FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally pertains to a system and method for providing a single- use/disposable dosing capsule for containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Patent US3635261A discloses a dispenser for packaging two products which must be stored separately but mixed when dispensed, said dispenser comprising an outer container and an inner container within said outer container, said inner container being provided with closure means which opens in response to a difference between the pressure in said outer container and that in said inner container, and means for creating such a pressure difference.

Patent US3603483A discloses a device for storing two products separately and dispensing them simultaneously wherein a pack for storing two substances separately and dispensing them under pressure as a mixture, one substance is held in a container slidable as a piston in an envelope containing another substance. To actuate the pack, it is orientated with the valve downwards, and a pin is operated to rupture the wall of a chamber releasing pressuring fluid to the envelope causing the container to slide towards the valve, a rigid rod to displace a plug and subsequently a cover, slidably mounted on the rod, to seal the empty container. Thereafter the mixture can be dispensed from a nozzle by movement of the now closed piston acted on by the pressure fluid.

Patent GB 1331503 A discloses a compartmented container comprising two chambers separately storing the constituents of a beverage, a separating wall between the chambers being frangible on manual pressure being applied to an external deformable container wall to permit mixing of the constituents without opening of the container, and said container being utilizable as a drinking vessel when opened. The lower wall defines a beaker shaped vessel of resiliently deformable polyethylene or polystyrene, and the upper wall, which is dish-shaped, is of brittle polystyrene or polyethylene and/or is constructed to rupture at predetermined locations. A lid of plastic or aluminum foil is sealed to both the vessel and dish-shaped wall so that, after mixing of the constituents, the dish-shaped wall is removed with the lid. In another embodiment, the separating wall is formed by an inner beaker-shaped vessel spaced from and located within an outer nestable beaker-shaped vessel to form a double-walled beaker on removal of a common lid. In another embodiment, the chamber is formed by a brittle-walled capsule inserted into a beaker-shaped vessel past a wasted portion. In another embodiment, the chamber is formed by an inverted plastic dish having a projection molded in its top wall and a cover foil sealed over its open bottom end to constitute the separating wall. The formed capsule is snapped into a recessed top portion of a beaker and sealed therein by an aluminum foil lid. On depression of the lid, the projection pierces the cover foil to permit mixing of the constituents. In a modification, the chamber is formed by a plastic capsule having a piercing projection in a bottom wall, said capsule being snap fitted on to the bottom rim of a beaker, the bottom and top wall of the beaker and capsule respectively being ruptured on depression of the capsule top wall. In another modification, the capsule can be sprung on to the upper edge of the beaker.

However all prior art patents require an applied means to break the frangible separator, for example external pressure applied to a flexible external wall, or an increase in gas pressure on one side of the wall from a gas source, or from a piercing means. In addition, none of the prior art devices is capable of being activated automatically after a predetermined time, and most will leave either fragments of the separating wall in the admixture, or a fraction of the separating wall, although still adhering to the remainder of the wall, can be submerged in the admixture. Especially for pharmaceutical applications, it is desirable that as little as possible of the separating wall come in contact with either the fluid in the lower chamber or the admixture formed after admixture of the materials in the at least two chambers. In the prior art, there is difficulty in ensuring that the separating wall is sufficiently removed that virtually complete mixing of the two materials occurs.

It is therefore a long felt need to provide a device and a method of allowing admixture of two materials, in which manual means of ensuring admixture are not required, in which unmixed material does not remain in the upper chamber after admixture, in which no fragments of the separating wall or of the upper chamber remain in the admixture after rupture of the frangible membrane, and in which the frangible membrane itself does not remain in the admixture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to disclose a system for providing a single-use dosing capsule (i.e., disposable dosing capsule) for containers.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a system for enabling admixing a predetermined fluid and an additive material to be admixed, comprising: a. an additive material; and

b. a capsule adapted to retain said at least one additive material within at least one portion thereof; said capsule comprising at least one region of increased frangibility thereof when compared to the remainder of said capsule; said at least one region of increased frangibility failing in a predetermined manner under predetermined conditions; said at least one additive material admixes with said predetermined fluid at the time subsequent to the failure of said region of increased frangibility; wherein said fluid is characterized by having dissolved gas therein;

wherein said region is adapted to fail under predetermined built up pressure applied by at least one dissolved gas in said fluid onto said region such that admixing said at least one additive material and said fluid is enabled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said at least one region of increased frangibility fails after a predetermined time

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for enabling admixing a predetermined fluid and an additive material to be admixed comprising:

a. an additive material; and

b. a capsule adapted to retain said at least one additive material within at least one portion thereof; said capsule comprising at least one region adapted to increase frangibility thereof when compared to the remainder of said capsule; said at least one region of increased frangibility failing in a predetermined manner under predetermined conditions; said at least one additive material admixes with said predetermined fluid at the time subsequent to the failure of said region of increased frangibility; wherein said fluid is characterized by having dissolved gas therein

wherein said region is adapted to fail after a predetermined amount of time such that admixing said at least one additive material and said fluid is enabled only subsequent to said predetermined amount of time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, additionally comprising a container adapted to contain said predetermined fluid

