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`DISPENSING CLOSURE
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`Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to a dispensing closure for containers and relates
`5 particularly to a dispensing closure which is adapted to engage a container and facilitate
`dispensing of a material, such as a liquid, solid, powder or granular material, into the
`container.
`Background of the invention
`The invention will be described with particular reference to a cap for a liquid
`10 container, such as a beverage container. However, it will be appreciated that the
`principals of the invention can be applied to containers and closures of many different
`types to enable two or more materials to be kept separated up to the moment of use, and
`to then dispense, discharge or mix at least one of the materials into another. Thus, the
`invention is applicable to, for example, dispensing pharmaceuticals in liquid, powder,
`tablet or granule form into an appropriate medium for ingestion of the pharmaceutical;
`dispensing colour pigments, in liquid or powder form or in capsules, into base paint·
`carriers; mixing cosmetic colouring material into a carrier; mixing chemicals, including
`catalysts and hardeners, and particularly those that may be toxic or dangerous to touch,
`into an active ingredient; discharging food flavouring, colouring, sweeteners or other
`food product into an appropriate beverage medium or the like. The invention is
`therefore useful for combining materials of many types where it is necessary or
`desirable to selectively dispense or mix one material or substance into another.
`Discussion of prior art
`A number of proposals have previously been made for containers to be
`25 constructed in a way that two products are maintained separated until the moment of
`use at which time one product is admixed with the other in the container. Containers of
`this type have been proposed with closures which are used to effect the product
`separation and facilitate the introduction of one product into the other. However, the
`containers and closures previously proposed are relatively complicated. For example,
`in one proposal, a closure is formed of three parts, a first part including a compartment
`to hold one product, the compartment being adapted to engage in the neck of a
`container, a second part which moves relative to the first part and has a means for
`opening a bottom wall of the compartment to release the first product into the
`container, and a sealing cap which engages over the compartment and second part to
`35 seal the closure on the container.
`Such a structure is relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture,
`requires the assembly of three separate parts as well as introduction of a product into
`the compartment during assembly, and necessarily involves a number of separate
`actions in order to release the product in the compartment into the container.
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`In another proposal as outlined in Patent GB2012714, a container is disclosed
`having an inner wall which divides the container into two compartments. An upper
`compartment contains a piercing device that is moveable by pressure applied to a top
`wall to cause a tip of the piercing device to pierce a hole in the dividing wall.
`5 However, this structure requires a moveable top wall and is, therefore, susceptible to
`accidental actuation.
`It is therefore desirable to provide an improved dispensing closure for containers
`which obviates at least some of the disadvantages of previously proposed dispensing
`closures.
`It is also desirable to provide a dispensing closure for containers whereby a material or
`substance in liquid, po'Yder, solid, granular or other form is able to be quickly and
`easily dispensed into the product in the container on which the closure is attached.
`It is also desirable to provide a dispensing closure for containers which is
`relatively easy to produce, assemble and use.
`It is also desirable to provide a dispensing closure for a variety of container
`types, including beverage containers, paint containers, cosmetic containers and others.
`It is also desirable to provide a dispensing closure which may be adapted for a
`variety of different products to be dispensed into the container on which the closure is
`mounted.
`20 Summary of the Invention
`According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a dispensing closure
`to dispense at least one product into a container, the closure including a container
`closure body adapted to sealingly engage with a neck of the container, the body having
`securing means to secure the closure to the container neck, a compartment to contain
`the at least one product to be dispensed, the compartment being adapted to fit within
`the container neck and being defined by a side wall, a top wall and a frangible bottom
`wall, and cutting means moveable relative to the side wall and the bottom wall to break
`open the frangible bottom wall of the compartment to selectively dispense contents of
`the compartment into the container.
`In one form of the invention, the closure body includes an outer, cylindrical wall
`and a coaxial inner wall. The outer wall is provided with internal threads adapted to
`threadingly engage the threaded neck of a container to which the closure is to be fitted.
`The inner wall engages within the container neck, and the compartment fits within the
`inner wall. The upper end of the compartment is formed with a radially outwardly
`35 extending flange having reversely formed shoulders to engage corresponding shoulders
`on the closure body. In this way, the two parts of the closure are able to be snap-fitted
`together so that the compartment is able to rotate about its axis relative to the body. In
`this embodiment, the inner wall of the body carries a cutting knife edge which is
`inwardly and upwardly turned towards the frangible bottom wall of the compartment.
