Packaging for powdered beverage and dispenser therefor

Abstract

Packaging for a powdered beverage includes a container of powdered beverage, and a dispenser secured to the container. The dispenser includes an outer dispensing member having an exit opening, and an inner dispensing member in opposed relationship with the outer dispensing member and in part defining an interior space of the container. The inner dispensing member has at least one dispensing opening. At least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member is moveable relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member between a blocked position and a dispensing position of the dispenser in which the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member is at least in part aligned with the exit opening of the outer member to permit powdered beverage to be dispensed from the packaging.

1 . Packaging for a powdered beverage, the packaging comprising:
 a container having a closed end, a dispensing end and a sidewall such that the closed end and sidewall together at least in part define an interior space of the container;   a powdered beverage disposed within the interior space of the container;   a dispenser connectable to the container generally at the dispensing end thereof, the dispenser including at least one exit opening and being operable in a dispensing configuration of the packaging to dispense powdered beverage from the container; and   a closure removably connected to the packaging to define a packaged configuration of the packaging in which powdered beverage cannot be dispensed from the packaging, the closure being removable from the packaging to permit dispensing of powdered beverage from the packaging in the dispensing configuration of the packaging.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein the closure is disposed intermediate the dispenser and the container in the packaged configuration of the packaging, the dispenser being removable from the container to access the closure for removing the closure from the container. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein the closure is positionable on at least one of the container and the dispenser with the dispenser disposed at least in part intermediate the closure and the container, the closure being removable from the packaging to access the dispenser for dispensing powdered beverage from the container. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein the container has a rim defining the container opening, the dispenser having a securement portion configured for seating at least one of on and around the container rim to connect the dispenser to the container. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging of  claim 4  wherein the dispenser is non-removably connected to the container. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein the container has a rim defining the dispensing end of the container, the dispenser being disposed at least in part within the container longitudinally inward of the rim. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging of  claim 6  wherein the dispenser includes a flange portion configured for seating over the rim of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein the powdered beverage comprises powdered infant formula. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein the dispenser is configured for driven operation. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging of  claim 9  wherein the dispenser includes a drive coupling for driving operation of the dispenser. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging of  claim 9  wherein the dispenser is configured for driven oscillatory operation. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein the dispenser comprises an outer dispensing member and an inner dispensing member in opposed relationship with the outer dispensing member and disposed longitudinally inward of the outer dispensing member relative to the container, the outer dispensing member having at least one opening through which powdered beverage exits the packaging, the inner dispensing member having at least one corresponding opening, at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member being moveable relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member between a blocked position in which the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member is out of registry with the at least one opening of the outer dispensing member to inhibit dispensing of powdered beverage from the packaging, and a dispensing position in which the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member is at least in part aligned with the at least one opening of the outer dispensing member to permit powdered beverage to be dispensed from the packaging. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging of  claim 12  wherein the at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member is configured and arranged for oscillating movement relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member to permit repeated positioning between the blocked position and the dispensing position. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging of  claim 13  wherein the at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member is configured for rotary movement on a rotation axis that extends generally longitudinally of the container. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging of  claim 14  wherein the inner dispensing member is rotatably connected to the outer dispensing member. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging of  claim 12  wherein the outer dispensing member comprises a plurality of openings through which powdered beverage is dispensed from the packaging, the inner dispensing member having a plurality of corresponding openings at least in part registrable with respective ones of the plurality of openings of the outer dispensing member in the dispensing position to permit dispensing of powdered beverage from the plurality of openings in the outer dispensing member in the dispensing position. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging of  claim 12  wherein the at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member is configured and arranged for rotary movement relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member to permit repeated positioning between the blocked position and the dispensing position. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging of  claim 12  wherein the inner dispensing member is moveable relative to the outer dispensing member between the blocked position and the dispensing position, the inner dispensing member comprising at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom into the interior space of the container for agitating powdered beverage in the container upon movement of the inner dispensing member to facilitate movement of the powder. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging of  claim 18  wherein the at least one agitator is angled relative to the outer dispensing member to define a projection angle of said at least one agitator. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging of  claim 19  wherein the projection angle is in the range of about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         21 . The packaging of  claim 1  further comprising a deflector depending from the dispenser and configured to limit the transverse flow of powdered beverage following dispensing of the powdered beverage from the container. 
     
     
         22 . The packaging of  claim 21  wherein the dispenser comprises a plurality of exit openings through which powdered beverage is dispensed from the packaging, the deflector substantially circumferentially surrounding the exit openings. 
     
     
         23 . The packaging of  claim 12  wherein the dispenser further comprises a separator disposed between the inner and outer dispensing members to inhibit friction between said inner and outer dispensing members upon operation of the dispenser. 
     
     
         24 . Packaging for a powdered beverage, the packaging comprising:
 a container having an interior space;   a powdered beverage disposed within the interior space of the container; and   a dispenser secured to the container in communication with the interior space of the container, the dispenser including   an outer dispensing member having an exit opening through which powdered beverage can be dispensed, and   an inner dispensing member in opposed relationship with the outer dispensing member and disposed longitudinally inward of the outer dispensing member and in part defining the interior space of the container, the inner dispensing member having at least one opening, at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member being moveable relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member between a blocked position of the dispenser in which the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member is out of registry with the exit opening of the outer dispensing member to inhibit dispensing of powdered beverage from the packaging, and a dispensing position of the dispenser in which the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member is at least in part aligned with the exit opening of the outer dispensing member to permit powdered beverage to be dispensed from the packaging.   
     
     
         25 . The packaging of  claim 24  wherein the at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member is configured and arranged for oscillatory movement relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member to permit repeated positioning between the blocked position and the dispensing position of the dispenser. 
     
     
         26 . The packaging of  claim 25  wherein the at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member is configured for rotary movement on a rotation axis that extends generally longitudinally of the container. 
     
     
         27 . The packaging of  claim 26  wherein the inner dispensing member is rotatably connected to the outer dispensing member. 
     
     
         28 . The packaging of  claim 24  wherein the outer dispensing member comprises a plurality of exit openings through which powdered beverage is dispensed from the packaging, the inner dispensing member having a plurality of corresponding openings at least in part registrable with respective ones of the plurality of openings of the outer dispensing member in the dispensing position of the dispenser to permit concurrent dispensing of powdered beverage from the plurality of exit openings of the outer dispensing member. 
     
     
         29 . The packaging of  claim 24  wherein the at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member is configured and arranged for rotary movement relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member to permit repeated positioning between the blocked position and the dispensing position of the dispenser. 
     
     
         30 . The packaging of  claim 24  wherein the inner dispensing member is moveable relative to the outer dispensing member between the blocked position and the dispensing position, the inner dispensing member comprising at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom into the interior space of the container for agitating powdered beverage in the container upon movement of the inner dispensing member to facilitate movement of the powder. 
     
     
         31 . The packaging of  claim 24  wherein the inner dispensing member has an inner surface that interfaces with the powdered beverage in the interior space of the container, the inner surface of the inner dispensing member being configured to promote the flow powdered beverage generally toward the at least one dispensing opening of the inner dispensing member. 
     
     
         32 . The packaging of  claim 31  wherein the inner surface of the inner dispensing member is at least in part sloped toward the at least one dispensing opening of the inner dispensing member. 
     
     
         33 . The packaging of  claim 32  wherein the inner surface of the inner dispensing member has a generally conically-shaped central region, the inner dispensing member comprising a plurality of dispensing openings disposed in circumferentially spaced relationship with each other about the inner dispensing member radially outward of and generally adjacent to the conically-shaped central region of the inner surface. 
     
     
         34 . A dispenser for dispensing powdered beverage from a container of powdered beverage, the dispenser comprising:
 a generally disc-shaped outer dispensing member having an exit opening through which powdered beverage can be dispensed, and   a generally disc-shaped inner dispensing member in opposed relationship with the outer dispensing member for interfacing with powdered beverage in the container, the inner dispensing member having at least one opening, the inner and outer dispensing members being rotatably connected to each other such that at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member is rotatable relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member between a blocked position of the dispenser in which the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member is out of registry with the exit opening of the outer dispensing member to inhibit dispensing of powdered beverage through the exit opening of the outer dispensing member, and a dispensing position of the dispenser in which the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member is at least in part in registry with the exit opening of the outer dispensing member to permit powdered beverage to be dispensed through the exit opening of the outer dispensing member.   
     
     
         35 . The dispenser of  claim 34  wherein the at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member is configured and arranged for oscillatory rotary movement relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member to permit repeated positioning between the blocked position and the dispensing position of the dispenser. 
     
     
         36 . The dispenser of  claim 34  wherein the outer dispensing member comprises a plurality of exit openings through which powdered beverage can be dispensed, the inner dispensing member having a plurality of corresponding openings at least in part registrable with respective ones of the plurality of openings of the outer dispensing member in the dispensing position of the dispenser to permit dispensing of powdered beverage from the plurality of exit openings of the outer dispensing member. 
     
     
         37 . The dispenser of  claim 34  wherein the inner dispensing member comprises at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom for agitating powdered beverage in the container upon movement of the inner dispensing member to facilitate movement of the powder toward the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member. 
     
     
         38 . The dispenser of  claim 34  wherein the inner dispensing member has an inner surface for interfacing with the powdered beverage in the container, the inner surface of the inner dispensing member being configured to promote the flow powdered beverage generally toward the at least one dispensing opening of the inner dispensing member. 
     
