GB2574480A

GB2574480A - Bottle closure with first liquid dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2574480A
Application number: GB1809483.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karel Johannes Van Den Broek Lucas; Sitwell Vincent; Sitwell Kamila
Original assignee: Dexos Drinks Ltd
Current assignee: Dexos Drinks Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-08
Filing date: 2018-06-08
Publication date: 2019-12-11
Also published as: CA3101112A1; WO2019234723A1; EP3802354A1; AU2019283683A1; SG11202012034XA; JP2021526487A; GB2583685A; GB202013027D0; GB201809483D0; US20210253319A1; GB2583685B; CN112770982A

Abstract

An apparatus for storing a first liquid 10 to be mixed with a second liquid prior to use comprising a cap 300 and dispenser 100; the two parts forming a valve and container. The dispenser is translatable relative to the cap which is placed within the neck of a bottle (400, figure 1). The translation open and closes a passageway (136 & 320) for allowing the fluid to flow. The cap and dispenser may comprise a torque transfer parts (124, 125, 326, 328; Figures 2 & 3) that may allow the parts to rotate in sync (clockwise or anticlockwise). The torque transfer members may be complementally shaped, having interlocking regions, be either accessible or not by hand and be a threaded engagement (or have a portion that is angled or slanted to the rotational direction). The apparatus may comprise members 324 to prevent the cap and dispenser from coming apart. The device may comprise a plunger 200 that is used to pressurize the fluid from the apparatus into the bottle. Preferably the plunger is a piston that forms a fluid tight seal with an open-end of the dispenser. The cap and dispenser may both have nested nozzle regions (132, 318), each with misaligned passageways such that fluid communication is only possible when the cap and dispenser have been rotated to an open position.

Description

BOTTLE CLOSURE WITH FIRST LIQUID DISPENSER

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to liquid storage devices for storing and ejecting a liquid. The invention is in the form of a hand holdable dispenser attachable to a bottle neck to close the bottle. The invention is in the field of devices for use with bottles and other portable vessels for storage of liquids especially beverages.

Background

Typically, bottles are used to store and dispense a single liquid. Often two liquids are mixed together in use. For example, a beverage may be mixed with another liquid according to a desire by a person for a particular flavour.

In the past the beverage and other liquid were simply stored in separate bottles and then mixed in a drinking cup or third bottle. This process necessitated use of three bottles or two bottles and a cup.

Prior Art

Devices have been developed in the prior art to simply carry and store a first substance in a lid of the bottle and a second substance in the bottle. By doing so, the requirement for carrying two bottles separately has been overcome. However, these devices have lacked suitability for conveniently mixing liquids to achieve a flavour especially tailored a person’s thirst for a particular taste at a moment.

Generally, the prior art discloses devices that can only dump all the substance that they store into the bottle to which they are attached. They do not allow for precise metering of a flavouring liquid into a base liquid to achieve a particular taste a person wants to drink at a particular moment. The devices of the prior art are wasteful of the flavouring liquid and the mixture of the base liquid making it hard to store them after mixture has occurred if a person does want to drink them all at once. With only the prior art, it is inconvenient if not impossible to mix the substance stored in the device with any other substance save the substance stored in the bottle to which the lid-type device is attached. Typical devices of the prior art are often not suitable for storing and mixing liquids.

The present invention is devised for a user to have long term storage together with a single bottle often mixed liquids both before and after mixing, and to satisfy a person’s thirst for a particular taste at an immediate moment.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is a compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid comprising a cap and a dispenser including a container, wherein the cap is translatable relative to the dispenser between first and second positions to open and close a passage for a first liquid from the container into a socket in the cap for capping a bottle.

The first liquid may be stored in the container. The first liquid may be ejected from the dispenser directly into a bottle capped by the compound device. The compound device may also be twisted off the bottle. The dispenser may be held in a user’s hand free of the bottle. The user may eject the first liquid from the dispenser wherever is convenient or into any convenient vessel.

A second liquid or substance is storable in the bottle.

Preferably the cap is a bottle cap. Preferably the socket is formed to receive a bottle neck opening of the bottle. Preferably the cap is of the twist on and twist off variety. Preferably the socket is threaded to twist on and off the bottle neck. The cap has a rotational axis for twisting onto the bottle neck.

Herein translation refers to displacement and/or rotation. Preferably the cap is displaceable and/or twistable relative to the dispenser and vice versa. Advantageously a user may handle and pull, push or twist the dispenser relative to the cap which may be attached to the bottle or other type of vessel. Preferably the bottle cap is translatable to change a distance from the dispenser to the cap. Preferably the distance is from the container to the cap.

Counter translation such as displacement and/or twist of the dispenser and cap, which is translation, displacement or twist in opposite directions, may be permitted only between the first and second positions. Preferably the bottle cap is twistable relative to the dispenser between the first and second positions to open and close the passage. The passage may be opened by counter twist between the bottle cap and dispenser from the first to the second position. Similarly, the passage may be closed by a reverse counter twist between the bottle cap and dispenser from the second position to the first position.

Preferably the compound device comprises a valve to open and close the passage. The valve may be operable by translating the dispenser relative to the cap between the first and second positions. Preferably the passage is through the dispenser and/or the cap. Preferably the passage includes a perforation through the cap and through the dispenser.

Preferably the dispenser comprises a first part of the passage having a mutually complementing shape to a second part of the passage which the cap comprises. The first and second parts of the passage translate with the cap and dispenser to open and close the passage.

Preferably a user may easily open and close the passage by pulling and pushing the dispenser relative to the cap. Preferably the first and second parts of the passage cooperate to open and close the passage as they are displaced relative to each other. Preferably the cap and dispense cooperate for displacement is in a direction parallel to a common axis of the cap and dispenser.

Preferably a user may easily open and close the passage by twisting the cap relative to the dispenser. Preferably the first and second parts of the passage cooperate to open and close the passage as they are twisted relative to each other.

The cap and dispenser may comprise complementary shapes by which the cap is displaced relative to the dispenser as the cap is twisted relative to the dispenser. The first and second parts of the passage are displaced by the relative displacement of the cap and dispenser to open and close the passage. Hence a user’s twisting torque easily opens and closes the passage. Preferably the displacement is parallel to the axis of twist.

In use the cap is on the bottle neck, so a user may grasp the dispenser and the bottle to displace and/or twist the dispenser relative to the cap.

Preferably the dispenser comprises a break-away ring attached by frangible stringers to a rim of a receptacle in the dispenser for receiving the cap. Preferably the breakaway ring comprises a lip inward into the receptacle. The lip may hook over a corresponding protrusion on the bottle. Preferably twisting the dispenser to remove it from the bottle displaces the dispenser axially as noted above. The frangible stringers are torn by being axially stretched. Advantageously the torn stringers are evidence that both the bottle has been opened and that the passage into the container has been opened.

The cap may be situated in the dispenser. When the compound device is screwed tight on the bottle neck, the cap in between the dispenser and the bottle neck is closing both the bottle and the container. This is because of the second part cooperating with the first part to close the passage and simultaneously a covering portion of the bottle cap closing the bottle opening. Advantageously the first liquid is thereby stored in the closed container and the second liquid or substance is stored in the closed bottle.

Preferably the passage includes a pin hole for dispensing droplets of the first liquid from the container into the socket. Advantageously precise discrete amounts of the first liquid in the container may be ejected through the passage.

The cap and dispenser may both twist around the rotational axis of the bottle cap. The dispenser may constrain the cap to twist around the rotational axis of the socket. Preferably the rotational axis of the dispenser around the cap is coaxial with the rotational axis with the rotational axis of the socket. So, the dispenser and cap have a mutual axis of rotation about which they twist relative to each other.

Preferably the cap is twistable at least five degrees of rotation relative to the dispenser between first and second positions to open and close the passage. Preferably the cap is twistable at most seven hundred and twenty degrees and more preferably at most one hundred and twenty degrees of the rotation. Most preferably the angular distance of rotation between the first and second positions is twenty degrees or thirty degrees. Preferably the dispenser is twistable forward (clockwise) and backward (counterclockwise) relative to the bottle cap between the first and second positions.

Where the dispenser is twisted clockwise to the first position, further clockwise twisting of the dispenser requires the cap to twist clockwise also. Similarly, where the dispenser is twisted counterclockwise the second position, further counterclockwise twisting of the dispenser requires the cap to twist counterclockwise also.

Preferably the compound device comprises a torque transfer part. The torque transfer part which urges the cap to twist in sync with the dispenser. The torque transfer part transfers twisting torque from the dispenser to the cap and vice versa.

Where the bottle cap and dispenser twist in sync, they twist in the same direction, preferably without any relative translation between them.

Preferably the cap and the dispenser only twist in sync forward (clockwise) from the first position. The cap and dispenser are twisted in sync clockwise relative to the bottle so that the cap closes the bottle shut tight. The cap and dispenser are then at the first position relative to each other.

Before the cap and dispenser are twisted in sync, the dispenser is twisted clockwise relative to the cap from the second position to the first position which closes the passage. It is only when the first position is reached that the torque transfer part transfers torque clockwise from the dispenser to the cap to twist the cap tight on the bottle.

Preferably from the first position the dispenser twists counterclockwise independently of the cap. Therefore, there may be relative twisting between the cap and the dispenser when the dispenser is twisted counterclockwise from the first position.

Preferably the cap and the dispenser only twists in sync backward (counterclockwise) from the second position. The cap and dispenser are twisted in sync counter clockwise relative to the bottle so that the cap twists loose from the bottle. Before the cap and dispenser are twisted in sync, the dispenser is twisted counter clockwise from relative to the cap from the first position until the second position is reached. The relative twisting from the first position to the second position opens the passage.

Preferably from the second position, the dispenser twists clockwise independently of the cap. Therefore, there may be relative twisting between the cap and the dispenser when the dispenser is twisted clockwise from the second position.

Preferably the transfer part only engages at the first and second positions. So, the bottle cap is twistable forward and backward relative to the dispenser between first and second positions to open and close the passage where the cap engages the dispenser to twist in sync from the first and second positions.

Preferably the torque transfer part is formed from complementary shapes of the dispenser and bottle cap. There may be a dispenser transfer part on the dispenser having a mutually complementing shape to a cap torque transfer part on the cap.

Preferably the torque transfer part exposes the cap torque transfer part to be operable by a user to open and close the passage. A user may easily open and close the passage where the dispenser is removed from the bottle by manipulating the torque transfer part.

Preferably the dispenser stop part covers the cap torque transfer part from a user. The user is thereby encouraged to open and close the bottle and passage together while the cap in on the bottle.

Preferably the torque transfer part comprises stops to stop relative twisting of the dispenser and cap in counter twisting directions. Preferably the stops are at and/or engage at the first and second positions. The cap is thereby twistable relative to the dispenser between stops at the first and second positions to open and close the passage for a first liquid from the container into the socket in the cap. Counter twisting of the cap and dispenser is permitted only between the stops.

Preferably the stops include first and second stops which are separated by an angle of separation around the mutual axis of rotation of the cap and dispenser. The dispenser is twistable relative to the cap between the first and second stops.

Preferably each of the stops comprises a dispenser stop part on the dispenser having a mutually complementing shape to a cap stop part on the cap. Preferably the dispenser stop part of the first stop is separated from the dispenser stop part of the second stop by the angle of separation around the mutual axis of rotation of the cap and dispenser. Preferably the angle is at least five degrees, and preferably it is at most 120 degrees, and most preferably it is twenty degrees. So, the dispenser is twistable relative to the cap at least five degrees, at most one hundred and twenty degrees, and most preferably twenty degrees.

Preferably the dispenser and cap stop parts interlock to join the cap to the dispenser.

Preferably where the cap and the dispenser are twisted to the stops, the stops transfer torque from the cap to the dispenser. The cap and the dispenser are then twisted synchronized together by the torque transferred through the stops. Preferably there is no relative twisting between the synchronized cap and dispenser so that they rotate together as one.

The dispenser is twistable relative to the bottle between the stops by a torque applied to the dispenser. The torque being a relative torque on the dispenser with respect to the cap because the dispenser and cap are free to twist relative to each other between the stops. However, where the dispenser is twisted relative to the cap to reach one of the stops, then that stop transfers the torque from the dispenser to the cap to twist them synchronized together. Preferably where the cap and dispenser are synchronized, there is no counter twisting between the dispenser and the cap.

Where the dispenser and cap are twisted relative to each other to a stop by a torque, the torque may be reversed to twist the dispenser relative to the cap toward the distal stop. Where they reach the distal stop, the distal stop transfers the torque from the dispenser to the cap to twist them synchronized together without counter twisting. There is no counter twisting between the cap and the dispenser unless the direction of the torque is reversed.

Preferably where the dispenser is twisted in a first direction relative to the cap to one of the stops, that stop engages.

Preferably the engaged stop only stops further twisting of the dispenser in the first direction relative to the cap. Therefore, twisting of the dispenser relative to the cap outside the angle of separation between the stops is prevented by the engaged stop.

Preferably the engaged stop allows translation including twisting and/or displacement of the dispenser relative to the cap from the engaged stop toward the distal stop. So, within the angle of separation relative twisting and/or displacement is allowed.

The engaged stop is disengaged by twisting the dispenser relative to cap toward the distal stop into the angular range between stops of the dispenser relative to the cap.

For example, a user may place the compound device on a bottle by putting the socket on a bottle neck. The user twists the dispenser around the mutual axis of rotation to screw the compound device onto the bottle neck. The dispenser is twisted relative to the cap until the first position is reached. Preferably there the first torque transfer part will be engaged. Advantageously, where the first position is reached, the passage will also be closed. There the first torque transfer part will stop the cap from twisting relative to the dispenser as the dispenser is continued to be twisted to screw the compound device on the bottle neck. So, the first torque transfer part will transfer the twisting torque from the dispenser to the cap to screw the cap onto the bottle. The dispenser may be twisted further in the same direction until the cap will screw onto the bottle no further. Advantageously the first liquid in the container will be reliably stored in container while the compound device is attached to the bottle neck because the passage is closed.

A user may also twist off the compound device from the bottle neck. At first the user twists the dispenser around the mutual axis of rotation in the direction to unscrew the cap from the bottle neck. The first torque transfer part which constrains the dispenser from twisting further on the bottle neck will be disengaged. As the user twists the dispenser in the direction to remove the device from the bottle neck, the dispenser will twist relative to the cap in the angular space between the stops. With further twisting of the dispenser in the direction to remove device, the second position will be reached. Advantageously, where the second position is reached, the passage will also be open. The second torque transfer part will stop the cap from twisting relative to the dispenser as the dispenser is continued to be twisted to unscrew the compound device off the bottle neck. So, the second torque transfer part will transfer the torque from the dispenser to the cap to twist unscrew the cap from the bottle neck. The dispenser may be twisted further in the same direction until the cap comes off the bottle neck and the compound device is removed from the bottle. Advantageously the removed compound device will be ready to dispense the liquid in the container because the passage is open.

Thus, the bottle cap may translate to open and close the bottle and to open and close the container. The container and the bottle may be sealed closed simultaneously by the bottle cap. The mutually complementary shape of the cap and dispenser enables the cap to seal the container closed. The mutually complementary shape of the cap to the bottle neck enables the cap to seal the bottle closed.

An amount of rotational drag or friction is present between the cap and the dispenser. This rotational drag or friction is manifest where the dispenser rotates relative to the cap between the first and second positions.

If the friction between the cap and the dispenser is too high, the friction will drag the cap along with the dispenser as the dispenser and cap are twisted off the bottle. This will prevent the passage from being opened. To overcome this, preferably the cap comprises a rotation clamp which clamps the cap to the bottle neck. The rotation clamp resists twisting the cap off the bottle neck. Preferably the rotation clamp only clamps where the cap is fully twisted on the bottle neck and at a maximum twisted on position.

Preferably the rotation clamp releases upon twisting the cap a finite angle in the twist off direction.

Advantageously the where the cap is fully twisted on the bottle neck, the rotation clamp makes the dispenser twist relative to the stops before the cap starts to twist off the bottle neck. So, the passage is opened as soon as the dispenser is twisted in the off direction. Reliability of the opening the passage is thereby improved.

Preferably the rotation clamp is engaged where the cap seals closed against the bottle. Preferably the rotation clamp seals the cap to the bottle.

Examples of suitable rotation clamps include portions of the cap, for example a thread in the socket arranged for friction contact in the closed position, or a clamp ring in the socket to clamp on and seal to the rim of the bottle in the closed position, or another portion of the socket arranged to come into friction contact with the bottle neck in the closed portion.

The rotation clamp holds the cap in the closed position fixed to the bottle so that the cap rotates relative to the dispenser between stops as the compound device is initially twisted off the bottle neck. The passage is opened by the initial twist of the dispenser where the cap is still on the bottle. Advantageously a user may eject the first liquid directly into the bottle from the container and through the socket.

With further twisting off the compound device the dispenser is twisted with respect to the cap to where the second position is reached. There, the second torque transfer part will constrain the cap to twist the dispenser with further twisting off the compound device. The user may apply a further twisting torque to overcome the friction of the rotation clamp and twist the cap along with the dispenser off the bottle neck. The bottle is thereby opened and the passage in the compound device is also opened. Advantageously the user may eject the first liquid from the dispenser into the opened bottle or another vessel or container.

Preferably the dispenser comprises a tubular body providing the container and receptacle with a tubular form.

Preferably a portion of the dispenser is adapted to be squeezed or displaced to dispense the first liquid from the container through the passage. The portion of the dispenser adapted to be squeezed may be a resilient portion of the tubular body. The portion of the dispenser adapted to be displaced may be an ejector for a user to operate by hand to dispense the first liquid through the passage.

Preferably the ejector is a piston slide-able in the container. The container may have an opening before the dispenser is assembled with the piston. The opening may be an open end of the tubular body. The opening is dimensioned to receive the piston for assembly and to provide finger access to a head of the piston to operate the piston. The container may be enclosed by the piston when the dispenser assembled.

Preferably the piston is displaceable to proximate the rim of the opening so that there is a maximum volume for the first liquid in the container. Preferably, the partition surface of the container is shaped to mate with the surface of the piston facing into the container. These mating surfaces have matching contours for ejecting substantially all the beverage from the reservoir. Where the mating surfaces are brought into contact by displacement of the piston, the interior of the container is deprived of volume so as to eject all the first liquid out of the container.

Advantageously, were the first liquid to freeze inside the container and expands, the piston would slide to increase the volume inside the container to accommodate the volume of the frozen beverage without damaging the dispenser popping the passage open. Preferably hermetic storage of the first liquid in the reservoir would be maintained.

Preferably the piston has a head that has rigidity that is provided by a thickness of the material at the head of piston, or by a concave shape of the piston head with the concavity facing inwards into the container, or by ribs on piston head which reinforce it. Advantageously the rigidity helps maintain the orientation of the piston in the container and maintain the matching contour.

Preferably the piston head has a soft, deformable interior surface. Preferably the piston head is flexible. Advantageously by virtue of a soft deformable surface facing the interior of the container, the piston head conforms to the partition contour when pressed against the partition.

Preferably the piston is a one-piece unit.

Preferably when the passage is sealed closed to the first liquid and preferably also gas or air where the cap is translated relative to the dispenser to reach the first position where the passage is closed.

Preferably the ejector comprises a sliding liquid proof seal to prevent escape of the first liquid from the container except through the passage. Preferably it is the piston that comprises the seal. Preferably neither the first liquid or gas or air may by-pass the piston. The first liquid in the container can only escape the container by being ejected through the passage, and only when the passage is open.

Preferably the passage includes a nozzle or pin hole opening which restricts the passage. Advantageously because of the sliding liquid and gas proof seal, the first liquid does not dribble out of the passage even the passage is open unless a user pushes the piston to compress the volume inside the container.

Advantageously effervescent beverages are storable in the container.

Preferably the sliding seal is formed of resilient polymer.

Preferably the sliding seal comprises a circumferential flap around the piston tubular portion or piston head. Preferably the sliding seal comprises a pair of circumferential flaps. The flaps are axially space apart on the piston to form a sealed volume between the flaps and the portion of the tubular body including the container.

Preferably the head of the piston and the sliding seal are integrally formed, and preferably of a single material.

Preferably the sliding seal comprises a flexible O-ring which makes circumferential contact with the portion of the tubular body including the container.

Preferably the flexibility of the sliding seal is provided by a thickness of the material proximate the circumference the piston head is which is thin as a membrane which preferably forms a flexible flap.

Preferably, the sliding seal is a coupling between the piston and the tubular body of the dispenser. Preferably the sliding seal provides friction which holds the piston in place against the weight of the piston itself when the passage is open. Advantageously the weight of the piston cannot eject the first liquid in the container out through the passage. Only when the piston is pushed, such as by a user, is the first liquid ejected through the passage.

Preferably the friction coupling holds the weight of the piston itself and the weight of the first liquid in the container which fills the maximum volume of inside the container. This prevents unintentional dribbling of the first liquid out of the passage even when the passage is open. Preferably the container wall is transparent or translucent and the position of the partition and/or the piston is visible through the wall for a user to judge the volume of the first liquid in the container. Preferably the liquid may also be seen through the container wall.

Advantageously the compound device is portable. The dispenser and the cap are held together and may be carried together with the first liquid inside the container.

The compound device according to the invention is further disclosed in the accompanying claims.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of a compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid;

Figure 2A shows a view into container of a dispenser in the compound device of Figure 1;

Figure 2B shows an isometric view towards the container of the dispenser;

Figure 2C shows an isometric view towards a receptacle for receiving a bottle cap in the dispenser;

Figure 2D shows a view into the receptacle of the dispenser;

Figure 3A shows a view of a top of a bottle cap in the compound device of Figure 1;

Figure 3B shows an isometric view of the bottle cap toward the top of the bottle cap;

Figure 3C shows an isometric view towards the socket for receiving a bottle neck in the bottle cap;

Figure 3D shows a view into the socket of the bottle cap;

Figure 4A shows an isometric view toward the exterior piston head of an ejector of the compound device in Figure 1;

Figure 4B shows an isometric view toward the interior surface of the ejector; and

Figure 5 shows a cross section of the compound device.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to the Figures, there is shown in Figure 1 a compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid 10 which is an assembly of parts. The compound device comprises a cap 300 in a dispenser 100. In Figure 1 the cap 300 is visible inside the dispenser 100 because the dispenser has a transparent tubular wall.

Figures 2 and 3 the dispenser 100 and the cap 300 respectively as individual parts.

The dispenser 100 includes a container 118, 119 for a first liquid. The cap 300 is twistable relative to the dispenser.

The cap is twistable between edges 128,129 on the dispenser of first and second slots 124, 125. The slots are formations of torque transfer parts which operate as stops. The cap 300 may be twisted from the edge 128 of the first stop to the edge 129 of the second stop by twisting the dispenser 100 relative to the cap 300 and bottle 400 while the cap 300 is capped on the bottle 400.

By twisting the cap 300 relative to the dispenser 100, a passage 314 from the container into a socket 321 in the cap is opened and closed. To close the passage 314, the cap 300 is twisted from the edge 128 of the first stop to the edge 129 of the second stop. To open the passage, the cap 300 is twisted from the edge of the second stop 129 to the edge of the first stop 128.

The angular distance is thirty degrees from the edge 128 of the first stop to the edge 129 of the second stop. The cap 300 is twistable thirty degrees relative to the dispenser 100.

As shown in Figure 2, the dispenser 100 is tubular and comprises a tubular wall 110.

The dispenser 100 comprises a partition 112 though the interior of the dispenser 100. The partition 112 is connected to the tubular wall 110 and is a block across the interior of the dispenser. The dispenser 100 comprises a receptacle in which the cap 300 is held. The tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is a portion of the tubular wall 110 of the dispenser. For convenience of explanation, the portion of the tubular wall 100 which is the receptacle is labelled 114. The portion which is the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle extends from the partition 112 to the receptacle tubular rim 115.

The receptacle for the cap 300 is formed by the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle and the partition 112. The partition 112 forms the closed end of the receptacle. The cap 100 is situated in the interior 116 of the receptacle. The cap 300 has a tubular skirt 302 which conforms within the tubular wall of the receptacle 114 so that the cap 300 is twistable within the receptacle.

The container for the first liquid is on the opposite side partition 112 as the receptacle for the cap 300. For convenience of explanation, the portion of the tubular wall 100 which is the side of the container is labelled 118. The portion which is the tubular wall 118 of the container extends from the partition 112 to the container tubular rim 121.

The partition 112 is disk shaped. The disk has opposite surfaces. One of the surfaces 119 forms the closed end of the container. The opposite surface is the closed end of the receptacle.

The tubular wall 118 of the container forms the side of the container. The container is can shaped. The tubular rim 121 of the container is distal from the partition. The interior 120 of the container is where the first liquid is stored until ejected from the dispenser 100.

The tubular wall 118 of the container is translucent or transparent. A user can see the first liquid stored in the container by looking through the tubular wall 118.

On the tubular wall are volume markers 122 by which the user can ascertain how much of the first liquid remains in the container or how much has been ejected. The volume markers are formed in the material of the tubular wall or they are opaque markings in or on the transparent material. Graduation numbers or symbols are observable relative to the level of the first liquid in the container. This volume markers aid a user to eject a precise and discrete amount of the first liquid through a pin hole 320 of the passage.

On the other side the partition 112 of the tubular wall 110 of the dispenser 100 is the receptacle within which the cap 300 is twistable relative to the dispenser 100. As mentioned the portion of the tubular wall which is the side of the receptacle is labelled

114. Since the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is a portion of the tubular wall 110 of the dispenser, a user can grab and twist the whole dispenser 100 to twist the dispenser 100 relative to the cap 300.

There is a first slot 124 in the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle. One hundred and eighty degrees opposite the first slot 124 is a second slot 125 in the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle.

The first and second slots 124, 125 are elongate and aligned so that the lengthwise direction is substantially parallel to, but also slanted from, the direction of twisting the cap 300 around the axis of the tubular wall 114.

Two lugs 326, 328 protrude radially from the skirt 302 of the cap 300. The first lug 326 protrudes into the first slot 124. The second lug 328 is diametrically opposite the first lug 326 and protrudes into the second slot 125.

The lengthwise edge 126 of the first slot 124 is substantially parallel to, but slanted from, the hoop direction around the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle. Second slot has a correspondingly oriented lengthwise edge 127.

The first and second lugs 326, 328 slide along the lengthwise edges of the first and second slots 124, 125 as the cap 300 is twisted relative to the dispenser 100. The cap 300 is displaced axially by the slant of the lengthwise edges 126, 127 as the cap 300 is twisted.

The length of the slots 124, 125 is defined by edges and the lengthwise ends. The length of the first slot 124 is the distance from edge 128 to distal edge 129. The length the second slot 125 is the same as the length of the first 124.

The first lug 326 is slidable in the first slot 124 between the edges 128, 129 at the lengthwise ends. The edges 128, 129 stop the first lug 326 from traveling beyond the first slot. The second lug 328 is in the same way stopped from traveling beyond the second slot 125. The cap 300 is thereby stopped from twisting beyond where the first and second lugs 326, 328 bump into the lengthwise ends of the first and second slots 124, 125 respectively.

The first slot 124 in the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is a first stop part, and it is on the dispenser. The first slot 124 has a mutually complementing shape to the cap first lug 326. The first Is a second stop part, and it is on the cap.

The first and second stop parts which are the first slot 124 and the first lug 326 respectively interlock to join the cap to the dispenser.

The second slot 125 and the second lug 328 also interlock in the same manner to join the cap to the dispenser.

The first and second slots 124, 125 are shown penetrating through the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle. However, it is not essential for the slot to penetrate through the tubular wall because the first and second lugs 326, 328 would slide and interlock just as well in grooves in the tubular wall which did not penetrate through the tubular wall.

The skirt 302 of the cap 300 is cylindrical. The inner surface of the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is also cylindrical so that the cap is twistable within the receptacle. The outer surface of the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is not necessarily cylindrical. The inner surface and outer surface of the tubular container are not necessarily cylindrical. For simplicity of construction, tubular wall of the container and the tubular wall of the receptacle are in some embodiments all formed from a simple cylindrical tube having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces. Such embodiment is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The partition 112 comprises a circular ribbon-like bumper ring 130 proximate the tubular wall of the receptacle. The bumper ring 130 extends into the interior of the receptacle a distance that does not reach to the slots 124, 125. The bumper 130 is flexible due to the ribbon-like thickness.

The rim of the bumper ring 130 is pressed against the cap 300 when the cap is twisted and stopped by the first and second lugs 326, 328 contacting the end of the first and second slots 124, 125 closest to the partition 110 due to the slat of the slots.

A valve tube 132 is located at the center of the partition, although it is not essential for the valve tube 132 be at the center of the partition. The valve tube pierces through the partition 132 from the interior 116 of the receptacle to the interior 120 of the container. The valve tube protrudes into the interior 116 of the receptacle beyond the distance that the bumper ring 130 protrudes, but the valve tube does not extend into the interior 120 of the container.

A spike 138 at the center of the interior of the valve tube 132 is supported by spokes 134 connected to the valve tube 132. The spike 134 extends into the interior of the receptacle further than the valve tube. There are passages 136 between the spokes 134.

On the cap 300 there is a step 304 radially inward from the skirt 302 a frustum 306 which forms a covering portion 310 over a bottle opening when the cap 300 is capped onto a bottle 400.

The rim of the bumper ring 130 presses against the step 304. Weight that is stacked on top of the dispenser is transferred down through the tubular wall 118 of the container then into the bumper ring 130 and then into the cap 130 screwed on the bottle. Convenient stacking of bottles closed by the compound device is thereby possible without damaging the fine parts 132, 134, 136, 138, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 of the passage. The weight transfer path may be most clearly seen in the cross section of Figure 5.

The cylindrical skirt 302 of the cap 300 fits within the cylindrical inner surface of the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle. The cap 300 is thereby centered in the receptacle.

There is a valve recess 312 in the covering portion 310 of the cap 300. The valve recess 312 is located at the center of the covering portion. At the base 316 of the valve recess 312 is a valve hollow mortice 314 which extends deeper than the base. At the bottom of the hollow mortice is a valve pin hole 320.

The valve recess 312, mortice 314, and base 316 are formed in a valve nozzle 318 which extends into the interior 321 of the cap 300. The valve nozzle 318 is centered in the interior 321 and protrudes from the interior surface of the covering portion 310.

The valve nozzle 318 has a mutually complimentary shape with the valve tube 132 and spike 138 of the dispenser 100. When the cap 300 is in the receptacle, the valve tube 132 and spike 138 fit inside the valve nozzle 318. A passage from the container in the dispenser 100 into the socket 321 in the cap 300 is formed.

The passage flows through the valve tube 132 of the receptacle, then through the passages 136 between the spokes 134 in the valve tube, then into the valve recess 312 in the covering portion 310, then into the valve hollow mortice 314, and then into the valve pin hole 320.

When the cap 300 is twisted so that the lugs 326, 328 are against the ends of the slots 124, 125 which are farthest from the partition 112, the spike 138 on the dispenser 100 is retracted from the valve mortice 314 of the cap. Clearance space is provided between the spike 138 and valve mortice 314 so that passage from the container in the dispenser 100 into the socket 321 in the cap 300 is open.

When the cap 300 is twisted so that the lugs 326, 328 are against the ends of the slots 124, 125 which are closest to the partition 112, the spike 138 on the dispenser 100 is pressed into the valve mortice 314 of the cap. The clearance space is filled by the spike so that passage from the container in the dispenser 100 into the socket 321 in the cap 300 is closed.

Thus, the recess 312, mortice 314 and base 314 of the cap 300 are parts which have a mutually complementing shape to the tube 134, spokes 134 between channels 136 and the spike 138 of the dispenser 100. These parts of the cap and dispenser respectively cooperate as the cap and dispenser translate relative to each other to open and close the passage.

The cap 300 comprises a resilient clamp ring 324 proximate the skirt 302. The clamp ring 324 extends into the interior of the socket a distance that is less that the distance that the valve nozzle 318 extends into the socket. There is a circular channel intermediate the skirt 302 and the clamp ring 324.

The clamp ring 324 is a type of rotation clamp which engages the cap 300. The rim of the bottle neck is clamped in the circular channel between the skirt 302 and the clamp ring 324. The rim of the bottle neck only reaches into the circular channel where the cap is in a maximum twisted on position on the bottle neck. Therefore, the rotation clamp is engaged where the cap seals closed against the bottle.

As the cap 300 is twisted off the bottle neck, the rim of the bottle neck is withdrawn from the channel and the rotation clamp disengages. A user only need twist the bottle clamp a finite angle for the socket threads 322 to displace the cap far enough axially for the rim of the bottle to be withdrawn from the channel and release the clamp.

The clamp ring 324 prevents twisting of the cap 300 off the bottle neck without twisting the cap relative to the dispenser between the stops.

Where the rim of the bottle neck is clamped inside the circular channel between the skirt 302 and the clamp ring 324, the cap is prevented from rotation with respect to the bottle 400 by the friction of the clamp ring 324. Consequently, when a user twists the dispenser to twist the compound device off a bottle where the cap is in a maximum twisted on position on the bottle neck, the dispenser 100 first twists relative to the cap 300 from the first stop 128 towards the second stop. The passage from the interior 120 of the container into the socket 321 is thereby opened. Reliability of the opening the passage as the compound device is twisted off the bottle neck is improved.

Upon reaching the second stop, the second stop transfers torque from the dispenser 100 to the cap 300 in the direction to twist the cap off the bottle 400. Consequently, the further twisting twists the bottle cap to withdraw the rim of the bottle neck from the channel of clamp ring 324. The compound device is then easily twisted off the bottle.

In the same fashion the rotation clamp is not engaged until the bottle cap seals closed against the bottle when the compound device is twisted onto the bottle. So, the passage is reliably closed upon the compound device being twisted to where the cap closes the bottle neck.

The dispenser 100 comprises a break-away ring 140 attached to the receptacle tubular rim 115 by frangible stringers 142. The break-away ring comprises ratchet teeth allowing it to be twisted onto the bottle neck. However, when the compound device is twisted off, the ratchet teeth engage complimentary teeth on the bottle so that the frangible stringers are torn. The break-away ring 140 has a lip inward toward the ring centre. The bottle has a corresponding ring. The lip on the break-away ring of the dispenser hook over the corresponding ring of the bottle. As the dispenser is twisted of the bottle, the cap thread displaces the dispenser axially. The lip of the break-way ring is hooked on the ring around the bottle neck. So, the frangible stringers are stretched axially until they break. The break-away ring remains on the bottle when the rest of the dispenser is twisted off. The break-away ring 140 thereby serves as evidence that the dispenser has been twisted off the bottle 400.

An ejector in the form of a piston 200 is situated within the container of the dispenser 100. The piston head has a user operable surface 202 for a user to push and eject a first liquid in the container through the open passage. On opposite side of the piston head is an interior surface 204 of the container.

Around the circumference of the piston head are first and second ring seals 206, 208 which are axially spaced apart. The ring seals are sliding seals which allow the piston to slide along the tubular wall 116 of the container. The ring seals form a leakproof seal between the tubular wall 118 and the piston 200. The tubular wall 118 and piston 200 are thereby combined into a leakproof barrier for the first liquid in the container. So, the only escape for first liquid from the container is though the passage.

A user operates the piston 200 by hand to dispense the first liquid out the container through the passage and into the socket 321 of the cap 300.

Index of Labelled Features in Figures compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid

100 dispenser

110 tubular wall of dispenser

112 partition between container and receptacle

114 tubular wall of receptacle for cap

115 receptacle tubular rim

116 interior of receptacle

118 tubular wall of container for first liquid in dispenser

119 closed end of container

120 interior of container

121 container tubular rim

122 container volume markers

124 first slot in tubular wall of receptacle

125 second slot in tubular wall of receptacle

126 edge of first slot to guide lug as cap twists between positions

127 edge of second slot to guide lug as cap twists between positions

128 first stop at first position at end of first slot

129 second stop second position at distal end of first slot

130 bumperring

132 valve tube of receptacle

134 spokes to central spike in valve tube

136 channels between spokes in valve tube

138 central spike in valve tube

140 break-away ring of dispenser

142 fragile stringers connecting break-away ring

200 ejector in form of piston

202 piston head user operable surface

204 piston head surface which is an interior surface of the container

206 piston first ring seal

208 piston second ring seal

300 cap

302 skirt of cap

304 step from skirt

306 slanted wall from step

310 covering portion over bottle opening

312 valve recess in covering portion

314 valve passage

316 valve shelf from recess to mortice

318 valve nozzle

320 valve pin hole

321 socket in cap

322 thread the engage neck of bottle opening

324 clamp ring for receiving rim of bottle neck

326 cap first lug

328 cap second lug

400 bottle

The invention has been described by way of examples only. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is 5 not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid comprising a cap and a dispenser including a container, wherein the cap is translatable relative to the dispenser between first and second positions to open and close a passage for a first liquid from the container into a socket in the cap for capping a bottle.

2. A compound device according to claim 1 comprising a torque transfer part which transfers torque clockwise from the dispenser to the cap to twist them synchronised together clockwise from the first position.

3. A compound device according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a torque transfer part which transfers torque counter clockwise from the dispenser to the cap to twist them synchronised together counter clockwise from the first position.

4. A compound device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the torque transfer part comprises a dispenser torque transfer part on the dispenser having a mutually complementing shape to a cap torque transfer part on the cap.

5. A compound device according to claim 4 wherein the dispenser and cap torque transfer parts interlock to join the cap to the dispenser.

6. A compound device according to claim 4, or 5 wherein the dispenser torque transfer part exposes the cap torque transfer part to be operable by a user to open and close the passage.

7. A compound device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the dispenser stop part covers the cap torque transfer part from a user.

8. A compound device according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the dispenser torque transfer part is slanted from the twist direction to displace the cap axially with respect to the dispenser as the cap twists relative to the dispenser.

9. A compound device according to any preceding claim wherein the cap comprises a rotation clamp to resist twisting the cap off the bottle.

10. A compound device according to claim 9 wherein the rotation clamp is arranged to engage the cap in a maximum twisted on position to a bottle neck.

11. A compound device according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the rotation clamp is engaged where the cap seals closed against the bottle.

12. A compound device according to claim 9, 10, or 11 wherein the rotation clamp is arranged to disengage upon twisting a finite angle toward twisted off the bottle neck.

13. A compound device according to any preceding claim wherein the dispenser comprises a first part of the passage having a mutually complementing shape to a second part of the passage which the cap comprises.

14. A compound device according to claim 13 where the first and second parts of the passage translate with the cap and dispenser to open and close the passage.

15. A compound device according to any preceding claim wherein the passage includes a pin hole for dispensing droplets of the first liquid from the container into the socket.

16. A compound device according to any preceding claim comprising an ejector for a user to operate by hand to dispense the first liquid through the passage.

17. A compound device according to claim 16 wherein the ejector comprises a sliding liquid proof seal to prevent escape of the first liquid from the container except through the passage.

18. A compound device according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the ejector is a piston slide-able in the container.

19. A compound device according to claim 16, 17 or 18 wherein the dispenser includes an opening to provide finger access to the ejector.

20. A compound device according to any preceding claim which is portable.

21. A compound device according to any preceding claim wherein the cap is formed of a resilient material deformable for insertion of the cap into the dispenser.

22. A method of assembling a compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid according to any of claims 1 to 18 and filing the container with a first liquid including: inserting into the container a piston with a sliding liquid proof seal to close the container, injecting the first liquid through the passage into the container, inserting the

5 cap into the dispenser where the passage is formed leak proof for the first liquid from the container to the socket, and twisting the cap until it is stopped by one of the stops when the passage is closed.

23. A bottle containing a beverage and compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid according to any of claims 1 to 20, wherein an opening of the bottle is capped

10 and sealed shut in the socket.