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`The bottom wall of the compartment extends at an angle to a plane perpendicular to the
`axis such that, in first assembled position, the bottom wall does not contact the knife.
`On relative rotation of the compartment, however, the frangible bottom wall is brought
`into contact with the knife which cuts and breaks the wall from the compartment
`5 permitting contents thereof to be dispensed into the container to which the closure is
`fitted.
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`fu another embodiment of the invention, the compartment and closure body are
`integral and are engaged with a cylindrical band which fits over the wall of the
`compartment. The band carries the cutting lmife which operates in the manner
`10 described above.
`Preferably, the container closure body includes, on the lower end of the outer
`wall, a tamper proof evidence release band to provide any indication of tampering with
`the closure prior to its use.
`According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a dispensing
`15 device for dispensing product into a container, the device having a sealed compartment
`containing the product, the compartment having a substantially cylindrical side wall, a
`:frangible bottom wall and a top wall, the compartment being adapted to fit within a
`neck of the container, the device further having an outer wall to engage an outer surface
`of the container neck and including securing means to secure the device to the
`20 container, and cutting means adapted to be rotated relative to the frangible bottom wall,
`the cutting means and/or the frangible bottom wall being arranged such that the relative
`movement causes the cutting means to break open the frangible bottom wall of the
`compartment to selectively dispense contents of the compartment into the container.
`The cutting means may extend from a separate cylindrical band coaxial with the
`side wall of the compartment but rotatable relative thereto. Alternatively, the
`compartment and outer wall may be separate integers with the cutting means extending
`from an intermediate wall located between the compartment and the inner surface of
`the neck of the container.
`According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of
`30 dispensing at least one product into a container, the method including the steps of
`assembling a compartment containing a product to be dispensed with a closure body,
`engaging the assembled closure with a neck portion of a container into which the
`contents are to be dispensed, providing a cutting knife adjacent to a bottom wall of the
`assembled closure, and rotating the knife relative to the bottom wall to cause the knife
`to cut into the bottom wall to thereby release the contents of the compartment into the
`container.
`According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cutting
`knife for use with a dispensing closure, the knife being integrally moulded with a wall
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`of the closure, the knife having at least two cutting edges extending at an acute angle to
`each other.
`In order that the invention is more readily understood, embodiments thereof will
`now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
`Figure 1 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a first embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 2 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the first embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. l;
`Figure 3 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a second embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 4 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the second embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 3;
`Figure 5 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a third embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 6 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the third embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 5;
`Figure 7 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 8 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the fourth embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 7;
`Figure 9 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 10 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the fifth embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 9;
`Figure 11 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a sixth embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 12 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the sixth embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 11;
`Figure 13 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a seventh embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 14 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the seventh embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 13;
`Figure 15 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the seventh embodiment of the
`invention similar to Fig 14 showing the closure after an initial actuation;
`Figure 16 is a cross sectional, elevational view of an eighth embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 17 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the eighth embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 16;
`Figure 18 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a ninth embodiment of the invention;
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`Figure 19 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the ninth embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 18;
`Figure 20 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a tenth embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 21 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the tenth embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 tQ_that of Fig., and showing an initial actuation of the closure;
`Figure 22 is a cross sectional, elevational view of an eleventh embodiment of
`the invention;
`Figure 23 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the eleventh embodiment of
`the invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 1, and showing an initial actuation of the
`closure;
`Figure 24 is a cross sectional, elevational view of a twelfth embodiment of the
`invention;
`Figure 25 is a cross sectional, elevational view of the twelfth embodiment of the
`invention taken at 900 to that of Fig. 24, and showing an initial actuation of the closure
`Figure 26 is a perspective view of a form of closure in accordance with
`embodiments of the invention;
`Figure 27 is a perspective view of a compartment for a closure, shown upside
`down, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;
`20 Figure 28 is a perspective view of another compartment for a closure, shown upside
`down, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;
`Figure 29 is a perspective view of a :further form of compartment for a closure,
`shown upside down, in accordance with other embodiments of the invention;
`Figure 30 is an enlarged elevational view of one embodiment of cutting knife in
`25 accordance with the invention; and
`Figure 31 is a perspective view of a :further form of cutting lmife in accordance
`with some embodiments of the present invention.
`Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the
`invention in which a dispensing closure 15 has a compartment 16 defined by a
`30 cylindrical side wall 17, a top wall 18 and a frangible bottom wall 19.
`The height of the side wall 17 varies around the perimeter of the compartment
`16 so that the bottom wall 19 extends at an angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis of
`the cylindrical side wall 17.
`The closure of this embodiment includes a closure body 21 which comprises an
`35 outer side wall 22 and an intermediate wall 23. The outer side wall 22 is provided with
`internal threads 24 that engage with corresponding threads on the neck of a container
`20 to which the closure is fitted. When fitted to the neck of a container 20 as shown,
`the intermediate wall 23 closely engages the internal surface of the container 20 neck.
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`The top wall 18 of the compartment 16 has an outwardly and downwardly
`extending rim 26 with an inwardly directed shoulder 27 to engage a corresponding
`Thus, the
`shoulder 27a on an upper extension of the intermediate wall 23.
`compartment 16 and closure body 21 are snapped into engagement by the inter-
`5 engagement of the respective shoulders 27 and 27a. The engagement, however, is
`sufficiently free that the compartment 16 is able to rotate relative to the closure body 21
`about the axis of the closure 15.
`A lower edge of the intermediate wall 23 carries an inwardly extending flange
`28. At one point around the flange 28, a cutting blade 31 extends upwardly from the
`inner edge of the flange 28 towards the top wall 18 of the compartment 16. The blade
`31 is spaced from the intermediate wall 23 by a distance that is slightly greater than the
`thickness of the side wall 17.
`When the compartment 16 is assembled with the closure body 21, the blade 31
`is located at that portion of the side wall 17 having the least extent so that the blade 31
`15 does not penetrate the frangible bottom wall 19.
`When the closure 15 is engaged with the neck of a container .20, the
`compartment 16 is located within the container 20 neck. A tamper-proof evident
`release band 32 extends from the lower edge of the outer side wall 22 to provide
`evidence of tampering· with the closure 15 after engagement with a container 20. A
`further tamper evident tab 32a is formed integral with the upper edge of the outer side
`wall 22, the tab 32a being adapted to engage within a cooperating gap in the rim 26, as
`described and shown with reference to Figures 26 and 27.
`In use of the closure 15, when it is desired to dispense a product sealed within
`the compartment 16, after removal of the tab 32a, the rim 26, which is preferably
`25 provided with a knurl, ribs or the like, is rotated relative to the closure body 21 thereby
`causing the angled bottom wall 19 to engage with the upper edge of the blade 31. The
`blade 31 cuts into the bottom wall 19 with continued rotation thereof thereby releasing
`the bottom wall 19 to enable contents 30 of the compartment 16 to fall into the
`container 20. Shoulders or the like may be provided to prevent relative rotation to less
`than 3600 so that the bottom wall remains connected by a small portion to the side wall
`17.
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`The contents 30 of the compartment 16 may be any of those referred to above or
`any product that is to be mixed with another within the container 20.
`The frangible bottom wall 19 may be formed of an aluminium foil which is
`3 5 adhered to the lower edges of the side wall 17. Alternatively, the frangible bottom wall
`19 may be formed of the same material as the side wall 17, or it may be of any other
`suitable material for sealing contents 30 within the compartment 16, such as a synthetic
`plastics material adhered or welded to the lower edge of the side wall 17.
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`The top wall 18 is formed with an undercut lip 10 for receipt and retention of a
`label, marker, price disk or other material.
`Referring to Figures 3 and 4, this embodiment is similar to that shown in Figures
`1 and 2 except that the compartment 16 is formed integral with the outer side wall 22.
`In this embodiment, a cylindrical band 34 is a snap-fit over the outer surface of the
`compartment side wall 17, which is formed with an appropriate groove 35. The
`cylindrical band 34 carries the inwardly extending flange 28 and the cutting blade 31.
`In use of the closure of this embodiment, the cylindrical band :frictionally
`engages the inner surface of the container 20 neck thereby holding the band against
`rotation during rotational movement of the compartment 16. The outer side wall 22
`may be formed with threads, as described previously, or is provided with ribs, ridges or
`the like which enable the closure to be snap-fitted to the neck of a container 20.
`In the event that threads are used, an internal groove and stop shoulder may be
`used so that the compartment 16 is able to be rotated relative to the cylindrical band 34
`in one direction only, the shoulder preventing rotation in the opposite direction. This,
`then, enables the cap to be screwed onto a container 20 neck without relative rotation
`occurring, but reverse relative rotation will cause the compartment 16 ·to rotate relative
`to the blade 31 thereby causing the blade to cut into the frangible bottom wall 19 to
`release the contents 30 of the compartment which pass into the container 20.
`Referring to Figures 5 and 6, this embodiment is similar to that of Figures l and
`2 in which a separate compartment 16 and separate closure body 21 are utilised, the
`parts being fitted together through inter-engaging shoulders 27.
`In this embodiment, the bottom wall 19 extends in a plane perpendicular to the
`axis of the closure 15. The cutting blade 31 is contained in a protective pocket 36
`formed at one side of the side wall 17. Relative rotation between the compartment 16
`and the closure body 21 causes the cutting blade 31 to jump out of the protective pocket
`36 thereby causing the blade to pierce and cut through the frangible bottom wall 19
`releasing the contents 30 of the compartment 16 into the container 20.
`The cutting knife 31, which is shown in both side and front views in Figures 5
`30 and 6 has two cutting edges 37 angled away from each other which ensures that the
`knife is able to cut irrespective of the direction of relative rotation of the compartment
`16 and the closure body 21.
`Referring to Figures 7 and 8, this embodiment is similar to that of Figures 3 and 4 but
`incorporating the bottom wall and knife construction of Figures 5 and 6.
`The cutting blade 31 of this and the previous embodiment has a third cutting
`edge 38 which is substantially parallel to the first cutting edge. It has been found, in
`use, that when the compartment 16 is rotated relative to the cylindrical band 34 in a
`direction that moves the cutting blade 31 as illustrated in Fig 8 towards the right, the
`action of cutting also causes the cut bottom wall 19 to peel downwardly thereby
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`facilitating release of contents 30 of the compartment 16 into the container 20 to which
`the closure 15 is fitted.
`Referring to Figures 9 and 10, a modified construction of closure is illustrated in
`which the compartment 16 is defined by the side walls 17, which fit closely within the
`5 container 20 neck, and a separate top wall 18 that is attached to the side wall 17 by the
`inter-engaging shoulders 27. In this embodiment, the cutting blade 31 is disposed on
`the end of a downwardly extending carrier 39. The compartment 16 is thus formed of
`separate parts snap-fitted together, and is particularly suitable for a product which is
`unaffected by the atmosphere.
`A shoulder 41 is provided at the upper edge of the side wall 17 at that part of the
`side wall of least extent to restrict relative rotation of the blade carrier 39 so that the
`bottom wall 19 is not completely severed from its engagement with the side wall 17.
`As with all other embodiments, the outer side wall 22 may be provided with
`internal screw threads or snap-fitting ribs or ridges or the like for engagement with a
`15 correspondingly shaped neck of the container 20 to which the closure is to be fitted.
`Referring to Figures 11 and 12, this embodiment is similar to that of Figures 9
`and 10 except that the outer side wall 22 is formed integral with the top wall 18 and is
`snap-fitted to the side wall 17 of the compartment 16 using the inter-engaging
`shoulders 27.
`The side wall 17 is formed with an annular enlargement 40 on its outer surface
`that tightly engages against the inside surface of the container 20 neck. The
`enlargement 40 holds the side wall 17, and the bottom wall 19, against rotation relative
`to the container 20 neck when the outer wall 22, and the integral blade carrier 39, is
`rotated thereby enabling the blade 31 to cut through the bottom wall 19.
`Referring to Figures 13 to 15, this embodiment is similar to that of Figures
`5 and 6. However, in this embodiment, the rim 26 of the top wall 18 is provided with a
`tamper proof evident band 42 which extends from the outer edge of the top wall to
`engage with the upper edge of the outer side wall 22. The inter-engaging shoulders 27
`and 27a are separated, and the cutting blade 31, carried by the flange 28, is spaced from
`the frangible bottom wall 19. In this embodiment, there is no protective pocket for the
`cutting blade 31.
