Abstract:
An additive container for an additive potable liquid; said additive container adapted for screwed connection to a standard screw-top base potable liquid container; said additive container provided with sealing means adapted to change from a first sealed state to a second unsealed state by contra-rotation of said additive container relative to said base potable liquid container.

Description:
[0001]     The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the mixing of the contents of a first with those of a second container and, more particularly for the mixing of one predetermined volume of a substance with a second predetermined volume.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Many liquids, whether they be for drinking, cleaning or some other application may be made up of a base liquid and an additive liquid. Frequently it is the case that such an additive liquid is of a concentrate requiring dilution with a base liquid.  
         [0003]     An example for potable liquids is found in cordials where a strongly flavoured concentrate is added to water to give an acceptable drink. Another example of such mixing is where a relatively small volume of alcoholic beverage is added to a larger non-alcoholic volume of a proprietary drink.  
         [0004]     Often the concentrate is supplied in a relatively large volume container from which smaller volumes may be decanted for addition to the water or some other base liquid to which it the concentrate is to be added. In the case of drinks, these are frequently consumed in situations or venues where the transporting of a large container and the decanting is inconvenient or undesirable. Especially, if it is desired to have a choice of various flavours or alcoholic additives, the multiple large containers required become impractical.  
         [0005]     The optimum mixture of a concentrate additive and a base liquid is often determined by a particular narrowly defined ratio of the concentrate to the base liquid. Thus, without careful measuring, a desired ratio is difficult to achieve resulting in an unsatisfactory mixture.  
         [0006]     Similar problems are encountered in situations where a particular volume of a substance in granular or powder form needs to be added to a base liquid.  
         [0007]     It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0008]     Accordingly, there is provided in one broad form of the invention, an additive container for an additive potable liquid; said additive container adapted for screwed connection to a standard screw-top base potable liquid container; said additive container provided with sealing means adapted to change from a first sealed state to a second unsealed state by contra-rotation of said additive container relative to said base potable liquid container.  
         [0009]     Preferably, said additive container is provided with a neck portion; said neck portion provided with sealing means comprising a pierceable surface affixed across the opening in said neck portion.  
         [0010]     Preferably, said additive container is provided with a piercing collar; the bore of said piercing collar provided with an internal threaded section extending from the rim of said piercing collar to approximately half way along the length of said piercing collar.  
         [0011]     Preferably, said thread of said internal threaded section is a selected one of any of a range of threads adapted for screwed connection to externally threaded necks of said base potable liquid containers.  
         [0012]     Preferably, said piercing collar is provided with a piercing member comprising a disc releasably attached within said bore of said piercing collar by a plurality of breakable bridging lugs projecting radially from the periphery of said disc.  
         [0013]     Preferably, said disc is provided with at least one projecting portion; said projecting portion provided with a sharp edge defining an opening through said disc.  
         [0014]     Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said additive container so as to leave an annular space between said pierceable surface and said disc.  
         [0015]     Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by matching external and internal threads on said neck portion and in said piercing collar respectively.  
         [0016]     Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by ultrasonic welding.  
         [0017]     Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by an adhesive.  
         [0018]     Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by spin welding.  
         [0019]     Preferably, said additive container and said base potable liquid container are connected in a first non-communicating stage by screwing the externally threaded neck of said screw-top base potable liquid container into said internal thread section of said piercing collar so as to sealably engage the rim of said externally threaded neck with said piercing member.  
         [0020]     Preferably, said additive container and said base potable liquid container are brought into a second communicating stage by further screwing said externally threaded neck of said screw-top base container into said internal thread section of said piercing collar so as to detach said piercing member from said bore causing piercing of said sealing surface by said sharp edge.  
         [0021]     In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system for the accurate mixing of an additive potable liquid to a base potable liquid; said system including an additive potable liquid container adapted for screwed connection to a base potable liquid container; said additive potable liquid container defining a volume in a predetermined ratio to the volume of base potable liquid in said base potable liquid container.  
         [0022]     Preferably, said additive potable liquid includes cordial concentrates.  
         [0023]     Preferably, said additive potable liquid includes flavouring concentrates.  
         [0024]     Preferably, said additive potable liquid includes alcoholic beverages.  
         [0025]     Preferably, said base potable liquid is water.  
         [0026]     Preferably, said base potable liquid is one of a selection of proprietary drink preparations.  
         [0027]     Preferably, a number of said additive potable liquid containers containing a selection of said additive potable liquids are packaged together in a presentation carry pack.  
         [0028]     In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the mixing of an additive potable liquid and a base potable liquid in a predetermined ratio of said additive potable liquid to said base potable liquid; said method including the steps of: 
        (a) providing said additive potable liquid in a sealed additive potable liquid container having a predetermined volume; said container adapted for screwed connection to a base potable liquid container by a first screwing stage,     (b) providing sealing means within said additive potable liquid container; said sealing means adapted for un-sealing by a second screwing stage.        
