WO2013012322A1

WO2013012322A1 - Device for closing beverage containers, in particular a bottle, and assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013012322A1
Application number: PCT/NL2012/050499
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucas Karel Johannes Van Den Broek
Original assignee: Industrieel Ontwerpbureau Hsm B.V.
Priority date: 2011-07-19
Filing date: 2012-07-12
Publication date: 2013-01-24
Also published as: NL2007141C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for closing beverage containers, in particular a bottle (2). The invention also relates to an assembly (1) of a beverage container, in particular a bottle (2), and a device (4) according to the invention coupled to the beverage container. The bottle (2) will generally be filled with water and be enriched with an additive (5) initially enclosed in the device.

Description

Device for closing beverage containers, in particular a bottle, and assembly

The invention relates to a device for closing beverage containers, in particular a bottle. The invention also relates to an assembly of a beverage container, in particular a bottle, and a device according to the invention coupled to the beverage container. The bottle will generally be filled here with water and be enriched with an additive initially enclosed in the device.

Consumers nowadays have a wide choice of beverages to which one or more additives are added in order to provide the beverage with a supplemental value. These include for instance sports drinks, health drinks, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals or functional foods. These are practically always beverages produced and presented in a standard composition. These beverages are practically all based on water to which the additives have already been added during the production process. In order to facilitate consumption these beverages are generally prepacked in bottles, wherein the consumer can consume the beverage directly from the bottle, and the content of which is intended to be drunk within a time period of several minutes or several hours.

It is also known to initially separate the water and the additive to be added to the water in the bottle by initially storing the additive generally in powder form in the cap of the bottle, wherein the additive can be released and added to the water by uncoupling at least a part of the cap from the bottle. The beverage is thus prepared by the consumer him/herself just prior to consumption of the beverage. The advantage of this separate initial storage of water and additive in the bottle is that it can considerably increase the shelf-life of the beverage to be formed. Such a separation of water and additive is moreover advantageous from a logistic and economic viewpoint because the cap can be filled separately with additive and then separately transported. Filling of the bottle with water and assembly of the bottle and the cap can subsequently take place at a geographically favourable location, whereby transport costs can be considerably reduced. An example of such a bottle is described in the American patent application US 2010/0200536, in which the bottle is filled with water and closed with a special device functioning as cap, the device comprising a basic structure for coupling to the bottle and a closing element coupled releasably by means of a screw thread connection to the basic structure. The basic structure encloses a passage channel for beverage, which passage channel is initially closed and filled with an additive in powder form, such as a water-soluble sugary additive. The passage channel is initially closed on an underside (facing toward the bottle) by a perforable foil and optionally with a more rigid closing member. Positioned in the passage channel is an arm which is connected pivotally to the basic structure and which is provided on the side facing toward the foil with a cutting member. A side of the arm facing toward the closing element is adapted for co-action with a top forming part of the closing element. During unscrewing of the closing element from the basic structure an upper side of the arm will be co-displaced by the closing element, as a result of which the arm will pivot and the cutting member will perforate the foil, whereby the additive in powder form can drop into the water, the beverage can be prepared and consumed via the passage channel. The drawback of the known bottle is that it has been found that an additive in powder form can offer relatively great resistance, particularly in the case the additive is compressed to a certain extent, and this can make considerably more difficult, and even prevent, the pivoting of the arm and the cutting member so as to enable perforation of the foil.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved device for enriching a beverage received in a bottle with one or more additives. The invention provides for this purpose a device of the type stated in the preamble, comprising: a basic structure adapted for coupling to the beverage container, the basic structure being provided with at least one first passage channel for beverage, a closing element coupled releasably to the basic structure for closing the at least one first passage channel, and at least one displaceable holder which is arranged at least partially in the first passage channel and which is at least partially filled with an additive to be added to the beverage, the holder being provided at an outer end facing toward the basic structure with at least one delivery opening for delivering the additive to the beverage, wherein at least in the initially closed state of the device the holder co-acts with the basic structure such that the delivery opening is closed, and wherein the holder is coupled to the closing element such that during uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure the holder is displaced, preferably in a direction toward the closing element, relative to the basic structure, wherein the delivery opening is opened and the additive can be delivered to the beverage. Applying an intermediate displaceable holder (capsule) between the basic structure and the closing element, which holder as such is displaced, in particular lifted - i.e. displacement in the direction away from the basic structure -, during uncoupling of the closing element can prevent the additive being compressed, which considerably improves opening of the at least one delivery opening. In addition to improving the convenience of use and reliable operation of the device according to the invention, a further advantage of the device is that a perforable foil closing a delivery opening, which also functions as beverage passage opening, and a cutting member co-acting with the foil need no longer be applied. Application of a foil and a cutting member as described in US 2010/0200536 has the particular drawback that the foil and/or the cutting member can at least partially block the beverage passage opening relatively quickly, which would make removal of beverage from the beverage container more difficult. Applying an intermediate holder, generally manufactured from a substantially rigid material, can guarantee a substantially constant and satisfactory beverage throughfeed. A further advantage of the device according to the invention is that the device is not provided with separate structural components which drop into the beverage container during uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure, this being particularly advantageous from a viewpoint of safety and consumer perception. The holder will generally be initially filled at least partially with an additive substantially in powder form. It is however also possible to envisage applying other types of additive, such as a tablet or a (viscous) fluid additive, in particular syrup.

