US20220212854A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20220212854A1
Application number: US17/701,003
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Lee; William Touzani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-06-11
Filing date: 2022-03-22
Publication date: 2022-07-07
Also published as: EP3750819B1; EP3750819A1; ES2972354T3; US20200391929A1

Abstract

A container including a storage chamber within which is located at least one concentrated product housed; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber; and a closure element, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber; the mixing chamber is defined by a body having a longitudinal length defined between opposed ends and along at least a portion of the length of the mixing chamber, the body defines circular bellows, such that the mixing chamber has a collapsed configuration when the ends of the body are urged together and an expanded configuration when the ends of the body are urged apart, the bellows further including a latching arrangement which acts to latch the bellows in their collapsed configuration and/or their expanded configuration; and wherein a first end of the mixing chamber is open and is selectively closable via the closure element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/893,596 filed Jun. 5, 2020 and entitled “A Container”, which itself claims the benefit of priority based on United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/859,973, filed Jun. 11, 2019 and entitled “A Container”, the contents of each of which being incorporated herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container and, in particular, to a collapsible container that is capable of containing a concentrated product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collapsible containers are known and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,773,458; 4,955,493; and 4,492,313.

However, the known collapsible containers have been in the form of a collapsible tube which defines a single chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container including a storage chamber within which is located at least one concentrated product; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber; and a closure element, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber; the mixing chamber is defined by a body having a longitudinal length defined between opposed ends and along at least a portion of the length of the mixing chamber, the body defines circular bellows, such that the mixing chamber has a collapsed configuration when the ends of the body are urged together and an expanded configuration when the ends of the body are urged apart; and wherein a first end of the mixing chamber is open and is selectively closable via the closure element.

The container of the invention defines two separate chambers: a storage chamber within which at least one concentrated product may be located; and a mixing chamber within which the concentrated product may be mixed with a diluent, such as water.

The circular bellows of the mixing chamber permit the container to be configured in a collapsed configuration when there is little or no diluent in the mixing chamber. This makes the container easier to store and transport. However, when it is desired to dilute the concentrated product, the mixing chamber may be expanded to receive the desired volume of diluent.

By storing the concentrated product in the storage chamber, the shelf life of the concentrated product may be significantly increased compared to a concentrated product simply located within the mixing chamber. This is because the polymeric material from which the mixing chamber may be formed in order to permit the collapsing and the expansion of the mixing chamber via its circular bellows may not provide optimum protection for the concentrated product against spoiling. In contrast, the storage chamber within which the concentrated product is located may provide the desired protection against spoiling without interfering with the operation of the container.

Furthermore, the circular bellows of the mixing chamber increases the agitation when the diluent is added to the concentrated product, which aids the mixing of the concentrated product with the diluent.

In the context of the present invention, the concentrated product may be in the form of a liquid, a gel or a solid, such as a powder or a tablet. Furthermore, the diluent is suitably water.

The mixing chamber is suitably defined by a mixing chamber body.

The circular bellows suitably include a latching arrangement which acts to latch the bellows in its collapsed and/or expanded configuration. It will be understood that in the context of the subject invention, the latching arrangement resists the movement of the bellows. In other words, the force exerted by the latching arrangement is greater than a stored force within the bellows which would otherwise urge the bellows out of its collapsed and/or expanded configuration. The latching arrangement does not prevent movement of the bellows. Instead, the latching force exerted by the latching arrangement must first be removed or overcome in order to move the bellows against the latching force.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mixing chamber is detachably coupled to the storage container. For example, the storage chamber may be screwed onto the mixing chamber or it may be snap-fit to the mixing chamber. As such, the mixing chamber and the storage container may include a threaded coupling or a snap-fit coupling.

In an embodiment of the invention, the closure element defines a well which is configured to receive a housing or container which contains the concentrated product. The closure element suitably includes an internally facing surface and an externally facing surface and the well may be open at the externally facing surface. The well may be an open well or it may include a closable lid. The well may define the storage chamber or it may define a holding chamber separate to the storage chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the storage chamber may be defined by a storage chamber body. In an alternative embodiment, the storage chamber may be defined within the closure element. In embodiments in which the storage chamber is defined by a storage chamber body, the body may be separate from the closure element.