     
         39 . The dispenser of  claim 38  wherein the inner surface of the inner dispensing member is at least in part sloped toward the at least one dispensing opening of the inner dispensing member. 
     
     
         40 . The dispenser of  claim 39  wherein the inner surface of the inner dispensing member has a generally conically-shaped central region, the inner dispensing member comprising a plurality of dispensing openings disposed in circumferentially spaced relationship with each other about the inner dispensing member radially outward of and generally adjacent to the conically-shaped central region of the inner surface. 
     
     
         41 . The dispenser of  claim 34  further comprising a deflector depending from the outer dispensing member and configured to limit the transverse flow of powdered beverage following dispensing of powdered beverage from the at least one exit opening of the outer dispensing member. 
     
     
         42 . The dispenser of  claim 41  wherein the dispenser comprises a plurality of exit openings through which powdered beverage is dispensed from the packaging, the deflector substantially circumferentially surrounding the exit openings. 
     
     
         43 . The dispenser of  claim 34  wherein the dispenser further comprises a separator disposed between the inner and outer dispensing members to inhibit friction between said inner and outer dispensing members upon operation of the dispenser. 
     
     
         44 . A method of dispensing powdered beverage from package of powdered beverage, the package including a dispenser having an outer dispensing member and an inner dispensing member in opposed relationship with the outer dispensing member, the outer dispensing member having at least one exit opening, the inner dispensing member having at least one dispensing opening corresponding to said at least one exit opening, at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member being rotatable relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member between a blocked position of the dispenser in which the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member is out of registry with the exit opening of the outer member to inhibit dispensing of powdered beverage from the packaging, and a dispensing position of the dispenser in which the at least one opening of the inner dispensing member is at least in part aligned with the exit opening of the outer member to permit powdered beverage to be dispensed from the packaging, the method comprising:
 oscillating said at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member in rotation relative to the other one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member to intermittently position the dispenser from its blocked position to its dispensing position and then back to its blocked position.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising agitating the powder within the packaging in response to oscillating said at least one of the outer dispensing member and the inner dispensing member. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the oscillating step is performed until a predetermined quantity of powdered beverage is dispensed. 
     
     
         47 . Packaging for a powdered beverage, the packaging comprising:
 a container having a closed end, a dispensing end and a sidewall such that the closed end and sidewall together at least in part define an interior space of the container;   a powdered beverage disposed within the interior space of the container;   a dispenser at the dispensing end of the container, the dispenser including at least one exit opening and being operable in a dispensing configuration of the packaging to dispense powdered beverage from the container; and   at least one flow promoting member in contact with the powdered beverage to promote the flow of powder toward the at least one exit opening of the dispenser.   
     
     
         48 . The packaging set forth in  claim 47  wherein the at least one flow promoting member is moveable relative to the container to agitate the powder. 
     
     
         49 . The packaging set forth in  claim 48  wherein the at least one flow promoting member is moveable in response to operation of the dispenser to dispense powdered beverage from the container. 
     
     
         50 . The packaging set forth in  claim 49  wherein the dispenser includes a dispensing member moveable relative to the container upon operation of the dispenser to dispense powdered beverage, the at least one flow promoting member being operatively coupled to the dispensing member. 
     
     
         51 . The packaging set forth in  claim 47  wherein the at least one flow promoting member is disposed at least in part over the at least one exit opening of the dispenser to facilitate the flow of powder adjacent the at least one exit opening. 
     
     
         52 . A disposable powdered beverage cartridge for a beverage dispensing appliance, the cartridge comprising:
 a container having a closed end, a dispensing end and a sidewall such that the closed end and sidewall together at least in part define an interior space of the container;   a powdered beverage disposed within the interior space of the container;   a dispenser secured to the container, the dispenser including at least one exit opening and being operable in a dispensing configuration of the cartridge to dispense powdered beverage from the container; and   at least one alignment member on at least one of the container and the dispenser to facilitate positioning of the cartridge on the appliance in a single orientation of the cartridge.   
     
     
         53 . The disposable cartridge set forth in  claim 52  wherein the at least one alignment member comprises one of a male alignment member and a female alignment member. 
     
     
         54 . The disposable cartridge set forth in  claim 53  wherein the at least one alignment member comprises at least one notch disposed in at least one of the container and the dispenser. 
     
     
         55 . The disposable cartridge set forth in  claim 52  wherein the appliance has a drive system for operating the dispenser, the cartridge further comprising a drive coupling for operatively connecting the dispenser to the drive system of the appliance upon positioning of the cartridge on the appliance in said single orientation of the cartridge. 
     
     
         56 . The disposable cartridge set forth in  claim 52  wherein the cartridge has a longitudinal axis, the at least one alignment member being configured to facilitate rotational positioning of the cartridge on the appliance in a single rotational orientation about the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.