurality of individual blister packs connected together, for example, with frangible portions. Each of the blister pack members can include an outer periphery, at least having a circular shape around at least approximately 180 degrees around the periphery thereof. Further, in some embodiments, the blister pack members can be circular around substantially the entire parameter thereof. Further, in some embodiments, the blister pack members include frangible portions at four locations spaced around the circular periphery, at which the blister pack can be connected to four other blister pack members, forming a blister pack assembly. The frangible portions can present minor discontinuities and/or imperfections along the outer circular periphery of the blister pack members.
- In other embodiments, the outer periphery of blister pack members can include other shapes, for example, but without limitation, other nonrectangular shapes including semi hexagonal, hexagonal, semi octagonal, octagonal, oval, semi oval, or other curved and/or faceted shapes or combinations thereof.
- Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that some designs for ingredient dispensers can be improved by including a drink through valve mounted to an ingredient reservoir which can be mounted for piercing movement relative to a piercing element. In such configurations, the piercing element can be coupled to a beverage container opening. In some embodiments, the piercing element can be connected to a sealing assembly configured to seal to a range of sized of openings of beverage containers, including ranges of different sizes of threaded openings typically provided on water bottles.
- This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of two known water bottles of different sizes that are presently commercially available. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a beverage ingredient dispenser. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a variation of the dispenser ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the dispenser ofFIG. 3 indicating an expansion direction of a seal member. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded diagram of a variation of the dispenser ofFIG. 2 , in a position spaced above the opening of a beverage container. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the dispenser ofFIG. 5 moved into contact with the opening of the bottle and showing initial deformation of a seal assembly. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the dispenser ofFIG. 6 moved further into the opening of the bottle and the seal assembly conforming to the bottle. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of a beverage ingredient dispenser, which can be used in conjunction with the embodiment ofFIG. 2 and its variations, and further including a dispensing member with an optional laterally-projecting surfaces and an optional deflection device. -
FIG. 9 is a variation of the dispenser ofFIG. 8 including an actuator optionally connected to both the dispensing member and the seal assembly. -
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the dispenser ofFIG. 9 illustrating movement of the dispensing member and deflecting device extending through a lower frangible wall of the dispenser, as well as movement of the laterally projecting surfaces. -
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the dispenser member ofFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 12 is perspective view of the dispenser member ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevational view of the piercing end of the dispenser member ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 14 is perspective view of the enlarged view ofFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the piercing tip ofFIG. 13 piercing a frangible wall of a reservoir. -
FIG. 16 is further perspective view of the piercing member ofFIG. 12 , illustrating further cutting of the frangible wall. -
FIG. 17 is a further perspective view of the piercing member ofFIG. 15 , illustrating a deflection of cut pieces of the frangible wall by the deflecting member. -
FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a variation of the dispenser ofFIG. 2 , including a multi-layered seal assembly. -
FIG. 18B is another perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 18A . -
FIG. 18C is a side elevational and sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 18A . -
FIG. 18D is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 18A . -
FIG. 18E is a side elevational and sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 18E , illustrating a state in which the actuator has been actuated. -
FIG. 18F is a perspective and exploded view of a further embodiment of a seal assembly and two different sizes of bottles to which the seal assembly can seal. -
FIG. 18G is a perspective view of the seal assembly ofFIG. 18F with a dispenser assembly assembled thereto, and attached to three sizes of beverage container openings. -
FIG. 18H is a sectional view of the assembly ofFIG. 18G . -
FIG. 18I is a top plan view of a blister pack assembly formed of square or rectangular blister pack members attached to each other with frangible portions, and with one blister pack member missing. -
FIG. 18J is a perspective view of a beverage ingredient dispenser showing the insertion movement of a blister pack member. -
FIG. 18K is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the beverage ingredient dispenser ofFIG. 18J . -
FIG. 18L is a side elevational view of an ingredient receiver portion of the beverage ingredient dispenser ofFIG. 18J . -
FIG. 18M is a perspective and partial sectional view of the beverage ingredient receiver portion of 18L, taken alongsection line 18M-18M. -
FIG. 18N is a sectional view of the beverage ingredient dispenser with a blister pack member received therein in the position ofFIG. 18J . -
FIG. 18O is a top plan view of a blister pack assembly including a plurality of hexagonal blister pack members attached to one another with frangible portions. -
FIG. 18P is a perspective and partial sectional view of a modification of the beverage ingredient receiver portion ofFIG. 18M , having a partially hexagonal receiver portion. -
FIG. 18Q is a perspective view of a modification of the beverage ingredient dispenser of 18J including a partially hexagonal receiver portion illustrated inFIG. 15P . -
FIG. 18R is a top plan view of a blister pack assembly including a plurality of circular blister pack members attached to one another with frangible portions. -
FIG. 18S is a modification of the beverage ingredient receiver portion ofFIG. 18P having a partially circular receiver portion. -
FIG. 18T is a perspective view of yet another modification of the beverage ingredient dispenser ofFIG. 18J , and including the ingredient receiver portion of embodiment ofFIG. 18S . -
FIG. 18U is a side elevational view of a modification of the reservoir ofFIG. 18C . -
FIG. 18V is a front elevational view of the embodiment of the reservoir ofFIG. 18U . -
FIG. 18W is a top plan view of the reservoir ofFIG. 18U . -
FIG. 18X is a perspective and exploded view of the reservoir ofFIG. 18U with a dustcap. -
FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of a variation of the dispenser ofFIG. 5 and which can incorporate the dispenser member ofFIG. 11 and its variations or other dispensing members. -
FIG. 20 is a perspective and sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 19 . -
FIG. 21 is a side elevational, sectional of the dispenser ofFIG. 19 . -
FIG. 22 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 21 , illustrating conforming deflection of the seal assembly during insertion of the dispenser into the opening of a bottle. -
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of yet another variation of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 andFIGS. 3-4 having a seal assembly thereof positioned within the opening of a beverage bottle. -
FIG. 24 is a perspective and partial sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 23 . -
FIG. 25 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 23 . -
FIG. 26 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 23 illustrating a change in state of the dispenser relative to the state illustrated inFIG. 25 . -
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another variation of the embodiment ofFIGS. 2-4 . -
FIG. 28 is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 27 . -
FIG. 29 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 27 . -
FIG. 30 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 27 illustrating a change in state from the state illustrated inFIG. 29 . -
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of yet another variation of the embodiment ofFIGS. 2-4 . -
FIG. 32 is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 31 . -
FIG. 33 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 31 . -
FIG. 34 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 31 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated inFIG. 33 . -
FIG. 35 is a schematic perspective view of a further variation of the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 5-7 illustrating two positions of the embodiment being placed inside the bottle neck. -
FIG. 36 is a perspective and partially translucent view of the dispenser inFIG. 35 . -
FIG. 37 is a perspective and partial sectional view of the dispenser inFIG. 35 , illustrating a spring assist option to maintain Force/pressure against inside wall of bottle neck. -
FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 35 , removed from a beverage bottle. -
FIG. 39 is perspective view of a spring mechanism that can be incorporated into the dispenser ofFIGS. 35-38 . -
FIG. 40 is a perspective and partial sectional view of a modification of the dispenser ofFIG. 35 , including a radial leaf spring assembly. -
FIG. 41 is a schematic perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 40 , illustrating a conforming movement of the seal assembly and radial leaf spring. -
FIG. 42 is a perspective view of yet another modification of the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 5-10 . -
FIG. 43 is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 42 . -
FIG. 44 is sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 42 . -
FIGS. 45A and 45B are sectional views of the dispenser ofFIG. 42 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated inFIG. 44 . -
FIG. 46 is a side elevational view of another modification of the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 5-10 . -
FIG. 47 is perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 46 . -
FIG. 48 is a sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 46 . -
FIG. 49 is a sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 46 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated inFIG. 49 . -
FIG. 50 is an enlarged sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 46 illustrating a drink through valve in a closed state -
FIG. 51 is an exploded view of the dispenser ofFIG. 46 . -
FIG. 52 is a perspective view of yet another modification of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 5-10 . -
FIG. 53 is a sectional and partial perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 52 . -
FIG. 54 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 52 . -
FIG. 55 is a sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 52 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated inFIG. 54 . -
FIG. 56 is a sectional and partial perspective view of yet another modification of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 5-10 . -
FIG. 57 is side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 56 . -
FIG. 58 is an enlarged isolated view of a bottle locking mechanism included in the dispenser ofFIG. 56 . -
FIG. 59 is an enlarged isolated view of the bottle locking mechanism inFIG. 58 illustrating a change in state relative to the state illustrated inFIG. 58 . -
FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a modification of the embodiment ofFIGS. 2-4 and 8-10 . -
FIG. 61 is a side elevational, sectional view of the dispenser ofFIG. 59 . -
FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a shell of a closure according to another embodiment; -
FIG. 63 is a side elevation view of the shell ofFIG. 62 ; -
FIG. 64 is a front elevation view of the shell ofFIG. 62 ; -
FIG. 65 is a top plan view of the shell ofFIG. 62 ; -
FIG. 66 is a bottom plan view of the shell ofFIG. 62 ; -
FIG. 67 is a front section view of the shell ofFIG. 1 taken along section line A-A inFIG. 65 ; -
FIG. 68 is a side section view of the shell ofFIG. 62 taken along section line B-B ofFIG. 64 ; -
FIG. 69 is a side elevation view of a cap of a closure according to another embodiment; -
FIG. 70 is a top plan view of the cap ofFIG. 69 ; -
FIG. 71 is a section of the cap ofFIG. 69 taken along section line A-A ofFIG. 70 ; -
FIG. 72 is a side elevation view of a dust cover a closure according to another embodiment; -
FIG. 73 is a top plan view of the cover ofFIG. 72 ; -
FIG. 74 is a bottom plan view of the cover ofFIG. 72 ; -
FIG. 75 is a section of the cover ofFIG. 72 taken along section line A-A ofFIG. 74 ; -
FIG. 76 is an enlarged view of the section view ofFIG. 75 ; -
FIG. 77 is a sectional of the closure according to another embodiment, with a cap thereof in a closed sealed position; -
FIG. 78 is a sectional of the closure ofFIG. 77 with the cap thereof in the open, dispensing position; -
FIG. 79 is a schematic, perspective and partial exploded view of another embodiment of an ingredient reservoir including a drink through valve; -
FIG. 80 is a schematic, perspective, and sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 79 with the drink through valve in a closed position; -
FIG. 81 is a sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 79 , with the drink through valve in an open position; -
FIG. 82 is a schematic sectional view of yet another embodiment of the dispenser device including the ingredient reservoir ofFIGS. 79-81 , in a closed and sealed position; -
FIG. 83 is another sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 82 in a pierced condition with the drink your valve in a closed position; -
FIG. 84 is a sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 82 with the drink through valve in an open position and with the reservoir in a pierced condition. - The inventions disclosed herein are described in the context of beverage ingredient dispensers that can be attached to beverage containers because they have utility in this context. However, the inventions disclosed herein can be used in other contexts as well, including but without limitation, dispensers for other types of ingredients, attachments to other types of devices, other food and beverage related contexts, pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical mixing and/or delivery devices, as well as other industrial and commercial non- food contexts, such as chemical organic/inorganics additives, plasticizers, coloring agents, etc.
-
FIGS. 2-10 illustrate embodiments and variations of abeverage ingredient dispenser 100.FIGS. 11-82 illustrate variations and further embodiments of thedispenser 100. The embodiments ofFIGS. 18-62 are identified generally by thereference numbers FIGS. 2-82 are identified using reference numerals with the same 1s and 10s digits used to identify the same or similar parts, components, and features of the other embodiments, but with a 100s digit (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 3000 or 3200) corresponding to the subject embodiment. Thus, for brevity, descriptions of the same or similar components amongst the various embodiments are not repeated for each of those embodiments. Thus, the below descriptions of any components, features, or parts regarding one embodiment applies to the commonly numbered components, features, or parts of other embodiments where such a description is omitted. - Optionally, at least some of the embodiments disclosed herein can be configured to be used with a primary container, such as a beverage container. In some environments of use, such a primary container can be a beverage or water bottle that is commercially available. It has been determined that a substantial portion of the commercially available beverage bottles, and in particular water bottles, have openings that fall within a well-defined range of sizes.
