HK1064653B - Two-compartment container - Google Patents

Description

Two-compartment container

Cross Reference of Related Applications

This application is a partial continuation of a pending application having application number 09/855,252 filed on 15/5/2001, which is a partial continuation of an application having application number 09/592,217 filed on 12/6/2000, which is a divisional application having application number 09/265,453 filed on 10/3/1999 (application 09/592,217 was issued to U.S. patent US6,098,795 on 8/2000); and this application is a continuation-in-part application of pending application No. 09/775,486 filed on 1/2/2001, filed on 35/2000 as a divisional application No. 09/598,792 (application 09/598,792 was issued to US patent US6,209,718 on 3/4/2001), and 08/949,465 was filed on 14/10/1997 as a divisional application No. 08/949,465 (application 08/949,465 was issued to US patent US6,105,760 on 22/8/2000), the disclosures of which applications and patents are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to packages and containers, and more particularly to containers having two compartments that are kept separate until use.

Background

Many different types of packaging have been devised which allow the components of the article to be kept separate prior to use and, in some cases, keep one component sterile prior to use of the article. In a two compartment package, a stopper or other device is placed within the aperture between the two compartments. For example, the two-compartment container of Halm (US5,417,321) comprises a container with two compartments assembled one above the other and connected by a plugged opening. The contents of all patents mentioned are hereby incorporated by reference.

Another two compartment package utilizes a perforation device to mix two pre-separated components. For example, Goncalves (US5,170,888 has a glass forming a first compartment, the glass having a cup neck on which a bottle forming a second compartment is mounted, a film being provided between the compartments, and being perforated when the perforating device is displaced relative to the glass; US4,757,916 has two separate units separated by a lid on which the mixing perforator is operated to perforate). The two-part Wiegner container (US4,103,772) has a frangible barrier formed of coated aluminum foil and separating two compartments, and a piercing member mounted on a resilient portion directed transversely to the barrier. In White (US4,637,934), a rigid piercing element is used to pierce the compartment closure membrane to allow feed liquid to flow from the compartment into an attached mouthpiece which communicates.

Also proposed in the prior art are two-compartment packages having an open container fitted on top of the package and provided with a screw cap and a cylindrical sleeve-shaped support ring. A cylindrical sleeve-shaped support ring is attached to the top of the package by means of a fixing flange which externally surrounds the opening disc and is provided with a raised thread on its inner surface. The ring surrounds the external thread of the plastic nut. The cutting knife is integrally formed on the free edge of the nut and has a forward cutting edge that extends at an angle across the free edge.

In Wilkinson et al (US4,786,279) it is disclosed that: for these two-part epoxy glues, two compartments are also required to prevent the product from reacting.

The Renault dispenser (US5,564,600) has two compartments separated by a seal which forms a seal against a seat, movement of one of the containers against the other container moving the seal away from the seat and forming an annular passage between the seal and the seat.

US6,209,718 and US6,105,760 and the pending application (application No. 09/775,486) disclose a two compartment package that keeps a first component separate from a liquid component prior to use so that the first component does not become wet immediately prior to use. Two-compartment packaging allows at least one of the components to be kept sterile just prior to use, or when or before the two components can be conveniently mixed. The present invention can therefore be used with containers for separately packaging dry microbial cultures that are to be added to food, liquid nutrition, pharmaceuticals or beverage products prior to consumption, for separately packaging carbonated tablets and liquids prior to consumption, and for separately packaging vitamins or other labile ingredients that are to be added to beverages, liquid nutrition, pharmaceuticals or beverages prior to consumption.

US6,098,795 and pending application (application No. 09/592,217) disclose containers and apparatus for adding selected ingredients to a primary package, thereby forming a two compartment container which maintains a moisture-sensitive first ingredient separate from a preferably liquid second ingredient until a selected time prior to use. The delivery package preferably contains the second ingredient in a compartment within the cavity of the delivery package, and the delivery package may be mounted on the outer surface of the primary package. The perforation means is arranged to cut through the compartment and the main package so as to form a passage in communication with the main package for releasing the first component in the compartment into the main package. In addition, the main package may be a bag, such as an intestine-shaped bag preferably used in the first embodiment. In a second embodiment of the invention, the primary package is preferably used for containing a liquid beverage, and the delivery package is attached to the primary package during manufacture.

