Dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser is provided. The dispenser is operable to receive a powder or liquid in a reservoir, and then once connected to a bottle, to dispense the powder or liquid into the bottle. The dispenser has a collar body which threadedly attaches to the mouth of a bottle, and a movable reservoir which, when moved to an open position, dispenses its contents through an opening or openings in the collar body into the bottle to which the collar body is attached.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to dispensing systems such as fluid or powder dispensing systems. More particularly the present disclosure relates device which can be attached to a bottle and efficiently dispense a liquid or solid flavoring, supplement, or the like.

Description of Related Art

The use of supplements is a growing and important field to allow people to improve their health and nutrition by supplementing their diets with additional nutrients. Research continues to show the importance of a complete and balanced nutritional intake. Similarly, the importance of proper hydration continues to be reinforced through research. Accordingly, there is an increased focus on health-minded people to ensure proper nutrition using supplements and hydration.

A wide variety of beverages, supplements, and the like are marketed as dry or wet concentrates. These range from teas and soft beverages to energy drinks and sports supplements. Some of these mixes are marketed as single-serve portions to be mixed with standard 500 ml bottles of water. Such options may be powdered or in a concentrated liquid form. These individual portions allow the consumer to carry his beverage of choice on his person without necessarily carrying the weight of a liquid. A consumer procures a standard 500 ml bottle of water, removes the top, opens the package of beverage mix and empties it into the water, replaces the cap, and shakes the bottle to dissolve the powder into the water.

Some devices exist to aid in the mixing of drink mixes into a bottle. Although the arrangements described in the prior art provide certain advantages, they present certain deficiencies as well. For example, many known devices require expensive and unwieldy valve mechanisms and cumbersome methods to get the concentrates or supplements into the narrow-mouthed bottle. Further, many of these devices are simply impractical for application to a wide variety of containers.

Therefore, what is needed is a simple, efficient, and easily manufactured dispenser which can connect to a bottle for dispensing flavoring material and/or supplements into a liquid container.

SUMMARY

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

In one aspect, a dispenser for dispensing contents into a bottle, such as powdered or liquid contents, is provided. The dispenser has a collar body which includes a threaded collar to engage with threads of a bottle, and a lower neck extending downward through the threaded collar to extend into a neck of the bottle to which the collar body is to be attached. The lower neck of collar body defines an opening allowing flow through the opening. The dispenser further has a reservoir engaged with an interior of the collar body and at least partially positioned within the collar body. The reservoir has a neck positioned in the lower neck of the collar body with an opening that can be used to dispense contents of the reservoir. The reservoir is movable relative to the collar body between a closed position having the neck engaged with a bottom portion of the lower neck of the collar body which blocks the opening, and an open position having the neck drawn away from the opening, allowing fluid or other material to flow from an open bottom of the reservoir to the opening of the collar body lower neck.

In another aspect, a bottle is provided. The bottle has a body, a threaded mouth at a top of the body, and defines an internal chamber for holding fluid. A dispenser is threadedly attached to the threaded mouth. The dispenser has a collar body which includes a threaded collar engaged with the threads of the threaded mouth of the bottle. The collar body further has a lower neck extending downward through the threaded collar to extend into a neck of the bottle to which the collar body is to be attached. The lower neck of collar body defines an opening allowing flow through the opening. The dispenser further has a reservoir engaged with an interior of the collar body and at least partially positioned within the collar body. The reservoir has a neck positioned in the lower neck of the collar body with an opening that can be used to dispense contents of the reservoir. The reservoir is movable relative to the collar body between a closed position having the neck engaged with a bottom portion of the lower neck of the collar body which blocks the opening, and an open position having the neck drawn away from the opening, allowing the reservoir contents to flow from an open bottom of the reservoir to the opening of the collar body lower neck.

In yet another aspect, a method of dispensing material into a bottle is provided. The method involves attaching a dispenser to the bottle by attaching collar body to a threaded neck of the bottle. The attaching of the collar body performed by twisting the collar relative to the bottle to engage threads on an outside of the bottle with threads on an inside surface of the collar body. Once attached, a reservoir attached to the collar body which contains the material to be dispensed may be twisted, causing the reservoir to move from a closed position preventing the contents release from the reservoir into the bottle, to an open position allowing contents release from the reservoir into the bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 provides a partially exploded view of yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 provides a partially exploded view of still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 provides a view of an embodiment of the present disclosure being attached to a bottle.

FIG. 7 provides a view of another embodiment of the present disclosure attached to a bottle by engaging threads of the bottle and on an inside of the collar body.

FIG. 8 provides a view of an embodiment of the present disclosure attached to a bottle by engaging threads of the bottle and on an inside of the collar body and having the reservoir twisted to an open position, dispensing contents from the dispenser into the bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

Generally, the present disclosure concerns a dispenser which is operable to dispense a liquid or powdered solid into a vessel for holding fluid. In typical embodiments, the dispenser has a collar body which forms the body of the dispenser and attaches to a bottle. A reservoir is positioned within the collar body and allows loading of the supplement or mix, as well as dispensing of it through the collar body into the bottle. The reservoir is movable between a closed position for loading and storage, and an open position for dispensing the contents of the reservoir into the bottle. Movement of the reservoir relative to the body may be done in any manner, such as sliding, twisting, and the like. In twisting embodiments, the reservoir may have a thread or threads, channel, tab or the like which is operable to engage with a corresponding thread, channel, tab, or the like to translate the rotational twisting motion to a lateral motion along a major axis of the reservoir. In some sliding embodiments, at least part of the reservoir may be frictionally engaged with an inside surface of the collar body.

The device may be formed of any material capable of receiving and holding a powder, fluid, or other material. Typically, the dispenser is formed of a plastic material, but of course any other material may be used without straying from the scope of this invention.

The supplement of other material dispensed by the dispenser may be a fluid, powder, granular material, and the like which can be mixed and/or dissolved in water or other fluid. Typical materials dispensed from the dispenser include, but are not limited to flavorings, nutritional supplements, medicines, multi vitamin and/or mineral supplements, and the like, and combinations thereof.

The reservoir may be of any size and volume depending on embodiment and product intended to be dispensed. In a particular embodiment, the reservoir may be approximately 0.3-0.4 oz. And in a specific embodiment may be approximately 0.35 oz. In such an embodiment, the reservoir may carry a load of approximately 10 grams of powdered supplement. This powder may or may not be pre-mixed with a fluid, depending on embodiment. Volume may be increased or decreased depending on the material to be dispensed and a corresponding proper portion size of the material. Size variation may be achieved by enlarging the width of the portion of the reservoir which extends over and beyond the bottle to which the collar body is intended to connect, or may be achieved by an increased length of the reservoir, or both.

Turning now to the Figures, various views of embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. The dispenser 1 has a collar body 10 which connects to the bottle 25, and also provides a structural support and housing for the reservoir 11 which holds material to be dispensed into the bottle 25. The collar body has an upper portion which defines an opening through which the reservoir 11 may be contained. The collar body 10 upper portion also forms the collar with threads 16 on its inner surface. These threads 16 engage with threads 26 of the bottle 25 allowing the collar body 10 to threadedly engage with the bottle 25 and be tightly connected thereto. A cap 22 is connected to a top of the reservoir 11. In this embodiment, the cap 22 is removably connected to the reservoir 11 and has a spout 23 for drinking and a cover 24 which can frictionally connect to the cap to seal the spout from spills.

The collar body 10 and reservoir have a lower neck portion. The collar body lower neck 15 has the reservoir lower neck 17 positioned therein and both extend beyond the threads 16 area of the collar body 10 to fit inside the neck of the bottle 25 to provide direct access to the storage area of the bottle 25.

FIGS. 1 and 8 show the dispenser in an “open” position having the reservoir 11 lifted upwards. This movement may be in any manner including pulling or twisting. In the open position, the reservoir lower neck is drawn away from the collar body lower neck 15, exposing the openings 12 and allowing fluid, powder, granules, or other material to pass out of a bottom of the reservoir 11 through the openings 12 and into the bottle 25. In the embodiment shown an inset channel 14 is formed in the bottom of the collar body lower neck 15 which is sized to form a fluid-tight seal around the open reservoir bottom. In one embodiment (not shown) the channel may have openings or a drain in its bottom to allow any material such as fluid, powder, or granules to escape from the channel 14. A cone 18 is formed in the bottom of the collar body lower neck 15. The cone 18 is formed to cause material released from the reservoir to be urged outward towards the openings 12 by gravity.

