Dispenser

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to dispensers. In some embodiments, a dispenser comprises a main body assembly including an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining an aperture through the main body, a seal, wherein the seal is affixed to the main body and encloses a lower portion of the aperture, a button seated within the aperture and configured to be manipulable between a first position and a second position, and a container housed within the button and configured to store a material, wherein when the button is in the second position the container contacts the seal to allow the material to exit the dispenser.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to dispensers and, more specifically, dispensers for use with containers.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to mix multiple materials together to form a product. For example, a beverage may contain multiple components that are premixed for the consumer. Unfortunately, in some circumstances, it is desirable to combine a secondary component with a primary component near the time of consumption, as opposed to at the time of production. For example, the primary component may include a fruit juice and the secondary component may include a vitamin powder. To maintain the freshness of the fruit juice it would be preferred to add the vitamin powder at the time of consumption. While it is possible to provide the primary component and secondary component in separate containers, it is cumbersome for the consumer to open the multiple containers and mix the primary and secondary components before consumption. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved dispenser that can aid consumers in mixing multiple components before use.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to dispensers. In some embodiments, a dispenser comprises a main body assembly including an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining an aperture through the main body, a seal, wherein the seal is affixed to the main body and encloses a lower portion of the aperture, a button seated within the aperture and configured to be manipulable between a first position and a second position, and a container housed within the button and configured to store a material, wherein when the button is in the second position the container contacts the seal to allow the material to exit the dispenser.

As previously discussed, it is often desirable to mix multiple components together to form a product. For example, beverages, food items, cleaners, etc. may comprise multiple components. As one example, a beverage may contain a primary component (e.g., juice, water, soda, etc.) and a secondary component (e.g., a powder, liquid, glitter, etc.). Mixing the components at the time of manufacture of the beverage can produce undesirable results. For example, an extended exposure of the primary component to the secondary component may result in degradation of one or both of the primary component and the secondary component, an undesirable taste, settling of the secondary component in the primary component, etc. While it is possible to individually package and/or sell components of a product, doing so is inconvenient for the consumer. Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses that seek to minimize, if not eliminate, these drawbacks.

In one embodiment, a dispenser is provided that allows for the easy combination of a material (e.g., a secondary component) with a primary component. The dispenser can be integral with, or securable to, an external container housing a primary component (e.g., a beverage, a cleaning solution, a food product, etc.). The dispenser houses the material and is capable of dispensing the material into the external container. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a button and a container. The container houses the material, and the material is secured within the dispenser via a seal. The button is manipulable to causes the container to contact the seal and dispense the material into the external container. The discussion ofFIG. 1provides an overview of such a container.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of dispenser100and an external container106, according to some embodiments. The dispenser100allows for a material (e.g., a secondary component) to be administered to a primary component housed within the external container106. The dispenser100includes a main body102and a button104. The main body102can be integral with, or secured to, the external container106. For example, in embodiments in which the dispenser100(i.e., the main body102) is integral with the external container106, the external container106is manufactured to include the dispenser100. In such embodiments, the dispenser100can include a mechanism to allow consumption or use of the primary component and/or the secondary component. Alternatively, in embodiments in which the dispenser100can be secured to the external container106, the dispenser100and the external container106can be manufactured independently from one another. In such embodiments, the dispenser100can be securable to the external106In any suitable manner. For example, the dispenser100can be threaded onto the external container106, press-fitted onto the external container106, clipped onto the external container, adhered to the external container106, secured to the external container106via an interference fit, etc.

The button104is manipulable to dispense a material housed in the dispenser into the external container106. For example, as depicted inFIG. 2(and denoted by reference numeral210), a container within the dispenser100can house the material. The button104is manipulable to cause the container to contact a seal (e.g., sever the seal, detach the seal, etc.) so as to allow the material to exit the dispenser100and enter the external container106. The material can be of any suitable state (e.g., a gas, liquid, or solid) and can be of any suitable type (e.g., a consumable item (e.g., a food product or additive, a beverage product or additive, a supplement, etc.), a cleaning item (e.g., a detergent), a decorative item (e.g., glitter, food coloring, etc.), etc.).

While the discussion ofFIG. 1provides an overview of a dispenser capable of dispensing a product into an external container, the discussion ofFIG. 2provides additional detail regarding such a dispenser.

FIG. 2is a sectional view of a dispenser200secured to an external container206, according to some embodiments. The dispenser includes a main body202, a button204, a container210, and a seal214. The main body202includes an aperture (best seen in, and denoted by reference numeral332, inFIG. 3) extending through the main body202. In one embodiment, the main body202includes an outer wall220and an inner wall218. In such embodiments, the inner wall218defines the aperture. The main body202can be made of any suitable material. For example, the main body202can comprise plastic, rubber, metal, etc.

