Container closure for a container

Abstract

An aspect of the invention provides a container closure for a container comprising a body portion having a first end configured for attachment to a container and a second end configured to allow content of the container to exit the container closure, a reservoir positioned within the body portion between the first and second ends thereof and an actuable seal that is moveable between a first configuration in which the reservoir is sealed and a second configuration in which the actuable seal is moved in the direction of the second end of the body portion to create a gap between the actuable seal and second end of the body portion, wherein the actuable seal is moveable between the first configuration and second configuration by a plunger extending from the first end of the body portion to the second end of the body portion and wherein the actuable seal engages a surface of the reservoir when in the first configuration.

1 . A container closure for a container comprising a body portion having a first end configured for attachment to a container and a second end configured to allow content of the container to exit the container closure, a reservoir positioned within the body portion between the first and second ends thereof and an actuable seal that is moveable between a first configuration in which the reservoir is sealed and a second configuration in which the actuable seal is moved in the direction of the second end of the body portion to create a gap between the actuable seal and second end of the body portion, wherein the actuable seal is moveable between the first configuration and second configuration by a plunger extending from the first end of the body portion to the second end of the body portion and wherein the actuable seal engages a surface of the reservoir when in the first configuration. 
     
     
         2 . A container closure for a container according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuable seal and plunger define a single, unitary component. 
     
     
         3 . A container closure for a container according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuable seal and plunger define separate components. 
     
     
         4 . A container closure for a container according to  claim 3 , wherein the actuable seal comprises a well for receiving a part of the plunger and either the well or the plunger comprises a projection cooperable with a detent in the other of the well or plunger. 
     
     
         5 . A container closure for a container according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises an internal annular surface and the actuable seal comprises an external annular surface such that a sealing arrangement is defined therebetween when the actuable seal is in the first configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A container closure for a container according to  claim 5 , wherein the second end of the body portion comprises an abutment surface and the actuable seal comprises an annular projection extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the container closure such that the annular projection abuts the abutment surface when the actuable seal is in the first configuration. 
     
     
         7 . A container closure for a container according to  claim 6  further comprising a mouthpiece at the first end of the body portion, the mouthpiece receiving a part of the plunger such that when the actuable seal is in the first configuration a part of the plunger protrudes upwardly from the mouthpiece and is depressed by a user when the actuable seal is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         8 . A container closure for a container according to  claim 8 , wherein the mouthpiece surrounds a hollow shaft extending upwardly from the reservoir and the hollow shaft defines a tube to receive a part of the plunger such that the plunger is moved substantially longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container closure when the actuable seal is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A container closure for a container according to  claim 8 , wherein the plunger comprises an annular projection that is cooperable with an internal surface of the hollow shaft to define a seal therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . A container closure for a container according to  claim 5 , wherein the actuable seal is profiled to define an obtuse angle between the actuable seal and the plunger. 
     
     
         11 . A container comprising a body portion having a first end upon which the container is supported and a second end defining attachment means for attachment of a container closure; and a container closure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A method of assembling a container closure, the method comprising: providing a container closure according to  claim 1 ; filling the reservoir with content and inserting the seal into the reservoir from the first end of the body portion until the seal makes contact with an abutment surface of the body portion, wherein the seal defines two sealing points: i) between the perimeter of the seal and an internal surface of the reservoir; and ii) between an engagement surface of the seal and the abutment surface of the body portion.