Dispensing device

Abstract

A dispensing device comprises a cap ( 1 ) attachable to a container, the device being configured to dispense a liquid ingredient into the container, the device including at least one plunger ( 13 ) and at least one cylinder. The plunger arranged to slide in a respective cylinder, is substantially hollow having a closed end ( 15 ) and an open end ( 17 ), the open end ( 17 ) having a peripheral edge, and the peripheral edge being adapted such that the surface tension of the liquid in the region of the open end ( 17 ) is disrupted.

1 . A dispensing device comprising a cap attachable to, a container, wherein the device is configured to dispense a liquid ingredient into the container, the device including at least one plunger and at least one cylinder, the at least one plunger being arranged to slide in a respective at least one cylinder, wherein the at least one plunger having a closed end and an open end and a hollow portion forming at least a part of a reservoir for storing said ingredient, and wherein the open end has a peripheral edge, and the peripheral edge is adapted such that the surface tension of the liquid in the region of the open end is disrupted. 
     
     
         2 . A dispensing device comprising a cap attachable to a container, wherein the device is configured to dispense an ingredient, which may be a liquid, into the container, the device including at least two plungers and at least two cylinders, each plunger being arranged to slide in a respective cylinder, each plunger having a closed end and an open end and a hollow portion forming at least a part of a reservoir for storing said ingredient, and wherein the at least two cylinders are sealed by a common seal and wherein the plungers are adapted to break the part of the seal which seals the cylinder with which the plunger slides without compromising the sealing of other cylinder(s). 
     
     
         3 . A dispensing device comprising a cap attachable to a container, wherein the device is configured to dispense an ingredient, which may be a liquid, into the container, the device including at least one plunger and at least one cylinder, the at least one plunger being arranged to slide in a respective at least one cylinder, the at least one plunger having a closed end and an open end and a hollow portion forming at least a part of a reservoir for storing said ingredient, and wherein the plunger includes a first part and a second part and the cylinder includes corresponding first and second parts, and wherein the first part of the plunger is a push fit in the corresponding first part of the cylinder and wherein the outer surface second part of the plunger and the inner surface of the second part of the cylinder are separated by a small gap. 
     
     
         4 . A dispensing device according to any preceding claim  claim 1 , the first part of the cylinder includes a wall having a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . A dispensing device according to  claim 4 , wherein at least the tip of the triangular cross-section wall is deformable. 
     
     
         6 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plunger includes a first part and a second part and the cylinder includes corresponding first and second parts, and wherein the first part of the plunger is a push fit in the corresponding first part of the cylinder and wherein the outer surface second part of the plunger and the inner surface of the second part of the cylinder are separated by a small gap. 
     
     
         7 . A dispensing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the open end has a peripheral edge, and the peripheral edge is adapted such that the surface tension of the liquid in the region of the open end is disrupted. 
     
     
         8 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the open end of the plunger lies at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the plunger, the angle being selected from the group comprising: in the range of 15 to 75 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the plunger, in the range 30 to 60 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the plunger, in the range 40 to 50 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the plunger, and 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the plunger. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two cylinders are comprised by a tube having an outer wall having internal and external surfaces and at least one dividing wall extending radially to the internal surfaces of the outer wall from a point inward of the said internal surfaces of the outer wall. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A dispensing device according to  claim 6 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the first part of the plunger is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second part of the plunger. 
     
     
         19 . A dispensing device according to  claim 6 , wherein the second part of the cylinder includes at least one planar portion. 
     
     
         20 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the open end of the plunger lies at an angle such that the lower edge of the wall adjacent the inner surface of the wall forming the tube is lower than the lower edge of the wall adjacent the dividing wall. 
     
     
         21 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the height of the first part of the plunger extending above the first part of the cylinder, with the device in its pre-dispensing condition, is greater than or equal to the distance between the lower edge of the shortest side of the plunger wall and the seal. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein there is provided at least one element extending upward from a top wall of the cap, the height of the element being greater than or equal to the height of the at least one plunger above the same top wall. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , including a closure member and a locking means adapted to lock the closure member in a closed state. 
     
     
         27 . A dispensing device according to  claim 14 , the element includes a first part of the locking means. 
     
     
         28 . A dispensing device according to  claim 15 , wherein the cap mounts a closure member including a second part of the locking means, the two parts co-operating to lock the closure member in a closed state. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plunger includes a hollow part and a non-hollow part. 
     
     
         32 . A dispensing device according to  claim 18 , wherein the first part of the plunger is non-hollow. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , and a container, the container having an open end, the dispensing device attached to the open end of the container. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled)