Container

Abstract

A container including a storage chamber within which is located at least one concentrated product housed; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber; and a closure element, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber; the mixing chamber is defined by a body having a longitudinal length defined between opposed ends and along at least a portion of the length of the mixing chamber, the body defines circular bellows, such that the mixing chamber has a collapsed configuration when the ends of the body are urged together and an expanded configuration when the ends of the body are urged apart, the bellows further including a latching arrangement which acts to latch the bellows in their collapsed configuration and/or their expanded configuration; and wherein a first end of the mixing chamber is open and is selectively closable via the closure element.

1 . A container including a storage chamber within which is located at least one concentrated product housed; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber; and a closure element, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber; the mixing chamber is defined by a body having a longitudinal length defined between opposed ends and along at least a portion of the length of the mixing chamber, the body defines circular bellows, such that the mixing chamber has a collapsed configuration when the ends of the body are urged together and an expanded configuration when the ends of the body are urged apart, the bellows further including a latching arrangement which acts to latch the bellows in their collapsed configuration and/or their expanded configuration; and wherein a first end of the mixing chamber is open and is selectively closable via the closure element. 
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure element defines a well which is configured to receive a container which contains the concentrated product. 
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein the closure element includes an internally facing surface and an externally facing surface and the well is open at the externally facing surface. 
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber is detachably coupled to the storage container. 
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 4 , wherein the mixing chamber and the storage container include a threaded coupling or a snap-fit coupling. 
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage chamber is defined by a storage chamber body. 
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 6 , wherein the mixing chamber defines a second end opposite to the first end, and wherein the storage chamber body is coupled to the second end of the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 7 , wherein the second end of the mixing chamber is closed. 
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 7 , wherein the second end of the mixing chamber is open;
 the mixing chamber body includes a sealing wall which closes the second end of the mixing chamber when the storage chamber body is coupled to the mixing chamber; and the storage chamber body defines a closable opening separate from the sealing wall.   
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 9 , wherein the storage chamber defines a tubular side wall having a proximal end which is adjacent to the mixing chamber in use and a distal end opposite to the proximal end; and wherein the closable opening is defined at the proximal end and the sealing wall is located at the distal end. 
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 9 , wherein the storage chamber defines a tubular side wall having a proximal end which is adjacent to the mixing chamber in use and a distal end opposite to the proximal end; and wherein the closable opening is defined at the distal end and the sealing wall is located at the proximal end. 
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage chamber is defined within the closure element and the mixing chamber is closed at its second end. 
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the closure element defines a tubular side wall having a top end and a bottom end opposite to the top end; and wherein a closable opening is defined in the bottom end. 
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the storage chamber extends into the mixing chamber when the closure element is coupled to the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         15 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the closure element defines a tubular side wall having a top end and a bottom end opposite to the top end; and wherein the closable opening is defined in the top end. 
     
     
         16 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure element is threadedly coupled to the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         17 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber is defined by a substantially tubular body. 
     
     
         18 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the circular bellows are defined by a series of bellows wall sections, wherein each bellows wall section includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion; the first and second wall portions are conical sections which are angled relative to each other; the first and second wall portions extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber and together define a V-shape; the connection between the first and second wall portions forms an outer return portion; and adjacent bellows wall sections are connected via inner return portions. 
     
     
         19 . A container according to  claim 18 , wherein the inner return portions comprise an arcuate connecting portion. 
     
     
         20 . A container according to  claim 18 , wherein the latching arrangement is formed by the second wall portion being shorter than the first wall portion in each of the bellows wall sections, whereby each inner return portion forms an over-centre arrangement in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         21 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage chamber contains one or more concentrated products, wherein each concentrated product is stored within a respective housing.