Housing for a dispensing capsule

Abstract

A housing 100 for releasably retaining a dispensing capsule 102 comprises a capsule-receiving region having a first, closed end and a second, open end; a housing end for closing the closed end of the

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a housing for a dispensing capsule. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a housing for releasably retaining a dispensing capsule of a type that contains one or more liquids sealed in one or more chambers. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Many liquid preparations include active ingredients which degrade over time, limiting product shelf life. This is particularly true for disinfectants or sterilising agents such as chlorine dioxide, where the active ingredient is formed in situ when required by mixing two reagents. Examples are disclosed in WO 2005 / 011756. Chlorine dioxide, for example, may be formed by mixing a chlorite solution and an acid. WO 2017 / 060677 discloses a dispensing capsule suitable for storing the two reagents of a two-part disinfectant composition and dispensing the reagents for mixing at the point of use in a way that limits a user’s contact with the reagents and the resulting composition, and so that the disinfectant composition can be prepared easily whilst wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment. The dispensing capsule disclosed in WO 2017 / 060677 has a body that provides two chambers or cavities, separated from one another by a partition. Each chamber is defined by a collapsible wall and has an opening at a first end of the body of the capsule. At a second end, opposite the first end, a closed end of each chamber carries a burst pin that extends towards the first end. A peripheral wall extends around the periphery of the first end of the body. A flexible seal is bonded to the peripheral wall and to the partition to seal each of the first and second chambers. The contents of the capsule can be dispensed by applying a force to the collapsible walls from the second end of the capsule to increase the pressure in the chambers, and a suitable mechanism (such as a plunger or lever) can be provided to apply the force. This may cause the seal to detach from the partition and / or the peripheral wall, and subsequently the burst pins contact the seal and help to break the bond between the seal and the peripheral wall and / or to rupture the seal, releasing the contents of the capsule. Capsules of the type described in WO 2017 / 060677, and other similar dispensing capsules that contain one or more liquids or other flowable materials, require care during storage, transport and handling to avoid damage to the capsule. In particular, the flexible seal can be vulnerable to mechanical damage either directly, or through a mechanical shock or impact to the capsule body that causes the seal to break or become detached. Failure of the seal can lead to leakage of the contents, and / or to premature mixing of the contents where the capsule contains two or more reagents. Leakage and / or premature mixing may be particularly undesirable where the capsule contains concentrated reagents that react to form a powerful disinfectant composition, since the reagents and / or the resulting composition may be unsuitable for skin contact without due precautions. Against that background, it would be desirable to provide means for protecting a dispensing capsule during transport, storage and handling. It would also be desirable to provide means for protecting a dispensing capsule that allows for easy handling of the capsule whilst wearing protective gloves. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects of the invention are specified in the independent claims. Preferred features are specified in the dependent claims. In a first aspect, the invention provides a housing for releasably retaining a dispensing capsule, the capsule having a capsule body defining at least one chamber and a sealing element for closing a dispensing end of the chamber. The housing comprises a capsule-receiving region having a first, closed end and a second, open end, a housing end for closing the closed end of the capsule-receiving region, and a housing side extending from the housing end to the open end of the capsule-receiving region. The housing further comprises at least one retaining element arranged to engage the capsule when the capsule is received in the capsule-receiving region in use, the or each retaining element being operable to disengage from the capsule. The housing end comprises at least one press region operable to be displaced into the capsule-receiving region for ejecting the capsule from the capsule-receiving region. With this arrangement, a housing is provided that can protect a dispensing capsule during transport, storage and handling. The capsule can be securely retained in the capsule-receiving region by the retaining elements, and when it is desired to remove the capsule from the housing, a user can operate the retaining elements and the press regions to eject the capsule without difficulty. Preferably, the housing side comprises the or each retaining element. For example, the housing side may comprise at least one housing side wall, and the or each retaining element may be integral with the housing side wall or one of the housing side walls. The at least one retaining element may comprise a capsule-engaging projection extending into the capsule-receiving region. The