FIGS. 2 and 7 show embodiments of the reservoir 11 in the “closed” position. In this position, the opening 13 of the reservoir lower neck 17 is in a sealed position and engaged with the channel 14 and seals contents within the reservoir 11. Also in this position, the reservoir lower neck 17 blocks openings 12 of the collar body 10.

FIG. 3 provides a partially exploded view showing an embodiment of the reservoir and how it fits into the collar body. The reservoir 11 has a wide portion 21 at the top, and a more narrow lower portion 17 which can fit into the opening of a bottle. An open bottom 13 allows material release from the reservoir, and an open top allows loading. Threads 19 engage with corresponding structure inside the collar body 10. In this embodiment, a tab 29 on an inside face 28 of the collar body 10 engages with threads 19, such that a twisting of the reservoir 11 translates to an up-down motion of the reservoir 11 relative to the collar body 10. Of course, threads 19 may be located anywhere along the reservoir, and the tab 29 may be replaced with another structure such as threads and the like. Similarly, the tab may be positioned on the reservoir, protruding therefrom, to engage with threads extending from or formed into the surface of the inside of the reservoir 11. In some embodiments, the reservoir threads 19 may be oriented as a reverse thread such that rotation in a clockwise manner causes the reservoir to move upward, while a counterclockwise manner causes it to move downward. This may prevent unintentional unscrewing of the collar body 10 from the bottle 25 when seeking to bring the reservoir 11 to the open position and release the contents in the reservoir 11. In other embodiments the thread may be traditional type threading. The reservoir 11 is sized to fit within the inner space defined by the collar body 10. Cap 23 is able to threadedly connect to the threads 20 of the reservoir 11. The cap 23 may connect to the reservoir via a reverse thread for the same reasons, in certain embodiments.

FIG. 5 provides a cross sectional view of the device attached to the bottle via the threads on the bottle and threads on the inner surface of the collar body. Threads 16 of the collar body 10, which are not visible in the other features because they are on the inner face of the collar on a downwardly extending face which forms a spacing and is spaced away from the collar body lower neck 15. The bottle threads 26 fit in this space between the collar body threads 16 and collar body lower neck 15. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the reservoir 11 has a lower floor and small central opening 13. In other embodiment, the reservoir may have a fully open opening 13 with straight walls and no floor. Still other embodiments may have a tapering inward opening, among other structures. The reservoir 11 has tabs 27 around its outer perimeter which are formed to fit within channel 14 to form a seal, such as a fluid-tight seal. The collar body also forms a shoulder 31 in this embodiment, which engages with a shoulder 30 at the transition between the wider portion 21 of reservoir 11 and the narrower lower neck 17. The shoulder 31 extends around an internal diameter of the collar body In certain embodiments, the engagements of shoulders 30 and 31 may aid in proper placement of the reservoir 11 relative to the collar body 10 and can ensure proper tightening without overtightening when twisting or pushing the reservoir 11 into the closed position within the collar body 10. While not visible in some of the figures, the collar body 10 defines inward facing threads just above the lower portion, most easily seen in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 6-8 show an embodiment of operation of the dispenser of the present disclosure In FIG. 6, the device is shown in an open position having the reservoir drawn upward from the collar body. When loading the dispenser (or if it is preloaded), the device will have the reservoir in the closed position. Loading may be performed before or after attachment to the bottle, though typically the reservoir is in the closed position when being attached to the bottle, such as that seen in FIG. 7. In the attaching operation, the collar body 10 is aligned with the mouth of a bottle. The lower neck portion of the collar 15 is sized to fit through the opening of the mouth of the bottle and into the bottle 25. Threads 26 of the bottle are aligned with interior threads of the collar (as shown in FIG. 5). The collar body 10 is twisted relative to the bottle, tightening it to the bottle 25, as seen in FIG. 7. A view of the releasing of the reservoir contents into the bottle is seen in FIG. 8. To release contents within the reservoir 11 once the collar body 10 is attached to the bottle, the reservoir is drawn upwards. In typical embodiments, this upward movement is achieved by twisting the reservoir 11 relative to the collar body 10 which, via threads, translates the rotational movement into lateral movement. The contents of the reservoir 11 flow through reservoir opening 13 and openings 12, into bottle 25. The dispenser may then remain in the open position for drinking of fluid within the bottle, by tipping the bottle over and allowing fluid to flow up through the openings 12, into reservoir 11 via opening 13 and then through the spout 22.

