Multi-Chamber Container and Cap Therefor

Abstract

A dispenser comprises a housing that has a removable tamper proof protective cap and tamper proof ring and is threaded to a container. The container, which is the main package, holds the supplemental component. The housing holds the first component into a plunger type chamber in a fully retracted position and is sealed from the supplemental component. The chamber has a delivery end that is closed before use. When pushed all the way in, the chamber's delivery end becomes open and delivers the first component into the main package.

1 . A container comprising:
 a container main body providing a first chamber for holding a liquid and having an opening;   a container cap mounted at the opening of the container main body,   the cap including a plunger having an open end and a closed end and a second chamber formed therebetween for holding a component, the closed end formed by a lid, the plunger having a locking member wherein the plunger, lid and locking member are all formed of one piece;   a cap body having a bore formed by an inner wall having a first structure and the plunger mounted within the bore and movable from a storage condition to an activated condition so that in the storage condition the locking member engages the first structure; and   a dispensing tip mounted in the bore adjacent the plunger and the plunger activates the dispensing tip to move from a closed position to an open position allowing the component in the second chamber to be dispensed into the first chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the open end of the plunger abuts against a cylindrical collar of the dispensing tip and upon actuation of the plunger from the storage condition to the activated condition the open end abuts against the collar and pushes the dispensing tip from the closed to the open position in order to break the seal of the dispensing tip and allow for the component to be dispensed from the second chamber to the first chamber of the main body. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container cap includes a tear strip which provides for both a compression barrier in order to maintain the lid in the storage condition when the tear strip is attached to the cap and a tamper evident component that provides for a visible indication once the tear strip is removed. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the tear strip is formed as one piece with the plunger and includes a perforated area adjacent an edge of the cap to allow for removal of the tear strip. 
     
     
         5 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A cap comprising:
 a cap body having an open end and a closed end formed by a lid; and   a dispenser tip mounted at the open end and reciprocatable between an open and a closed position and in the closed position, in at least a first operation, the dispenser tip forming a seal at the open end and upon activation of the dispenser tip the seal being broken and providing a first audible sound indicative of the dispenser tip being in the open position.   
     
     
         28 . The cap of  claim 27  wherein the lid is moveable between a storage condition and an activated condition by pushing downward on the lid with an operator's hand and the lid being hard and smooth in order to provide a resonant surface so that upon activation of the lid with the operator's hand a second audible sound is provided indicative of the lid being moved to the activated condition. 
     
     
         29 . The cap of  claim 28  wherein the lid includes a transparent dome. 
     
     
         30 . The cap of  claim 28  wherein the lid includes indicia identifying the contents of the container. 
     
     
         31 . The cap of  claim 28  wherein the first and second audible sounds occur approximately simultaneously to provide a dual activation opening sound. 
     
     
         32 . The cap of  claim 28  wherein the seal is provided by a dielectric seal formed between an edge of the dispenser tip and the open end of the cap body. 
     
     
         33 . The cap of  claim 28  wherein the seal is provided by mechanically locking the dispenser tip against the open end of the cap body. 
     
     
         34 . The cap of  claim 28  wherein the dispenser tip is generally conical shaped and includes an annular edge forming a first flat, sealing surface and the cap body forming an annular rim at the open end and the rim forming a second flat, sealing surface for abuttingly receiving the first flat, sealing surface thereon in the closed position. 
     
     
         35 . The cap of  claim 34  wherein a dielectric seal is provided between the first and second flat, sealing surfaces that can withstand a pull force of about 250-1000 grams. 
     
     
         36 . The cap of  claim 34  wherein the dispenser tip includes an upper ring having an annular flange protruding in a direction parallel to the annular edge; and the cap body including an annular groove for receiving the annular flange in order to lock the dispensing tip in the closed position and seal the first flat sealing surface against the second flat sealing surface. 
     
     
         37 . The cap of  claim 36  wherein upon moving the dispenser tip from the closed position to the open position the annular flange is displaced from the annular groove and provides the first audible sound due to the compression and decompression of material forming the annular flange. 
     
     
         38 . The cap of  claim 37  wherein the dispenser tip is generally conical shaped and includes an annular edge forming a first flat, sealing surface and the cap body forming an annular rim at the open end and the rim forming a second, flat sealing surface for abuttingly receiving the first flat, sealing surface thereon in the closed position and the first audible sound is provided by both the breaking of the dielectric seal and the disengagement of the annular flange from the annular groove. 
     
     
         39 . A method of providing effervescence in a container comprising:
 providing a container having a first chamber for holding a liquid and second chamber holding a component;   filling the first chamber at least partially with liquid;   filling the second chamber at least partially with the component, wherein the component is formed of a first component having a first weight or shape and a supplemental component having a second weight or shape;   activating the container so that the first chamber is in communication with the second chamber; and   dispensing the component from the second chamber to the first chamber and the component being dispersed into the liquid so that the first component is dispersed to a first location in the liquid that is apart from a second location to which the supplemental component is dispersed, wherein the component is activated by the liquid and causes an effervescence within the first chamber at the first and second locations.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the first weight is between about 0.5 to 2 grams and the second weight is between about 2 to 5 grams. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the first shape is a sphere and the second shape is a cube. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the component is a tablet including an ingredient including one of a Creatine, wolfberry, calcium, guarine, arginine, Vitamins B, B12, C, D, ibuprofen, electrolytes, niacin, folic acid, biotin, choline bitartate, inositol, manganese, calcium, Saint John's wart, yohimbe, chromium polynicotinate, carnitine, taurine, astragulus, schizandra, kava kava, lemon grass, Echinacea, prolione, bee pollen, chitin oligomers, water soluble oral chitosan oligomers, amino acids and zinc. 
     
     
         43 - 44 . (canceled)