The button204can be made of any suitable material, such as rubber, plastic, etc. The button204is seated within the aperture. For example, in one embodiment and as depicted inFIG. 2, the main body202can include a plurality of retentive members212. The retentive members212extend from the main body202into the aperture. For example, the retentive members212can be located on the inner wall218. In embodiments that include the retentive members212, the retentive members212can support the button204within the aperture. As depicted in the example provided inFIG. 2, the retentive members212feature a generally flat upper surface upon which the button204seats. The retentive members212feature angled sidewalls, as depicted inFIG. 2. The angled sidewalls allow the button204to be inserted into the aperture of the dispenser200from the bottom.

The button204is manipulable from a first position (depicted inFIG. 2) to a second position. In one embodiment, the first position is an extended position and the second position is a compressed position. In embodiments in which the button204is comprised of a malleable and/or elastic material, the extended position is a position in which the button204is at rest and the compressed position is a position in which the button204has been manipulated from its resting position.

The container210houses a material. The material can be of any suitable type. The dispenser200is configured to dispense the material into an external container206. The container210is housed within the dispenser, for example, within the button204. As depicted in the example provided inFIG. 2, the button204includes a protrusion216. The container210seats on the button204via the protrusion216.

The seal214is affixed to the main body202and encloses a lower portion of the aperture. That is, the seal214physically separates the material in the container210from the external container206. The seal214can be of any suitable type (e.g., paper, metallic foil, plastic foil, etc.). Accordingly, the seal214can be affixed to the main body202via any suitable adhesive.

In some embodiments, and as depicted inFIG. 2, when the button204is in the first position, neither the button204nor the container210contact the seal214. When the button204is in the second position, the container210contacts the seal214. The contact between the container210and the seal214allows the material housed in the container210to exit the dispenser200and enter the external container206. For example, the contact between the container210and the seal214can sever the seal214(or a portion of the seal214) and/or cause the seal214to become at least partially detached from the main body202. When the seal214is severed and/or detaches from the main body202, the aperture is at least partially open to the external container206and the material housed in the container210can enter the external container206. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the container210extends to and touches (i.e., contacts) the seal214when the button204is in the first position. Contact between the container210and the seal214helps maintain the material within the container210prior to manipulation of the button204. In such embodiments, though the container210is contacting the seal214when the button is in the first position, the container210does not compromise (i.e., sever, detach, etc.) the seal214. Rather, the manipulation of the button from the first position to the second position causes the container210to compromise the seal214.

In some embodiments, the button204can204be covered to reduce the likelihood of an unintended manipulation of the button204. As one example, and as depicted inFIG. 2, the dispenser200includes a guard208. The guard208is removably coupled to the dispenser200and at least partially covers the button204. The guard208can be shaped and/or dimensioned in any suitable manner. For example, as depicted inFIG. 2, the guard208is shaped as a cap that fits within the main body202and covers the button204. As another example, the dispenser200can include a second seal. The second seal can be affixed to and upper surface222the main body202and cover the button204. The second seal can be made of any suitable material, for example, the second seal can comprise a foil, cardboard covering, plastic covering, etc. In embodiments in which the button204is covered (e.g., by the guard208and/or a second seal), the user can remove the covering before dispensing the material into the container206. Additionally, or alternatively, the button204can be positioned within the main body202to prevent unintended manipulation of the button204. For example, as depicted inFIG. 2, the button204is recessed such that an upper surface of the button does not extend above the upper surface222of the main body302.

As previously discussed, the dispenser200can be integral with, or securable to, the external container206. In the example depicted inFIG. 2, the dispenser200is separate from, and securable to, the external container206. In this example, the dispenser200is secured to the external container206via a threaded connection. Accordingly, an inner surface224of the main body202includes first threads226and an outer surface230of the external container206includes second threads228. The dispenser threads onto, and is secured to, the external container206via the first threads226and the second threads228.

While the discussion ofFIG. 2provides additional detail regarding a dispenser capable of dispensing a product into an external container, the discussion ofFIGS. 3 and 4provide additional detail with respect to the components of such a dispenser.

FIG. 3is an upper exploded view of components of a dispenser300, according to some embodiments. The dispenser300includes a main body302, a button304, a container310, a seal314, and a guard308. The main body302includes an aperture332extending through the main body302. The button304is seated within the aperture332. In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the button304is generally cylindrically shaped, though such is not required (e.g., the button304can take a polygonal shape, semispherical shape, etc.). In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the button304comprises a first cylindrical portion338, a second cylindrical portion340, and a top342. The button is manipulable between a first position and a second position.

The container310is located within the button304. In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the container310is generally cylindrically shaped, though such is not required (e.g., the container310can take a polygonal shape, semispherical shape, etc.). The container310houses a material. The material can be of any suitable type (e.g., a food product, a cleaning product, a coloring, etc.). The dispenser300is configured to dispense the material into, for example, an external container.

The seal314is affixable to the dispenser300via the main body302. In one embodiment, the seal314is affixable to a lower portion of the main body302and covers the aperture332. In use, the seal314prevents the material from exiting the dispenser300until the seal is compromised (e.g., severed, detached from the main body302, etc.). As previously discussed, the button304is manipulable from the first position to the second position. When in the second position (i.e., when the button304is being manipulated from the first position to the second position), the container310contacts the seal314. The contact between the container310and the seal314causes the seal314to be compromised, allowing the material to exit the dispenser300. In one embodiment, a bottom portion of the container310(i.e., the portion of the container310that contacts the seal314) can be shaped to encourage severing of the seal314. For example, the bottom portion of the container310can include a sharp or otherwise pointed surface.

The guard308is configured to prevent unintended manipulation of the button304. In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the guard308is shaped as a cap that is secured over the button304. In this example, the guard308includes protrusions334. The protrusions334locate in recesses336formed in the main body302. In one embodiment, the protrusions334interact with the recesses336to secure the guard308to the main body302. For example, the protrusions334can include hooks or wedges, and/or be sized to create an interference fit with the recesses336to decrease the likelihood of unintended removal of the guard308.

FIG. 4is a lower exploded view of components of a dispenser400, according to some embodiments. The dispenser400includes a main body402, a button404, a container410, a seal414, and a guard408. The main body402includes an aperture432that extends through the main body402. The button402seats within the aperture432. In the example depicted inFIG. 4, the button402is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a first cylindrical portion438and a second cylindrical portion440. In some embodiments, the main body402includes retentive members412and an upper rim442. The retentive members412and the upper rim442extend from an inner surface of the main body402. In such embodiments, the button402seats within the aperture432such that the first cylindrical portion438is secured between the retentive members412and the upper rim442of the main body402while the second cylindrical portion440extends beyond the upper rim442of the main body402. The retentive members412aid in preventing the button402to be pushed through the aperture432during manipulation of the button402.

The seal414is securable to a lower edge446of the main body402, enclosing a lower portion of the aperture432. The container410is configured to house a material. The container410locates within the button. When the button402is manipulated from a first position to a second position, the container410contacts the seal414. Contact between the container410and the seal414causes the seal414to be severed and/or detach from the lower edge446of the main body402. When the seal414is severed and/or detached from the lower edge446of the main body402, the material within the container410can exit the dispenser400.

In some embodiments, the dispenser400is a separate from, and securable to, an external container. In such embodiments, the dispenser400includes a fastening mechanism. In the example depicted inFIG. 4, the fastening mechanism includes threads426. The threads426are located on a surface424of the main body and are configured to interact with corresponding threads of the external container.

While the discussion ofFIGS. 1-4describe a dispenser the discussion ofFIG. 5provides additional detail regarding use of such a dispenser.

FIG. 5is a flow chart depicting example operations for dispensing a material into an external container, according to some embodiments. The flow begins at block502.

At block502, a dispenser is secured to an external container. The dispenser can be secured to the external container by a user (i.e., the dispenser is separate from the external container) or secured to the external container during manufacture of the external container and/or the dispenser. Additionally, in some embodiments, the dispenser is secured to the external container at the time of manufacture, as the dispenser is integral with the container. The dispenser generally includes a main body, a button, a container, and a seal. The main body includes an aperture extending therethrough, and the button seats within the aperture. The container is configured to house a material and seats within the button. The seal is affixed to the main body and encloses a lower portion of the aperture. The dispenser can be secured to the external container via any suitable fastening mechanism. For example, the dispenser can be threaded onto the external container, press-fitted onto the external container, clipped onto the external container, adhered to the external container, secured to the external container via an interference fit, etc. The flow continues at block504.

At block504, the button is manipulated. For example, the user can manipulate the button. The button is manipulable from a first position to a second position. When the button is manipulated from the first position to the second position, the container contacts the seal, causing the seal to be severed and/or detached from the main body. When the seal is severed and/or detached from the main body, the material housed in the container is dispensed into the external container. Optionally, the flow continues at block506.

At block506, the dispenser is removed from the external container. For example, the user can remove the dispenser before consuming and/or using the product housed in the external container.

In some embodiments, a dispenser comprises a main body assembly including an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining an aperture through the main body, a seal, wherein the seal is affixed to the main body and encloses a lower portion of the aperture, a button seated within the aperture and configured to be manipulable between a first position and a second position, and a container housed within the button and configured to store a material, wherein when the button is in the second position the container contacts the seal to allow the material to exit the dispenser.

In some embodiments, a dispenser for dispensing a material into an external container comprises a main body including an aperture extending through the main body, the main body configured to be secured to the external container, a seal affixed to the main body and covering a lower portion of the aperture, a button located within the aperture and configured to be manipulated from an extended position to a compressed position, and a container housed within the button and configured to store the material, wherein when the button is in the compressed position the container contacts the seal to allow the material to be dispensed into the external container.

In some embodiments, an apparatus and a corresponding method performed by the apparatus, comprises securing, to an external container, a dispenser, the dispenser comprising a main body including an aperture extending through the main body, the main body configured to be secured to the external container, a seal affixed to the main body and covering a lower portion of the aperture, a button located within the aperture and configured to be manipulated from an extended position to a compressed position, and a container housing within the button and configured to store the material, and depressing the button from the extended position to the compressed positioned, wherein the depressing the button from the extended position to the compressed position causes the container to contact the seal and dispense the material into the external container.