Sachets, also known as pouches or packets, are known in the art. Sachets are small packets that are used for supplying small doses of a product. These are used to dispense single or a small number of doses of adhesives, lubricants, medicines, cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, lotions or dentifrices, and the like. In some instances a single dose is a sample amount. Thus, in some instances the sachets will be used to deliver a single dose of a single substance. However, in other instances they will be used to dispense doses of two different substances. In an example, two or more different substances may each be stored in a single sachet that keeps the substances separate. Accordingly, dual chamber, or multi-chamber sachets are provided for storing different substances.
In instances of delivery of two different substances, sometimes these substances must be delivered substantially uniformly. That is, each of the substances should be dispensed in about equal amounts. This is needed for the effective use of the substances being dispensed. Meanwhile, in some instances, the substances include components that are reactive and must be dispensed separately, such as in a certain reactive ratio, for mixing after dispensing. Some medications also must be used in a certain or specific ratio. The same is the case for a dentifrice that is comprised of two reactive or non-compatible components, for example, a tooth-whitening component and a coloring component. These types of substances need sachets that not only keep their respective components separate, for example, during storage (e.g., before use), but that also reliably dispense the components from each sachet or chamber in substantially uniform and/or predetermined amounts or proportions. However, conventional sachets do not provide for the contents therein to be segregated from each other during storage and then dispensed in a usable, predetermined, ratio as a mixture. An improved sachet that overcomes the limitations of conventional sachets would be a welcome addition to the art.
In an embodiment, there is a product dispenser that may be used for oral care products. The oral care product dispenser includes at least two storage chambers, a mixing chamber, a dispensing nozzle in fluidic communication with the mixing chamber and at least one seal that keeps contents stored in the at least two storage chambers separated during storage. The mixing chamber receives and sufficiently mixes contents from the at least two storage chambers during dispensing.
In another embodiment, there is a product applicator that may be used with oral care products. The oral care product applicator comprises a housing having a volume for receiving a dispenser, a dispenser disposed in the housing, and an actuator for manipulating the dispenser. The dispenser includes at least two storage chambers, a mixing chamber that receives and sufficiently mixes contents from the at least two storage chambers, a dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and at least one seal that keeps contents stored in the at least two storage chambers from exiting the dispenser.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.
As used herein, the terms “sufficiently mix” and “sufficiently mixed” mean an amount or degree of mixing of components such that the components contact each other and could, can, or will react with each other. In various implementations where the components are reactive in manner making them incompatible for storage before use in contact with each other, the components may be segregated from one another when not in use; i.e., prevented from sufficiently mixing when not in use. As used here, the term “incompatible” to describe components of a formulation, means that over time (e.g., during storage before use), the mixing of the components deemed “incompatible” degrades one or more desired quality of the combined formulation.
Embodiments described herein generally provide for the delivery of two reactive and/or incompatible components (A and B) and for sufficiently mixing the components into a formulation, such as a ready-to-use formulation, just prior to use. Multiple components, such as components A and B, are packaged in separate storage chambers of a dispenser, such as in separate sachets of a dual chamber sachet. Each storage chamber is separated from the other by a seal, such as a frangible seal. A mixing chamber, through which components A and B may flow, serves or functions to sufficiently mix the components into, for example, a ready-to-use formulation, such as a homogenous mixture. The mixing chamber may be configured with a tortuous path and/or any other geometry and/or features defining a conduit through which the components from the storage chamber may flow and sufficiently mix.
Form/Fill/Seal equipment may be used to manufacture embodiments of a dispenser that includes separate storage chambers, such as a dual sachet, and a mixing chamber. This manufacturing process is economical and could also be used to produce blown tubes and thermoformed containers for use as the storage chambers. For example, a dispenser may include a container with thermoformed dual storage chambers in place of sachets. In one embodiment, a dispensing nozzle is connected to or comprises part of the mixing chamber. A seal on the end of the dispensing nozzle of the mixing chamber can be removed by the consumer. In an embodiment, squeezing the two storage chambers, such as two sachets, together will fracture a frangible seal in each chamber and force components A and B into the mixing chamber where they are combined and sufficiently mixed to form a ready-to-use formulation before exiting the dispensing nozzle.
