Liquid container with a dispenser

Abstract

A beverage container arranged to dispense a measured amount of a beverage is disclosed. The beverage container is adapted to be stored on the neck of the vessel and detached from the vessel to dispense the beverage either into the vessel or another vessel.

Claims

1. A liquid container comprises: an over-cap detachable from a body, the over-cap detachably connects the body to a vessel and covers an entrance to the vessel to close the entrance; a portion of the body is adapted to be squeezed or displaced to dispense a liquid from a reservoir in the body through a passage through the body; wherein a portion of the over-cap for covering the entrance comprises a shutter for unshutting and re-shutting the passage, the over-cap and a portion of the body which receives and attaches to the over-cap cooperate to hold the over-cap on the vessel to close the entrance so that the shutter unshuts the passage as the body is detached from the vessel.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the body that is adapted to be squeezed or displaced to dispense the liquid from the reservoir is a piston that is slide-able in the reservoir.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2 wherein the body comprises an assembly of the portion adapted to be squeezed or displaced, and an article which partially encloses the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is enclosed by the piston when assembled with the article.

4. The liquid container according to claim 3 wherein the article includes an opening to receive the piston for assembly and to provide finger access to a head of the piston to operate the piston.

5. The liquid container according to claim 1 wherein the over-cap connects to a vessel cap comprising pasteurizable material and connects to the vessel.

6. The liquid container according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises an assembly of the portion adapted to be squeezed or displaced, and an article which partially encloses the reservoir.

7. The liquid container according to claim 6, wherein the over-cap is detachable from the article.

8. The liquid container according to claim 6 wherein the portion of the body which receives and attaches to the over-cap is a socket, and the socket is formed in the article.

9. The liquid container according to claim 1 wherein the over-cap comprises a first lock to form an interlock with a second lock on the vessel to hold the over-cap on the vessel.

10. The liquid container according to claim 9 wherein the body comprises holding means to prevent the first lock from being freed of the interlock as the body is detached from the vessel.

11. The liquid container according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the body which receives and attaches to the over-cap is a socket.

12. The liquid container according to claim 11 wherein the body is mountable on the vessel over the entrance by the over-cap received in the socket.

13. The liquid container according to claim 11, wherein the passage is from the reservoir into the socket.

14. The liquid container according to claim 11, wherein the body is formed to have a hollow interior, the body comprising a partition dividing the hollow interior to form the socket and the reservoir.

15. The liquid container according to claim 14 wherein the passage is through the partition.

16. The liquid container according to claim 11 wherein the socket is the portion of the body which receives and attaches to the over-cap and cooperates with the over-cap to hold the over-cap on the vessel.

17. The liquid container according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the body that is adapted to be squeezed or displaced to dispense the liquid from the reservoir is a piston that is slide-able in the reservoir, the body is formed to have a hollow interior, the body comprising a partition dividing the hollow interior to form the socket and the reservoir, and the partition and piston have mating surfaces with matching contours for ejecting substantially all the liquid from the reservoir.

18. The liquid container according to claim 1 wherein the passage is a nozzle.

19. A storage and dispensing system comprising the liquid container according to claim 1 and the vessel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a section view showing parts assembled into a beverage container according to the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a view of an article of a beverage container in situ on a bottle neck according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is a view a vessel cap covering the opening of a bottle neck according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 4 is a view of an over-cap covering the vessel cap in situ on a bottle neck according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of a bottle having a bottle neck to receive a liquid container according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 6 is a is a view into an opening of a bottle having a bottle neck to receive a liquid container according to the invention;

(7) FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are views of the outside, inside, and cross-section respectively of an over-cap according to the invention;

(8) FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F are views of the top, cross-section, outside, inside, side, and bottom respectively of a socket according to the invention;

(9) FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, and 9F are views of the outside, top, cross-section, side, inside, and bottom respectively of a reservoir part according to the invention;

(10) FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F are views of the top, cross-section, outside, side, bottom and inside respectively of a button according to the invention;

(11) FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of the exterior of a liquid container comprising a piston type dispensing portion;

(12) FIG. 12 shows a cross section of the liquid container in FIG. 11 wherein the piston is located most distal from the partition and reservoir is at maximum volume;

(13) FIG. 13 shows the cross section of the liquid container wherein the piston is located where the reservoir is at half volume;

(14) FIG. 14 shows the cross section of the liquid container wherein the piston is located where the reservoir is at nil volume;

(15) FIG. 15 shows an edge view of the piston;

(16) FIG. 16 shows a cross section of the piston; and

(17) FIG. 17 shows an isometric view of the piston.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(18) Referring to the Figures there are shown two embodiments of a beverage container 1000, 11000. The first embodiment 1000 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 10. The second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11 to 17. Both embodiments comprise: an over-cap 120 detachable from a body. In FIGS. 1 to 17 the body comprises multiple parts assembled together. In the first embodiment the body includes an article 300 of the first embodiment and a collapsible portion comprising button 160. In the second embodiment the body includes an article 1300 of the second embodiment and a piston 600.