`The contents 30 of the compartment 16 are released, in this embodiment, by
`removal of the tamper proof evident band 42 thereby permitting the compartment 16 to
`be snap-engaged with the closure body 21 by a relative axial, downward movement of
`the compartment 16. Such movement causes the cutting blade 31 to cut into the
`frangible bottom wall 19 whereupon relative rotation of the respective compartment 16
`and closure body 21 causes the cutting blade to cut around the edge of the bottom wall
`19 and break open the bottom wall 19 to release the contents 30 of the compartment 16.
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`The shoulder 41 acts to stop the rotational movement of the cutting blade 31
`cutting through a full 3600, thereby retaining a connection between the bottom wall 19
`and side wall 17 which stops the severed bottom wall falling into the container 20.
`Referring to Figures 16 and 17, the dispensing closure of this embodiment is
`5 designed particularly for use on containers having a threaded neck, such as a beverage
`bottle or the like. The closure comprises a compartment 16 engaged with a closure
`body 21. The compartment has a top wall 18 and a side wall 17 while the body has an
`outer wall 22, an intermediate wall 23 and a bottom wall 19 formed of a frangible
`membrane which extends from the lower edges of the intermediate wall 23. The
`10 peripheral edge of the top wall 18 is formed with a groove 43 to receive a rib 44
`extending from the closure body 21 w~en the compartment 16 and body 21 are moved
`to a dispensing position. A cutting blade 31 extends downwardly from the side wall 17
`so that, on relative axial downward and rotational movement of the compartment 16
`and body 21, the cutting blade 31 pierces and cuts the membrane forming the bottom
`15 wall 19 thereby permitting contents 30 of the compartment to be dispensed into the
`container 20.
`If desired, means for relatively rotating the compartment and the closure body,
`such as grooved outer surfaces, may be provided on periphery of the top wall 18 and on
`the outer side wall 22 to facilitate cutting and removal of the bottom wall or membrane
`20 19.
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`Referring to Figures 18 and 19, this embodiment is similar to that of Figures 16
`and· 17 except that the side wall 17 is formed at its lower edge as a serrated cutter 45
`that engages and cuts through the bottom wall or membrane 19 on relative axial
`movement in a downward motion between the compartment 16 and the closure body
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`A portion 50 of the side wall 17 is relieved adjacent a hinge 50a whereby a
`section of the bottom wall 19 is not cut by the cutter 45 allowing the cut wall part to
`fold down about the hinge 50a to allow the contents 30 to fall into the container 20.
`Referring to Figures 20 and 21, this embodiment is similar to that of Figures 1
`30 and 2 except that the top wall is formed with a release valve 46 which allows contents
`of the container 20, when mixed with the contents 30 of the compartment 16, to be
`withdrawn from the container 20 through the valve 46.
`The release valve 46, which is known per se and will not be described in great
`detail, is maintained in a sealed condition by a cap 48 or shrink wrap or other sealing
`35 means to minimise the possibility of actuating the valve before the relative rotation of
`the compartment 16 and closure body 21 to release the contents 30 of the compartment
`into the container 20. However, once the contents 30 have been mixed, and the cap,
`shrink wrap or other sealing means is removed, the release valve 46 is able to be used
`to remove beverage or other contents from the container 20. The release valve 46 has
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`channels 46a by which, when the outer portion of the release valve is moved inwardly,
`relative to the top wall 18 to cut open the valve wall 46b, the compartment is open to
`the atmosphere to permit extraction of the container 20 contents.
`Referring to Figures 22 and 23, the embodiment illustrated is similar in some
`respects to that of Figures 18 and 19. In this embodiment, however, the compartment
`16 is formed by the intermediate wall 23, which is integral with the outer wall side wall
`22, the top wall 18 and the bottom wall or membrane 19. This forms a sealed
`compartment 16 in which is located the wall cutting structure comprising the side wall
`17 having its lower edge formed as a cutting knife, and an inner top wall 18a by which
`the side wall 17 may be axially moved.
`As shown in Figure 23, the top wall 18 of the closure 15 is flexible or
`deformable, such as by forming the periphery thereof as a hinge, so that the centre
`thereof is able to be axially moved doWnwardly thereby causing the cutting knife to cut
`through the bottom wall 19.
`Preferably, the centre section of the inner top wall 18a is connected, such as by a
`cooperating rib and groove forming a snap fit, or by adhesive or other means, to the
`outer top wall 18.
`As with the embodiment shown in Figures 18 and 19, a portion 50 of the side
`wall 17 is relieved adjacent a hinge 50a whereby a section of the bottom wall 19 is not
`20 cut by the cutter, thereby allowing the cut wall part to fold down about the hinge 50a to
`allow the contents 30 to fall into the container 20. The cutting edge can also be similar
`to the serrated cutter of Figures 18 and 19.
`Figures 24 and 25 illustrate a modified form of the embodiment of Figures 22
`and 23 in which the inner top wall 18a is omitted and the top wall 18 is formed with a
`release valve 46 that operates in a similar fashion to that described with reference to
`Figures 20 and 21. In this embodiment, a cap 48 prevents inadvertent operation of the
`valve and the cutting structure. On removal of the cap 48, movement of the valve 46
`towards the container 20 firstly causes the top wall 18, that is integral with the valve
`housing, to move downwardly relative to the side wall 23 thereby causing the inner top
`30 wall 18a and associated side wall 17 to move relative to the bottom wall 19. The
`cutting knife edge on the lower edge of the side wall 17 cuts through the bottom wall
`19 thus allowing the contents 30 of the compartment 16 to drop into the container 20
`for mixing with the contents thereof.
`Further downward movement of the valve 46 stem cuts or breaks the frangible
`35 membrane 19a closing the bottom of the valve housing so that the mixed container
`contents are able to be dispensed through the channels 46a and the outlet of the valve
`46. The cutting edge could also be similar to the serrated cutter.
`Figure 26 illustrates a closure 15 that may be a closure of any one of the
`embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, 5 and 6, or 9 and 10. The rim 26 extending radially
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`outwardly and downwardly of the top wall 18 has an opening 33 (Figure 27) to receive
`the tamper evident tab 32a which is integral with the upper edge of the outer wall 22 to
`thereby prevent inadvertent relative rotation between the rim 26 and the closure body
`21.
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`It will be appreciated that it is important, when assembling the compartment 16
`with the closure body 21 that the parts are properly aligned so that the cutting blade 31
`is appropriately located in a position which does not cause it to cut into the bottom wall
`19 prior to intended use. The tamper evident tab 32a thereby also serves that purpose
`of ensuring proper alignment as a registration point when the parts are assembled.
`The lower edge of the outer side wall 22 is integrally formed with a tamper
`evident band 32 that snaps behind a shoulder 32b formed on the container neck when
`the closure 15 is engaged on the neck of a beverage container 20 or the like, to prevent
`removal of the closure from the container 20 without removing the tamper evident band
`32.
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`Figure 27 illustrates one form of compartment 16 such as is used in the closure
`of Figure 26. The compartments 16 described and illustrated with reference to Figures
`1 to 25, may contain a single product 30 to be dispensed into a container 20 which, in
`one example, may hold a beverage or the like. However, the compartment 16 may be
`divided into two or more parts by a dividing walls 47 thereby enabling two or more
`20 products to be dispensed from the dispensing closure 15. Thus, the contents 30 of a
`twin compartment 16, as shown in Figure 28, may be dispensed as alternate products or
`sequentially to dispense both products.
`Referring to Figure 29, a compartment may be divided into three or more chambers by
`walls or partitions 4 7. This allows three substances to be dispensed by causing relative
`rotation of the compartment 16 and the closure body 21 so that the cutting knife cuts
`through the frangible bottom wall 19 until it reaches a petition or dividing wall 4 7 at
`which it then jumps across the petition wall into the next compartment as rotation is
`continued. The top wall 18 of the compartments 16 may be appropriately marked to
`indicate the contents 30 thereof so that selections may be made in dispensing those
`30 contents 30. Thus, one compartment may contain a beverage mix, such as coffee,
`while another compartment contains sugar granules and a third compartment contains a
`creamer. The user is thus able to choose a desired mix.
`Referring to Figure 30, there is illustrated one embodiment of a cutting blade 31
`for use in the performance of the invention. The cutting blade 31 is preferably formed
`35 by moulding of the same material as is used in the construction of the compartment 16
`and/or the closure body 21. The blade 31 is moulded integrally with the respective wall
`parts of the closure 15. The blade 31 is specifically designe