Powder/liquid dispenser

Abstract

A powder/liquid dispenser employing a hollow plastic cylindrical body with a first vertical cylindrical section sealed at its upper end and integral at its lower end. A second vertical cylindrical section open at both ends is disposed below the first section on connected thereto. The second section has an interior thread. A thin horizontal penetrable circular membrane is secured to the second section in the region common to both first and second sections. A flat cylindrical ring shaped member has an open central area and an upper circular vertically upward extending cutting edge spaced inwardly from the periphery of the member. The member is positioned in the common region below the membrane with the edge disposed against the membrane

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed toward dispensers for dispensing and subsequently mixing powders or liquids into vessels such as bottles which contain fluid for receiving and being mixed with such powders or liquids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For medical or other purposes, it is often necessary for an individual carrying a capped bottle of water or other fluid to remove the cap, exposing the open neck of the bottle, and manually pour desired or prescribed powders or liquids into the bottle. The individual must and stir or otherwise mix the powders or liquids into the fluid in the bottle before drinking the resulting mixture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the invention, a dispenser for dispensing and subsequently mixing powders or liquids into vessels which contain fluid includes a hollow plastic cylindrical body having a first vertical cylindrical section sealed at its upper end and integral at its lower end. The body has a second vertical cylindrical section open at both ends and disposed below the first section. The second section has an interior thread.

A thin horizontal penetrable circular membrane is secured to the second section in the region common to both first and second sections. A flat cylindrical ring shaped member has an open central area and is provided with an upper circular vertically upwardly extending cutting edge spaced inwardly from the periphery of the member. The member has a slot extending inwardly through the member from the periphery and a larger opening in the cutting edge into the circular area. The member is positioned in the common region below the membrane with the edge disposed against the membrane.

In order to use the dispenser, the powder or liquid to be dispensed is contained in the first section. A vertical vessel which contains a receiving fluid has a vertical neck with an external thread engaged with a removable cap. The cap is removed and the dispenser is disposed above the vessel and the second section of the dispenser is secured to the vessel neck so that the internal threads of the second section engage the external threads of the vessel.

When engagement takes place, the cutting edge of the member cuts into the membrane and forms an opening therein. The power or fluid in the second section then pours out of the membrane opening through larger opening in the cutting edge into the vessel. The dispenser remains secured to the vessel so that the vessel and or the dispenser can be shaken or otherwise moved by a user until the mixing action is completed.

The user then disconnects the dispenser and drinks the desired mixture from the vessel. The dispenser, once used, can be thrown away.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of the dispenser in accordance with the invention as secured to a vessel prior to actual use.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section of the dispenser as secured to a vessel during actual use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ring shaped member.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ring shaped member.

FIG. 5 is a detail view illustrating the cutting action of the member and the membrane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the powder/liquid dispenser utilizes a hollow plastic cylindrical body having a first vertical cylindrical section 10 which is sealed at its upper end 12. Section 10 is integral at its lower end with a second vertical cylindrical section 14. The second section is open at both ends and is disposed below the first section. Section 14 has an interior thread 16.

A thin horizontal penetrable circular membrane 18 is secured to the second section in the region common to both first and second sections. Membrane 18 can be aluminum foil.

A flat cylindrical ring shaped member 20 has an open central area and an upper circular vertically upward extending cutting edge 22 spaced inwardly from the periphery of the member. The member 20 has a slot 24 extending inwardly through the member from the periphery and the larger opening 23 in the edge 22 into the circular area. The member is positioned in the common region with the edge 22 bearing against the membrane but does not penetrate it.

A vertical fluid containing vessel 26 such as a bottle of water or other fluid has a removable cap screwed to the external threads 28 of its top opening. The cap is removed and the dispenser is disposed above the vessel with the threads 16 engaging threads 28.

The section 10 prior to securing the membrane 18 contains powder or fluid 30 to be dispensed. When the thread engagement is tightened, the cutting edge 22 engages the membrane and cuts a large opening in it. A small portion of the membrane remains in place, but the powder or fluid flows downward through the opening 23 into the vessel.

The combination of dispenser and vessel can be shaken or otherwise moved to mix the powder or fluid in section 10 with the water or other fluid in the vessel. The dispenser can then be disconnected from the vessel and the user can drink the mixture. The dispenser can then be thrown away.

The member must be inserted into the common region adjacent the membrane and to facilitate this action, slot 24 enables the member to be squeezed as necessary.

The invention has been described in detail but the protection solicited is to be limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A powder/liquid dispenser comprising:

a hollow plastic cylindrical body having a first vertical cylindrical section sealed at its upper end and integral at its lower end with a second vertical cylindrical section which is open at both ends and is disposed below the first section, the second section having an interior thread;

a thin horizontal penetrable circular membrane is secured to the second section in the region common to both first and second sections; and

a flat cylindrical ring shaped member has an open central area and an upper circular vertically upward extending cutting edge spaced inwardly from the periphery of the member, said edge having an opening extending inwardly into the circular area, said member being positioned in the common region below the membrane with the edge disposed against the membrane.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 further including a slot extending through the member from the periphery and the opening in the edge into the circular area.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first section contains powder or liquid.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 where the membrane is a foil.

5. The dispenser of claim 4 wherein the foil is an aluminum foil.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the internal thread is adapted to engage an external thread of the open neck of a vessel.

7. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein the vessel is a bottle containing a fluid.

8. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the fluid is water.

9. The dispenser of claim 2 where the membrane is a foil.