GB2379921A - Disposable container for fluids, especially infant milk formula - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable dispensing container for a fluid, for example a consumable liquid such as infant milk formula. The container comprises a fluid-tight container 10 and a dispensing element (22, fig 4), such as a teat, secured to the container 10. The dispensing element is initially biased into a collapsed condition by a sealing cover 18, which may be a metal foil, but is automatically movable from its collapsed condition to a protuberant condition on removal of the sealing cover 18. The dispensing element is adapted when in the protuberant condition to dispense fluid from the container 10. In the collapsed condition, the dispensing element is contained within a preferably aseptic sealed volume 20 between the sealing cover 18 and the container. The container may take the form of a box-shaped carton made from wax or film coated card. Indications of the level and temperature of the contents may also be provided.

Description

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Field of the Invention The invention relates to a disposal dispensing container for liquids and other fluids such as flowable powders and relates particularly but not exclusively to such containers suited for drinking from and/or for feeding the contents to infants.

Background Art Fluid containers come in numerous shapes and forms, including pre-filled containers in which the contents are contained in a sterile or aseptic environment until the container is opened. If liquid from such a container is to be used for feeding infants, for example, that liquid would have to be transferred to a more suitable container such as a conventional feeding bottle before use. That process can be time consuming, messy and can also allow bacteria or other foreign bodies to be introduced to the contents of the opened pre-filled container.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dispensing container which can be used for the dispensing of the contents of the container without having to handle the dispensing element (which may prejudice an initial aseptic nature of the packaging), and without the need for a preliminary transfer of the contents. The container of the invention may be suitable for dispensing consumable beverages but it is also suitable for dispensing medicines which have to be maintained in a sterile or aseptic environment until used; and for dispensing other liquids such as oils (whether for industrial use or for use in cooking or otherwise intended for ultimate consumption) in circumstances where it is desirable to maintain the liquid in sterile or aseptic conditions where it is desirable to maintain the liquid in sterile or aseptic conditions until it is dispensed or where it is desirable to isolate the user from the contents of the container; and for dispensing powders. When appropriate the dispensing container may also dispense specific amounts of its contents at a time, for instance a recommended medicine requirement or washing powder measure.

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The Invention The invention provides a disposable dispensing container for fluids, comprising a fluid- tight container ; a dispensing element secured to the container and movable from a collapsed condition to a protuberant condition and adapted when in the protuberant condition to dispense fluid and/or substances from the container ; and a cover biasing the dispensing element into its collapsed condition and sealing the dispensing element in its collapsed condition within a preferably aseptic sealed volume, the cover being removable and after removal of the cover the dispensing element erecting automatically into its protuberant condition.

The dispensing element may be a teat, straw, nib or tube. It may be rigid or pliable.

Rs function is to dispense fluid from the container when it is in its protuberant condition.. That dispensing of the fluid may be directly to the mouth of a consumer if the fluid is a consumable substance. The invention is particularly but not exclusively suited to containers for containing infant milk formula, in which the dispensing

element is a rubber teat. As sold, the container is filled with the infant milk formula, and the teat is in its collapsed condition and enclosed in an aseptic sealed volume by the seal. The contents of the container, namely the infant milk formula, is also enclosed in an aseptic volume within the container. When it is decided to feed the infant milk formula to a baby, the container is preferably warmed to an appropriate temperature and then the seal removed. That permits the teat to extend from its collapsed condition to its protuberant condition, so that the infant milk formula can immediately fed to the infant The sealing cover may be a metal foil cover sealed around its edge to an upstanding wall to define therebeneath the aseptic sealed volume. Peeling away the foil exposes the dispensing element and permits it to assume its protuberant condition. The dispensing element may be self-erecting under its own inherent resilience on removal of the foil or may be positively driven into its protuberant condition. Preferably however movement of the dispensing element into its protuberant condition can be achieved without physically touching the dispensing element.

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Where appropriate, the container and/or dispensing portion may also incorporate a temperature indicator and/or a level indicator. Also, when appropriate, the container may be manufactured to a specific shape that would allow an area for a heating and/or cooling element to be housed and/or applied.

Containers according to the invention are particularly suited for the sale of consumable liquids from vending machines. Such vending machines may if desired include heating or cooling elements for bringing the contents of the containers to a desired consumption temperature before sale.

Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention, suitable for containing and subsequently dispensing infant milk formula; Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of the dispensing portion of the carton of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the opening of the dispensing portion of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 3 but showing the dispensing element of the dispensing portion in its protuberant condition with the seal removed; Figure 5 is a vertical section through the dispensing element in its protuberant position; and Figure 6 is an exploded view showing the anchorage of the dispensing element in the dispensing portion of the container.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is illustrated a carton which is pre-filled with a consumable liquid. The carton 10 may be made of waxed or film-coated card folded into a box shape as shown. The outer surface of the card can display a feature, logo or text identifying the contents and may also incorporate a temperature indicator comprising a portion that changes colour when the liquid contents of the carton reach a certain temperature. The carton 10 is pre-filled under aseptic conditions.

On top of the container is provided a dispensing portion 12, the details of which are more fully illustrated in Figures 2-6. The dispensing portion 12 comprises an

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upstanding wall 14 surrounding an opening in the top of the container 10, with a hinged lid 16 sitting over the wall 14 as a snap fit. A metal foil cover 18 is sealed over the top of the wall 14, and can be peeled away to open the container and dispense the contents. Figure 3 illustrates the peeling away of the foil 18.

Beneath the foil 18 there is defined an aseptic sealed volume 20 which receives a collapsed teat 22. The foil compresses the teat 22 into its collapsed condition, but when the foil 18 is removed, the teat 22 springs up into its protuberant condition as illustrated in Figure 4, and is instantly ready to dispense the fluid contents of the container 10.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the assembly of the teat 22 and the dispensing portion 12. The teat 22 is typically made of a soft flexible rubber and the upstanding wall 14 and lid 16 of the dispensing portion 12 are made from injection moulded thermoplastics material.

Preferably the container 10, the dispensing portion 12 and the teat 22 are made of materials that are of a biodegradable or recyclable quality.

Although as illustrated in Figures 1-6 the dispensing element is a teat 22, it will immediately be understood that other dispensing elements, such as straws, nibs or tubes, can similarly be mounted within the dispensing portion 12, so long as they adopt a protuberant condition for dispensing the fluid from the container when the dispensing portion is opened and the seal 18 removed.

Claims (7)

1. A disposable dispensing container for fluids, comprising a fluid-tight container ; a dispensing element secured to the container and movable from a collapsed condition to a protuberant condition, and adapted when in the protuberant condition to dispense fluid from the container ; and a cover biasing the dispensing element into its collapsed condition and sealing the dispensing element in its collapsed condition within a preferably aseptic sealed volume, the cover being removable, and after removal of the cover the dispensing element erecting automatically into its protuberant condition.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing element is a teat, straw, nib or tube.

3. A container according to claim 1, being a container for containing infant milk formula, in which the dispensing element is a rubber teat.

4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing element is self-erecting under its own inherent resilience following removal of the cover.

5. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container and/or dispensing element incorporates a temperature indicator.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container also incorporates a level indicator.

7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover sealing the dispensing element in its collapsed condition is a metal foil cover sealed to an upstanding wall to define therebeneath the aseptic sealed volume.

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8 A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid-tight container is made of waxed or film-coated card.

9 A container according to claim 8 having a box shape.

10 A container substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.