In embodiments in which the storage chamber is defined by a storage chamber body, the storage chamber body may be coupled to the second end of the mixing chamber (i.e. the end of the mixing chamber which is opposite to the first end). The coupling between storage chamber body and the mixing chamber may be a releasable or reversible coupling, such as a threaded coupling or a snap-fit coupling. This permits the mixing chamber to be filled with a diluent without having to remove the storage chamber body from the mixing chamber.

The second end of the mixing chamber may be closed. It will be appreciated in the context of the subject invention that the term “closed” means that the relative end forms a liquid-tight seal with the mixing chamber body, for example, by the mixing chamber body, including the closed end, being formed by a continuous layer of moulded polymeric material. This means that the storage chamber need have no sealing function in respect of the mixing chamber. Accordingly, the storage chamber body need not form a liquid-tight seal with the mixing chamber when coupled thereto.

In such embodiments (second end of the mixing chamber is closed), the storage chamber body may define a closable opening for access to the storage chamber and the concentrated product located therein. The closable opening may be defined at any suitable location of the storage chamber body.

Alternatively, the second end of the mixing chamber may be open. This makes the manufacture of the mixing chamber slightly easier and the cost of the mixing chamber slightly lower, but means that the storage chamber body must form a liquid-tight seal when coupled to the second end of the mixing chamber.

In embodiments in which the second end of the mixing chamber is open, the mixing chamber body may include a sealing wall which closes the second end of the mixing chamber when the storage chamber body is coupled thereto; and the storage chamber body defines a closable opening. The opening is suitably separate from the sealing wall, such that opening does not compromise the seal generated by the sealing wall. Examples of such embodiments include (i) the storage chamber defining a tubular side wall having a proximal end wall which is adjacent to the mixing chamber in use and a distal end wall opposite to the proximal end wall; wherein the closable opening is defined in the proximal end wall and the sealing wall is formed by the distal end wall; and (ii) the storage chamber defining a tubular side wall having a proximal end wall which is adjacent to the mixing chamber in use and a distal end wall opposite to the proximal end wall; wherein the closable opening is defined in the distal end wall and the sealing wall is formed by the proximal end wall.

In the embodiments in which the closable opening is defined within the proximal end wall, any failure of the opening would simply result in the concentrated product(s) entering the mixing chamber, and as such, they would not be lost. Additionally, this arrangement permits the tubular side wall to extend into a bottom portion of the mixing chamber, which results in a more compact arrangement compared to embodiments in which the storage chamber is entirely located outside of the mixing chamber.

However, in such embodiments, the storage chamber body needs to be removed from the mixing chamber to access the concentrated product within the storage chamber. Alternatively, by forming the closable opening in the distal end wall of the storage chamber body and having the proximal wall form the sealing wall, the interior of the storage chamber can be accessed without needing to remove the storage chamber body from the mixing chamber.

As noted above, the storage chamber may be defined by the closure element or it may be carried by the closure element. For example, the storage chamber may be defined within the closure element. In such embodiments, the second end of the mixing chamber is suitably closed.

The closure element may define a tubular side wall having a top end and a bottom end opposite to the top end; wherein the side wall, top end and bottom end together define the storage chamber; and wherein a closable opening is defined in the bottom end.

The skilled person will understand that reference to “top” and “bottom” refer to the container when oriented in a substantially vertical orientation with the closure element located at the top of the mixing chamber.

By locating the closable opening in the bottom end of the storage chamber, the interior of the chamber may only be accessed when the closure element has been removed from the mixing chamber. Additionally, it permits a more compact arrangement, as the tubular side wall may extend wholly or partially into the interior of the mixing chamber.

In alternative embodiments, the closure element defines a tubular side wall having a top end and a bottom end opposite to the top end; wherein the side wall, top end and bottom end together define the storage chamber; and wherein a closable opening is defined in the top end. In this arrangement, the interior of the storage chamber may be accessed without removing the closure element from the mixing chamber.

The closure element is suitably releasably secured to the mixing chamber via a threaded coupling.

The mixing chamber is suitably in the form of a substantially tubular body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the storage chamber contains one or more concentrated products, wherein each concentrated product is stored within a respective housing. For example, the storage chamber may contain a plurality of separate concentrated products, each stored within a respective housing. The housings are suitable sealed against the ingress of gases and liquids.

The circular bellows may be defined by a series of circular bellows wall sections (i.e. a plurality of bellows wall sections arranged in a longitudinal array), wherein each circular bellows wall section includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion; the first and second wall portions are conical sections which are angled relative to each other; the first and second wall portions extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber and together define a V-shape; the connection between the first and second wall portions forms an outer return portion; and adjacent bellows wall sections are connected via inner return portions.

The skilled person will appreciate that reference to “V-shaped” is to be understood to a sideways V, in other words the outer return is “>”-shaped. In this way, as the container is collapsed, the angle between first and second wall portions of each bellows wall section will decrease and as the container is expanded, the angle between the first and second wall portions of each bellows wall section will increase.

The skilled person will understand that the angle between the first and second wall portions of each bellows wall section may range from 0° to 180°. However, this angle is suitably from 0° to 120°, 110°, 100° or 90°.

This arrangement of the bellows wall sections permits the maximum expansion and collapse of the bottle while maintaining a desired level of mechanical strength and resistance to cracking.

The inner return portions may include an arcuate connecting portion. In other words, a first or second wall portion of a bellows wall section is connected to a second or first wall portion of a neighbouring (i.e. adjacent) bellows wall section via an arcuate connecting body, such as a semi-circular connecting body. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the arcuate connecting portion is more resistant to cracking and permits the adjacent wall portions to hinge relative to each other with less strain. This may be because the bottle material is not weakened at the inner return portions by fracturing as the plastic material is not deformed beyond its elastic limit.

In such embodiments, the second wall portion may be shorter than the first wall portion in each of the bellows wall sections. The arrangement causes an “over-centre” arrangement when the mixing chamber is moved to its collapsed configuration, which in turn latches the circular bellows in their collapsed configuration. Thus, in such embodiments, a latching mechanism is formed by second wall portions being shorter than the first wall portions, resulting in an over-centre arrangement of the inner return portions in the collapsed configuration. The over-centre arrangement results when an inner return portion located between a pair of outer return portions is displaced longitudinally during the compression of the mixing chamber such that after compression, the inner return portion has been displaced vertically above or below both of the pair of outer return portions either side of the inner return portion (on the basis that the mixing chamber is collapsed in a vertical direction). This “over-centre” arrangement generates latching forces in the circular bellows portion that are typically greater than the restorative forces stored in the return portions as a result of the collapsing of the mixing chamber and therefore prevents or resists the restorative forces urging the mixing chamber back to its expanded configuration.

Accordingly, when the mixing chamber is urged into its collapsed configuration, it will typically remain in that configuration until it is urged into its expanded configuration. The expansion force exerted on the mixing chamber will overcome the latching forces of the bellows wall sections.

Further embodiments of the invention are set out in the following definitions:

1. A container including a storage chamber within which is located at least one concentrated product housed; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber; and a closure element, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber; the mixing chamber is defined by a body having a longitudinal length defined between opposed ends and along at least a portion of the length of the mixing chamber, the body defines circular bellows, such that the mixing chamber has a collapsed configuration when the ends of the body are urged together and an expanded configuration when the ends of the body are urged apart, the bellows further including a latching arrangement which acts to latch the bellows in their collapsed configuration and/or their expanded configuration; and wherein a first end of the mixing chamber is open and is selectively closable via the closure element.

2. A container according to definition 1, wherein the closure element defines a well which is configured to receive a container which contains the concentrated product.

3. A container according to definition 2, wherein the closure element includes an internally facing surface and an externally facing surface and the well is open at the externally facing surface.

