Patent Application
20150102061
Many compositions are prepared from two or more components which are not mixed together until shortly before use of the compositions. For example, some disinfectant or cleaning compositions include two or more components. In many such cases, at least one of the components can have a reduced chemical stability when diluted or some other reduced shelf-life once combined into the final compositions. Therefore, it can be beneficial to package some compositions as separate components in multi-component systems which can be combined shortly before use. Typically, individual components in a multi-component system are packaged at higher concentration, and then are manually combined in a final combined composition.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Alterations and further modifications of the features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the present technology. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only. The terms are not intended to be unduly limiting unless specified as such.
It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The term “multi-part” when referring to a container or system of the present disclosure is not limited to containers or systems having only two or three parts. For example, a system can have any number of liquids (solutions, suspensions, or dispersions, for example) present in a single system.
The term “colloidal transition metals” refers to colloidal particles of elemental transitional metals or the alloys of such elemental transition metals. Colloidal transition metals are distinct from salts and oxides of transition metals. Accordingly, compounds such as silver oxide, silver nitrate, silver chloride, silver bromide, silver iodide, and the like are not colloidal transition metals.
In describing embodiments of the present disclosure, reference will be made to “first” or “second” as they relate to chambers, compartments, or liquid compositions, etc. It is noted that these are merely relative terms, and a chamber or composition described or shown as a “first” chamber or composition could just as easily be referred to a “second” chamber or composition, and such description is implicitly included herein.
Discussion of liquids or fluids herein does not require that each component be completely liquid. For example, a liquid or fluid can be a solution or even a suspension. Thus, a colloidal metal-containing liquid or fluid is considered to be a liquid or fluid as defined herein.
Concentrations, dimensions, amounts, and other numerical data may be presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, a weight ratio range of about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited limits of about 1 wt % and about 20 wt %, but also to include individual weights such as 2 wt %, 11 wt %, 14 wt %, and sub-ranges such as 10 wt % to 20 wt %, 5 wt % to 15 wt %, etc.
In accordance with these definitions and embodiments of the present disclosure, a discussion of the various systems and methods is provided including details associated therewith. This being stated, it should be noted that various embodiments will be discussed as they relate to the systems and methods. Regardless of the context of the specific details as they are discussed for any one of these embodiments, it is understood that such discussion relates to all other embodiments as well.
The present disclosure is drawn to a multi-chamber container for storing and mixing fluids. The container can include a first chamber configured to contain a first liquid composition as well as a second chamber configured to contain a second liquid composition. A barrier can be operable to retain the first liquid composition within the first chamber. The multi-chamber container can further include a dispenser, such as a sprayer or a foam dispenser, including a nozzle and an extraction tube for extracting fluid from the second chamber as well as a guide channel associated with the first chamber. The guide channel can be configured to guide the extraction tube into the second chamber such that the dispenser comes into contact with the barrier in order to facilitate removal or reconfiguration of the barrier. The dispenser that contacts the barrier can be the extraction tube tip, a shoulder or protrusion on another portion of the dispenser, etc. Thus, this removal of the barrier from the first chamber allows the first liquid composition to contact the second liquid composition. The extraction tube or other dispenser portion can contact and, with force, remove the barrier via forced contact.
In one aspect, the disclosure provides an insert or insert module for mixing multiple fluids in a container. The insert can include a chamber configured to contain a liquid composition having an open bottom, a removable or reconfigurable barrier adapted to close the openable bottom and to retain the liquid composition within the chamber, and a guide channel associated with the chamber adapted to guide an extraction tube past the chamber. The insert can be adapted to be interface with a bottle, e.g., spray bottle or foaming bottle dispenser, and the barrier can be adapted to be removed by the dispenser, e.g., tip of extraction tube, shoulder structure, or other protrusion associated with the dispenser.
In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for facilitating storing and mixing liquids. The method include obtaining a multi-chamber container including a first chamber configured to contain a first liquid composition, a second chamber configured to contain a second liquid composition, a barrier operable to retain the first liquid composition within the first chamber, and a guide channel associated with the first chamber. The method further includes facilitating removal of the barrier by passing an extraction tube through the guide channel and contacting the barrier with the dispenser so as to reconfigure or remove the barrier to cause contact of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition.
