Storage, admixing, and dispensing system

• US 6,092,648 A
• Filed: 07/26/1999
• Issued: 07/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andy Sellars
• Original Assignee: Andy Sellars
• Inventors: Sellars, Andy
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, LUAN KIM
• Application Number:
  US09/360,811
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: 206/219-222, 206/583, 215/3, 215/6, 215/DIG. 8, 222/80, 426/82
• US Class Current: 206/221
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/2885 the element being the auxiliary container falling into the main container; the additional article or materials in solid block form falling into the main container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3222 with additional means facilitating admixture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/08 Mixing

Abstract

A storage, admixing, and dispensing system is shown. The storage, admixing, and dispensing system has a first vessel for retaining a first substance. A support structure is coupled to and seals the first vessel, and a second vessel is coupled to the support structure for containing a second substance. A release mechanism is coupled to the support structure for releasing the second vessel from the support structure for combining the first substance with the second substance. The second vessel is internal to and retained within the first vessel. The release mechanism comprises a resilient material pushbutton which also seals the second vessel. The second vessel is also an agitator for combining the first substance and the second substance. Additionally, the first vessel is a dispensing apparatus for dispensing the admixture. Further included is a safety mechanism coupled to the resilient material pushbutton for preventing accidental operation of the release mechanism.

Claims

1. A storage, admixing, and dispensing system, comprising, in combination:

a first vessel for retaining a first substance;

a support structure coupled to the first vessel;

a second vessel coupled to the support structure for containing a second substance;

a release mechanism coupled to the support structure for releasing the second vessel from the support structure for combining the first substance with the second substance;

wherein the release mechanism comprises a resilient material pushbutton;

a safety mechanism coupled to the resilient material pushbutton for preventing accidental operation of the release mechanism;

wherein the second vessel is internal to and retained within the first vessel;

wherein the release mechanism completely releases the second vessel from the support structure for combining the first substance with the second substance;

wherein the safety mechanism comprises;

a hinged protective cover;

a protruding snap cap coupled to the hinged protective cover;

a indent coupled to the protruding snap cap;

a protruding ridge coupled to the indent when in a closed position; and

wherein the hinged protective cover has an open position and a closed position and wherein the open position exposes the resilient material pushbutton for allowing the depression of the resilient material pushbutton for activating the release mechanism and wherein the closed position covers the resilient material pushbutton for preventing depression thereof.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a frangible annular ring membrane coupled to the second vessel for coupling the support structure to the second vessel.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the frangible annular ring membrane is a hermetic seal between the first vessel and the second vessel.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the second vessel has a plurality of ribs located on an edge of the second vessel for aiding in the tearing of the annular ring membrane upon the depression of the resilient material pushbutton.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the second vessel is an agitator for combining the first substance and the second substance within the first vessel when released.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the first substance and the second substance form a admixture when combined.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the first vessel is a dispensing apparatus for dispensing the admixture.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the resilient material pushbutton further comprises a straw sized opening.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the straw sized opening further comprises a frangible membrane for sealing the straw sized opening and which is penetrable by a drinking straw for allowing the admixture to be dispensed.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the support structure further comprises an orifice created when the second vessel is released wherein the orifice is for holding the resilient material pushbutton in a depressed state.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the resilient material pushbutton further comprises an annular ridge for locking into the orifice and retaining the resilient material pushbutton in a depressed position for indicating the release mechanism has been operated.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the annular ridge locking into the orifice forms a seal between the first vessel and a external environment.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the resilient material pushbutton provides at least one seal for the first vessel and at least one seal for the second vessel.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the first vessel is a box container.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the support structure and the resilient material pushbutton forms a mechanism to seal the box container.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the mechanism allows the admixture to be dispensed from the box container.

17. A storage, admixing, and dispensing system, comprising, in combination:

a first vessel for retaining a first substance wherein the first vessel is a dispensing apparatus for dispensing the admixture;

a support structure coupled to the first vessel wherein the first vessel is a box container, and the support structure is bonded to the first vessel;

a second vessel coupled to the support structure for containing a second substance and wherein the second vessel is internal to and retained within the first vessel and is an agitator for combining the first substance and the second substance within the first vessel, the first substance and the second substance form a admixture when combined; and

a release mechanism coupled to the support structure for releasing the second vessel from the support structure for combining the first substance with the second substance, the release mechanism comprising;

a resilient material pushbutton which seals the second vessel; and

a safety mechanism coupled to the support structure for preventing accidental operation of the release mechanism, the safety mechanism having an open position and a closed position wherein the open position exposes the resilient material pushbutton for allowing the depression of the resilient material pushbutton for activating the release mechanism and the closed position covers the resilient material pushbutton for preventing depression thereof;

a frangible annular ring membrane coupled to the second vessel for coupling the support structure to the second vessel wherein the frangible annular ring membrane is a hermetic seal between the first vessel and the second vessel;

a plurality of ribs located on an edge of the second vessel for aiding in the tearing of the annular ring membrane upon the depression of the resilient material pushbutton; and

a straw sized opening formed within the resilient material pushbutton and wherein the straw sized opening has a frangible membrane for sealing the straw sized opening and which is penetrable by a drinking straw for allowing the admixture to be dispensed.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the support structure further comprises an orifice created when the second vessels released for holding the resilient material pushbutton.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the resilient material pushbutton further comprises an annular ridge for locking into the orifice and retaining the resilient material pushbutton in a depressed position for indicating the release mechanism has been operated.