A DISPENSER

Abstract

A bottle closure with liquid dispenser relates generally to liquid storage devices for storing and ejecting a liquid. The closure is in the form of a hand holdable dispenser attachable to a bottle neck to close the bottle. The closure is compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid comprising a cap and a dispenser including a reservoir, wherein the cap is displaceable relative to the dispenser between first and second positions to open and close a passage for a first liquid from the reservoir into a socket in the cap for capping a bottle.

Claims

1-49. (canceled)

50. A dispenser is adapted to receive a modified cap and to be connected to a bottle, the dispenser comprising: a reservoir which receives and stores a first liquid; and an ejector for a user to manipulate to dispense a selected amount of the first liquid through a fluid pathway; wherein the dispenser is in an operable configuration when the modified cap is displaced relative to the dispenser from a first position to a second position, and when in the second position the fluid pathway is defined from the reservoir via a first passage in the modified cap through which the selected amount of the first liquid is ejected from the reservoir into the bottle.

51. The dispenser according to claim 50, wherein: the dispenser is arranged to interlock with the modified cap upon connection to the modified cap, wherein the dispenser further comprises means in the dispenser to prevent removal of the interlocked modified cap from the dispenser.

52. The dispenser according to claim 51, further comprising: a body in which there is at least one slot which receives a lug on the modified cap for interlocking the modified cap with the dispenser.

53. The dispenser according to claim 52, wherein: the at least one slot comprises two slots, each of the two slots being arranged to receive one of two corresponding lugs on the modified cap.

54. The dispenser according to claim 52, wherein: the at least one slot lies on a helical path defined in a body of the dispenser.

55. The dispenser according to claim 53, wherein: each of the two slots lie on a respective helical path defined in the body.

56. The dispenser according to claim 53, wherein: the body is tubular; and each of the two slots is located on substantially diametrically opposite sides of the tubular body.

57. The dispenser according to claim 52, wherein: the each of the at least one slot has an edge at an end arranged to abut the lug in the first position and the second position in order to transfer torque from the dispenser to the modified cap.

58. The dispenser according to claim 50, wherein the ejector comprises: a piston displaceable in the reservoir.

59. The dispenser according to claim 50, wherein the ejector comprises: a resiliently deformable portion of the reservoir which recovers its form after dispensing the selected amount of liquid.

60. The dispenser according to claim 50, wherein: the reservoir is defined by a wall of the dispenser, a partition and the ejector.

61. The dispenser according to claim 50, further comprising: a second passage through a wall of the reservoir, the second passage defining the fluid pathway from the reservoir to the first passage.

62. The dispenser according to claim 61, wherein the first passage displaces with the modified cap and the second passage displaces with the dispenser so that the first passage displaces relative to the second passage.

63. The dispenser according to claim 50, further comprising: a receptacle shaped and dimensioned to receive the modified cap.

64. The dispenser according to claim 52, further comprising: a receptacle shaped and dimensioned to receive the modified cap, wherein the receptacle comprises the at least one slot.

65. The dispenser according to claim 63, further comprising: a partition which is a portion of the receptacle and the reservoir.

66. The dispenser according to claim 65, further comprising: a tubular portion into which a partition is insertable to divide the receptacle from the reservoir.

67. The dispenser according to claim 62, further comprising: a partition that includes the second passage.

68. The dispenser according to claim 50, further comprising: blocking means which displaces with the dispenser, when the dispenser moves relative to the modified cap, and blocks the first passage thereby configuring the dispenser in an inoperable configuration in the first position.

69. The dispenser according to claim 68, wherein: the blocking means is a part of the dispenser which connects to another part of the dispenser to form the reservoir.

70. The dispenser according to claim 68, adapted to interlock with the modified cap comprising a second blocking means.

71. The dispenser according to claim 68, wherein the blocking means comprises: a partition.

72. The dispenser according to claim 68, wherein the blocking means comprises: a plug which is dimensioned to block the first passage in the first position and unblock the first passage in the second position.

73. The dispenser according to claim 72, further comprising: a second passage defined through the plug, wherein the plug is arranged to displace coaxially in the first passage.

74. A compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid and for connecting to the bottle, comprising: the modified cap and the dispenser according to claim 50.

75. The compound device according to claim 25, further comprising: first and second tamper evident means connected to the dispense and the modified cap respectively by a plurality of ribs, wherein both the first and second tamper evident means are arranged to fix the compound device to the bottle.

76. The compound device according to claim 74, wherein: the plurality of ribs of the first tamper evident means are adapted to tear when the dispenser is twisted with respect to the modified cap.

77. The compound device according to claim 75, wherein: the plurality of ribs of the second tamper evident means are adapted to tear when the dispenser is twisted with respect to the bottle.