4. A container according to any of definitions 1 to 3, wherein the mixing chamber is detachably coupled to the storage container.

5. A container according to definition 4, wherein the mixing chamber and the storage container include a threaded coupling or a snap-fit coupling.

6. A container according to any of definitions 1 to 5, wherein the storage chamber is defined by a storage chamber body.

7. A container according to definition 6, wherein the mixing chamber defines a second end opposite to the first end, and wherein the storage chamber body is coupled to the second end of the mixing chamber.

8. A container according to definition 7, wherein the second end of the mixing chamber is closed.

9. A container according to definition 7, wherein the second end of the mixing chamber is open; the mixing chamber body includes a sealing wall which closes the second end of the mixing chamber when the storage chamber body is coupled to the mixing chamber; and the storage chamber body defines a closable opening separate from the sealing wall.

10. A container according to definition 9, wherein the storage chamber defines a tubular side wall having a proximal end which is adjacent to the mixing chamber in use and a distal end opposite to the proximal end; and wherein the closable opening is defined at the proximal end and the sealing wall is located at the distal end.

11. A container according to definition 9, wherein the storage chamber defines a tubular side wall having a proximal end which is adjacent to the mixing chamber in use and a distal end opposite to the proximal end; and wherein the closable opening is defined at the distal end and the sealing wall is located at the proximal end.

12. A container according to any of definitions 1 to 5, wherein the storage chamber is defined within the closure element and the mixing chamber is closed at its second end.

13. A container according todefinition 12, wherein the closure element defines a tubular side wall having a top end and a bottom end opposite to the top end; and wherein a closable opening is defined in the bottom end.

14. A container according to definition 13, wherein at least a portion of the storage chamber extends into the mixing chamber when the closure element is coupled to the mixing chamber.

15. A container according todefinition 12, wherein the closure element defines a tubular side wall having a top end and a bottom end opposite to the top end; and wherein the closable opening is defined in the top end.

16. A container according to any of definitions 1 to 15, wherein the closure element is threadedly coupled to the mixing chamber.

17. A container according to any of definitions 1 to 16, wherein the mixing chamber is defined by a substantially tubular body.

18. A container according to any of definitions 1 to 17, wherein the circular bellows are defined by a series of bellows wall sections, wherein each bellows wall section includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion; the first and second wall portions are conical sections which are angled relative to each other; the first and second wall portions extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber and together define a V-shape; the connection between the first and second wall portions forms an outer return portion; and adjacent bellows wall sections are connected via inner return portions.

19. A container according todefinition 18, wherein the inner return portions comprise an arcuate connecting portion.

20. A container according todefinition 18 or definition 19, wherein the latching arrangement is formed by the second wall portion being shorter than the first wall portion in each of the bellows wall sections, whereby each inner return portion forms an over-centre arrangement in the collapsed configuration.

21. A container according to any of definitions 1 to 20, wherein the storage chamber contains one or more concentrated products, wherein each concentrated product is stored within a respective housing.

The skilled person will appreciate that the features described and defined in connection with the aspect of the invention and the embodiments thereof may be combined in any combination, regardless of whether the specific combination is expressly mentioned herein. Thus, all such combinations are considered to be made available to the skilled person.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1ais a perspective view of a mixing chamber for a container;

FIG. 1bis a perspective view of a closure element for a container;

FIG. 1cis a perspective view of a storage chamber body for a container;

FIGS. 2aand 2bshow a section of the inner and outer return portions of the mixing chamber in expanded and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 3 shows the container ofFIGS. 1a, 1band 1cin a collapsed configuration;

FIG. 4 shows a container according to a second embodiment of the invention in its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a container according to a third embodiment of the invention in its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 6aillustrates a closure element according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6billustrates a mixing chamber according to a fourth embodiment of invention in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 7 shows the container ofFIGS. 6aand 6bin its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 8aillustrates a mixing chamber according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 8billustrates a storage chamber body according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a container according to a sixth embodiment of the invention in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 10 shows the container ofFIG. 9 in its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 11 shows a container according to a seventh embodiment of the invention in an expanded configuration; and

FIG. 12 shows the container ofFIG. 11 in its collapsed configuration.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “width”, etc. refer to the orientation of the components as found in the example when installed for normal use as shown in the Figures.

