WO2017013550A1

WO2017013550A1 - Mixing container

Info

Publication number: WO2017013550A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/054221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vikrant MESTA; Rajesh Mishra; Shripad Jathar
Original assignee: Abbott Healthcare Pvt Ltd
Current assignee: Abbott Healthcare Pvt Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-20
Filing date: 2016-07-15
Publication date: 2017-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-20
Also published as: BR112018001059A2; RU2712447C2; RU2018101476A3; RU2018101476A

Abstract

The invention relates to a mixing container. In one embodiment, the container (100) comprises: a housing portion (101) defining a first storage area (103) and a neck portion (102); a cap element (105) being disposed on the neck portion (102) and forming a sealing engagement with the neck portion (102); and a movable member (106) comprising a cage (107) and being disposed inside the neck portion (102), wherein the cage (107) forms a sealing engagement with the neck portion (102) to seal the first storage area (103) and to create a second storage area (202) within the neck portion (102); and a rotation of the cap element (105) downwardly displaces the movable member (106) into the housing portion (101) to permit a flow communication between the first storage area (103) and the second storage area (202).

Description

MIXING CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a mixing container. More particularly, the invention relates to a mixing container facilitating separate storage of two substances and mixing thereupon.

BACKGROUND

Many solid substances such as infant milk powder, heath supplements, medicines, and drink mixes are required to be added to a liquid substance such as water and medicinal fluids before consumption. The solid and the liquid substances cannot be stored together for long periods due to their chemical properties & reduced shelf-life. This causes a lot of inconveniences during transportation of such substances as two separate packages are required to be storing the solid and liquid substances.

To ensure ease of storing the two substances separately and subsequent transporting, various containers defining two separate chambers/ storage areas, one for each substance, are available. By way of example, US7874420 describes a separate chamber or a dispensing capsule which is removable engaged with an opening of a neck portion of the container. Thus, one of the chambers is created by the container itself and the second chamber is created by the dispensing capsule itself. The dispensing capsule includes plunger which is pushed to open an aperture in the dispensing capsule so as to permit flow of substance in the dispensing capsule into the container. The dispensing capsule is removed to dispense a mixture created by the substances in the dispensing capsule and the container. However, such dispensing capsule is specially constructed and therefore refilling of such dispensing capsule becomes a cumbersome process. By way of another example, US4727985 defines a single container providing two chambers. The container includes a sealing plug which separates the two chambers such that one of the chambers is created by the container itself below the sealing plug and the second chamber is created using a neck portion of the container above the sealing plug. The sealing plug is pushed downwards by a plunger which also acts a cap that seals the container. The downward pushing of the plunger pushes the sealing plug, thereby opening a flow communication between the two compartments so as to mix two substances in the two chambers. To provide appropriate force a basket is provided between the sealing plug and the plunger. Further the mixture of the two substances is dispensed by using syringes which are inserted through the plunger. However, such containers are specially constructed with the sealing plug and the plunger. And therefore, refilling of such containers becomes a cumbersome process. In additional, appropriate force is required to push the plunger downward as the plunger is secured to prevent accidental pushing.

By way of other example, WO2011128912A2 defines a single container providing two chambers. The container includes a sealing plug which separates the two chambers such that one of the chambers is created by the container itself below the sealing plug and the second chamber is created using a neck portion of the container above the sealing plug. The sealing plug is pushed downwards by a cage insert which is itself pushed by rotating a cap on the container. The downward pushing of the sealing plug opens a flow communication between the two compartments so as to mix the two substances in the two chambers. However, such containers are specially constructed with the sealing plug. And therefore, refilling of such containers becomes a cumbersome process. By way of yet other examples, US6113257, US6089389, and US6045254 define a single container providing two chambers. The container includes a displaceable member disposed within container and having a partition wall with an edge adapted for a sealing engagement with internal walls of a neck portion of the container. Thus, defining two chambers separated by the partition wall. The displaceable member is axially displaceable between two positions along an axis extending through the neck portion. These two positions comprise a first position where the edge of the partition wall seals the internal walls of the neck portion, and a second position where the edge of the partition wall and the internal walls are disengaged permitting flow communication between the two compartments. This flow communication allows mixing of the two components to form a formulation which is then ready for use. However, such containers need the specially constructed displaceable member and therefore, refilling of such containers becomes a cumbersome process.