(19) In both embodiments, the over-cap detachably connects the body to a drinks vessel 200 and covers an entrance into the vessel 200. A portion of the body is adapted to be squeezed or displaced to dispense a beverage from a reservoir in the body through a passage through the body. In the first embodiment this portion includes the button 160. In the second embodiment this portion includes the piston 600.

(20) Both embodiments are characterised in that the over-cap 120 and a portion of the body which receives and attaches to the over-cap cooperate to hold the over-cap 120 on the vessel as the body is being detached from the vessel 200. In the first embodiment this portion of the body includes a tubular casing of a connecting part to over-cap 313. In the second embodiment this portion of the body includes a portion of the tubular casing of the socket section 1300 proximate the open end 1320.

(21) More specifically there is shown in the Figures for both embodiments a beverage container 1000, 11000 for storage of a first beverage on a neck of a vessel 200 for a second beverage, comprising: an article 300, 1300 in which there is a hollow interior having opposite open ends 302, 1302, 320, 1320 comprising a partition 315, 1315 dividing the interior to form a socket 310, 1310 and a reservoir enclosure 330, 1330, including a nozzle 316, 1316 through the partition 315, 1315. Specifically, in FIGS. 11 to 16 there is shown a piston 600 slid-able in the reservoir 1500. Specifically, in FIGS. 1 to 10 there shown another displaceable portion 160 displaceable in the reservoir 500. In all the Figures the displaceable portion is provided for ejecting a first beverage in the reservoir 500, 1500 into the socket 300, 1300. In all the Figures there is an over-cap 120 for covering the vessel entrance which is a bottle neck opening. The over-cap comprises a shutter 126 on top for shutting the nozzle when the over-cap is received in the socket. In use the portion of the over-cap which covers the vessel entrance is typically the top of the over-cap top because vessel is typically stored with entrance upwards, though this is not required.

(22) It is thereby evident that the integers of the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 10 are generally interchangeable with the integers of the second embodiment in FIGS. 11 to 17, except for the integers specific to operation of the button 160 versus the piston 600.

(23) There is shown in FIG. 1 a section view and in FIG. 2 a view of the exterior of an outer casing of the article 300 of a beverage container 1000 fitted to a vessel 200 in the form of a bottle. The liquid container, comprises: an over-cap 120 for capping over a bottle opening; an article 300 including an outer casing to temporarily encase the over-cap 120 and enclosing a reservoir 500 within a tube having a partition 315 intermediate an opening to receive the over-cap 120 and a collapsible portion 160 to change the volume of the reservoir 500; a nozzle 315 passes through the partition 315 for a liquid to exit the reservoir.

(24) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 11, and 12 the article 300, 1300 is formed of a tube or tubular outer casing and a partition 315, 1315. The tube or tubular outer casing includes a reservoir enclosure section 333,1333 intermediate the partition 315, 1315 and the piston 600 or button 160. The tube or outer casing also includes a socket section 310, 1310 intermediate the partition and a 1321 of the socket. The article also comprises the partition 315, 1315 dividing the hollow interior.

(25) Screwed onto the neck of the bottle is a vessel cap 110. The vessel cap has a top 114. The over-cap 120 covers the vessel cap 110. The socket 310 covers the over-cap 120. The vessel cap is a screw-on cap.

(26) In FIGS. 1 and 2 the article 300 comprises a socket 310 to connect to the over-cap and a reservoir part 330, although this is not essential because the article 300 may be a single unit as shown in FIG. 11. The socket 310 is snap connected to the reservoir part 330.

(27) The article 300 comprises a tubular wall 313, 333 visible in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. The tubular wall part of the outer casing which with the partition 315 forms the article 300.

(28) The outer casing of the article 300 has an open end 302 of the reservoir enclosure 330 which is closed off by the collapsible portion to close the reservoir. The outer casing 300 has a distal open end 320 to receive the over-cap 120 on the bottle neck.

(29) The collapsible portion 160 comprises a flexible button which may pushed to eject the liquid. When the button is pushed it flexes and is depressed into the reservoir to change the reservoir volume.

(30) The article 300 is closed at the end 302 by the depress-able button 160 which forms the collapsible portion. The button is visible in FIG. 1 and FIG. 10.

(31) The interior surface of the tubular wall is cylindrical for screwing onto a cylindrical bottle neck. Although not essential, the outer casing of the article 300 comprises a cylindrical tube.

(32) The outer casing of the article 300 has an open end to receive the over-cap 120, and a base 315 which forms the partition. The base 315 closes the cylinder wall 313 from within the tube. The base forms a boundary of the reservoir 500. The base 315 is at the distal end from the opening in the outer casing 320 to receive the over-cap.

