WO2022140816A1

WO2022140816A1 - Receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2022140816A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/051444
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Bloomfield
Original assignee: Mypangu
Priority date: 2020-12-30
Filing date: 2020-12-30
Publication date: 2022-07-07

Abstract

Receptacle for containing a pre-measured amount of a consumable product has a hollow body portion with opening, an outer sleeve that surrounds the body portion, a frangible coupling between the body portion and the outer sleeve, and a cover for closing the opening of the open end of the body portion. The outer sleeve has an engagement portion to secure the receptacle to a severing assembly, and a first indicator and a second indicator located in spaced apart relationship to one another. When the severing assembly is secured to the receptacle and at the second indicator condition, movement of the severing assembly relative to the receptacle away from the first indicator condition causes both severing of the cover, and irreversible separation of the coupling at the frangible element to separate the body portion and outer sleeve from one another and facilitate release of the consumable product from the body portion.

Description

-RECEPTACLE

Field of the invention

In one form the present description relates to receptacles for containing a consumable product.

In one form the present description relates to single use sterile receptacles containing a premeasured amount of consumable product.

In one form the present description relates to a single use sterile receptacle containing a pre-measured amount of contents which receptacle is located intermediate a closure and/or severing assembly and a container in which the closure and/or severing assembly is movable with respect to the receptacle to facilitate access to the contents of the receptacle for discharging the contents from the receptacle into the container for ultimate delivery to a consumer.

The present description finds particular application to a infant's feeding bottle containing a tamper resistant or tamper evident sterile capsule having a predetermined amount of powdered milk product in which the milk product is released into the container of the feeding bottle upon rotation of a closure with respect to the capsule by perforating the capsule facilitating the formation of a dosage of powdered milk product solution by mixture with water existing in the container for delivery from the container to the infant through a delivery teat.

It is to be noted that although the inventive concept is described with particular reference to embodiments of an infant's feeding bottle for delivering a dosage of powdered milk product via a receptacle of appropriate capacity and containing a premeasured amount of the powdered milk product, the scope of protection provided by the description is not restricted to the described embodiment or embodiments but rather the scope of protection is more extensive so as to include other forms and variations embodied by the inventive concept, including of the bottle, of the capsule and of the severing assembly for breaking

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU the capsule, and of the methods of using the capsule and associated components, including delivering the consumable product to the ultimate consumer than specifically described herein.

Infants require regular feeding, often at inconvenient times and in locations requiring the use of a bottle or similar vessel containing a nutrient material such as a milk product, including powdered milk products. Often it is not possible to prepare a fresh solution of milk product by mixing a known quantity of milk product with water for almost immediate consumption, such as for example when travelling. One attempt at overcoming the disadvantage of freshly preparing a suitable infant's formula is to pre-prepare the formula for storage in a bottle for use at a later time. However, during storage there is a risk of contamination of the contents of the bottle either through improper storage of the bottle, such as for example, not having access to a refrigerator or similar, or through failing to seal the bottle correctly allowing ingress of contamination into the bottle, such as for example, bacterial contamination or the admission of airborne particles or other contaminants leading to spoilage of the formula within the bottle which may result in the infant suffering sickness and/or illness. Therefore, there is a need for a sterile receptacle and/or system of using a sterile receptacle allowing pre-preparation of an infant's feeding bottle containing a premeasured amount of suitable formula which is resistant to contamination prior to and/or during storage and/or use.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present description to provide a sterile receptacle containing a pre-measured amount of consumable product which remains sterile until the time of actual use.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present description to provide a single use tamper resistant sterile receptacle in the form of a capsule which is pre-prepared and packaged within a manufacturing site so as to remain sterile during storage and which when required to be used is broken under sterile conditions so as to dispense the contents of the capsule without risking unwanted contamination of the contents.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU Accordingly, it is an aim of the present description to provide a combination of a closure and/or severing assembly, a container and a sterile capsule in which the capsule is retained intermediate the closure or severing assembly and the container by secure engagement of the capsule and/or severing assembly with the container such that the sterile capsule is perforated by movement of the closure or severing assembly with respect to the container to dispense the contents of the sterile capsule into the container.

There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary

According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a receptacle for containing a pre-measured amount of a consumable product, the receptacle comprising: a hollow body portion for containing the pre-measured amount of the consumable product, the body portion having an open end provided with an opening therein for introducing the consumable product into the receptacle; an outer sleeve that at least partially surrounds the body portion, the outer sleeve having an engagement portion with which to secure the receptacle to a severing assembly, and a first indicator and a second indicator located in spaced apart relationship to one another; a frangible coupling between the body portion and the outer sleeve for connecting the sleeve and body portion to one another, the frangible coupling including at least one frangible element facilitating breakage of the frangible coupling; and a cover for closing the opening of the open end of the body portion to seal the receptacle when the pre-measured amount of consumable product has been introduced into the body portion to maintain the consumable product free from contamination, wherein: the first indicator is configured to cooperate with a complementary indicator of the severing assembly to indicate that the receptacle is in a first indicator condition in which the receptacle is secured to the severing assembly,

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU the second indicator is configured to cooperate with the complementary indicator of the severing assembly to indicate that the receptacle is in a second indicator condition in which the severing assembly contacts the frangible coupling, and when the severing assembly is secured to the receptacle and at the second indicator condition, movement of the severing assembly relative to the receptacle away from the first indicator condition causes both severing of the cover, and irreversible separation of the frangible coupling at the frangible element to separate the body portion and outer sleeve from one another and facilitate release of the consumable product from the body portion.