It is possible to envisage the holder being rigidly connected to the closing element and forming an integral part of the closing element. This means that complete uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure will therefore also result in complete uncoupling of the holder from the basic structure. The advantage hereof is that the first passage channel can be fully utilized for passage of beverage, which can enhance the removal of beverage from the beverage container via the first passage channel. This embodiment is however generally less recommended in practice, since during uncoupling of the holder additive residues can in the first instance remain adhered to the holder, after which they detach from the holder whereby additive is spilled, this generally being undesirable. It is therefore usually more advantageous for the holder to be releasably coupled to the closing element, whereby complete uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure need not necessarily result in complete uncoupling of the holder from the basic structure. The holder will generally be partially displaced relative to the basic structure during uncoupling of the closing element, wherein the holder will however remain coupled to the basic structure, whereby undesirable removal of the holder (and possible additive residues) relative to the basic structure can be prevented. The holder comprises one or more compartments for optionally keeping one or more additives separated. It is advantageous here for the holder to take a substantially tubular, preferably substantially cylindrical, form. This form is particularly advantageous for the purpose of forming a second passage channel for beverage. The holder preferably takes an opened form here at opposite end surfaces. The holder can optionally be applied here as drinking spout. The first passage channel of the basic structure will generally at least partially enclose the second passage channel of the holder and/or the first passage channel and the second passage channel will at least partially coincide. It is however recommended here that, in the initially closed state of the device, the closing element substantially closes, preferably substantially liquid-tightly, the second passage channel of the holder in order that moistening of the additive by absorption of ambient moisture can be prevented as far as possible.

The delivery opening is preferably formed by an open outer end of the (tubular) holder. This will generally be an outer end adapted for co-action with a part of the basic structure. An end surface of the holder will usually support here on a part of the basic structure. The holder is preferably adapted to receive a part of the basic structure in order to enable reliable closure of the delivery opening. It is advantageous here for the delivery opening, preferably formed by an open outer end, to be sealed on an end surface of the holder and/or on an inner wall and/or outer wall of the holder. This seal is preferably substantially medium-tight, and is preferably realized by applying a sealing material such as an elastomer, in particular rubber. The additive becoming moist can in this way be prevented, this being particularly advantageous when an additive in powder form is applied. It is also advantageous when an upper end surface can be sealed in substantially medium-tight or at least liquid-tight manner by the closing element. The closing element preferably engages here on the holder in the closed state in order to realize the seal. Use can optionally be made here of a sealing element in order to improve sealing. A part of the basic structure as well as at least a part of the holder will in practice generally be situated in the beverage container when the device is mounted on the beverage container. Such an accommodation reduces the external volume of an assembly of a beverage container, in particular a bottle, and a device according to the invention connected thereto, this being advantageous from a logistic viewpoint (storage and transport).