Turning now to the FIGS.,
The barrier 130 can separate the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition and can cover an opening on the lower end 112 of the first chamber. In one aspect, the barrier can comprise a stopper, such as shown in
In one aspect, the guide channel 140 can be associated with the first chamber 110 and can function to guide the extraction tube into contact with the barrier 130. The contact of the extraction tube 150 with the barrier can result in removal or reconfiguration of the barrier so as to allow for the first fluid and the second fluid to come into contact. In
The sprayer 160, including extraction tube 150 and spray nozzle 170, can be provided separately from the other components of the multi-chamber container thereby resulting in a multi-chamber container system. In such embodiments, the insert module can be disposed in the second chamber and a cap or lid can seal the opening in which the insert module is disposed. When a user is ready to remove or reconfigure the cap to allow for mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid, the cap or lid can be removed and the extraction tube can be inserted into the guide channel and the barrier removed or reconfigured, thereby allowing mixing of the two fluids. The sprayer component can be threaded or otherwise attached to the second chamber.
The multi-chamber containers, or components thereof, and associated methods of the present disclosure can be used with any multi-part liquid composition or system. The containers are particularly advantageous for multi-part compositions which have limited or shortened stabilities, shelf-lives, or functional time periods once combined. As such, in one aspect of the present disclosure, removing a barrier to facilitate contact of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition can be performed shortly before dispensing the mixed liquids from the second chamber, such as through the sprayer 160. An example of a multi-part system which can be used herein is a multi-part disinfectant composition which, in its final form, can include a composition with an amount of a transition metal, e.g. a colloidal or ionic transition metal, and a peroxygen, e.g., peracids and/or peroxides. The composition could also include other ingredients such as alcohols or other organic co-solvents, or even dispersed particles, such as colloidal metals. Thus, the peroxygen can be separated from the transition metal until mixing, and in one embodiment, or any other two ingredients can remain separate until the mixture is formed, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. It is emphasized, however, that this system is not limited to this particular two part system. Any system where there are two fluids that should remain separate until activation or combination can benefit from the containers of the present disclosure. For example, a system that includes a concentrate in one of the chambers and a diluent (e.g., water, water/alcohol, etc.) in the other container would also benefit from this system. Thus, the “add water” step would occur simply by pushing the plunger. This would be useful if the concentrate was more stable than when diluted. Likewise, many other two part systems could be separated using the containers of the present disclosure.
That being stated, if the two part system is a disinfectant system, in one specific example, the above described disinfectant system can be effectively used to provide disinfection of a wide variety of surfaces. However, when a peracid is used, the peracid component of the composition can have a limited shelf-life, particularly at concentrations that are relatively low. As such, the present disclosure provides an effective means for safely packaging, handling, shipping, storing, and ultimately mixing and dispensing such a composition in a two-component format (at an initial higher concentration) until shortly before use. For example, the above described disinfectant composition could be packaged into a multi-chamber container of the present disclosure such that an aqueous vehicle, including a transition metal (ionic or colloidal) component and/or alcohol or possibly other organic components are placed in the larger second chamber of the container, while a concentrated, and thereby more stable, peracid liquid is placed in the smaller first chamber. By maintaining a somewhat elevated concentration of peracid in the liquid of the first chamber, the peracid has an enhanced stability, and therefore a longer shelf-life. Further, the present disclosure provides for a safe means for packaging such individually separated compositions. Typically, solutions having elevated peracid concentrations are viewed as being hazardous, and therefore, difficult to ship and sell to the public. The multi-chamber containers of the present disclosure would allow for the peracid liquid to be packaged within the first chamber and enclosed within the container for safety. Such a configuration makes the system more safely shipped and stored because any leak from the first chamber would be retained within the container and, if the barrier separating the chambers is removed, safely dispersed and neutralized into the second liquid present in the second chamber. Specific details of one specific type of composition which can be used in the systems of the present inventions are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,675, which is incorporated herein by reference. In another aspect, compositions that can be used include a bleach concentrate with water, paint components, or any other suitable composition applicable to two part chemistries or mixtures.
The configuration of the barrier 130, and the guide channel 140, and the first chamber 110 can be particularly advantageous when the liquid present in the first chamber is a dangerous or hazardous liquid. For example, if the liquid in the first chamber is a concentrated acid, the user does not need to be exposed to the concentrated acid in order to facilitate the mixing of the acid with the liquid in the second chamber 120. The fluid within the first chamber is only exposed to an external environment when the barrier separating the first and second chambers is removed inside the multi-chamber container 100.
It should be recognized that any number of chambers and liquid compositions can be included in a multi-chamber container in accordance with the present disclosure. Moreover, it should be recognized that the channel guide and first chamber configuration can be associated in any arrangement or embodiment disclosed herein.
In some embodiments, the insert module 210 can include an interface portion 260 that can form the upper portion of the insert module and can be associated with an upper region of the first chamber and an upper region of the guide channel. The interface portion can be utilized for interfacing the insert module with a body of the second chamber (not shown here, but shown at 120 of
The barrier/stopper 530 can have a closed end 574, a side wall 575, and an open end (not shown). The side wall can be configured at an angle which allows the open end of the stopper to be wider than the closed end. In one aspect, the closed end of the stopper can be relatively rigid and inflexible and therefore less conducive to radial compression upon contact with the side wall of the opening upon insertion. As the side walls shown in this example are slightly tapered, a tight compression fit keeps the stopper in place until dislodged by the extraction tube.
Turning now to
In foaming dispenser examples, in addition to the disinfectants or other ingredients included in the first or second liquid compositions, additives can be included in the first and/or second chamber that are suitable for facilitating the formation of a foam. Thus, when the foam dispenser is pumped, the (mixed) liquid compositions are pumped up through the extraction tube 650 and mixed with air within the foam dispenser 660 to form and deliver the foam from the foam nozzle 670.
As previously mentioned, the barrier 630 can separate the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition and can cover an opening 612 on the lower end of the first chamber. In one aspect, the barrier can comprise a stopper, such as shown in
In one aspect, the guide channel 640 can be associated with the first chamber 610 and can function to guide the extraction tube into contact with the barrier 630. The contact of the shoulder 680 with the barrier can result in removal or reconfiguration of the barrier so as to allow for the first fluid and the second fluid to come into contact. In
The foam dispenser 660, including an air mixing region (not shown), extraction tube 650, and foam nozzle 670, can be provided separately from the other components of the multi-chamber container, thereby resulting in a multi-chamber container system. In such embodiments, the insert module can be disposed in the second chamber and a cap or lid can seal the opening in which the insert module is disposed. When a user is ready to remove or reconfigure the cap to allow for mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid, the cap or lid can be removed and the extraction tube can be inserted into the guide channel and the barrier removed or reconfigured when contacted with the shoulder, thereby allowing mixing of the two fluids. The foam dispenser can be threaded or otherwise attached to the second chamber for this purpose.
The configuration of the barrier 630, and the guide channel 640, and the first chamber 610 can be particularly advantageous when the liquid present in the first chamber is a dangerous or hazardous liquid. For example, if the liquid in the first chamber is a concentrated acid, the user does not need to be exposed to the concentrated acid in order to facilitate the mixing of the acid with the liquid in the second chamber 620. The fluid within the first chamber is only exposed to an external environment when the barrier separating the first and second chambers is removed inside the multi-chamber container 600. Then, once mixed, the extraction tube 650 can be used to pump the mixed liquid up into the foam dispenser where it is mixed with air to form a foam, and dispensed.
Turning now to
It is noted that the various components and elements of the insert modules set forth in the various embodiments disclosed herein can be formed of a single unitary structure or as one or more individual components assembled and coupled together. For example, a first chamber, the guide channel, and/or the interface portion can be formed separately and can be welded, glued, heat sealed, bonded, adhered, or otherwise coupled together to form the chamber.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and or second chamber can include a vent operable to facilitate venting of the chamber. In one embodiment, the first chamber can include a vent to facilitate venting of the chamber. In one aspect, the vent can comprise a one-way valve to facilitate the escape of gas from the first chamber without allowing for the escape of liquid from the first chamber. In another aspect, the vent can be configured to facilitate draining of the first chamber when the barrier is displaced, reconfigured, or removed. The vent can be of any suitable type or configuration, such as comprising a gas permeable barrier and/or a valve.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for facilitating storing and mixing liquids is also disclosed. The method includes obtaining a multi-chamber container including a first chamber configured to contain a first liquid composition, a second chamber configured to contain a second liquid composition, a barrier operable to retain the first liquid composition within the first chamber and a guide channel associated with the first chamber. The method further includes facilitating removal of the barrier by passing an extraction tube through the guide channel and contacting the barrier so as to reconfigure or remove the barrier to cause contact of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition.
It is to be understood that the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example,” etc. means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
While the foregoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