According to another form of the present invention, there is provided an assembly for providing a consumable product, the assembly comprising: a container defining a cavity; a severing assembly; and a receptacle for containing a pre-measured amount of the consumable product, the receptacle having: a hollow body portion for containing the pre-measured amount of the consumable product, the body portion having an open end provided with an opening therein for introducing the consumable product into the receptacle, an outer sleeve at least partially surrounding the body portion, the outer sleeve having a first connecting part being an engagement portion with which to secure the receptacle to the severing assembly, and a second connecting part for connecting the receptacle to the container, the outer sleeve having a first indicator and a second indicator located in spaced apart relationship to one another, the severing assembly having a complementary indicator which is complementary to the first indicator and second indicator of the receptacle, a frangible coupling between the body portion and the outer sleeve for connecting the sleeve and body portion to one another, the frangible coupling

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU including at least one frangible element facilitating breakage of the frangible coupling, and a cover for closing the opening of the open end of the body portion to seal the receptacle when the pre-measured amount of consumable product has been introduced into the body portion to maintain the consumable product free from contamination, wherein: the assembly is interconnectable by connecting the second connecting part of the outer sleeve to the container, and connecting the severing assembly to the engagement portion of the outer sleeve, whereby the cavity is closed by at least one of the receptacle and the severing assembly, the first indicator is configured to cooperate with the complementary indicator of the severing assembly at a first indicator position to indicate that the receptacle is in a first indicator condition in which the receptacle is secured to the severing assembly, the second indicator is configured to cooperate with the complementary indicator of the severing assembly at a second indicator position to indicate that the receptacle is in a second indicator condition in which the severing assembly contacts the frangible coupling, and when the severing assembly is secured to the receptacle and at the second indicator condition, movement of the severing assembly relative to the receptacle away from the first indicator condition causes both severing of the cover, and irreversible separation of the frangible coupling at the frangible element to separate the body portion and the outer sleeve from one another and facilitate release of the consumable product from the body portion.

Although it is preferable that the consumable product is a solid or liquid product or substance, the consumable product can be a gas or a gaseous substance.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU In some embodiments, the consumable product is a powdered product including a single substance or a mixture of two or more individual powdered substances, typically admixed in a prearranged amount or ratio of one to the other or others.

In some alternative embodiments, the consumable product includes a single liquid or a mixture of two or more liquids, including miscible and/or immiscible liquids, in a prearranged amount or ratio to one another.

Typical examples of the consumable product include dairy products, milk products, infant formula, sports products and supplements, such as sports drinks, including protein beverages, diet supplements, nutritional products, food additives, mixing aids such as emulsifiers or homogenisers, medications, pharmaceuticals, including animal or veterinary preparations, health and well-being products, such as items including effervescent materials, confectionery or similar products.

In one form the receptacle is a cartridge, canister, capsule, cassette, keg, pod, barrel or similar. Forms of the receptacles which can be of any suitable size or desirable capacity are replaceable or interchangeable with one another so that an empty perforated or broken used capsule or the parts thereof can be discarded to waste and replaced or substituted by a fresh sterile filled capsule. Typically, the receptacle in the form of a capsule, is a sealed sterile capsule having a hollow body portion and a surrounding sidewall defining an opening or open end at one end and a closed other end, typically in the form of a cylinder or cylindrical shape having tapering or angularly inclined side walls. In one form the hollow body portion is a bucket, cup, bowl, pod, tub, basin or other similarly shaped open topped container. Preferably, the capsule is dome-shaped or similar, substantially circular, curved or rounded shape in the axial and/or radial directions of the capsule. More preferably, the capsule has a circular top, a circular base and curved, rounded or tapering sides extending between the top and base.

In forms, the hollow body is provided with external wings, fins, flutes, flights, ridges, aerofoils or similar outwardly extending protrusions or appendages at desired locations on

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU the outer surface of the body for enhancing rotation and/or spinning motion of the hollow body as the hollow body tumbles, spins, revolves, precesses or spirals through the solution in the container after having been separated from the outer sleeve to enhance discharge of the product from the hollow body into the container and agitation of the solution within the container to form the homogeneous mixture. In forms the external wings or fins have a similar effect to that of a stirrer, agitator or the like,

Forms of the hollow body, bucket, cup, bowl or tub of the capsule are weighted or otherwise shaped so as to invert, tumble, spin, revolve, rotate or similar either partially or entirely as the body falls or topples through the container or base of the assembly in the form of an infant's feeding bottle, after having been severed from the outer sleeve of the capsule which remains in place intermediate the closure and the container or base, to facilitate mixing of the contents of the capsule with the contents of the container base to form a substantially homogeneous uniform mixture of consumable product ready for consumption.

In one form the body portion is partially, mostly or entirely surrounded by a generally annular sleeve, typically a substantially circular, cylindrical, rounded or curved outer sleeve. Forms of the sleeve include a side skirt, housing, jacket, collar, shroud, covering or similar. Typically, the sleeve and body portion are formed integrally with one another, such as for example, during manufacture, such as a one-piece item formed by injection moulding or other moulding processes. However, in other forms the sleeve and body portion of the receptacle may be two separate items which are assembled or joined together prior to installation intermediate the closure and container. In one form the body portion and sleeve are of an essentially annular form of construction with the body portion being at the centre or core of the construction or shape of the receptacle and the sleeve surrounding the edge or rim of the open end of and side walls of the hollow body of the capsule, cup, tub or similar.

It is to be noted that owing to the overall design and shape of the capsules, multiple empty capsules can be stacked or nested one upon the other to form a column of empty

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU capsules which can then be fed to a filling machine at a manufacturing facility such as a factory to prepare and fill the capsules containing a pre-measured amount of sterile product.

In one form the external surface of the sleeve, typically in the form of the outer surface of the side skirt, is provided with the engagement portion for cooperatively engaging with the interior of the severing assembly to securely locate the receptacle fixedly within the severing assembly. In one form the engagement portion includes external threads provided on the outer wall surface of the skirt, preferably the upper portion of the outer wall surface. Other forms of the engagement portion include bayonet fittings, snap engaging fittings, complementary interlocking ridges and trough fittings or similar.

In one form the external surface of the outer sleeve includes a gripping surface section to assist in turning or twisting the capsule with respect to the container when assembling the capsule to the top of the container to securely locate the container there. Similarly, the gripping surface section can assist turning or twisting the capsule with respect to the severing assembly and/or closure when assembling the capsule into the assembly. Preferably, the gripping section is located around the lower portion of the outer wall of the side skirt. In one form the length or height of the gripping section or gripping surface is about 12 mm. The gripping surface or section acts as a gripping point enabling the user to grasp the capsule to ensure the capsule can be screwed and unscrewed to the container or base and the closure or severing assembly of the assembly and also the space provided on the surface is able to be used to provide indica, such as for example, for the printing of product information in relation to the ingredients of the consumable product, its use, nutritional values, the expiry of use by dates and similar.