FIGS. 1a, 1band 1cshow components of a container according to a first embodiment of the invention. The container comprises a mixing chamber4 (shown inFIG. 1a) which is generally tubular in shape and which is open at both ends6,8. The mixing chamber4 is blow-molded from a polymeric material. The mixing chamber4 includes a central circular bellows10, wherein the circular bellows10 is formed from a number of bellows wall sections, which, in turn are formed from firstconical wall portions12, secondconical wall portions14 andouter return portions16. The length of the firstconical wall portions12 is greater than the length of the secondconical wall portions14.

Each bellows wall section is connected to adjacent or neighbouring bellows wall sections via respectiveinner return portions18. The bellows wall sections are shown in more detail inFIG. 2a. Theinner return portions18 include a semi-circular connecting portion, which prevents or minimises the deformation of the polymeric material beyond its elastic limit.

FIG. 1bshows adetachable closure element20 in the form of a screw-on lid. The lid includes a downwardly extendingskirt22, which defines a threaded portion (not shown) on the inwardly facing wall of theskirt22. The top end6 of the mixing chamber4 carries a complementary threadedportion24, such that theclosure element20 may be screwed onto or unscrewed from the open top end6 of the mixing chamber4.

FIG. 1cshows a storage chamber defined by astorage chamber body26. Thestorage chamber body26 includes acylindrical side wall28, a closed bottom wall (not shown) and an upwardly extendingskirt30. Theskirt30 defines a threaded portion (not shown) on its inwardly facing wall. Thebottom end8 of the mixing chamber4 carries a complementary threadedportion32, such that thestorage chamber body26 may be screwed onto or unscrewed from the openbottom end8 of the mixing chamber4. A top wall of thestorage chamber body26 defines anopening33 to provide access to the interior of the storage chamber, and theopening33 is closed via aremovable sealing film34. The sealingfilm34 is adhered or welded to a peripheral portion of the top wall which defines theopening33.

The container is assembled by screwing thestorage chamber body26 to the openbottom end8 of the mixing chamber4 and by screwing theclosure element20 to the open top end of the mixing chamber4. A concentrated product (not shown), for example a flavoured powder for forming a flavoured drink, is located within the sealedstorage chamber26.

FIG. 2ashows a section of the circular bellows10 in an expanded configuration. As can be seen, the angle between the firstconical wall portion12 and the secondconical wall portion14 at theouter return portion16 is about 90°. As the secondconical wall portion14 is shorter than the firstconical wall portion12, the angle between adjacent secondconical wall portions14 and firstconical wall portions12 at theinner return portion18 is about 80°.

FIG. 2bshows the over-centre arrangement of the first and

second wall portions

12,14 in the collapsed configuration. The dashed line A inFIGS. 2aand 2bprojects through a common point (an outer return portion16). As can be seen inFIG. 2b, both of theinner return portions18 are displaced vertically upwards as the mixing chamber4 is collapsed until both of these inner return portions are located above the dashed line A. The displacement of theinner return portion18 such that it lies outside of the cylindrical region defined between the two adjacentouter return portions16 is referred to herein as an “over-centre” arrangement. Such an arrangement generates a latching force at each of theinner return portions18 which are greater than the restorative forces that are stored in the return portions when the mixing chamber4 is collapsed. Accordingly, the latching forces resist or prevent the expansion of the mixing chamber towards is expanded configuration.