Further, the above solutions require two separate components/units, i.e., sealing plug and plunger. This increases complexity of the container and consequently increases manufacturing costs. SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes of the invention, the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein, provides for a container facilitating separate storage of two substances and mixing thereupon. Accordingly, the container includes a housing portion defining a first storage area and a neck portion. The container further includes a cap element adapted for being disposed on the neck portion and forming a sealing engagement with the neck portion. The container further includes a movable member adapted for being disposed inside the neck portion. The movable member includes a cage which forms a sealing engagement with the neck portion when the movable member is disposed inside the neck portion. The sealing engagement between the neck portion and the cages seals the first storage area and creates a second storage area within the neck portion. Upon rotating the cap element over the neck portion, the movable member is downwardly displaced into the housing portion to permit a flow communication between the first storage area and the second storage area, thereby enabling a mixing of substances stored in the storage areas. Thereafter, the mixture is dispensed by removing the cap element.

Further, the cage and the neck portion have same cylindrical cross-section that enables the cage to fit with neck portion when being disposed inside the neck portion. In addition, the cage includes a plurality of projections and a wall portion and disposed on the plurality of projections in an upward direction such that the cage forms a hollow cylinder. The cage further includes a base portion disposed below the plurality of projections such that one end of the hollow cylinder is closed to create the second storage area within the neck portion. Thus, the base portion forms the second storage area with the neck portion and provides a sealing of the first storage area such that a substance in the first storage area does not mix with a substance in the second storage area.

Additionally, the movable member includes a first sealing member which is coupled with the plurality of projections of the cage. The movable member also includes a second sealing member which is coupled with the wall portion. Thus, the first sealing member and the second sealing member enable a sealing engagement of the movable member with the neck portion.. In addition, the cap element includes a tamper-evident tear band to provide tamper-proof security to the container. The advantages of the present invention include, but not limited to, a simple container in which two storage areas are created using a single movable member. In other words, the movable member does not act as a plunger rather itself provides a second storage area when disposed inside the neck portion. This eliminates the need for having two separate components, i.e., sealing plug and plunger, within the container. Also, the dispensing of the mixture is very easy as only the cap element is to be removed from the container. In addition, the mixing, dispensing, and refilling of substances are very easy as compared to present cumbersome process and therefore reduce time required for the same.

Additionally, the design and manufacturing of the container is very simple as the container only needs the movable member including the cage and the mechanical seals. Thus, reducing an overall cost of the container and enabling a mass production of the container at affordable costs. In addition, the movable member can be easily designed in accordance with cross-sections of the neck portion of the container. Therefore, the movable member can be used with any type of container that has a neck portion having same cylindrical cross-section and a housing portion of any cross-section such as cylinder, square, and sphere. Further, the movable member is downwardly displaced by rotating the cap element and therefore does not require additional force in a manner required for pushing a plunger.

These and other aspects as well as advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To further clarify advantages and aspects of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings, which are listed below for quick reference.

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrates a sectional perspective view of the container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 4A-4E illustrates sequential steps in mixing two separately stored substances in the container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

The term "some" as used herein is defined as "none, or one, or more than one, or all." Accordingly, the terms "none," "one," "more than one," "more than one, but not all" or "all" would all fall under the definition of "some." The term "some embodiments" may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term "some embodiments" is defined as meaning "no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments."

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents. More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to "includes," "comprises," "has," "consists," and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language "MUST comprise" or "NEEDS TO include."

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as "one or more features" or "one or more elements" or "at least one feature" or "at least one element." Furthermore, the use of the terms "one or more" or "at least one" feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as "there NEEDS to be one or more . . . " or "one or more element is REQUIRED."

