Special receptacle or package – For mixing – Tear strip or piercer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-09
2001-05-15
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For mixing
Tear strip or piercer
C222S136000, C215SDIG008
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230884
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a cap for a container, in which the cap includes means for releasing material contained within the cap into the container.
BACKGROUND ART
Different styles of caps or lids for containers (for liquids) are prolific. They are known in a variety of forms, which can include, for example: a tamper-evident ring; the ability to be re-sealable; a screw-thread; or a combination of these. Such caps also include those that can be drunk through and resealed (“sipper tops”), either with or without a screw thread, so that the container is re-usable.
Drinks and drink containers where two components making the drink are best mixed immediately before drinking are available separately. However for some types of drink, where the concentrate is in tablet or powder form, the availability of drinks with all elements for the drink in the one container are rare and hard to find commercially.
An object of the present invention is the provision of a cap which, when combined with an appropriate container, permits two elements of a drink to be separately contained within the one container and mixed immediately before the user desires the drink. A further object of the invention is the provision of such a cap and container so as to offer an economic alternative to presently available containers.
For the purposes of this specification, the term “cap” is used to describe any lid or cap or closure for a container or bottle with a top opening. Also, the term “container” is used to cover any vessel with a top opening which is capable of carrying or retaining a liquid, regardless of the material of which it is made.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a cap for a container with a top opening and capable of containing a drinkable liquid, said cap including:
a collar with means for securing the cap to the container about the top opening, said collar being formed with a cylindrical collar passage therethrough;
a neck portion including a top portion, a bottom portion, and a centrally located seal-breaking means, wherein the neck portion has at least one neck a passage therethrough, and said top portion is moveable relative to the collar, said top portion being moveable between an open position in which position the top portion is spatially separated from the collar and a closed position in which position the top portion is sealed against said bottom portion, and in which closed position said neck portion provides a seal for retaining liquid within the container; and
a basket capable of containing therein a material which is capable of dissolution in the liquid in the container;
releasable means for maintaining the top portion in the open position; and
a cover which is releasably securable to the collar about the cap; wherein
when initially said top portion is in said open position the liquid is sealed within said container by the basket, and
when said top portion is initially moved to the closed position said seal provided by the basket is broken by the interaction of said seal-breaking means and the basket; and wherein
thereafter, when the top portion is moved to the open position, a passage for fluid from the container is provided, through the collar passage and the neck passage and when the top portion is in the closed position, a seal for retaining liquid within the container is thereby provided.
Preferably said cap is capable of reuse with a new basket, so that the cap and container can be used for more than one drink in which the liquid and the powder are kept separate until required as a finished drink.
Preferably, the neck portion includes a seal-breaking means that is in the form of a prong or pointed end, which is integrally formed with the top portion. The top portion forms part of a sipper top (being re-usable, re-sealable) of known type, and the basket is formed from a piece of foil. Said foil includes a foil wrapped tablet. The seal-breaking means pierces the foil, thus releasing the tablet for dissolution within the liquid in the container.
Preferably, the cover and the collar have therebetween a tamper-evident ring or other known means of determining evidence of tampering. The cover is either an interference fit with the collar or is screw-threaded onto the collar, to permit the cover to be repeatedly put on and taken off the cap.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3156369 (1964-11-01), Bowes et al.
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patent: 3521745 (1970-07-01), Schwarzman
patent: 3968872 (1976-07-01), Cavazza
patent: 4244467 (1981-01-01), Cavazza
patent: 4741437 (1988-05-01), Gorski et al.
patent: 4941751 (1990-07-01), Muhlbauer
patent: 5782345 (1998-07-01), Gausch et al.
patent: 5971140 (1999-10-01), Frutin
patent: 40755/95 (1997-06-01), None
patent: 8-91418 (1996-04-01), None
patent: WO 93/14990 (1993-08-01), None
patent: WO 98/00348 (1998-01-01), None
Coory Fredrick Michael
Greer Burns & Crain Ltd.
Luong Shian
Sewell Paul T.
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