- For example, with reference to
FIG. 1 , twowater bottles water bottle 10 corresponds to beverage containers with a smaller opening at the lower end of a range. Thewater bottle 12 corresponds to beverage containers with larger openings, at the upper end of the range. - The illustrated
beverage containers water bottle 10 includes anopening 20 having an inner surface 22 which is generally cylindrical in shape. The inner surface 22 thus can define an inner diameter. Theopening 20 includes ashaft length 24 that extends from the upper end 26 of the opening 22 to alower end 28. At thelower end 28, thewater bottle 10 tapers outwardly along a taperingwall 30 out to themaximum diameter portion 32 which forms the bulk of the volumetric capacity of thebottle 10. At the transition between thelower end 28 and the taperingwall 30, thewater bottle 10 includes ashoulder 34. - Similarly, the
water bottle 12 includes anopening 40 having an upper end 42 and aninner surface 44. Theopening 40 has alower end 46 transitioning to a taperingwall 48 at ashoulder 50. The taperingwall 48 connects to themain portion 52 of thebottle 12. - The
water bottle 10 illustratedFIG. 1 includes an inner diameter of 0.85 inches at its inner surface 22. Thebottle 12 has an inner diameter of 1.25 inches at itsinner surface 44. It has been determined that a substantial portion of the presently commercially available water bottles have openings with inner diameters falling within the range of 0.85 inches to 1.25 inches. Thus the range of inner diameter sizes defined by thebottles FIG. 18F , described in greater detail below, illustratesbottles - Additionally, the
shaft length 24 of thebottle 10 has a length of 0.38 inches and the shaft length of thebottle 12 is approximately 0.775 inches. It has been determined that a significant portion of the presently commercially available water bottles have shaft lengths within the range of approximately 0.38 inches to 0.775 inches, for example, approximately 0.4 inches to approximately 0.8 inches. Thus, the range of shaft lengths in a portion of the presently commercially available water bottles is 0.395 inches or approximately 0.4 inches. - Typically, the
water bottles water bottles openings - With reference to
FIG. 2 , thebeverage ingredient dispenser 100 can include areservoir 110 for containing a beverage ingredient. For example, thereservoir 110 can be used to contain a beverage ingredient to be mixed with water or other liquids which may be contained in a primary container such as one of thewater bottles FIG. 2 , thebeverage ingredient dispenser 100 is configured for achieving a spill proof seal with a plurality of different water bottles having different sizes, such as thewater bottles - In some embodiments, the
beverage ingredient dispenser 100 includes aseal assembly 120 that is configured to generate at least spillproof seals with bothwater bottle 10 andwater bottle 12, as well as one or more additional sizes of water bottles having intermediate sizes between the size ofwater bottle 10 andwater bottle 12. For example, another water bottle (not shown) can have an opening with an inner diameter between 0.85 inches and 1.25 inches. Additionally, theseal assembly 120 can be configured to generate at least spillproof seals with different ranges of bottle sizes, optionally, inclusive of and/or greater than inner diameters of 1.25 inches such as 38 mm or about 1.5 inches or inclusive of and/or less than 0.85 inches, or other diameters. - In some embodiments, the
seal assembly 120 can be configured to form spillproof seals with the inner surfaces of beverage containers, such as theinner surfaces 22, 44 of thewater bottles seal assembly 120 is more likely to generate spillproof seals with different water bottles having different thread patterns on the outer diameter. - For example,
seal assembly 120 can be configured to form a spillproof seal with the inner diameter of primary containers having any inner diameter, but with different thread patterns because such different thread patterns would not interfere with forming seals with the inner surfaces of the openings of such bottles. Additionally, such inner surfaces of beverage containers, which can be inwardly facing, can cooperate with attached devices to provide an anchoring function, for anchoring the attached device to the beverage container. Thus in some embodiments, theseal assembly 120 can be configured to form a spill proof seal and to achieve an anchoring engagement with the inner surface with sufficient anchoring to prevent thedispenser 100 from being unintentionally removed from the beverage container, for example, when the dispenser is subjected to small axial forces in a direction away from the beverage container. - For example, the
seal assembly 120 can be configured to form a spill proof seal and to achieve an anchoring engagement with the inner surface with sufficient anchoring to prevent thedispenser 100 from being removed from the associated bottle when a user pulls axially on a drink-through valve (described below). In some embodiments, theseal assembly 120 can be configured to generate an anchoring engagement with the inner surface of the beverage container that is sufficiently strong to support the entire weight of the beverage container to which it is attached, and optionally, a beverage contained therein, if thedispenser 100 is grasped by a user and lifted off of a table. For example, in some embodiments where the beverage container contains approximately 1 L of a beverage having about the same density of water, the anchoring engagement between theseal assembly 120 and the inner surface of the beverage container can be sufficiently strong to resist a kilogram-force of about 1 kilogram generated by the weight of the beverage container and the 1 L of the beverage contained therein. - Additionally, the
dispenser 100 can include an additional anchoring device configured to engage a portion of thebeverage container seal assembly 120, with additional anchoring to further resist thedispenser 100 from being unintentionally removed from thebeverage container dispenser 100 is subjected to small axial forces in a direction away from thebeverage container seal assembly 120 and such an additional anchoring device can generate an engagement with additional strength for resisting inadvertent removal of thedispenser 100 from the associated bottle, as described above. Optionally, in some embodiments, the additional anchoring device can generate further anchoring engagement sufficient to resist forces greater than the total weight of the beverage container and a beverage contained therein. - The
seal assembly 120 can have various different configurations. For example, theseal mechanism 120 can comprise an assembly including multiple sealing surfaces at least one configured to be sealable against the inner surface of theopening 20 ofbottle 10 and at least one other configured to be sealable against theinner surface 44 ofbottle 12. - Optionally, the
beverage ingredient dispenser 100 can include adispensing mechanism 160 configured to cause the discharge of the beverage ingredient contained in thereservoir 110 and into a liquid contained within awater bottle beverage ingredient dispenser 100 is attached. For example, thedispenser 100 can include a frangible lower wall 111 on thereservoir 110 and the dispensing mechanism can be in the form of a moveable piercing member disposed within thereservoir 110. Alternatively, thedispensing mechanism 160 can be mounted in a fixed position relative to theseal assembly 120 and thereservoir 110 can be mounted to be moveable relative to theseal assembly 120. In such configurations, the movement of thereservoir 110 can cause the frangible lower wall to be pressed against the piercing member, thereby opening thereservoir 160 for discharge of an ingredient container therein. - Optionally, the
beverage ingredient dispenser 100 can include anactuator 190 configured to trigger operation of thedispenser mechanism 160. In some embodiments, theactuator 190 can also be integrated with a drink-through mechanism configured to allow a user to discharge liquid from the associatedbeverage container beverage ingredient dispenser 100, and outwardly, for example, for consumption. -
FIGS. 3-7 illustrate a variation of thedispenser 100, identified with thereference numeral 100A havingseal mechanisms FIGS. 8-10 illustratevariations dispenser 100, including variations of thedischarge mechanism reference numeral 190D. - With reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thebeverage ingredient dispensers 100A can include aseal assembly 120A that is configured to move between contracted and expanded states. For example,FIG. 3 illustrates theseal assembly 120A in a first contracted state 121A. In some embodiments, the dimension 121A can define an outer diameter of theseal assembly 120A. Additionally, in some embodiments, the outer dimension 121A can be smaller than both theinner surfaces 22, 44 ofbottles -
FIG. 4 illustrates theseal assembly 120A in an expanded state in which theseal assembly 120A is expanded to an outer dimension 122A that is larger than the dimension 121A. For example, in some embodiments, the outer dimension 122A can define an outer diameter of theseal assembly 120A. Additionally, in some embodiments, the outer dimension 122A can be the same as the inner diameter of thebottles seal assembly 120A can be configured to expand from the outer dimension 121A, which can be the same or less than the inner diameter of the bottle 10 (e.g. 0.85 inches) up to dimension 122A that can be the same or greater than the inner diameter of the inner surface 44 (1.25 inches). - Additionally, in some embodiments, the
seal assembly 120A can be configured to expand theseal assembly 120A to both of the inner diameters of theinner surfaces 22, 44 and exert sufficient pressure to achieve a spillproof seal with bothinner surfaces 22, 44. Additionally, optionally, theseal assembly 120A can be configured to expand theseal assembly 120A to the inner diameters of both theinner surfaces 22, 44 and exert sufficient pressure to achieve anchoring of thedispenser 100A to both of thebottles - For example, in some embodiments, the
seal assembly 120A can include aseal member 124A and anexpansion device 125A. As such, theexpansion mechanism 125A can expand theseal member 124A in the direction of arrow E. Theexpansion mechanism 125A can be any type of expansion mechanism, manually or passively activated, electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical or other types of expansion mechanisms. The expansion mechanism can be configured to generate the desired forces. - With reference to
FIGS. 5-7 , thebeverage ingredient dispenser 100B includes an outer dimension that is larger than the inner surfaces of bothbottles dispenser 100B can be attached. Further, theseal assembly 120B is configured to have a dimension of its outer surface reduced as it is moved into contact with the opening of abottle seal assembly 120B can be configured to be constricted so as to enhance a seal formed with a desiredbottle - For example, the
seal assembly 120B can include aseal member 124B. Theseal member 124B can include upper end having anouter dimension 126B and a lower end having an outer dimension of 127B. In some embodiments, theouter dimension 126B is larger than the largest bottle to which thedispenser 100B is designed to be attached. For example, in some embodiments, theouter dimension 126B can be greater than 1.25 inches. - On the other hand, the
outer dimension 127B can be smaller than thesmallest size bottle 10 to which thedispenser 100B is designed to be attached. For example, theouter dimension 127B can be less than about 0.85 inches. - In some embodiments, the
seal member 124B can be conical in shape. However, other configurations can also be used. - With reference to
FIG. 6 , thedispenser 100B is illustrated as having been moved downwardly into the opening of abottle FIG. 6 , at the locations ofinitial contact 128B of theseal number 124B with the upper end of the openings of thebottles seal number 124B distorts forming aninitial contact patch 129B. - With reference to
FIG. 7 , upon further displacement of thedispenser 100B into thebottles seal assembly 126B allows for further deformation of theseal member 124B, so as to better conform to the inner surface of thebottle larger contact patch 130B. Thus, theseal assembly 120B can include arelief mechanism 131B configured to allow contraction of a portion of theseal number 124B, for example, in the direction of arrow C inFIG. 7 . - In some embodiments, the
relief mechanism 131B can be configured to bias theseal member 124B into an expanded state, for example, illustrated inFIG. 5 and to allow gross deformation of theseal member 124B, so as to allow a portion of theseal number 124B to lie more parallel to an inner surface of abottle seal number 124B and the inner surface of abottle smaller contact patch 128B to alarger contact patch 130B. - In some embodiments, the
seal assembly 120B can be configured to form a contact patch having aheight 132B, axially along the opening of the associatedbottle seal assembly 120B can be configured to generate thecontact patch 132B of at least one-tenth of one inch when thedispenser 100B is attached, in the manner illustrated inFIG. 7 , to abottle 10 having an inner diameter of 0.85 inches and when attached to abottle 12 having an inner diameter of 1.25 inches, and optionally, bottles having other inner diameters between 0.85 inches and 1.25 inches, as well as a range of 0.4″ of bottles sizes of different diameters. Optionally, the seal assembly can be configured to form larger contact patches, such as at least 3/16″ or ¼″ over such ranges of sizes of inner diameters. - After insertion as illustrated in
FIG. 7 , a lower portion of theseal member 124B can have a conical shape, and the upper portion in contact with the inner surface (22 or 44) can have a more cylindrical shape. - With reference to