projection may be disposed adjacent to the second end of the capsule-receiving region, for example at a free end of the retaining element. The capsule-engaging projection may comprise a 02 07 25 first side disposed generally parallel to and facing the housing end, and / or an opposite second side with a bevelled edge. With these arrangements, the capsule can pass into the capsule-receiving region by riding across the bevelled edge of the second side of the projection, thereby displacing the projection away from the 5 capsule-receiving region. The first side of the projection may serve to prevent or limit movement of the capsule out of the capsule-receiving region after insertion. The or each retaining element may be moveable to retract the capsule-engaging projection from the capsule-receiving region, thereby to disengage the retaining 10 element from the capsule. The or each retaining element may be resiliently displaceable upon operation of the retaining element to disengage from the capsule. For example, the housing side and / or the or each retaining element may be flexible. To this end, the housing 15 may be made of a resiliently deformable material, such as a thermoplastic. Conveniently, when the housing side comprises the or each retaining element and the housing is formed from a resiliently deformable material, the housing may be manufactured as a single moulding. 20 Preferably, at least two retaining elements are be provided. In this case, a first one of the retaining elements and a second one of the retaining elements may be disposed on opposite sides of the capsule-receiving region. In this way, a user can operate the first retaining element with one hand and the second retaining element with the other hand. In one example, the housing has a circular cross-section, and 25 the first and second retaining elements are disposed diametrically opposite one another. Said another way, the first and second retaining elements may be disposed with an angular spacing of 180°. In other examples, the first and second retaining elements may be disposed with a different angular spacing, for example of at least 90°. 30 The or each press region is defined at least in part by a cut-out in the housing end. The or each press region may comprise a tab formed in the housing end. One end of the tab may be connected to the housing end, with a free end of the tab being displaceable into the capsule-retaining region by a user pushing the tab. Preferably, at least two press regions are provided, with a first one of the press regions and a second one of the press regions being disposed on opposite sides of the capsule-receiving region. Advantageously, the or each of the press regions may be generally aligned with the or a corresponding one of the retaining elements. In this way, the or each press region can be operated by a user’s thumb, while the aligned retaining element can be operated by one or more fingers of the same hand. In one example, the housing comprises at least two retaining elements, a first one of the press regions is aligned with a first one of the retaining elements and a second one of the press regions is aligned with a second one of the retaining elements. The housing may comprise an orientation feature, such as an orientation flat, for orienting the housing with respect to the capsule when the capsule is inserted into the capsule-receiving region in use. For instance, during assembly, the orientation feature of the housing may be aligned with an orientation feature provided on the capsule. The housing side may comprise a shoulder in the capsule-receiving region to provide an insertion stop for the capsule. Preferably, the shoulder is spaced from the housing end such that, when a capsule is received in the capsule-receiving region, the sealing element of the capsule is spaced apart from the housing end. In this way, a cavity between the sealing element and the housing end may be provided, in which an insert can be disposed. The housing end may comprise a rim which extends away from the capsule-receiving region. The rim may be arranged to locate in a second end of an adjacent capsule opposite the dispensing end of the adjacent capsule. With this arrangement, the housing can be stacked stably upon or otherwise with a capsule housed in an adjacent housing. Alternatively, or in addition, the housing end may comprise a support face for abutting the second end of an adjacent capsule. A second aspect of the invention provides, in combination, a capsule having a capsule body defining at least one chamber, a sealing element for closing a dispensing end of the chamber, and a housing according to the first aspect for releasably retaining the capsule. The combination may further comprise an insert for insertion between the sealing element of the capsule and the housing end of the housing. The insert may for example contain information about the capsule, such as written and / or pictorial instructions on the usage of the capsule and may also serve to reduce further the risk of damage to the sealing element. The capsule body may comprise at least one support region for the sealing element, in which case the or each press region may be arranged to press against a respective support region upon operation of the or each press region. In this way, the press regions can press against a rigid part of the capsule body, rather than against the sealing element. For example, the capsule may comprise at least two