(33) A nozzle protrusion 314 extends from the base 315. Although not essential, the nozzle protrusion is located at the axial centre of the outer casing and extends axially. The nozzle is sealed by connection with the over-cap 120. The nozzle 316 is visible in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8.

(34) The button 160 is depress-able into the reservoir 500 to change the volume of the reservoir. Depressing the button urges any liquid in the reservoir 500 out through the nozzle 314. However, until the socket 310 of the article 300 is disconnected from the over cap 120 any beverage within the reservoir 500 cannot escape because the nozzle is sealed by a shutter connection with the over-cap 120.

(35) The bottle 200 has neck proximate the bottle opening. The neck has a screw-thread 210 to engage the screw-on cap 110. The screw-thread is located intermediate the bottle opening and a circumferential ridge 220 on the neck.

(36) The screw-on cap 110 also has a screw-thread 112 to engage with the screw-thread 210 on the neck of the bottle.

(37) An over-cap 120 covers the bottle neck and bottle opening. The over-cap 120 also covers the screw-on cap 110 screwed onto the neck. The over-cap 120 is visible in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 7.

(38) The over-cap 120 has a form of an open-ended cylinder with a first rim 123 of the open end.

(39) As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C there are axially aligned ribs 134 on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the over-cap 120. The ribs 134 of the over-cap 120 grip the cylindrical wall of the screw-on cap so that the screw-on cap is unscrewed from the bottle together with the over-cap 120.

(40) As shown in FIG. 7B, the axially aligned ribs extend from the portion of the over-cap which cover the entrance into the vessel to proximate the first rim 123 of the over-cap. Although not shown in FIG. 7B, the over-cap may also be provided with the axially aligned ribs extending from proximate the portion which covers the entrance to approximately mid-way between the portion which covers the entrance and the first rim 123.

(41) The over-cap has a top 124 which closes one end of the open-ended cylinder. The top 124 is therefore at the distal of the open-ended cylinder from the first rim 123.

(42) The over-cap top 124 has the shutter in the form of a central depression 126 in the top of the over-cap.

(43) The nozzle protrusion 314 is extracted from the central depression 126 when the over-cap 120 is removed from the socket 310. So, the shutter unblocks the nozzle 316 when the over-cap 120 is removed from the socket 310.

(44) The central depression 126 is urged into contact with the top 114 of the screw-on cap when the over-cap is secured to the neck of the bottle.

(45) The over-cap 120 protects the top 114 of the screw-on cap from damage. The central depression comprises a portion which intervenes between the nozzle and the top 114 of the screw-on cap. The portion shields the top from damage by the nozzle if the nozzle is deflected downward by overpressure in the reservoir as the button is depressed.

(46) The over-cap fits tightly on to the top 114 of the screw-on cap to stop any rotating movement over the screw-on cap.

(47) The over-cap 120 also comprises a separate ring 128 having a circumference with which greater than the circumference of the first rim 123. The separate ring 128 is separated from the first rim 123 by a circumferential gap 130. The separate ring 128 is connected to the first ring by fingers 129 across the circumferential gap 130.

(48) The separate ring 128 provides the over-cap 120 with a second circumferential rim 131 which located more distal from the top 124 of the over-cap 120 than the first rim 123.

(49) The separate ring 128 fits over radially raised locks 222 on the bottle neck which are lugs on the bottle neck. The separate ring has locking protrusions 137 which come up against the raised locks 222 on the bottle neck and will prevent any turning of the over-cap when the outer case 300 is being unscrewed from the over-cap.

(50) Although the raised stops are shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C this is not essential. The over-cap 120 comprises a skirt 125 which comprises the separate ring 128. The skirt 125 is joined to the circumference of the top 124 of the over-cap 120. The skirt has a first lock device 137 which is the locking protrusion. The first lock device 137 engages with a second lock device 222 on the vessel. The second lock device is the raised lug 222 on the bottle neck. When over-cap 120 is pressed or screwed onto the vessel neck and the first and second lock device are engaged they prevent twisting of the over-cap.

(51) The skirt 125 comprises a resilient material which permits the skirt to expand radially to disengage the first lock from the second lock when a preselected torque is applied to the over-cap.

(52) The over-cap 120 can only been unscrewed from the bottle after the socket 300, 1300 has been unscrewed from the over-cap 120.

(53) When the over-cap 120 is screwed into the socket 310, 1310, the tubular casing 313, 1313 of the socket 300 covers the over-cap 120.

(54) As mentioned above, the first and second locking devices 137, 222 engage the over-cap 120 with the bottle neck and prevent the over-cap 120 from unscrewing and becoming accidentally unscrewed.

