Container for dispensing contents into another container

• US 20090120528A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel R. Brock, James M.O. Fisher
• Original Assignee: Daniel R. Brock, James M.O. Fisher
• Inventors: Fisher, James M. O., Brock, Daniel R.
• Application Number:
  US12/200,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20090120528A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 39/007 Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2231/007 Funnels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/20 by applying separate lids or covers , i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3211 coaxially and provided with means facilitating admixture
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

Systems and methods of delivering a powdered, granular or liquid material into receptacle container in a clean, easy to use way are disclosed. The systems include a tub or carton configured to contain such materials and to easily release its contents into the receptacle when opened. In some embodiments, these systems are configured to be placed over receptacle such as a beverage or water bottle, baby bottle, child'"'"'s sippy cup or drinking glass or any other such container with a mouth that can be opened and oriented to point substantially vertically.

In some embodiments, the systems are configured to open when pressed down onto the receptacle such that the seal is pressed against the mouth perimeter and forced to tear or pull away or flex away from the opening at the bottom of the tub, thereby releasing the tub contents with the aid of gravity into the receptacle below. In other embodiments the systems are configured to open when eternal pressure is applied to the tub such that the internal pressure increases and the seal is forced to burst or pop or flex open. In other embodiments the systems are configured to incorporate an internal structure that forces open the tub when external pressure is applied to the tub or areas thereof.

In some embodiments, the systems are configured to be disposable and in other embodiments the systems are configured to be reusable. In some embodiments the systems are configured to incorporate a cap so that they can be bundled with the receptacle container. In some embodiments the tubs are configured to separately contain two or more substances, which may be mixed together with each other and with any contents that happen to be in the receptacle.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first volume configured to store an additive and including an opening;

a second volume configured to receive a lip of a container; and

a seal configured to cover the opening , to prevent the additive from leaving the first volume while the seal is intact, and to be broken such that the additive is released from the first volume when the lip is received by the second volume.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the container is a bottle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the additive is a solid.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the additive is a liquid.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first container is tapered.

6. The system of claim 1, further including the additive.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the seal is configured to break near the opening.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the additive includes a drink additive.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the additive includes alcohol, medication, coloring, flavoring, nutrients, fiber, chemicals, engine oil, pesticide, herbicide or fertilizer.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the additive is edible.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a food-grade material.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a foil.

13. A method comprising:

placing an additive in a first container, the first container including a first volume configured to receive the additive and a second volume configured to receive a lip of a second container; and

placing a seal over the first volume and the second volume, the seal being configured to break and release the additive from the first volume when the lip is received by the second volume.

14. A container comprising:

an outlet designed to be narrower than the mouth of a separate receptacle container which has been located underneath the tub;

a descending wall or shelf coupled to the tub that is designed to be wider in diameter than the outside perimeter of said receptacle container'"'"'s mouth or upper opening;

a trench or gap between the outlet and the adjacent shelf

a seal that prevents leakage of tub contents out of the outlet, configured to open when pressure is applied against the seal by;

substantially downward pressure of the seal in the region where it bridges the trench against the mouth of the receptacle container;

or

internal pressure buildup in the tub against the seal as a result of external pressure being applied to a tub configured to be partially or entirely collapsible or compressible.

15. The tub of claim 14, wherein the seal which covers the tub outlet bridges the gap or trench between the tub outlet and the surrounding shelf and is anchored to the surrounding shelf by any of a variety of affixing methods and materials