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said predetermined fluid is a predetermined solution of liquid and gas.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said predetermined fluid is a predetermined carbonated fluid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said gas is carbon dioxide. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said failure of said region adapted to increase frangibility is induced by shaking of said container after the same has been closed and sealed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said at least one region of increased frangibility is characterized by having width significantly smaller than the length of the perimeter of said region of increased frangibility.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said at least one region of increased frangibility subtends less than 360°.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the shape of said region of increased frangibility is selected from a group consisting of substantially circular, cross-like shape, substantially a regular polygon, substantially an irregular polygon, irregular, substantially lenticular, substantially stellated, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the sides of the region are substantially straight substantially curved, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said failing is selected from a group consisting of tearing, pinholing, snapping, fracturing, splitting, separation, cracking, cleavage, breaking, bursting, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said container enclosing said capsule is adapted to enclose the same in a predetermined region.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said predetermined region is selected from a group consisting of the neck, the body, the cap, the walls, the base, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is removable from said container as a unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule comprises a flange adapted to be securely supported by a predetermined part of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said predetermined part is selected from a group consisting of the neck, a wall within said container, a shelf in the neck of said container, and a shelf within said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule comprises at least one 'ear', anchored in said flange of said capsule such that said capsule is removable from said container as a unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein contact between said predetermined fluid and said capsule is obviated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein contact between said predetermined fluid and said capsule is provided.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein contact between said predetermined fluid, after being admixed with said additive material, and said capsule is obviated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said admixture of said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid produces a beverage. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said admixture of said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid produces a medicament.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein a chemical reaction occurs when said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid mix. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein, subsequent to the admixture of said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid, the resultant material is selected from the group consisting of: a liquid, a slurry, a suspension, a flocculated liquid, a gel, a solid, and any admixture thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is internal to said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is retained between the top of said container and the lid of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is fixedly joined to the interior of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is removably connected to the interior of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is fixedly connected to the lid of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is removably connected to the lid of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is external to said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is adapted to form the lid of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said system is adapted to function as an end-of-use indicator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said end-of-use indicator provides an indication selected from the group consisting of: a change in color, a change in consistency, a change in reflectivity, gelation of at least some portion of said admixture of said predetermined fluid and said additive material, solidification of at least some portion of said admixture of said predetermined fluid and said additive material, and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule is added to said container at a time determined by a user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the material of said capsule is dissolved by said predetermined fluid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the material of said capsule is dissolved by said additive material.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said at least one additive material is at least one of the group consisting of: a liquid and a solid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said system is adapted to provide medicaments in palatable form.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein at least one of the following means are adapted to increase the built up pressure created by the dissolved gas in the predetermined fluid, in the volume of said container enclosing said predetermined: heating said system, shaking said system, exposing said system to electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined range of wavelengths, exposing said system to an electric field, exposing said system to a magnetic field, venting of a pressure source within the volume of said container enclosing said predetermined fluid, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the at least one region partially surrounded by said frangible region tilts away from said admixture after failure of the frangible region.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said predetermined fluid is a commercially-available carbonated beverage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the size and shape of said capsule is adapted to provide secure retention of said capsule in said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the size and shape of said capsule is adapted to sealingly retain said predetermined fluid within said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the size and shape of said capsule is adapted to sealingly retain said at least one additive material within said capsule.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the shape of the exterior perimeter of said at least one frangible region is selected from a group consisting of substantially convex with no corners, substantially polygonal, substantially irregular, substantially lenticular, substantially stellated, cross-like shape, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule comprises a plurality of frangible regions, each of which is adapted to fail under different amount of built up pressure applied by said gas dissolved in said predetermined fluid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule comprises several cells, each of which accommodates either a substantially different additive material or the same additive material.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein each cell in said capsule is in fluid communication with at least part of the area within said frangible region.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the system will further provide the user with signaling as to the failure/rupture of the increase frangibility region.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein, once said increased frangibility region fails (i.e., burst), a characteristic or typical sound will be created.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for enabling a fluid and an additive material to be admixed comprising a capsule containing with at least one region adapted to exhibit increased frangibility compared to the remainder of said capsule, said at least one region of increased frangibility having width significantly smaller than the length of the perimeter of said region of increased frangibility, said region of increased frangibility subtending less than 360°; said region of increased frangibility failing in a predetermined manner under predetermined conditions , said capsule adapted to retain at least one additive material in at least one portion thereof; said at least one additive material capable of forming a desired product when admixed with a predetermined fluid, said capsule, said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid containable within a container wherein said device enables said admixture of said predetermined fluid and said at least one additive material to occur only at such time as predetermined conditions occur, and further wherein said capsule is removable from said admixture of said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid as a unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for enabling a predetermined fluid and an additive material to be admixed comprising steps of:

a. providing an additive material;

b. providing a capsule adapted to retain said at least one additive material within at least one portion thereof; said capsule comprising at least one region of increased frangibility thereof when compared to the remainder of said capsule; said at least one region of increased frangibility failing in a predetermined manner under predetermined conditions; said at least one additive material admixes with said predetermined fluid at the time subsequent to the failure of said region of increased frangibility; wherein said fluid is characterized by having dissolved gas therein;

c. emplacing said capsule in conjunction with said fluid within a reversibly sealable enclosure; and

d. sealing said enclosure

wherein said at least one region of increased frangibility is adapted to fail under predetermined built up pressure applied by at least one dissolved gas in said fluid onto said region such that admixing said at least one additive material and said fluid is enabled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, comprising an additional step of adapting said at least one region of increased frangibility to fail after a predetermined time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for enabling a predetermined fluid and an additive material to be admixed comprising steps of:

a. providing an additive material;

b. providing a capsule adapted to retain said at least one additive material within at least one portion thereof; said capsule comprising at least one region adapted to increase frangibility thereof when compared to the remainder of said capsule; said at least one region of increased frangibility failing in a predetermined manner under predetermined conditions; said at least one additive material admixes with said predetermined fluid at the time subsequent to the failure of said region of increased frangibility; wherein said fluid is characterized by having dissolved gas therein;

c. emplacing said capsule in conjunction with said fluid within a reversibly sealable enclosure; and d. sealing said enclosure

wherein said region is adapted to fail after a predetermined amount of time such that admixing said at least one additive material and said fluid is enabled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, additionally comprising a container adapted to contain said predetermined fluid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said predetermined fluid is a predetermined solution of liquid and gas.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said predetermined fluid is a predetermined carbonated fluid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said gas is carbon dioxide.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, additionally comprising step of shaking said container so as to catalyze said failure of said region of increased frangibility.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said at least one region of increased frangibility is characterized by having width significantly smaller than the length of the perimeter of said region of increased frangibility.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said at least one region of increased frangibility subtends less than 360°.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein the shape of said region of increased frangibility is selected from a group consisting of substantially circular, cross-like shape, substantially a regular polygon, substantially an irregular polygon, irregular, substantially lenticular, substantially stellated, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein the sides of the region are substantially straight substantially curved, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said failing is selected from a group consisting of tearing, pinholing, snapping, fracturing, splitting, separation, cracking, cleavage, breaking, bursting, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said container enclosing said capsule is adapted to enclose the same in a predetermined region.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said predetermined region is selected from a group consisting of the neck, the body, the cap, the walls, the base, and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is removable from said container as a ruptured, but not disintegrated unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule comprises a flange adapted to be securely supported by a predetermined part of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said predetermined part is selected from a group consisting of the neck, a wall within said container, a shelf in the neck of said container, and a shelf within said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule comprises at least one 'ear', anchored in said flange of said capsule such that said capsule is removable from said container as a unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein contact between said predetermined fluid and said capsule is obviated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein contact between said predetermined fluid and said capsule is provided.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein contact between said predetermined fluid, after being admixed with said additive material, and said capsule is obviated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said admixture of said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid produces a beverage. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said admixture of said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid produces a medicament.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein a chemical reaction occurs when said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid mix. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein, subsequent to the admixture of said at least one additive material and said predetermined fluid, the resultant material is selected from the group consisting of: a liquid, a slurry, a suspension, a flocculated liquid, a gel, a solid, and any admixture thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is internal to said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is retained between the top of said container and the lid of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is fixedly joined to the interior of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is removably joined to the interior of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is fixedly joined to the lid of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is removably joined to the lid of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is external to said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is adapted to form the lid of said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said at least one region of increased frangibility fails after a predetermined time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said system is adapted to function as an end-of-use indicator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said end-of-use indicator provides an indication selected from the group consisting of: a change in color, a change in consistency, a change in reflectivity, gelation of at least some portion of said admixture of said predetermined fluid and said additive material, solidification of at least some portion of said admixture of said predetermined fluid and said additive material, and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule is added to said container at a time determined by a user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein the material of said capsule is dissolved by said predetermined fluid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said at least one additive material is at least one of the group consisting of: a liquid and a solid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said system is adapted to provide medicaments in palatable form.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, additionally comprising step of increasing the built up pressure created by the dissolved gas in the carbonated fluid, in the volume of said container enclosing said predetermined fluid by at least one step selected from heating said system, shaking said system, exposing said system to electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined range of wavelengths, exposing said system to an electric field, exposing said system to a magnetic field, venting of a pressure source within the volume of said container enclosing said predetermined fluid, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein the at least one region partially surrounded by said frangible region tilts away from said admixture after failure of the frangible region.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said predetermined fluid is a commercially-available carbonated beverage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein the size and shape of said capsule is adapted to provide secure retention of said capsule in said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein the size and shape of said capsule is adapted to sealingly retain said predetermined fluid within said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein the size and shape of said capsule is adapted to sealingly retain said at least one additive material within said capsule.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein the shape of the exterior perimeter of said at least one frangible region is selected from a group consisting of substantially convex with no corners, substantially polygonal, substantially irregular, substantially lenticular, substantially stellated, cross-like shape, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said capsule comprises a plurality of frangible regions, each of which is adapted to fail under different amount of built up pressure applied by said gas dissolved in said predetermined fluid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said capsule comprises several cells, each of which accommodates either a substantially different additive material or the same additive material.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein each cell in said capsule is in fluid communication with at least part of the area within the perimeter of at least one frangible region.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein more than one cell is in fluid communication with at least part of the area within said frangible region.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, additionally comprising step of signaling the user as to the failure/rupture of the increase frangibility region. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, additionally comprising step of signaling a specific sound once said increased frangibility region fails.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the lid of said container is provided with an aperture adapted to fit said capsule.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said fluids are not carbonated, but at elevated temperatures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein the lid of said container is provided with an aperture adapted to fit said capsule.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as described above, wherein said fluids are not carbonated, but at elevated temperatures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said region of increased frangibility is a membrane.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said frangible membrane is integrally molded with said capsule, such that said region of increased frangibility and said capsule form a single unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein the connection between said capsule and said container is a screw fitting.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said screw fitting is adapted, when fully engaged, to sealingly connect said container and said capsule. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said screw fitting is adapted, when tightened to said container, to fracture said region of increased frangibility.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, further comprising at least one indicator adapted to indicate to a user that said at least one region of increased frangibility has fractured.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said indicator is selected from a group consisting of a change in the color of at least part of said capsule, a change in the color of said at least one region of increased frangibility, a predetermined sound pattern, a predetermined light pattern, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for enabling a predetermined fluid and an additive material to be admixed, comprising:

a. a capsule section having a distal end and a proximal end, said capsule section is adapted to contain said additive material;

b. a cap section having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end of said cap section adapted to reversibly connect to a container adapted to contain said predetermined fluid, said distal end of said cap section connected to said proximal end of said capsule section;

c. a frangible membrane disposed between said distal end of said cap section and said proximal end of said capsule section; said frangible membrane adapted, when whole, to seal said capsule section;

wherein said frangible membrane is adapted to be fractured by application of a predetermined amount of force; and further wherein, after fracture of said frangible membrane, admixture of said additive material and said predetermined fluid is enabled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said predetermined fluid is a carbonated fluid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said frangible membrane is adapted to fail under predetermined built up pressure applied by at least one dissolved gas in said fluid onto said frangible membrane such that admixing said at least one additive material and said fluid is enabled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said predetermined pressure to fracture said frangible membrane is generated by shaking said container, thereby forcing C0 ₂ out of solution and raising pressure inside said container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein at least two selected from said capsule section, said cap section and said frangible membrane form a single unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said capsule section and said frangible membrane are formed as a single unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said connection between said proximal end of said cap section and said container is a screw fitting. It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said screw fitting is adapted, when fully engaged, to sealingly connect said container and said device. It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said screw fitting is adapted, when tightened to said container, to fracture said frangible membrane. It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, further comprising an indicator adapted to indicate to a user that said frangible membrane has fractured. It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said indicator is selected from a group consisting of a change in the color of said cap, a change in the color of said capsule, a change in the color of said frangible membrane, a predetermined sound pattern, a predetermined light pattern, a transparent portion in said cap such that the fractured frangible membrane can be seen, a transparent portion in said capsule such that the fractured frangible membrane can be seen, a transparent portion in said capsule such that the emptiness of said capsule can be seen, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, further comprising a removable protective membrane-foil covering said proximal end of said cap section. It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said removable protective membrane-foil sealingly covers said proximal end of said cap section.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein said cap section and said capsule section are adapted such that said cap section is collapsible into said capsule section after fracture of said frangible membrane.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein the cross-sectional size of said capsule section is larger than the cross-sectional size of said cap section such that said cap section fits at least partially within said capsule section.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the device as described above, wherein application of said pressure at least as great as said predetermined pressure can be by means selected from a group consisting of pressure applied to at least one side of the cap section, pressure applied to at least one side of the capsule section, pressure applied to the lid of the capsule section, pressure applied to at least one side of the container, pressure applied to the base of the container, and any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to better understand the invention and its implementation in practice, a plurality of embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a device of prior art;

Figs. 2 and 3 schematically illustrate embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the capsule of the present invention;

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the capsule of the present invention in position in the neck of a bottle; Figs 6 - 7 schematically illustrate an embodiment of the capsule of the present invention in position in the neck of a bottle, before and after opening of the capsule;

Figs. 8 - 10 schematically illustrate another embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 11 - 12 schematically illustrate another embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 13 - 15 schematically illustrate another embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 16a-16e depict an embodiment of the device comprising the capsule and a screw-on cap as an integral unit;

Figs. 17a-17j depict the screw section of an integral unit device, showing the frangible membrane before and after fracture; and

Figs. 18a-18j depict an embodiment of the integral unit device in which the screw section is collapsible into the capsule section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide a means and method for providing a single-use dosing capsule for containers.

In the figures, similar numbers refer to similar parts and/or similar functions.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a system for enabling a predetermined fluid and an additive material to be admixed, comprising:

a. an additive material;

b. a capsule adapted to retain said at least one additive material within at least one portion thereof; said capsule comprising:

i. at least one region of increased frangibility thereof when compared to the remainder of said capsule; said at least one region of increased frangibility (i.e., a bursting area) failing in a predetermined manner under predetermined conditions;

c. a predetermined fluid with which said at least one additive material admixes at the time subsequent to the failure of said region of increased frangibility; said fluid is characterized by having dissolved gas therein;

d. a container adapted to contain said predetermined fluid, and to enclose said capsule; wherein said region is adapted to fail under predetermined built up pressure applied by said dissolved gas in said carbonated fluid onto said region such that admixing said at least one additive material and said carbonated fluid is enabled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said predetermined fluid is a predetermined solution of liquid and gas.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as described above, wherein said predetermined fluid is a predetermined carbonated fluid.

The term "Carbonated fluid" hereinafter refers to any solution of liquid and gas. According to one specific embodiment, the term carbonated fluid refers to a fluid having carbon dioxide (C0 ₂ ) dissolved therein. The term 'failure' hereinafter refers to disruption of the continuity of the capsule material. Means of failure include, but are not limited to, tearing, pinholing, snapping, fracturing, splitting, separation, cracking, cleavage, breaking and bursting. Causes of failure include, but are not limited to, embrittlement, dissolution, evaporation, and built up pressure applied to a region designed to be weaker de novo than surrounding regions.