(55) The skirt 125 including the separate ring 128 of the over-cap can only ‘jump’ over the lugs 137 when the separate ring is free to expand to a larger diameter. The tubular wall 313 of the socket 310, 1310 encircles the over-cap 120 and prevents the over-cap from expanding. This prevents the first lock 137 from disengaging from the second lock 222 because the lugs 137 on the skirt of the over-cap cannot jump over the lug 222 on the neck of the bottle. The lug 222 is a raised ridge which locally increases the diameter of the bottle neck.

(56) Although not essential, the effectiveness of the lug is improved by being one of a plurality of circumferentially adjacent raised stops 222 which are axially aligned with the bottle neck axis as shown in FIG. 6. Although not essential, the effectiveness of the lug 222 is doubled by including a diametrically opposite lug 223 on the bottle neck to engage with a second lug on the over-cap which diametrically opposite to opposite to the first lug 137 on the over-cap.

(57) As the outer case 300 is removed from the over-cap 120 the shutter 126 unblocks the nozzle opening 316, 1316. So, the seal between the nozzle protrusion 314, 1314 and the over-cap 120 is also removed. The outer case is thereby readied to dispense any liquid within the reservoir through the nozzle by collapsing the collapsible portion, which is effected by depressing the button 160 or piston head 600.

(58) The over-cap 120 seats onto the screw-on cap. The central depression 126 on the top of the over-cap 120 is screwed into contact with the top 114 of the screw-on cap 110. So, the inside top of the over-cap 120 at the bottom of the depression 126 contacts the top of the screw-on cap 110 when assembling. Clearance space remains between the separate ring 128 and the circumferential ridge 220 on the neck of the bottle.

(59) The central depression 126 is a sink in the center of the top 124 of the over-cap 120. The central depression accepts the nozzle defined by the protrusion 314 and aperture 316 protruding from the partition 315 which forms a base of the socket 310. The nozzle is 316 is sealed into the central depression.

(60) The central depression seals around the protrusion 314 of the nozzle and acts as a hermetic seal to stop any ingress of oxygen which will degrade a liquid in the bottle or reservoir over time and any loss of liquid from the reservoir due to an extended shelf life or aggressive handling.

(61) The seal also prevents the first beverage in the reservoir 500 from being dispensed, even if a dispenser for ejecting the first beverage from the reservoir 500, such as the button 160 or piston 600 is depressed.

(62) Protruding inwards from the internal side of the separate ring 128 is a lug 137. The lug protrudes inwards toward the centre of the ring. The tooth 137 extends from the second rim 131 of ring 128 to the edge of the ring 128 adjacent to the circumferential gap 130. Another lug 222 on the neck of the bottle on the side of the bottle screw-thread and distal from the bottle opening engages the lug 127 on the separate ring when the over-cap 120 is fully screwed on the bottle.

(63) On the external side of the cylinder portion of the over-cap 120 is an external screw thread 133. The external screw-thread 133 traverses one turn around the external side of the cylinder portion. The external screw-thread 133 engages an internal screw thread 318 on a socket 310 of the 300, wherein the part 310 is connectable and disconnect-able from the over-cap 120.

(64) The article 300 can be unscrewed from the over-cap 120, thereby breaking the tamper evident break-away ring 311 because of circumferential ridge 220 the bottle neck. The break-away ring 311 remains on the bottle.

(65) The article along with the first beverage in the reservoir cannot be released from the vessel without leaving the break-away ring behind on the neck. So, tampering would be evident.

(66) Removing the article 300 releases the nozzle protrusion 314 from the shutter 126. The beverage container 1000 minus the over-cap 120 is then ready for ejecting the first beverage from the reservoir 500 into any space.

(67) While unscrewing the article 300 from the bottle 200 the over-cap 120 will be blocked from turning because of the tooth 137 on the separate ring 128 of the over-cap 120 and corresponding tooth 222 on the bottle neck. The cylinder wall covering the bottom ring of the over-cap 120 prevents the tooth 137 on the separate ring 128 slipping over the corresponding tooth 222 on the bottle neck.

(68) After the outer casing 300 has been unscrewed from the bottle, the over-cap is left on the bottle.

(69) The first lock device, lug 137 in the over-cap can jump over the second lock device, lug 222 on the bottle once the article 300 is removed. It is then possible to unscrew the over-cap 120 and the screw-on cap inside this over-cap 120. When unscrewing the exposed over-cap 120 that is locked to the screw-on cap, the over-cap 120 unscrews the screw-on cap 110 from the bottle 200 in the normal way.

(70) The outer casing of the socket 310 covers the screw-on cap 110 and the outer cap 120. The tubular outer casing 313, 333 of the article 300 socket 310 and reservoir enclosure 330 is visible on the bottle neck covering the bottle opening as shown in FIG. 2. The screw-on cap 110 and the outer cap 120 cannot be seen unless the outer casing 300 is transparent.

(71) The article 300 comprises a socket 310 for the over-cap 120 and a reservoir part 330. The socket 310 is snap connected to the reservoir part 330.

(72) The general form of the socket 310 for the over-cap is an open-ended cylinder with a cylindrical wall 313, one end closed by a base 315 and the distal end open. There is a circumferential slot 312 around the top rim of the cylindrical wall 313.

(73) The general form of the reservoir part 330 is an open-ended cylinder with one end an open separated by a cylinder wall 333 from the other end. The other end is partially closed by flexible flaps 335.

(74) Proximate the open-end rim of the reservoir part 330 is a circumferential ridge 332. The circumferential ridge 332 is snapped into the circumferential slot 312 of the socket 310 for the over-cap 120, thereby connecting the socket 310 for the over-cap 120 to the reservoir part 330. A reservoir 500 bounded by the base 315 of the socket 310 for the over-cap and the cylindrical wall of the reservoir part 330 is thereby formed.

(75) The cylindrical wall of the reservoir part 330 is resiliently flexible for the circumferential ridge 332 to be snapped into the circumferential slot 312. A liquid tight seal is thereby formed.

(76) The reservoir part 330 and the socket 310 for the over-cap comprise a polymeric material as does the over-cap 120. Other materials may also be used such as metallic materials.

(77) These materials are flexible. Separate ring 128, break-away ring 311, and flexible flaps 335 can stretch and bend and can spring to move back to their original position when bent or stretched.

(78) The collapse-able portion 160 may be repeatedly pumped to pump the liquid out through the nozzle. Each time the collapse-able portion is depressed to pump liquid out of the reservoir it is urged to spring back to the undepressed position by the flexible flaps 335 which are resilient.

(79) As the collapse-able portion springs back, air is drawn in through the nozzle and into the reservoir. The air helps pump the liquid out of the reservoir when the collapse-able portion depressed.

(80) The cylindrical wall 313 of the socket 310 for the over-cap has the same diameter as the cylindrical wall 333 of the reservoir part 330.

(81) The socket 310 for the over-cap comprises a break-away ring 311 having the same diameter as the cylindrical wall 313 of the socket.

(82) The cylindrical wall 313 of the socket has an inner diameter the same as the outer diameter of the circumferential ridge 220 on the neck of the bottle 200.

(83) The length of the cylindrical wall 313 is sized such that the socket 310 for the over-cap is screwed onto the over-cap 120 until it is blocked by the nozzle axial protrusion 314. The rim of the open end 321 of the cylindrical wall 313 extends to the circumferential ridge 220 of the bottle neck.

(84) The break-away ring 311 is joined by fragile stringers 317 to the rim of the open end 321 of the cylindrical wall 313. The break-way ring 311 is separated from the rim by a cylindrical gap.

(85) The break-away ring 311 comprises a dimple or circumferential ridge 319 extending radially inwards. The dimple or ridge 319 extends radially inward further than the diameter of the circumferential ridge 220 on the neck of the bottle.

(86) The fragile stringers 317 are resiliently flexible to allow the break-away ring 311 including the circumferential ridge 319 to temporarily stretch over the circumferential ridge 220 on the neck of the bottle.

(87) When the socket 310 for the over-cap 120 is screwed onto the over-cap 120 the break-away ring 311 is driven over the circumferential ridge 220. The break-away ring 311 then snaps back. The socket 310 for the over-cap 120 cannot be removed without breaking the fragile stringers 317 because the dimple or circumferential ridge 319 on the break-away ring is blocked by the circumferential ridge 220 on the bottle.

(88) The outer casing 300 is only removable from the bottle by breaking the fragile stringers 317 and leaving the break-away ring 311 behind on the bottle. This is because the outer casing 300 comprises the socket 310 for the over-cap 120 and a reservoir part 330 snapped together.

(89) The base of 315 of the socket 310 for the over-cap 120 is a partition which blocks closed the open end of the reservoir part 330. The base 315 is the bottom of the reservoir 500 formed by the reservoir part 330 being snap connected to the socket 310 for the over-cap 120.

(90) The base 315 of the socket has a general form of a circular plate. The base 315 is slightly conical as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8B to more easily empty all the liquid from the reservoir 500.

(91) At the center of the base 315 is a nozzle axial protrusion 314. The nozzle axial protrusion 314 extends into the hollow interior of the socket 310 for the over-cap 120.

(92) The nozzle axial protrusion 314 has an aperture 316. The aperture 316 extends through the base 315 of the socket. The aperture 316 provides an escape conduit out of the reservoir 500 for a liquid within the reservoir 500.

(93) There is an internal screw-thread 318 on the cylinder wall of the socket 310 for the over-cap 120. The internal screw-thread 318 is located intermediate the base 315 and the open end 320 of the cylinder wall 313. The internal screw-thread 318 traverses a single turn around the interior of the cylinder wall 313.