chambers, and the or each support region may comprise a partition between the chambers. The or each press region may press against the respective support element directly or, when an insert is present, the or each press region may press against the insert, which in turn presses against the support region. The capsule may comprise an orientation feature which can be used, optionally along with an orientation feature of the housing, to ensure a suitable alignment of the or each press region with the respective support element. The capsule-receiving region may be sized such that the housing side extends beyond the capsule, thereby to provide a degree of protection to the second end of the capsule. In a third aspect, the invention extends to a capsule assembly, comprising the combination of the second aspect of the invention in which the capsule is received in the capsule-receiving region. Preferably, two or more capsule assemblies can be stacked together in such a way that the capsules remain protected and shielded from forces applied by adjacent capsule assemblies. For example, when the housing side provides a shoulder and the housing end 5 comprises a rim, two or more adjacent capsule assemblies may be stacked together with the housing end of the housing of a first assembly engaged with the capsule of the adjacent second assembly. With this arrangement, the mechanical load of the first assembly may be transferred through the capsule body in the second assembly to the shoulder of the housing side in the second assembly, 10 such that no load is transferred to the sealing element of the capsule. When the capsule bodies comprise an outer wall and one or more chambers with collapsible walls, in the stacked configuration the load may be borne by the outer walls, and not by the collapsible walls. 15 Preferred and / or optional features of each aspect and embodiment of the invention may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and embodiments also. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs are used for like features, and in which: Figure 1 shows a capsule, a housing and an insert of a capsule assembly; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a housing for use in the capsule assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3A is a side view and Figure 3B is a side cross-section of the housing of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an end view of the housing of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the capsule of the capsule assembly of Figure 1; Figure 6 is another end view of the housing of Figure 2, showing the orientation of the housing with respect to the capsule; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the capsule of Figure 5 in the housing of Figure 2, forming a capsule assembly; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the capsule assembly of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of two stacked capsule assemblies of the type shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the two stacked capsule assemblies shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a perspective view of two stacked empty housings of the type shown in Figure 2; and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the two stacked empty housings shown in Figure 11. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows a housing 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, together with a dispensing capsule 102 and an insert 104. The housing 100, capsule 102 and insert 104 are shown in a separated configuration in Figure 1. The housing 100 is arranged to releasably retain the capsule 102 and the insert 104, so that the capsule 102 can be protected during storage, transport and handling. As will be explained in more detail below, the housing 100 includes retaining elements 106 to retain the capsule 102 in the housing 100, and press regions 108 that can be operated cooperatively with the retaining elements 106 to allow the capsule 102 to be ejected from the housing 100 in use. Referring additionally to Figures 2, 3A and 3B, the housing 100 is generally cup shaped, with a closed housing end 110 provided by a generally circular end wall 112 having a raised annular rim 114, and a housing side provided by a generally annular side wall 118 that extends generally perpendicularly from the end wall 112 towards an open end 120 of the housing 100. A volume bounded by the end wall 112 and the side wall 118 provides a capsule-receiving region 121 of the housing 100 (see Figures 1 and 3B). The capsule 102 can be inserted into and ejected from the capsule-receiving region 121 through the open end 120 of the housing 100. The side wall 118 has a first section 122 that extends from the annular rim 114 towards a step 124, and a second section 126 that extends from the step 124 to the open end 120 of the housing 100. Both sections 122, 126 of the side wall 118 are frustoconical and taper inwardly toward the end wall 112, with the second section 126 having a larger angle of taper than the first section 122. In the illustrated example, the taper angle of the first section 122 is small, so that the first section 122 is almost cylindrical. Two retaining elements 106 are provided in the second section 126 of the side wall 118. The retaining elements 106 are disposed diametrically opposite one another on the side wall 118. Each retaining element 106 is connected to the first section 122 of the side wall 118 at the step 124. Two slots 128 extend through the second section 126 of the side wall 118 from the open end 120 of the housing 100 to the step 124 to separate each retaining element 106 from the adjacent side wall 118. In this way, each retaining element 106 has a free end 130 that can be flexed outwardly with respect to the side wall 118, for example by pulling the free ends 130 of the retaining elements 106 away from one another. The retaining elements 106 include thickened stiffening regions 132 (Figure 2) to avoid unintentional and / or excessive flexing. The housing 100 is of a suitably flexible material, such as a resiliently deformable polymer, for example polypropylene (PP). As can be seen most clearly in Figure 3B, each retaining element 106 comprises a projection 134 adjacent to its free end 130. As will be described in more detail below, the projections 134 cooperate with the capsule 102 in use to retain the capsule 102 in the capsule-receiving region 121. Each projection 134 extends laterally inwards into the capsule-receiving region 121 and comprises a first side 136 that is generally parallel to and facing toward the housing end 110, and an opposite second side 138 facing away from the housing end 110 and having a bevelled edge. The housing end 110 further comprises two press regions 108, most clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4. Each press region 108 is a tab formed in the end wall 112 of the housing 100. Each press region 108 is separated from the adjacent part of the end wall 112 by a generally U-shaped slot or cut-out 113, so that an attached end of each press region 108 is connected to the end wall 112 adjacent the annular rim 114. An opposite free end 142 of each tab extends towards the centre of the end wall 112, with the press regions 108 being disposed diametrically opposite one another in this example. By pushing the press regions 108 towards the open end 120 of the housing 100, the free ends 142 of the press regions 108 can be bent or flexed inwardly into the capsule-receiving region 121 to disengage the capsule 102, as will be described in more detail below. As shown most clearly in Figure 3B, a portion 143 of the first section 122 of the side wall 118 adjacent the housing end 110 is thickened to reduce the inside diameter of the capsule-receiving region 121 at the thickened portion 143. In this way, a shoulder 144 is provided that extends around the inside of the first section 122 of the side wall 118. The outside of the thickened portion 143 is notched to provide a crenulated band 146 that extends around the perimeter of the housing 100 adjacent the annular rim 114, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3A and 4. The crenulated band 146 provides a scalloped face 147, most clearly visible in Figures 2 and 4, that is parallel with the end wall 112, but is positioned further from the open end of the housing than the end wall 112 (see Figure 3B). The crenulated band 146 is flattened on opposite sides to provide a pair of housing orientation flats 148, positioned at 90° to the retaining elements 106 and press regions 108. Referring back to Figure 1 and also to Figure 5, which is another view of the capsule 102 of Figure 1 showing a first, dispensing end 150 of the capsule 102, the capsule 102 comprises a capsule body 152 and a sealing element (not shown). In this example, the capsule 102 is of the type described in WO 2017 / 060677, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The capsule body 152 has two chambers 154, separated from one another by a dividing partition 156 that extends diametrically across the dispensing end 150. Each chamber 154 is defined by a respective collapsible wall 158 and has an opening at the dispensing end 150 of the capsule 102. Each chamber 154 is closed at a second end 105 of the capsule 102. The capsule body 152 includes a peripheral wall 162 that extends away from the dispensing end 150 of the capsule 102 and terminates with an outwardly-extending flange 164 at the second end 105 of the capsule 102. The flange 164 includes two flattened portions 166 to provide a pair of capsule orientation flats 166 arranged at 90° to the dividing partition 156. The peripheral wall 162 is stepped to provide a shoulder ridge 168 that projects towards the dispensing end 150 of the capsule 102. The sealing element (not shown), which for example may be a flexible sheet material such as a plastic film or a metal foil, is bonded to the capsule body 152 at the dispensing end 150 to seal each of the first and second chambers 154 after filling. The capsule 102 may include burst pins (not shown) that extend from the base of each cavity towards the sealing element. Referring back to Figure 1, the insert 104 comprises a sheet material, which may, for example, be a paper or card material. In the illustrated example, the insert 104 has a circular shape, although any suitable shape may be used. The insert 104 may be folded or in booklet form. The insert 104 may provide information such as product identification and information, instructions, batch numbers and warnings. The information may be in the form of text, graphics, machine-readable code, RFID or bar codes matrix codes, or any suitable alternative form. For some applications, the insert may be omitted. During insertion of the capsule 102 into the housing 100, the capsule 102 is oriented so that the dispensing end 150 of the capsule 102 enters the capsule-receiving region 121 first, and so that the dividing