Fig. 1 illustrates a device of the prior art, intended to store two different kinds of food until such time as a consumer intends to combine the two and eat them. The different kids of food could be a food such as noodles which absorbs liquids, and the liquid sauce for them, where separate storage ensure that the noodles retain their texture during storage. In Fig, 1, the device consists of an outer storage container (3), wherein the bulkier item (7) is stored and an inner container (6), wherein the other item (5) is stored. The container is topped by a lid (4). The containers (3, 6) are sealed, both from each other and from external influences such as air or moisture. The seal, 10, in this embodiment of the prior art, both seals the outer (3) and inner (6) containers against each other and against external influences, and seals the lid (4) on to the containers. To mix the two substances, either the base of inner container 6 is pierced or severed, or inner container 6 is removed from outer container 3 and its contents (5) poured over the contents (7) of inner container 3.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a cross-section of one embodiment of a device for adding material to a predetermined fluid in a container. In this embodiment, the container (100) is filled with a predetermined fluid (300), preferably a carbonated liquid. The container has a lid/cap (200). The capsule of the present invention (400) is held firmly between the container (100) and the lid (200) by a flange (430). The capsule contains an additive material (500) which produces a desired product when mixed with the predetermined fluid (300). In one embodiment, the additive material 500 is a syrup, which, when mixed with the predetermined fluid 300, produces a desired beverage. For example, if the predetermined fluid (300) is carbonated water and the additive material (500) a mixture of cola flavoring and other flavorings in a syrup base, the admixture is a cola-flavored drink.

In another embodiment, the additive material is a medicament and the predetermined fluid a beverage; the admixture being a medication palatable to children. In this manner, children can be provided with medication in a form they will readily consume, even though the medication is unpalatable in its unmixed form. Furthermore, overdosing by children on the medication is rendered unlikely because of the unpalatability of the unmixed medication.

In another embodiment, the product is a substance, such as, but not limited to, a medicament wherein the components individually have a long shelf-life, but the compound medicament has a short shelf-life. In the device of the present invention, the individual components can be stored separately, and only combined at the point of use, thus providing a substance with the usefulness of the compound and the shelf life of the components.

The preferable embodiment of the container is a container with a neck, such as, but not limited to, a bottle.

In the embodiment in Fig. 2, the capsule of the present invention has a frangible region wherein the capsule material is thinner than in surrounding areas. This thinner region (600) surrounds the at least one region holding the additive material (500), but does not subtend the full 360°, and is designed to fail under predetermined conditions. Once the thin region fails, the additive material 500 leaves the capsule and mixes with the predetermined fluid 300. However, since the thin region does not subtend the full 360°, the at least one region of the capsule which held the additive material remains attached to the remainder of the capsule so that the capsule can be removed as a unit before the admixture is consumed, thus preventing unnecessary exposure of the admixed material to the capsule material.

In the preferred embodiment of the device, the preferred fluid is a carbonated liquid, preferably water. When means of causing the C0 ₂ to come out of solution are applied, the pressure rises in the volume of the container containing the predetermined liquid. This increased pressure causes failure of the frangible region and, therefore, mixing of the additive material with the predetermined liquid. The means of causing the C0 ₂ to come out of solution include, but are not limited to, warming and shaking the container. In preferred embodiments, the means of causing the C0 ₂ to come out of solution is shaking.

It should be emphasized that both warming the container and shaking the container can induce and catalyze the creating of built up pressure (by the C0 ₂ gas dissolved in the carbonated fluid).

In other embodiments, an increased pressure to cause failure of the frangible region can be created by a chemical reaction in the predetermined fluid, preferably a chemical reaction activated by an external stimulus, said external stimulus selected from, but not limited to, heat, cold, an electric field, a magnetic field, electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength, such as radio waves, microwave radiation, visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light, X-rays and gamma rays.

In still other embodiments, the container additionally comprises a source of pressurized gas, which can be opened such that it vents slowly. The container 100 then being sealed by lid 200, when sufficient gas pressure has evolved, frangible region 600 will fail.

In this embodiment, the time at which failure occurs depends on the rate at which the pressure builds up inside the container.

In still other embodiments, pressure on at least one part of the container, the capsule or the cap causes failure of the frangible membrane. The pressure can applied to at least one side of the cap section, to at least one side of the capsule section, to the lid of the capsule section, to at least one side of the container, to the base of the container, and any combination thereof.

Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the device. Fig. 3 illustrates the device, in a manner not to scale, in a state when the lid (200) is fully closed. In this embodiment, the capsule (400) is substantially a right circular cylinder with a substantially flat base (420) and a flange (430) at the top, the flange (430) being substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical walls (410) of the capsule. The capsule (400) sits in the neck of the container (100), held in position by walls of the neck of the container (100) and by the capsule flange (430), which rests on top of the neck of the container. The capsule flange (430) has a ridge (440) on its upper side. The ridge (440) ensures that the capsule (400) is fully sealed against the lid (200) when the lid (200) is fully closed, thereby ensuring that the additive material can not escape from the capsule. The capsule with additive material is sealed by thin foil (not shown on the sketch), or any other means of closure, which prevents additive material from spillage and provides a requires shelf life

In another embodiment, the capsule is fixed to the underside of the lid and the ridge is not present. The frangible region (600) is in the base (420) of the capsule and has the shape of a narrow annulus, concentric with the cylinder. The outer diameter of the annulus is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the walls so that, when the frangible region fails, at most only a very small lip is left attached to the cylindrical wall of the capsule, ensuring that virtually all of the contents of the capsule will fall into the container and mix with the predetermined fluid. In this embodiment, the frangible region is significantly thinner than the surrounding regions.

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the capsule (400), seen from above. The ridge (440) is clearly visible. Fig. 4 also illustrates ears (450) on the flange - regions where the flange 430 is wide enough to extend outward beyond the edge of the container (455). The ears provide a means by which the capsule can be easily removed as a unit from the container. In this embodiment, the flange (430) has two ears (450). In other embodiments, the number M of ears is any integer greater than or equal to 1.

Fig. 5 illustrates the above embodiment of the capsule (400), in position in the neck of the container (100). The ridge (440) is clearly seen.

Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the device, where the capsule extends downward into the neck of the container and the base (420) of the capsule (400) is submerged in the predetermined fluid (300). In this embodiment, the material of the capsule (400) immersed in the predetermined fluid (300) at a predetermined rate and/or a predetermined depth.

In addition, once there is failure of the frangible region (600), the entire frangible region (600) will burst such that it will all fail rapidly.

In another embodiment, the capsule is above the level of the fluid so that there need be no contact between the predetermined fluid and the capsule.

Fig. 7a illustrates the embodiment of the device in Fig. 6 after failure of the frangible region (600).

In this embodiment, the base (420) of the capsule (400) has titled upward during failure, so as to open a significant portion of the base of the capsule (420), thereby providing the opening for the additive material to be admixed with the predetermined fluid.

Reference is now made to Fig. 7b illustrating the embodiment of the device as in Figs. 6-7a, with the additive material (500) enclosed within the capsule (400).

Fig. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the device, where the capsule (400) extends upward so that no more than a small fraction of it is within the container (100). In the embodiment in Fig. 8, the capsule is integral with the lid. The base of the capsule (420) is in the lower portion thereof; in this embodiment, approximately on a level with the top edge of the container (100), although other positions for the base of the capsule (420) will be obvious to anyone skilled in the art. In this embodiment, the material of the frangible region (600) is sufficiently thin that it fails under built up pressure well before failure of any other part of the capsule (400) or the lid (200) would be expected.

Fig. 9 illustrates the embodiment of the device (10) in Fig. 8 after failure of the frangible region (600). In this embodiment, the base of the capsule (400) has tilted upward during failure, ensuring that the base of the capsule (420) does not enter the admixture, thereby minimizing interactions between the capsule material and the carbonated fluid /or the admixture.

Other means of ensuring that the base of the capsule tilts upward after rupture of the frangible region will be obvious to any person with ordinary skill in the art.

Reference is now made to Fig. 10 illustrating the embodiment of the device as in Figs. 8-9, with the additive material (500) enclosed within the capsule (400).

In another embodiment, the container is supplied as a sealed unit, complete with predetermined fluid, and additive material in the capsule. In another embodiment, the container and capsule are supplied as a unit, with the predetermined fluid and the additive material added by a user. In yet another embodiment, the device comprises a sealed capsule containing additive material. A desired predetermined fluid is then procured separately, either in an appropriate container, or an appropriate container is also sourced. As an illustrative example, the predetermined fluid is 330 ml of a cola drink in a screw-top bottle. Then, if the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7 is preferred, the capsule is placed in the neck of the bottle and the lid of the bottle screwed back on. If the embodiment of Figs. 8 and 9 is preferred, the lid is replaced with the capsule/lid unit if the embodiment in Figs. 8 and 9 and the capsule/lid is screwed onto the bottle. After the predetermined time, the frangible region fails, the additive material combines with the beverage, for the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, the capsule is removed as a unit, and the whole is consumed.

In yet another embodiment, capsules are supplied empty, the user procuring the predetermined fluid, the container and the additive material separately.

In other embodiments, the capsules are sized and shaped to fit specified containers, the user selecting an appropriate size and shape capsule to fit a specified container. As an illustrative example, the capsule to be used with a 50 ml medicine bottle would be much shorter and narrower than the one used for a 100 ml beverage bottle. A wide, shallow capsule would be specified for a 300 ml fruit juice-type bottle, while a narrow, deep capsule would be specified for a 330 ml bottle containing a carbonated cola drink. The thickness, strength or both of the at least one frangible region must be commensurate with the force on the capsule achievable by the combination of the carbonation and the size of the capsule. A thick or strong frangible region would be adapted for a use in a large capsule or for a highly- carbonated beverage, whereas a thin or weak frangible region would be adapted for use in a small capsule or for a lightly-carbonated beverage.

Another embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 11. Fig. 11 illustrates a capsule with multiple cells (460), separated by membranes. An embodiment with multiple cells is adapted to enable multiple kinds of additive material to be stored separately. The multiple-cell capsule has at least one frangible region (not shown). In embodiments incorporating more than one frangible region, each frangible region controls release of additive material from at least one cell. An example of an embodiment with multiple cells would be a beverage with more than one flavoring, such that a user could select a desired flavor beverage form a selection thereof. As an illustrative example, a drink could be supplied with cells containing cola flavoring, cherry flavoring, mint flavoring, and lemon flavoring. A consumer could then choose between a cola drink, a cherry-flavored cola drink, a lemon-flavored cola drink, a mint- flavored cola drink, or any other combination of the supplied flavors.

In another embodiment, the frangible region is manufactured of a material with properties different from the material of the surrounding regions, such that the frangible region is more likely to fail in the predetermined manner than the material of the surrounding regions. For example, if predetermined method for failure of the frangible region is dissolution of the material therein until the frangible region is too thin to support the weight of the material it surrounds, then the frangible region could be manufactured of a material more soluble than the material of the surrounding regions.

