SYNERESIS NEGATION APPARATUS
The present invention provides syneresis negation to capture the liquid separated from the gel so that only gel is dispensed from the container. The apparatus includes a reservoir, a hollow shell and a riser tube extending under the hollow shell. When the container holding the liquid separated from the gel is inverted for dispensing, the liquid rushes to the cap. The liquid flows over the hollow shell to the reservoir, which captures the liquid. The gel then covers the liquid and is forced up into the hollow shell and flows over the riser tube to be dispensed from the cap opening.
This application claims the benefit of co-pending application Ser. No. 61/982,928, filed Apr. 23, 2014, entitled SYNERESIS NEGATION APPARATUS.
FIELDThe present invention relates to an apparatus for control of syneresis and, more particularly, to an apparatus for use with a gel to control and contain a liquid which collects on the surface of the gel.
BACKGROUNDSyneresis is extraction, expulsion or weeping of a liquid from a gel, as when whey collects on the surface of yogurt. Sometimes this process is desired, such as for gel filtration. However, other times syneresis is undesired, such as for condiments such as ketchup or mustard. Ketchup and mustard are often dispensed from a plastic squeeze bottle. When the ketchup and mustard have set for a period of time, a liquid separates from the ketchup or mustard and forms on the surface. When the bottle is inverted for dispensing of the ketchup or mustard, the liquid is first dispensed, which wets a hamburger bun or hot dog bun with the liquid, for example.
Various ways to address the syneresis problem for condiments have been proposed, such as inverted containers that use the cap as the base such that the bottle is stored upside down. If the cap is not securely closed, the contents of the bottle may leak. Further, these bottles are often stored right side up, defeating the purpose of the inverted bottle.
SUMMARYThe present invention provides a syneresis negation apparatus that captures the liquid separated from the gel so that only gel is dispensed from the container. The apparatus includes a reservoir, a hollow shell and a rise tube extending under the shell. When the container holding the liquid separated from the gel is inverted for dispensing, the liquid rushes to the cap. The liquid flows over the shell to the reservoir, which captures the liquid. The gel then covers the liquid and is forced up into the hollow shell and flows over the riser tube to be dispensed from the cap opening.
Referring initially to
When the bottle 20 is inverted as shown in
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
Certain terminology may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” “leftwardly,” “upper,” and “lower” may refer to an installed position (as shown in the drawings) of the item to which the reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” may refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology may include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of a similar import.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
When the container 68 is inverted, the liquid 72 flows to the top of the container to the cap 42. The liquid flows over the dome 56 and collects in the reservoir 44. The gel 70 flows over the dome 56 and into the reservoir 44 covering the liquid 72, flows under 74 the dome 56 and over 76 the end 58 and through 78 the riser tube 48 and out 80 through the nipple 52 to present the gel 70 without the separated liquid 72.
It is to be understood that while certain now preferred forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.
Claims
1. A syneresis negation apparatus for use with a bottle, said apparatus comprising:
- a cap for receiving a mouth of the bottle and presenting a reservoir, said cap having a top surface and an interior surface;
- a riser tube having a first end extending through said interior surface of said cap to said exterior surface of said cap, and a second end opposite said first end extending to an interior of the bottle;
- a hollow shell secured to said second end of said rise tube and covering said second end of said rise tube;
- whereas when the bottle is transitioned from an upright position to an inverted position for dispensing a gel from the bottle, liquid separated from said gel flows over said hollow covering and collects in said reservoir followed by said gel;
- whereas said gel flows up and under the hollow covering, over said second end of said rise tube and exits the bottle through said first end of said rise tube.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lid hingedly secured to said cap and covering said first end of said rise tube.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cap is treaded.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rise tube is approximately one-half to one inch long.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hollow covering is a geometric shape having an apex.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second end of said rise tube is positions proximal said apex of said hollow covering.
7. A syneresis negation apparatus for use with a bottle, said apparatus comprising:
- a cap for receiving a mouth of the bottle and presenting a reservoir, said cap having a top surface and an interior surface;
- a riser tube having a first end extending through said interior surface of said cap to said exterior surface of said cap, and a second end opposite said first end extending to an interior of the bottle;
- a hollow hemispherical dome secured to said second end of said rise tube;
- whereas said second end of said rise tube extends proximal an apex of said hollow hemispherical dome;
- whereas when the bottle is transitioned from an upright position to an inverted position for dispensing a gel from the bottle, liquid separated from said gel flows over said hollow hemispherical dome and collects in said reservoir followed by said gel;
- whereas said gel flows up and under the hollow hemispherical dome, over said second end of said rise tube and exits the bottle through said first end of said rise tube.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lid hingedly secured to said cap and covering said first end of said rise tube.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cap is treaded.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rise tube is approximately one-half to one inch long.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 23, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 29, 2015
Inventors: Tyler Michael Richards (Liberty, MO), Jonathan Michael Alan Thompson (Kansas City, MO)
Application Number: 14/694,654