FIG. 8 , thebeverage ingredient dispenser 100C can include adispensing mechanism 160C having a piercing member 161C configured to pierce afrangible bottom wall 111C disposed at a lower end of thereservoir 110C. For example, thelower wall 111C can be formed of frangible material such a foil, other materials commonly used in the food and beverage and/or pharmaceutical industries, or other materials. Thefrangible wall 111C can be configured to retain a beverage ingredient within thereservoir 110C. - The piercing member 161C can include a
lower end 162C configured to pierce thefrangible wall 111C when the piercingend 162C is pressed against thefrangible wall 111C. - Optionally, the
dispensing mechanism 160C can include at least one laterally extendingsurface 170C extending laterally from piercing member 161C. For example, thelateral surface 170C can be configured to assist in discharging a beverage ingredient from thereservoir 110C when the piercing member 161C is moved downwardly (as viewed inFIG. 8 ) (further described with reference tolateral surface 170D ofFIG. 10 ). - Additionally, the
dispensing mechanism 160C can include a frangiblewall deflecting assembly 180C. For example, the frangiblewall deflecting assembly 180C can be configured to deflect separated pieces of thefrangible wall 111C away from a center axis of thereservoir 110C. Such deflection, for example, can assist in preventing pieces of the brokenfrangible wall 111C from interfering with the flow of beverage ingredient out of thereservoir 110C or liquid from the attached container flowing into thereservoir 110C. - Optionally, the frangible
wall deflecting assembly 180C can be connected to the piercing member 161C with aconnection assembly 181C. For example, a connectingassembly 181C can connect the piercing member 161C with the deflectingassembly 180C such that the deflectingassembly 180C moves with the piercing member 161C. Optionally, theactuator 190C can be also connected to the piercing member 161C. Thus, for example, theactuator 190C can be configured to allow a user to press on an upper surface of the actuator 190C to thereby move the piercing member 161C in a downward direction, as viewed inFIG. 8 . - With reference to
FIGS. 9 and 10 , theactuator 190D of thebeverage ingredient dispenser 100D can be connected to both thedispensing mechanism 160D and theseal assembly 120D. Further, optionally, theactuator 190D can be configured to actuate both thedispensing mechanism 160D and theseal assembly 120D by a single movement of theactuator 190D in a single direction. For example, theactuator 190D can be configured to be pressed downwardly (as viewed inFIG. 9 ) by a user for example, and such a displacement of theactuator 190D causes both movement sufficient to achieve a desired spillproof seal between theseal assembly 120D and the associatedbottle frangible wall 111D so as to open thefrangible wall 111D and thus allow discharge of a beverage ingredient from thereservoir 110D. - For example, firstly with reference to
FIG. 9 , a user can press downwardly on theactuator 190D can cause theseal assembly 120D to deform, expand, or contract into a spillproof sealing engagement with the associatedbottle FIG. 10 . Additionally, with movement of theactuator 190D, the piercingmember 161D can be pressed downwardly, such that the piercing and 162D pierces thefrangible wall 111D, thereby opening thefrangible wall 100D and allowing a beverage ingredient to be released fromreservoir 110D. Such downward movement can also cause downward movement of thelateral extending surface 170D. Oriented as such, the laterally extendingsurface 170D which is oriented perpendicular, skewed, or oblique relative to the movement of the piercingmember 161D, can further cause discharge of ingredient from thereservoir 110D downwardly through the opening in thefrangible wall 110D. - Additionally, the downward movement of the piercing
member 161D, can also cause downward movement of a frangiblewall deflection assembly 180D. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 10 , thedeflection assembly 180D is spaced juxtaposed to an inside wall of thereservoir 110D. Thus, as the piercingmember 161D anddeflection assembly 180D is moved downwardly, thedeflection assembly 180D further pushes a broken portion of thefrangible wall 110D downwardly and away from a center of thereservoir 110D. As such, thedeflection assembly 180D can further enhance discharge of ingredient from thereservoir 110D and prevent the broken piece offrangible wall 110D from moving back into a position interfering with the flow of material in and out of thereservoir 110D. - Optionally, the
actuator 190D can also include a drink through valve, described in greater detail below with reference to the embodiments ofFIGS. 42-60 . -
FIGS. 11-17 illustrate a variation of thedispenser mechanism 160D, identified generally with thereference number 160E. AlthoughFIGS. 11-17 illustrate thedispensing mechanism 160E in detail as being separated from nearly all other components of a beverage ingredient dispenser, however, thedispensing mechanism 160E can be used with any of the beverage ingredient dispensers described above with reference toFIGS. 2-10 as well as any of the beverage ingredient dispensers disclose below with regard toFIGS. 18-62 . - With reference to
FIGS. 11 and 12 , thedispensing mechanism 160E includes a piercingmember body 161E having thelower piercing tip 162C and anupper end 163C. Theupper end 163C can form an actuator 190 (not shown inFIG. 11 ), can be configured for connection to anactuator 190, and/or connection to a drink through valve which can be optionally incorporated into anactuator 190. - In the illustrated embodiment, the piercing
member body 161E includes acentral shaft member 164E. Thecentral shaft member 164E can extend between theupper end 163C and the piercingtip 162C. Additionally, thecentral shaft member 164E can be provided with sufficient strength to withstand a compression force required for example, the piercing of thefrangible wall 111C. - Optionally, the
dispensing mechanism 160E can include at least one laterally extendingsurface 170E. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one laterally extendingsurface 170E includes at least a first laterally extendingmember 171E extending laterally away from an outer surface ofessential shaft member 164E. The laterally extendingmember 171E includes at least onesurface 172E oriented transverse, oblique and/or skewed relative to the direction of movement of thecentral shaft member 164E. For reference, the arrow D ofFIG. 11 represents the direction of movement of thecentral shaft member 164E when used in conjunction with a beverage ingredient dispenser. - Optionally, as illustrated in
FIG. 11 , thesurface 172E is disposed between theupper end 163C and thelower end 162C along the portion of thecentral shaft number 164E that is disposed within areservoir 110 of an associated beverage ingredient dispenser. As such, when the piercingmember 161E is moved in the direction of arrow D, thesurface 172 E would also move beverage ingredient disposed below thesurface 172E and urge it in the direction of arrow D. - In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one laterally extending
surface 170E includes a plurality of laterally extendingmembers 171E disposed around the circumference ofcentral shaft 164E. In the illustrated embodiment, the laterally extendingmembers 171E are spaced apart from each other in a cloverleaf-like pattern. Other patterns and shapes can also be used. - With reference to
FIGS. 13 and 14 , thedispensing mechanism 160E can also include a frangiblewall deflection assembly 180E. In the illustrated embodiment, thedeflection assembly 180E comprises aring member 181E having anouter surface 182E juxtaposed and closely spaced to an inner wall 112E of an associatedreservoir 110E. With themember 181E positioned as such, as themember 181E is moved downwardly past the lower end of thereservoir 110E, themember 181E can deflect portions of afrangible wall 111E away from the center of thereservoir 110E. - Optionally, the
deflection assembly 180E can include radially oriented cuttingblades 183E. In the illustrated embodiment, thedeflection assembly 180E includes fiveblades 183E. However, other numbers of blades and configurations can also be used. - As shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14 , theblades 183E extend from thecentral shaft member 164E, at a position above the piercingtip 162E and laterally outwardly to a position laterally beyond theouter surface 182E and into close spacing or in contact with the inner surface 112E. Optionally, theblades 183E can be fixed to thering member 181E so as to directly connect thering member 181E to thecentral shaft member 164E. Optionally, alower edge 184E of thering member 181E can be rounded or sharpened. - With reference to
FIG. 13 , theblades 183E extend beyond the outer surface thering member 182E by a distance of 185E. Thisdistance 185E can be chosen so as to achieve the desired deflection of an associated frangible wall and allow sufficient space for thering member 181E to pass by a folded frangible wall portion. In some embodiments, thisspacing 185E is at least two or three times the thickness of the associated frangible wall. Other spacings can also be used. -
FIGS. 15-17 schematically illustrate the process of the piercing tip anddeflection assembly 180E piercing and deflecting afrangible wall 111E. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 15 , a lower end of areservoir 110E is illustrated in perspective view, and includes a lowerfrangible wall 111E. In the position illustrated inFIG. 15 , thedispensing mechanism 160E (illustrated largely in phantom line) has been displaced downwardly along the direction of arrow D until the piercingtip 162E has pierced a central area of thefrangible wall 111E. - With reference to
FIG. 16 , with further movement of thedischarge mechanism 160E along the direction of arrow D, thecutting blades 183E cut and/or cause further cleavage of thefrangible wall 111E. The configuration of theassembly 180E causes thefrangible wall 111E to tear into wedges circumferentially arranged about a center of thefrangible wall 111E. - As shown in
FIG. 17 , as thedisplacement assembly 180E is moved beyond the lower end of thereservoir 110E, thering member 181E folds the remaining wedge shaped pieces of thefrangible wall 111E downwardly. Thespacing 185E described above with reference toFIG. 13 , can provide the additional advantage of providing space for the frangible wall portions to fold along the outer circular edge of the lower end of thereservoir 110E. Such a folding movement is not a natural movement for the material, and can cause wrinkles or gathers 186E. Additionally, the spacing 185E reduces the likelihood that thefrangible wall 111E would be pulled off from the lower end of thereservoir 110E. Optionally, the spacing 185E is sized such that thefrangible wall 111E is not pulled off from the lower end of thereservoir 110E. The magnitude of thespacing 185E sufficient to prevent thefrangible wall 111E from being pulled off from the lower end of thereservoir 110E can be effected by the material used for and the thickness of thefrangible wall 111E, as well as the manner of attachment of thefrangible wall 111E. Thus, the minimum magnitude of thespacing 185E can be determined by experimentation. In some embodiments disclosed here, thespacing 185E can be at least 1/16″. Further, in some embodiments, thespacing 185E can be between 1/16″ and 5/16″. - During use with an associated beverage ingredient dispenser, the
dispensing mechanism 160E, optionally, can remain in the position illustrated inFIG. 17 , allowing discharge of ingredient from thereservoir 110E and allowing liquid from the associated bottle to flow into thereservoir 110E. Additionally, thering member 181E prevents the remaining portions of thefrangible wall 111E from folding toward the center of thereservoir 110E and potentially interfering with the flow of ingredients and/or liquids in and out of thereservoir 110E. Additionally, the folding deformation of the portions of thefrangible wall 111E, which can cause wrinkles or folds 186E noted above, can create a plastic deformation in some materials, such as foil, thereby also generating some resistance against movement of the pieces of thefrangible wall 111E toward the center of thereservoir 110E. -
FIGS. 18A-18E illustrate a modification ofbeverage ingredient dispenser 100, identified generally by thereference numeral 200. Parts, components, and feature of thedispenser 200 that are the same or similar to corresponding parts, feature, or components of the embodiments described above are identified with the same reference numeral, except that 100 has been added to the value of the numeral. The same convention of numeral identification applies to the embodiments ofFIGS. 19-62 , described below. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 18A-18D , theseal assembly 220 can configured to form spillproof seals for the plurality of different bottle sizes having openings with different inner diameters. For example, optionally, theseal assembly 220 can be configured to form seals with the inner surfaces of a range of sizes of bottles having diameters that differ over a range of approximately 0.4 inches. In the embodiment ofFIG. 18 , aseal assembly 220 includes a seal member assembly 224 which includes a plurality ofconcentric layers concentric layers layers - The
layers 228 can have outer surfaces shaped to fit within the openings, and seal therewith, of bottles of different sizes. For example, thelayer 228 can include a lower end 227A defining an outer diameter that is less than 0.85 inches. Additionally, theinner layer 228 can define an outer diameter 226A that is larger than 0.85 inches. Similarly, theouter layer 229 can include a lower end 227B defining a diameter that is less than 1.25 inches but greater than 0.85 inches. Further, theouter layer 229 can include an upper end defining an outer diameter 226B that is greater 1.25 inches. - Thus, for example, the opening of the
