Device for closing beverage containers and assembly of such a device and a beverage container

Abstract

Device for closing beverage containers, comprising a basic structure configured for coupling to the beverage container, the basic structure enclosing at least one passage channel for beverage, a closing element coupled releasably to the basic structure for closing the at least one passage channel, at least one axially displaceable holder which is arranged at least partially in the passage channel and which is at least partially filled with an additive to be added to the beverage, wherein an upper side of the holder to be opened facing toward the closing element and an underside of the holder remote from the closing element initially close the holder substantially medium-tightly, andat least one lower perforation structure; positioned under an underside of the holder remote from the closing element and configured to perforate the underside of the holder during downward displacement of the holder in the passage channel in the direction of the lower perforation structure, whereby the additive can be released to beverage present in the beverage container.

Claims

1. A device for closing beverage containers, comprising: a basic structure configured for coupling to the beverage container, the basic structure enclosing at least one passage channel for a beverage, a closing element coupled releasably to the basic structure for closing the at least one passage channel, at least one axially displaceable holder which is arranged at least partially in the passage channel and which is at least partially filled with an additive to be added to the beverage, wherein an upper side of the holder to be opened facing toward the closing element and an underside of the holder remote from the closing element initially close the holder substantially medium-tightly, and at least one lower perforation structure positioned under an underside of the holder remote from the closing element and configured to perforate the underside of the holder during downward displacement of the holder in the passage channel in the direction of the lower perforation structure, whereby the additive can be released into the beverage present in the beverage container, wherein the lower perforation structure is connected to a lower retaining structure and wherein the orientation between the lower perforation structure and the lower retaining structure can be changed.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a peripheral wall and/or the underside of the holder is configured to engage on the lower retaining structure such that, during the downward displacement of the holder, the lower retaining structure is also displaced in downward direction.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower perforation structure is fixed to the basic structure.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lower perforation structure forms an integral part of the basic structure.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower perforation structure is axially displaceable relative to the basic structure.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the device comprises at least one bounding element for bounding the downward displacement of the lower perforation structure.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the basic structure is configured to hold the bounding element.

8. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the basic structure and the bounding element are connected.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower retaining structure and the lower perforation structure are mutually connected by at least one lower pivot arm, wherein each lower pivot arm is pivotally connected with a first outer end to the lower retaining structure and pivotally connected with an opposite second outer end to the lower perforation structure.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the distance between the two outer ends of each lower pivot arm is greater in a substantially unloaded state than the distance between the lower retaining structure and the lower perforation structure when the lower retaining structure and the lower perforation structure lie substantially in the same plane.

11. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one pivot arm is angled or curved.

12. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one pivot arm is resilient.

13. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the device comprises a plurality of pivot arms uniformly distributed about a peripheral side of the lower perforation structure.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower perforation structure is displaceable relative to the lower retaining structure between a lower position, in which the lower perforation structure leaves the underside of the holder intact, and an upper position in which the lower perforation structure perforates the underside of the holder.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one pivot arm is configured to urge the lower perforation structure into a predetermined position.

16. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the displaceable lower retaining structure is enclosed by the passage channel.

17. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the lower perforation structure is received for axial displacement in the passage channel.

18. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a channel wall forming part of the basic structure and defining the passage channel connects form-fittingly to a peripheral wall of the holder.

19. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the underside of the holder is formed by a perforable foil.

20. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper side of the holder is formed by a perforable foil.

21. The device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the closing element is configured to perforate the foil during uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure.

22. The device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device comprises at least one upper perforation structure positioned above an upper side of the holder facing toward the closing element and configured to perforate the upper side of the holder during downward displacement of the upper perforation structure in the direction of the upper side of the holder.

23. The device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the upper perforation structure is connected to an upper retaining structure, wherein the orientation between the perforation structure and the lower retaining structure can be changed.

24. The device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the upper retaining structure is configured to engage on a peripheral wall and/or the upper side of the holder such that during the downward displacement of the retaining structure the holder is also displaced in downward direction.