(94) The socket 310 for the over-cap 120 is connected to the over-cap 120 by inserting the top of over-cap 120 into the socket 310. The socket is then screwed onto the over-cap 120 so that the internal screw-thread 318 engages the external screw-thread 133 of the over-cap. The socket 310 for the over-cap 120 may be screwed until the axial protrusion 314 contacts the seal of the depression 126 in the over-cap top 124.

(95) The axial protrusion 314 fits into the central depression 126 of the over-cap 120. The axial protrusion 314 of the base 315 of the socket is set against the over-cap central depression 126. The base 315 forms a partition between the reservoir 500 interior of the outer casing and the open end of the outer casing. The over-cap central depression 126 is in turn set against the top 114 of the screw-on cap 110.

(96) The protrusion 314 and aperture 316 form a nozzle to direct a stream of liquid out of the reservoir. The nozzle is a specific diameter and length so that when the button 160 returns to its start position after ejecting liquid, gas will be drawn back into the reservoir through the nozzle and no liquid will drip from the nozzle. At this position of the button the remaining liquid in the reservoir cannot escape as the liquid is blocking the aperture 316 nozzle opening and therefore entry to gas usually air. In use, the liquid container is usually removed from the bottle when button 160 is operated. So, when the button returns to its start position, air from outside the container is drawn back into the reservoir.

(97) As an alternative to the open nozzle aperture 316 shown in FIG. 8, the nozzle comprises a 2-way valve to block the aperture.

(98) ‘To open the bottle, the outer casing 300 is removed by unscrewing and breaking the fragile stringers 317. The over-cap 120 and screw-on cap 110 are unscrewed from the bottle opening.’

(99) After being assembled the over-cap 120 and screw-on cap 110 stay connected. The vertical ribs 134 in the over-cap 120 inner wall shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C mesh with the ribs on the top end of the vertical cylinder of the screw-on cap 110 shown in FIG. 3. The meshed ribs transfer the turning force on the over-cap 120 when unscrewing to the screw-on-cap 110.

(100) The reservoir enclosure 330 and the socket 310 are formed by the outer casing 313, 333 of the article 300 divided by the partition 315.

(101) The end 302 of article 300 comprising the reservoir enclosure 330 around the reservoir 500 is distal and opposite to the end 320 of article comprising the socket 310. When the article 300 is covering the bottle opening, the reservoir enclosure 330 is distal from the bottle opening. The open end of the outer casing is closed by the partition 315.

(102) The end of the outer casing most distal from the open end of the outer casing comprises a circumferential seat 337. The seat 337 extends from the inner surface of cylinder wall into the reservoir. The seat 337 has a smooth surface facing outwards from the reservoir. The smooth surface is arranged to form a sealed joint to a sealing surface.

(103) When the outer casing 300 comprises a socket for the over-cap and a reservoir part 330, the reservoir part comprises the seat 337.

(104) The end of the outer casing 300 most distal from the bottle comprises the end of the reservoir part partially closed by flexible flaps 335. The flexible flaps 335 extend radially inwards from a smooth seat 337 on the inner surface of the cylinder wall 333.

(105) The collapsible portion has a circumferential sealing surface 162 around the button 160. The sealing surface is seated onto the smooth seat 337. A seal to the button is achieved by inserting the button 160 into the end of the outer casing comprising the flaps 335 until the circular sealing surface is sealed against the smooth seat 337. The circumferential perimeter of the button is fixed at the end of the outer casing and permanently located there.

(106) The flaps 335 are directly underneath and in contact with the top flexible button. There are six upwardly curved moulded flaps 335 with spaces in between. As the flexible button 160 is pressed down, so are the moulded flaps. As the flaps 335 are a moulded part of the reservoir part 330 extending from the cylinder wall 333 and are made from an injection moulded polymer which has a stiffness and memory, the flaps 335 act as a spring, increasingly resisting the downward pressure on the button until no further travel is possible. At this point the spaces between the flaps have disappeared also stopping any further movement downwards.

(107) This amount of travel of the depressed button defines the volume of the dose of liquid from the reservoir into the bottle. The spring effect of the flaps returns the flexible button to its original position ready for the next dose.

(108) The reservoir 500 bounded by the base 315 of the socket 310 for the over-cap 120 and the cylindrical wall of the reservoir part 330 is thereby enclosed by the button 160. The reservoir is sealed liquid tight.

(109) The button 160 has a flexible convex rise from the circular sealing surface to the button center. Depressing the flexible convex rise over-pressurizes a liquid in the reservoir 500.

(110) The distal wall of the reservoir 500 from the button 160 is the base 315 of the socket 310 for the over-cap 120.

(111) FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 illustrate an article 1300 and a piston 600 for a beverage container 11000. However, the complete beverage container 11000 is not shown in FIGS. 11 to 16 because the beverage container comprises an over-cap 120 shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C which is not shown in FIGS. 11 to 16.