bottle 10 can be inserted around the lower end 227 of thelayer 228 and moved into a spillproof sealing engagement with thelayer 228. - Similarly, as shown in
FIG. 18E , thebottle 12 can be moved over theouter layer 229 and into a sealing engagement with the outer surface oflayer 229 so as to form a spillproof seal. Bottles of other sizes can also achieve spillproof seals with either thelayer - Optionally, a user can actuate the
actuator 290 to actuate thedispensing mechanism 260. For example, a user can push downwardly on theactuator 290, which is connected to the dispensing mechanism. Upon downward movement, the dispensing mechanism opens thelower wall 211 of thereservoir 210, thereby allowing beverage ingredient to be released from thereservoir 210. Additionally, a user can apply the downward force to theactuator 290 to cause the movement required to seal theseal assembly 220 with the inner surface of thebottle 12. Thus, thedispenser 200 can be installed and sealed to either of thebottles -
FIGS. 18F-18H illustrate another modification of thebeverage ingredient dispenser 200, identified generally by thereference number 200 a. Parts, components, and features of thedispenser 200 a that are the same or similar to corresponding parts, features, or components of thedispenser 200 described above are identified with the same reference number, except that the letter “a” has been added thereto. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 18F-18H , thedispenser 200 a is configured to form spillproof seals with a plurality of different bottle sizes having openings with different diameters, over a larger range of different sizes than those described above with reference todispenser 200. For example, with reference toFIG. 18F , theseal assembly 220 a is illustrated juxtaposed two different bottles, thefirst bottle 12 a having an inner diameter of approximately 1⅛ inches, for example, 1.14 inches or 29 millimeters and secondlarger beverage container 12 b which has an inner diameter of approximately 1¾ inches, for example, 1.77 inches or 45 millimeters. - In some embodiments, the
seal assembly 220 a includes at least two annular sealing members configured to provide a seal that can seal with a range of beverage container sizes having inner diameters that vary over a range of approximately ⅝ths of an inch, for example, 0.63 inches. Thus, in some embodiments, theseal assembly 200 a can include afirst seal layer 228 a and asecond seal layer 229 a, arranged concentrically relative to one another. As such, similarly to the embodiments ofFIGS. 18A-18E , theseal assembly 220 a can generate substantially spillproof seals with a range of sizes of beverage containers. - In some embodiments, the
seal assembly 200 a can have athird layer 228 a 1. Thelayer 228 a 1 can be configured to generate spillproof seals with smaller beverage containers, for example, thebeverage container 10 illustrated inFIGS. 18G and H. - Similarly to the
dispenser 200, thedispenser 200 a can include areservoir 210 a and an actuator 290 a connected to a dispenser mechanism (not shown) for discharging a beverage ingredient from thereservoir 210 a. -
FIGS. 18I-18N illustrate another modification of thebeverage ingredient dispenser 200, identified generally by thereference number 200 b. Parts, components, and features of thedispenser 200 b that are the same or similar to the corresponding parts, features, or components of the embodiments described above are identified with the same reference number, except that a letter “b” has been added thereto. - With reference to
FIGS. 18I and 18J , thedispenser 200 b can be configured to receive blister pack members and provide for convenient alignment of the frangible part of the blister pack member for discharging a beverage ingredient into a beverage container. For example, as an example of type of blister pack that can be used with thedispenser 200 b,FIG. 18I illustrates ablister pack assembly 2300 which includes a plurality ofblister pack members 2302. - As is typical in the construction of blister pack members, each blister pack member has a
stiffer frame portion 2304 extending around the periphery of acompressible portion 2306 and afrangible portion 2308. In this context, abeverage ingredient 2310 is disposed between the compressible andfrangible portions compressible portion 2306 so as to press thebeverage ingredient 2310 against thefrangible portion 2308 to thereby break thefrangible portion 2308 and thereby discharge thebeverage ingredient 2310 from theblister pack assembly 2302. - With reference to
FIG. 18K , thebeverage ingredient dispenser 200 b can include aseal assembly 220 b and a blisterpack receiver portion 210 b. Theseal assembly 220 b can be configured to generate a spillproof seal against an inner surface of the opening of a beverage container. For example, theseal assembly 220 b can include one ormore layers seal assembly 220 b can include a third layer, such aslayer 228 a 1 of the embodiment ofFIG. 18H . More layers can also be used. - The
blister pack receiver 210 b can include acentral portion 2310 and anoptional sealing arrangement 2312 configured to seal against aninner surface 2314 of theseal assembly 220 b. - The
blister pack receiver 210 b can also include a blisterpack receiving portion 2316 configured to receive ablister pack member 2302. Additionally, theblister pack receiver 210 b can include acentral aperture 2320 aligned with the central portion of the blisterpack receiver portion 2316. - With reference to
FIG. 18M , the blisterpack receiving portion 2316 can include aslot 2322 having a shape and size sufficient to receive theblister pack member 2308 and to register a position of theblister pack member 2308 in which thefrangible portion 2308 is aligned with theaperture 2320. For example, theslot 2322 can include first andsecond side walls blister pack member 2302. Additionally, theslot 2322 can include aback wall 2328 also shaped complimentary to a side edge of theblister pack member 2302. The spacing of thewalls frangible portion 2308 of theblister pack member 2302 is aligned with theaperture 2320 when the side walls of theblister pack member 2302 are pressed against thewalls blister pack member 2302 is pushed into theslot 2322, a user can push down on thecompressible portion 2306 to thereby press thebeverage ingredient 2310 against thefrangible portion 2308 and thereby break thefrangible portion 2308 and discharge thebeverage ingredient 2310 through thefrangible portion 2308, through theaperture 2320, and into the beverage container. - In some embodiments, the slot 3322 can include a
bottom surface 2330 configured to improve a seal between a lower surface of theblister pack member 2302 and thereceiver 210 b. For example, the bottom wall of the 2330 of theslot 2322 can be made from a silicone material or another conforming. Optionally, theentire receiver 210 b can be made from the same material. In some embodiments,annular portion 2332 encircling theaperture 2320 can be made from a different material configured to improve a seal between the lower surface of theblister pack member 2302 and the bottom wall of theslot 2322. In some embodiments, thesurface 2332 is configured to extend around and/or across a portion of thefrangible portion 2308 of theblister pack member 2302. - As such, when a user presses down on the
compressible portion 2306 and discharges theingredient 2310 into the beverage container, a user can maintain pressure on thecompressible portion 2306 and simultaneously shake thebeverage container beverage ingredient 2310 with the liquid in thebeverage container -
FIGS. 18O-18Q illustrate a modification of thedispenser 200 b, identified generally by thereference number 200 c. Parts, components, and features of thedispenser 200 c that are the same or similar to corresponding parts, features, or components of the embodiments described above are identified with the same reference numbers, except that a letter “c” has been added thereto. - With reference to
FIG. 18O , thedispenser 200 c can be configured to receive non-squareblister pack members 2302 c, which can come in the form of ablister pack assembly 2300. In the embodiment ofFIG. 180 , theblister pack assembly 2300 includesblister pack members 2302 c which include a frame portion that is hexagonal, and surrounding thecompressible portion 2306 c and thefrangible portions 2308 c. In some embodiments, theblister pack member 2302 c can be partially hexagonal, for example, having a part rectangular frame portion and a part of hexagonal frame portion, as illustrated in the lower portion of the lower right hand portion of theassembly 2300 c illustrated inFIG. 180 . Theblister pack members 2302 c can be connected to one another at the periphery of the frame portions with frangible portions, for example, at the points at which theblister pack members 2302 c contact each other. When broken, the frangible portions can present imperfections along the peripheral edges of the thereby separatedblister pack members 2302 c. - With reference to
FIG. 18P , theblister pack receiver 210 c can include aslot 2322 c configured to receive hexagonal or partly hexagonalblister pack members 2302 c and register alignment of thefrangible portion 2308 c of theblister pack member 2302 c with theaperture 2320 c. Forexample sidewalls blister pack member 2302 c and the align theblister pack member 2302 c with thefrangible portion 2308 c thereof aligned with theaperture 2320 when the hexagonal sidewalls are pressed against thesidewalls slot 2322 c. The configuration, size, and shape of thesidewalls blister pack member 2302 c from theblister pack assembly 2300 c. -
FIGS. 18R-18T illustrate yet another modification of thebeverage dispenser 200, identified generally by thereference number 200 d. Parts, components, and features of thedispenser 200 d that are the same or similar to corresponding parts, features, or components of the embodiments described are identified with the same reference number except that a letter “d” has been added thereto. - With reference to
FIG. 18R , theblister pack receiver 210 d can be configured to receive semicircular or circularblister pack members 2302 d. As shown inFIG. 18R , theblister pack member 2302 d can be attached to one another at frangible portions forming ablister pack assembly 2300 d. Theblister pack members 2302 d can include a generally circular frame member portion surrounding thecompressible portions 2306 c andfrangible portions 2308 d. When broken, the frangible portions can present imperfections along the peripheral edges of the thereby separatedblister pack members 2302 d. - As shown in the lower right hand portion of
FIG. 18R , and phantom line,blister pack member 2302 d can be entirely or semicircular, for example, having a partly flat or rectangular outer periphery and a partly circular or semicircular portion. In some embodiments, the non-rectangular portion or the partly circular or semicircular portion of theblister pack member 2302 d can extend around about half-way around the periphery, for example, in some embodiments, about 180 degrees around the periphery of theblister pack member 2302 d. - With reference to
FIG. 18S , theblister pack receiver 210 d can include a partly circular 2322 d slot. For example, theback wall 2328 d can be circular or semicircular and configured to be complimentary to an outer shape of theblister pack members 2302 d. The walls of theslot 2322 d, including theback wall 2328 d can be configured, sized, and positioned so as to hold theblister pack member 2302 d in a position with thefrangible portion 2308 d aligned with theaperture 2320 d when theblister pack member 2302 d is pressed against theback wall 2328 d. The configuration, size, and shape of thesidewalls 2324 d, 2326 d and 2328 d can accommodate imperfections that may remain from the frangible portions that may have been broken to separate theblister pack member 2302 d from theblister pack assembly 2300 d. The circular or semicircular shape of theblister pack member 2302 d can provide a further advantage in simplifying the insertion process of theblister pack member 2302 d into theslot 2322 d. -
FIGS. 18U-18X illustrate a modification of thechamber 210 of thedispenser 200 illustrated inFIGS. 18A-18E , identified generally by thereference numeral 210 e, including a dustcap. Parts, components, and features of thereservoir 210 e that are similar or the same as thereservoir 210 are identified with the same reference numerals except that a letter “e” has been added thereto. - With reference to
FIGS. 18U-18W , thereservoir 210 e can be configured to engage with adustcap 291, or other structures that can extend over the actuator 290 e. For example, in some embodiments, thereservoir 210 e can includearcuate recesses 292 disposed on opposite edges of aperipheral flange 293 thereof. Thearcuate recesses 292 can have auniform depth 294 along the arc lengths of therecesses 292. - With reference to
FIG. 18X , thedustcap 291 can be configured to extend over the actuator 290 e and engage theperipheral flange 293. Alower end 295 of thedust 291 can include an innerperipheral edge 296 extending around in inner side of the periphery of thelower end 295. In some embodiments, thedustcap 291 includes one ormore anchoring projections 297. The one ormore anchoring projections 297 can extend inwardly from the innerperipheral edge 296 and have a shaped complimentary to thearcuate recesses 292 on thereservoir 210 e. For example, the anchoringprojections 297 can have auniform depth 298 is approximately the same as or slightly less than thedepth 294 of therecesses 292. Additionally, the anchoringprojections 297 can be disposed on opposite sides of thedustcap 291, in positions corresponding to therecesses 292 on thechamber 210 e. As such, thedustcap 291 can be securely anchored to thechamber 210 e in such a position so as to protect the actuator 290 e from inadvertent actuation. Additionally, thearcuate recesses 292 and anchoringprojections 297 can be chamfered or otherwise configured to allow a user to remove thedust 291 from thechamber 210 e by manual manipulation. -
FIGS. 19-20 illustrate a variation of the beverage ingredient dispensers ofFIGS. 2 and 5-10 and is identified generally by thereference numeral 300. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 19-22 , theseal assembly 320 includes a conically shapedseal member 324 extending around thereservoir 310. Alower end 327 of theseal body 324 can be attached to thereservoir 310. In the illustrated embodiment, thereservoir 310 includes an outwardly projectingridge 315 that extends continuously or discontinuously around an outer surface of thereservoir 310. Thelower end 327 of theseal number 324 includes a recess shaped complimentary to theridge 315 for attachment thereto. Optionally, the seal member can be permanently affixed to the ridge with an adhesive or other attachment techniques. Optionally, the connection between theridge 315 of thereservoir 310 and theseal body 324 can be spill proof and/or water tight. - Optionally, the
seal member 324 can be made from a tubular piece of resilient material. For example, the resilient material forming theseal member 324 can have a straight cylindrical shape at rest. Further, theseal body 324 can be joined with thedispenser 300 such that theupper end 326 of theseal member 324 is elastically deformed in a radially outward direction, for example, in the conically-shaped state illustrated inFIG. 19 . This can provide the added advantage that when theseal body 324 is constricted, for example, in a radially inward direction, theseal body 324 would be relaxed, thereby absorbing the inward constriction without forming folds. - With reference to
FIGS. 20 and 21 , therelief mechanism 331 includes at least one member configured to press outwardly against an inner surface of theseal member 324 so as to support theseal body 324 in the shape illustrated inFIG. 19 . - In some embodiments, the at least one
member 324 can be in the form of a leaf spring or cantilevered member attached to thereservoir 310 and at a lower end thereof. The member can be shaped to extend upwardly and radially outwardly from the lower end, relative to thereservoir 310. - For example, the at least one
member 331 can include alower end 332 attached to an outer wall of thereservoir 310. Optionally, thelower end 332 can be attached to theridge 315. Themember 331 can be mounted in an orientation and made from a material so as to maintain the position illustrated inFIGS. 19-21 when at rest and to contract inwardly when moved against an inner surface of the sealedbody 324. When a radially inward force is applied to the outer surface of theseal member 324, the at least onemember 331 can deflect inwardly, deforming in accordance with the principle of operation of a cantilever spring or a leaf spring. - Optionally, the
relief mechanism 331 can include asupport member 335 configured to maintain a desired arrangement and orientation of the upper end of themember 332 for example, prior to connection with a beverage container. For example, thesupport member 335 can be formed of a ring of relatively rigid material and be engaged with theupper end 336 of themember 332. For example, in some embodiments, theupper end 336 can be engaged to thesupport member 335 with a frangible connection, such as a thin or weakened plastic section. The frangible connection between theupper end 336 and thesupport member 335 can be formed to have sufficiently low strength such that the frangible connection is broken with thedispenser 300 is used in the manner illustrated inFIG. 22 (described below). - Optionally, the
relief mechanism 331 can include a plurality ofmembers 332 arranged concentrically around an outer wall of thereservoir 310. As such, themembers 332 can provide a more balanced support for theseal member 324. In some embodiments, the dispenser or therelief mechanism 331 includes 14members 332 spaced apart from each other. For example, in some embodiments, themembers 332 can be spaced apart by approximately 0.1 to 0.3 inches. However, other configurations can also be used. - With reference to
FIG. 22 , when a user pushes thedispenser 300 downwardly into a bottle, such as thebottle 10 illustrated inFIG. 22 , theseal member 324 is deformed inwardly as it is pressed against the inner surface 22 of thebottle 10. With continued movement into thebottle 10, theseal member 324 presses against themembers 332 with sufficient force to break that frangible connection between theupper end 336 and thesupport member 335. Constructed as a cantilever or leaf spring, themembers 332 bend into a curved shape, allowing an upper portion, for example, in the vicinity of theupper end 326 of theseal body 324, to deflect inwardly and achieve an enlarged contact patch between the outer surface of theseal member 324 and the inner surface 22 of thebottle 10. Optionally, after the frangible connections between the upper ends 336 and thesupport member 335 are broken, a user can discard thesupport member 335. - In the illustrated embodiment of the
dispenser 300, theactuator 390 includes acap member 390 having anupper surface 391 and a lower surface engaged with anupper end 363 of the piercingmember 361. Additionally, theactuator 390 is engaged with anupper wall 315 of thereservoir 310. - Optionally, as illustrated in
FIG. 21 , theupper wall 315 of thereservoir 310 can be configured to be deflectable along the direction of arrow D. In the illustrated embodiment, theupper wall 315 includes corrugations forming bellows 316. As such, theactuator 390 can be moved relative to the lower portion of thereservoir 310, the deformation of thebellows 316, for example, in response to the application of force downwardly onto theactuator 390, by a user. - The downwardly directed force imparted to the
actuator 390 can provide both movement of the piercingmember 361 downwardly through thereservoir 310 so as to pierce thefrangible wall 311, as well as providing a force for the deformation of theseal number 324 as it is pressed against the inner surface of thebottle 10. For example, as shown inFIG. 22 , the application of a force F onto theactuator 390 causes all three of the downward movement of thedispenser 300 into thebottle 10, the deformation of theseal member 324, and the downward movement of the piercingmember 361. As such, the installation of thedispenser 300 onto awater bottle 300 can be performed by the application of a force in a single direction causing movement along a single direction relative to thebottle 10, thereby simplifying the procedure for mounting thedispenser 300 to a bottle. -
FIGS. 23-26 illustrate a modification of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2-4 and 8-10 , and is identified generally by thereference numeral 400. - With reference to
FIG. 23 , thedispenser 400 includes anactuator 490 with anupper actuation surface 491 and alower end 492 configured to interact with theexpansion mechanism 425 of theseal assembly 420. In the illustrated embodiment, theactuation surface 491 is disposed atop of a plurality ofbellows 493 formed in the upper wall of theactuator 490. - An
outer wall 494 extends outwardly from thebellows 493, and downwardly to thelower wall 492. Thelower wall 492 tapers inwardly, along a conical shape to thelower end 495 of theactuator 490. - The
seal assembly 420, in the illustrated embodiment, optionally includes twoseal members seal assembly 420 includes aninner bushing member 428 disposed within theseal members seal members bushing member 428 includes aninner surface 429 that has a ramped or conical shape. Optionally, the shape of theinner surface 429 can be complimentary to the shape of thelower wall 492 of theactuator 490. Additionally, thebushing member 428 can be resilient and expandable. - With reference to
FIGS. 25 and 26 , downward movement of theactuator 490 along the direction of arrow D brings theouter surface 495 into contact with theinner surface 429. Then, further movement of theactuator 490 along the direction of arrow D, causes thebushing 428 to be expanded radially outwardly due to interaction with the ramped or conical surface of thelower end 492.Lower surface 492 and theinner surface 429 are shaped and configured to cause, when moved into a concentric mating orientation with each other, the radial expansion of theseal members upper surface 491 of theactuator 490 causes deformation of the upper wall, for example thebellows 493, thereby displacing the piercingmember 461 downwardly through thefrangible wall 411 of the reservoir 410. -
FIGS. 27-30 illustrate another variation of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2-4 and 8-10 , identified generally by thereference numeral 500. With reference toFIGS. 27 and 28 , thedispenser 500 includes anactuation surface 591 that is generally dome-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 590 is made from upper andlower pieces upper portion 597 can be made from a flexible or resilient material. Thelower portion 598 can be made from a harder material. - With reference to
FIGS. 27 and 28 , theouter surface 592 of the actuator 590 can include surface features 592A which can form part of a ratcheting mechanism. For example, thebushing member 528 can include cooperating surface features 529A which can form second part of the ratcheting mechanism. - For example, with reference to
FIGS. 29 and 30 , downward movement of the actuator 590, along the direction of arrow D causes the expansion of theseal member 524 through the interaction of the outer surface 595 andinner surface 529. Additionally, the surface features 592A and 529A can be configured to engage in an interference or ratcheting manner, so as to resist movement of the actuator 590 away from the seal assembly 520. For example, the surface features 592A can include upwardly slanted ridges and the surface features 529A can include recessed channels. Sliding movement between the outer surface 595 alonginner surface 529 would generate less resistance to movement downwardly in the direction of arrow D due to the upward slanted shape of the surface features 592A but would resist upward relative movement to a greater degree due to the upwardly ramped shape of the surface features 592A. Other configurations can also be used. - As a result, when the actuator 590 is in the position in the state of illustrated in
FIG. 30 , the surface features 529A, 592A would resist movements of the actuator 590 upwardly in the opposite direction of arrow D. Additionally, theupper portion 597 can be deformed, for example, by application of a force F by a user thereby causing downward movement of a piercingmember 516. -
FIGS. 31-34 illustrate yet another variation of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2-4 and 8-10 , identified generally by thereference numeral 600. With reference toFIGS. 32-34 , theseal assembly 620 includes a bushing 628 having a generally cylindrical shape and a ramp or conically-shaped inner surface 629. Optionally, the bushing 628 can include a plurality ofinternal passages 628A to provide the grommet 628 with increased flexibility. Theinternal passages 628A can be in the form of continuous circular hollow passages or discontinuous voids. Other configurations can also be used. -
FIGS. 35-39 illustrate another variation of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 5-10 and is identified generally by thereference numeral 700.FIG. 35 illustrates thedispenser 700 engaged with thebottles bottles - With reference to
FIGS. 35-38 , thedispenser 700 can include aseal assembly 720 with an inwardlydelectable seal member 724. Theseal member 724 can be in the shape of a conical seal member. Thedispenser 700 can including abushing 728 disposed within theseal member 724. Thebushing 728 can be in the configuration of an expandable split ring. Additionally, thedispenser 700 can include aratcheting ring 729, disposed within thebushing member 728. Further, thedispenser 700 can include aspring 731 disposed within theratcheting ring 729. Thespring 731 includes anouter end 736 with anengaging feature 740 configured to engage with theratcheting ring 729 in a ratcheting manner. For example, theratcheting ring 729 can include surface features 729A in the form of slots, for example. Theengaging feature 740 on thespring 731 can be in the form of a ramped tooth, configured to slide over the slots in one direction, for example, a radially inward compression direction of thespring 731, but resist a movement in the opposite direction. As such, portions of theseal member 724 can deflect inwardly, against the outward bias of thespring 731 during insertion of thedispenser 700 onto a bottle. Additionally, thespring 731 can compress in a ratcheting manner, to allow the compression of theseal member 724 to better conform to the shape of the bottle opening and to achieve a spill proof seal. -
FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate a modification of thespring 731 of thedispenser 700, identified generally by the reference numeral 731A. In this modification, the spring includes an inner, circumferential base member 731A1 and a plurality of flexible, arcuate arms 731A2. The arms 731A2 can be configured to be deflectable between a relaxed state (FIG. 40 ) and a compressed state (FIG. 41 ) in which the arms 731A2 are elastically deflected inwardly and pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the bushing 728A. -
FIGS. 42-45B illustrate another modification of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 5-10 , identified generally by thereference numeral 800. - The
dispenser 800 can include aseal assembly 824 that can be similar to or the same as theseal assembly 320 described above with reference toFIGS. 19-22 . - With reference to
