[0001] The present invention is concerned with packaging for flowable substances, and in particular, packaging for two products that need to be separated.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Any references to methods, apparatuses or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Products are supplied to consumers in a range of different containers. Typically such containers are intended to reach the consumer in a sealed condition and include some means by which the consumer can easily open the container to pour or remove the contained substance or, in the case of consumables, to eat or drink the product straight from the container. Examples include plastic and glass screw top bottles and containers, the paperboard walled, lined cartons often used for milk, metal (aluminium) cans for soft-drinks, as well as semi-rigid pouches that are often used for juices and semi-solid foods.

[0004] In general, these containers are designed to contain one substance or one type of product in an internal space, and have a one purposed opening to access the contents of the container. For instance, glass bottles have one opening with a screw top lid, paperboard cartons may have a folded pouring spout or an opening with a screw lid or even a tearable/depressible opening, pouches have pourer with a screw lid and aluminium cans have a single pull-tab/pull-ring opening.

[0005] In particular, the conventional pull-tab type aluminium beverage can is very common and preferable over some other containers because of the ease of manufacture and recycling, and simplicity of design. The containers have an end face that is pre-scored to define a break-away section that can be depressed to open the container and access the drink inside. To facilitate the opening of the container, there is generally provided a lever formed of thin aluminium attached to the container’s end face through a rivet and lies initially in a plane roughly parallel to the container’s end face. A first end of the lever, to one side of the rivet, overlaps the break-away section portion. A second end of the lever, which is generally longer and wider than the first end and often in the shape of a ring to facilitate gripping, lies on the other side of the rivet. The second end of the lever can be raised using a fingernail or fingertip to open the container. This action causes the lever’s first end to depress the break-away section, which tears away from the remainder of the container’s end face along the pre-scored line, bending downward into the can and so providing an opening through which the beverage can then be poured or drunk.

[0006] However, there are many instances where it would be desirable to have a single container with more than one chamber and individual openings to access the contents of each chamber. For example, in the cleaning industry, it may be useful to have a single container with two different products that are only to be mixed during use. In another example, there may be a desire to have a drink container with a base drink and a flavour enhancer that can be added to a level consistent with the consumer’s individual tastes, or even two different drinks or two small serves of the same drink that can be consumed at different times to save on waste. In a further example, it would also be useful to be able to package a food and a drink in a single container that can be consumed together or at different times.

[0007] Unfortunately, this would generally lead to significantly increased manufacturing costs for the packaging, or complicated packaging and opening solutions, which must then be worn by the consumer. This could be addressed, at least in part, by containers that have multiple chambers that can be accessed by a single mechanism that can be applied to separate openings for each chamber.

[0008] It would be attractive, practically and commercially, to have a convenient form of container to carry and supply at least two different substances or at least two serves/doses of the same substance, that is easy to use and economical to produce. This container would preferably be able to provide at least one of the following advantages (a) store each of the substances in respective, separate, initially sealed compartments; (b) provide for each of these compartments to be selectively and easily openable by a consumer and (c) facilitate accessing the substances direct from the container.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the above discussed disadvantages of the prior art, or at least offer a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

[0010] Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container comprising at least a first end face, an internal volume, and a lever, wherein: the internal volume is partitioned to form at least a first chamber and a second chamber; the first end face has a first break-away section and a second break-away section, wherein the first breakaway section forms an aperture the first chamber when depressed and the second breakaway section forms an aperture the second chamber when depressed; the lever is pivotally attached to the first end face, the lever having a first end on one side of the pivot and a second end on the other side of the pivot; wherein the lever can be aligned to have the first end overlie the first break-away section and raising the lever’s second end causes the first end of the lever to depress the first break-away section forming an aperture the first chamber; and/or wherein the lever can be aligned to have the second end overlie the second break-away section and raising the lever’s first end causes the second end of the lever to depress the second break-away section forming an aperture the second chamber.

[0011] In an embodiment the lever can be turned about its pivot such that the first end of the lever can overlie the second break-away section and the second end of the lever can overlie the first break-away section, wherein raising the lever’s second end causes the lever to depress the second break-away section forming an aperture the second chamber; and/or raising the lever’s first end causes the lever to depress the first break away section forming an aperture the first chamber.

[0012] In an embodiment the first and second chambers are partitioned by a shared wall comprising a third break-away section, wherein the lever can be raised from the first end to cause the second end of the lever to depress the first or second break-away section forming an aperture the first or second chamber, followed by further raising the lever from the first end to cause the second end of the lever to depress the third break away section.

[0013] In an embodiment the first and second chambers are partitioned by a shared wall comprising a third break-away section, wherein the lever can be raised from the second end to cause the first end of the lever to depress the first or second break-away section forming an aperture the first or second chamber, followed by further raising the lever from the second end to cause the first end of the lever to depress the third break away section.

[0014] In an embodiment the lever has a first end that is a gripping end and a second lever that is a depressing end.

[0015] In an aspect of the invention, the can further comprises a second end face, wherein the first and second end faces are connected by a perimeter wall enclosing the internal volume. [0016] In an embodiment the perimeter wall is rigid or semi-rigid.

[0017] In an embodiment the container is a rigid or semi-rigid prism.

[0018] In an embodiment the container is a rectangular prism wherein the perimeter wall connects first and second faces that are rectangles.

[0019] In an embodiment the container is a cylinder wherein the perimeter wall connects first and second faces that are circular.

[0020] In an embodiment the container is a can.

[0021] In an embodiment the first and second chambers contain a liquid.

[0022] In an embodiment the first chamber contains a liquid and the second container contains a solid substance.

[0023] In an embodiment the first and second chambers contain substances suitable for human consumption.

[0024] In an embodiment the first chamber contains a beverage and the second chamber contains a solid food substance.

[0025] In an embodiment the wall, first end face, second end face and/or lever comprise aluminium.

[0026] In an embodiment the lever is pivotally attached to the first end face via a rivet.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0027] Specific embodiments of the present invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a partly sectional view of a container embodying the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the container in a sealed state, before it is opened;

[0030] Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the container in a state in which one of two internal chambers has been opened; and

[0031] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the can of Figure 2 and 3 in a state in which both of the internal chambers have been opened. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0032] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

[0033] The container (10) depicted in the Figures 1 - 4 comprises a perimeter wall (12) which in this example is cylindrical, and which carries a first end face (14) and a second end face (16).

[0034] The faces and wall (12, 14, 16) of the container (10) define an internal volume which, in accordance with the invention, is partitioned to provide two separate chambers - in this instance, a beverage chamber (18) and a food chamber (20). The partition used to divide the internal space may take any of a range of different forms without departure from the scope of the present invention, but in the present example comprises a hollow, plastic blister. The partition is carried on the underside (22) of the container’s first end face (14), so that the end face and the blister together form the sealed chamber.

[0035] On its upper (outermost) side (24), the end face (14) is scored around the perimeter of the break-away sections to define a first break-away section (26) and a second break-away section (28). The break-away sections (26, 28) are formed by the material of the end face (14) and prior to opening of the container they are continuous and co-planar with it. Scored perimeter areas (30, 32) which respectively define the first and second break-away sections (26, 28) are compromised to be weaker and break when subject to suitable force via depression. The term “scoring” does not imply that any particular process is used to form these perimeter areas of weakening.

[0036] The break-away sections (26, 28) may take any of a range of different shapes but are both generally oval in the present example. The perimeter areas (30, 32) that define them do not form a complete loop, so that opening involves bending the break away sections (26, 28) out of the plane of the end face (14) but not detaching the break away sections altogether from the end face (14).

[0037] A lever (34) is attached to the first end face (14) to enable a user to selectively open the first and second break-away sections (26, 28) and so gain access to the container’s contents via the produced apertures. The attachment of the lever (34) is pivotal - the lever can be turned about an axis roughly normal to the plane of the end face (14). In the present example the lever (34) is attached to the end face (14) through a rivet (36) which forms the lever’s pivot. The lever has a first end (38) and a second end (40), the two ends lying on opposite sides of the rivet (36). The lever (34) comprises metal and more specifically aluminium in the present embodiment. Prior to use it has the form of a thin, generally flat sheet with cut-aways. In this state (Figure 2) it lies in a plane parallel to that of the end face (14).

[0038] The arrangement of the lever (34) and the break-away sections (26, 28) is such that turning the lever (34) about its pivotal axis moves it between a first position seen in Figure 2 and in Figure 3, in which the lever’s first end (38) overlies the first break-away section (26), and a second position seen in Figure 4, in which the lever’s first end (38) overlies the second break-away section (28).

[0039] A“C” shaped cut-away (42) partially surrounds the rivet (36), so that the rivet (36) is connected to the first end (38) through a relatively narrow and bendable isthmus (44), while the first end (38) is coupled to the second end (40) through a pair of limbs (46) on either side of cut-away (42). Toward its second end (40), the lever has an oval cut away (48) which denotes a gripping of the lever (34) to be raised by the user.

[0040] In an embodiment, the container may be supplied to retailers and to consumers pre-filled with two substances, and closed - that is, at this stage the break-away sections (26, 28) have yet to be opened. When in accessing the contents of the chambers, the consumer may choose to open the first break-away section (26) first of all, to gain access to the first chamber. To access the first chamber, the lever (34) is placed in its first position (it will typically be manufactured and delivered in this state) and the second end (40) of the lever (34) is raised, typically using a fingernail or fingertip. This movement is accommodated by bending of the isthmus (44), so that as the lever’s second end (40) is raised, its first end (38) is depressed, causing it to depress the first break-away section (26), which is thus bent downwards into the container’s interior volume, the material of the end face (14) being in this process torn along the perimeter area (30). An opening (50) is thus formed which communicates with the first chamber and through which substance in the first chamber can be accessed, e.g. by tipping, pouring or drinking from the container. This configuration of the container is depicted in Figure 3.

[0041] To gain access to the second chamber, the consumer then depresses the second end (40) of the lever, enabling it to be turned to its second position in which the lever’s first end (38) overlies the second break-away section (28). Raising the second end (40) of the lever (34) causes the lever’s first end (38) to tear and depress the second break-away section 28 (Figure 3) to form an opening (52) through which the substance is able to be poured, drunk or tipped from the second chamber. See Figure 4 in this respect.

[0042] A line (54) seen on the end face 14 of the container in figures 2, 3 and 4 denotes a shallow depression in the end face 14 which helps to stiffen it against deformation as the container is opened.

[0043] The container (10) may be any container (10) made of any suitable material, provided the first end face is sufficiently rigid or semi-rigid to support the use of the lever (34) to compress the break-away sections (26, 28). The container (10) may be made of plastic, metal, glass, cardboard or combinations thereof, and may be any size or shape. Non-limiting examples include plastic pouches with a rigid or semi-rigid first end face sealing the end of the pouches, aluminium cans, carboard boxes and cartons, plastic- lined carboard containers and plastic containers.

[0044] The container (10) may be made from combinations of materials, insofar as the first end face, the break-away sections, the lever (34) and the body of the container (10) enclosing the internal volume may be made of the same or different materials or composite materials, or combinations thereof. The containers (10) may be irregular shaped, square-shaped, rectangular-shaped, circular/cylindrical-shaped or any or prism or any other three-dimensional shape, provided the shape includes a rigid or semi-rigid first end face comprising a sufficiently flat area to support the required pivoting motion of the lever (34). The first end face may be any shape.

[0045] The container (10) may be any container (10) suitable for enclosing a flowable substance, though the enclosure need not be water tight or air-tight, and will depend on the substances be contained within the container (10).

[0046] The flowable substance may be any liquid or powdered substance or a particulate/granulated/fragmented solid material that is capable of being removed from the chambers via the aperture created upon depression of the break-away sections either by pouring, tipping or retrieval. For example, the substance may a liquid that is a beverage, a concentrate, a cleaning product or beauty product, and may vary in viscosity from water-like to a gel substance. The substance may be, for example, a granulated washing powder, or a food substance such as muesli, chocolates, candy, breadcrumbs, chopped vegetables and the like. [0047] The internal volume of the container is partitioned into at least two chambers, but may be partitioned into 3, 4 or 5 or more chambers, each optionally with a break-away section that can form an aperture to access the chamber. By partitioned is meant that the contents of each chamber are kept separate from each of the other chambers when the container is sealed (i.e. , prior to depressing the break-away sections). The partitioning between the chambers need not be water-tight or air-tight and will depend on the substances be contained within the container.

[0048] It would be understood that the materials used for the container will differ if the substances being partitioned are both liquids, or a liquid and a solid, or both solids, as well as the storage and safety requirements for the substances.

[0049] The break-away sections can made of any material and be any shape. By “break-away” is meant that the section forms part of the first end face, but the break-away section is connected to the first end face via a perimeter area that is compromised, either by being made of a weaker and/or thinner material, or by being perforated. The perimeter area may or may not be completely water tight or air tight. Upon depression, the break away section becomes partially or completely separated from the first end face forming an aperture.

[0050] For example, the break-away section may be circular/oval shaped and made of aluminium or plastic, wherein the section has a perimeter of thinner (scored) aluminium or plastic connecting it to the first end face. In other embodiments, the break-away section may be triangular-shaped and made of cardboard or plastic or combinations thereof, wherein the section has a perforated perimeter that allows the break-away section to separate from the first end face upon depression.

[0051] The lever made be any suitable shape and made of any material provided the level is sufficiently rigid and has sufficient reach, when in the correct orientation, to depress the break-away sections and form the apertures in the chambers. The lever (34) is pivotally attached in a starting configuration that is effectively parallel to the first end face, and can pivot around any axis. The lever can pivot around a fulcrum at the attachment point such that raising one end of the lever results in the other level applying a force on the first end face. The lever may rotate around the fulcrum such that both ends of the lever remain in essentially the same plane during rotation, and the plane is essentially parallel to the end face (turning lever about its pivot). [0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lever has a first and second end, which may be used to depress the first and/or second break-away sections, respectively (by raising the second and/or first ends of the lever, respectively). This may be achieved with or without rotating the lever around the fulcrum, in the break-away sections may be lined up such that the ends of the lever can overlie both break-away section simultaneously. The lever may not overlie both of the break-away sections simultaneously, but need only be capable of having one end of the lever overlie one of the break-away sections at any time.

[0053] In another embodiment, the lever has a first and second end, where the first end is optimised for gripping or raising (i.e. , by a finger nail) and the second end of the lever is optimised for depressing the break-away section. In this embodiment, the container may be opened by aligning the lever such that the second end overlies the first break-away section and raising the first end of the lever to depress the first break-away section and form an aperture in the first chamber. This would then be followed (not necessarily immediately) by rotating the lever around the fulcrum to a point where the second end overlies the second break-way section, and raising the first end of the lever to depress the second break-away section and form an aperture in the second chamber.

[0054] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term“comprises” and its variations, such as“comprising” and“comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[0055] Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

[0056] Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.