25. The device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the upper perforation structure is configured for downward displacement in the direction of the holder.

26. The device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the upper perforation structure is configured for co-action with the closing element such that during uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure the upper perforation structure is displaced in a downward direction for the purpose of perforating the upper side of the holder.

27. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closing element is axially rotatable relative to the basic structure.

28. The device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the basic structure is provided with an external screw thread configured for threaded engagement with an internal screw thread of the closing element.

29. The device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the upper perforation structure is provided with an external screw thread configured for threaded engagement with an internal screw thread of the basic structure such that during axial rotation of the upper perforation structure relative to the basic structure the upper perforation structure is displaced in downward direction for perforating the upper side of the holder.

30. The device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the upper retaining structure and the upper perforation structure are mutually connected by at least one upper pivot arm, wherein each upper pivot arm is pivotally connected with a first outer end to the upper retaining structure and is pivotally connected with an opposite second outer end to the upper perforation structure.

31. The device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the distance between the two outer ends of each upper pivot arm in a substantially unloaded state is greater than the distance between the upper retaining structure and the upper perforation structure when the upper retaining structure and the upper perforation structure lie substantially in the same plane.

32. The device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the at least one pivot arm is angled or curved.

33. The device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the at least one pivot arm is resilient.

34. The device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the device comprises a plurality of pivot arms uniformly distributed about a peripheral side of the upper perforation structure.

35. The device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the upper perforation structure is displaceable relative to the upper retaining structure between an upper position, in which the upper perforation structure leaves the upper side of the holder intact, and a lower position in which the upper perforation structure perforates the upper side of the holder.

36. The device as claimed in claim 35, wherein the at least one pivot arm is configured to urge the upper perforation structure into a predetermined position.

37. The device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the upper perforation structure is provided with at least one passage opening for the beverage.

38. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower perforation structure is provided with at least one passage opening for passage of the additive to be added to the beverage and for passage of the beverage.

39. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additive is in powder form.

40. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder is tubular.

41. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basic structure is permanently attached to the beverage container.

42. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basic structure is fixed to the beverage container.

43. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closing element is connected to a tear-off sealing element which engages initially on the beverage container and/or the basic structure and tears off during first uncoupling of the closing element from the basic structure.

44. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the upper side of the holder is formed by a cover which is removable from another part of the holder.

45. The assembly of a beverage container and a device as claimed in claim 1 coupled to the beverage container.

46. A method for operating an assembly comprising a basic structure configured to couple to a beverage container and enclosing at least one passage channel for a beverage, a closing element releasably coupled to the basic structure for closing the at least one passage channel, at least one axially displaceable holder arranged at least partially in the passage channel and at least partially filled with an additive to be added to the beverage, wherein an upper side of the holder to be opened facing toward the closing element and an underside of the holder remote from the closing element initially close the holder, and at least one lower perforation structure positioned under an underside of the holder remote from the closing element and configured to perforate the underside of the holder during downward displacement of the holder in the passage channel in the direction of the lower perforation structure, whereby the additive can be released into the beverage in the beverage container, the method comprising the steps of: A) uncoupling the closing element relative to the basic structure, B) opening the upper side of the holder, and C) displacing the holder downward in the direction of the lower perforation structure such that the underside of the holder is perforated and the additive can be released into the beverage in the beverage container.

47. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein step B) is performed by performing step A).

48. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein step C) is performed by performing step A).

49. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein an upper perforation structure is displaced during step B) in the direction of the upper side of the holder such that the upper side is perforated.

50. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein during step C) a lower retaining structure is displaced in a downward direction, whereby a lower perforation structure connected displaceably to the lower retaining structure is urged in the direction of the holder such that the underside of the holder is perforated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:

(2) FIGS. 1 a-1b show different views of an assembly according to the invention, and

(3) FIGS. 2a-2b show different views of another assembly according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) FIG. 1a shows a cross-section of an assembly 1 according to the invention, this assembly 1 comprising a beverage container 2 and a device 3 coupled to beverage container 2 for closing beverage container 2 and for enriching beverage 4 held in beverage container 2, generally drinking water, with an additive in powder form 5 such as a water-soluble sugary additive, a vitamin preparation and/or a pharmaceutical preparation. Beverage container 2 is embodied in the form of a cup, wherein a part of device 3 is enclosed by beverage container 2. Beverage container 2 is provided with an external screw thread 6 which co-acts in the shown situation with an internal screw thread 7 of a basic structure 8 of device 3, thereby creating a screw thread connection between beverage container 2 and device 3. Basic structure 8 is provided with a passage channel 9 for beverage. The diameter of passage channel 9 varies in the longitudinal direction of passage channel 9, wherein an upper part of passage channel 9 is relatively narrow in order to enable controlled pouring of beverage from assembly 1, and wherein a lower part of passage channel 9 takes a relatively wide form in order that it can accommodate other components of device 3, as will be elucidated herein below.

(5) Device 3 comprises a closing element 10 coupled releasably to basic structure 8 for closing passage channel 9. Basic structure 8 is provided for this purpose with an external screw thread 11 configured for co-action with an internal screw thread 12 of closing element 10. Closing element 10 is further initially connected to a breakable sealing ring 13 on the basis of which a consumerby way of quality controlcan see at a glance whether closing element 10 has already been removed from basic structure 8 at an earlier stage. Passage channel 9 of basic structure 8 also forms a housing for a holder 14 for additive 5, this holder 14 taking a substantially cylindrical form in this exemplary embodiment. The two end surfaces of holder 14 are initially closed substantially medium-tightly by means of a foil 14a, 14b so that additive 5 can be stored for a relatively long time. Upper foil 14a, which forms the upper side of holder 14, can be perforated by an upper perforation structure 15, while lower foil 14b, which forms the underside of holder 14, can be perforated by a lower perforation structure 16, this being further elucidated herein below. Holder 14 is received form-fittingly and axially displaceably in passage channel 9 of basic structure 8. The upper perforation structure 1 is shown in further detail in FIG. 1b. The upper perforation structure 15 comprises an upright tubular element 17 provided on an outer side with an external screw thread 18 configured for co-action with an internal screw thread 19 of basic structure 8. An inner side of tubular element 17 is provided with one or more displacing protrusions 20 configured to be co-displaced by a part 21 of closing element 10 protruding into passage channel 9. Through axial rotation of closing element 10 relative to basic structure 8, particularly during uncoupling of closing element 10, the protruding part 21 of closing element 10 will cause tubular element 17 to rotate axially in the same direction, wherein as a result of said screw thread connection tubular element 17 is displaced in the direction of holder 14. The upper perforation structure 15 comprises three linear perforation elements 22a, 22b (only two of which are visible) which come together at a central perforation point and are connected substantially rigidly to tubular element 17. Downward displacement of tubular element 17 also results in downward displacement of perforation elements 22a, 22b such that, after sufficient displacement, the upper foil 14a will be provided with linear incisions, and will thus be perforated. Each of the perforation elements 22a, 22b is pivotally connected by means of a pivot arm 23 (only one of which is shown), wherein each pivot arm 23 is pivotally connected at an opposite outer end to an upper retaining structure 24. The upper retaining structure 24 can optionally take a segmented form. An outer peripheral side of retaining structure 24 engages in this exemplary embodiment on an annular skirt 25 of the upper perforation structure 15. An underside of retaining structure 24 engages on a substantially rigid peripheral wall 14c of holder 14. Downward displacement of the upper perforation structure 15 thus also results in downward displacement of retaining structure 24, and thereby of holder 14. However, due to the use of the pivotable curved pivot arms, also referred to as elbows, which initially hold the upper perforation structure 15 in an upper position relative to the surrounding retaining structure 24, the orientation of the upper perforation structure 15 will change relative to retaining structure 24 during the downward displacement. Because the upper perforation structure 15 encounters less resistance than retaining structure 24 during the downward displacement, the upper perforation structure 15 will tend to displace more easily and further than retaining structure 24, whereby pivot arms 23 will pivot and will urge the upper perforation structure 15 into a stable lower position relative to retaining structure 24, whereby foil 14a is perforated.