In one form the internal surface of the sleeve, typically in the form of the inner surface of the side skirt, is provided with a suitable engagement arrangement for cooperatively engaging with the exterior of the container to securely locate the capsule on the top of the container or base. In one form the engagement arrangement includes internal threads provided on the inner wall surface of the skirt, preferably extending the

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU entire length of the inner wall surface of the skirt. It is to be noted that the capsule remains fixed to the container or base prior to, during and after operation by the user when completing the separation of the bucket from the sleeve. In one form there are four complete thread rotations of the internal threads to ensure that the entire capsule is firmly attached to the container or base. However, any suitable number of threads or thread count of any suitable or convenient size, shape or profile is possible.

In one form the open end or opening in the one end of the capsule is sealed, typically the seal extends over the entire opening of the body portion and partially or entirely over of the end, or rim of the sleeve, more typically entirely around the rim of the sleeve so as to completely seal the capsule and sleeve to maintain the sterility of the capsule by preventing ingress of contamination internally into the hollow body where the consumable product is stored. In one form the seal is a cover, typically in the form of a membrane, film, layer, laminate or similar flexible or semi-flexible arrangement or material. More typically the cover is a thin airtight non-toxic foil membrane or similar. However, in other forms the seal may be rigid or semi-rigid, such as for example, being a separate component to the hollow body and snap fittingly clicked into place around the rim of the hollow body to maintain the sterility of the contents of the hollow body. Preferably, the foil membrane is circular and is secured to the body portion by adhesive material.

In one form there is a flat solid ring or flat web intermediate the edge of the opening of the hollow body portion and the outer wall of the sleeve. Typically, the upper surface in use of this ring or web is flat to enhance the strength of adhesion between the adhesive under surface of the membrane and the top edge or surface of the capsule to ensure the capsule remains sterile during storage and when assembled within the assembly, typically in the form of a baby's bottle or similar. In forms, the adhesive layer on the underside of the foil membrane is in the shape of a ring or annulus corresponding in size and shape to the flat solid ring or flat web with the central part of the underside of the foil membrane being free of adhesive so that the membrane adheres to the flat solid ring or flat web only and none of the consumable product in the capsule adheres to the central part of the undersurface of the foil membrane.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU It is to be noted that the frangible coupling or connector is located in, on or at the region of the flat ring or web, such as for example, being in the form of a scoreline or similar located in the under surface of the flat web or ring. It is to be noted that the flat surface of the flat solid ring or flat web ensures that there is little or no residue or unwanted remnant of the material of the consumable product remaining on the flat surface during and after factory filling of the capsule with the accurately pre-measured amount of consumable product. Further, it is to be noted that the seal formed by the airtight nontoxic membrane is taut extending tautly across the opening of the bucket which enhances the formation of a clean and concise series of cuts in the membrane as the three-quarter clean cut is formed through the membrane and through the web of the capsule around the scoreline to cleanly and concisely cut the bucket from the outer skirt without the consequent formation of fragments or small particles of the web.

Forms of the capsule include a frangible coupling or connection between the hollow body or bucket and the outer sleeve or side skirt, which frangible coupling or connection can be broken or severed in response to impact or contact with or by a suitable severing assembling applying force or impact to the coupling or connection. Typically, the frangible coupling or connection is or includes frangible elements such as a line or region or area of weakness, such as for example, a scoreline, a perforated line, a fold line, a crease, or similar for facilitating destruction of the coupling or connection to separate the hollow body from the outer sleeve. In one form the coupling or connection is one or more concentric rings, circles, annuli, or similar, the or each being of reduced wall thickness for facilitating ready separation of the hollow body and outer sleeve from one another. Forms of the reduced wall thickness are in the form of one or more grooves, channels, rebates, scorelines or similar on the underneath surface of the coupling or connector such as the flat ring or web. Typically, the coupling or connection is cut, severed, shattered, sliced, punched, deformed, fractured, cracked, deflected or similarly broken or separated by movement of the severing assembly (to be described in more detail later). It is to be noted that the reduced thickness scoreline or groove formed in the underside of the flat web is created during the manufacturing process of the capsule and results from a reduced material thickness of

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU about 0.5 mm consistently around the entire score line, circle or circular groove. Further, it is to be noted that the scoreline or circular groove acts as the first and least point of resistance in the flat web thus forming the frangible coupling and thereby being the easiest point of material failure when pressure or impact is applied to the capsule by the cutters of the severing assembly creating a clean and fragment free material break or separation of the bucket from the outer sleeve.

The severing assembly can have any convenient, suitable or desirable form. In one form the severing assembly can be a dedicated component having the sole purpose or function of impacting and breaking the frangible coupling and tearing the foil membrane by being directly or indirectly mounted on or to the capsule, such as for example, by threadingly engaging with the external upper threads on the exterior surface of the side skirt of the capsule. In one form the severing assembly can be formed as part of another component of the assembly having a different purpose or function to impacting and breaking the frangible coupling and tearing the foil membrane, such as for example, being part of the closure for maintaining the container or base of the infant's bottle being leak proof by threadingly engaging with the external upper threads on the exterior surface of the side skirt of the capsule. In forms, the severing assembly is provided with a ring, collar, turn wheel or similar either directly or indirectly connected to the severing assembly for rotational operation or linear movement thereof. In other forms the severing assembly can be part of another component of the overall infant's feeding bottle.

Forms of the closure include a top, lid, cap, collar, ring, turn-wheel or similar. Typically, the closure is a screw top, more typically an internally threaded screw top for threadingly engaging with the receptacle, more typically the external threads of the outer sleeve of the capsule.

In one form the severing assembly of the closure is provided for engaging with the frangible connection or coupling of the receptacle, typically in the form of the sterile prefilled capsule, to irreversibly separate the hollow body and outer sleeve to dispense the pre-measured contents of the capsule into the container. Although the severing assembling

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU can be of any suitable or convenient type, shape or style, a preferred severing assembly is a cutting assembly, typically in the form of a plate, disc, insert, ring, annulus, core, plug or the like having one or more cutters. Typical forms of the cutter include teeth, tines, bosses, projections, tabs, blades, saws, points, spikes, pins, needles, sharpened rods, pointed shafts or similar. In one form the cutters move rotationally or linearly or in combinations thereof.

One form of severing assembly includes a plate having a blade arrangement comprising an inner blade having a single tooth, and an outer blade having multiple teeth, in which the multiple teeth are arranged in regular spaced apart relationship to one another along the length of the blade. In one form the inner blade and outer blade are arranged in spaced apart concentric or coaxial relationship to one another. Typically, the outer blade is located around and close to but radially inboard of the circumference of the plate whereas the inner blade is located more towards but spaced apart from the centre of the plate from which the inner blade and outer blade extend.

In operation, when the closure is twisted, typically through about greater than about a quarter of a turn, more typically through about greater than about half a turn, preferably through about three quarters of a turn, each of the outer teeth engages a spaced apart portion of the frangible coupling to move along the scoreline or area of weakness to break that portion of the coupling in contact with the individual tooth to separate the hollow body portion from the outer sleeve thereby releasing the contents of the hollow body into the container as the body portion topples over, falls, tumbles, or similar through the container or base to the bottom thereof. Similarly, the single tooth of the inner blade after contacting the membrane pierces and penetrates the membrane to form a substantially arcuate tear or cut in the membrane, typically extending in an arc of a length of about three quarters of the circumference of the foil membrane forming a loose flap and thus allowing the contents of the capsule to be dispensed.

In one form the single tooth of the inner blade contacts the membrane simultaneously with the multiple teeth of the outer blade contacting the frangible element

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU of the frangible coupling, typically in the form of a circular groove. In another form the single tooth of the inner blade contacts the membrane immediately prior to or just before the multiple teeth of the outer blade contacts the circular groove.

It is to be noted that the severing assembly engages the top of the capsule at a point along the upper rim above the scoreline and simultaneously along a point of the airtight non-toxic foil membrane so that once rotated will simultaneously make a three- quarter arc cut along the inner side of the flat surface rim thereby opening the airtight nontoxic foil membrane whilst at the same time engaging the flat surface outer rim at the exact point above the scoreline to penetrate or pierce the flat surface of the web and make a simultaneous and complete cut along this line to cleanly and completely sever the web between the bucket and outer sleeve to separate the bucket without producing fragments that could fall into the container. Further, it is to be noted that complete and clean severing of the capsule ensures that rogue traders do not substitute inferior, contaminated, unusable or unsafe product so that there is little or no possibility of contamination of product occurring once the capsule has departed from the factory.

In forms of the closure the cutting assembly is formed integrally with the closure or as a separate component, such as an insert, which is locatable within the closure or is a separate ring or collar which is assembled adjacent the closure and can be turned or twisted independently and/or separately from the closure to break the frangible coupling. In one form the insert of the cutting assembly is retained in place in the interior of the closure by a suitable retainer, such as for example a clip or bayonet fitting or similar. In one form the insert is a plate or other similar substantially planar component having a substantially circular body portion.

In forms of the closure, the cutting assembly is fixedly connected or fixedly located internally within the screwtop so that the cutting assembly moves in response to rotation of the screwtop about the top of the container to move the cutters with respect to the membrane of the seal of the capsule and the frangible coupling or connection. More typically, the single inner cutter pierces the membrane whilst the multiple outer cutters

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU break the frangible coupling to separate the hollow body from the outer sleeve thereby allowing the hollow body to fall into the container to dispense the contents thereof into the container while the outer sleeve of the capsule is retained in place intermediate the closure or collar or ring and the container for disposing of at a later date when the closure and container are being cleaned in preparation for reuse with a fresh capsule. It is to be noted that whilst the closure and container and other parts of the bottle may be cleaned and reused, the capsule including both the hollow body and outer sleeve are single use and are discarded to waste for suitable disposal.

In one form the closure and receptacle are movable with respect to one another to adopt a first indicator position and a second indicator position in which the first indicator position signifies that the severing assembly is in a first indicator condition being secured to the capsule and is the usual storage condition of the assembly referred to as the "engaged" position. The second indicator position corresponding to the second indicator condition signifies that the severing assembly is in contact with the upper surface of the capsule in which the cutters of the severing assembly are in direct contact with the frangible coupling and the membrane seal which position is referred to as an "armed" or "primed" position in preparation for breaking the frangible coupling and tearing the membrane upon further rotation of the severing assembly.

Typically, the outer sleeve is provided with an external threaded portion at and/or towards the upper end in use of the receptacle. Typically, the threaded portion has two complete turns or threads for mounting the closure or collar upon the receptacle. One of the threads or turns of the threaded portion, preferably the lower of the two threads which is the one closer to the gripping portion of the receptacle or to the container, is provided with a first indicator, typically in the form of a first projection and with a second indicator, typically in the form of a second projection in spaced apart relationship to one another along a length of the thread, both for providing information about the condition of and operation of the severing assembly of the assembly, typically a vessel in the form of the infant's bottle. The first indicator position signifies that the closure/severing assembly is engaged with the receptacle, and the second indicator position signifies that the cutters of

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU the severing assembly are in direct contact with the frangible coupling and membrane, respectively, and that the cutters are "armed" preparatory to severing the coupling and tearing the membrane, respectively when the severing assembly/cutters are moved away from the second indicator position in the direction further away from the first indicator thus indicating further movement of the cutters irretrievably breaks the frangible coupling and opens the membrane once the closure is further rotated to a position beyond the location of the second indicator position.

In one form of the capsule there are two complete upper external threads for attaching and engaging either the closure or severing assembly. It is to be noted that there are only two complete thread rotations on the external thread of the capsule to ensure that a user is limited to only a short series of two maximum rotations of the closure and/or severing assembly before the capsule is engaged prior to being opened and separated by further rotation of the closure and/or severing assembly. It is to be noted that the severing assembly is rotated all of the way down the threaded portion to stop when the severing assembly is fully engaged.

In one form a first indicator is provided at a set or predetermined location along the length of the second or lower of the two upper threads and a second indicator is provided at a further set or predetermined spaced apart location further along the length of the same second thread, typically about 8 mm apart. It will be appreciated that the circumferential separation of the first and second indicators will be at least partly determined by the pitch of the thread.

In one form the first indicator is located at the point or close to the point of a one-half rotation along the outer thread. In one form the first indicator is a physical projection extending outwardly from the surface of the thread and acts as an engagement point during operation by a user to alert the user of the capsule, such as for example, physically, visually, tactilely and/or audibly to indicate that the point of engagement between the severing assembly and the capsule has being achieved.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU In one form the second indicator is located about 8 mm beyond the location of the first indicator corresponding generally to the point of about slightly greater than about one- half rotation of the closure and/or severing assembly. Operation of the second indicator acts as a safeguard to the user for ensuring that once the first indicator has been engaged then to complete the process the user must proceed past the second indicator position being the safeguard operation position. The use of two spaced apart indicators ensures that the capsule is not engaged and opened prematurely by accident. Rotation beyond the second indicator irretrievably operates the severing assembly and thus ensures that only a fully committed and deliberate act will successfully operate the assembly to open and separate the bucket of the capsule.

Preferably, the first and second indicators are of substantially similar form to one another. In certain embodiments, the first indicator and second indicator are each a a projection that cooperates with the complementary indicator upon interengagement at the respective first and second indicator positions to provide a visual, tactile and/or audible indication of the exact location of the severing assembly with respect to the receptacle. One form of the first and second indicators is a projection extending outwardly, typically radially outwardly, such as for example in the form of a tab, boss, nib, pip, pimple, tooth or similar projecting element from the thread.

The complementary indicator can be a projection. One form of the complementary indicator is a projection extending outwardly, typically radially outwardly, such as for example in the form of a tab, boss, nib, pip, pimple, tooth, ridge, bar, or a substantially elongate strip, protrubence or similar projecting element extending from the internal thread on the severing assembly and/or closure.

Alternatively, the complementary indicator is a depression that is shaped to receive the first and second indicators. The depression can be in the form of a notch, indentation, detent, dip, hollow, dent, dimple, pit, gap, nick, into which the outwardly extending projection is received. In this position when the tab of the first indicator is received in the notch of the closure or severing assembly, the closure is in the "engaged" position indicating

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU that the severing assembly is securely attached to the receptacle. Further rotation of the closure disengages the notch from the first tab to free the closure to rotate further to adopt the second indicator position by receiving the second indicator therein. It is to be noted that any suitable, convenient or desirable form of the first indicator, second indicator and complementary indicator can be used, such as for example, a marker, window or other indexing arrangement for showing when the severing assembly is in the correct position with the indicators in alignment or register with each other.

In one embodiment with the closure and/or severing assembly in the first indicator position in which the first tab is received in the notch, further rotation of the closure and/or severing assembly moves the notch to engage with the second tab which engagement is signified visually, tactilely and/or audibly, such as, by an increase in resistance to further movement, the sound of a click or the production of a vibration or similar. When the second tab is received within the notch the closure and/or severing assembly is in the second indicator position signifying that the assembly is in the "primed" or "armed" condition in which the cutters of the severing assembly are in direct contact with the membrane and the web above the scoreline or circular groove, respectively. Information provided by the assembly in the second indicator position to the user is that any further rotation beyond the second indicator in the direction further away from the first indicator will open the capsule by tearing or ripping or cutting the membrane and breaking or cutting the bucket from the outer sleeve.

Brief description of the drawinas

In order that the invention may be more easily understood, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1: is a schematic exploded perspective view of one form of a vessel being an infant's feeding bottle;

Figure 2: is a schematic perspective view of one form of a receptacle being a capsule;

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU Figure 3: is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the receptacle of Figure 2;

Figure 4: is a schematic enlarged plan view of a section of the outer surface of the sleeve of the capsule of Figure 2 showing the form and location of the first indicator and of the second indicator;

Figure 5: is a schematic enlarged plan view of the first indicator of Figure 4;

Figure 6: is a schematic underneath perspective view of one form of a severing assembly having a pair of concentric blades;

Figure 7: is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of one form of a closure being a screwtop having a tooth located in the lower internal thread thereof;

Figure 8: is an enlarged schematic side elevation view of the screwtop of Figure 7 showing the form and location of the tooth;

Figure 9: is a lower perspective view of the screw top of Figure 7;

Figure 10: is an enlarged view of the screw top as illustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 11: is a vertical cross-sectional view of the assembled infant's feeding bottle of Figure 1, with the closure at the first indication condition; and Figure 12: is a vertical cross-sectional view of the assembled infant's feeding bottle of Figure 1, showing the bucket released from the receptacle into the base.

Detailed description

Figures 1 to 12 show an assembly and parts thereof for providing a consumable product. The assembly is hereinafter referred to as a "vessel", which in the embodiment of Figure 1 is in the form of a pre-measured amount of milk product in a sterile capsule for feeding an infant. The vessel in this particular example is in the form of an infant's bottle, generally denoted as 2, which comprises a number of individual components assembled together. One component is a plastic container forming the base 10 of bottle 2. Base 10 is a generally hollow cylindrical shape for containing a suitable carrier substance, such as water. Optionally additives may be added to the water. Base 10 is provided with an externally threaded reduced diameter neck portion 12 having multiple external threads 14

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU for screw threadingly receiving a suitable receptacle. For the purposes of the description that follows, the receptacle is hereinafter referred to as capsule 20. The capsule 20 has internal threads for interconnecting the base 10 with the capsule 20 in such a manner as to prevent leakage of the contents of base 10 during storage and/or use of bottle 2. In one form there are four threads 14 or turns of the threaded portion.

Capsule 20 is pre-packaged with a pre-measured amount of consumable product such as an infant milk formula at a suitable manufacturing site such as for example a factory, dairy or similar in a sterile environment and sealed to preserve the infant milk formula in a sterile condition during preparation, storage and use of bottle 2. Capsule 20 includes a hollow body portion in the form of a centrally located generally cylindrical cup or bucket 22 having tapering sidewalls 24, an outer sleeve, which in this embodiment is in the form of an external side skirt 26 depending downwardly from a web interconnecting bucket 22 to skirt 26 in which a suitable frangible connection or coupling is provided. The frangible coupling includes a frangible element, which in this particular embodiment is in the form of a ring 28 or land located between and interconnects the rim of bucket 22 and the edge of skirt 26. A cover in the form of a generally circular sealing membrane or film 30 is located to sea I i ng ly cover the opening of bucket 22 and the upper surface of flat ring 28 to sea I i ng ly close capsule 20.

One form of frangible coupling located intermediate bucket 22 and skirt 26 is formed in the under surface of flat ring 28 is a reduced thickness or reduced strength portion in the form of a scoreline, perforated ring, circular channel, groove 32 or similar. Circular groove 32 is concentric with the circular edge of skirt 26 and rim of bucket 22. In use a cutting assembly severs flat ring 28 around the location of groove 32 to separate bucket 22 and skirt 26 (to be described in more detail later).

