WO2006085777A1

WO2006085777A1 - A container

Info

Publication number: WO2006085777A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2006/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neil Derek Fitzpatrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-08
Filing date: 2006-02-07
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2007-08-08
Also published as: NZ538101A; GB0714592D0; AU2006213131A1; GB2438538A

Abstract

A beverage container having a first chamber (1) and a second chamber (2) the chambers each holding different beverage components and being attachable to one another such that there is a seal (6) there between sufficient to prevent the beverage components from mixing, the first chamber having a conduit (5) which can be forced against the seal when the chambers are attached to one another to break the seal and enable the components of the two chambers to mix to form a beverage, the conduit (5) formed to provide an exit for the beverage so that it can be consumed; the container formed such that prior to the seal being broken the component of the first chamber is in contact with the conduit.

Description

TITLE

A Container.

FIELD OF INVENTION A preferred form of this invention relates to a container for beverages. A particularly preferred form of the invention relates to a modular container for beverages with means to rupture a division between chambers of the container. An especially preferred form of the invention relates to a container suitable for use in mixing ingredients immediately prior to consumption or use thereof.

BACKGROUND

It is known to prepare drinks by mixing various components, for example in the case of alcoholic beverages. It is an object of a preferred form of the present invention to go at least some way towards facilitating the preparation of beverages using a modular container, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" or derivatives thereof (eg "comprises"), if and when used herein, should be interpreted non-exclusively - ie to convey "consisting of or including".

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage container having a first chamber and a second chamber, the chambers each holding different beverage components and being attachable to one another such that there is a seal therebetween sufficient to prevent the beverage components from mixing, the first chamber having a conduit which can be forced against the seal when the chambers are attached to one another to break the seal and enable the components of the two chambers to mix to form a beverage, the conduit formed to provide an exit for the beverage so that it can be consumed; the container formed such that prior to the seal being broken the component of the first chamber is in contact with the conduit.

Preferably the first and second chambers are releasably attachable to one another.

Preferably the conduit is permanently fixed to the rest of the first chamber.

Preferably the beverage can be consumed by way of a straw inserted into the conduit, by pouring the beverage from the container into a drinking vessel, or directly from the container.

Preferably the conduit has a sharpened (eg a serrated) edge arranged to break the seal as described above.

Preferably the conduit is biased, or in other words tends, away from the seal so that when it has broken the seal it will move back to its original disposition.

Preferably the first chamber has a corrugated or rippled (eg bellowed) portion which can be depressed from outside the container to cause the conduit to break the seal and wherein the corrugations or ripples cause the conduit to tend to its original disposition when the depressing force is relaxed. Preferably the seal comprises a weakened zone which is more inclined to rupture under force from the conduit than the other parts of the seal.

Preferably the seal between the two chambers comprises a thin sheet, for example polymetric aluminium foil or the like.

Preferably the container has an over cap which can be set in place over the first chamber to resist beverage spills in the event that the container is tipped over when not in use, and/or to protect against inadvertent operation of or damage to the container. Optionally over cap is functional as a dust cover or a tamper evident cover.

Preferably the first and second chambers each have a removable seal (eg aluminium foil sheet) to prevent the beverage components therein from escaping until those seals are broken or removed. In some embodiments of the invention the lower and upper chambers may have a common removable seal to prevent beverage components

Preferably there is a removable seal (eg aluminium foil sheet) applied to the conduit so that beverage cannot exit the container from the conduit until that removable seal is dislodged or removed.

Preferably the first chamber has a strainer aperture or apertures to enable the beverage to be strained when the beverage is caused to pass therethrough as it leaves the container. The strainer aperture or apertures may also serve as a direct drinking aperture or apertures. The strainer aperture or apertures may be arranged to facilitate free flow and/or efficient filling of the first chamber with its respective component.

Preferably the conduit has an elongate breathing opening. This may be slot like and resist permanent and/or complete detachment of the seal between the compartments when ruptured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a cross section view through a modular beverage container,

Figures 2 shows an optional chamber of a container similar to that of figure 1 ,

Figures 3, 4 and 5

show optional over caps of containers similar to that of figure 1 ,

Figures 6, 7 and 8

are perspective views of a chamber of a container similar to that of figure 1 ,

Figure 9 is an elongate cross sectional view of a beverage container according to a further embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 10 is a cross section view through line A-A shown in figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a container comprising an upper first chamber 1 and a lower second chamber 2. The chambers are preferably releasably attachable to one another in a watertight fashion by way of a single turn screw thread 3 or some other suitable means, for example a snap fit bump ring.

