Ingredient Release Spout

• US 20080223741A1
• Filed: 01/18/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Seelhofer, Fritz, Nyambi, Samuel Ombaku
• Granted Patent: US 8,443,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/222
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/2835 ruptured by a sharp element, e.g. a cutter or a piercer

Abstract

An ingredient release spout. The ingredient release spout may include a cap, an ingredient capsule, a capsule nest with the ingredient capsule therein, and a base.

Claims

1. An ingredient release spout, comprising:

a cap;

an ingredient capsule;

a capsule nest with the ingredient capsule therein; and

a base.

2. The ingredient release spout of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a screw on nozzle.

3. The ingredient release spout of claim 1 wherein the ingredient capsule comprises a thermoformed material.

4. The ingredient release spout of claim 3, wherein the capsule nest comprises an injection molded material.

5. The ingredient release spout of claim 1, wherein the capsule nest comprises a helical edge and wherein the cap comprises a helical margin that cooperates therewith.

6. The ingredient release spout of claim 1, wherein the ingredient capsule comprises a sealing layer and wherein the base comprises a cutter that cooperates therewith.

7. The ingredient release spout of claim 6, wherein the cutter comprises a plurality of teeth.

8. The ingredient release spout of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a plurality of cams and wherein the base comprises a plurality of barbs that cooperate therewith.

9. The ingredient release spout of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plurality of threads.

10. The ingredient release spout of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a bulge and wherein the base comprises a pin that cooperates therewith.

11. The ingredient release spout of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a flange therein.

12. An ingredient release spout, comprising:

a cap;

the cap comprising a helical margin;

an ingredient capsule;

the ingredient capsule comprising a sealing layer;

a capsule nest with the ingredient capsule therein;

the capsule nest comprising a helical edge that cooperates with the helical margin of the cap; and

a screw on nozzle;

the screw on nozzle comprising a cutter that cooperates with the sealing layer of the ingredient capsule when the cap is turned.

13. The ingredient release spout of claim 12, wherein the ingredient capsule comprises a thermoformed material.

14. The ingredient release spout of claim 13, wherein the capsule nest comprises an injection molded material.

15. The ingredient release spout of claim 12, wherein the cutter comprises a plurality of teeth.

16. The ingredient release spout of claim 12, wherein the cap comprises a plurality of cams and wherein the screw on nozzle comprises a plurality of barbs that cooperate therewith.

17. The ingredient release spout of claim 12, wherein the screw on nozzle comprises a plurality of threads.

18. The ingredient release spout of claim 12, wherein the cap comprises a bulge and wherein the screw on nozzle comprises a pin that cooperates therewith.

19. The ingredient release spout of claim 12, wherein the screw on nozzle comprises a flange therein.

20. A method of releasing an ingredient into a container, comprising:

filing a capsule with the ingredient;

positioning the capsule within a capsule nest;

positioning the capsule and capsule nest within a spout having a cutter therein;

positioning the spout on the container; and

rotating the spout such that the capsule nest forces the capsule against the cutter so as to release the ingredient from the capsule into the container.