FIG. 3 shows the container in its collapsed configuration. This is the typical configuration for storage or transportation of the container. Starting from this configuration, the user first unscrews thestorage chamber body26 from the mixing chamber4. This releases the air tight seal between thestorage chamber body26 and the mixing chamber4 and prevents the generation of a partial vacuum within the mixing chamber during expansion. The mixing chamber is then expanded by urging the twoend6,8 apart. Once expanded, the sealingfilm34 is removed to expose the powdered concentrate product located within the storage chamber. Thestorage chamber body26 is then screwed back onto the mixing chamber4. Theclosure element20 is then unscrewed from the top6 of the mixing chamber4 and a diluent (such as water) is added to the mixing chamber via the open end6 of the mixing chamber4. Theclosure element20 is then screwed back onto the top end6 of the mixing chamber4 and the concentrated powdered product is mixed with the diluent, for example with agitation or shaking. The circular bellows arrangement aids with the mixing of the concentrated powdered product and the diluent.

The skilled person will appreciate that the concentrated product within the storage chamber defined by thestorage chamber body26 may be in the form of a liquid, paste or gel, instead of a powder.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show alternative embodiments of the invention in which the mixing chamber4 and theclosure element20 are as described above in connection withFIGS. 1 to 3, but the storage chamber is different.

InFIG. 4, astorage chamber body40 includes acylindrical side wall42, an upwardly extendingskirt44, and a closed, gas-tight and liquid-tighttop wall46. Abottom wall48 of thestorage chamber body40 defines anopening50 and includes adetachable base52 which is arranged to form a snap-fit with thebottom wall48. In this way, the opening may be selectively closed or opened via thedetachable base52. To ease removal, thedetachable base52 may include a circular aperture through which a user's finger may be located to permit a downward force to be exerted on thedetachable base52.

As thedetachable base52 does not form a gas-tight and liquid-tight seal with thebottom wall48, the concentrated product is located within a separate sealedhousing54 which includes an opening at its upper end that is sealed with a sealingfilm56.

FIG. 5 shows a similar arrangement to that shown inFIG. 4 and described above, except that the cylindrical side wall is longer and a plurality of sealedhousings60 containing separate concentrated products are located within the storage chamber defined by the storage chamber body. In this embodiment, the concentrated products in the sealedhousings60 may be the same or different. All other features of the storage chamber body are as described above in connection withFIG. 4.

In order to use the container shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the user removes the closure element from the top of the mixing chamber and expands the mixing chamber as described above. The detachable base is then removed from bottom wall and the or one of the individually sealed housings are removed from the storage chamber. The sealing film is then removed from the housing and the concentrated product is emptied into the mixing chamber. A diluent, such as water is then added to the mixing chamber, the closure element is then screwed back onto the top open end of the mixing chamber and the concentrated product mixed with the diluent.

The skilled person will appreciate that in the embodiments shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the diluent may be added to the mixing chamber first and the concentrated product added to the diluent in the mixing chamber.

FIGS. 6a, 6band7 show a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a container includes a closure element120, which in turn includes a storage chamber body126. In this embodiment, the container further includes a mixingchamber104 comprising an opentop end106, a closedbottom end108 and a circular bellows110 as described above in connection with the circular bellows10.

The closure element120 includes anupper element body120afrom which the storage chamber body126 depends. From around the periphery of theupper element body120adepends askirt122, which defines a threaded portion122aon the inwardly facing wall of theskirt122.

Thetop end106 of the mixingchamber104 carries a threadedportion124 which is complementary to the threaded portion122aof the closure element120.

The storage chamber body126 is open at its bottom end and includes asealing film134 adhered to or welded to the storage chamber body which maintains the concentrated product within the storage chamber defined within the storage chamber body126.

FIG. 7 shows the container in its collapsed configuration. It will be noted that in this configuration, the storage chamber body126 is located within the mixingchamber104.

In use, a user follows similar steps to this described above. The closure element120 is first unscrewed from the opentop end106 of the mixingchamber104 and the circular bellows of the mixing chamber are urged into their expanded configuration. The sealingfilm134 is removed from the bottom of the storage chamber body126 and the concentrated product is mixed with a diluent within the mixingchamber104 and agitated after the closure element120 has been screwed back onto theopen top106 of the mixingchamber104.

FIGS. 8aand 8bshow a further embodiment of the invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, except that mixing chamber is closed at its bottom end. Thus,

FIGS. 8aand 8bshow a container which includes a mixingchamber204 that is open at its top end206 and closed at itsbottom end208 with a sealing wall208a.

The top end206 of the mixingchamber204 carries a threadedelement224 and a closure element (not shown) is provided which is the same as described above in connection withFIG. 1b.

The mixing chamber includescircular bellows210 which are as described above in connection withFIGS. 1a, 2aand2b.

The storage chamber of this embodiment is similar to that described above in connection withFIG. 5, except that the storage chamber is closed at its bottom end and open at its top end. Accordingly, the container includes astorage chamber body240 which includes acylindrical body242 which is closed at itsbottom end248 and open at itstop end246. On an inwardly facing surface of thetop end246 is carried a threadedelement244.

The threadedelement244 threaded engages with a corresponding threadedelement232 carried by a lower portion of the mixingchamber204.

The storage chamber includes a plurality of sealedhousings254, each of which is sealed via arespective sealing film256. A concentrated product is located within each of the housings. The skilled person will appreciate that instead of the housings comprising relatively rigid bodies closed with sealing films, the housings may instead comprise sachets which contain the concentrated product.

In this embodiment, thestorage chamber body240 need simply be unscrewed from the mixingchamber204 and one of thehousings254 removed from the storage chamber. The concentrated product located within the housing may then be mixed with a diluent as described above.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of the invention which is similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 6a, 6band7.

In this embodiment, a mixing chamber is provided which is identical to the mixingchamber104 described above in connection withFIGS. 6a, 6band7. In order to close the open top end of the mixingchamber104, aclosure element320 is provided.

Theclosure element320 includes a circulartop wall320aand askirt322 which depends downwards from a peripheral edge portion of thetop wall320a. Theskirt322 carries a threadedelement322a

Astorage chamber body326 depends downwards from a central portion of thetop wall320a. Thestorage chamber body326 comprises acylindrical wall328 which is closed at its bottom by a sealingwall330. Thestorage chamber body326 is open at itstop end332. The opening is selectively closed by a snap-fit lid334, which forms a snap fit with the circulartop wall320a. As noted above, the snap-fit lid334 may include a circular aperture through which a user's finger may be located to permit an upward force to be exerted on the snap-fit lid334 in order to remove it.

As with the preceding embodiment, the storage chamber defined by the storage chamber body includes a plurality of sealedhousings354, each of which is sealed via arespective sealing film356. A concentrated product is located within each of the housings. The skilled person will appreciate that instead of the housings comprising relatively rigid bodies closed with sealing films, the housings may instead comprise sachets which contain the concentrated product.

As can be seen fromFIG. 10, when theclosure element320 is screwed on the top end of the mixingchamber104, thestorage chamber body326 is located within the mixingchamber104. This results in a very compact configuration in the collapsed configuration.

A user uses the container in much the same way as described above: the snap-fit lid334 is removed and one of thehousings354 is removed from the storage chamber defined by thestorage chamber body326. The snap-fit lid334 is then replaced. Theclosure element320 is unscrewed from the mixingchamber104 and the concentrated product from thehousing354 and a diluent are added to the mixingchamber104. Theclosure element320 is then screwed back onto the mixing chamber and the concentrated product is mixed with the diluent.

A final embodiment is shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, which is similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1a, b, 1cand3.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show acontainer402. Thecontainer402 comprises a mixingchamber404 which is identical to the mixing chamber4 shown inFIG. 1aand which is open at both ends406,408.

Thecontainer402 further includes aclosure element420 in the form of a screw-on lid. Theclosure element420 includes a downwardly extendingskirt422, which defines a threaded portion (not shown) on the inwardly facing wall of theskirt422. Thetop end406 of the mixingchamber404 carries a complementary threadedportion424, such that theclosure element420 may be screwed onto or unscrewed from the opentop end406 of the mixingchamber404.

Thecontainer402 also includes a storage chamber defined by astorage chamber body426. Thestorage chamber body426 includes abase portion427 upwardly from which extends a cylindrical storage portion formed from acylindrical side wall428, which has a closed top428aand an open bottom428b. Upwardly extending from a peripheral edge portion of thebase portion427 is askirt430. Theskirt430 carries a threaded portion430aon its inwardly facing wall. Thebottom end408 of the mixingchamber404 carries a complementary threadedportion432, such that thestorage chamber body426 may be screwed onto or unscrewed from the openbottom end408 of the mixingchamber404.

Thestorage chamber body426 further includes a snap-fit plug452 which selectively closes or opens the open bottom end428bof the cylindrical storage portion. As noted above, the snap-fit plug452 may include a circular aperture through which a user's finger may be located to permit an downward force to be exerted on the snap-fit plug452 in order to remove it.

As with the preceding embodiment, the storage chamber defined by thestorage chamber body426 includes a plurality of sealedhousings454, each of which is sealed via arespective sealing film456. A concentrated product is located within each of thehousings454. The skilled person will appreciate that instead of the housings comprising relatively rigid bodies closed with sealing films, the housings may instead comprise sachets which contain the concentrated product.

Thecontainer402 is assembled by screwing thestorage chamber body426 to the openbottom end408 of the mixingchamber404 and by screwing theclosure element420 to the opentop end406 of the mixingchamber404.

As can be seen fromFIG. 12, when thestorage chamber body426 is screwed on thebottom end408 of the mixingchamber404, the cylindrical storage portion is located within the mixingchamber404. This results in a very compact configuration in the collapsed configuration.

A user uses the container in much the same way as described above: the snap-fit plug452 is removed and one of thehousings354 is removed from the cylindrical storage portion. The snap-fit plug452 is then replaced. Theclosure element420 is unscrewed from the mixingchamber404 and the concentrated product from thehousing454 and a diluent are added to the mixingchamber404. Theclosure element420 is then screwed back onto the mixing chamber and the concentrated product is mixed with the diluent.

It will be noted that thestorage chamber body426 need not be unscrewed from the mixingchamber404 in order to use thecontainer402 in this embodiment.

Claims

1. A container including a storage chamber for storing at least one concentrated product; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber; and a closure element, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber; the mixing chamber is defined by a body having a longitudinal length defined between opposed first and second ends and along at least a portion of the length of the mixing chamber, the body defines circular bellows, such that the mixing chamber has a collapsed configuration when the first and second ends of the body are urged together and an expanded configuration when the first and second ends of the body are urged apart, the bellows further including a latching arrangement which acts to latch the bellows in at least one of the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration; wherein the first end of the mixing chamber body is open and is selectively closable via the closure element; wherein the closure element defines a well which is configured to receive a housing which contains the concentrated product.

2. The container according toclaim 1, wherein the well is defined by a well body and the well body forms an integral part of the closure element or is a detachable component of the closure element.

3. The container according toclaim 1, wherein the closure element includes an internally facing surface and an externally facing surface and the well is open at the externally facing surface.

4. The container according toclaim 1, wherein the closure element includes an internally facing surface and an externally facing surface and the well is open at the internally facing surface.

5. The container according toclaim 1, wherein the storage chamber is defined by a storage chamber body, and the storage chamber body is detachably coupled to the mixing chamber via a screw coupling or a snap fit coupling.

6. The container according toclaim 5, wherein the storage chamber body is detachably coupled to the second end of the mixing chamber.

7. The container according toclaim 6, wherein the second end of the mixing chamber is closed.

8. The container according toclaim 1, wherein the closure element is threadedly coupled to the mixing chamber.

9. The container according toclaim 1, wherein the circular bellows are defined by a series of bellows wall sections, wherein each bellows wall section includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first and second wall portions are conical sections which are angled relative to each other, the first and second wall portions extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber and together define a V-shape, the connection between the first and second wall portions forms an outer return portion, and adjacent bellows wall sections are connected via inner return portions.

10. The container according toclaim 10, wherein the latching arrangement is formed by the second wall portion being shorter that the first wall portion in each of the bellows wall sections, whereby each inner return portion forms and over-center arrangement in the collapsed configuration.