The exterior perimeter of the at least one frangible region can be substantially round, including circular, cross-like shape, oval, elliptical, circular, or otherwise substantially convex with no corners, substantially a regular polygon, substantially an irregular polygon, irregular, substantially lenticular, or substantially stellated, or any combination thereof. Polygonal frangible regions, whether regular or irregular, have N sides, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The sides of the polygon or stellated shape can be either substantially straight, substantially curved, or any combination thereof. The frangible region can have both an exterior and an interior perimeter, or it can have only an exterior perimeter. If it has an interior perimeter, the interior perimeter can substantially follow the exterior perimeter, or it can have a different shape. The differently shaped interior perimeter can be substantially circular, substantially a regular polygon, substantially an irregular polygon, irregular, substantially lenticular, or substantially stellated, or any combination thereof. Polygonal frangible regions, whether regular or irregular, have N sides, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The sides of the polygon or stellated shape can be either substantially straight, substantially curved, or any combination thereof.

Fig. 12 illustrates a capsule with four cells (460) and three frangible regions (600), surrounding three bases (620). In this illustrative example, the two upper frangible regions (600) do not completely surround the two upper bases (620), when these two frangible regions fail, a hinge (480) remains which connects the base (620) with the remainder of the capsule (400). The lower frangible region (600), of rectangular cross section, fails completely, leaving a narrow slit (630). The frangible regions (620) have different shapes, one being circular, the other having three sides, two straight and one curved. Fig. 12 further illustrates a frangible region adapted to enable admixture of additive material from two cells via the opening left (630) from the failure of a single frangible region (600, lower).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the system will further provide the user with signaling as to the failure/rupture of the increase frangibility region.

Thus, for example, once the increased frangibility region of the capsule will fail (i.e., burst) a characteristic or typical sound will be created. In that embodiment, the user will be able to identify when the bursting (i.e., failing) of the increased frangibility region of the capsule has been occurred.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule as described above can be made from suitable materials so as to fit into a container accommodating hot liquids/fluids. According to this embodiment, the fluids are not carbonated but at elevated temperatures. Said fluids are likely to create an internal pressure so as to burst the increased frangibility region of the capsule. Examples of such hot fluids can be water and the capsule can contain coffee or tea (so as to create hot coffee, hot tea etc.).

According to another embodiment of the present invention the above mentioned capsule can be provided with a lid/cap 200 which is characterized by having an aperture in the same, such that once the capsule 400 is positioned into the container 100, lid 200 can be positioned in place.

Reference is now made to Figs. 13-15 illustrating the above mentioned embodiment.

Fig. 13 illustrates the assembly of the lid 200 after the capsule 400 has been positioned in place. Fig. 14 illustrates the capsule 400.

Fig. 15 illustrates the lid/cap 200 having aperture 201 adapted to fit the capsule 400. According to another embodiment of the present invention lid/cap 200 is provided with sealing means 202 adapted to seal the container 100 once the same has been positioned in place.

In other embodiments, the cap and capsule comprise an integral unit. As in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 13-15, the cap portion of the integral unit comprises a screw thread so that the integral unit is screwed onto a container such as a bottle. The cap portion further comprises a sealing means so that, when the cap is fully engaged with the container, the cap plus container form a sealed unit. The sealing means can comprise a gasket, a seal ring as an integral part of the cap, or any other means known in the art of sealing screw-on caps and lids for containers. Such sealed containers can be safely stored or transported without leakage and without fracture of the frangible membrane (1630).

In some embodiments of the sealable screw-on cap, either with an integral capsule or with a separate capsule, the cap has a second sealed position. In such embodiments, the first sealed position is the full engagement described hereinabove, which creates a sealed unit of the cap, capsule and container. In the second position, in addition to the lidded container remaining sealed, the frangible membrane (1630) is ruptured, allowing the contents of the capsule (1610) to mix with the contents of the container. A non-limiting example of transformation from the first position to the second position is a further tightening of the cap on the container. In practice, the further tightening could be 1/4 turn or a full turn, or as much as 3 turns, as these are easy for users to gauge and are large enough that accidental over-tightening with consequent unwanted breakage of the frangible membrane (1630) is unlikely to occur. Markings can be placed on at least one of the cap and the bottle to indicate appropriate stopping points to achieve the first and second positions. In some embodiments, at least one of the capsule, the cap and the sealed unit comprises an indicator adapted to indicate that the frangible membrane (1630) has broken and that, therefore, mixing of the contents of the capsule (1610) and the contents of the container is occurring. This indicator can comprise a color change in the cap (1620), capsule (1610) or frangible membrane (1630), a sound, a light, a transparent region in the cap or capsule such that it is possible to see that the frangible membrane (1630) has broken, or any combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of providing a sound include manufacturing the frangible membrane (1630), the cap (1620) or the capsule (1610) of a stiff material that vibrates when fractured, designing the shape of at least a portion of the frangible membrane (1630), the cap or the capsule (or any of the above) such that it vibrates when ruptured, providing a microphone enabled to produce a sound once the frangible membrane (1630) has fractured or ruptured, and any of the above.

In embodiments where a light is used, the light source can be an LED, either battery powered or powered by piezoelectricity generated by the movement of the frangible membrane (1630) caused by fracturing of the frangible membrane (1630). It should be emphasized that the above mentioned further tightening could be 1/4 as well any portion of a turn (1/n where n is an integer greater than 1); alternatively, it said further tightening could be n turn/s (where n is an integer greater than 1).

It should be further emphasized that the above mentioned capsule can be used for both carbonated fluid as well as simple (non-carbonated) fluid. Thus, in the non-carbonated fluids, the breakage of the frangible membrane occurs by application of force on the frangible membrane.

In preferred embodiments, the frangible membrane (1630) is formed during the manufacturing process and forms an integral part of the capsule. In embodiments where the cap and capsule form an integral unit, in preferred variants of these embodiments, the frangible membrane (1630) is an integral part of the unit.

As mentioned above, the device (e.g., capsule) as disclosed above, can be used either with carbonated liquids or with non-carbonated liquids.

Figs. 16 a-e depict an embodiment of an integral unit device, where the capsule section (1610) and the screw section (1630) form a single unit. The embodiment shown further comprises an integral frangible membrane (1630) and a second, removable, protective membrane-foil (1640) which seals the mouth of the screw section and keeps the screw section (1620) and the underside of the frangible membrane (1630) clean until such time as the device is to be used.

It should be noted that an additional function of the removable foil is to provide temper evidence. In Figs. 16 a-e, the removable protective membrane-foil (1640) is shown partly removed, to enable the removable protective membrane-foil (1640) and the frangible membrane (1630) to be seen more clearly.

In Fig. 16a, the integral unit device is shown from underneath so the frangible membrane (1630), and in Fig. 16b, it is shown from above, showing the top of the device. In practice, the name of the produce, ingredients and other text and pictures could be printed on the top. Fig. 16c shows the integral unit device from the side; the partly-removed protective membrane-foil (1640) can be clearly seen. Fig. 16d shows a cross-section of the device from above, showing the frangible membrane (1630) and the removable protective membrane-foil (1640). Fig. 16e shows a cross- section of the device from below, showing the frangible membrane (1630) and the removable protective membrane-foil (1640).

Figs. 17a-j show an embodiment of the screw section (1620) of an integral unit device, illustrating an embodiment of the frangible membrane (1630) from different angles. In Figs 17 a-j, the capsule section (1610) is not shown, enabling the frangible membrane (1630) to be seen more easily. In this embodiment, the frangible membrane forms a chute designed to ensure complete emptying of the capsule section. Figs. 17a, 17c, 17e, 17g and 17i depict the screw section (1620) of a new device, attached to a bottle (1650), with the frangible membrane (1630) intact and the capsule section (1610, not shown) sealed, while Figs. 17b, 17dc, 17f, 17h and 17j depict the screw section (1620) of a used device, detached from the bottle, with the frangible membrane (1630) broken and the capsule (1610, not shown) empty. In this embodiment, the fracture line (1640), before fracture, is a straight line across substantially all of the base of the chute. After fracture, the frangible membrane (1630) on either side of the fracture line (1640) bellies out, so that the chute is wide in its center, thereby ensuring complete emptying of the capsule.

Figs. 17a and 17b depict the cap section from the side; in this view, the frangible membrane (1630) can not be seen.

Figs. 17c and 17d depict the cap section from above; only the ends of the fracture line (1640) can be seen.

Figs. 17e and 17f depict the embodiment from below, clearly showing the fracture line (1640) before fracture (Fig. 17e) and the bellied-out fracture line forming the chute (Fig. 17f) after fracture.

Figs. 17g and 17h show a cross-section of the cap section, the cross-section taken along the fracture line (1640). Fig. 17g clearly shows that the fracture line (1640) extends to the edge of the cap section (1620), and Fig. 17h clearly shows that the chute extends to the edge of the cap section after fracture.

Figs. 17i and 17j show a cross-section of the cap section, perpendicular to the fracture line (1640) and to the cross-section of Figs. 17g and 17h. Fig. 17i clearly shows the overall shape of the cross-section of the closed chute, while Fig. 17j shows the shape of the cross-section of the open chute. For small quantities of the additive material the cap section with the integral chute on Fig.17 can be produced without the capsule section (1610) and sealed with upper closure (not shown). In this case it will look from the outside like a regular bottle cap.

In some embodiments, the "wide-base" embodiments, the screw section of the integral unit has a smaller diameter than the capsule section. (Fig. 18a). In such embodiments, once the contents have been removed from the capsule section, the screw section can be collapsed into the capsule section, thereby reducing the volume occupied by the integral unit. This reduction in volume reduces the space needed to store the integral units until such time as they can be recycled, therefore increasing the environmental friendliness of the device.

Fig. 18a shows a cross-section of a wide-base embodiment (1800), before collapse of the screw section into the capsule section. Fig. 18b shows cross-section of the same embodiment after collapse. Figs. 18a and 18b are illustrative; the frangible membrane has not been ruptured before collapse, although, in practice, it will have been. The wide-base embodiment is shown from different angles in Figs. 18c-j.

In Figs. 18 a-j, the integral unit (1800) has a wide capsule section (1610) integrally connected to the screw section (1620). The closure of the capsule section is the frangible membrane (1630). In this embodiment, the device further comprises a second, removable, membrane-foil (1640) which closes the mouth of the screw section and keeps the screw section (1620) and the underside of the frangible membrane (1630) clean until such time as the device is to be used, as well as provides temper evidence.

The fracture lines (1640) on the frangible membrane (1630) ensure that the frangible membrane (1630) both breaks cleanly and breaks when the predefined breaking pressure/force is applied.

In the foregoing description, embodiments of the invention, including preferred embodiments, have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

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