(112) From FIGS. 12 to 14 it can be seen how the dispensing portion comprises a piston 600 displaceable in the reservoir. The reservoir 500 is bounded by the piston 600 and a cylinder 333 formed in the liquid container. In FIG. 12 a cross section of the liquid container 11000 is shown except for the over-cap. The outer casing 1333 is tubular and has two opposite open ends 302, 320 separated by a partition 315.

(113) The outer casing 1300 comprises a section 1330 partially enclosing the reservoir 1500. The section 1330 is intermediate the partition 1315 and the piston 600.

(114) The outer casing 1300 also comprises a second section 1310 which receives the over-cap 120 through rim 1321 of the distal open end 1320. The second section is intermediate the partition 1315 and the rim 1321.

(115) There is an internal screw thread 1318 on the second section for the outer casing 1300 to screw on to the over-cap.

(116) The reservoir enclosure 1330 is formed by the partition 1315 and the tubular casing 1333 of the article.

(117) The piston 600 slides in the reservoir enclosure 1330 and is sealed to the tubular casing of the article, which in FIG. 11 is shown to be cylindrical.

(118) The piston is shown in the article 1300 which is a single unit, although it is not essential for the article to be a single unit. The article 1300 may comprise a separate reservoir enclosure 330 and socket 310 connected a joint proximate the partition 315, 1315 as shown in FIGS. 1, 8A to 8F, and 9A to 9F as described above.

(119) In FIG. 11, the exterior surface of the piston head 650 is visible through the open end 1302 of the reservoir 1500 closed off by the piston 600. A portion of the cylinder tubular casing 1333 of the reservoir enclosure 1330 is visible intermediate the piston 600 and the rim 1304 of the open end.

(120) The piston 600 is displaceable by pressing on the piston head 650. The piston head 650 is access-able by a user's fingers through the opening 1302 in the reservoir enclosure sealed off by the piston 600.

(121) The article 1300 comprises the tubular casing 1333 around the reservoir enclosure 1330. There is a rim 1304 on the open end 1302 of the tubular casing which defines the open end 1302 of the reservoir enclosure 1330.

(122) The piston 600 slides along the tubular wall or cylinder wall of the tubular casing 1333 from the partition 1315 to the rim 1304 of the open end 1302 which is closed off by the piston.

(123) As shown in FIG. 12, where the piston 600 is proximate the rim 304 the reservoir 500 has maximum volume. When the piston is at this position the reservoir holds the maximum amount of the first beverage.

(124) Proximate the rim 1304 the tubular casing 1333 comprises a bumper which protrudes into the interior of the reservoir enclosure 1330.

(125) When the piston 600 is against the bumper 304, 1304, the volume of the reservoir is the maximum as shown in FIG. 12. The bumper prevents the piston 600 from exiting the reservoir enclosure 330, 1330.

(126) The reservoir 1500 is enclosed by the tubular casing 1333 and the interior surface of the piston head 651, and the partition 315 that separates the reservoir 500 from the opening 320 in the container 300 for receiving the over-cap 120. Thus, the reservoir enclosed by the reservoir enclosure 1330 and the piston 650.

(127) In FIG. 13, the piston 600 is shown midway intermediate the rim 304 and the partition 315 and the reservoir has half of the maximum volume. Half of the liquid which was in the reservoir when the reservoir was at maximum volume has been forced out through there aperture 1316 in the nozzle 1315 in partition 1315.

(128) In FIG. 14 interior surface 651 of the piston 600 is shown abutted against the partition 1315. Displacing the piston 600 to this position forces the remaining liquid out of the reservoir 500. There is no first beverage left in reservoir 1500 because the reservoir has no volume. The piston 600 interior surface 651 and partition 1315 have matching contours which when brought into contact by displacement of the piston deprive the reservoir of volume.

(129) Around the perimeter of the piston head is a sliding seal 660 comprising a resilient lip which slides along the cylinder wall 1333. The piston head is rigid to keep the resilient sliding seal pressed against the cylinder wall even when force is applied by a user to the exterior surface 650 of the piston head to squeeze liquid out of the reservoir. The user inserts their fingers through the open end 302 of the reservoir to push the piston 600.

(130) The piston head has a concave curvature. The piston head bulges outward away from the reservoir. The partition 315, 1315 has a concave curvature that to match the piston head. The partition bulges into the reservoir 500, 1500.

(131) The sliding seal is a friction coupling to the cylinder wall which holds the piston in place unless the piston is pushed. The sliding seal 660 comprises a flexible seal ring which is circumferential and makes circumferential contact with the inner wall of the outer casing 1330.

(132) The seal ring comprises first membrane 661 which extends axially from the circumferential edge of the piston head toward the reservoir opening 1302 and a second membrane 662 which extends axially from the circumferential edge towards the partition 1315.

(133) The seal ring prevents air and liquid from by-passing the nozzle while also providing sufficient friction to hold the piston in place unless it is intentionally pushed. The seal ring is not an essential element for a sealing the piston head because other seals such as an O-ring type seal is also effective.