FIGS. 43 and 44 , thedispenser 800 can include an integrated drink throughdevice 870. The drink throughdevice 870 defines at least a portion of a fluidic passage extending from the interior of thereservoir 810, through an upper wall of thereservoir 810, and to an exterior of thedispenser 800. The drink throughmechanism 870 can include avalve 871 including a valve seat and avalve body 873 moveable relative to thevalve seat 872. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 43, 44, and 45A ,valve 871 is in a closed position. Additionally, thevalve seat 872 can be integrated with thedispensing mechanism 860. - In the illustrated embodiment, the piercing
member 861 includes an upper laterally extendingflange 887 attached to theupper end 863 of thecentral member 864. In this configuration, theflange 887 defines an upper wall of thereservoir 810. Additionally, theflange member 887 can include one or morefluid passages 887A connecting the interior of thereservoir 810 with thechamber 888A. The piercingmember 861 further defines an intermediate chamber 888 disposed between theflange 887 and thevalve 871. The piercingmember 861 can further include a second flange 889 disposed above the chamber 888 and defining an upper wall of chamber 888. Optionally, the flange 889 can also include thevalve seat 872. - The piercing
member 861 can also include walls defining asecond chamber 888B disposed above thechamber 888A. The flange 889 can define a lower wall of thechamber 888B. - The drink through
mechanism 870 can include an upperexternal flange member 872 and afluid aperture 874 defining an opening to the exterior of thedispenser 800. The drink throughmechanism 870 can also include anaxial fluid passage 875 terminating at thevalve member 873. Further, themechanism 870 can include lateralfluid passages 876 connecting theaxial fluid passage 875 with passages within the piercingmember 861. - With reference to
FIGS. 45A and 45B , at least a portion of the drink throughmechanism 870 can be mounted so as to be axially movable relative to the piercingmember 861. For example, themechanism 870 can be mounted to be movable between opened (FIG. 45B ) and closed (FIG. 45A ) positions. The position illustrated inFIGS. 43, 443, and 45A is the closed position, in which thevalve member 873 is received in thevalve seat 872, thereby blocking a fluidic passage between thereservoir 810 and theaperture 874. - When the
mechanism 870 is moved upwardly in the direction ofarrow 0, as illustrated inFIG. 45B , thevalve member 873 is moved away from thevalve seat 872. Thus, a fluidic passage is opened between thereservoir 810 to theaperture 874. - For example, when the
mechanism 870 is positioned in the upward, open position (FIG. 45B ), a continuous fluidic passage is opened, allowing fluids to pass from thereservoir 810, upwardly through theaperture 887A, into thechamber 888A, through thevalve seat 872, into thepassages 876, upwardly through theaxial passage 875, and out of theaperture 874, to the exterior of thedispenser 800. In this configuration, themechanism 870 can also serve as the actuator 890. As such, the drink throughmechanism 870 can be considered as being integrated with the actuator 890. - Thus, after a user attaches the
dispenser 800 to a container such as a water bottle and presses theupper member 872 downwardly (FIG. 45A ), thereby driving the piercingmember 861 through the lowerfrangible wall 811, ingredients can flow out of thereservoir 810 and mix with liquid in the container, creating a mixed beverage. Then a user can pull on the upper member 872 (FIG. 45B ), thereby opening the drink throughmechanism 870, and drink a mixed beverage within the bottle, wherein the beverage passes through the brokenfrangible wall 811 up to thereservoir 810, through thechambers central passage 875 and out through theorifice 874. -
FIGS. 46-50 illustrate another modification of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 5-10 , identified generally by thereference numeral 900. - The
dispenser 900 can include aseal assembly 920 that is similar or the same as theseal assembly 320 of the embodiment ofFIGS. 19-22 , and thus the description of thisseal assembly 920 is not repeated with reference toFIGS. 46-51 . - With reference to
FIG. 49 , therelief mechanism 931 includes a plurality ofmembers 932 with lowers end connected to an outer surface of thereservoir 910. The upper ends 936 engage with theupper support member 935 at a plurality of different positions which can be arranged radially. - For example, with reference to
FIG. 47 , thesupport member 935 includes alower surface 937 with a plurality of surface features 938. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface features 938 comprise through holes that pass from thelower surface 937 through the top of thesupport member 935. However, other configurations can also be used, for example, where the surface features 938 do not extend to the top surface of thesupport member 935 and for example, are in the form of recesses on thelower surface 937. - With reference to
FIG. 47 , the surface features 938 are arranged in a plurality of aradially extending groups 939. Each of thegroups 939 is aligned with theupper end 936 of one of themembers 932. - In the illustrated embodiment, the upper ends 936 of the
members 932 include a surface feature 940 which is configured to interact with the surface features 938. For example, the surface feature 940 can be in the form of a tooth optionally with a ramped face. As such, the surface features 940, 938 can interact in accordance with the ratcheting principle of operation. For example, during insertion of thedispenser 900 into a container, themembers 932 can be deflected radially inwardly, as described above with reference toFIGS. 19-22 . As the upper ends 936 of themembers 932 move radially inwardly, the tooth 940 of each movingmember 932 can slip from radially outward features 938 in a particular grouping, to asurface feature 938 closer to the axial center of thesupport member 935. Optionally, the ramped surface of the surface feature 940 can be slanted away from the axial center of thedispenser 900 thereby providing lowered resistance to radially inward movement. Optionally, the tooth forming the surface feature 940 can include a non-ramped surface on a radially outward side thereof so as to provide greater resistance against radially outward movement. - With such a configuration, the radially inward movement of the upper ends 936 of the
members 932 can be guided in a more control manner. Additionally, locking the upper ends 936 of themembers 932 at a particular radial position can affect the curvature or bending deformation of themember 932, and can further enlarge a contact patch between theseal member 924 and the inner surface of an opening of a beverage container. -
FIGS. 51-55 illustrate yet another variation of the embodiment ofFIGS. 2-10 , identified generally by thereference numeral 1000. - The
dispenser 1000 can include aseal assembly 1020 that can have the same or similar construction to theseal assembly 920, and thus the description is not repeated with reference toFIGS. 51-55 . - The
dispenser 1000 can be considered as including bothexpansion mechanism 1025 and arelief mechanism 1031. - The
relief mechanism 1031 has the same structure and performs in accordance with the description of therelief mechanism 331 described above with reference toFIGS. 19-22 . Thus, upon insertion of thedispenser 1000 into the opening of a bottle,members 1032 are deflected radially inwardly so as to conform to an inner surface of the opening of a beverage container. - Additionally, the
expansion mechanism 1025 can further enhance the seal achieved between theseal member 1024 and the inner surface of the bottle. For example, theexpansion mechanism 1025 can include acatch plate 1050 disposed between the inner surface of themembers 1032 and an outer surface of thereservoir 1010. Themembers 1032 can include surface features 1051 on radially inwardly facing surfaces thereof. For example, the surface features 1051 can be in the form of ramped teeth or grooves, for example, slanted downwardly. Thecatch plate 1050 can be configured to move axially along with surface features 1051. Additionally, thecatch plate 1050 can include anengaging surface 1052 configured to interact with the surface features 1051. The surface features 1051 and 1052 can be configured to provide less resistance to movement in the direction of arrow D and more resistance against movement of themember 1050 in the opposite direction of arrow D. - With reference to
FIG. 55 , after initial insertion of thedispenser 1000 into the opening of a bottle, theactuator 1090 can be subjected to a force F thereby driving thecatch plate 1050 downwardly into the space between the inner surfaces of themembers 1032 and the outer surface of thereservoir 1010. As such, themember 1050 will move sequentially to lower positions, snapping into and out of engagement with the surface features 1051 under the ratcheting principle of operation. As themember 1050 reaches lower positions along themembers 1032, it can help further to form theseal member 1024 to increase a contact patch between theseal member 1024 and the inner surface of the average container. -
FIGS. 56-59 illustrate another modification of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 5-10 , identified generally by thereference numeral 1100. With reference toFIGS. 56 and 57 , thedispenser 1100 can include aseal assembly 1120 and drink-throughmechanism 1170, anddispensing mechanism 1160, such as those described above with regard to the previously described embodiments. - Optionally, the
dispenser 1100 can also include abottle anchoring mechanism 2000. For example, thebottle anchoring mechanism 2000 can include a mechanism configured to engage surfaces within a container which are oriented obliquely relative to the inner cylindrical surfaces of the opening of such a container. For example, as described above with reference toFIG. 1 , many typical beverage containers include a cylindricalinner surface 22, 44, formed along an opening neck. Inwardly from the opening, many beverage containers include a shoulder transitioning to a tapering wall. In some embodiments, thecontainer anchoring mechanism 2000 can include at least one member moveably mounted to thedispenser 1100 between retracted and expanded states. In the retracted state, the at least one member can be positioned such that thedispenser 1100 and the member can fit within an opening of a beverage container. In the extended position, the at least one member can move to a position into contact or into an interfering fit with at least one wall within the container disclosed or oriented at an oblique angle relative to the cylindrical inner surface of the opening. For example, such a surface can be a surface at the shoulder or tapered wall of a beverage container. - With reference to
FIGS. 58 and 59 , theanchoring mechanism 2000 includes a plurality of anchoringmembers 2002. Each of theanchoring members 2002 includes anupper end 2004 and alower end 2006. In the illustrated embodiment, thedispenser 1100 includes 14anchoring members 2002 evenly spaced around the outer periphery of thereservoir 1110. However, other numbers of anchoringmembers 2002 and configurations can also be used. - Optionally, the anchoring
members 2002 can be pivotally mounted relative to thereservoir 1110. For example, with continued reference toFIGS. 58 and 59 , the anchoringmembers 2002 are pivotally mounted along apivot mount 2010 which extend circumferentially around thereservoir 1110. The pivot mount pivotally attaches theanchoring members 2002 to thereservoir 1110. As such, the anchoringmembers 2002 can pivot between a state in which the lower ends 2006 are in a contracted orientation, as illustrated inFIG. 58 to an expanded state, as illustrated inFIG. 59 , in which the lower ends 2006 are pivoted away from thereservoir 1110. - Optionally, the
anchor members 2002 can be sized and configured such that in the retracted state illustrated inFIG. 58 , the lower ends 2006 are arranged in a configuration in which they can pass through an opening of abeverage container 10, for example. Then, with reference toFIG. 59 , as thedispenser 1100 is pushed downwardly into thebottle 10, theseal member 1124 andresilient members 1132 are pressed inwardly (radially inwardly toward the central axis of the dispenser 1100). This radially inward movement of theseal member 1124 and/or theresilient members 1132 can also act on the upper ends 2004 of theanchor members 2002, thereby pivoting theanchor members 2002 from the retracted position illustrated inFIG. 58 to the extended position illustrated inFIG. 59 . - As shown in
FIG. 59 , the lower ends 2006, when theanchor members 2002 are in the extended position, extend radially outwardly, beyond the inner surface of the opening of thebottle 10, in a location below ashoulder 34 of thecontainer 10. As such, theanchoring mechanism 2000 can enhance an anchoring of thedispenser 1100 to an associated container. -
FIGS. 60 and 61 illustrate yet another variation of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 through 4 and 8 through 10 , identified generally by thereference numeral 1200. - With reference to
FIGS. 60 and 61 , thedispenser 1200 can include anexpansion device 1225 configured to operate under a pneumatic principle of operation. For example, thedispenser 1200 can include anexpandable air bladder 2200 disposed circumferentially around thereservoir 2010. The expansion mechanism 2025 can be configured to inflate thebladder 2200 with any type of pneumatic mechanism. For example, theexpansion mechanism 1225 can include anair pump mechanism 2210 configured to the actuatable body user, for example, by actuation of theactuator 1290. Embodiments, thepneumatic pump 2210 can include a compressible chamber and one ormore check valves 2212 connecting an interior of thepump chamber 2210 with an interior of thebladder 2200. Thus, when a user applies an actuation force in the direction of arrow F to theactuator 1290, thepump chamber 2210 can be deformed so as to reduce its interior volume, thereby urging a gas disposed therein, such as air, into theinflatable bladder 2200.Inflatable bladder 2200 is thereby inflated, causing a radially outward expansion. In some embodiments, thedispenser 1200 includes aseal member 1224 disposed around the outer surface of theinflatable bladder 2200. Thus, upon inflation of thebladder 2200, theseal member 1224 is deformed and/or moved radially outwardly, into contact with an inner surface of an associatedcontainer 10. - In some embodiments, the
valves 2212 can be one-way check valves. Additionally, in some embodiments, thepump chamber 2210 can include additional passages opening to the atmosphere, so as to allow refilling of thepump chamber 2210 upon the expansion of thepump chambers 2210. - In some embodiments, the
pump chamber 2210 can be sized such that a single downward movement of theactuator 1290 causes a sufficient deformation of thepump chamber 2210 to inflate thebladder 2200 sufficiently to generate seals with a range of different sizes ofcontainers 10, such as the inner surfaces of thecontainers - In some embodiments, the
expansion mechanism 1225 can include one ormore ratchet members 2214. For example, theratchet members 2214 connectupper ends 2216 fixed to theactuator 1290. Additionally, theratchet members 2214 can include lower ends 2218 configured for a ratcheting engagement with theseal member 1224. For example, the ratchetingmembers 2214 can be configured for one-way movement relative to theseal member 1224 such that a single downward movement of theactuator 1290 will lock theactuator 1290 into an orientation in which thepump chamber 2210 is compressed. In some embodiments, using theratchet members 2214 can avoid the need for other check valves, such as thecheck valves 2212. In such an embodiment, thecheck valves 2212 can be replaced with open passages, the ratchetingmembers 2214 venting air from thebladder 2200 from reentering thepump chamber 2210. Other configurations can also be used. -
FIGS. 62-78 illustrate yet another embodiment of a dispenser, identified generally by the reference numeral 3000. The dispenser 3000 can be in the form of a single use unit dosage dispenser 3000. The dispenser 3000 is adapted to be attached to a container, such as a range of sizes of bottles, 10, 12, described above. For example, the dispenser can include aseal assembly 3020 configured to form seals with a range of sizes of bottles, such asbottles - The dispenser 3000 includes a
shell 3012, shown alone inFIGS. 62-68 , which is adapted to be attached to the container by way of theseal assembly 3020. However, the dispenser 3000 can incorporate any of the other seal assemblies disclosed above inFIGS. 2-61 . - The
shell 3012 can include a tubularinner guide 3022 with an open lower end in communication with the interior thecontainer seal assembly 3020. Theinner guide 3022 can include one or more sealing ring(s) 3024, alower stop 3026 at a lower end thereof and anupper stop 3028 at an upper end thereof. Thestops sealing ring 3024 can be configured to form a sliding seal with an outer surface of aningredient chamber 3040, described in greater detail below. Theinner guide 3022 can also include afinger access 3030 adjacent an upper end thereof and asecond stop 3031 above theseal ring 3024. Theshell 3012 may further include an alignment nub on the exterior of theguide 3022 for alignment of the guide during manufacturing. - A piercing
element 3032 can be disposed on theinner guide 3022. As such the piercing element can be considered as being fixed relative to theseal assembly 3020. Optionally, the piercingelement 3032 can be formed integrally with theinner guide 3022. The piercingelement 3032 can be configured to pierce a frangible wall on the ingredient chamber, described in greater detail below. Such a frangible wall can be made from materials such as foils and other materials, as described above with reference to the frangible walls 111. In some embodiments, the piercingelement 3032 can include a plurality ofradial blades 3034 at a lower end of theinner guide 3022. Optionally, theradial blades 3034 can converge to form a piercing tip extending toward the upper end of theinner guide 3022. Optionally, the piercing tip can form a triangular center piercing tip with a center point for improved piercing of thefrangible wall 3050A. Optionally,folding elements 3036 can be disposed adjacent theblades 3034 and can be adapted to engage and fold back a sealing element to facilitate discharge of the unit dosage as will be described. Additionally, thefolding elements 3036 can help prevent pieces of the seal from interfering with movement of a mixed beverage from the interior, through theshell 3012, for example, through a drink-through valve described in greater detail below. The piercingelement 3032 can also be constructed in accordance with thedispensing mechanism 160C and frangiblewall deflecting assembly 180C described above with reference toFIGS. 11-17 . - In some embodiments, the various seals, undercuts and other “jump” features (i.e. elements that effectively deform slightly in the de-molding process) are formed in or integral with the
shell 3012. The shell can be made of a polymer that accommodates such features, such as polyolefin or other materials. Some materials that accommodate these jump features do not have significant moisture or gas barrier properties (i.e. high moisture and gas permeability). - An axially
movable reservoir member 3040, shown separately inFIGS. 69-71 , can be attached to theshell 3012 so as to be moveable along theinner guide 3022. Thereservoir member 3040 defines aninner chamber 3042 therein adapted to hold a unit dosage of material to be dispensed into the container. Thereservoir member 3040 can include a top 3044 and a cylindrical side 3046 forming thechamber 3042. In some embodiments, in which thereservoir member 3040 can have a simple construction (no jump features), thereservoir member 3040 can be formed from a relatively rigid material, and wherein thecap 3040 and theshell 3012 are made from different polymer materials. In other words, the axialmovable reservoir member 3040 can be formed from a material with a higher oxygen and water barrier property than the material forming theshell 3012. Thereservoir member 3040 can be formed a rigid material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polypropylene (PP) with low shrink filler, and polyethylene (PE) with low shrink filler. Low shrink fillers include talc and mica. Other materials can also be used. - A
frangible wall 3050 can be coupled to thereservoir member 3040 for containing an ingredient within thechamber 3042. Thefrangible wall 3050 can be in the form of any of the frangible walls 111 described above. Thechamber 3042 is sealed with thefrangible wall 3050 extending across a lower open end of thereservoir member 3040 at the open end of the cylindrical side member 3046. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 68, 69, 77, and 78 , theinner guide 3022,reservoir member 3040 and the piercingelement 3032 can be configured such that axial movement of thereservoir member 3040 along theinner guide 3022, toward the piercingmember 3032 will cause the piercing element formed byblades 3034 to pierce thefrangible wall 3050 and dispense the contents of thechamber 3042 into thecontainer FIG. 77 in which thereservoir 3040 is not yet actuated andFIG. 78 in which thereservoir member 3040 has been moved axially until the piercingmember 3032 has pierced thefrangible wall 3050. Following the piercing of thefrangible wall 3050, thefolding elements 3036 can engage the distinct pieces of thefrangible wall 3050 and move them out of the way to further assist in the dispensing. As disclosed above,frangible wall 3050 can be in the form of metallic foil, a plastic film, or other materials. - With the
reservoir 3040 in the dispensing position (FIG. 78 ), thesealing ring 3024 of theguide 3022 engages and seals against the outer surface of the cylindrical side member 3046. Theupper stop 3028 and thesecond stop 3031 can engage against an outward projection of the top 3044 to limit the respective axial motion of thereservoir member 3040. Thelower stop 3026 engages against the lower end of the cylindrical side member 3046. - The dispenser 3000 can additionally include a
dust cover 3060 shown inFIGS. 72-75 . The dust cover has a top 3062 with an extendingcylindrical skirt 3064. Acoupling bead 3066 will engage theshell 3020. Thecover 3060 is removed prior to actuation of the dispenser 3000 and can further include tamper evident band for security. Theshell 3012 would include associated engaging beads for such tamper evident bands, as generally known in the art. The addition of thedust cover 3060 may further assist in the stacking of vertical containers. Further, thedust cover 3060 prevents premature actuation of thereservoir member 3040, since thereservoir member 3040 cannot be pressed downward until thecover 3060 is removed. - There are numerous variations of the concepts that can be included in the dispenser 3000. For example,
FIGS. 79-81 illustrate a modification of the dispenser 3000 andreservoir member 3040, identified generally by thereference numerals dispenser 3000A andreservoir member 3040A that are the same or similar to the corresponding parts, components, and features of the dispenser 3000 andreservoir member 3040, respectively, are identified with the same reference numerals except that a letter “A” has been added thereto. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 79-81 , thereservoir member 3040A can include a drink throughvalve assembly 3100. The drink throughvalve assembly 3100 can include astem portion 3102 and avalve member 3104. The configuration of thestem portion 3102 and thevalve member 3104 can be in accordance with known designs for drink through valves. For example, thestem portion 3102 can include acentral passage 3106 having alower end 3108 open to the interior of thechamber 3042A. Thestem portion 3106 can include anupper end 3110 having at least oneopening 3112 and astopper plug 3114. Thestem portion 3102 can include alower ridge 3120 and anupper ridge 3122, projecting from an outer surface of thestem portion 3102. - The
valve member 3104 can include alower skirt portion 3130 and anupper mouthpiece 3132. Theupper mouthpiece 3132 can protect radially outwardly relative to the an outer surface of thelower skirt portion 3130. This outward projection can provide a grasping ridge for users to pull upwardly on thevalve member 3104 to move thevalve member 3104 between closed and open positions. - The
upper mouthpiece 3132 can include a throughhole 3134. The throughhole 3134 can be aligned with theplug 3114 so as to form a seal when thevalve 3100 is in the closed position (FIG. 80 ). In this position, the throughhole 3134 is sufficiently sealed such that a user could shake abottle bottle dispenser 3000A. In an open position (FIG. 81 ), the throughhole 3134 can be spaced from theplug 3114. - The
lower skirt portion 3130 can include a radiallyinward projection 3140. As illustrated inFIGS. 80-81 , theinward projection 3140 can be captured between the lower andupper projections valve member 3104 between the closed (FIG. 80 ) and opened (FIG. 81 ) positions. Optionally, thestem portion 3102 can also include afurther projection 3123 configured to form an interference fit between thestem portion 3102 and thevalve member 3104 configured to retain thevalve member 3104 in the closed position (FIGS. 80 and 83 ). For example, theprojection 3123 can be in a configuration with a bead-shaped cross section and interact with theinward projection 3140 so as to form a snap fit, retaining thevalve member 3104 in the closed position and withstand an kilogram-force of about 1 kilogram, and up to an upper limit, for example, but without limitation, 1.8 kilograms. Other configurations and structures for form interference fits, snap fits, or other types of fitments. - In the closed position illustrated in
FIG. 80 , theaperture 3134 is closed by theplug 3114. In this position, the throughholes 3112 are closed by inner surfaces of thevalve member 3104. On the other hand, as illustrated inFIG. 81 , when in the open position, thevalve member 3104 is positioned such that the throughhole 3134 is spaced from theplug 3114, thereby allowing material, including fluids, to flow from thechamber 3042A to flow upwardly, through the throughholes 3112, and through the throughhole 3134, thereby defining a drink-throughfluidic passage 3150. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 79-80 , the cylindrical outer wall 3046 a can include one or more projections for limiting movement of thechamber member 3040A during use. For example, the outercylindrical wall 3046A can include at least a firstclosed position projection 3160 defining a closed position and at least a firstdispensing position projection 3170 defining a dispensing position. - The first
closed position projection 3160 can extend radially outwardly from the surrounding outer surface of thecylindrical wall 3046A and can have, for example, a bead-type cross-sectional shape. The firstclosed position projection 3160 can be configured to maintain or limit the movement of thechamber member 3040A in a closed position in which thefrangible wall 3050A is not pressed against the piercingmember 3032A (FIG. 82 ). For example, with reference toFIG. 68 , theshell 3012 can include analignment projection 3180 positioned and sized to cooperate with the firstclosed position projection 3160, when thereservoir member 3040A is disposed within the shell 3012 (FIG. 82 ). In this position, the firstclosed position projection 3160 is disposed above theprojection 3180, thereby resisting downward movement of the chamber member 3048 towards a dispensing position. In some embodiments, the cylindrical wall 3046 can include a secondclosed position projection 3162 disposed below the first closed position projection 3160 (FIG. 79 ). Together, the first and secondclosed position projections dispenser 3040A, resisting both upward and downward movement of thereservoir member 3040A (as viewed inFIG. 82 ). - The first