The inner surface of side skirt 26 is provided with threads 34 corresponding to the external threads 14 of base 10 for threadeningly connecting capsule 20 to base 10. It is to be noted that threads 14 can be of any number, shape, profile, size as required to securely connect capsule 22 base 10. The outer surface of side skirt 26 is provided with an upper

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU threaded portion, typically comprising two threads or turns, including upper thread 36 and lower thread 38, for threadingly engaging with a suitable closure, and a lower smooth gripping section 39 allowing purchase on capsule to rotate capsule 20 to securely mount capsule 20 to base 10.

The bottle 2 includes a closure that is securable to the capsule 20. In this particular example, the closure includes a generally cylindrical hollow screwtop 50 provided with an internally threaded portion containing threads for threadeningly engaging with threads 36, 38 of capsule 20 to locate and interconnect screw top 50 to capsule 20 during preparation and/or storage of bottle 2. One of the individual threads 43 or turns of the internal threaded portion is provided with a projection, typically in the form of a tooth 44 of a complimentary shape, size and profile to that of tabs 40, 42 so that, during use of bottle 2, tabs 40, 42 engage in turn within tooth 44 to define the first and second indicator positions, respectively as screwtop 50 is rotated with respect to capsule 20.

The closure also includes a cutting assembly 51 located internally within screwtop 50. The cutting assembly can be formed integrally with screwtop 50, such as for example when forming screwtop 50 by injection moulding or similar, or is a separate component locatable within the interior of screwtop 50 such as for example being in the form of an insert.

The screwtop 50 and cutting assembly 51 provide a severing assembly of the bottle 2. In use, the severing assembly functions to sever the cover 30, and to irreversibly separate the frangible coupling at the ring 28 to thereby separate the bucket 22 from the skirt 26 from one another. As will be appreciated, the consumable product that was previously contained within the bucket 22 is released from the bucket 22 into the base 10. The consumable product is then able to mix with the carrier substance.

A first indicator, typically in the form of a projection, such as a first tab 40, is provided at a first pre-determined position in lower thread 38 to define a first indicator position of the closure with respect to capsule 20. Although a projection in the form of tab

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU 40 is described and illustrated it is to be noted that any form of projection may be used or conversely any form of indentation or depression may be used to form the first indicator.

A second indicator, also typically in the form of a projection, such as a second tab 42, is provided at a second predetermined position spaced apart from the position of the first tab 40 further along the length of lower thread 38 to define a second indicator position of the closure with respect to capsule 20. Again, it is to be noted that the second indicator can have any suitable or convenient form or be of any suitable or convenient type, size, shape, profile or the like. In use the closure is screw threadingly attached to the top of capsule 20 up to the point of the location of the first indicator to signify that the closure is sufficiently secured to the capsule and is in a condition ready for further operation as will be described in more detail later.

One form of the cutting assembly 51 will now be described as a separate component insertable within the inside of screwtop 50. This form of cutting assembly 51 includes a generally planar circular perforated plate or disc 52 having a multiplicity of perforations 54 therein. A generally circular outer cutting blade 58 having a multitude of individual cutters, typically four individual cutting teeth 60, extends axially outwardly from adjacent the circular edge of plate 52 to depend downwardly in situ for engagement with and severing of the frangible coupling of capsule 20 around circular groove 32. A generally circular inner cutting blade 62 having a single cutter, in the form of one cutting tooth 64 that extends axially outwardly from about the mid-section of plate 52 to depend downwardly in situ for engagement with and tearing of the flexible sealing membrane 30 of capsule 20 when plate 52 is rotated in accordance with corresponding rotation of screwtop 50.

The tooth 64 of inner blade 62 projects further from the circumferential rim of the undersurface of plate 52 (which is radially outside the location of outer blade 58), compared with the cutting teeth 62 of the outer blade 58.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU In this embodiment, the disc 52 of the cutting assembly 51 also has a locator in the form of a cutout 56 in the edge of plate 52 for securely locating plate 52 within screw top 50 to ensure plate 52 rotates in accordance with corresponding rotation of screwtop 50.

Although the four cutting teeth 60 and single cutting tooth 64 are shown as having a generally curved or arcuate profile it is to be noted that the teeth can be of any form, type, shape, profile, size or similar for engaging with and severing the circular groove 32 and sealing membrane 30 to separate bucket 22 from skirt 26.

Further, it is to be noted that plate 52 is perforated with perforations 54. In use of the bottle 2 with the consumable product contained within the capsule 20 in a powder form, the perforations 54 in the plate 52 can filter out clumps or aggregates of undissolved powder to prevent clogging of the passageways within bottle 2.

The outside surface of screwtop 50 is provided with surface discontinuities to enhance grip of the screwtop to assist in rotation of the screwtop with respect to the capsule during use. One form of surface discontinued in includes knurling 66 or similar surface treatment providing alternating troughs and ridges to enhance grip.

A sealing washer 68 is provided intermediate the upper surface of capsule 20 and the lower rim of plate 52 of severing assembly 51 in which the lower surface in use of sealing washer 68 is in contact with membrane 30 around the circumferential edge thereof and the upper surface in use of sealing washer 68 is in contact with the circumferential rim of the undersurface of plate 52 radially outside the location of tooth 64 of outer blade 58.

In this particular embodiment, the closure of the bottle 2 also includes a substantially resilient delivery component, which in this example is in the form of a rubber teat 70 or similar, typically made from a natural or synthetic resilient material or a mixture thereof, being securely mounted on top of screwtop 50 to extend upwardly therefrom. Teat 70 comprises elongate nipple 72 extending in the axial direction of bottle 2 and circular flange 74 extending radially from nipple 72 and being of a diameter greater than the

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU diameter of the inner rim of opening 76 provided centrally in the top surface of screwtop 50.

Where the capsule 20 is to contain consumable product in a powder form (such as a powdered milk product to feed to an infant) that is to mix with liquid in the base 10, the perforations 54 can prevent clumps or aggregates of undissolved milk powder product from travelling through the bottle to clog the delivery teat 70.

A lid or shield, typically in the form of a substantially hollow cylindrical cap 80 is provided to house teat 70 and prevent contamination of teat 70, such as for example, by being snap fittingly attached to ridge 82 located around the perimeter of opening 76 of screw top 40. Optionally, the entire top section of bottle 2 is protected by a tamper resistant or tamper evident seal, typically of a suitable plastics material, preferably a transparent seal, enclosing the cap 80 and screwtop 50 as often required by relevant legislation and/or for peace of mind of a user or purchaser of bottle 2.

