FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The claimed invention relates to the field of product packaging schema, and more particularly to a packaging schema for dual component products that need to be isolated one from the other during shipping and handling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a dual component packaging kit that includes at least a shape holding outer container having an internal volume and an external surface. Preferably, the shape holding outer container is configured to accommodate a pair of shape holding inner containers. Preferentially, each of the pair of shape holding inner containers contain a separate and distinct viscous material and the pair of shape holding inner containers remain detached from the shape holding outer containers at all times. With the pair of shape holding inner containers removes from the shape holding outer container, the separate and distinct viscous materials may be poured into the shape holding outer container and mixed together for use.
In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the shape holding inner container includes at least a first interior volume formed by a first hermetically sealed bottom, and a first open top, the first interior volume containing a first viscous material, and a second interior volume attached to the first interior volume. Preferably, the second interior volume is formed by a second hermetically sealed bottom, and a second open top, the second interior volume containing a second viscous material, wherein the first and second viscous material are separate and distinct viscous materials. Additionally featured by the alternate exemplary embodiment is a separation wall disposed between and attached to the first and second interior volumes, the separation wall isolates the first viscous material from the second viscous material.
These and various other features and advantages that characterize the claimed invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon review of the associated drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 displays a view in elevation of an exemplary embodiment of a shape holding outer container.
FIG. 2 provides a cross section view of the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a view in elevation of a flat side of an exemplary embodiment of a shape holding inner container.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 provides a top plan view of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 displays a top plan view of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 5, rotated one hundred and eighty degrees.
FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of a pair of shape holding inner containers of FIG. 3, nested in the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 provides a view in elevation of a side of an alternate exemplary embodiment of a shape holding inner container, the alternate exemplary embodiment includes a pair of volumes sharing a common separation wall that isolates a first viscous material contained in a first of the pair of volumes from a second viscous material contained in the second of the pair of volumes.
FIG. 10 displays a top plan view of the alternate exemplary embodiment of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1, without the lid affixed thereon.
FIG. 12 illustrates the alternate exemplary embodiment of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 9, nested in the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 provides a view in elevation of a side of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a shape holding inner container.
FIG. 14 displays a plan view in cross section of the alternative exemplary embodiment of a shape holding inner container of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 shows a top plan view of the alternative exemplary embodiment of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 13.
FIG. 16 illustrates a cross section view in elevation of the alternative exemplary embodiment of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 provides a partial cut away, cross section view in elevation of a side of the alternative exemplary embodiment of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 14.
FIG. 18 displays the alternative exemplary embodiment of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 13, nested in the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 19 shows a top plan view of the alternative exemplary embodiment of the shape holding inner container of FIG. 13, nested in the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 20 illustrates a view in elevation of the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1, with a liner formed of a flexible polymer disposed therein.
FIG. 21 provides a view in elevation of a non-shape holding inner container, formed from a flexible polymer.
FIG. 22 illustrates a view in elevation of a pair of alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers, each providing a fluid agitation recess.
FIG. 23 provides a view in elevation of a fluid agitation device, which is accommodated by the pair of recesses of the pair of alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers.
FIG. 24 shows a top plan view of a kit that includes the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1, which confines the pair of alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers of FIG. 22, and the fluid agitating device of FIG. 23 nested within a fluid agitation pocket, the fluid agitation pocket is formed by the pair of fluid agitation recesses, when the pair of fluid agitation recesses are directly adjacent one another as a result of the pair of alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers being confined within the shape holding outer container of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will now be made in detail to one or more examples of various embodiments of the present invention depicted in the figures. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the various embodiments of the present invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a different embodiment. Other modifications and variations to the described embodiments are also contemplated within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 displays an exemplary shape holding outer container 100 which includes at least an internal volume 102 and an external surface 104, in which the internal volume 102 of the exemplary shape holding outer container 100 is not less than two liters. A volume of the shape holding outer container 100 of less than two liters leads to an imbalance in the manufacturing process and diminishes the commercial utility of the product. In a preferred embodiment, the shape holding outer container 100 includes a lid 106, a handle 108, and as shown by FIG. 2, a hermetically sealed bottom 110.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a shape holding inner container 112, while FIG. 9 shows an alternate exemplary embodiment of a shape holding inner container 114, and FIG. 13 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of a shape holding inner container 116. Preferably, (with the exception of the alternate embodiment shape holding inner container 114, which includes a pair of substantially equal volumetric cavities (118, 120), that share a common separation wall 122, that isolates a first viscous material 124, from a second viscous material 126, as shown by FIG. 10) the shape holding inner containers are intended to be used in pairs, and preferably, the first viscous material 124 is contained by the first of the pair while the second viscous material 126 is contained by the second of the pair. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the first viscous material 124 and the second viscous material 126 are separate and distinct viscous materials.
Returning to FIG. 1, preferably an open top 103 of the shape holding inner container 100 has an area greater than the area of the hermetically sealed bottom 110. The difference in area between the open top and the sealed bottom of the shape holding outer container 100, promotes ease of entry of the shape holding inner container 112 into the shape holding outer container 100, while the area of the hermetically sealed bottom 110, of the shape holding outer container 100, interacts with the shape holding inner container 112, thereby securing the shape holding inner container 112, within the shape holding outer container 100 for stability of the shape holding inner container 112 during transport of the product.
FIG. 8 shows a pair of the exemplary embodiment of a shape holding inner container 112 nested within the shape holding outer container 100, while FIG. 18 shows a pair of the alternative exemplary embodiment of a shape holding inner container 116 nested within the shape holding outer container 100. In a preferred embodiment, whether a single inner container (114), or a pair of inner containers (112 or 116), the first and second viscous materials (124, 126) are dispensed into the internal volume 102 of the shape holding outer container 100, and mixed together for use. In a further preferred embodiment, a liner 128 (see FIG. 20), formed of a flexible polymer is disposed within the internal volume 102 of the shape holding outer container 100, prior to the mixing together of the first and second viscous materials (124, 126). The first and second viscous materials (124, 126) are then dispensed into the lined shape holding outer container 100 for mixing. In a use environment, such as setting utility poles, following the mixing of the first and second viscous materials (124, 126), the mixture is dispensed into the pole hole, the liner is removed from the shape holding outer container 100 and stuffed down the hole adjacent the pole, and the mixture undergoes a chemical reaction and expands to fill the pole hole while encapsulating the liner 128.
Returning to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment shape holding inner container 112 includes a pressure equalization conduit 130, a spout portion 132, the spout portion 132 is sealed by a cap 134 to assure the viscous material 124, contained within the internal volume 136, of the shape holding inner container 112, remains intact until its appointed use. Preferably, the pressure equalization conduit 130 provides an air passageway into the internal volume 136, by way of a handhold 138. The pressure equalization conduit 130, promotes an even flow of the shape holding inner container 112 while the viscous material 124 is flowing out of the spout portion 132. Further, the shape holding inner container 112 also provides a second handhold 140 in an alternate embodiment. Preferably, the shape holding inner container is formed into the shape of a capital letter “D”, 142, as shown by FIG. 4.
In FIG. 5, the top plan view of the shape holding inner container 112 shows that the pressure equalization conduit 130 provides fluidic communication between the spout portion 132, and the handhold 138. FIG. 6 shows the shape holding inner container 112, of FIG. 5 rotated ninety degrees. The “D” shape of the shape holding inner container 112 promotes the ability of having a pair of shape holding inner containers 112, nested within the shape holding outer container 100 (of FIG. 7), as shown by FIG. 8.
Preferably, the alternative embodiment of the shape holding inner container 114, of FIG. 9, includes a pair of pressure equalization conduits 130, promoting fluidic communication between a pair of spouts 132, and a pair of handholds 138, as shown by FIG. 12. FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of the shape holding outer container 100, without the lid 106 of FIG. 1, is sized to accommodate the alternative embodiment of the shape holding inner container 114, of FIG. 10, nested within the confines of the shape holding outer container 100, as shown by FIG. 12.
FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the shape holding inner container 116, which is preferably configured to be stackable within the shape holding outer container 100, as shown by FIG. 18. In a preferred stackable configuration, the alternative embodiment of the shape holding inner container 116 provides a pressure equalization conduit channel 142, as shown by FIGS. 14 and 17. In the stackable configuration, the pressure equalization conduit 130 (FIG. 15) of a first shape holding inner container 116, nests within the pressure equalization conduit channel 142 of a second shape holding inner container 116, as shown by FIGS. 18 and 19.
FIG. 21 shows another preferred embodiment of an inner container, which is preferably a non-shape holding inner container 144. In a preferred embodiment, the non-shape holding inner container 144 is configured to accommodate the nesting of a pair of non-shape holding inner containers 144 within the shape holding outer container 100. Preferably, the non-shape holding inner container 144 are aligned within the shape holding outer container 100 in a side by side configuration, but may be alternatively stacked one upon the other.
In a preferred embodiment, the non-shape holding inner container 144, includes at least a spout 146 with an integrated fill land 148. The fill land 148, serves to interface with a fill station fixture (not shown), to promote dispensing of the viscous material (selectively either 126 or 124), into the internal volume of the non-shape holding inner container 144. The non-shape holding inner container 144 further preferably includes an integrated handle 150, to facilitate placement in and removal of, the non-shape holding inner container 144 from the interior of the shape holding outer container 100.
FIG. 22, illustrates a view in elevation of a pair of alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers 152. Each of the alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers 152 provides a fluid agitation recess 154.
FIG. 23 provides a view in elevation of a fluid agitation device 156, which is accommodated by the pair of recesses 154, of the pair of alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers 152, when the pair of alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers 152, are positioned adjacent each other to form a fluid agitation pocket 158, of FIG. 24.
FIG. 24 shows a top plan view of a kit that includes the shape holding outer container 100, of FIG. 1, which confines the pair of alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers 152, and the fluid agitating device 156, nested within the fluid agitation pocket 158. The fluid agitation pocket 158, is formed by the pair of fluid agitation recesses 154, when the pair of fluid agitation recesses 154, are directly adjacent one another, as a result of the pair of alternate alternative embodiment shape holding inner containers 152, are being confined within the shape holding outer container 100.
It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present claimed invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending on the particular application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present claimed invention.
It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20180127188