(6) As a result of the downward displacement of holder 14 under the influence of the displacing upper retaining structure, peripheral wall 14c of holder 14 will also displace a lower retaining structure 26 in downward direction. The lower retaining structure 26 is pivotally connected to three curved pivot arms 27, wherein each pivot arm 27 is pivotally connected to lower perforation structure 28 provided with a plurality of perforation elements 29 configured to perforate lower foil 14b. Basic structure 8 is provided here with a bounding element 30 which supports on a flange 31 of basic structure 8 and functions to limit the downward displacement of the lower perforation structure 28. When the lower retaining structure 26 is displaced in downward direction the pivot arms 27 will deform as a result of the bounding of the downward displacement of the lower perforation structure 28, whereby the tension in pivot arms 27 and the tilting of pivot arms 27 will increase. Following sufficient tilting of pivot arms 27 the pivot arms 27 will press the lower perforation structure 28 in upward direction, wherein the tension on pivot arms 27 will be at least partially released and wherein the lower perforation structure 28 will perforate the lower foil 14b, whereby additive 5 can leave holder 14 as a result of gravitational force and mix with water 4. Uncoupling of closing element 10 from basic structure 8 will thus cause two-sided perforation of holder 14 from an outer side. When beverage 4 enriched with additive 5 is removed from assembly 1, it will be possible to remove beverage 4 from device 3 via holder 14.

(7) FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of another assembly 101 according to the invention, this assembly 101 comprising a beverage container 102 and a device 103 coupled to beverage container 102 for closing beverage container 102 and for enriching beverage 104, generally drinking water, held in beverage container 102 with an additive 105 in powder form. FIG. 2b shows a cross-section of assembly 101, wherein FIG. 2c shows a detailed perspective cross-section of assembly 101. FIGS. 2a-2c show the assembly in an initially sealed, closed state. FIG. 2d shows a detailed perspective cross-section of assembly 101 in opened state. Structurally the assembly 101 is highly similar to the assembly 1 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b.

(8) Beverage container 102 takes a cup-like form and is closed on an upper side by means of at least one foil 140. In this exemplary embodiment device 103 is positioned wholly outside beverage container 102. Beverage container 102 is provided with an external screw thread 106 which co-acts in the shown situation with an internal screw thread 107 of a basic structure 108 of device 103, thereby creating a screw thread connection between beverage container 102 and device 103. Basic structure 108 is provided with a passage channel 109 for beverage. Device 103 comprises a closing element 110 coupled releasably to basic structure 108 for closing passage channel 109. Basic structure 108 is provided for this purpose with an external screw thread 111 configured for co-action with an internal screw thread 112 of closing element 110. Closing element 110 is further initially connected to a breakable sealing ring 113 on the basis of which a consumerby way of quality controlcan see at a glance whether closing element 110 has already been removed from basic structure 108 at an earlier stage. Passage channel 109 of basic structure 108 also forms a housing for a holder 114 for additive 105, which holder 114 takes a substantially cylindrical form in this exemplary embodiment. The two end surfaces of holder 114 are initially closed substantially medium-tightly by means of a foil 114a, 114b so that additive 105 can be stored for a relatively long time. Upper foil 114a, which forms the upper side of holder 114, can be perforated by an upper perforation structure 115, while lower foil 114b, which forms the underside of holder 114, can be perforated by a lower perforation structure 116, this being further elucidated herein below. Holder 114 is received form-fittingly and axially displaceably in passage channel 109 of basic structure 108. Upper perforation structure 115 is shown in further detail in FIG. 2c. Upper perforation structure 115 comprises an upright tubular element 117 provided on an outer side with an external screw thread 118 configured for co-action with an internal screw thread 119 of basic structure 108. An inner side of tubular element 117 is provided with one or more displacing protrusions 120 configured to be co-displaced by a part 121 of closing element 110 protruding into passage channel 109. Through axial rotation of closing element 110 relative to basic structure 108, particularly during uncoupling of closing element 110, the protruding part 121 of closing element 110 will cause tubular element 117 to rotate axially in the same direction, wherein as a result of said screw thread connection tubular element 117 is displaced in the direction of holder 114. Upper perforation structure 115 comprises three linear perforation elements 122a, 122b (only two of which are visible) which are connected substantially rigidly to tubular element 117. Downward displacement of tubular element 117 also results in downward displacement of perforation elements 122a, 122b such that, after sufficient displacement, upper foil 114a will be provided with linear incisions, and will thus be perforated. Each of the perforation elements 122a, 122b is pivotally connected by means of a pivot arm 123 (only one of which is shown), wherein each pivot arm 123 is pivotally connected at an opposite outer end to an upper retaining structure 124. Upper retaining structure 124 can optionally take a segmented form. An outer peripheral side of retaining structure 124 engages in this exemplary embodiment on an annular skirt 125 of upper perforation structure 115. An underside of retaining structure 124 engages on a substantially rigid peripheral wall 114c of holder 114. Downward displacement of upper perforation structure 115 thus also results in downward displacement of retaining structure 124, and thereby of holder 114. However, due to the use of the pivotable curved pivot arms, also referred to as elbows, which initially hold upper perforation structure 115 in an upper position relative to the surrounding retaining structure 124, the orientation of upper perforation structure 115 will change relative to retaining structure 124 during the downward displacement, wherein the resilient pivot arms will deform to some extent. Because upper perforation structure 115 encounters less resistance than retaining structure 124 during the downward displacement, upper perforation structure 115 will tend to displace more easily and further than retaining structure 124, whereby pivot arms 123 will pivot and will urge upper perforation structure 115 into a stable lower position relative to retaining structure 124, whereby foil 114a is perforated.

(9) As a result of the downward displacement of holder 114 under the influence of the displacing upper retaining structure, peripheral wall 114c of holder 114 will also displace a lower retaining structure 126 in downward direction. Lower retaining structure 126 is pivotally connected to three curved pivot arms 127, wherein each pivot arm 127 is pivotally connected to lower perforation structure 128 provided with a plurality of perforation elements 129 configured to perforate lower foil 114b. Basic structure 108 is provided here with a bounding element 130 which supports on a flange 131 of basic structure 108 and functions to limit the downward displacement of lower perforation structure 128. In this exemplary embodiment however, bounding element 130 is formed by an assembly of a further perforation structure 141 and a further retaining structure 143 connected for (dual) pivoting to further perforation structure 141 by means of pivot arms 142. The further retaining structure is in fact clamped between flange 131 of basic structure 108 and lower retaining structure 126. Further perforation structure 141 is configured to perforate foil 140 of beverage container 102. As lower perforation structure 128 initially displaces in downward direction displacement, further perforation structure 141 will also be displaced in downward direction. Further pivot arms 142 will preferably deform more easily than the lower pivot arms 127, whereby foil 140 of beverage container 102 will be perforated just before foil 114b of holder 114. This has the advantage that additive 105 can drop directly into the beverage and will not drop first onto foil 140 of beverage container 102, which would have the drawback that further perforation structure 141 would have to displace through the additive in powder form 105, this being undesirable as described in the description introduction of this patent specification. The further operation of the construction corresponds to the above described operation of the assembly 1 shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1b. Instead of curved resilient pivot arms, it is also possible to envisage applying substantially flat (non-curved) resilient pivot arms. It is possible to envisage applying a plurality of foils on the beverage container instead of one foil 140, wherein an (additional) additive can optionally be enclosed between different foils. The assembly of foils can then be perforated by means of the further perforation structure 141 during downward displacement thereof. It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that within the scope of the appended claims numerous variants are possible which will be self-evident to the skilled person in this field.