78. A method of filling and capping a bottle and connecting the bottle to a compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid according to claim 73, including: filling the bottle with a liquid drink or pourable substance; capping the bottle with the modified cap; filling the first liquid in the dispenser; and connecting the dispenser to the bottle by interlocking the dispenser and modified cap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0183] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid;

[0184] FIG. 2A shows a view into reservoir of a dispenser in the compound device of FIG. 1;

[0185] FIG. 2B shows an isometric view towards the reservoir of the dispenser;

[0186] FIG. 2C shows an isometric view towards a receptacle for receiving a modified cap in the dispenser;

[0187] FIG. 2D shows a view into the receptacle of the dispenser;

[0188] FIG. 3A shows a view of a top of a modified cap in the compound device of FIG. 1;

[0189] FIG. 3B shows an isometric view of the modified cap toward the top of the bottle cap;

[0190] FIG. 3C shows an isometric view towards the socket for receiving a bottle neck in the modified cap;

[0191] FIG. 3D shows a view into the socket of the modified cap;

[0192] FIG. 4A shows an isometric view toward the exterior piston head of an ejector of the compound device in FIG. 1;

[0193] FIG. 4B shows an isometric view toward the interior surface of the ejector;

[0194] FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the compound device;

[0195] FIG. 6 shows the body of the dispenser having flexible ejector flaps;

[0196] FIG. 7 shows the modified cap having foils to seal the modified cap first passage;

[0197] FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of a modified cap connected to a second embodiment of the partition and a bottle which to be capped;

[0198] FIG. 9 shows assembled and exploded views the modified cap and partition second embodiments;

[0199] FIG. 10 shows assembled and exploded views of a second embodiment of the dispenser tubular portion and the second embodiment of the partition; and

[0200] FIG. 11 shows views of the modified cap, partition and dispenser tubular portion second embodiments assembled and arranged so that the passage is closed and opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0201] Referring to the Figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 a compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid 10 which is an assembly of parts. The compound device comprises a modified cap 300 in a dispenser 100. In FIG. 1 the modified cap 300 is visible inside the dispenser 100 because the dispenser has a transparent tubular wall.

[0202] FIGS. 2 and 3 the dispenser 100 and the modified cap 300 respectively as individual parts.

[0203] The dispenser 100 includes a reservoir 118, 119 for a first liquid. The modified cap 300 is twistable relative to the dispenser.

[0204] The modified cap is twistable between edges 128, 129 on the dispenser of first and second slots 124, 125. The slots are formations of torque transfer parts which operate as stops. The modified cap 300 may be twisted from the edge 128 of the first stop to the edge 129 of the second stop by twisting the dispenser 100 relative to the modified cap 300 and bottle 400 while the modified cap 300 is capped on the bottle 400. By twisting the modified cap 300 relative to the dispenser 100, a passage 314 from the reservoir into a socket 321 in the modified cap is opened and closed. To close the passage 314, the modified cap 300 is twisted from the edge 128 of the first stop to the edge 129 of the second stop. To open the passage, the modified cap 300 is twisted from the edge of the second stop 129 to the edge of the first stop 128.

[0205] The angular distance is thirty degrees from the edge 128 of the first stop to the edge 129 of the second stop. The modified cap 300 is twistable thirty degrees relative to the dispenser 100.

[0206] As shown in FIG. 2, the dispenser 100 is tubular and comprises a tubular wall 110.

[0207] The dispenser 100 comprises a partition 112 though the interior of the dispenser 100. The partition 112 is connected to the tubular wall 110 and is a block across the interior of the dispenser. The dispenser 100 comprises a receptacle in which the modified cap 300 is held. The tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is a portion of the tubular wall 110 of the dispenser. For convenience of explanation, the portion of the tubular wall 100 which is the receptacle is labelled 114. The portion which is the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle extends from the partition 112 to the receptacle tubular rim 115.

[0208] The receptacle for the modified cap 300 is formed by the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle and the partition 112. The partition 112 forms the closed end of the receptacle. The modified cap 300 is situated in the interior 116 of the receptacle. The modified cap 300 has a tubular skirt 302 which conforms within the tubular wall of the receptacle 114 so that the modified cap 300 is twistable within the receptacle.

[0209] The reservoir for the first liquid is on the opposite side partition 112 as the receptacle for the modified cap 300. For convenience of explanation, the portion of the tubular wall 100 which is the side of the reservoir is labelled 118. The portion which is the tubular wall 118 of the reservoir extends from the partition 112 to the reservoir tubular rim 121.

[0210] The partition 112 is disk shaped. The disk has opposite surfaces. One of the surfaces 119 forms the closed end of the reservoir. The opposite surface is the closed end of the receptacle.