partition 156 is aligned with the press regions 108 of the housing 100. In this way, the dividing partition 156 underlies the press regions 108 when the capsule 102 is in place in the capsule-receiving region 121, as shown schematically in Figure 6 in which the position of the dividing partition 156 is indicated at DP. During insertion of the capsule 102, the capsule orientation flats 166 and the housing orientation flats 148 can be used to facilitate the alignment. Figures 7 and 8 show the housing 100 with the capsule 102 inserted, with the dispensing end 150 of the capsule 102 towards the housing end 110 of the housing 100, and with the insert 104 disposed between the dispensing end 150 of the capsule 102 and the housing end 110. In this inserted configuration, the capsule 102, insert 104 and housing 100 together form capsule assembly 103. During insertion, the capsule 102 passes through the open end 120 of the housing 100 into the capsule-receiving region 121 by riding over the bevelled edge of the second side 138 of the projection 134 of each retaining element 106, thereby displacing the projection 134 and its respective retaining element 106 away from the capsule-receiving region 121. Once inserted, the retaining elements 106 return towards their original positions and the first side 136 of each projection 134 locates over the flange 164 of the capsule 102 to prevent or limit movement of the capsule 102 out of the capsule-receiving region 121, as shown most clearly in Figure 7. The retaining elements 106 therefore act as clips to secure the capsule 102 in the capsule-receiving region 121. As can be seen in Figure 8, when fully inserted, the shoulder ridge 168 of the capsule 102 abuts the shoulder 144 in the capsule-receiving region 121. In this way, the shoulder 144 in the capsule-receiving region 121 provides an insertion stop for the capsule 102. With the shoulder ridge 168 of the capsule 102 in place against the shoulder 144 of the capsule-receiving region 121, the dispensing end 150 of the capsule 102 and the attached sealing element are spaced apart from the end wall 112 of the housing 100, providing a space in which the insert 104, when present, can be accommodated. This space (and the insert 104, when present) protects the sealing element and the capsule 102 from damage, which could result in undesired spillage, leakage, or pre-mixing of reagents. Similarly, the side wall 118 of the housing 100 extends beyond the capsule 102 at the open end 120 of the housing 100, providing a degree of protection to the second end 105 of the capsule 102. The capsule assembly 103 formed by the housing 100 with the inserted capsule 102 and the insert 104, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, can be stored, transported and handled with considerable reduction in the risk of damage to the capsule 102. When required, the capsule 102 can be ejected from the housing 100 by operating the retaining elements 106 and the press regions 108 simultaneously or in sequence. To eject the capsule 102, the user pulls or flexes each retaining element 106 outwardly away from the capsule-receiving region 121 to disengage the projections 106 from the capsule 102. Ejection of the capsule 102 is encouraged by the user pushing the press regions 108 into the capsule-receiving region 121, so that the press regions 108 press against the insert 104 and the underlying dividing partition 156 of the capsule 102 and force the capsule 102 from the open end 120 of the housing 100. By orienting the capsule 102 so that the press regions 108 overlie the dividing partition 156, the force applied by the press regions 108 is not borne by the sealing element of the capsule 102. The positions and relative orientations of the retaining elements 106 and the press regions 108 in the illustrated embodiment are advantageous, since they allow a user to operate one of the retaining elements 106 and the aligned press region 108 with one hand, and the other retaining element 106 and aligned press region 108 with the other hand. For example, the user may grip the housing 100 with the tips of one or more fingers on each hand gripping the free ends 130 of the retaining elements 106 and position their thumbs on the press regions 108, allowing simultaneous or near-simultaneous operation of the retaining elements 106 and the press regions 108. In this way, it is easy to eject the capsule 102 from the housing 100 whilst wearing gloves or other personal protective equipment. The features of the housing 100 allow for two or more capsule assemblies 103 as shown in Figures 7 and 8 to be stacked together for storage and transport. Figures 9 and 10 show a first capsule assembly 103A, with a first housing 100A and a first capsule 102A (with other like features as in the previous figures indicated by the same reference numerals with the suffix “A”), stacked with a second capsule assembly 103B, with a second housing 100B and a second capsule 102B (with other like features as in the previous figures indicated by the same reference numerals with the suffix “B”). As shown most clearly shown in Figure 10, when stacked, the annular rim 114A of the first housing 100A locates into the second end 105B of the second capsule 102B, with the annular rim 114A of the first housing 100A disposed between the peripheral wall 162B and the closed ends of the collapsible walls 158B of the second capsule 102B. The scalloped face 147A of the crenulated band 146A of the first housing 100A abuts the flange 164B at the second end 105B of the second capsule 102B, so that the scalloped face 147A acts as a support face in the stacked configuration. Because the end wall 112A of the first housing 100A is recessed relative to the scalloped face 147A, there is a clearance between the end wall 112A of the first housing 100A and the closed ends of the chambers of the second capsule 102B. In this way, no force is applied to the collapsible walls 158B of the second capsule 102B by the first housing 100A. Instead, any load from the first capsule assembly 103A is transferred through the peripheral wall 162B of the second capsule 102B to the shoulder 144B of the housing side of the second housing 100B. Together with the protection afforded to the sealing elements of the capsules 102 by the relative positions of the end wall 112 and the shoulder 144 of each housing 100, when stacked in this way the capsules 102 are substantially protected from damage. Two or more empty housings 100A, 100B may also be stacked as shown in Figures 11 and 12, for example to provide compact storage after manufacture and / or after use (again, the suffixes “A” and “B” are used in Figures 11 and 12 to denote like features of the first housing 100A and the second housing 100B, respectively). In this configuration, the scalloped face 147A (see Figure 12) of a first housing 100A abuts the step 124B between the first and second sections 122B, 126B of the side wall of a second housing 100B. This abutment stops the retaining element 106B of the second housing 100B from riding over the retaining element 106A of the first housing 100A, and therefore reduces the risk of damage to the retaining elements 106. Several modifications and variations of the above-described embodiments are possible. For example, although the illustrated example shows a capsule 102 and a housing 100 with a circular cross-section, the housing and / or the capsule may have other shapes. For instance, the housing and / or the capsule may have a square, rectangular or polygonal cross-section. The housing and the capsule need not have the same cross-sectional shape. It would be possible, as just one example, to provide a polygonal housing for a circular-section capsule. The appearance of the housing may differ in other ways from that illustrated. For example, the crenulated band may be replaced with a non-crenulated region, in which case an annular support face may be present in place of the scalloped face. While in the illustrated example a pair of retaining elements 106 and an aligned pair of press regions 108 are provided, it is possible to provide only one retaining element and / or only one press region, or to provide three or more retaining elements and / or three or more press regions, The number of press regions may differ from the number of retaining elements. When the housing has a circular cross-section, and a pair of retaining elements and a pair of press regions are provided, the retaining elements and the press regions of each pair may be disposed with an angular spacing of 180°, as illustrated. In other cases, the retaining elements and / or the press regions may be disposed with a different angular spacing, for example of at least 90°. While it is preferable that each press region is aligned with a corresponding retaining element, this need not always be the case. The retaining elements and press regions may take any suitable form. In the illustrated example, the or each retaining element 106 acts as a clip that can be flexed outwardly to release the capsule 102. In other examples, the retaining elements could be attached to the housing side at a hinge or along a breakable line, so that the retaining elements are operated by bending the hinge or breaking the retaining element to release the capsule. Where the retaining elements are defined by slots in the side wall, the retaining elements could be partially attached to the side wall with breakable sprues or the like that extend across the slots, which can be broken upon operation of the retaining elements. The or each press region may be defined by a line of weakness, e.g., a scored line or a line of perforations, such that the operation of the press region causes the press regions to partially or wholly break away from the housing end to allow the press region to move into the capsule-receiving region. Conveniently, the or each press region is sized to be operated by a user’s thumb, and may accordingly have an area of at least 1 cm2, or of at least 1.5 cm2. In other cases, the or each press region may be sized to be operated by a suitable tool. 5 In cases where the capsule comprises two or more chambers, the or each dividing partition between the chambers provides a support region against which the press regions can bear when the capsule is suitably aligned with the housing. In cases where the capsule comprises a single chamber (not shown), the capsule may 10 comprise a support region, for example formed by a part of the capsule body that extends into but not wholly across the chamber at the dispensing end, and the or each press region may bear against this support region. In some cases, the sealing element and / or, when present, the insert, may be sufficiently strong that the press regions need not be aligned with a support region of the capsule. 15 Further modifications and variations not explicitly described above can also be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 02 07 25

Claims

1. A housing for releasably retaining a dispensing capsule, the capsule having a capsule body defining at least one chamber and a sealing element for5 closing a dispensing end of the chamber, the housing comprising:- a capsule-receiving region having a first, closed end and a second, open end;- a housing end for closing the closed end of the capsule-receiving region; and10 - a housing side extending from the housing end to the open end ofthe capsule-receiving region;wherein the housing further comprises at least one retaining element arranged to engage the capsule when the capsule is received in the capsule-receiving region in use, the or each retaining element being15 operable to disengage from the capsule;and wherein the housing end comprises at least one press region operable to be displaced into the capsule-receiving region for ejecting the capsule from the capsule-receiving region;wherein the or each press region is defined at least in part by a cut-20 out in the housing end.

2. The housing of Claim 1, wherein the housing side comprises the or each retaining element.25 3. The housing of Claim 2, wherein the housing side comprises at least onehousing side wall, and the or each retaining element is integral with the or one of the housing side walls.

4. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one retaining30 element comprises a capsule-engaging projection extending into thecapsule-receiving region.

5. The housing of Claim 4, wherein the capsule-engaging projection02 07 25comprises a first side disposed generally parallel to and facing the housing end, and an opposite second side having a bevelled edge.

6. The housing of Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the or each retaining element is 5 moveable to retract the capsule-engaging projection from the capsulereceiving region, thereby to disengage the retaining element from the capsule.

7. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein the or each retaining element 10 is resiliently displaceable upon operation of the retaining element todisengage from the capsule.

8. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein at least two retaining elements are provided, with a first one of the retaining elements and a 15 second one of the retaining elements being disposed on opposite sides ofthe capsule-receiving region.

9. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein the or each press region comprises a tab formed in the housing end.2010. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein at least two press regions are provided, with a first one of the press regions and a second one of the press regions being disposed on opposite sides of the capsule-receiving region.2511. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein the or each of the press regions is generally aligned with the or a corresponding one of the retaining elements.30 12. The housing of Claim 11 when dependent on Claim 10 and comprising atleast two retaining elements, wherein the first one of the press regions is aligned with a first one of the retaining elements, and the second one of the press regions is aligned with a second one of the retaining elements.02 07 2513. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises an orientation feature for orienting the housing with respect to the capsule when the capsule is inserted into the capsule-receiving region in use.

514. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein the housing side comprises a shoulder in the capsule-receiving region to provide an insertion stop for the capsule.10 15. The housing of Claim 14, wherein the shoulder is spaced from the housingend such that, when a capsule is received in the capsule-receiving region, the sealing element of the capsule is spaced apart from the housing end.

16. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein the housing end comprises a 15 rim extending away from the capsule-receiving region, the rim beingarranged to locate in a second end of an adjacent capsule opposite the dispensing end of the adjacent capsule.

17. The housing of Claim 16, wherein the housing end further comprises a 20 support face for abutting the second end of the adjacent capsule.

18. In combination, a capsule having a capsule body defining at least one chamber and a sealing element for closing a dispensing end of the chamber, and a housing according to any preceding claim for releasably 25 retaining the capsule.

19. The combination of Claim 18, further comprising an insert for insertion between the sealing element of the capsule and the housing end of the housing.3020. The combination of Claim 18 or Claim 19, wherein the capsule body comprises at least one support region for the sealing element, and wherein the or each press region is arranged to press against a respective supportregion upon operation of the or each press region.

21. The combination of Claim 20, wherein the capsule comprises at least two chambers, and wherein the or each support region comprises a partition5 between the chambers.

22. A capsule assembly, comprising the combination of any of Claims 18 to 21, wherein the capsule is received in the capsule-receiving region.02 07 25

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