In a preferred embodiment the basic structure is adapted for non-releasable connection to the beverage container. The basic structure is more preferably adapted for substantially fixed connection to the beverage container. Such a non-releasable, preferably fixed connection between the basic structure and the beverage container prevents the basic structure being unintentionally uncoupled from the beverage holder during use, and moreover facilitates uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure. The closing element and the basic structure will generally be connected releasably to each other by means of a screw thread connection. The rotation direction of the screw thread connection between the closing element and basic structure and the rotation direction of the screw thread connection between the holder and the basic structure are preferably the same, whereby displacement of the closing element in a direction relative to the basic structure results in displacement of the holder in the same direction relative to the (same) basic structure. Alternative closing mechanisms, such as a bayonet closure, can however also be envisaged for use.

The holder is preferably provided with at least one boundary element and the basic structure is preferably provided with at least one mating boundary element adapted for co-action with the boundary element forming part of the holder for the purpose of limiting the maximum displacement of the holder relative to the basic structure.

Application of the boundary element and the mating boundary element enables displacement of the holder relative to the basic structure while complete uncoupling of the holder from the basic structure can be prevented. The (mating) boundary element can for instance be formed here by a protruding edge, projection or other protrusion.

During re-coupling of the closing element and the basic structure whereby reclosing of the device takes place, the closing element will preferably engage on the holder such that the second passage channel enclosed by the holder is closed substantially liquid- tightly, in particular substantially medium-tightly (liquid and gas-tightly) by the closing element. It is favourable here for the closing element to engage at least partially round the holder. The closing element is preferably provided here with a receiving space for receiving in form-fitting manner, and optionally with clamping fit, at least a part of the end surface of the holder, whereby a relatively good and reliable liquid-tight, and usually also gas-tight, seal can be realized.

The holder is preferably further provided with at least one displacing protrusion adapted for co-action with the closing element such that during displacement of the closing element relative to the basic structure the holder is co-displaced by the closing element. Since the closing element is generally coupled by means of a screw thread connection to the basic structure, the closing element will generally be rotated axially relative to the (stationary) basic structure during uncoupling. It is possible to envisage the holder following this axial rotation of the closing element by applying the at least one displacing protrusion, provided that the coupling of the holder to the basic structure allows such an axial rotation of the holder. This will generally be possible if the holder is coupled by means of a screw thread connection to the basic structure. It is however also possible for the holder to be coupled to the basic structure by means of another type of guide, for instance a guide in linear form. The holder will in that case tend to displace linearly (perpendicularly) in a direction away from the basic structure during rotation of the closing element relative to the basic structure.

In a further preferred embodiment the closing element is connected to a tear-off sealing element which engages initially on the beverage container and/or the basic structure and tears off during uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure. A tamper evident seal is in this way provided, on the basis of which a consumer can see at a glance whether the device has already been opened at an earlier stage.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a beverage container, in particular a bottle, and a device according to the invention coupled to the beverage container. A part of the device will generally be positioned here in the beverage container, in particular the bottle

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein: figure la shows a cross-section of an assembly of a bottle and a device according to the invention connected to the bottle in a closed state,

figure lb shows a cross-section of the assembly according to figure la in a partially opened state,

figure lc shows a cross-section of the assembly according to figures la and lb in a fully opened state,

figure I d shows a cross-section of the assembly according to figures l a-l c in a reclosed state, and

figure 2 shows a view of the components of the device according to figures la-lc.

Figure la shows a cross-section of an assembly 1 of a (partially shown) bottle 2 and a device 4 according to the invention connected to a bottleneck 3 of bottle 2 in a closed state. In this exemplary embodiment bottle 2 is filled with water and device 4 is filled with a consumable powder 5, such as orange powder, intended for mixing with water so as to form orange juice. Bottleneck 3 is provided in conventional manner with an external screw thread 6 in addition to a usual, so-called saturn ring 7 generally intended for mechanical handling during the production process of bottle 2. Device 4 comprises a basic structure 8 provided with an internal screw thread 9 which co-acts with the external screw thread 6 of bottleneck 3. Basic structure 8 is further provided with an internally protruding flange 10 which engages on an externally protruding flange 11 of bottleneck 3, whereby basic structure 8 is locked and fixed relative to bottleneck 3. Arranged in a space enclosed by basic structure 8 is a cylindrical holder 12 which is provided with two open outer ends 13a, 13b. The additive 5 in powder form is arranged in holder 12. The lower open outer end 13a functions as delivery opening for powder additive 5, which delivery opening 13a is closed in the shown closed state of device 4 by a plug 14 which forms part of basic structure 8 and is positioned in form-fitting manner at least partially in the lower outer end 13a of holder 12. In order to improve the seal between and inner wall of holder 12 and plug 14 use can optionally be made of one or more gasket rings (sealing element) which can be arranged between holder 12 and plug 14 and can form part of holder 12 and/or plug 14. Holder 12 is further provided with an external screw thread 15 which co-acts with an internal screw thread 16 of basic structure 8. Basic structure 8 is further provided with an internal flange 17 adapted for co-action with two external flanges 18a, 18b for bounding the maximum displacement of holder 12 relative to basic structure 8 in an opened state of device 4. Basic structure 8 is also provided with an external screw thread 19 adapted for co-action with an internal screw thread 20 of a closing element 21 (cap) which can be screwed onto basic structure 8. Closing element 21 is initially connected here to a sealing ring 22 which engages on the saturn ring 7 of bottleneck 3. During uncoupling (unscrewing) of closing element 21 from basic structure 8 the sealing ring 22 will break off, from which a consumer can see that device 4 has already been opened. Closing element 21 is further adapted to seal the upper open outer end 13b of holder 12, wherein closing element 21 encloses holder 12 at the position of the upper open outer end 13b. In addition to the liquid-tight sealing which can be realized by this enclosure, this enclosure provides for an initial coupling between holder 12 and closing element 21. Holder 12 is provided for this purpose on the upper open outer end 13b with a plurality of displacing protrusions 23 adapted for co- action with a plurality of displacing protrusions 24 forming part of closing element 21 (see figure 2). The result of this coupling is that axial rotation of closing element 21 relative to basic structure 8 also results in axial rotation of holder 21 which, as a result of the screw thread connection to basic structure 8, is displaced here in upward direction (away from plug 14) such that passage openings 25 forming part of basic structure 8 and surrounding plug 14 are opened and connect to delivery opening 13a of holder 12 (see figure lb). This upward displacement has the result that the powder will drop via delivery opening 13a of holder 12 and passage openings 25 of basic structure 8 into the water, thereby realizing orange juice. The extent of the vertical displacement of holder 12 depends on the dimensioning of the screw thread connection between holder 12 and basic structure 8, which is preferably such that the internal flange 17 of basic structure 8 is positioned between the two bounding flanges 18a, 18b of holder 12 as soon as the external screw thread 15 of holder 12 and the internal screw thread 16 of basic structure 8 are no longer in mutual engagement (see figure lb). Figure lb also shows that sealing ring 22 is torn off from the partially uncoupled closing element 21. Figure lc also shows that closing element 21 is wholly removed from basic structure 8, whereby removal of orange juice from bottle 2 - via passage openings 25 of basic structure 8 and holder 12 - is made possible. Owing to the flange construction between basic structure 8 and holder 12, holder 12 is held in position and will be displaceable to limited extent. Flanges 18a, 18b are in any case positioned relative to each other and relative to internal flange 17 of basic structure 8 such that passage openings 25 of basic structure 8 and the outer ends 13 a, 13b of holder 12 remain permanently opened in the shown opened state of device 4. During reclosing of device 4 the closing element 21 will once again be screwed onto basic structure 8, however wherein the (empty) holder 12 is not pressed back into the lower position and will remain positioned at a distance from plug 14 (figure Id). In this reclosed state the space enclosed by holder 12 and the space enclosed by bottle 2 will be wholly connected to each other. The advantage hereof is that possible additive residues present in holder 12 can be removed relatively easily from holder 12 by shaking the assembly 1. The reason for the holder remaining in an upper position is that the internal flange 17 of the basic structure will prevent downward displacement of the upper bounding flange 18b of holder 12 such that the external screw thread 15 of holder 12 is positioned higher than the internal screw thread 16 of basic structure 8, and so cannot engage on this internal screw thread 16 of basic structure 8. All structural components of device 4 are shown in further detail in figure 2.