[0211] The tubular wall 118 of the reservoir forms the side of the reservoir. The reservoir is can shaped. The tubular rim 121 of the reservoir is distal from the partition. The interior 120 of the reservoir is where the first liquid is stored until ejected from the dispenser 100.

[0212] The tubular wall 118 of the reservoir is translucent or transparent. A user can see the first liquid stored in the reservoir by looking through the tubular wall 118.

[0213] On the tubular wall are volume markers 122 by which the user can ascertain how much of the first liquid remains in the reservoir or how much has been ejected. The volume markers are formed in the material of the tubular wall or they are opaque markings in or on the transparent material. Graduation numbers or symbols are observable relative to the level of the first liquid in the reservoir. This volume markers aid a user to eject a precise and discrete amount of the first liquid through a pin hole 320 of the passage.

[0214] On the other side the partition 112 of the tubular wall 110 of the dispenser 100 is the receptacle within which the modified cap 300 is twistable relative to the dispenser 100. As mentioned the portion of the tubular wall which is the side of the receptacle is labelled 114. Since the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is a portion of the tubular wall 110 of the dispenser, a user can grab and twist the whole dispenser 100 to twist the dispenser 100 relative to the modified cap 300.

[0215] There is a first slot 124 in the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle. One hundred and eighty degrees opposite the first slot 124 is a second slot 125 in the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle.

[0216] The first and second slots 124, 125 are elongate and aligned so that the lengthwise direction is substantially parallel to, but also slanted from, the direction of twisting the modified cap 300 around the axis of the tubular wall 114.

[0217] Two lugs 326, 328 are like ears which protrude radially from the skirt 302 of the modified cap 300. The first lug 326 protrudes into the first slot 124. The second lug 328 is diametrically opposite the first lug 326 and protrudes into the second slot 125.

[0218] The modified cap 300 and dispenser body 100 comprise complementary shapes of the slots 124, 125 and ears 326, 328 by which the modified cap 300 is displaced relative to the dispenser as the modified cap is twisted relative to the dispenser. The slots and ears are complementary forms of a torque transfer part to stop relative twisting of the dispenser and modified cap in counter twisting directions.

[0219] The lengthwise edge 126 of the first slot 124 is substantially parallel to, but slanted from, the hoop direction around the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle. Second slot has a correspondingly oriented lengthwise edge 127.

[0220] The first and second lugs 326, 328 slide along the lengthwise edges of the first and second slots 124, 125 as the modified cap 300 is twisted relative to the dispenser 100. The modified cap 300 is displaced axially by the slant of the lengthwise edges 126, 127 as the modified cap 300 is twisted.

[0221] The length of the slots 124, 125 is defined by edges and the lengthwise ends. The length of the first slot 124 is the distance from edge 128 to distal edge 129. The length the second slot 125 is the same as the length of the first 124.

[0222] The first lug 326 is slidable in the first slot 124 between the edges 128, 129 at the lengthwise ends. The edges 128, 129 stop the first lug 326 from traveling beyond the first slot. The second lug 328 is in the same way stopped from traveling beyond the second slot 125. The modified cap 300 is thereby stopped from twisting beyond where the first and second lugs 326, 328 bump into the lengthwise ends of the first and second slots 124, 125 respectively.

[0223] The first slot 124 in the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is a first stop part, and it is on the dispenser. The first slot 124 has a mutually complementing shape to the modified cap first lug 326. The first Is a second stop part, and it is on the modified cap.

[0224] The first and second stop parts which are the first slot 124 and the first lug 326 respectively interlock to join the modified cap 300 to the dispenser. The second slot 125 and the second lug 328 also interlock in the same manner to join the modified cap 300 to the dispenser. So, the modified cap 300 and dispenser body 100 are interlocked by the torque transfer part slot 124, 125 and first and second lugs 326, 328.

[0225] The first and second slots 124, 125 are shown penetrating through the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle. However, it is not essential for the slot to penetrate through the tubular wall because the first and second lugs 326, 328 would slide and interlock just as well in grooves in the tubular wall which did not penetrate through the tubular wall.

[0226] The skirt 302 of the modified cap 300 is cylindrical. The inner surface of the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is also cylindrical so that the modified cap 300 is twistable within the receptacle. The outer surface of the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle is not necessarily cylindrical. The inner surface and outer surface of the tubular reservoir are not necessarily cylindrical. For simplicity of construction, tubular wall of the reservoir and the tubular wall of the receptacle are in some embodiments all formed from a simple cylindrical tube having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces. Such embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0227] The partition 112 comprises a circular ribbon-like bumper ring 130 proximate the tubular wall of the receptacle. The bumper ring 130 extends into the interior of the receptacle a distance that does not reach to the slots 124, 125. The bumper 130 is flexible due to the ribbon-like thickness.