Another embodiment uses a dual sachet as the two storage chambers, in connection with a mixing chamber that may be used in conjunction with an applicator that includes an actuator and a user interface for controlling the actuator. A housing of the applicator may be opened, and a dispenser, such as the dual sachet with mixing chamber, can be positioned inside. For example, a dispensing nozzle may be positioned at one end of the applicator and an anchor for attaching the ends of the dispenser's sachets may be included at the other end. When the cover is closed and the consumer actuates the system by manipulating the actuator, a homogenous mixture of components A and B, each stored in a separate sachet, may be formed in the mixing chamber as a ready-to-use formulation, which may be dispensed through the dispensing nozzle.
The actuator may approximately evenly squeeze the sachets and force each of the components out of each of the sachets and through the mixing chamber. The actuator may be one or more of a roller wheel(s) that squeezes the sachets, starting at an end opposing the dispensing nozzle, a clamping platen that exerts pressure on both sachets, or a rotating component that twists the sachets, to name a few possible implementations.
The actuator may be controlled by a user interface. In an example, the user interface may be a sliding button, push button or rotating knob and may communicate with a ratchet track, gear drive, cam assembly or other mechanisms known in art.
Transparent portions, such as viewing windows, can be designed into the applicator and/or the product dispenser so that the user can see, for example, the contents contained in the storage chambers (e.g., the sachets) or in the mixing chamber. In an example, the viewing windows may be configured to provide the user with the ability to see components A and B separately, and then again when the components have been combined, for example, as the ready-to-use formulation in the mixing chamber. Consumer research has shown that viewing the components and providing a visual cue that they have been mixed correctly is perceived positively and builds confidence.
In some embodiments, the dispenser may be designed to be single use. For example, in an embodiment, the two storage chambers or sachets may be disposed of after a single application, which promotes good hygiene. However, it is feasible to size the two storage chambers to contain enough of the components for multiple applications of a ready-to-use mixed formulation. Moreover, the actuator in combination with the user interface can be designed to meter the correct amount of contents and product formulation for each application.
Embodiments described herein may be used for storing, transporting and dispensing materials, such as gels, powders, solids, and may also be used for transporting and dispensing liquids and pastes of varying viscosities. In some embodiments, the two storage chambers may be used to store different forms of materials, such as a solid in one chamber and a liquid in the other chamber. In the case of an oral care teeth whitening product, any of the embodiments described herein may be used to mix and apply components A and B, for example, as components of the oral care teeth whitening system, either directly to the teeth or into a tray or other receptacle. In an oral care teeth whitening system, whitening ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide, react with coloring ingredients, such as blue dye, which may be used as decorative colorant in a paste, and cause the blue color to fade. Accordingly, in an example, component A may include the hydrogen peroxide and component B may include the blue dye. In another example, component A may include a base formulation and component B may include an enzyme or a catalyst such that when combined with component A, produces a mixture that can deliver a desired benefit, such as a whitening benefit, a sensitivity reduction benefit, a plague reduction benefit. In a further example, component A may include a substrate and component B may include an enzyme, e.g., glucose and glucose oxidase.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
In an example, the contents comprise first contents disposed in a first one of the at least two storage chambers, second contents disposed in a second one of the at least two storage chambers. At least one of the first and the second contents may comprise an oral care product. In an example, contents from each of the storage chamber are mixed in the mixing chamber. The dispensing nozzle receives the mixed contents from the mixing chamber and the mixed contents may include an oral care product.
A seal 102 and a seal 104 keep contents stored in the two storage chambers separated during storage. In the embodiment shown, the seal 102 may be disposed between the mixing chamber 105 and the storage chamber 101, on the end of the inlet 109, and the seal 104 may be disposed between the mixing chamber 105 and the storage chamber 103, on the end of the inlet 107. Each of the seals 102 and 104 prevents the contents of its storage chamber (101 or 103) from entering the mixing chamber 105 until each seal is fractured or broken or otherwise compromised. In some embodiments, there may be a single seal instead of two seals as shown. For example, in such embodiments, the inlets 107 and 109 may merge inside the mixing chamber 105 to form a single inlet into the mixing chamber 105, and the single seal may cover the single inlet. In some embodiments, a single seal may be formed in one of the storage chambers (101 or 103) by heat, such as via a heat plate, ultrasonic welding, etc.
