Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a closure element for attachment to a fluid container and to a fluid container having two compartments.

Background of the Invention

It is becoming increasingly popular for drinks to be sold in bottles or cartons for ease of consumption while undertaking other activities such as exercise. Often the consumer does not drink all the liquid from the bottle at once and requires the bottle to be resealable once the initial seal has been broken. Cartons are usually pierced by a straw and there is no way of sealing them once they have been opened. Bottles are usually closed using a screw-cap, which is time consuming and does not offer an easy way of sealing a bottle between sips. As the screw cap is completely removable it is also easier to lose. Hinged lids are also used to cover the mouth of a bottle but it is difficult to make them seal completely, often causing leakage, particularly if the hinged lid is opened and closed frequently. It is also desirable to provide containers of carbonated drinks with a closure element which provide an adequate seal for the pressurised contents but does not require a screw cap.

Furthermore, with increased demand for bottled drinks there is an increased desire to package and create different drinks, for example, a drink made up of two different types of liquid. Fluid containers exist which are made up of two compartments containing different liquids which combine after they have left the container. However, with such containers, it is difficult to achieve effective mixing of the fluids and form a single flow of mixed fluid. Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems. In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a closure element for a fluid container comprising: a fluid pathway having a first open end and a second open end, the first open end adapted to be in fluid communication with the fluid container; a sealing element located in the fluid pathway at its second end and moveable within the fluid pathway; and a locking element adapted to fit over the second open end of the fluid pathway having an exit aperture, wherein the locking element is moveable with respect to the fluid pathway between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the unlocked position, the sealing element is located in the fluid pathway to permit fluid to pass along the fluid pathway out of the second open end and exit aperture, and wherein movement of the locking element towards the first end of the fluid pathway moves it from the unlocked position to the locked position, in which the sealing element is at a location in the fluid pathway which prevents fluid passing along the fluid pathway out of the second end.

Thus, an integrated closure element is provided which is easy to manufacture and operate, but which provides very effective sealing, when in a locked position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the locking element has an exit aperture. The exit aperture is adapted to retain the locking element in the fluid pathway. Preferably the exit aperture has a rim which is adapted (e.g. shaped and dimensioned) to retain the locking element in the fluid pathway. For example, the exit aperture may have a cross sectional area less than a maximum cross sectional area of the sealing element tangential to the fluid pathway. Alternatively, as an example, the exit aperture may comprise at least one protrusion in the aperture, which is adapted to retain the closure element within the fluid pathway. The protrusion contacts the sealing element to retain it in the fluid pathway in both the locked and unlocked positions. However, openings on each side of the protrusion, which might be formed in the space between the protrusions, permit fluid to flow out of the exit aperture when the sealing element is in its unlocked position.

Preferably the sealing element is manufactured of resilient or deformable material, for example rubber. This permits the locking element to clamp down on its upper surface, thereby deforming the sealing element within the fluid pathway and ensures that the fluid pathway is completely sealed around its internal surface. This provides a very reliable seal for fluids, particularly carbonated fluids. The resealable closure element of the present invention offers significantly improved sealing for use with carbonated drinks.

Preferably, the locking element is attached to the fluid pathway in both the locked and unlocked positions. Thus, the locking element is integrated with the closure element permitting a user to seal the fluid container whenever necessary without having to find a separate cap for the fluid container.

The fluid pathway may be cylindrical with at least two sections of different cross- sectional area. That is to say, the fluid pathway may have an internal path that is generally cylindrical. For example, at least a first section of the fluid pathway may have a cross sectional area greater than a maximum cross sectional area of the sealing element tangential to the fluid pathway. This first section may be shaped in the form of a cup adapted to receive the sealing element. In addition, the fluid pathway may comprise a restriction, wherein the internal cross sectional area of the fluid pathway at the restriction is less than a maximum cross sectional area of the sealing element tangential to the fluid pathway.

The sealing element may be spherical or ellipsoidical.

The locking element may have an internal thread and is adapted to be rotated on the fluid pathway to move the locking element between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking element may have a removable cap over its exit aperture. The removable cap may be hinged to the locking element of the closure element. This provides further protection against contamination of the locking element.

Advantageously, the locking element may be colourless and the sealing element is opaque. This permits a user to identify easily whether the locking element is in its sealed position.

The closure element may be adapted to fit on a conventional drinks bottle.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a closure element for a fluid container comprising: providing a fluid pathway having a first open end, adapted to fit a fluid container, and a second open end; providing a sealing element sized to fit in the second open end; inserting the sealing element into the second end of the fluid pathway; attaching a moveable locking element to the fluid pathway over the second end of the fluid pathway.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid container comprising: a first compartment and a second compartment, each having a first portion in the form of a spiral, wherein the first portion has an open end, and wherein the first and second compartments are in contacting juxtaposition with each other at at least one contact point and the first portions of the first and second compartments intertwine, thereby linking the two compartments.

Thus, effective mixing of two separate fluids can be achieved from the rotational motion imparted by the spiral. Each compartment may further comprise a second portion, wherein the exterior walls of the second portion may be continuous with the exterior walls of the first portion.

Preferably, the second portion of each compartment has a substantially flat side, wherein the flat sides of the first and second compartments are in contact with each other. This permits the compartments to be readily combined together, for example after being separately filled with fluid. The open end of the first portion is at an end located away from the second portion.

The fluid container may comprise a closure element having an exit aperture and adapted to be located over both open ends of the first and second compartments, such that fluid released from the first and second compartments via the open ends mixes in the space enclosed by the closure element to establish a single flow of mixed liquid from the compartments out of the exit aperture.

Preferably, the point at which the first and second portions meet forms a constriction in each compartment. This constriction has the effect of limiting the volume of fluid that can pass through the compartments into the first portion from the second portion. Thus, the volume of fluid in the first portion is limited and therefore has a greater volume in which to rotate and have rotational motion imparted to it. This provides improved mixing when the fluids meet.

At least one of the compartments may be constructed from substantially colourless material.

Each first portion may be shaped in the form of a serpentine. The compartments are preferably joined about a longitudinal axis of the fluid container which extends through a point at which the openings of the compartments meet and the serpentine preferably extends around the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, in use, the serpentine imparts rotational flow of fluid about the axis. Brief Description of Drawings

One or more embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a fluid container and closure element according to the present invention;

Figs. 2a and 2b show a cross-sectional view of the closure element of Fig. 1 in locked and unlocked positions respectively;

Fig. 3 shows a top plan view of the closure element of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of the components of the closure element of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the fluid container and closure element of Fig. 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figs. 1 and 5 show a fluid container 100, in the form of a drinks bottle, having a first compartment 101 and a second compartment 102. The first compartment 101 and second compartment 102 each have an opening 104. A closure element 10 is removably attached via a screw thread 120 over both openings.

Figs. 2a and 2b show the closure element 10 in more detail. The closure element 10 comprises a fluid pathway 20 in the form of a closed cylindrical conduit with a first open end 21 and a second open end 22. The pathway 20 has a varying cross-section between the two ends 21, 22 formed principally by a constriction 23. A sealing element 30 sits in the fluid pathway at its second open end 22. A locking element 40 is shaped and dimensioned to fit over the second end 22 of the fluid pathway and retain the sealing element 30 between the constriction 23 and an exit aperture 41 in the locking element 40.

The fluid pathway 20 defines an axis A between the first open end 21 and the second open end 22 about which the fluid pathway 20 is symmetrical. Fluid passing through the fluid pathway 20 generally passes from the first open end 21 along the axis A in a direction towards the second open end 22.

The sealing element 30, in the form of a spherical ball, has a varying cross sectional area tangential to the axis A. Its maximum cross-sectional area, i.e. the diameter of the spherical ball, is greater than the minimum cross-sectional area of the opening 23 a formed by the restriction 23 which might be circular. On each side of the restriction 23 in opposing directions along the axis A, are two sections of greater cross-sectional area. For example, the section of the fluid pathway 20 proximal to the second end 22 is in the shape of a cup and sized and dimensioned to receive the spherical sealing element 30. The second open end 22 of the fluid pathway 20 has a cross sectional area greater than the maximum cross sectional area of the sealing element 30 which permits the sealing element 30 to move into and out of the fluid pathway at the second end 22 between the restriction 23 and locking element 40.

The first open end 21 of the fluid pathway 20 is sized and adapted to fit over a neck 110 of the fluid container, which might be a standard drinks bottle. The first open end 21 of the fluid pathway 20 comprises a first internal thread 25 which mates with a corresponding first external thread (not shown) on the neck of the fluid container 100. The skilled person will appreciate there are other ways of attaching the closure element 10 to the fluid container 100.

The locking element 40 is adapted to be movable on, whilst remaining attached to, the fluid pathway 20 over the second end 22 of the fluid pathway 20. The locking element 40 has an exit aperture 41 which is positioned adjacent to the second end 22 of the fluid pathway 20. The exit aperture 41 is tangential to the axis A. The exit aperture 41 has a minimum diameter less than the maximum cross-sectional area of the sealing element 30 tangential to axis A. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the exit aperture 41 has protrusions 42 to retain the closure element 30 in the second open end 22. Slits 42a are formed between these protrusions 42 and allow liquid to flow from the fluid pathway 20, out of the exit aperture 41 of the locking element 40.

The locking element 40 is adapted to be moveable with respect to the fluid pathway 20 between a locked position as shown in Fig. 2a and an unlocked position as shown in Fig. 2b. The locking element 40 remains attached to the fluid pathway 20 in both positions. The locking element 40 has a second internal thread 43 which is adapted to engage with a second external thread 44 on the fluid pathway 20 so that the locking element 40 can be rotated to move it between the locked and unlocked positions.

In the locked position shown in Fig. 2a, the locking element 40 is screwed down on the fluid pathway 20 so that the sealing element 30 is rigidly held by the protrusions 42 acting on its uppermost surface against the constriction 23. As noted above, the constriction has a maximum opening diameter which is less than the maximum diameter of the sealing element 30. As a result, the sealing element 30 contacts a rim 23b of the constriction 23 about its entire circumference tangential to the axis A, thereby preventing passage of fluid between the first open end 21 and the second open end 22. The sealing element 30 may also be formed from resilient material so that it deforms to provide improve sealing against the rim 23b of the constriction 23.

In the unlocked position shown in Fig. 2b, the locking element 40 is not screwed down on the fluid pathway 20 so that the sealing element 30 is not rigidly held between the protrusions 42 and the constriction 23 and can move freely therebetween. In particular, in this unlocked position, the closure element 10 can be inverted so that the axis A is not aligned horizontally with respect to the ground and the second open end 22 is nearer the ground than the first open end 21, or the fluid container can be squeezed, causing fluid to pass from the fluid container 100 through the closure element 10. As a result, the sealing element 30 moves under pressure of the fluid away from contact with the constriction

23, perhaps as far as into contact with protrusions 42. The fluid can then pass out of the exit aperture 41 via the slits 42a. This might be achieved when, for example, a user of the fluid container 100 and closure element 10 raises the container and inverts it or squeezes it to drink. After the user has drunk through the closure element 10, the locking element 40 can be screwed back down so that it is in its locked position and no fluid can pass out of the fluid container 100, even if it is inverted or squeezed.

The locking element 40 has a removeable lid 50, hingedly attached to the locking element 40, which covers the exit aperture 41 of the locking element 40. This provides improved hygiene.

Fig. 4 shows how the components of the closure element 10 can be assembled. The sealing element 30 is placed inside the second end 22 of the fluid pathway 20. The portion of the fluid pathway 20 adjacent to the second end 22 is has a smaller cross- sectional area than the cross sectional area of the sealing element 30 tangential to the fluid pathway 20, as a result of constriction 23, and so the sealing element 30 cannot move into the first end 21 of the fluid pathway 20. The locking element 40 is then placed over the second end 22 of the fluid pathway 20 and pushed and/or screwed down to place it in a configuration in which it can be moved between the unlock and lock positions described above. The protrusions 42 retain the sealing element 30 between the locking element 40 and the second end 22 of the fluid pathway.

The first end 21 of the fluid pathway 20 also provides a chamber 26 where fluid entering the chamber 26 from each of the first and second compartments 101, 102 can mix.

Each of the first compartment 101 and second compartment 102 have an open end 104 and a first portion 103 in the shape of a serpentine which acts as a fluid pathway from a second portion 105 to the open end 104 of the compartments 101, 102. The serpentine first portions 103 intertwine when the first compartment 101 and the second compartment 102 are placed together and locked. The second portion 105 of each compartment may have a side 115 which is substantially flat and the flat sides are in contact with each other when the first compartment 101 and the second compartment 102 are placed together. The intersection point 106 at which the second portion 105 of the compartment meets the first portion 103 forms a constriction between the two portions so as to control and limit the volume of fluid passing therethrough which provides improved mixing of fluid from both compartments when the fluid exits the open ends 104. The first compartment 101 and the second compartment 102 are constructed of substantially colourless plastic-type material.

The first compartment 101 and the second compartment 102 are joined about a longitudinal axis A which extends through the point at which the open ends 104 meet and about which the serpentine first portions 103 of the first compartment and the second compartment 103 spiral. As liquid passes through the fluid pathway formed by the first portion 103 the serpentine imparts a rotational force on the fluid to cause rotational flow of the fluid. The closure element 10 surrounds the open ends of the first compartment 101 and the second compartment 102. At the first end 21 of the closure element 10, the fluid exits the open ends 104 in two separate flows. The rotational motion of each flow causes the two flows to mix readily in the chamber 26 formed in the first end 21 of the fluid pathway 20 of the closure element 10 to form a single flow which can leave the closure element 10 via the exit aperture 41 of the locking element 40.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.