 
         [0031]     Preferably, said method includes the further step of providing instructions on said additive potable liquid container as to suitable volumes and specifications of recommended base potable liquids.  
         [0032]     In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the provision of multiple flavours of drinks; said drinks comprising any of a range of flavour carrying additive potable liquids mixed with a base potable liquid; said method including the steps of: 
        (a) Providing a selection of flavour concentrate liquids in respective ones of additive potable liquid containers,     (b) Sizing content volumes of said additive potable liquid containers to match selected volumes of base potable liquid containers so as to adapt the ratio of respective volumes to a desired strength of flavoured drink,     (c) Adapting said additive potable liquid containers for two-stage screwed connection to said base potable liquid containers,     (d) Providing said additive potable liquid containers with a sealing means; said sealing means openable by a second screwing stage of said two-stage screwed connection.        
 
         [0037]     Preferably, said method includes the further step of packaging said selection of flavour concentrates in a carry pack.  
         [0038]     Preferably, said method includes the further step of providing instructions on said carry pack as to suitable volumes and specifications of recommended base potable liquids.  
         [0039]     In still a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system for the adding of the contents of a first container to the contents of a second container; said system comprising a collar adapted for connection to respective necks of said first and said second container; said system further comprising a pierceable seal.  
         [0040]     Preferably, said first container contains an additive substance.  
         [0041]     Preferably, said additive substance is a liquid.  
         [0042]     Preferably, said additive substance is in powder or granular form.  
         [0043]     Preferably, said second container contains a base liquid.  
         [0044]     Preferably, said first container is provided with said pierceable seal affixed to the opening of said container.  
         [0045]     Preferably, said pierceable seal is located within said collar.  
         [0046]     Preferably, said collar comprises a lower portion and an upper portion.  
         [0047]     Preferably, said collar is provided with an internal thread extending into at least a first end of said collar.  
         [0048]     Preferably, said internal thread is adapted to allow said collar to receive an external thread of said base liquid container.  
         [0049]     Preferably, said collar is further provided with an internal thread at a second end of said collar.  
         [0050]     Preferably, said lower portion and said upper portion are provided with outer rims; said outer rims so formed as to snap-fit together.  
         [0051]     Preferably, said collar is provided with a seal piercing member.  
         [0052]     Preferably, said seal piercing member is in the form of a tubular section retained within said collar by radially disposed friable lugs.  
         [0053]     Preferably, said seal piercing member is retained within said upper portion of said collar.  
         [0054]     Preferably, said seal piercing member is provided with an angled rim; said rim formed with a sharp edge adapted for piercing said pierceable seal.  
         [0055]     Preferably, said collar is attached to said first container during manufacture and filling of said first container with said additive substance.  
         [0056]     Preferably, said collar is screwed by said internal thread at said second end to an external thread provided at a neck portion of said first container.  
         [0057]     Preferably, said collar is attached to a neck portion of said first container by adhesive means.  
         [0058]     Preferably, said tubular section is adapted to fit within the bore of a neck portion of said second container.  
         [0059]     Preferably, said piercing member is retained within said collar by friable connections.  
         [0060]     Preferably, said friable connections comprise a plurality of radially disposed lugs extending between the outer surface of said tubular portion and an inner surface of said collar.  
         [0061]     Preferably, a rim portion of a neck opening of said second container comes into contact with said friable connections when said second container is screwed into said first end of said collar at a first stage of use.  
         [0062]     Preferably, further screwing of said second container into said collar urges said rim portion against said friable connection so as to detach said piercing member; said sharp edge of said piercing member projecting through said pierceable seal to provide communication between contents of respective first and second containers.  
         [0063]     In still a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for interconnecting a first and second container so as to allow transfer of contents from said first container to said second container by means of a connecting collar; said method including the steps of; 
        (e) providing said first container with a collar and a pierceable seal,     (f) screwing said collar with said first container to a threaded neck portion of said second container,     (g) screwing said collar and said first container sufficiently onto said second container to cause a piercing member within said collar to pierce said pierceable seal.        
 
         [0067]     In a still further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for interconnecting a first and second container so as to allow transfer of contents from said first container to said second container by means of a connecting collar; said method including the steps of; 
        (a) providing a collar internally threaded at first and second ends adapted for screwed connection at respective said first and second ends of first and second containers; said collar provided with a pierceable seal and a piercing member,     (b) screwing said collar to said first container,     (c) inverting said first container and screwing said collar and said first container to said second container,     (d) screwing said first container and said collar sufficiently onto said second container to urge said piercing member to pierce said pierceable seal.       