In various embodiments, a seal may be made of a polymer film or a metal foil. In an embodiment, a seal may be removed or punctured by the user. In an embodiment, a seal may be a frangible seal. In such an embodiment, the frangible seal may include or may be made of a material that fractures or otherwise compromises upon exposure to sufficient force or pressure, such as the force or pressure exerted on the seal by the contents of one or both of the storage chambers 101 and 103 when external force or pressure is exerted on one or both of the storage chambers 101 and 103. Upon fracturing, puncturing, removing, or otherwise compromising the seal, a pathway is exposed that fluidically couples the mixing chamber 105 and the storage chambers 101 and 103. When the seal is no longer a barrier, the two contents in the two storage chambers 101 and 103 may flow via a respective one of the inlets 109 and 107 and enter the mixing chamber 105.
Each of the at least two storage chambers 101 and 103 may be connected to a respective one of the inlets 109 and 107, extending from the mixing chamber 105. As shown in
Referring now to the zoomed-in view 310 in
As illustrated in the zoomed-in view 310 of the example in
It is noted that either one, or all, of the storage chambers 101 and 103 may be detachably connected to the mixing chamber 105, such as may be the case for single-use storage chambers. Also, as noted above, in alternative embodiments, more than two inlets may couple more than two storage chambers to the mixing chamber 105, such that three or more different contents or ingredients are mixed by the mixing chamber 105.
The roller 420 may include a surface 421 that is brought into contact with at least one of the two storage chambers 101 and 103, and moved in the direction 425. To keep the actuator aligned, the roller may include guiders 423 which may be accepted along a corresponding track or slot portion (not shown) of the product applicator 500.
As discussed above, the actuator may be the roller 420 that may be placed in mechanical communication with the storage chamber 101. As noted above, when the roller 420 is moved in direction 425, it exerts force or pressure on (e.g., squeezes) the storage chamber 101, causing the contents A of the storage chamber 101 to flow into the mixing chamber 105. Similarly and at the same time the storage chamber 101 exerts force or pressure on (e.g., squeezes) the storage chamber 103 (in conjunction with the housing 531), causing the contents B of the storage chamber 103 to flow into the mixing chamber 105. In various embodiments, other actuators may be used. For example, a second roller (not shown) that contacts the storage chamber 103, and that moves the direction 425 on a path approximately parallel to and in tandem with the movement of the roller 420 may be used. In another example, the actuator may be a rotating element (not shown) that may be placed in mechanical communication with the two storage chambers 101 and 103, and the two storage chambers 101 and 103 may be configured to rotate in response to movement of the rotating element. In other words, the two storage chambers 101 and 103 may be configured such that they twist around one another as the rotating element rotates. As a result of the twisting, the contents of the storage chambers 101 and 103 may be pressurized so as to fracture a seal(s), and so that the contents A and B may flow into the mixing chamber 105.
The oral-care product applicator 700 includes a user interface 760 that may be employed by a user to activate or move an actuator (not visible) disposed in the housing 761, such as the roller 420, a wedge, a platen or a piston, as described above. While not limited to any particular embodiment, in the example shown in
In other implementations, the user interface 760 may include a push button, a rotating knob, a gear drive, a cam assembly, or other mechanism that applies force or pressure, either directly or indirectly, to the storage chambers 101 and 103, which force or pressure causes the contents of the storage chambers 101 and 103 to flow into the mixing chamber 105 and causes the sufficiently mixed contents to then flow out of the dispensing nozzle 106.
In various embodiments, any or all of the housing 761, the storage chambers 101 and 103, the removable end-cap 780, and/or the mixing chamber 105 may include a viewing window. That is, any or all of the housing 761, the storage chambers 101 and 103, the removable end-cap 780, and/or the mixing chamber 105 be formed of a transparent or semi-transparent material or may include a transparent or semi-transparent portion through which their current contents are visible. For example, the transparent material may be a clear plastic or other suitable see-through material which allows a user to view the contents that are inside the housing 761, the storage chambers 101 and 103, the removable end-cap 780, and/or the mixing chamber 105.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2015/019598 | 3/10/2015 | WO | 00 |