[0228] The rim of the bumper ring 130 is pressed against the modified cap 300 when the modified cap is twisted and stopped by the first and second lugs 326, 328 contacting the end of the first and second slots 124, 125 closest to the partition 110 due to the slat of the slots.

[0229] A valve tube 132 is located at the center of the partition, although it is not essential for the valve tube 132 be at the center of the partition. The valve tube pierces through the partition 132 from the interior 116 of the receptacle to the interior 120 of the reservoir. The valve tube protrudes into the interior 116 of the receptacle beyond the distance that the bumper ring 130 protrudes, but the valve tube does not extend into the interior 120 of the reservoir.

[0230] A spike 138 at the center of the interior of the valve tube 132 is supported by spokes 134 connected to the valve tube 132. The spike 134 extends into the interior of the receptacle further than the valve tube. There are passages 136 between the spokes 134.

[0231] The blocking pin 138 and pin hole 320 of the passage are precisely positioned relative to the torque transfer part location and helical slope of the slots 124, 125 and lugs 326, 328. Thus, it is by the mutually complementary shapes of the torque transfer part that the dispenser and modified cap 300, which are interlocked together by the torque transfer part, that the passage is opened and closed by manipulating the dispenser.

[0232] On the modified cap 300 there is a step 304 radially inward from the skirt 302 a frustum 306 which forms a covering portion 310 over a bottle opening when the modified cap 300 is capped onto a bottle 400.

[0233] The rim of the bumper ring 130 presses against the step 304. Weight that is stacked on top of the dispenser is transferred down through the tubular wall 118 of the reservoir then into the bumper ring 130 and then into the modified cap 300 screwed on the bottle. Convenient stacking of bottles closed by the compound device is thereby possible without damaging the fine parts 132, 134, 136, 138, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 of the passage. The weight transfer path may be most clearly seen in the cross section of FIG. 5.

[0234] The cylindrical skirt 302 of the modified cap 300 fits within the cylindrical inner surface of the tubular wall 114 of the receptacle. The modified cap 300 is thereby centered in the receptacle.

[0235] There is a valve recess 312 in the covering portion 310 of the modified cap 300. The valve recess 312 is located at the center of the covering portion. At the base 316 of the valve recess 312 is a valve hollow mortice 314 which extends deeper than the base. At the bottom of the hollow mortice is a valve pin hole 320.

[0236] The valve recess 312, mortice 314, and base 316 are formed in a valve nozzle 318 which extends into the interior 321 of the modified cap 300. The valve nozzle 318 is centered in the interior 321 and protrudes from the interior surface of the covering portion 310.

[0237] The valve nozzle 318 has a mutually complimentary shape with the valve tube 132 and spike 138 of the dispenser 100. When the modified cap 300 is in the receptacle, the valve tube 132 and spike 138 fit inside the valve nozzle 318. A passage from the reservoir in the dispenser 100 into the socket 321 in the modified cap 300 is formed.

[0238] The passage flows through the valve tube 132 of the receptacle, then through the passages 136 between the spokes 134 in the valve tube, then into the valve recess 312 in the covering portion 310, then into the valve hollow mortice 314, and then into the valve pin hole 320.

[0239] When the modified cap 300 is twisted so that the lugs 326, 328 are against the ends of the slots 124, 125 which are farthest from the partition 112, the spike 138 on the dispenser 100 is retracted from the valve mortice 314 of the modified cap. Clearance space is provided between the spike 138 and valve mortice 314 so that passage from the reservoir in the dispenser 100 into the socket 321 in the modified cap 300 is open.

[0240] When the modified cap 300 is twisted so that the lugs 326, 328 are against the ends of the slots 124, 125 which are closest to the partition 112, the spike 138 on the dispenser 100 is pressed into the valve mortice 314 of the modified cap. The clearance space is filled by the spike so that passage from the reservoir in the dispenser 100 into the socket 321 in the modified cap 300 is closed.

[0241] Thus, the recess 312, mortice 314 and base 314 of the modified cap 300 are parts which have a mutually complementing shape to the tube 134, spokes 134 between channels 136 and the spike 138 of the dispenser 100. These parts of the modified cap and dispenser respectively cooperate as the modified cap and dispenser translate relative to each other to open and close the passage.

[0242] The modified cap 300 comprises a resilient clamp ring 324 proximate the skirt 302. The clamp ring 324 extends into the interior of the socket a distance that is less that the distance that the valve nozzle 318 extends into the socket. There is a circular channel intermediate the skirt 302 and the clamp ring 324.

[0243] The clamp ring 324 is a type of rotation clamp which engages the modified cap 300. The rim of the bottle neck is clamped in the circular channel between the skirt 302 and the clamp ring 324. The rim of the bottle neck only reaches into the circular channel where the modified cap is in a maximum twisted on position on the bottle neck. Therefore, the rotation clamp is engaged where the modified cap seals closed against the bottle.