closed position projection 3160 andprojection 3180 can be configured to allow downward movement of thechamber member 3040A relative to theshell 3012 under an actuation force applied by a user, for example, with a user's hand or fingers. The materials used for forming thecylindrical wall 3046A, the size and shape of the firstclosed position projection 3160 and thealignment projection 3180 can be chosen to provide the desired resistance to movement. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 79-81 , the firstdispensing position projection 3170 can be configured and positioned so as to pass over and be disposed below thealignment projection 3180, when thechamber member 3040A is pressed downwardly to the dispensing position (FIG. 83 ) with sufficient force. As such, the interaction of the dispensingposition projection 3170 and thealignment projection 3180 can maintain thechamber member 3040A in the dispensing position, illustrated inFIG. 83 . Additionally, the dispensingposition projection 3170 and thealignment projection 3180 can cooperate to resist upward movement of thechamber member 3040A after thechamber 3040A has been moved to the dispensing position (FIG. 83 ). In some embodiments, the cooperation of the dispensingposition projection 3170 and thealignment projection 3180 can resist forces greater than approximately 3-4 pounds of force, which is approximately the force required to open a typical drink-through valve. Thus, when the chamber member 304A is in the dispensing position (FIG. 83 ), a user can pull upwardly on thevalve member 3104 so as to move thevalve member 3104 to the open position (FIGS. 81 and 84 ). In some embodiments, thevalve member 3104 and stem 3102 can include snap fits so as to resist movement from the closed position to the open position. In some typical, known valves, a force of approximately 3.7 to 4 pounds is required to move the valve member to the from the closed to the open position. Thus, by configuring the dispensingposition projection 3170 and thealignment projection 3180 to resist forces greater than approximately 3.7 to 4 pounds, theprojections chamber member 3040A in the dispensing position during movement of thevalve member 3104 from the closed to the open position. In some embodiments, theseal assembly 3020 can be configured to resist upward movements of theseal assembly 3020 off of the opening of thebottle seal assembly 3020 can be configured to generate sufficient friction with the openings of a range of sizes ofbottles seal assembly 3020 and the chamber member 3040 a can be held in place in the position illustrated inFIG. 83 , for example, while thevalve member 3104 is moved from the closed to open positions. - Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, even where only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. Examples of features provided in the disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive unless stated otherwise. The above description is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
- The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of the problems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulated during prosecution of this application (or an application claiming priority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims can be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims can be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1-87. (canceled)
88. A beverage ingredient dispenser comprising:
a seal assembly comprising at least a first resilient seal configured to seal against an inner cylindrical surface of openings of a plurality of different sizes of beverage container openings including a first size and a second size that is larger than the first size by at least about three-eighths of one inch, the seal assembly comprising a piercing member fixed relative to the first resilient seal and at least a first and second projections; and
a beverage ingredient reservoir comprising a beverage ingredient contained in therein, a lower frangible wall, and at least third and fourth projections, the beverage ingredient reservoir being movably mounted to the seal assembly between closed and dispensing positions and positioned to be aligned with the opening of a beverage container when the seal assembly is sealed to the inner cylindrical surface of a beverage container, wherein in the dispensing position, the frangible wall is broken by the piercing member such that the beverage ingredient flows out of the beverage ingredient reservoir and into a beverage container to which the seal assembly is sealed;
wherein the first and third projections define a first snap fit configured to maintain the beverage ingredient reservoir in the closed position and the second and fourth projections define a second snap fit configured to maintain the beverage reservoir in the dispensing position;
wherein the second snap fit is configured to resist a movement of the beverage reservoir from the dispensing position toward the closed position against a kilogram-force of at least 1.8 kilograms.
89. The dispenser according to claim 88 , wherein the seal assembly is configured to seal against openings of a plurality of different sizes of beverage container openings wherein the second size that is larger than the first size by at least about five-eighths of one inch.
90. The dispenser according to claim 88 , wherein the resilient seal comprises first and second concentric sealing layers, the first sealing layer sized to form seals with a first portion of the range, the second sealing layer sized to form seals with a second portion of the range.
91. The dispenser according to claim 88 , wherein the first resilient seal comprises a conically shaped resilient member.
92. The dispenser according to claim 88 , additionally comprising a drink-through valve disposed on the reservoir, the drink-through valve comprising a valve member movably mounted to a first end of the reservoir and configured to move between open and closed positions.
93. The dispenser according to claim 92 defining a first plurality of projections configured to define an interference fit between the valve member body and the beverage ingredient reservoir, maintaining the valve member body in the closed position and withstand a kilogram force of less than 1.8 kilograms.
94. A beverage ingredient dispenser comprising:
a seal assembly comprising at least a first resilient seal configured to seal against an inner cylindrical surface of openings of a plurality of different sizes of beverage container openings including a first size and a second size that is larger than the first size by at least about three-eighths of one inch;
wherein the seal assembly includes an aperture positioned to align a beverage ingredient reservoir with the opening of a beverage container when the seal assembly is sealed to the inner cylindrical surface of a beverage container.
95. The dispenser according to claim 94 , wherein the seal assembly is configured to seal against openings of a plurality of different sizes of beverage container openings wherein the second size that is larger than the first size by at least about five-eighths of one inch.
96. The dispenser according to claim 94 , wherein the resilient seal comprises first and second concentric sealing layers, the first sealing layer sized to form seals with a first portion of the range, the second sealing layer sized to form seals with a second portion of the range.
97. The dispenser according to claim 94 , wherein the first resilient seal comprises a conically shaped resilient member.
98. The dispenser according to claim 94 , wherein the seal assembly comprises a piercing member fixed relative to the first resilient seal.
99. The dispenser according to claim 98 additionally comprising a reservoir containing a beverage ingredient, the reservoir being movable mounted to the seal assembly to be moveable between closed and dispensing positions.
100. The dispenser according to claim 99 additionally comprising a first plurality of projections configured to define snap fits for maintaining the reservoir in the closed and dispensing positions.
101. The dispenser according to claim 99 additionally comprising a first plurality of projections configured to form an interference fit maintaining the reservoir in the dispensing position and withstand a kilogram force of at least about one kilogram.
102. The dispenser according to claim 101 wherein the first plurality of projections are configured to form an interference fit maintaining the reservoir in the dispensing position and withstand a kilogram force of at least about 1.8 kilograms.
103. The dispenser according to claim 102 , additionally comprising a drink-through valve disposed on the reservoir, the drink-through valve comprising a valve member movably mounted to a first end of the reservoir and configured to move between open and closed positions.
104. The dispenser according to claim 103 defining a second plurality of projections configured to define a second interference fit between valve member body and the reservoir maintaining the valve member body in the closed position and withstand a kilogram force of less than 1.8 kilograms.
105. A beverage ingredient dispenser comprising:
a beverage ingredient reservoir comprising a beverage ingredient contained in therein, a lower frangible wall, the beverage ingredient reservoir being configured for moveable mounting to a seal assembly between closed and dispensing positions and positioned to be aligned with the opening of a beverage container when the seal assembly is sealed to the inner cylindrical surface of a beverage container, wherein in the dispensing position, the frangible wall is broken by the piercing member such that the beverage ingredient flows out of the beverage ingredient reservoir and into a beverage container to which the seal assembly is sealed; and
a drink-through valve disposed on the reservoir, the drink-through valve comprising a valve member movably mounted to a first end of the reservoir and configured to move between open and closed positions.
106. The dispenser according to claim 105 additionally comprising a plurality of projections configured to define an interference fit between valve member body and the reservoir maintaining the valve member body in the closed position and withstand a kilogram force of less than 1.8 kilograms.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/705,119 US20180072473A1 (en) | 2016-09-14 | 2017-09-14 | Ingredient dispensing cap for beverage container |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201662394585P | 2016-09-14 | 2016-09-14 | |
US15/705,119 US20180072473A1 (en) | 2016-09-14 | 2017-09-14 | Ingredient dispensing cap for beverage container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20180072473A1 true US20180072473A1 (en) | 2018-03-15 |
Family
ID=59955746
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/705,119 Abandoned US20180072473A1 (en) | 2016-09-14 | 2017-09-14 | Ingredient dispensing cap for beverage container |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20180072473A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018053196A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10947019B2 (en) * | 2017-10-27 | 2021-03-16 | Takeya Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. | Portable beverage container |
US11136171B1 (en) * | 2021-03-08 | 2021-10-05 | Highwave | Lid |
US20220281656A1 (en) * | 2021-03-08 | 2022-09-08 | Highwave | Lid |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3141567A (en) * | 1962-03-28 | 1964-07-21 | Ned H Schearer | Closure member |
US20050236424A1 (en) * | 2004-12-24 | 2005-10-27 | Erie County Plastics Corporation | Single use unit dosage dispensing closure |
US20100072214A1 (en) * | 2008-09-19 | 2010-03-25 | Mohamed Adel Mullah | Sipper cap for use with multiple sized receptacle necks |
US8701906B1 (en) * | 2008-12-31 | 2014-04-22 | Blast Max Llc | Ingredient dispensing cap for mixing beverages with push-pull drinking spout |
US20150166239A1 (en) * | 2012-05-15 | 2015-06-18 | Ahhmigo | Cap device and methods |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7172095B2 (en) * | 2003-04-18 | 2007-02-06 | Christopher John Marshall | Bottle closure containing beverage concentrate |
US20100236952A1 (en) * | 2004-12-24 | 2010-09-23 | Berry Plastics Corporation | Solute-dispensing closure |
MX352253B (en) * | 2007-07-23 | 2017-11-15 | Jeong Min Lee | Bottle cap. |
EP2576375A4 (en) * | 2010-06-03 | 2014-04-02 | Andrew John Procter | Beverage container sealing lid |
-
2017
- 2017-09-14 WO PCT/US2017/051656 patent/WO2018053196A1/en active Application Filing
- 2017-09-14 US US15/705,119 patent/US20180072473A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3141567A (en) * | 1962-03-28 | 1964-07-21 | Ned H Schearer | Closure member |
US20050236424A1 (en) * | 2004-12-24 | 2005-10-27 | Erie County Plastics Corporation | Single use unit dosage dispensing closure |
US20100072214A1 (en) * | 2008-09-19 | 2010-03-25 | Mohamed Adel Mullah | Sipper cap for use with multiple sized receptacle necks |
US8701906B1 (en) * | 2008-12-31 | 2014-04-22 | Blast Max Llc | Ingredient dispensing cap for mixing beverages with push-pull drinking spout |
US20150166239A1 (en) * | 2012-05-15 | 2015-06-18 | Ahhmigo | Cap device and methods |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10947019B2 (en) * | 2017-10-27 | 2021-03-16 | Takeya Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. | Portable beverage container |
US11136171B1 (en) * | 2021-03-08 | 2021-10-05 | Highwave | Lid |
US20220281656A1 (en) * | 2021-03-08 | 2022-09-08 | Highwave | Lid |
US11628985B2 (en) * | 2021-03-08 | 2023-04-18 | Gary Ross | Lid |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2018053196A1 (en) | 2018-03-22 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |