Patent Application
20210292074
The present invention relates generally to dispensers that can be connected together in order for a user to carry and have access to a plurality of different compounds that are contained within the dispensers.
Advantages provided by connected dispensers for delivering a plurality of different compounds, as compared to over use of a number of different of supply containers in various sizes and shapes as acquired by a user, have been recognized for several years.
Two advantages are elimination of dispenser clutter at the user site, for instance several loose containers in a user's bag, and cost saving. Cost saving can be achieved by purchasing each product in larger, more economical sizes than would be acceptable and then putting the product in one of the connected containers. The smaller connected containers can then be arranged to reduce clutter and save money.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,835, issued on Aug. 21, 2001 to Diane Breidenbach, et al., describes axially aligned, commonly joined dual dispensers. Unlike the present invention, there is no ability to connect the containers side by side, requires a common double ended cap, and does not allow for a unique top for each dispenser.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,191, issued on Oct. 27, 1992 to Jerry A. Douglas, et al., describes a dual bottle container having a dual outlet cap. Unlike the present invention, there is no ability to connect more than two containers, the containers require a common cap in order to remain connected properly, does not allow for connection without the common cap, and does not allow for a unique top for each container.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,568, issued on Jul. 21, 2001 to Paul G. Ringuette, describes a storage and dispenser system. Unlike the present invention, Ringuette does not contemplate the portable use of the connected dispensers and does not allow for a unique top for each container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,276, issued on Sep. 1, 1987 Howard Sussman describes containers for cosmetic sundries. Unlike the present invention, the containers are not removably connected, does not contemplate the portable use of the connected dispensers and does not allow for a unique top for each container.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,426, issued on Jul. 13, 1965 to Lynne E. Brown, describes laterally interlocked containers. Unlike the present invention, the containers can only be joined longitudinally, only rectangular shaped containers can be joined and does not allow for a unique top for each container.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
There are many products that are used together by a user. By way of example, a user may desire to have lipstick, mascara, and lotion at their disposal. These products are generally provided in separate containers, requiring the user to carry at least three separate containers of varying shape and size in a bag. When the user desires to use the products, they have to search around whatever they are carrying the products in to find the right product. A backpacker may desire to have sunscreen, insect repellant and hand sanitizer easily available. Again, these products are generally provided in separate containers. Thus, the user must keep separate bottles together. It is thus desirable to be able to store these related products together so that they may be readily available at the same time. Moreover, each product may be more easily dispensed by a different top, for instance, a pump for sunscreen, a spray for insect repellant and a pour top for hand sanitizer. The means for connecting the bottles must also be convenient and easy. In the prior art, it is required to transversely or longitudinally connect containers using a dovetail approach and then locking the containers together with a single cap. This can be complicated, does not provide for connecting more than two containers, and/or does not allow for the connecting of shapes other than rectangular shapes. It is therefore desirable to provide connecting means for the containers that are simple, allow for the connection of more than two containers and allow for the connection of containers of different shapes.
It may also be desirable to allow for the mixing of components in a connected dispenser system. There are many products on the market that have dissimilar ingredients or components that need to be mixed together prior to use. There are also often times when a user may desire to customize the ingredients they are dispensing. For instance, a user may have a favorite type of lotion but that lotion does not contain sunscreen. The user may desire to add sunscreen to their preferred lotion. In recent years, there has been an increased demand for essential oils. Users may desire to mix different essential oils with a base lotion. However, they may not want to create a large batch of any particular combination of essential oils and lotion or any other combination of two liquids. Or may want to have a higher concentration of an additive in the lotion being dispensed.
Moreover, in many cases, there is a window of time subsequent to the mixing of two liquids in which the product needs to be used. Examples of this type of product are in cosmetics, such as hair coloring or dye, epoxies, glues, resins and the like, and soaps or lotions with fragrance or antibacterial ingredients. In all these cases, separate elements or materials need to be mixed together prior to use. The present invention allows for unique tops for each container, including the use of a top that mixes contents from different containers and including metered mixing.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
The present invention is an improved system of connected dispensers.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a connected dispenser system that is modular.
It is another object of the invention to provide a modular connected dispenser system that is expandable to any number of modules.
It is another object to provide the above system in which the dispensers dispense fluids.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved connected dispenser system where the top of each dispenser is unique and distinct from the other dispenser tops.
It is another object to provide the above system in which the dispensers hold objects.
It is another object to provide the above system in which the dispensers are connected by magnets.
It is another object to provide the above system in which the dispensers are connected with a hook and loop fastener.
It is another object of the invention to provide a multi use container having more than two interlocking bottles which may be readily interlocked and separated from one another without undue effort, but which are effectively interlocked.
It is a further object of the invention to provide mixing of compounds contained within the dispensers, allowing a user to easily change the compound being created by the mixing of the contents of two or more dispensers.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
To the accomplishment of the above and related aspects, the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings, however, are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
As shown in the accompanying drawings, this is an improved system of connected dispensers.
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Because of the unique and novel connecting means used in the present invention,
The description of the invention above should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the disclosed embodiment because those who are skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to devise other equivalent forms thereof within the scope of the invention. Variations and changes, which are obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope and nature of the present invention.