[0244] As the modified cap 300 is twisted off the bottle neck, the rim of the bottle neck is withdrawn from the channel and the rotation clamp disengages. A user only need twist the bottle clamp a finite angle for the socket threads 322 to displace the modified cap far enough axially for the rim of the bottle to be withdrawn from the channel and release the clamp.

[0245] The clamp ring 324 prevents twisting of the modified cap 300 off the bottle neck without twisting the modified cap relative to the dispenser between the stops.

[0246] Where the rim of the bottle neck is clamped inside the circular channel between the skirt 302 and the clamp ring 324, the modified cap is prevented from rotation with respect to the bottle 400 by the friction of the clamp ring 324. Consequently, when a user twists the dispenser to twist the compound device off a bottle where the modified cap is in a maximum twisted on position on the bottle neck, the dispenser 100 first twists relative to the modified cap 300 from the first stop 128 towards the second stop. The passage from the interior 120 of the reservoir into the socket 321 is thereby opened. Reliability of the opening the passage as the compound device is twisted off the bottle neck is improved.

[0247] Upon reaching the second stop, the second stop transfers torque from the dispenser 100 to the modified cap 300 in the direction to twist the modified cap off the bottle 400. Consequently, the further twisting twists the modified cap to withdraw the rim of the bottle neck from the channel of clamp ring 324. The compound device is then easily twisted off the bottle.

[0248] In the same fashion the rotation clamp is not engaged until the modified cap 300 seals closed against the bottle when the compound device is twisted onto the bottle. So, the passage is reliably closed upon the compound device being twisted to where the modified cap closes the bottle neck.

[0249] The dispenser 100 comprises a break-away ring 140 attached to the receptacle tubular rim 115 by frangible stringers 142. The break-away ring comprises ratchet teeth allowing it to be twisted onto the bottle neck. However, when the compound device is twisted off, the ratchet teeth engage complimentary teeth on the bottle so that the frangible stringers are torn. The break-away ring 140 has a lip inward toward the ring centre. The bottle has a corresponding ring. The lip on the break-away ring of the dispenser hook over the corresponding ring of the bottle. As the dispenser is twisted of the bottle, the cap thread displaces the dispenser axially. The lip of the break-way ring is hooked on the ring around the bottle neck. So, the frangible stringers are stretched axially until they break. The break-away ring remains on the bottle when the rest of the dispenser is twisted off. The break-away ring 140 thereby serves as evidence that the dispenser has been twisted off the bottle 400.

[0250] An ejector in the form of a piston 200 is situated within the reservoir of the dispenser 100. The piston head has a user operable surface 202 for a user to push and eject a first liquid in the reservoir through the open passage. On opposite side of the piston head is an interior surface 204 of the reservoir.

[0251] Around the circumference of the piston head are first and second ring seals 206, 208 which are axially spaced apart. The ring seals are sliding seals which allow the piston to slide along the tubular wall 116 of the reservoir. The ring seals form a leakproof seal between the tubular wall 118 and the piston 200. The tubular wall 118 and piston 200 are thereby combined into a leakproof blocking means for the first liquid in the reservoir. So, the only escape for first liquid from the reservoir is though the passage.

[0252] A user operates the piston 200 by hand to dispense the first liquid out the reservoir through the passage and into the socket 321 of the modified cap 300.

[0253] It is not necessary for the ejector to comprise a piston. The dispenser body or reservoir wall itself may be flexible to eject the liquid from the reservoir. FIG. 6 shows an example. Flexible flaps 152 extend inwards from the reservoir wall 156. After the reservoir interior 158 is filled through the central aperture 160 through the flaps 152, the flaps are covered with a flexible membrane. A user may squeeze the membrane to eject the liquid through the central passage 136, 636 in the partition 112, 612.

[0254] The partition 154 and flexible flaps 152 enclose the interior 158 of the reservoir which makes it difficult to remove an injection moulding tool from the interior 158. To reduce cost of manufacture, the partition 612 may be formed as a separate part 600 which may be subsequently connected to the dispenser body 800 and cap 700. In particular they it may be connected to the tubular wall 810 as shown in FIG. 10. The flaps 152 may be formed as a separate part and subsequently connected to the dispenser body 800.

[0255] To reduce cost of filling the bottle, it may be filled with standard bottling equipment and then capped with a closed cap. FIG. 7 shows the modified cap 300 closed with a blocking means which is a first membrane 330 glued to the cap head and covering the entrance to the passage in the head. A second membrane 332 is glued over the cap pin hole exit. Either the first or second membrane could be used to seal the first passage through the modified cap. The membranes 330, 332 are frangible. The membranes will be pierced by the blocking spike 138 on tip of the tube 132 of the passage which protrudes from the partition when the dispenser 100 is joined to the modified cap 300.