In some cases, such as with bottles or cartons containing preservatives, it may be desirable to provide means for adding selected separate first components to the package after manufacture of the package and/or at the site of the package, the concentration and/or composition of the components being varied according to the patient's history or diagnosis. Providing means for attaching the first compartment to the package after both the first compartment and the package have been manufactured allows the user to select the particular first component to be added to the package, as well as the time and place to add the first component to the package. There is also a need to be able to add beverage additives, particularly degradable or moisture or oxidation sensitive ingredients (e.g. vitamins), to a liquid beverage bottle at the time of or prior to consumption of the beverage.

Many of the prior art two-compartment containers employ complex structures and often leak. It is therefore desirable to have a two-compartment package that keeps the first component separate from the liquid component prior to use so that the first component does not become wet just prior to use, wherein the two components can be conveniently mixed just prior to use with minimal or no leakage occurring prior to mixing of the components or once the components have been mixed. For example, there is a need for containers for separately packaging dry microbial cultures that are to be added to food, liquid nutrition, pharmaceuticals, or beverage products prior to consumption, for separately packaging carbonated tablets and liquids prior to consumption, and for separately packaging vitamins or other labile ingredients that are to be added to beverages, liquid nutrition, pharmaceuticals, or beverages prior to consumption.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-compartment container which separates a first, preferably liquid, component from a second, preferably liquid, component prior to a selected period of use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a two compartment container having improved manufacturability and reduced leakage.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully understood from the following disclosure and appended claims.

Summary of The Invention

The invention provides a two-compartment container. The first compartment has an upper layer and a lower layer and contains a first ingredient to be added to the second compartment. Above the first compartment is a dome that is bowed upward and is flexible. The cutting means is located below the dome, preferably integrally formed therewith. The cutting means is moved downwards by pushing the dome downwards so that only the lower layer is cut by the cutting means, or both the upper and lower layer are cut by it, thereby releasing the first component into the second compartment. The cutting means may be a single spike or, in case the second compartment comprises a beverage container or the like, the cutting means may be a lower part of a tubular wall enclosing an opening through which the user drinks the beverage.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following disclosure and appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention with the dome undepressed.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention with the dome depressed.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention with the dome undepressed.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention with the dome depressed.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention with the dome undepressed.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention with the dome depressed.

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of another configuration of a dome of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention provides an improved two compartment container having a shut off device to release a sensitive ingredient in a compartment from a first compartment into a second compartment with minimal or no leakage around the shut off device or around the opening of the second compartment.

As used herein, the directional terms "upper", "lower" and the like are used in a generic sense to refer specifically to: when the container is a bottle, carton or the like, with the opening of its second compartment facing upwards, the relative orientation of the components of the invention is such that it is not in the first compartment. The orientation of the container may be determined in any manner that does not depart from the invention, with the understanding that the actual orientation of the various parts of the invention will vary accordingly, in the particular construction or use of the container of the invention.

In particular, the present invention is a vessel 10 comprising a first compartment 12 and a second compartment 14 (see fig. 1-7). Although in general the second compartment 14 will serve as the main compartment for the normally liquid second component C2 and the first compartment 12 will serve as the delivery package for the first component C1 to be added to the second compartment 14, it will be appreciated that the terms "main" package and "delivery" package are used herein and are not intended to limit the absolute or relative sizes of the packages. These terms are only used to distinguish two packages by differences in functional and structural characteristics, wherein the main package comprises a package for holding a substance as known in the art, and the delivery package is preferably designed to hold the first component to be added to the main package. In a preferred embodiment, the second compartment 14 is a bottle or carton with a screw top, such as a juice box as is known in the art.

First compartment 12 has an upper layer 16 and a lower layer 18 and contains a first component C1 to be added to second compartment 14. The structure of the first compartment 12 is preferably similar to those disclosed in the related patent applications, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the preferred first compartment 12 is preferably formed of a foil, preferably a foil having a plastic layer on one of the outer sides of the compartment, such as aluminum foil covered with a polyethylene layer, product number PETP12 from danish, alborg Danisco.

Above the first compartment 12 is a dome 20, the dome 20 being an integral part of a cover 24, bowed upwardly and flexible, the cover 24 covering the second compartment 14. Preferably, the dome 20 is constructed of a thin flexible plastic material as is known in the art. The cut-off device 22A, B, C extends below the dome 20, preferably integrally with the dome 20, but has a shape, size and rigidity suitable for piercing the upper and lower decks 16, 18.

In the first and second embodiments (fig. 1-4), a collar portion 36 extending above a threaded portion 38 of the lid 24 keeps the dome portion 20 suspended above the second compartment 14. Thus, in use of these embodiments of the invention, the first component C1 is released into the second compartment 14 by pushing the dome 12 downwardly, which moves the cutting means 22A, B down within the collar 36, thereby cutting the upper and lower layers 16, 18 of the first compartment 12 by the cutting means 22A, B. This structure allows the cutoff device 22A, B to move up and down within the container 10, unlike the prior art, without having parts that move within other parts that may leak from the outside due to movement.

In a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 1-2, the severing device 22A is a single piercing head 22A projecting downwardly from the dome 20. The cutting device 22A is configured to accommodate different types of pierceable materials. Preferably, the tip 30 is a simple cone without protrusions, or the tip 30 may be a cone with a saw tooth or fan-shaped cross-section as in many patent applications. As shown in fig. 2, depressing the dome 20 causes the dome 20 to deform and the single puncture tip 22A to penetrate the upper and lower decks 16, 18, thereby releasing the first component C1 into the second compartment 14.

In a second embodiment of the invention (see fig. 3-4), which is particularly applicable in case the second compartment 14 comprises a beverage container or the like, the cutting means 22B may be an integral part of the wall surrounding an opening for the user to drink. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the dome 20 is preferably located above the lid 24 of the beverage container. The dome in this embodiment has a central opening surrounded by a tube 21. The bottom of the tube 21 extends to a tip 32, which constitutes the cutting device 22B of the present embodiment. The tips 32 may have any shape that is capable of penetrating the upper and lower layers 16, 18. Above the tube 21, a mouthpiece portion 26 is provided to prevent leakage of the package when not in use, the mouthpiece portion being able to be used to suck on liquid and having an internal flange 28 to seal the opening, as is well known in the art. Depressing the dome 20 causes the dome 20 to deform and the cut-off 22B to move downward as the tube 21 moves downward, thereby piercing the upper and lower layers 16, 18 of the first compartment 12. The mouthpiece portion 26 is self-closing when not in use, and the pressure inside the container 10 is so high that the mouthpiece portion 26 is closed.

In the first and second embodiments shown in fig. 1-4, the first compartment 12 depends downwardly and has an upper tier 16 and a lower tier 18, both of which are pierced when the dome 20 is depressed as shown in fig. 2 and 4. In the case of both embodiments, the upper and lower layers 16, 18 are preferably thin and easily pierced. In contrast, in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6, the first compartment 12 has an upwardly arcuate shape and the upper layer 16 is preferably thick, such as being made of a thick plastic and/or foil material. The flat lower layer 18 is a thin, easily pierceable foil. As shown in fig. 5-6, a shorter cut-off device 22C is provided to create a space for the first compartment 12 to assume an arcuate shape, as the cut-off device 22C need not pass all the way through the first compartment. Thus, when the dome 20 is depressed in this embodiment, it causes the dome 20 to deform and push the upper layer 16 downward, as shown in FIG. 6, the intact but downwardly pushed upper layer 16 is pushed against the lower layer 18 and eventually pierces the lower layer 18 without penetrating the upper layer 16.

In another embodiment of the dome of the present invention shown in figure 7, there is no collar 36 extending above the dome 20, and the dome 20 does not overhang the second compartment 14. The sides 40 of the dome 20 in this embodiment are disposed directly on the tier (upper tier 16 or lower tier 18) that extends through the upper portion of the second compartment.

