Dispensing Capsule
First Claim
1. A dispensing capsule for affixing to an opening of a receiving container wherethe dispensing capsule comprises a housing having a cavity therein for separately storing preloaded contents within the cavity when the dispensing capsule is disposed in a closed position,the housing of the dispensing capsule further comprises a breakaway plunger and a base plate having an aperture that cooperate to form a seal between the cavity and a liquid compartment of the receiving container,the housing further comprises a diaphragm button disposed in axial alignment with the breakaway plunger and a shaft that is connected at one end to the diaphragm button and at the other end to the breakaway plunger, andan activating force applied to the diaphragm button causes the dispensing capsule to be disposed in an open position such that the breakaway plunger disengages from the base plate to break the seal and the breakaway plunger is thrust toward the receiving container, thereby creating fluid communication between the fluid compartment and cavity such that the contents of the cavity are discharged through the aperture of the base plate into the communicating fluid compartment of the receiving container.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing capsule and method for use thereof, wherein the dispensing capsule is preferably pre-loaded during time of manufacture with a selected dry or liquid ingredient to facilitate subsequent consumer use. The dispensing capsule comprises an apertured housing removably-engagable to the opening of a bottle or container containing a fluid. Preloaded ingredients contained within a cavity in the housing may be introduced or discharged into the bottle by simply depressing a button on the diaphragm of the housing, thereby actuating a breakaway plunger to open an aperture in the opposing base plate of the housing, permitting the contents to flow through the aperture and into the liquid contents of the bottle. The combined contents and liquid within the bottle may subsequently be agitated (e.g., shaken or mixed) without fear or risk of leakage or spillage. A hand held dispensing capsule is also disclosed.
84 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A dispensing capsule for affixing to an opening of a receiving container where
the dispensing capsule comprises a housing having a cavity therein for separately storing preloaded contents within the cavity when the dispensing capsule is disposed in a closed position, the housing of the dispensing capsule further comprises a breakaway plunger and a base plate having an aperture that cooperate to form a seal between the cavity and a liquid compartment of the receiving container, the housing further comprises a diaphragm button disposed in axial alignment with the breakaway plunger and a shaft that is connected at one end to the diaphragm button and at the other end to the breakaway plunger, and an activating force applied to the diaphragm button causes the dispensing capsule to be disposed in an open position such that the breakaway plunger disengages from the base plate to break the seal and the breakaway plunger is thrust toward the receiving container, thereby creating fluid communication between the fluid compartment and cavity such that the contents of the cavity are discharged through the aperture of the base plate into the communicating fluid compartment of the receiving container.
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8. A dispensing capsule for affixing to an opening of a receiving container having a liquid compartment therein, wherein the dispensing capsule comprises
a housing having a cavity therein for separately storing preloaded contents within the cavity when the dispensing capsule is disposed in a closed position, a breakaway plunger, and a base plate having an aperture, wherein the breakaway plunger and base plate cooperate to form a seal between the cavity and the liquid compartment of the receiving container, and the housing, base plate and breakaway plunger unit comprise a single injection molded unit.
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10. A dispensing capsule for affixing to an opening of a receiving container where
the dispensing capsule comprises a housing having a cavity therein for separately storing preloaded contents within the cavity when the dispensing capsule is disposed in a closed position, the housing of the dispensing capsule further comprises a breakaway plunger and a base plate having an aperture that cooperate to form a seal between the cavity and a liquid compartment of the receiving container, and a shaft that is connected at one end to the breakaway plunger, and an activating force applied to the shaft causes the dispensing capsule to be disposed in an open position such that the breakaway plunger disengages from the base plate to break the seal, the breakaway plunger fully detaches at its periphery while remaining attached to the shaft such that it does not fall into the liquid compartment, and the breakaway plunger is thrust toward the receiving container, thereby creating fluid communication between the fluid compartment and cavity such that the contents of the cavity are discharged through the aperture of the base plate into the communicating fluid compartment of the receiving container.
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21. A dispensing capsule for affixing to an opening of a receiving container where the dispensing capsule comprises a housing having a cavity therein for separately storing preloaded contents within the cavity when the dispensing capsule is disposed in a closed position,
the housing of the dispensing capsule further comprises a first portion comprising a cup, a breakaway plunger and a base plate having an aperture that cooperate to form a seal between the cavity and a liquid compartment of the receiving container, and a shaft that is connected at one end to the breakaway plunger, a second portion comprising a lid having a diaphragm, a button, a seal and a shaft guide such that the shaft guide guides the lid onto the shaft and removably affixes it thereto, wherein an activating force applied to the shaft causes the dispensing capsule to be disposed in an open position such that the breakaway plunger disengages from the base plate to break the seal, the breakaway plunger fully detaches at its periphery while remaining attached to the shaft such that it does not fall into the liquid compartment, and the breakaway plunger is thrust toward the receiving container, thereby creating fluid communication between the fluid compartment and cavity such that the contents of the cavity are discharged through the aperture of the base plate into the communicating fluid compartment of the receiving container.
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22. A dispensing capsule where
the dispensing capsule comprises a housing having a cavity therein for storing preloaded contents within the cavity when the dispensing capsule is disposed in a closed position, the housing of the dispensing capsule further comprises a breakaway plunger and a base plate having an aperture that cooperate to form a seal that holds the preloaded contents in the cavity, the housing further comprises a diaphragm button disposed in axial alignment with the breakaway plunger and a shaft that is connected at one end to the diaphragm button and at the other end to the breakaway plunger, and an activating force applied to the diaphragm button causes the dispensing capsule to be disposed in an open position such that the breakaway plunger disengages from the base plate to break the seal and the breakaway plunger is thrust outwardly from the aperture, thereby creating an opening such that the contents of the cavity are discharged through the aperture of the base plate.
Specification