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.

Reference is made herein to some "embodiments." It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to "a first embodiment," "a further embodiment," "an alternate embodiment," "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "multiple embodiments," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," "further embodiment", "furthermore embodiment", "additional embodiment" or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

The present invention discloses a container facilitating separate storing of two substances and mixing thereupon.

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a container (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As would be observed, the Figure 1 illustrates both solid view and line diagram of container (100). The container (100) includes a housing portion (101) and a neck portion (102). In an example, the housing portion (101) has a cylindrical cross-section and is of predetermined volume. The housing portion (101) defines a first storage area (103) beneath the neck portion (102). The neck portion (102) also has a cylindrical cross-section and has an external threading (104).

The container (100) further includes a cap element (105) having a cylindrical cross- section and adapted for being disposed on the neck portion (102). The cap element (105) includes internal threading (not shown in the figure) to form a sealing engagement with the external threading (104) of the neck portion when the cap element (105) is disposed on the neck portion (102). As would be understood, the cylindrical cross-section of the cap element (105) would be similar to the cylindrical cross-section of the neck potion (102) so as to enable the cap element (105) to be disposed on the neck portion (102).

The container (100) further includes a movable member (106) adapted for being disposed inside the neck portion (102). The movable member (106) includes a cage (107) having a hollow cylindrical cross-section. As such, the movable member (1060 or the cage (107) and the neck portion (102) have same cylindrical cross-sections. Thus, the movable member (107) can be used with any type of container that has a neck portion having same cylindrical cross-section and a housing portion of any cross-section such as cylinder, square, and sphere. When the movable member (106) is disposed inside the neck portion (102), the cage

(107) seals the first storage area (103) and creates a second storage area (not shown in the figure) within the neck portion (102). When the cap element (105) is rotated downwardly, it displaces the movable member (106) into the housing portion (101) to permit a flow communication between the first storage area (103) and the second storage area.

Further, the cage (107) comprises a plurality of projections (108) and a wall portion

(109) such that when the wall portion (109) is successively disposed on the plurality of projections (108) in an upward direction, the cage (107) forms the hollow cylinder. In addition, the cage (107) includes base portion (not shown in the figure) disposed below the plurality of projections (108) so as to close one end of the hollow cylinder, thus creating the second storage area within the neck portion (102). Further, the cage (107) is manufactured as a single component comprising of the plurality of projections (108), the wall portion (109), and the base portion. Further, a height of the plurality of projections (108) and the wall portion (109) is equal to a height of the neck portion (102).

The movable member (106) further includes a first sealing member (110) and a second sealing member (111). The first sealing member (110) and the second sealing member (111) have closed circular cross-section as a top-circular cross-section of the cage (107). Examples of the first sealing member (110) include, but not limited to, a gasket and an O- ring. Examples of the second sealing member (111) include, but not limited to, a gasket and an O-ring. Further, the first sealing member (110) is coupled with the plurality of projections (108). The second sealing member (111) is coupled with the wall portion (109). The first sealing member (110) and the second sealing member (111) enable sealing engagement of the movable member (108) with the neck portion (102). In one example, the first sealing member

(110) and the second sealing member (111) are made of elastomeric materials to provide hermetical sealing with the neck portion (102). Finally, the second storage area is sealed by placing a seal (112) over the cage (107). Examples of the seal (112) include, but not limited to, induction seal, EPE liner, nitrile wad, SBR wad, one piece sealing wad, two piece sealing wad, heat seal wad, reseal liner, aluminum foil seal, and integral safety seal.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a sectional perspective view and Figure 3 illustrates a front view, of the container (100), as described in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As would be observed, the Figure 2B illustrates both solid view and line diagram of container (100). Referring to Figures 1-2A, the cage (107) includes a collar portion (200) disposed on the wall portion (109). Further, the collar portion (200) has a circular cross-section to arrest a downward movement or downwardly displacement of the movable member (106) during the rotation of the cap element (105). The case (107) further includes a base portion (201) disposed below the plurality of projections (108), as described above in reference to Figure 1. As would be understood, the cage (107) includes appropriate grooves (not shown in the figure) for coupling the first sealing member (110) and the second sealing member (111) with the cage (107). In an example, the first sealing member (110) is coupled to a top portion of the cage (107), i.e., top portion of the plurality of projections (108). In the example, the second sealing member (111) is coupled to a bottom portion of the cage (108), i.e., around the base portion (201).

Referring to Figures 1-2B, when the movable member (106) is disposed inside the neck portion (102), the first sealing member (110) and the second sealing member (111) form a sealing engagement with the neck portion (102). In an example, the first sealing member (110) and the second sealing member (111) snugly fit at two ends of the neck portion (102). In such position, i.e., when the movable member (106) is disposed inside the neck portion (102), inner walls of the neck portion (102) and the base portion (201) create a second storage area (202), as described above in reference to Figure 1. Further, the base portion (201) creates a secure sealing for the first storage area (103) such that a substance in the first storage area (103) does not mix with a substance in the second storage area (202). Further, in such position, the plurality of projections (107) is within the neck portion (102) and the wall portion (109) extends above the neck portion (102).

In operation, the first storage area (103) is filled with a first substance. Thereafter, the movable member (106) is disposed inside the neck portion (102) to create the second storage area (202) and is then filled with a second substance. The first and second substances can be any form such as liquid, solid, powder, semi-solid, and semi-liquid.

To prevent accidental spillage of the second substance from the second storage area (202), an opening of the wall portion (109) of the cage (107) is sealed with the seal (112). In an example, the sealing can be performed at a factory, i.e., during manufacturing, where the second substance is filled in the second storage area for subsequent consumer use. The sealing can be performed using techniques as known in the art. In addition, in one example, the movable member (106) is disposable. In another example, the movable member (106) is reusable. Therefore, in such example, the container (100) along with the movable member (106) can be collected from a user and sent back to the factory for proper sterilization and re- assembling.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the cap element (105) further includes over cap portion (300) and a tamper-evident tear band (301). The tamper-evident tear band (301) is disposed below the over cap portion (300) such that the over cap portion (300) covers the wall portion (109) extending above the neck portion (102) and the tamper-evident tear band (301) covers the neck portion (102), when the cap element (105) is disposed over the on the neck portion

(102) . Thus, a height of the over cap portion (300) and the tamper-evident tear band (301) is equal to a height of the neck portion (102).

Upon sealing of the second storage area (202), the cap element (105) is disposed on the neck portion (102). The cap element (105) covers the neck portion (102) including the plurality of projections (108) of the cage (107) and the wall portion (109) of the cage (107) extending above the neck portion (102). Thus, the cap element (105) closes and seals the container (100) completely.

It would be understood that the container (100), the cap element (105), and the movable member (106) are manufactured of materials suitable for storing and transporting substances for human consumption. Further, it would be understood that, in some cases, such materials can allow transparency such that the substances within the container (100) can be easily seen by the human eye.

Thus, the present invention provides a simple container (100) with two storage areas (103, 202) created using a single movable member (106). This eliminates the need for having two or more separate components/elements/units within the container (100) for creating two storage areas (103, 202). Further, the movable member (106) is downwardly displaced by rotating the cap element (105) and therefore does not require additional force in a manner required for pushing a plunger.

Figures 4A-4E illustrates sequential steps in mixing two separately stored substances in the container (100) and subsequent dispensing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As would be observed, the Figures 4A-4E illustrates solid views of container (100). As described in Figure 2, the first substance is stored in the first storage area

(103) and the second substance is stored in the second storage area (202) of the container (100), and subsequently the container (100) is covered and sealed with the cap element (105).

As illustrated in Figure 4A, the container (100) includes the first substance (400) in the housing portion (101). The tamper-evident tear band (301) is removed from the cap element (105). In an example, the tamper-evident tear band (301) is removed by pulling away a puller associated with the tamper-evident tear band (301). As such, the cap element (105) now includes only the over cap portion (300) over the neck portion (102). As illustrated in Figure 4B, after removing the tamper-evident tear band (301), the cap element (105) (now including only the over cap portion (300)) is rotated, as represented by arrow (401), over the neck portion (102). The rotation of the cap element (105) downwardly displaces the movable member (108) into the housing portion (101) to permit a flow communication between the first storage area and the second storage area. As such, the second substance flows through the plurality of projections (108) from the cage (107) and falls into the housing portion (101). Further, the downward displacement of the movable member (106) is arrested by the collar portion (200) of the cage (107) such that the over cap portion (300) completely covers the neck portion (102). Consequently, the plurality of projections (108) is disposed into the housing portion (101) from the neck portion (102) and the wall portion (109) is disposed into neck portion (102).

As illustrated in Figure 4C, once the neck portion (102) is completely covered by the over cap portion (300), the container (100) is shaken to mix the first substance (400) with the second substance (not shown in figure), as represented by arrow (402) for shaking in vertical direction and arrow (403) for shaking in horizontal direction. As would be understood, the container (100) can be shaken in either of the directions.

As illustrated in Figure 4D, the shaking of the container (100) mixes the first substance and the second substance properly and creates a mixture (404) of desired properties. As illustrated in Figure 4E, upon obtaining the mixture (404), the cap element (105) is removed from the neck portion (102) by rotating in a direction opposite to rotation of cap element (105) as illustrated in Figure 4B. Upon removing the cap element (105), the mixture (404) is dispensed from the container (100) through the opening in the wall portion (109) of the cage (107). In an example, the mixture (404) is dispensed into the over cap portion (106). In another example, the mixture (404) can be dispensed into a separate container. Thus, the dispensing of the mixture is very easy as only the cap element (105) is to be removed from the container (100). In addition, the mixing, dispensing, and refilling of substances are very easy as compared to present cumbersome process and therefore reduce time required for the same. Although, the above figures illustrate container with a housing portion having cylindrical cross-section, the invention can be implemented using any type of container that has a neck portion having same cylindrical cross-section as the movable member and a housing portion of any cross-section such as square and sphere.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. In addition, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims. While certain present preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Clearly, the invention may be otherwise variously embodied, and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

A container (100) comprising:

a housing portion (101) defining a first storage area (103) and a neck portion (102);

a cap element (105) being disposed on the neck portion (102) and forming a sealing engagement with the neck portion (102); and

a movable member (106) comprising a cage (107) and being disposed inside the neck portion (102), wherein:

the cage (107) forms a sealing engagement with the neck portion (102) to seal the first storage area (103) and to create a second storage area (202) within the neck portion (102); and

a rotation of the cap element (105) downwardly displaces the movable member (106) into the housing portion (101) to permit a flow communication between the first storage area (103) and the second storage area (202).

The container (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cage (107) and the neck portion (102) have same cylindrical cross- section.

The container (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cage (107) further comprises: a plurality of projections (108);

a wall portion (109) successively disposed on the plurality of projections (108) in an upward direction, such that the cage (107) forms a hollow cylinder; and a base portion (201) disposed below the plurality of projections (108) such that one end of the hollow cylinder is closed to create the second storage area (202) within the neck portion (102).

The container (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the movable member (106) further comprises a first sealing member (110) coupled with the plurality of projections (108) and a second sealing member (111) coupled with the wall portion (109) to form the sealing engagement with the neck portion (102). The container (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cage (107) further includes collar portion (200) disposed on the wall portion (109) to arrest the downwardly displacement of the movable member (106) during the rotation of the cap element (105).

The container (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the wall portion (109) extends above the neck portion (102).

The container (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cap element (105) includes: an over cap portion (300); and

a tamper-evident tear band (301)(301)) disposed below the over cap portion (300) such that the over cap portion (300) covers the wall portion (109) and the tamper-evident tear band (301)(301)) covers the neck portion (102) the cap element (105) is disposed on the neck portion (102).