In both embodiments, it is preferred to provide an outer cover 34 over the lid 24, as shown in figures 1, 3 and 5, which prevents inadvertent depression of the dome 20 prior to use, such as during shipping and storage. The cover 34 may have any shape known in the art or may have any shape that is beneficial and is not a particular component of the invention described herein.

The present invention is primarily designed for adding a selected sensitive first component C1, preferably contained in the first compartment 12, to a liquid contained in a primary package (second compartment 14). The term "selected" first component C1 as used herein includes first components selected for a particular use, such as additives to bottles or cartons for use by persons in need of vitamin or antibiotic supplementation, or having a particular capacity or concentration or the like. The first component may be a single compound, a mixture, a solution, a capsule, a powder or any other containable component to be added to the primary package, which preferably contains a second component, which in turn is any containable compound for the addition of the first component to form a useful article. In a first embodiment, the selection of the type of prepackaged first component can be made, which prompts the purchaser to purchase and store the first and second components separately, to preserve the non-perishable second component at room temperature, and to maintain the first compartments, each with any number of units of the first component, suitably and easily separated and stored, for later addition to the second component. When first component C1 comprises microbial cells, the first component is preferably a powdered formulation as disclosed in many patent applications.

The term "sensitive" includes a first component that is moisture sensitive or interacts with a second component, for example by forming a by-product that changes the effectiveness of the components being mixed, as the components change from being initially effective to being too weak due to loss of time or change in concentration or value after mixing. "sensitive" first ingredients also include ingredients that may require special storage and/or handling, such as freezing, drying or heating, just prior to addition to the second ingredient; and the first component requires, for any reason, to remain separate from the second component at the time of manufacture and at a later time, such as at the time of addition to the second component.

As disclosed in many patents, it is preferred that the first component be in the form of a powder, which is stable when dry and which is readily dissolved and suspended in the liquid of the primary package. The invention is particularly useful for adding non-stable and/or disinfectant ingredients to beverages, liquid enteral nutrition or pharmaceuticals, such as adding vitamins to fruit juices, milk, water and pharmaceuticals or gastrointestinal beneficial microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria reuteri.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, many variations, modifications, and embodiments can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. A two-compartment container for adding a first component to a second component, the container comprising:

(a) a first compartment for containing a first component, said first compartment having an upper layer and a lower layer, said first compartment being made of a severable material;

(b) a second compartment containing a second ingredient, the second compartment having a lid comprising a flexible domed portion and having a cut-off means projecting from below the flexible domed portion towards an upper layer of the first compartment;

wherein depressing the flexible dome causes the dome to deform and the lower layer to be punctured releasing the first component into the second compartment.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the cut-off device is a protrusion coupled to the flexible dome.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the cutting device has a conical tip.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid has a central opening surrounded by a tube having a lower end extending below the lid, wherein the cut-off device is an integral part of the lower end.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the flexible dome and the cut-off device are formed as one piece.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein depressing the flexible dome causes the cutting device to cut through and penetrate the upper and lower layers releasing the first component into the second compartment.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein depressing the flexible dome causes the cutting device to push the upper layer downward, thereby piercing the lower layer.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the upper layer is thicker than the lower layer and does not puncture the upper layer when the flexible dome and the cut-off device are depressed.

9. A method of adding a first ingredient to a second ingredient, the method comprising:

(a) providing a first compartment comprising a first component, the first compartment having an upper layer and a lower layer, the first compartment being made of a severable material;

(b) providing a second compartment comprising a second component, the second compartment having a lid comprising a flexible dome and having a cut-off means projecting from below the flexible dome towards an upper layer of the first compartment; and

(c) depressing the flexible dome causes the dome to deform and the lower layer to puncture, releasing the first component into the second compartment.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cut-off device is a protrusion coupled to the flexible dome.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the cap has a central opening surrounded by a tube, the tube having a lower end, wherein the cut-off device is an integral part of the lower end.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the flexible dome and the severing device are formed as one piece.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the cutting device has a conical tip.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein depressing the flexible dome causes the severing device to sever and penetrate the upper and lower layers releasing the first component into the second compartment.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein depressing the flexible dome causes the cutting device to push the upper layer downward, thereby piercing the lower layer.