It will be apparent that the intention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that within the scope of the appended claims numerous variants are possible which will be self-evident to the skilled person in this field.

Claims

1. Device for closing beverage containers, in particular a bottle, comprising:

- a basic structure adapted for coupling to the beverage container, the basic

structure being provided with at least one first passage channel for beverage,

- a closing element coupled releasably to the basic structure for closing the at least one first passage channel, and

- at least one displaceable holder which is arranged at least partially in the first passage channel and which is at least partially filled with an additive to be added to the beverage, the holder being provided at an outer end facing toward the basic structure with at least one delivery opening for delivering the additive to the beverage,

wherein in the initially closed state of the device the holder co-acts with the basic structure such that the delivery opening is closed, and wherein the holder is coupled to the closing element such that during uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure the holder is displaced relative to the basic structure, wherein the delivery opening is opened and the additive can be delivered to the beverage.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additive is substantially in powder form.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder is connected integrally to the closing element.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder is coupled releasably to the closing element.

5. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder takes a substantially tubular, in particular substantially cylindrical, form.

6. Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the holder takes an opened form at opposite end surfaces.

7. Device as claimed in claim 4 and claim 5 or 6, wherein the holder encloses a second passage channel for beverage.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first passage channel at least partially encloses the second passage channel and/or at least partially coincides with the second passage channel.

9. Device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein in the initially closed state of the device the closing element substantially closes the second passage channel of the holder.

10. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the delivery opening is formed by an open outer end of the holder.

11. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder is adapted to receive a part of the basic structure.

12. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder and/or the basic structure is provided with at least one sealing element for realizing a substantially medium-tight initial seal between the holder and the basic structure.

13. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder is coupled to the closing element such that during uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure the holder is displaced in a direction toward the closing element relative to the basic structure, wherein the delivery opening is opened and the additive can be delivered to the beverage.

14. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the basic structure is adapted for non-releasable connection to the beverage container.

15. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the basic structure is adapted for substantially fixed connection to the beverage container

16. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the closing element and the basic structure are connected releasably to each other by means of a screw thread connection.

17. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder is provided with at least one boundary element and the basic structure is provided with at least one mating boundary element adapted for co-action with the boundary element forming part of the holder for the purpose of limiting the maximum displacement of the holder relative to the basic structure.

18. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder and the basic structure are mutually coupled by means of a screw thread connection.

19. Device as claimed in claims 16 and 18, wherein the rotation direction of the screw thread connection between the closing element and the basic structure and the rotation direction of the screw thread connection between the holder and the basic structure are substantially the same.

20. Device as claimed in claim 17 and claim 18 or 19, wherein at least one boundary element of the holder passes over at least one mating boundary element of the basic structure during displacement of the holder relative to the basic structure during uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure, wherein the screw thread connection between the holder and the basic structure is uncoupled.

21. Device as claimed in claim 7 and claim 20, wherein during re-coupling of the closing element and the basic structure the closing element will engage on the holder such that the second passage channel enclosed by the holder is closed substantially liquid-tightly, in particular substantially medium-tightly by the closing element.

22. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder is provided with at least one displacing protrusion adapted for co-action with the closing element such that during displacement of the closing element relative to the basic structure the holder is co-displaced by the closing element.

23. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the closing element is connected to a tear-off sealing element which engages initially on the beverage container and/or the basic structure and tears off during uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure.

24. Assembly of a beverage container, in particular a bottle, and a device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims coupled to the beverage container.