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0072]     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0073]      FIG. 1  is a sectioned side elevation view of an additive substance container according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0074]      FIG. 2  shows the additive substance container of  FIG. 1  when connected to a base liquid container in a first sealed position.  
         [0075]      FIG. 3  shows the additive substance container and base container of  FIG. 2  when in a second mixing position.  
         [0076]      FIG. 4  shows views of a piercing collar according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0077]      FIG. 5  is a sectioned side elevation view of an additive substance container according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0078]      FIG. 6  is a sectioned view of an additive container and piercing collar attached to a base liquid container prior to transfer of the contents of the additive container to the base liquid container according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0079]      FIG. 7  is a sectioned view of a piercing collar for the mixing of an additive substance to a base liquid container according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     First Preferred Embodiment  
       [0080]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , in a first preferred embodiment of a system for combining liquids according to the invention, an additive liquid container  10  is provided in the form of a relatively small bottle  11  having a body  11  and a neck portion  12 . Small bottle  11  is provided with a pierceable seal member  19  at neck opening  21  and with piercing collar  13 . In this embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , piercing collar  13  is attached to neck portion  12  by lower threaded portion  25  during manufacture.  
         [0081]     Piercing collar  13  is comprised of a cylindrical housing  20  provided at upper opening  14  with internal thread  15 . Internal thread  15  extends at least part way from the outer rim  27  down the bore of piercing collar  13  and is adapted for screwed connection to the external thread of standard screw-top containers such as for example PET water bottles. The internal thread  15  of piercing collar  13  may be provided in a range of sizes to suit a range of standard screw-top containers depending on the application and type of liquids to be mixed together.  
         [0082]     Piercing collar  13  is further provided with piercing member  16  retained in a first sealing position as shown in  FIG. 1  by a plurality of connection lugs  17  which provide breakable bridging elements between piercing member  16  and the internal surface  28  of the bore of piercing collar  13 .  
         [0083]     Piercing member  16  is in the form of a disc with a projection  22  and passage  24 . Central projection  22  is provided with sharp edge  23  defining the opening of passage  24  adapted to pierce seal member  19 . While only one projection  22  and passage  24  is shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , more than one may be provided.  
         [0084]     In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention piercing collar  13  may be provided with a protective sealing cap (not shown) which may be screwed into the threaded opening  14  and retained therein until use of the contents of additive container  10  is required.  
         [0085]     In use the protective sealing cap (if provided) is removed and the additive container screwed onto a base potable liquid container  30  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Initially the two containers may be left in the position shown leaving the piercing member  16  undisturbed. Preferably in at least one embodiment of the invention, the outer face  18  of piercing member  16  is provided with an annular seal (not shown), which is adapted to retain liquid in the attached base liquid container  30  when in this first connected position.  
         [0086]     The additive container may be formed of any suitable plastic but preferably of a plastic allowing of recycling, such as PET for example.  
         [0087]     To effect a mixing of the contents of the additive potable liquid container and the base potable liquid container, the two containers are contra-rotated relative to each other causing the rim  31  of the neck  32  of base container  30  to be driven against piercing member  16  so as to break connector lugs  17 . As the neck  32  of base potable liquid container  30  further advances into piercing collar  13 , piercing member  16  is driven into annular space  29  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Sharp rim  23  is forced against seal member  19  causing the seal member  19  to rupture and allowing the contents of additive potable liquid container  11  to flow into base potable liquid container  30 .  
       Second Preferred Embodiment  
       [0088]     In a further preferred embodiment in which like features have been numbered alike with the addition of  100 , piercing collar  113  is substantially as described in the first embodiment above, but is only internally threaded at that end  114  intended for screwed attachment to a base liquid container. In this form, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the other end  120  of the neck portion  112  of container  111  is attached to additive potable liquid container  111  after filling, by such means as for example a suitable adhesive, friction welding or ultrasonic welding.  
       Third Preferred Embodiment  
       [0089]     In this embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 , an additive liquid container  211  is again provided with a pierceable seal  219 . Note that in  FIG. 6  the additive container  211  has been inverted and screwed to the neck of a base liquid container  233 . Seal  219  may for example be affixed across the opening  221  of container  211  by ultrasonic welding or other suitable means, after the container has been filled with an additive liquid. Piercing collar  213  is preferably comprised of a first portion  214  and a second portion  215  for, but may also be formed as a single integral unit.  
         [0090]     When formed as first and second portions as shown in  FIG. 6 , the mating ends  216  and  217  may be formed to connect together as a snap-fitting. Mating ends of the first and second collar portions may be provided with engaging lugs or castellation (not shown) so as to prevent the rotation of one collar relative to the other when in use. Alternatively the portions may be attached together by for example, heat welding or with a suitable adhesive.  
         [0091]     Collar  113  is attached to the additive container after this has been filled with its contents. In at least one preferred form as shown in  FIG. 6  the lower portion  214  of the collar is provide with an internal thread  220  adapted to mate with the external thread  221  at the neck portion  222  of the additive container  211 .  
         [0092]     The second portion  215  of collar  113 , is provided with an internal thread  224 . Second collar portion  215  may be provided in a range of threads to suit standard threads employed on the necks of containers of base liquids for which the additive liquid is intended.  
         [0093]     Second portion  215  of collar  113  is further provided with piercing insert  226 . In this embodiment piercing insert  226  is in the form of a tubular member  227  retained within the bore  228  of second portion  215  by a series of radially disposed friable lugs  229 .  
         [0094]     Preferably, the lugs  229  extend radially outwardly from an annular ring  230  to the inside surface of the bore  228  of second portion  215 . The ring  230  extends radially outwardly sufficient to allow contact with the rim  232  of the neck opening of a base liquid container  233  when this is screwed into the thread of the second portion  215 .  
         [0095]     Alternatively, the lugs  229  are so formed that the friable portion lies adjacent to the inside surface of the bore  228  of second portion  215  so that a sufficient portion of the lugs  229  remains intact to provide contact points for the rim  232  of the base liquid container  233 .  
         [0096]     Tubular member  227  is adapted to slide into the bore  234  of a base liquid container  233  when the additive container  211  is first screwed to the threaded neck portion of base liquid container  233 .  
         [0097]     Initially, the base liquid container  233  is screwed into the second portion  215  of collar  213  until the rim  232  of the neck of the container  233  is in contact with the annular ring  230  or the friable lugs  229 . With sufficient force, base liquid container  233  may be further screwed into second portion  215  so as to break the friable lugs  229 , thus driving the tubular member  227  into contact with the pierceable seal  219 .  
         [0098]     The inner rim  235  of tubular member  227 , that is the rim oriented towards the seal  219 , is provided with a sharp edge and may be angled so that the sharpened edge gradually pierces the seal  219 .  
         [0099]     In use, a base liquid container  233  is positioned with its neck uppermost and its sealing closure removed as shown in  FIG. 6 . The additive container  211  is then inverted and screwed down onto the base liquid container until the seal  219  is pierced, thus allowing the contents of the additive container to flow into the base liquid container  233  and the contents of the two containers to mix together.  
       Fourth Preferred Embodiment  
       [0100]     In yet a further preferred form of the invention, the piercing collar is substantially as described in the above embodiments, that is as a single integral item or as first and second portions attached together. However in this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the collar is not attached to an additive container at manufacture but may be supplied as a separate item available for use in the transfer of contents from any suitable first container to a suitable second container.  
         [0101]     The first portion  314  of collar  313  of this preferred embodiment is provided with a pierceable seal  319 , so that when the first collar  314  is screwed to the neck of a first container, the pierceable seal  319  provides a closure for that container.  
         [0102]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , where the collar is manufactured in first and second portions  314  and  315  respectively, which may be snap-fitted together, first and second portions may be provided in a variety of sizes and threads such that a selection of appropriate first and second portions may be made to connect the collar to containers having different neck openings and threads.  
       EXAMPLES OF APPLICATIONS  
       [0103]     Any one of the above described embodiments may be applied for the mixing of one liquid with another. Additive potable liquids may include any one of a range of liquids including for example cordial concentrates, milk flavouring additives and alcoholic beverages.  
         [0104]     A number of additive potable liquid containers provided with various selections of flavour concentrates or alcoholic beverages may be arranged together in a convenient carry pack. Such a pack of selected additive potable liquids may be taken to a venue such as a party, picnic or some other function where either bottled water, milk or proprietary beverages are readily available thus obviating the need to carry a selection of such additive potable liquids in large containers.  
         [0105]     In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, information is provided on the additive potable liquid container, or on a label affixed to the container, or printed on the carry pack, as to what volume of base potable liquid the additive potable liquid is suited for so as to give a satisfactory mix. In the case of alcoholic additives, such information may include a range of suggestions of proprietary beverages and volumes of such beverages for which the selection of additive potable liquids is suited. Thus for example a particular liqueur in a given volume additive potable liquid container may provide a desirable mix with one proprietary beverage in a 750 ml bottle but be better suited to a 375 ml bottle of another beverage.  
         [0106]     The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus for example while the above described embodiments are in the main directed at drinking liquids, the invention may equally be adapted to the mixing prior to use of any two liquids to form chemical compositions for a wide range of applications.  
         [0107]     Neither is it intended that the invention be limited to the mixing of two liquids so that the contents of the additive container may be in powder or granular form for example, for addition to a liquid.