(134) There is a sharp reversal of curvature in the piston at the circumferential junction of the rigid piston head and the flexible seal ring.

(135) The partition 1315 has a matching circumferential sharp reversal of curvature 1317 so that when the piston is pressed against the partition there is no air gaps. The sharp reversal of curvature 1317 provides a nook where the partition circumferential edge joins the outer casing. The second membrane is squeezed in the nook to improve the ejection of all the liquid from the reservoir.

(136) The friction coupling provides at least enough friction force to hold the piston in place against the weight of the piston itself. The liquid in the reservoir is thereby held inside the reservoir and does not drip through the nozzle unintentionally. Air is never drawn into the reservoir. Since the liquid is incompressible, it never dribbles out of the nozzle. Thus, the piston may be partially depressed to eject a fraction of the liquid in the reservoir out of the nozzle. The remaining liquid in the reservoir is trapped and by its own surface tension and incompressibility and cannot dribble out. The remaining liquid be stored in the reservoir for later use.

(137) The friction coupling may also be arranged to hold an additional weight of the first beverage occupying the full volume of the reservoir when the piston 600 is against the bumper 304, 1304 on the tubular casing of the article which prevents the piston from exiting the reservoir enclosure 330, 1330 as shown in FIG. 12. This allows the beverage to be ejected into the socket to use the socket as a cup for the first beverage without the first beverage flowing back into the reservoir displacing the piston.

(138) The beverage cannot be ejected while the over-cap 120 is in place inside the socket 310, 1310 because the nozzle is blocked.

(139) The article 300, 1300 may be unscrewed from the over-cap and the screw-on cap will remain on the bottle.

(140) In the example shown the reservoir cylinder is a circular cylinder. Other perimeters for the piston such as oval, rectangular, square, and polygonal are possible. Circular and oval perimeters make the most inexpensive leak proof sliding seal to prevent liquid in the reservoir leaking past the seal.

(141) FIGS. 15, 16, and 17 show the piston 600 in detail in an edge view, cross section through the edge, and isometric view. As shown the piston 600 comprises a piston head having an exterior surface 650 and interior surface 651. The interior surface is a bounding surface of the reservoir 500.

(142) The piston is mouldable as single unit with a thicker head portion and a thinner more sliding seal.

Index of Integers Shown in the Figures

(143) TABLE-US-00001 vessel cap, screw-on cap 110 screw-on cap screw thread 112 top of screw-on cap 114 over-cap 120 over-cap open end first rim 123 top of over-cap 124 skirt of over-cap 125 top of over-cap central depression 126 over-cap separate ring 128 over-cap fingers 129 over-cap circumferential gap 130 over-cap separate ring second circumferential rim 131 over-cap external screw thread 133 over-cap axially aligned ribs 134 over-cap external knurl on skirt 135 over-cap first lock device, protrusions. lugs 137 collapsible portion comprising button 160 collapsible portion circumferential sealing surface 162 collapsible portion interior surface 164 collapsible portion flexible button 165 vessel, bottle 200 neck of bottle screw-on thread 210 neck of bottle circumferential ridge 220 neck of bottle second lock device, stops, lugs 222 neck of bottle second lock device diametrically opposite lugs 223 article 300 reservoir opening in article closed off by flexible button 302 rim of reservoir opening 304 socket, connecting part to the over-cap 310 break-away ring 311 circumferential slot in outer casing of socket, connecting part 312 tubular casing of connecting part to over-cap 313 nozzle 314 partition, base of connecting part to over-cap 315 nozzle aperture 316 fragile stringers 317 internal screw thread on connecting part to over-cap 318 dimple or circumferential ridge on break-away ring 319 opening in socket to receive over-cap 320 rim of open end of socket, connecting part distal to base 321 reservoir enclosure, reservoir part 330 reservoir part circumferential ridge 332 outer casing of reservoir enclosure, reservoir part 333 flexible resilient flaps at end of reservoir part 335 seat on inner surface of cylinder wall 337 reservoir 500 piston 600 piston head exterior surface 650 piston head interior surface 651 piston seal lip 660 seal ring first membrane 661 seal ring second membrane 662 beverage container first embodiment 1000 article 1300 opening in reservoir enclosure sealed, closed off, by piston 1302 rim of reservoir opening closed off by piston 1304 socket, section which receives the over-cap 1310 break-away ring 1311 nozzle 1314 partition intermediate reservoir and opening to receive over-cap 1315 nozzle aperture 1316 sharp circumferential reversal of curvature 1317 internal screw thread on outer casing of socket 1318 open end of socket 1320 rim of open end of socket 1321 reservoir enclosure, section intermediate partition and piston 1330 outer casing of reservoir enclosure, reservoir part 1333 reservoir 1500 beverage container second embodiment 11000

(144) 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.