The first chamber 1 has a plunge mechanism 4 comprising a conduit 5 for cutting a lower seal 6 forming part of that chamber 1. The seal 6 may be formed from aluminium foil whether plasticized or otherwise. Preferably the seal 6 has a central area of weakness, for example a semi-perforated zone, so that it can be ruptured without the need for undue pressure. A removable protective cover may be applied to the seal 6 when the container is not in use.

The first chamber 1 also has a removable upper neck seal 7 covering an exterior entrance to the conduit 5. The conduit 5 provides a space 8 for receiving a straw

(not shown) when the container is in use. The first chamber 1 may also have a strainer part 9 for use in straining and pouring a beverage. A removable protective over cap (see figure 4) may be employed over the top part of the first chamber to provide a dust cover and/or a spill proof seal after the neck seal 7 has been removed. The over cap may engage the rest of the first chamber 1 by way of a screw thread, a snap fit, or some other suitable means with sealing at the points labelled 10 (see figure 1). In some embodiments of the invention the over cap may also function as a volumetric measuring device for use in measuring the components of beverages. With further reference to figure 1 , the first chamber 1 has a flexible and resilient corrugated or rippled shoulder portion 11 which can be pressed to cause a lower sharp edge of the conduit 5 to move downwards and rupture the seal 6 when desired. On rupturing, the seal 6 preferably remains substantially attached to the rest of the upper chamber 1 by its outer edges. As will be appreciated, rupturing the seal 6 opens up the two chambers 1 and 2 with respect to one another. Relaxing the depressing force results in the conduit 5 reverting to its original position or near thereto.

The second chamber 2 has a removable seal 12 attached to close off at least most of that chamber's internal space. The seal 12 may be formed of aluminium foil whether plasticized or otherwise. A protective cover (not shown) may be applied over the seal 12 when the container is not in use.

Preferably the chambers 1 and 2 each contain different components for mixing a beverage. The container may be purchased in two parts, one being the first chamber 1 and one being the second chamber 2. Indeed a consumer may select from a variety of first chambers and second chambers depending on their contents. For example a retailer may offer a number of container components each made according to the first chamber but containing different beverage components - for example liquids or a liquid and a solid component, etc. The retailer may also offer a number of container components each made according to the second chamber but containing different beverage components. A consumer can thus purchase the components necessary for mixing the desired beverage. This enables mixing and matching of beverage components. The two components (chambers 1 and 2) are then combined by pulling the seal 12 off the lower chamber 2 and screw fitting it to the still sealed upper first chamber 1. Alternatively the retailer may provide the two chambers 1 and 2 already fitted to one another. In this embodiment there may be a generic beverage with a single seal bonding both chambers.

When the consumer is ready for a drink he or she may press down on the rippled shoulder portion 11 to cause the sharp lower end of the conduit 5 to move in the direction of arrow "D" and rupture the central weakened portion of the seal 6. This results in the beverage components of the two chambers mixing with one another to produce the desired beverage. The upper neck seal 7 can be removed and a drinking straw inserted through the conduit 5 so that the beverage can be consumed.

In some embodiments of the invention the beverage may be consumed without a separate drinking straw, in which case the conduit may function as a sipper. In still further embodiments of the invention the conduit may permanently or reversibly extend to a level high enough to enable it to be used in the same or a similar way as a straw.

The contents of the two chambers 1 and 2 may comprise various fluids or dry material such as powders or tablets, etc. The contents may comprise fruit extract, vegetable extract, water, dairy products, alcoholic beverage components, health supplements, medicines, or any other suitable substance. The term beverage as used herein is thus intended to also include medicines or dietary supplements which can be taken as a drink. In some embodiments of the invention the seal 12 of the lower chamber 2 may be left in place prior to combining the chambers and the conduit 5 may be used to rupture both seals 6 and 12.