In operation, after capsule 20 is filled with a pre-measured amount of milk product and sealed so as to be sterile, capsule 20 is screw threadingly attached to the top of base 10 whereupon screw top 50 is threadingly attached to the external threads 38, 36 of capsule 20 and tightened sufficiently to secure screwtop 50 to capsule 20 until the screwtop adopts the first indicator position. Screwtop 50 is rotated all of the way along threads 38, 36 until stopping in the engaged position. It is to be noted in this position, being the first indicator position, tab 40 engages tooth 44 to indicate the secure connection of screwtop 50 to capsule 20 and accordingly the severing assembly is securely in place in the engaged position. Bottle 2 is stored in this condition which is to say that the bottle is stored in the "engaged" condition. Additionally, in this condition screwtop 50 and capsule 20 are more tightly connected to one another owing to screw top 50 engaging further along the threads being used to interconnect the screwtop to the capsule.

With the bottle in the engaged condition, screwtop 50 is further rotated anti clockwise along threads 36, 38 until tooth 44 is then aligned with tab 42 to allow tab 42 to

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU engage with tooth 44 thereby signifying visually, tactilely and audibly by both look and feel since a definite click is both heard and felt, the bottle is in the second indicator condition which provides an indication that the tooth 64 of the blade 62 is in contact with (or in close proximity to) the flexible membrane 30. different parts of the frangible coupling aligned around and above the circular groove 32 and teeth 58 of blade 60 is in contact with which is referred to as the armed condition of bottle 2.

When screw top 50 is further rotated along threads 36, 38 with respect to capsule 20 in the anti-clockwise direction beyond the second indicator position, tooth 44 is released from engagement with tab 42, so that screwtop 50 further rotates anticlockwise to firstly enable single tooth 64 of inner blade 62 to commence tearing the foil membrane 30. As will be appreciated, the difference in length of the tooth 64 compared with the length of the teeth 60 is such that when the tooth 64 first contacts the foil membrane 30, the teeth 60 are spaced from the membrane 30 and ring 28 of the receptacle 20. Continued rotation of the screw top 50 in the anti-clockwise direction will subsequently enable teeth 60 of outer blade 58 to collectively sever the frangible coupling around groove 32 to separate bucket 22 from skirt 24.

As will also be appreciated, in use of the bottle 2, the tooth 64 will form a generally arcuate cut in the foil membrane 30, and the teeth 60 will co-operate to sever the frangible coupling around groove 32 via a series of arcuate cuts in the material of the ring 28.

Once the frangible coupling is severed and the membrane torn, the bucket 22 is free to tumble downwardly into base 10 dispersing and dispensing the pre-measured amount of milk product into the water of base 10 as it forms to mix therewith to form a solution of milk powdered product therefore forming the correct accurate dosage of milk product drink for feeding to the infant through teat 70. It is to be noted that the toppling and tumbling action of the severed bucket together with the motion imparted by the wings,

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU fins, or flutes located on the external surface of body portion 22 as the body falls through the solution within the container agitates the mixture of milk powdered product and water to form a more or less homogeneous mixture thereof.

As capsule 20 has been destroyed by breaking into two unusable parts capsule 20 cannot be re-used or re-filled but rather must be discarded by being disposed of to waste thereby preventing contamination of capsule 20. After washing and/or sterilising, the remaining components of bottle 2 , including base 10, can be reused by filling base 10 with a fresh amount of liquid such as water, screw top 50 being removed by unscrewing screw top 50 back around past tab 42 and tab 40 to remove screw top 50 completely from bottle 2 and a fresh sterile capsule 20 containing a pre-measured amount of powdered milk product is screw threadingly connected to base 10 and bottle 2 assembled in preparation for future use at some convenient time thereby maintaining the contents of the bottle, including the liquid in base 10 and the powdered product in capsule 20, being free from contamination.

One or more embodiments described herein has one or more of the following advantages.

In addition to the pre-packed pre-measured sterile capsule being free from unwanted contamination, the contents of the capsule are accurately measured at manufacture obviating the need for users to attempt to measure the correct amount of consumable product accurately into the bottle to obtain the correct dosage of consumable product.

The advantage of having two indicator positions signifying two different conditions of the bottle rather than a single indicator position, which is to say the advantage of having two tabs for engagement by a single tooth, is to ensure that the product is not accidentally dispensed, opened or discharged and released, particularly when travelling, is that the safety of the capsule is not compromised and the quality, integrity and hygiene of the product is maintained until the ultimate time of consuming the consumable product.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU The receptacle once filled and sealed is an all-in-one sterile capsule ready for use which is safe, free from contamination, and hygienic that requires no measuring or preparation of contents before consumption in which the capsule once used is disposable.

The disposable breakable capsule is a convenience product that can be made available for the first time in a variety of situations including on aeroplanes, at kindergartens, restaurants, schools, hospitals, convenience stores, and similar. Forms of the capsule can be made available from vending machines at suitable or desirable locations.

The capsule is a simple, economical, and safe way for consumers to conveniently consume pre-made and accurately pre-measured products in predetermined dosages in a fresh, sterile and hygienic form.

There is little or no chance of contamination and virtually no chance of mis-use of the contents of the capsule as all of the manufacturing, filling and sealing of the capsule occurs at the manufacturing site.

In some embodiments, after the contents of the bottle 2 are consumed, the skirt 26 can be retained in place, connected to the base 10, even should the cup 20 is discarded. By retaining the skirt 26 in position and connected to the base 10, the screwtop 50, teat 70 and cap 80 subsequently available for use as a conventional bottle.

