Inverted dome to supply dose

[0001] This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 61/207,470, filed on Feb. 11, 2009.

[0002] Not Applicable

[0003] Not Applicable

[0004] This invention relates generally to the field of packages and containers, and in particular, pertains to containers having two compartments and that may be used to keep two components separate until use.

[0005] It is desirable to fit a devise to the top of a beverage that can dose or supply a product. It is also an advantage to the consumer to provide a dispensing method once the dose or supply has been delivered to the main receptacle vessel.

[0006] Twist to open technology provides limited opening port increased operational forces and a steep learning curve for use by the end user. Ingredients housed are often compromised when the mating components are not properly aligned. This failure breaches the seal integrity for the ingredients and may not be readily known by the manufacturer or the end user. These devises may also contain multiple parts to achieve the actions needed to house product and twist to dispense. Other products require a great deal of force to open the closure and is commonly opened by slamming the head of the closure down onto a hard surface in order to breach the sealed portion of the closure thereby allowing access to ingredients.

[0007] The primary object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device that can dose or supply fresh healthy ingredients.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device that protects against accidental dispension.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device with a maximum dispensing port.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device which is constructed from a minimal number of components and amount of materials.

[0011] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device that can be more easily assembled.

[0012] Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device that can be more easily filled.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device that retains the integrity of ingredients.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device that minimizes exposure of contained ingredients from UV light and moisture.

[0015] A further object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device that is intuitive to use.

[0016] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device that is easy to operate.

[0017] Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a point of use dispensing device requiring no twisting motion for operation.

[0018] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0019] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed Inverted dome to supply dosing means comprising: an inverted dome dispensing closure having a housing, the housing having a septum, a thinner convex dome, and an end plate seal, a main vessel attached to said inverted dome dispensing closure, and a user-actuated means for dispensing from said inverted dome dispensing closure into said main vessel.

[0020] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a process for Inverted dome to supply dosing means comprising the steps of: an inverted dome dispensing closure having a housing, the housing having a septum, a thinner convex dome, and an end plate seal, a main vessel attached to said inverted dome dispensing closure, and a user-actuated means for dispensing from said inverted dome dispensing closure into said main vessel.

[0023] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0024] To provide a point of use dispensing devise that will supply fresh healthy ingredients that are stored inside the closure. The devise is used to store ingredients protecting them from UV light and moisture at minimum. The closure will be intuitive for use and easily operated by the end user. The new devise minimizes components and materials while maximizing the dispensing port.

[0025] A dispensing closure used to house or carry the dose or supply that when activated delivers the dose and allows the end user to dispense the product as desired without the removal of the dispensing closure from the bottle or container.

[0026] The closure radial skirt to which threads are typically used but not limited to for attachment to a vessel opening. The vessel opening is sealed via a depending radial member used to interferingly engage the opening portion of said vessel. The depending skirt shown has a frangible TE skirt. The depending skirt can be used with or with out the depending TE skirt band. The closure may also employ the use of a foil liner to add to product efficacy and tamper evidence. Depending from said skirt is a tube at the distal end of the tube is a dome portion. The dome portion can be but is not limited to a thin uniform wall section that can be readily deformed when sufficient force is applied to said dome. The dome is configured with two hinge elements one at the radial edge of the tube and one at the radial edge of the septum. The said hinges are configured in a manor to allow the dome to flex to a maximum inverted position and At the apex of said dome a depending septum extends toward the base of the closure. The distal end of the septum is configured to receive an end cap in mating engagement. A foil liner can be applied over said end cap and distal end of the tube sealing the interior of the tube. The closure tube and dome features can be further improved by adding a tamper evident truss. The truss has an outboard hinged attachment to the tube. The truss also has a break-away attachment centered to the dome and truss between the outer dome and the truss. A space is provided between the truss configuration and tube of the closure and the convex dome for ease of customer use. The truss and break away attachment are also used to prevent the dome from premature inversion in the event a vacuum is formed on the end of the closure inside a vessel.

[0027] The closure is activated by moving by pressing on the truss in a manner to fold it away from the dome top. The folding motion shears the break away attachment and is hinged-ly pivoted beyond the outer edge of the dome toward the radial edge of the tube. The truss is configured to have interfering engagement with the radial edge of the tube to prevent the truss from moving back over the dome. The ingredients inside the tube are released by pressing downwardly onto the dome. This action directly acts on the depending septum which is attached to the end cap. The end cap is in interfering engagement with the tube sufficient to provide sealing integrity alone as well as the depending septum. The dome is pressed downwardly until it inverts and will remain in a now concaved configuration. The septum has moved vertically downward pressing the end cap from its assembled position below the distal end of the tube. This motion also breaches the seal of the foil lining allowing the ingredients inside the tube a path way out of the tube.

[0028] The dome structure can be designed to have a plurality of radial hinge members that are spaced apart throughout the arc of the dome. The dome can be configured to contain depending radial ribbing. The end cap can be configured to include a liner in between the end of the septum and the bottom portion of the end cap to provide sealing interface and added removal resistance. The dome can be configured to have a surrounding structure to prevent inadvertent actuation. The end cap and tube can be configured with interfering sealing engagement with a highly polished mating surfaces. These highly polished faces when in intimate contact provide a superior seal integrity against moisture. The materials of the closure and end cap are primarily comprised of propylene and ethylene materials for the preferred embodiment. Alternate materials of flexible nature can also be employed like thermoplastic elastomers and others of a lower modulus sufficient to provide flexibility. The upstanding ring around the dome may be configured with one or more ports or openings to allow easier user access or to drain water after washing.

[0029] A dispensing closure used to house a secondary supply or dose of product when the closure is activated the secondary product or dose is dispensed into the main vessel to which it is attached. The inverted dome is a one piece delivery method to supply a dose or supply of product into a vessel to which it is attached. The inverted dome is configured with a septum and a thinner convex dome, and an end plate seal. The end plate seal can be made from a variety materials that are thin and frangible in nature to fracture when the thinned dome is inverted to a concave shape. The septum applies force against the end plate shearing and fracturing the end plate when the dome is inverted.

[0030] The concept can be improved by adding a tear away protective portion which extends above the apex of the dome to prevent accidental inversion of the dome. The tear away band can be configured to extend from the cylinder to which the dome is attached or from the deck of the threaded portion of the cap. The concept can also be provided with a removal protective overcap to protect against accidental inversion of the dome.

[0031] The concept can be improved by adding a septum end attachment. This separate attachment is used to capture a foil seal type of end plate. The septum end attachment is configured in a manner to apply uneven pressure on the end plate to reduce the force required to fracture or open the end plate. The septum end attachment is generally reduced in diameter from the dose chamber to allow free movement of the septum and dome inversion. The septum end is configured to include a radial bead and is largely cupped in configuration. Once the dome is inverted and septum end attachment acts against the end plate in sufficient force to break away the seal plate. The seal plate being flexible enough to accept the cup shaped septum end attachment and hold the flexible seal within the radial beads positioned to the inside of the cupped end of the septum end attachment.

Dome features, radial ribs, axial ribs, hinge elements,
Adding a foil seal to the inside bottom of the end cap.
Improving the dome feature sufficient to “pop” over center and stay in a convex shape after pressing.
Adding the radial surrounding structure to prevent inadvertent actuation.
Mating two highly polished mating surfaces between the end cap and the tube to maintain product integrity.
Designing alignment features to keep the end cap and tube in axial alignment.
Septum features to maintain axial alignment during the ejection process of molding and accepting the end cap.

[0032] Fewer parts, less plastic, easier to use, no twisting motion no long sleeves for product to interfere with in operation. Improved product efficacy, easier assembly, easier filling,

[0033] Top view in assembly with protective overcap, section A-A is a cross sectional view in assembly with protective overcap.

[0034] Top view with protective tear away means, Section B-B with septum end attachment in assembly.

[0035] While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.