The device may be used in any manner. In one embodiment, the supplement or other component for dispensing may be loaded into the reservoir before the dispenser is attached to the bottle. This pre-loading may also involve pre-mixing such that a small quantity of water or other fluid and a powdered supplement may be placed in the reservoir and then stirred or shaken to pre-dissolve or suspend the powder. Once done, the solution, mixture, powder, or other contents may be dispensed into the bottle using the dispenser. In another embodiment, it may be added after the dispenser is attached to the bottle. Further, in some embodiments, the dispenser may be sold with the contents already loaded in to the reservoir so that a user need only attach the dispenser to the water bottle and release the contents.

In pre-loaded embodiments which are sold or distributed with the powder or fluid already loaded into the reservoir of the dispenser, the dispenser may comprise a safety seal around one or more portions of the dispenser for both sanitary and security purposes. For example, the safety seal may be an adhered or closed cover around a top opening of the reservoir or cap, a bottom dispensing area of the reservoir or collar body, and/or a sealed back surrounding the entirety of the dispenser, among other sealing options.

While several variations of the present disclosure have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.

Claims

1. A reusable dispensing device for dispensing contents of a capsule into a container, the device including: a body having a chamber configured to receive a capsule, the body including a first member and a second member in a telescopic configuration, the second member configured to telescopically slide into the first member;the second member further including an opening to provide access to the chamber;the second member is telescopically moveable between an unsealed first position and an engaged second position;piercing means configured to pierce the capsule;sealing means configured to seal the device onto the container in the engaged second position;the body being configured to sit within an opening of the container in the unsealed first position; andwherein telescopic movement of the second member from the unsealed first position to the engaged second position to seal the device onto the container engages the piercing means to pierce the capsule and dispense contents from the capsule into the container.

2. The device as claim in claim 1, wherein the first member and second member are substantially cylindrical, having a hollow interior space.

3. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the first member is configured to sit within an interior space of the container.

4. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the first member includes an upper lip portion to enable the body to sit on the opening of the container without falling into the container.

5. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the first member further comprises at least one groove channel extending axially down the first member to guide the second member's telescopic path within the first member.

6. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the first member further includes retaining members located on an internal surface configured to house the piercing means.

7. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the retaining members are in the form of at least one hook, extending partially axially upwardly towards the upper lip portion.

8. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the retaining members comprises a pair of hooks, defining a gap between the hooks to receive the piercing means.

9. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the second member further includes an aperture on an opposing back wall to the opening to provide access to the chamber and allow the user to push the capsule out of the chamber.

10. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the sealing means is rotatably connected to the second member.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the connection between the sealing means and second member allows for unrestricted rotation of the sealing means relative to the second member about a single rotational axis.

12. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the second member includes an upper external lip portion.

13. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the second member includes a lower external lip portion.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second member further comprises at least one protruding arm extending from the lower external lip portion.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one protruding arm is configured to communicate with at least one groove channel as claimed in claim 6.

16. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the sealing means further includes a removable cap to provide access to the dispensed contents in the container.

17. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the piercing means comprises a main member having a first end and a second end.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the main member is elongated and includes fins to define flow channels along the elongated main member.

19. The device as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the main member includes at least one beveled edge on located on the first end to pierce a wall in the capsule.

20. The device as claimed in any one of claims 17-19, wherein the main member includes at least one arm extending outwardly near the second end.

21. The device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the at least one arm is configured to communicate with the retaining members as claimed in any one of claims 8-10 to connect the elongated main member to the first member.

22. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the piercing means is configured to pierce two or more walls of the capsule to release the contents in the capsule.

23. The device as claimed in in claim 22, wherein the piercing means is configured to pierce a bottom and a top wall of the capsule.

24. The device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, further including biasing means to bias the device towards an unsealed first position.

25. The device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the biasing means includes a spring located within the body.