Parts of the capsule are available for printing or similar to provide indicia or information such as advertising of brands, promotional advice, directions of for use, nutritional information, and the like.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU

Claims

- 28 -

CLAIMS:

1. A receptacle for containing a pre-measured amount of a consumable product, the receptacle comprising: a hollow body portion for containing the pre-measured amount of the consumable product, the body portion having an open end provided with an opening therein for introducing the consumable product into the receptacle; an outer sleeve that at least partially surrounds the body portion, the outer sleeve having an engagement portion with which to secure the receptacle to a severing assembly, and a first indicator and a second indicator located in spaced apart relationship to one another; a frangible coupling between the body portion and the outer sleeve for connecting the sleeve and body portion to one another, the frangible coupling including at least one frangible element facilitating breakage of the frangible coupling; and a cover for closing the opening of the open end of the body portion to seal the receptacle when the pre-measured amount of consumable product has been introduced into the body portion to maintain the consumable product free from contamination, wherein: the first indicator is configured to cooperate with a complementary indicator of the severing assembly to indicate that the receptacle is in a first indicator condition in which the receptacle is secured to the severing assembly, the second indicator is configured to cooperate with the complementary indicator of the severing assembly to indicate that the receptacle is in a second indicator condition in which the severing assembly contacts the frangible coupling, and when the severing assembly is secured to the receptacle and at the second indicator condition, movement of the severing assembly relative to the receptacle away from the first indicator condition causes both severing of the cover, and irreversible separation of the frangible coupling at the frangible element to separate the body portion and outer sleeve from one another and facilitate release of the consumable product from the body portion.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU 2. A receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the complementary indicator is configured to engage with each of the first and second indicators to provide one or more of: visual, tactile and audible indication of the receptacle being in the respective first or second indicator condition.

3. A receptacle according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second indicators are each in the form of a projection that extends radially outwardly with respect to the receptacle, and the complementary indicator is in the form of a tooth that extends radially inwardly with respect to the severing assembly.

4. A receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer sleeve is provided with an external threaded portion, and wherein the first and second indicators are in spaced apart relationship to one another along a length of the thread.

5. A receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the first and second indicators are positioned on the outer sleeve such that the first indicator condition and second indicator condition are separated by approximately one half rotation of the severing assembly with respect to the receptacle.

6. A receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the first and second indicators are positioned on the outer sleeve such that the first indicator condition and second indicator condition are separated by approximately one quarter rotation of the severing assembly with respect to the receptacle.

7. A receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a ring or web intermediate the edge of the opening of the hollow body portion and the outer wall of the sleeve, and wherein the frangible coupling is located in, on or at the region of the ring or web and wherein the frangible element of the frangible coupling or connection is or includes a line or region or area of weakness.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU 8. A receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outer sleeve and hollow body portion are: formed integrally with one another as a one-piece construction, or formed as two separate items that are assembled or joined together prior to installation within the assembly.

9. A receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hollow body portion is provided with an external formations that are shaped to interact with liquid within the cavity of a container to which the receptacle is connected, whereby, after separation of the frangible coupling, the external formations enhance rotation of the hollow body portion within liquid contained in the cavity of the container and thereby facilitate mixing of the consumable product with the liquid.

10. A receptacle according to claim 9, wherein the external formations are one or more of: external wings, fins, flutes, flights, ridges, aerofoils or other outwardly extending protrusions or appendages.

11. An assembly for providing a consumable product, the assembly comprising: a container defining a cavity; a severing assembly; and a receptacle for containing a pre-measured amount of the consumable product, the receptacle having: a hollow body portion for containing the pre-measured amount of the consumable product, the body portion having an open end provided with an opening therein for introducing the consumable product into the receptacle, an outer sleeve at least partially surrounding the body portion, the outer sleeve having a first connecting part being an engagement portion with which to secure the receptacle to the severing assembly, and a second connecting part for connecting the receptacle to the container, the outer sleeve having a first indicator and a second indicator located in spaced apart relationship to one another,

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU the severing assembly having a complementary indicator which is complementary to the first indicator and second indicator of the receptacle, a frangible coupling between the body portion and the outer sleeve for connecting the sleeve and body portion to one another, the frangible coupling including at least one frangible element facilitating breakage of the frangible coupling, and a cover for closing the opening of the open end of the body portion to seal the receptacle when the pre-measured amount of consumable product has been introduced into the body portion to maintain the consumable product free from contamination, wherein: the assembly is interconnectable by connecting the second connecting part of the outer sleeve to the container, and connecting the severing assembly to the engagement portion of the outer sleeve, whereby the cavity is closed by at least one of the receptacle and the severing assembly, the first indicator is configured to cooperate with the complementary indicator of the severing assembly at a first indicator position to indicate that the receptacle is in a first indicator condition in which the receptacle is secured to the severing assembly, the second indicator is configured to cooperate with the complementary indicator of the severing assembly at a second indicator position to indicate that the receptacle is in a second indicator condition in which the severing assembly contacts the frangible coupling, and when the severing assembly is secured to the receptacle and at the second indicator condition, movement of the severing assembly relative to the receptacle away from the first indicator condition causes both severing of the cover, and irreversible separation of the frangible coupling at the frangible element to separate the body portion and the outer sleeve from one another and facilitate release of the consumable product from the body portion.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU - 32 -

12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the complementary indicator is configured to engage with each of the first and second indicators to provide one or more of: visual, tactile and audible indication of the receptacle being in the respective first or second indicator condition.

13. An assembly according to either claim 11 or 12, wherein the first and second indicators are each in the form of a projection that extends radially outwardly with respect to the receptacle, and the complementary indicator is in the form of a tooth that extends radially inwardly with respect to the severing assembly.

14. An assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the outer sleeve is provided with an external threaded portion, and wherein the first and second indicators are in spaced apart relationship to one another along a length of the thread.

15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first and second indicators are positioned on the outer sleeve such that the first indicator condition and second indicator condition are separated by approximately one half rotation of the severing assembly with respect to the receptacle.

16. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first and second indicators are positioned on the outer sleeve such that the first indicator condition and second indicator condition are separated by approximately one quarter rotation of the severing assembly with respect to the receptacle.

17. An assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising a ring or web intermediate the edge of the opening of the hollow body portion and the outer wall of the sleeve, and wherein the frangible coupling is located in, on or at the region of the ring or web and wherein the frangible element of the frangible coupling or connection is or includes a line or region or area of weakness.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU - 33 -

18. An assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the outer sleeve and hollow body portion are: formed integrally with one another as a one-piece construction, or formed as two separate items that are assembled or joined together prior to installation within the assembly.

19. An assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the hollow body portion is provided with an external formations that are shaped to interact with liquid within the cavity of a container to which the receptacle is connected, whereby, after separation of the frangible coupling, the external formations enhance rotation of the hollow body portion within liquid contained in the cavity of the container and thereby facilitate mixing of the consumable product with the liquid.

20. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the external formations are one or more of: external wings, fins, flutes, flights, ridges, aerofoils or other outwardly extending protrusions or appendages.

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU