Dispensing of a Substance

• US 20080148948A1
• Filed: 02/11/2005
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MDS Global Holding P.L.C.
• Original Assignee: MDS Global Holding Ltd. (Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.)
• Inventors: Evers, Lucas Alphonsus Maria, Sterngold, Edouard
• Granted Patent: US 7,798,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/275
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/407 with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4482 Details allowing to adapt the beverage-making apparatus to the size of the brewing vessel or the beverage container, e.g. with adjustable support for the beverage container or adjustable hot water outlet
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/56 having water-level controls; having temperature controls
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/022 Making containers by moulding of a thermoplastic material
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 69/005 by expelling contents, e.g. by squeezing the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/32 Containers adapted to be temporarily deformed by external pressure to expel contents B65D47/2018, B65D83/0055 take precedence ; containers for pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/20, A61M5/19; containers with disinfecting linings A61L2/00; liquid sprayers B05B; oil cans F16N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2577/2083 in container flange
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/2064 the seal being locally weakened, e.g. by using a sealing inhibitor
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/38 Weakened closure seams
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8058 Coding means for the contents

Abstract

The invention proposes to dispense a substance from a container (1) filled with a single portion of a substance. The container comprises a preformed deformable body, preferably made of sheet material, defining a filling cavity which body has an opening (6) and an integral planar circumferential rim (5) surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet (7) which is sealed to the circumferential rim (5) by means of a circumferential sealing seam (10). The container with the substance is opened by making use of the deformability of the cover sheet (7). A support surface supports the cover sheet (7) except at the position of a recess (10b). The recess (10b) is positioned at least over a part of the circumferential sealing seam. Upon compression of the container body the substance is pressurized and the cover sheet (7) bulges out into the recess (10b) such that the sealing seam (10) is broken at the location where the bulge is formed resulting in the container being open.

Claims

1-70. -70. (canceled)

71. A kit, in combination, comprising:

a container filled with a single portion of a substance, comprising a preformed deformable body defining a filling cavity which body has an opening and an integral planar circumferential rim surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam, wherein the container is provided with identification means corresponding to the substance contained in the container so as to allow automatic identification of the container, and

a dispensing apparatus comprising receiving means for receiving the container, which apparatus is adapted to open the container and comprises identification recognition means for automatically identifying the container and the substance therein.

72. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises compression means for compressing the container body and wherein the sealing seam of the container on a predetermined location has a weak spot such that the seal breaks at that weak spot upon pressurizing the content of the container by compressing the container body.

73. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the receiving means of the dispensing apparatus have a compression chamber with a variable volume for receiving the container body, a stop face engaging the back side of the circumferential rim and a covering lid with a supporting face for engaging the cover sheet of the container.

74. Kit according to claim 73, wherein the covering lid is provided with a recess arranged such that when the covering lid is closed it is positioned over a part of the sealing seam, so as to allow the cover of the container to bulge out into the recess upon compression of the container body and the sealing seam to break.

75. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the receiving means is adapted to receive containers with different body sizes.

76. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the receiving means is adapted to hold the circumferential rim of the container during dispensing of the substance.

77. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the receiving means are provided with ejection means for ejecting a container from the receiving means.

78. Kit according to claim 76, wherein the ejection means comprise one or more ejection rods, the ejection rods being movable with respect to the stop face towards a position wherein they project with respect to the stop face and engage the circumferential rim of the container.

79. Kit according to claim 78, wherein the ejection rods are stationary and the stop face is movable with respect to the ejection rods between a front position near the covering lid and a rear position distant from the covering lid.

80. Kit according to claim 72, wherein the compression chamber is provided with a piston coupled to drive means, which piston is adapted to engage the container body.

81. Kit according to claim 80, wherein the drive means comprise a screw spindle and an electric motor.

82. Kit according to claim 80, wherein the drive means comprise pneumatic means.

83. Kit according to claim 80, wherein the drive means comprise hydraulic means.

84. Kit according to claim 80, wherein the drive means are adapted to be hand driven.

85. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises treatment means for treating the substance dispensed from the container.

86. Kit according to claim 85, wherein the treatment means comprise liquid dispensing means for a liquid to be mixed with the substance from the container.

87. Kit according to claim 86, wherein the liquid dispensing means for liquid comprise means for dispensing cooled water and/or hot water and/or water with ambient temperature.

88. Kit according to claim 86, wherein the dispensing means for liquid comprise means for dispensing carbonated water.

89. Kit according to claim 88, wherein the means for dispensing carbonated water comprise in combination a connecting arrangement for connecting a CO2 bottle to the dispensing apparatus and a CO2 bottle.

90. Kit according to claim 89, wherein the CO2 bottle is provided with a closing valve and the connecting arrangement is provided with connecting means for opening the closing valve.

91. Kit according to claim 90, wherein the closing valve has a valve housing with a circumferential flange and the connecting means has engagement means for engaging said flange such that in a connected state a rotation of the valve housing with respect to the connecting means is prevented.

92. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the dispensing apparatus has dispensing means for different sorts of water, e.g. hot water, cooled water and carbonated water, which are positioned such that the different sorts of water can be dispensed at one point in a serving container like e.g. a cup or a bottle.

93. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the identification means are applied to the cover sheet of the container.

94. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the identification means are applied to the preformed deformable body.

95. Kit according to claim 94, wherein the identification means are visual identification means, for example a bar code.

96. Kit according to claim 94, wherein the identification means comprise electronic identification means.

97. Kit according to claim 96, wherein the electronic identification means comprise a resonance circuit.

98. Kit according to claim 96, wherein the electronic identification means comprise a transponder.

99. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the identification recognition means comprise optical scanning means which are arranged in the receiving means of the dispensing apparatus such that the bottom surface of a container can be scanned.

100. Kit according to claim 99, wherein the optical scanning means comprise a laser scanner.

101. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the cover sheet is made of foil material.

102. Kit according to claim 71, wherein the cover sheet comprises a multilayer material.

103. A kit, in combination, comprising:

a container filled with a single portion of a substance, comprising a preformed deformable body defining a filling cavity which body has an opening and an integral planar circumferential rim surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam, wherein the container is provided with identification means corresponding to the substance contained in the container so as to allow automatic identification of the container, and

a dispensing apparatus comprising receiving means for receiving the container, which apparatus is adapted to open the container and comprises identification recognition means for automatically identifying the container and the substance therein,

wherein the receiving means of the dispensing apparatus have a compression chamber with a variable volume for receiving the container body, a stop face engaging the back side of the circumferential rim and a covering lid with a supporting face for engaging the cover sheet of the container, which covering lid is provided with a recess arranged such that when the covering lid is closed it is positioned over a part of the sealing seam, so as to allow the cover of the container to bulge out into the recess upon compression of the container body and the sealing seam to break.

104. Container for containing a substance, comprising a preformed deformable body defining a filling cavity which body has an opening and an integral planar circumferential rim surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam, wherein the circumferential rim has a dispensing part with a dispensing channel formed in it by a depression which is covered by the cover sheet, the dispensing channel being closed off from the filling cavity by the circumferential sealing seam.

105. Container according to claim 104, wherein the circumferential sealing seam at the location between the channel and the filling cavity is weakened, e.g. by a decreased seam width, such that upon pressurizing the content of the container by compressing the container body the seal breaks at that location and a passage is formed between the cover sheet and dispensing part of the rim so as to allow substance to pass through the passage from the cavity into the channel.

106. Container according to claim 104, wherein the dispensing part of the rim comprises an extending tab in which the dispensing channel is formed.

107. Container according to claim 106, wherein the channel has an end at the edge of the extending tab.

108. Container according to claim 107, wherein the end at the edge of the extending tab is open.

109. Container according to claim 107, wherein the end of the channel at the edge of the extending tab is sealed.

128. Container according to claim 104, wherein a gripping tab is provided at the circumferential rim.

129. Container according to claim 128, wherein the gripping tab is situated diametrically opposite the extending tab.

130. Container according to claim 104, wherein the container wall is formed of a plastic material, preferably polystyrene.

131. Container according to claim 104, wherein the container wall is formed of a metal.

132. Container according to claim 104, wherein the cover sheet is made of foil material.

133. Container according to claim 104, wherein the cover sheet is made of a multilayer material.

134. Container according to claim 104, wherein the cover sheet is preformed.

135. Container according to claim 104, wherein the container body is formed by vacuum forming and/or thermo forming.

136. Container according to claim 104, wherein the deformable body comprises a bottom and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom.

137. Container according to claim 104, wherein the container body is corrugated so as to facilitate compression of the container.

138. Container according to claim 104, wherein the circumferential rim is provided with one or more positioning protrusions formed by a depression in the rim.

110. Container for containing a substance, comprising a preformed deformable body defining a filling cavity which body has an opening and an integral planar circumferential rim surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam, wherein the circumferential rim has a flat dispensing part which is covered by the cover sheet, which cover sheet is sealed to the dispensing part by at least two outwardly directed sealing seams which extend at a distance from one another from the circumferential sealing seam to the edge of the dispensing part.

111. Container according to claim 110, wherein the circumferential sealing seam at the location between the two outwardly directed sealing seams has a weakened portion, e.g. by a decreased seam width, such that upon pressurizing the content of the container by exerting a compression force on the wall the seal breaks at that location and a dispensing passage is formed between the two outwardly directed sealing seams, the cover sheet and the surface of the dispensing part.

112. Container according to claim 111, wherein the weakened portion of the circumferential sealing seam at the location between the two outwardly directed sealing seams has a pointed portion of which the point is directed towards the filling cavity such that upon compression of the container the seal starts to break at the pointed portion.

113. Container according to claim 110, wherein the outwardly directed sealing seams are substantially parallel.

114. Container according to claims 110, wherein the dispensing part is shaped as an extending tab.

115. Container according to claim 110, wherein the dispensing part has a part near its edge with a decreasing thickness towards the edge.

116. Container according to claim 115, wherein the thickness of the dispensing part at the edge is substantially equal to the thickness of the cover sheet.

117. Container according to claim 110, wherein a gripping tab is provided at the circumferential rim.

118. Container according to claim 117, wherein the gripping tab is situated diametrically opposite the extending tab.

119. Container according to claim 110, wherein the container wall is formed of a plastic material, preferably polystyrene.

120. Container according to claim 110, wherein the container wall is formed of a metal.

121. Container according to claim 110, wherein the cover sheet is made of foil material.

122. Container according to claim 110, wherein the cover sheet is made of a multilayer material.

123. Container according to claim 110, wherein the cover sheet is preformed.

124. Container according to claim 110, wherein the container body is formed by vacuum forming and/or thermo forming.

125. Container according to claim 110, wherein the deformable body comprises a bottom and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom.

126. Container according to claim 110, wherein the container body is corrugated so as to facilitate compression of the container.

127. Container according to claim 110, wherein the circumferential rim is provided with one or more positioning protrusions formed by a depression in the rim.

139. Container for containing a substance, comprising a deformable body defining a filling cavity, the body comprising two preformed body shells each defining a part of the filling cavity, each body shell having an integral planar circumferential rim at the edge of the shell, wherein the circumferential rims of the shells are attached to one another with a sealing seam, wherein the sealed together circumferential rims at a portion of the circumference form a dispensing part with a dispensing channel, the dispensing channel being closed off from the filling cavity by a sealing seam.

140. Container for containing a substance, comprising a deformable body defining a filling cavity, the body comprising two preformed body shells each defining a part of the filling cavity, each body shell having an integral planar circumferential rim at the edge of the shell, wherein the circumferential rims of the shells are attached to one another with a sealing seam so as to form a circumferential rim of the container, wherein the circumferential rims at a portion of the circumference each have a dispensing part half, wherein the dispensing part halves are sealed together by at least two outwardly directed sealing seams which extend at a distance from one another from the circumferential sealing seam to the edge of the dispensing part.

141. Method for manufacturing containers for containing a substance, comprising a preformed deformable body defining a filling cavity which body has an opening and an integral planar circumferential rim surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam, wherein the circumferential rim has a dispensing part with a dispensing channel formed in it by a depression which is covered by the cover sheet, the dispensing channel being closed off from the filling cavity by the circumferential sealing seam, in which method comprises:

a flat sheet is placed in a vacuum or thermo forming apparatus with a forming die, and multiple container bodies are formed simultaneously in the sheet by vacuum forming the filling cavities into the die,

the sheet with the filling cavity is placed in a filling machine and filled with substance,

a covering sheet is sealed over the sheet with the container bodies, and

the sheet with the closed containers is placed in a punch machine, where the perimeter of the circumferential rim of the body is formed by punching out waste material between the containers.

142. Method according to claim 141, wherein in the vacuum or thermo forming machine also dispensing channels of the containers are depressed in an extension tab which is subsequently to be formed in the punch machine.

143. Method for manufacturing containers for containing a substance, comprising a preformed deformable body defining a filling cavity which body has an opening and an integral planar circumferential rim surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam, wherein the circumferential rim has a flat dispensing part which is covered by the cover sheet, which cover sheet is sealed to the dispensing part by at least two outwardly directed sealing seams which extend at a distance from one another from the circumferential sealing seam to the edge of the dispensing part, in which method comprises:

a flat sheet is placed in a vacuum or thermo forming apparatus with a forming die, and multiple container bodies are formed simultaneously in the sheet by vacuum forming the filling cavities into the die,

the sheet with the filling cavity is placed in a filling machine and filled with substance,

a covering sheet is sealed over the sheet with the container bodies, and

the sheet with the closed containers is placed in a punch machine, where the perimeter of the circumferential rim of the body is formed by punching out waste material between the containers.

144. Method according to claim 143, wherein by the vacuum or thermo forming machine positioning protrusions are depressed in the circumferential rim, which is subsequently to be formed in the punch machine.

145. Method according to claim 143, wherein the cover sheet is manufactured from foil material.

146. Method according to claim 143, wherein the cover sheet is manufactured with identification means.

147. Method according to claim 143, wherein identification means are applied to the container bodies by in-mold labeling in the vacuum or thermo forming apparatus.

148. Method according to claim 143, wherein the identification means are printed on the container bodies directly after filling and sealing them.

149. Method for opening a container containing a substance, comprising a deformable body (made of sheet material) defining a filling cavity which body has an opening and an integral planar circumferential rim surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam,

the method comprising the steps of:

holding the container,

engaging the cover sheet with a support surface provided with a recess and adapted to support the cover sheet except at the position of the recess, wherein the recess is positioned at least over a part of the circumferential sealing seam, and

compressing the container body whereby the substance is pressurized and the cover sheet bulges out into the recess such that the sealing seam is broken at the location where the bulge is formed resulting in the container being open.

150. Method for opening a container containing a substance, comprising a deformable body (made of sheet material) defining a filling cavity which body has an opening and an integral planar circumferential rim surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam,

the method comprising the steps of:

holding the container,

engaging the cover sheet with a support surface provided with a recess and adapted to support the cover sheet except at the position of the recess, wherein the recess is positioned over at least a part of the circumferential sealing seam, and

heating the sealing seam at a position facing the recess, whereby the sealing seam is locally weakened,

compressing the container body whereby the substance is pressurized and the cover sheet bulges out into the recess such that the sealing seam is broken at the location where the bulge is formed resulting in the container being open.

151. Method for preparation of a drink, wherein

a flat sheet is placed in a vacuum or thermo forming apparatus with a forming die, and multiple container bodies are formed simultaneously in the sheet by vacuum or thermo forming the filling cavities into the die,

the sheet with the filling cavity is placed in a filling machine and filled with substance,

a sheet of covering material is sealed over the sheet with the container bodies,

the sheet with the closed containers is placed in a punch machine, where the perimeter of the circumferential rim of the body is formed by punching out waste material between the containers,

the container is placed in a drink dispensing apparatus comprising receiving means for receiving and holding the container,

the cover sheet is engaged with a support surface provided with a recess and adapted to support the cover sheet except at the position of the recess, wherein the recess is positioned at least over a part of the circumferential sealing seam,

the container is identified by the dispensing apparatus such that the apparatus knows which substance is contained in the container,

a serving container is placed in the drink dispensing apparatus,

the container body is compressed by the dispensing apparatus whereby the substance is pressurized and the cover sheet bulges out into the recess such that the sealing seam is broken at the location where the bulge is formed resulting in the container being open,

the substance is dispensed out of the container directly into the serving container,

mixing fluid, in particular water, is dispensed by the drink dispensing apparatus into the serving container and mixed with the substance resulting in a servable drink, and

the container is removed from the dispensing apparatus.

152. Serving bottle usable with a dispensing apparatus comprising receiving means for receiving a container filled with a single portion of a substance, comprising a preformed deformable body defining a filling cavity which body has an opening and an integral planar circumferential rim surrounding said opening, which opening is closed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam, wherein said container is provided with identification means corresponding to the substance contained in the container and said apparatus is adapted to open the container and comprises identification recognition means for automatically identifying the container and the substance therein.

153. CO2 bottle for use in a dispensing apparatus with dispensing means for liquid comprising means for dispensing carbonated water, which comprise a connecting arrangement for connecting a CO2 bottle to the dispensing apparatus.

154. Method for cleaning a dispensing apparatus comprising receiving means for receiving a container filled with a single portion of a substance, wherein said container is provided with identification means corresponding to the substance contained in the container and said apparatus is adapted to open the container and comprises identification recognition means for automatically identifying the container and the substance therein, the apparatus further comprising liquid dispensing means for a liquid to be mixed with the substance from the container,

in which method a source of cleaning fluid is connected to the liquid dispensing means of the dispensing apparatus and a dummy container, provided with an identification means, is positioned in the receiving means of the dispensing apparatus, wherein a cleaning program is run on the dispensing apparatus initiated by the identification recognition means upon recognition of the identification means of the dummy container.