Patent Publication Number: US-2013233444-A1

Title: Dispensing System

Description:
The present invention relates generally to a dispensing system and particularly to a dispensing system for introducing a consumable or other item from a container closure into the container. 
     There are a variety of circumstances in which it may be necessary and/or preferable for components of a product to be kept separate until the point of use. For example, certain additives may have only a limited period of efficacy once they are introduced into a base. In other situations it may be preferable for more aesthetic reasons, for example if the additive introduces colour and/or flavour to a beverage. 
     Various solutions have been proposed for the introduction of a substance from a closure into a container. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,921, U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,683, WO2006/123946 and EP1611024. 
     The present invention seeks to overcome the problems with known delivery systems. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, in which the breaching means are contained in the cartridge and are activated upon rotation of the cap whereby to dispense the product into a container. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, the cartridge being collapsible and the breaching means being contained in the cartridge and activatable by collapse of the cartridge, in which rotation of the cap causes the cartridge to collapse whereby to dispense the product into a container. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a collapsible storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, the breaching means being activatable by collapse of the cartridge, in which rotation of the cap causes the cartridge to collapse whereby to dispense the product into a container. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cartridge for a dispensing system, the cartridge comprising a body for containing a consumable or other item, at least part of the body is collapsible and the body is closable by a breachable closure member, in which in use collapse of the cartridge causes breaching of the closure to dispense the consumable or other item. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and a base which is attachable to a container, the cartridge comprising an opening through which the consumable or other item is dispensed into the container in use, the opening being sealed by a laminar panel, the cartridge being welded to the base. 
     By welding the cartridge to the base a firm connection and a seal can be established. This can be used to prevent product in an associated container from passing between the base and the cartridge. 
     The laminar panel may be welded to the base. A welding operation may therefore be used which welds the panel to the base. 
     The panel may be welded to the cartridge opening. A “double welding” operation may therefore be used. The laminar panel may be used in either or both of the welds. 
     The cartridge may comprise a welding flange. The flange may be formed surrounding the cartridge opening. 
     The laminar panel may comprise foil. A single layer panel may be used or a multi-layer panel with different materials may be used. 
     Welding may be achieved by induction sealing, for example inducting heat sealing. Other sealing methods, such as conduct, may be used. 
     The system may further comprise an overcap. The overcap may be used to actuate the system and cause dispensing from the cartridge into a container. 
     A further aspect provides a method of assembling a dispensing system for a container, comprising the steps of: providing a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item, the cartridge comprising an opening through which the consumable or other item is dispensable into the container; providing a base which is attachable to a container; sealing the opening with a laminar panel; and welding the cartridge to the base. 
     The opening may be sealed by welding of the panel. 
     A cap may be provided and the method may further comprise the step of assembling the cartridge into the cap. The cartridge may be assembled into the cap before the cartridge is welded to the base. 
     The welding steps may comprise induction welding, from example induction heat welding. 
     According to a further aspect there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, in which the breaching means are contained in the cartridge and are activated upon rotation of the cap whereby to dispense the product into a container. 
     The present invention may therefore provide a means for holding a component separate until the cap is rotated whereupon the cartridge is caused to release its contents. Because the breaching means is contained within the cartridge the breach of the closure member is made from the inside towards the outside. 
     The consumable or other item may comprise, for example, a fluid such as a liquid or gel, or a solid such as powder or a tablet. There is a wide range of applications for such a system including, for example, for beverages to add flavouring, colouring, dietary supplements and the like, for pharmaceutical products such as bleach concentrates, fertilisers and for other products in which components need to be mixed just before use. 
     The system may be configured such that it is not possible to gain access to the container without rotating the cap. In other words, breach of the cartridge is not selective and will occur automatically in use. 
     The cap may comprise an overcap, with the system further comprising a base which is attachable to a container. The cap may be rotatable with respect to the base to activate the breaching means. In this case the base will remain stationary on the container whilst the overcap is rotated. 
     The base may be removable from the container. For example, an initial rotation phase may cause turning only of an overcap and in doing so activate the breaching means; then at the end of the first rotation phase the overcap may become prevented from further rotation so that continued force causes turning of the base. Accordingly the overcap and/or base may be provided with surface formations such as screwthread formations to engage with corresponding formations which provide for the required relative rotations. 
     The base may include tamper evident means for indicating if it has been removed from the container; and the cap may include tamper evident means for indicating if it has been rotated, for example with respect to a base. The tamper evident means may comprise, for example, a tamper evident band. 
     The cartridge may be collapsible and activation of the breaching means may be caused by collapse of the cartridge. The cap may have internal features such as cam profiles which press onto the cartridge as it is rotated. 
     The cartridge may be thermoformed or blown from a plastics material such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate. In some embodiments the cartridge may be formed from a barrier material to prevent ingress or egress of substances such as oxygen, water or carbon dioxide. A multilayer material may be used for this purpose. The cartridge may be shaped and formed to facilitate collapse, for example a corrugated structure may be used. 
     The closure member may comprise a membrane, such as a laminar disc or pad. For example, an aluminium foil disc may be used. 
     The breaching means may comprise means for piercing, cutting, slitting, pushing or the like depending upon the form of the closure member. In some embodiments the breaching means comprises a rigid member such as a rigid spike. The breaching means may be placed into the cartridge at the time it is filled and sealed. 
     In some embodiments the system will provide confirmation that an initial rotation phase is complete to alert a user that the cartridge has dispensed its cargo. This could be useful, for example, if after release of the cartridge contents they need to be mixed into the container contents before removal of the closure system. 
     The breaching means may be activated by a cam arrangement provided on the cap. For example, the cam arrangement may provide the means of collapsing the cartridge which in turn activates the breaching means. 
     The present invention also provides the combination of a system as described herein together with a container. 
     Different features, embodiments and aspects of the present invention may be used together and/or separately. For example the method of the present invention may be effected upon a dispensing system of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispensing system formed according to the present invention shown connected to a container; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded side view of the system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a storage cartridge forming part of the system of  FIGS. 1 to 4 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a section of the system of  FIGS. 1 to 4  shown in an unopened position; 
         FIG. 6B  is a further section of the system shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is an exterior side elevation of the system shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a section of the system of  FIG. 6A to 6C  shown following a first rotation phase; 
         FIG. 7B  is a further section of the system of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is an exterior view of the system of  FIGS. 7A and 7B ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a section of the system of  FIGS. 6 and 7  shown following a second rotation phase; 
         FIG. 8B  is a further section of the system of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation of the container neck finish following removal of the system; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective section of the finish of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective exploded view of a dispensing system formed according to an alternative aspect; 
         FIG. 12  is a section of the system of  FIG. 11  shown assembled; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective exploded view of a dispensing system formed according to an alternative embodiment; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective exploded view of a dispensing system formed according to a further embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2  there is shown a dispensing system generally indicated  10  shown connected to a container neck  15 . The system  10  comprises an overcap  20  and a base  25  which are described in more detail below. 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 3 and 4  the system  10  is shown to comprise the overcap  20 , the base  25 , a storage cartridge  30 , a cutting member  35  and a sealing membrane  40  (the membrane  40  is not shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 6A to 6C , in which the system  10  is also shown assembled onto the container neck  15 , the overcap  20  comprises a disc shape top plate  45  and a generally cylindrical side skirt  50  which depends from the periphery of the plate  45 . At the end of the skirt opposite the plate  45  the cap has an annular tamper-evident band  55  which is connected to the skirt  50  by a plurality of frangible bridges  60 . 
     The interior of the skirt  50  is provided with screw thread formations  65  and the top plate  45  is provided with a depending inner annular sealing skirt  70 . The top plate  45  is further provided with a generally cylindrical annular cam member  75  which is inclined at its free end. 
     The cartridge  30 , which is shown also in  FIG. 5 , is generally rigid cone-shape body with an annular base  31  defining an open end and a frustoconical roof  32  which is inclined radially inwardly and formed as a series of concentric steps  33  to provide a corrugated structure which is collapsible. 
     At the centre of the roof  32  an annular channel  34  is provided. The channel  34  is dimensioned to receive the cam member  75  and accordingly is inclined as shown best in  FIG. 6A . In use the cartridge  30  is fitted into the overcap as shown in  FIG. 6A  so that the cam member  75  fits into the channel  34 . 
     The cutting member  35  comprises an annular cutting band  36  with a plurality of cutting teeth  37  at one end. At the other end of the band  36  three spokes  38  project and support a central hub  39  which includes an annular groove  39   a.  In use the cutting member  35  is received in the cartridge  30  so that the hub  39  engages in the roof  32  within the channel  34  where it is clipped into position by engagement of the channel bead  34   a  into the hub groove  39   a  as shown best in  FIG. 6A . 
     The sealing disc  40  comprises a laminar disc of aluminium foil dimensioned to fit over the open end of the cartridge band  31 . In use the cartridge is prepared by inserting the cutting member  35  and filling it with product before sealing with the disc  40 . 
     The base  25  comprises a generally cylindrical main section  26  the interior of which is provided with an internal screw thread  27 . At the free end of the section  26  an annular tamper evident band is provided and is connected to the free end by a plurality of frangible bridges  27   a.  The interior of the band  27  is provided with a plurality of ridges  27   b  which in use engage under a locking bead  16  on the neck finish. At the other end of the section  26  a shoulder  26   a  projects radially inwardly. A generally cylindrical engagement body  28  projects from the shoulder  26   a  and carries external screw thread formations  28   a  which engage with the internal screw thread formations  65  on the overcap. The body  28  is dimensioned to fit between the sealing annulus  70  and the side wall  50  in use as best shown in  FIG. 6A . 
     The shoulder  26   a  terminates with a downwardly depending cartridge recess  29  which includes a radially inwardly directed step  29   a  and a terminal mouth portion  29   b  which depends from the step  29   a.    
     In use, the filled and sealed cartridge  30  is assembled into the overcap  20  and then assembled onto the base  25  as shown in  FIG. 6A . The cartridge fits into the recess  29  and the free end of the band  31  (which is covered by the membrane  40 ) rests on the step  29   a.  The membrane  40  is welded to the step  29   a  and this helps prevent rotation of the cartridge in use. 
     The assembled system  10  is fitted to the container neck  15  as shown in  FIG. 6A  so that the neck finish is received between the base skirt  26  and the recess  29 . 
     The section  28  also comprises a ratchet tooth  28   b  which engages with a corresponding ratchet tooth on the overcap to stop the overcap being rotated completely off the base. 
     In use, the overcap  20  is turned and begins to rise up the base  25 . The tamper evident band  55  cannot rise axially because it is held firmly on the base. Accordingly the frangible bridges  60  break and the band  55  is released as shown in  FIG. 7A . As the overcap  20  turns the cam member  75  starts to travel through the channel  34  so that the longer sections of the cam start to pass through shallower sections of the channel  34 . This results in compression of the roof  32  so that it collapses towards the membrane  40 . 
     As the roof  32  collapses it carries the piercing member  35  with it and pushes the cutting band  36  into and then through the membrane  40 . This breaches the membrane  40  an releases the contents of the cartridge  30  which pass through the mouth  29   b  and into the container. At this point the ratchet prevents further rotation of the overcap with respect to the base. 
     Continued turning now starts to turn the base  25  relative to the neck fitting as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . As part of this movement the tamper evident band  27  breaks away from the skirt  26 . 
     Continued rotation of the cap/base results in its release from the neck with the exception of the tamper evident bands  55 ,  27 , which remain on the finish as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     The contents of the container, which now includes the contents of the cartridge, can be dispensed. The container can be reclosed by the cap/base if required. The cap is locked in its raised position relative to the base and cannot be screwed back down by virtue of the ratchets. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12  there is shown a dispensing system generally indicated  110 . The system comprises a base  125 , an inverted, generally cup-shape storage cartridge  130  and a laminar sealing panel  140 . 
     The cartridge  130  is very similar to the cartridge  30  described in relation to  FIGS. 1 to 10  and the annular base  131  which defines the open end terminates with an annular welding flange  131   a  which projects orthogonally from the free end of the base  131 . 
     In order to assemble the system  110  the cartridge  130  is filled with product and then the open end of the base  131  is sealed by welding the panel  140  to the flange  131   a.    
     Subsequently, and as shown in  FIG. 12 , the filled cartridge is fitted into the base so that the cartridge rests on the base, with the flange  131   a  seated on the step  129   a . Subsequently, the step  129   a  is welded to the pane  140 . This results in a double welding which seals the mouth portion  129   b.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 13  there is shown a dispensing system  210  formed according to an alternative embodiment. The system  210  is very similar to the system  110  shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  except than an overcap  220  is provided. 
     Assembly of the system  210  is as follows. The cartridge  230  is filled with product and then the open end of the cartridge  230  is sealed by welding the laminar panel  240  to the welding flange  231   a.  The filled cartridge is then inserted into the overcap  220  and this subassembly is fitted onto the base  225 . The base  225  is then welded to the cartridge  230  by heat induction sealing of the base to the panel  240  on the opposite side of the panel to the flange  231   a.  The system  210  can then be applied to a bottleneck  215  ready for use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14  there is shown a dispensing system  310  formed according to an alternative embodiment. The system  310  is very similar to the system  210  in  FIG. 13  except than an internal cutting member  335  is provided for the cartridge  330 . 
     Assembly of the system  310  is in some embodiments the same as that for the system  210 . In alternative embodiments the order of assembly of the parts is different. For example filling of the cartridge may occur after the panel  340  is applied by filling through the opposite end or the cap  320  may be applied after the cartridge  330  has been welded to the base  325 . 
     In embodiments where an internal cutting member is not provided some other mechanism for breaching the panel  240  to allow product to be dispensed from the cartridge  230  may be provided. For example an external breaching means may be provided by the base  325  or collapse of the cartridge may be configured to cause bursting of the panel.