Mixing head
The reusable mixing head with a flange and cutter addresses the issues of non-reusability and debris in existing mixing heads, enabling efficient and cost-effective distribution of supplemental components for containers.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024559293
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-04-04
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing mixing heads for containers are often non-reusable, prone to leaving debris, and are costly due to single-use components like foil seals and membranes, which also limit recycling and efficient distribution of supplemental components.
A reusable mixing head with an elongate body, a flange for sealing, and a cutter for releasing supplements, featuring multiple openings for efficient mixing and distribution, made from non-corrosive materials like plastic.
The mixing head allows for efficient and cost-effective distribution of supplemental components at a given dilution ratio, promoting better mixing and reducing manufacturing costs by being reusable.
Smart Images
Figure 2025512976000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] FIELD OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to mixheads and, more particularly, to mixheads receivable within an opening of a container to facilitate dispensing of auxiliary ingredients into the container to achieve a predetermined dilution ratio.
[0002] Many different styles of caps, lids, and closures are well documented and described in the prior art.
[0003] This includes tamper-evident closures, caps that seal containers using check valves that utilize the squeezing action of a flexible bottle to create a pressure differential to actuate the valve, and other devices.
[0004] There are also prior art related containers with two compartments separating two ingredients that should be mixed before consumption, but very few are commercially available, mainly due to complex parts, filling difficulties and high manufacturing costs.
[0005] Many of these devices consist of a piercing tip or cutter that pierces or cuts a foil seal, blister pack, or membrane to release one ingredient into a secondary ingredient, usually a tablet, granule, or powder, into the liquid. However, the foil or membrane cannot be reused once damaged, increasing production costs and limiting recycling of the container or cap.
[0006] These types of devices are differentiated by slight differences consisting mainly of the method of actuation of the piercing tip. Whether a piercing tip or a cutter is used to remove the seal between the compartments, there is always a risk of foil fragments or other residues falling into the mixed components that may pass through the system.
[0007] The present invention overcomes many of the drawbacks and further provides a reusable mix head that allows a user to dispense a substance to achieve a predetermined dilution ratio into a supplemental ingredient, such as water. Summary of the Invention
[0008] The present invention provides a mixhead having an elongated body having a first end and an opposite second end, a flange extending circumferentially around the first end to function as a sealing arrangement, and a cutter integrally connected to the body and protruding from the second end, wherein the elongated body has a plurality of opening locations between the first end and the second end.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongate body may be cylindrical in cross section relative to the opening. The cutter may be positioned anywhere between the opening and the second end.
[0010] The second end may be partially closed to promote better mixing.
[0011] The mixhead may be manufactured from any suitable non-corrosive material, such as a plastic material, and may be reusable.
[0012] Each opening may be rectangular, square, or triangular in shape to promote mixing.
[0013] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]
[0014] [Figure 1] 1 shows a top view of a mixhead according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a top view of the mixhead in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] In the following embodiments, individual features shown in relation to a particular embodiment may in fact be interchangeable with other different features present in other embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a mixhead (10) having an elongated body (12) extending between a first end (14) and an opposite second end (16), a flange (18) extending circumferentially around the outer periphery of the first end (14) defining an opening (20) and functioning as a sealing arrangement, and a cutter (22) integrally connected to the body (12) and protruding from near the second end (16), the elongated body (12) having a plurality of openings (24) located between the first end (14) and the second end (16).
[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elongate body (12) is cylindrical in cross section relative to the opening (20).
[0018] In a second embodiment of the present invention, the cutter (22) is located anywhere between the first end (12) and the second end (14).
[0019] The second end (14) is partially closed to promote better mixing.
[0020] The mixhead (10) is manufactured from any suitable non-corrosive material, such as a plastic material, and is reusable.
[0021] Each opening (24) may be rectangular, square, or triangular in shape to promote mixing.
[0022] 2 shows the mixhead 10 in use. Generally, the mixhead 10 is shaped to complement an opening 28 in a mating vessel 30 in which the mixhead 10 will be utilized.
[0023] The mixhead (10) is inserted through an opening in the vessel (30) so that the flange (18) rests on an opening lip (32) that extends around the periphery of the opening (28) of the vessel (30).
[0024] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the flange (18) functions as a sealing arrangement between the cap (34) and the opening (28) of the container (30).
[0025] In use, the supplement contained in a sachet (not shown) is inserted into the mixhead (10) through the opening (20). The cap (34) is secured in a conventional manner. When the cap (34) is closed, the sachet is compressed and cut by the cutter (22), releasing the supplement.
[0026] This allows the supplement mixture to escape through opening (20) and into container (30) at the appropriate concentration.
Claims
1. 1. A mixhead having an elongated body having a first end and an opposite second end, a flange extending circumferentially around the first end and defining an opening and functioning as a sealing arrangement, and a cutter integrally connected to the body and protruding from adjacent the second end, the elongated body having a plurality of openings positioned along its length between the first end and the second end.
2. The mixhead of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is cylindrical in cross section relative to the opening.
3. 3. The mixhead of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cutter is positioned anywhere between the first end and the second end.
4. A mixhead according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second end is partially closed to promote better mixing.
5. A mixhead according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is manufactured from any suitable non-corrosive material, such as a plastic material, and is reusable.
6. A mixhead according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each opening is rectangular, square or triangular in shape to promote mixing.