With further reference to figure 1 the strainer part 9 may involve a series of apertures around the top of the conduit 5. In the event that the container is upended the beverage is strained by the strainer part 9 as it flows out of the series of apertures. The beverage may also flow out of the conduit 5. In some embodiments of the invention the upper end of the conduit 5 may be slightly recessed and a further series of apertures may be present in the upper side parts of the conduit 5 to assist the beverage to flow out of the container when it is upended. The second mentioned series of apertures may also assist in filling the upper chamber 1 during manufacture.

Figure 2 shows detail of an optional upper chamber for use in certain embodiments of the invention fitted with an over cap 14 of the type shown in figure 3. Figures 4 and 5 show optional alternative over caps 15 and 16. The over caps 14 and 15 are generally in the shape of a cocktail glass and a shot glass respectively and may be used as such.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 provide plan, perspective, and underside views of certain detail in the upper chamber described with reference to figure 1. More specifically they provide detail of the corrugated or rippled shoulder part 11.

If desired the container of the invention can be sold with the two chambers attached to one another and the purchaser thereof may separate the chambers and pour their contents into the over cap (eg as per figure 14) or into a separate vessel altogether.

Preferably the container is predominantly formed from a suitable plastics material which facilitates a good seal between chambers when they are connected to one another as described above. Forming the container with flexible walls where the chambers engage may facilitate this.

In some embodiments of the invention the conduit used to break the seal 6 may be enlarged to provide a substantial sized "cutting circle" on the underside of the corrugated or rippled portion. In that embodiment the cutting circle is of similar size to the diameter of the container and can make a cut of approximately the same size.

Figures 9 and 10 show a beverage container 17 according to a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the container 17 has a lower chamber 18 and an upper chamber 19 which can be attached to one another substantially as described above. The container also has a rippled shoulder portion 20 which can be depressed to cause a conduit 21 to rupture a seal 22 between the two chambers. In this embodiment the conduit 21 has an elongate slot like opening 23 in a vertically extending side thereof to enable the beverage, when mixed, to readily flow from the container as it is consumed, ie with the container in an up-ended disposition. The opening 23 may also facilitate efficient filling and/or resist permanent/complete detachment of the seal between the two compartments when ruptured. In this embodiment of the invention the container 17 may not have strainer apertures 9 as described in connection with figure 1. The upper part of the container 17 may be closed off with a closure cap, for example a screw fit cap that is wadded and/or tamper evident.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS

1. A beverage container having a first chamber and a second chamber, the chambers each holding different beverage components and being attachable to one another such that there is a seal therebetween sufficient to prevent the beverage components from mixing, the first chamber having a conduit which can be forced against the seal when the chambers are attached to one another to break the seal and enable the components of the two chambers to mix to form a beverage, the conduit formed to provide an exit for the beverage so that it can be consumed; the container formed such that prior to the seal being broken the component of the first chamber is in contact with the conduit.

2. A beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the first and second chambers are releasably attachable to one another.

3. A beverage container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conduit is permanently fixed to the rest of the first chamber.

4. A container according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the conduit has a sharpened edge arranged to break the seal as described in claim 1.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit is biased away from the seal so that when it has broken the seal it will tend back to its original disposition.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first chamber has a corrugated or rippled portion which can be depressed from outside the container to cause the conduit to break the seal and wherein the corrugations or ripples cause the conduit to tend to its original disposition when the depressing force is relaxed.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal comprises a weakened zone which is more inclined to rupture under force from the conduit than other parts of the seal.

8. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal between the contents of the two chambers comprises a thin sheet.

9. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an over cap which can be set in place over the first chamber to resist dust and/or to resist beverage spills in the event that the container is tipped over when not in use, and/or to protect against inadvertent operation of or damage to the container.

10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second chambers each have a removable seal to prevent the beverage components therein from escaping until those seals are broken or removed.

11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a removable seal applied to the conduit so that beverage cannot exit the container from the conduit until that removable seal is dislodged or removed.

12. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper chamber has a strainer aperture or apertures to enable the beverage to be strained when the beverage is caused to pass therethrough as it leaves the container.

13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit has an elongate breathing opening.

14. A container substantially as herein described with reference to figure 1 or figure 10.