MANUALLY ACTIVATED RECONSTITUTING CONTAINER

• US 20110253564A1
• Filed: 04/14/2011
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alberto Fernandez De Castro
• Original Assignee: Alberto Fernandez De Castro
• Inventors: Fernandez de Castro, Alberto
• Granted Patent: US 9,156,589 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/222
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/08 with provisions for removing or destroying, e.g. to facilitate mixing of contents

Abstract

The invention relates to single chamber containers with internal indentions upon which flexible seals are placed to form separate compartments. Between these compartments is a contractible section upon which a cutting ring is welded. By applying pressure downward from the top, the contractible area retracts and the cutting ring reaches and pierces the seal. After a quick agitation, the consumer simply opens the discharge end and is ready to enjoy an instantly made beverage.

Claims

1. A container for delivery of segregated shelf stable components in a single chamber to a user, the container comprising:

a first container portion adapted to receive a first component;

an second container portion adapted to receive a second component;

a frangible seal disposed therebetween to prevent inadvertent mixing of the first component and the second component; and

means for breaching the seal, actuated by displacement of the first container portion toward the second container portion.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a flexible wall section joining the first container portion with the second container portion.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the flexible wall section comprises a bellows.

4. The invention according to claim 3, wherein the seal is affixed to the bellows.

5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the seal breaching means comprises an edge for puncturing the seal.

6. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the edge is circumferentially disposed.

7. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the seal breaching means forms a discontinuity in the edge.

8. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the seal breaching means comprises a piercing member for puncturing the seal.

9. The invention according to claim 8, wherein the piercing member is generally centrally disposed.

10. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the piercing member is supported by a plurality of radially disposed edges.

11. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the seal breaching means is affixed to the first container portion.

12. The invention according to claim 1, wherein each of the first component and the second component is selected from the group consisting of liquids, gels, powders, granules, solids, and blends thereof.

13. The invention according to claim 1, wherein a volume defined by the first container portion is substantially greater than a volume defined by the second container portion.

14. The invention according to claim 1, further comprising means to prevent breaching of the seal due to inadvertent displacement of the first container portion toward the second container portion.

15. A substantially cylindrical container for delivery of segregated shelf stable liquid and solid components in a single chamber to a user, the container comprising:

an upper container portion housing the solid component;

a larger volume lower container portion housing the liquid component;

a flexible wall portion disposed therebetween including a frangible disk seal to prevent inadvertent mixing of the solid component and the liquid component; and

an annular cutter affixed to the container for breaching the seal, actuated by displacement of the upper container portion and the lower container portion toward each other.

16. A method of providing a shelf stable product to a user in a single chamber container delivering segregated components until combined by the user, the method comprising the steps of:

dispensing and sealing a first component in a first portion of the container with a frangible seal; and

dispensing and sealing a second component in a second portion of the container bounded at least in part by the frangible seal, wherein the container comprises means for breaching the seal, actuated by displacement of the first container portion toward the second container portion.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

displacing the first container portion toward the second container portion to breach the frangible seal; and

agitating the container to mix the first component and the second component.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the breached seal remains affixed to the container.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of removing an obstruction to permit displacement of the first container portion toward the second container portion.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of unsealing the second portion of the container to dispense the mixed components.