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Dispensing closure for a liquid container

Dispensing closure for a liquid container description/claims

The present invention relates to a dispensing closure and a dispensing arrangement including the dispensing closure. In particular, the invention relates to a dispensing closure and arrangement for a liquid container, whereby the dispensing closure is arranged to facilitate the release of various substances into the container.

Closures incorporating additive dispensing means have been known for many years. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,520 (Croner) discloses a beverage container having a top with a number of rupturable compartments. Each of the compartments includes a different ingredient that, upon rupturing of the respective compartment, is released into the container to modify a basic beverage included in the container. One disadvantage of the closure disclosed there is that it doesn't include means for dispensing liquid from the container.

An improved system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,931 (Weir et al.). This patent describes a closure having a plurality of compartments for storing flavouring agents. Simply depressing a compartment releases the content of the compartment into the container. In addition, the closure provides a spout with a snap-type closure, which can be used for dispensing liquids from the container. Once removed, the closure cannot be placed back to cover the spout. It is clear that the overall system is directed to a single-use application where the consumption is expected to occur shortly after opening of the closure. Further, the compartments are formed from the same material as the closure. Therefore making the compartments collapsible also may compromise the strength and performance of the closure. More design flexibility exists when the closure and compartment materials can be different.

A somewhat similar system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,647 (Han). This patent again discloses a disposable lid including a plurality of compartments with pre-stored additives, such as sugar or cream. It is mainly intended for use with hot drinks, such as coffee. Accordingly, there is a provision of an additional cover which is located above the closure and seals the compartment region. A dispensing opening is also included in the closure and can be opened by a spout actuator. The closure is not very robust since the compartment and the closure are made of the same deformable material. Thus, this closure is less suitable for mass distribution. In addition, the system is directed to a single-use application and does not facilitate the most efficient use of labour and resources.

Somewhat more efficient closure systems are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,609,612 and 6,959,841 (Vlodek). One closure described in these patents includes a blister pack having a plurality of blisters with various additives, as well as a dispenser operable between an open and closed configuration. One disadvantage of this system is the relatively complex overall arrangement and the large number of parts. Apart from the main body of the closure, the system includes a blister pack with blister compartments, a seal membrane insertable between the blister pack and the body of the closure, a rupturable seal applied to the bottom of the blister pack and a retainer ring coupled to the main body of the closure to secure the blister pack within the closure. Such a complex structure makes assembly somewhat difficult and expensive. In addition, the relatively large number of parts that are not integrally formed with the closure increases the assembly cost.

According to the invention, there is provided a dispensing closure for a liquid container, the dispensing closure being arranged to sealingly attach to an opening of the container and comprising: at least one storage compartment formed integrally with the closure and arranged for storing a substance, the storage compartment having a depressible upper portion and being further arranged so that depressing the upper portion of a storage compartment facilitates release of the substance into the container; and a dispenser protruding through the closure and comprising a dispensing lid movable between a closed and an open configuration, so that in an open configuration, liquid contained in the container can be dispensed therefrom.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each storage compartment comprises a bottom seal for sealing the substance inside the respective compartment, wherein at least a portion of each bottom seal is made of a frangible material or comprises a line of weakness so that, depressing the upper portion of a storage compartment causes the bottom seal to rupture, thus releasing any substance stored in the respective storage compartment into the container.

Preferably, the closure comprises a plurality of flexible storage compartments formed from a single body integrated with the closure.

Preferably, the body of the plurality of storage compartments comprises a peripheral lip arranged to, when the closure is mounted onto the container, sealingly engage a peripheral surface adjacent the opening of the container so as to seal any liquid within the container.

Also preferably, a single common seal is arranged to seal all storage compartments. Even more preferably, the common seal is made of a frangible foil sheet that bonds to an underside surface of the closure. More preferably, the frangible foil sheet is a push through aluminum foil that is heat sealed to the respective underside surface of the closure.

Preferably, the dispensing closure comprises a threaded portion for sealingly attaching to the opening of the container.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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