[0256] FIGS. 8 to 11 show second embodiments of the modified cap including the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700, the partition 600 comprising a blocking means 638 and the dispenser tubular portion 900. The first embodiments are akin to the first embodiment of the modified cap 300, the first embodiment of the partition 112 between reservoir and receptacle, and the dispenser tubular portion wall 110.

[0257] These second embodiments are assembled into a second embodiment of the compound device. The passage in the second embodiment of the compound device may be opened and closed by similar manipulation by the user and function of components as the passage in the first embodiment of the compound device.

[0258] The first and second embodiments of the compound device allow for different processes to fill the reservoir with a first liquid and the bottle with a second liquid or other pourable substance.

[0259] FIG. 8 shows the bottle 400 representative of a flask, jug, jar or similar vessel with a neck around an opening. FIG. 8 also shows the second embodiment of the partition 600 connected to the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700. In preparation for capping the bottle, the partition 600 is connected to the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 so as to block the passage 712, 720 through the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700.

[0260] In a standard bottling factory, there are standard machines to fill the bottle 400 with a second liquid or other pourable substance automatically. There are also standard machines to cap the filled bottle 400. The connected portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 and partition 600 second embodiments are a unit 500 which the standard machines may handle.

[0261] The unit 500 capped onto the filled bottle 400 closes the bottle opening. Since the passage 712, 720 is blocked, the bottle is closed. The bottle filled with the second liquid may be transported to a place where there are other machines which finish assembly of the compound unit on the bottle 400. This is convenient because the machines to finish assembly of the compound unit may be in a different factory than the standard bottle filling and capping machines.

[0262] FIG. 9 shows how the unit 500 is made by connecting the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 and partition 600 second embodiments. On the left of FIG. 9 the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 and the partition 600 are connected to form the unit 500. In the centre of FIG. 9 an exploded view looking toward the head of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage is shown. On the right of FIG. 9 is shown an exploded view looking into the cavity, hollow or socket 721 for receiving the neck of the bottle.

[0263] The portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 is similar to the first embodiment of the modified cap 300. The second embodiment has a cap cylinder wall 702 around the socket 721. There are diametrically opposite ears 726, 728 protruding outwards from the cylinder wall 702. The ears 726, 728 are part of the torque transfer part as explained for the first embodiment of the modified cap 300.

[0264] The top of the head 710 of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage is shaped to receive the second embodiment of the partition 600. The top of the head 710 is ring shaped with a central circular entrance to the inlet 712 of the second part of the passage. The outer perimeter of the ring is formed out of the cap cylinder wall 702. A circular groove at the edge of the top of the head 700 provides a circular groove having a head cylinder wall 706 just diametrically inwards from the cap cylinder wall 702.

[0265] The second embodiment of the partition 600 is disk shaped to conform with the top of the head 710 of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700. The partition 600 has opposite ring-shaped surfaces 612, 614. One of the surfaces 612 faces the top of the head 710 of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 when the partition 600 and portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 are connected. The opposite surface 614 is the top of the head of the unit 500 and surrounds the entrance to the first part of the passage 636 through the partition.

[0266] The partition 600 has a circular rim 650 around the perimeter of the disk-shaped surfaces 612, 614. The diameter of the circular rim 650 of the partition 600 and the diameter of the circular wall 702 to the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 are the same. So, when the partition 600 is connected to the head 710 of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 the unit 500 is formed with a single cylindrical diameter.

[0267] A circular flange extends from the circular rim 650 axially away from the surface 614 which faces the cap 700. The flange has an inner cylindrical surface 646 with a diameter just slightly larger than the cap circular groove cylinder wall 706 at the head of portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700. The flange has a circular edge 648. The distance from the circular edge 648 to the surface the surface 614 which faces that portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 is just slightly less than the distance of the circular groove step 604 into the cylindrical wall 702 of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700. The partition 600 is connected to the head of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 by placing the flange of the partition into the circular groove.

[0268] The cylindrical surface 646 of the flange surrounds the circular groove cylinder wall 706 when the partition 600 is connected to the head of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700. The partition 600 is guided by the groove cylindrical wall 706 to be twistable around the central axis of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700.

[0269] A tubular conduit protrudes 630, 632 from the surface 614 which faces the top 712 of the head of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700. The tubular conduit 630, 632 of the second embodiment of the partition is akin to the tube 132 which protrudes from the 112 of the first embodiment of the partition 112.

[0270] The tubular conduit end 632 connected to disk surface 614 which faces which faces the top of the head of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage protrudes away from this surface. It is extended further away by a portion 630 of the tubular conduit which has a free end. There is an entrance 636 through the disk surface 612 to face the reservoir. This entrance 636 is the exit from the reservoir into the first part of the passage through the partition.

[0271] The tubular conduit 630, 632 is coaxial with the central axis of the partition disk rim 650. The outer diameter the tubular conduit 630,632 just slightly less than the inner diameter of the second part of the passage inlet 712 and central recess 713 in the centre of the head 710 the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700. Upon connection of the partition 600 to the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage, the tubular conduit 630, 632 of the partition 600 fits coaxially through the second part of the passage inlet 712 into the central recess 713. The first part of the passage through the tubular conduit 630, 632 of the partition thereby becomes contiguous with the second part of the passage through the central recess 713 of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage.

[0272] A blocking means to open and close the passage is a pin 638 axially held by spokes from the tubular conduit free end 630. The diameter of the pin 638 is less than the inner diameter of the tubular conduit free end 630. The first part of the passage 636 through the partition 600 includes a space intermediate the pin 638 and the inner diameter tubular conduit free end 630.

[0273] The pin 638 extends from the free end further from the disk surface 614 to face the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 when the portion is attached to the partition 600. The diameter of the pin 638 is slightly larger than the diameter of a pin hole exit 720 from the otherwise closed end of the cylindrical recess 713 in the cap head 710. The pin 638 blocks the pin hole 720 when the partition 600 is placed onto the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 where the disk surface 614 to face the cap head contacts the cap head 710. The passage is shown closed in the cross-section view on the left-hand side of FIG. 11. To unblock the passage, the partition 600 is moved axially away from the cap head 710 until the pin hole is unobstructed. The passage is shown open in the cross-section view on the right-hand side of FIG. 11.

[0274] As shown in FIG. 10 the partition 600 may be inserted alone into the tubular portion 800 of the dispenser. A circular ring 844 and gripping portion of the wall surface 846 both have a diameter less than the diameter of the partition disk rim 650 to capture and grip the partition 600 at a prelected location. At this location the partition 600 divides the reservoir tubular wall 810 from the receptacle tubular wall 814. The tubular portion of the dispenser 800 connected to the partition 600 could be used in the same manner as described for the first embodiment of the compound device 100 wherein the tubular wall of the dispenser 110 and the partition 112 are integrally formed.

[0275] However, another option is to first connect the second embodiment of the partition 600 to the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 to form the single unit 500 in which the passage is closed. The bottle 400 is filled with a drinking liquid or other pourable substance using standard bottling equipment. The bottle opening is closed by capping it with the single unit 500 using standard bottling equipment. Then the tubular portion of the dispenser 800 is connected to the capped bottle connecting the tubular portion of the dispenser 800 to the whole unit 500. This process assembles the compound device very efficiently using standard bottling machinery.

[0276] While the mostly assembled compound device is on the bottle, the reservoir 920 is filled with a first liquid through the open end of the reservoir distal from the partition disk surface 612. The reservoir 920 is then closed by cover the open end with a piston 200 or other type of ejector such as a flexible part. These processes may be done with different equipment in a second factory. The filled bottle 400 capped and closed with the unit 500 may be stored and then transported the second factory when convenient by the most convenient mode of transport.

[0277] The slots 824, 825 through the receptacle wall 814 of the tubular portion of the dispenser 800 are akin to the slots 124, 125 through the wall of first embodiment of the dispenser 100. The slots 824, 825 interlock the unit 500 and the dispenser as the ears 726, 728 of the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 are inserted into the slots. The location and helical slope of the slots 824, 825 is precisely positioned with respect to the ring 844 to capture the partition 600. The end and length of the blocking pin 638 precisely selected with respect to the disk surface 614 to face the cap head 710. The position of the pin hole passage outlet 720 is precisely selected with respect to the cap head 710. The shape and dimensions of the partition 600, portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700 and tubular portion of the dispenser 800 are mutually complementary. These mutually complementary shapes ensure that where the unit 500 is interlocked to the dispenser tubular part 800 via the torque transfer parts of the ears 726, 728 and slots 824, 825 that the passage may be opened and closed by twisting dispenser relative to the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage on the bottle. Specifically, the mutually complementary shapes also ensure that the dispenser may be twisted clockwise with respect to the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage to a first position where the ears 726, 728 contact the ends of the slots 824, 825 and the blocking pin 638 blocks the passage pin hole 720. The mutually complementary shapes also ensure that the dispenser may be twisted counterclockwise with respect to the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage to a second position where the ears 726, 728 contact the distal ends of the slots 824, 825 and the blocking pin 638 is free of the passage pin hole 720. Furthermore, by the counter-clockwise torque applied to the portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage via the mutually complementary shape of the torque transfer part ears and slots the cap may be twisted off the bottle with passage open by manipulating the dispenser.

[0278] The partition 600, portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage 700, and tubular portion of the dispenser 800 are moulded or injection moulded. Tools and the process to mould or injection mould the second embodiment of the partition 600 and tubular portion of the dispenser 800 are relatively simple compared to those to mould or injection mould the first embodiment of the dispenser body 100 wherein the tubular wall 100 and partition 112 are integrally formed. The is because the partition 112 is located intermediate the tubular wall 110 open ends which complicates removal of the tools after moulding.

INDEX OF LABELLED FEATURES IN FIGURES

[0279] 10 compound device for storing and ejecting a first liquid

[0280] 100 dispenser

[0281] 110 tubular wall of dispenser

[0282] 112 partition between reservoir and receptacle

[0283] 114 tubular wall of receptacle for cap

[0284] 115 receptacle tubular rim

[0285] 116 interior of receptacle

[0286] 118 tubular interior wall of reservoir for first liquid in dispenser

[0287] 119 closed end of reservoir

[0288] 120 interior of reservoir

[0289] 121 reservoir tubular rim

[0290] 122 reservoir volume markers

[0291] 124 first slot in tubular wall of receptacle

[0292] 125 second slot in tubular wall of receptacle

[0293] 126 edge of first slot to guide lug as cap twists between positions

[0294] 127 edge of second slot to guide lug as cap twists between positions

[0295] 128 first stop at first position at end of first slot

[0296] 129 second stop second position at distal end of first slot

[0297] 130 bumper ring

[0298] 132 valve tube of first part of passage which protrudes into receptacle

[0299] 134 passage blocking means spokes to central spike in valve tube

[0300] 136 first part of passage channels between spokes in valve tube

[0301] 138 passage blocking means central spike in valve tube

[0302] 140 break-away ring of dispenser

[0303] 142 fragile stringers connecting break-away ring

[0304] 150 alternate embodiment of dispenser body

[0305] 152 flexible flaps for ejector

[0306] 156 reservoir wall

[0307] 158 reservoir interior

[0308] 200 ejector in form of piston

[0309] 202 piston head user operable surface

[0310] 204 piston head surface which is an interior surface of the reservoir

[0311] 206 piston first ring seal

[0312] 208 piston second ring seal

[0313] 300 modified cap

[0314] 302 skirt of cap

[0315] 304 step from skirt

[0316] 306 slanted wall from step

[0317] 310 covering portion over bottle opening

[0318] 312 central recess in covering portion

[0319] 314 valve second part passage through mortice

[0320] 316 valve shelf from recess to mortice

[0321] 318 valve nozzle and mortice for passage blocking pin

[0322] 320 pin hole and second part of passage

[0323] 321 socket in cap

[0324] 322 thread to the engage neck of bottle opening

[0325] 324 clamp ring for receiving rim of bottle neck

[0326] 326 cap first lug or ear

[0327] 328 cap second lug or ear

[0328] 330 membrane to cover cap head passage entrance

[0329] 332 membrane to cover cap pin hole passage outlet

[0330] 400 bottle

[0331] 500 modified cap second embodiment closed by connection with partition

[0332] 600 individual partition

[0333] 612 disk surface to face reservoir

[0334] 614 disk surface to face receptacle and top of head of the cap

[0335] 630 tubular conduit free end

[0336] 632 tubular conduit end connected to disk surface to face reservoir

[0337] 634 exterior threads on tubular conduit

[0338] 636 first part of passage through partition

[0339] 638 passage closing and opening pin

[0340] 646 disk rim inner cylindrical surface

[0341] 648 disk rim cylinder edge

[0342] 650 disk rim

[0343] 700 portion of the modified cap comprising the first passage

[0344] 702 cap cylinder wall

[0345] 704 cap circular groove step

[0346] 706 cap circular groove cylinder wall

[0347] 710 cap head

[0348] 712 second part of passage inlet

[0349] 713 central recess in cap head

[0350] 715 seal tube to receive passage opening and closing pin

[0351] 720 second part of passage outlet

[0352] 721 cavity, hollow or socket for receiving bottle neck

[0353] 722 cap thread to engage neck of bottle opening

[0354] 726 cap torque transfer part ear

[0355] 728 cap torque transfer part opposite ear

[0356] 800 tubular portion of dispenser

[0357] 810 reservoir tubular wall

[0358] 814 receptacle tubular wall

[0359] 824 torque transfer part first slot

[0360] 825 torque transfer part second slot

[0361] 844 ring to capture individual partition

[0362] 846 tubular wall surface to grip individual partition rim

[0363] 900 tubular portion of dispenser connected to individual partition

[0364] 920 interior of reservoir

[0365] 916 interior of receptacle

[0366] 920 interior of reservoir

[0367] 1000 bottle seal washer

[0368] The invention has been described by way of examples only. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims.