Patent Application
20120211378
The present invention relates to a two compartment container, and more particularly, to a two compartment container for holding two fluids separate until such time as mixing is desired.
Typically, a two-compartment container has independent vessels or storage compartments that can hold various combinations of fluids, powders, or pastes that are stored in a separated state until the user decides to mix and utilize the products. These types of containers are most useful in applications where keeping product ingredients separate until use extends shelf life or enhances product effectiveness over a product that is mixed prior to shipping. Applications for such containers include, but are not limited to, storage of cosmetic creams and lotions, skin cleaners, shampoos, conditioners and hair coloring. While many two compartment containers exist, many contain complicated stopper configurations such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,644 while some require the user to actually connect the two containers prior to mixing, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,573.
Many of the two-compartment containers in the prior art require the user to screw the mechanisms together, see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,032 or to use a driving force to cause the mechanisms to mix See U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,644. Such an action often times requires the user to exert significant force to cause the mixing. Accordingly, a need exists for a two-compartment container that requires minimal effort to mix the two ingredients and that does not dispense a stopper within the main compartment.
Further, it has been determined that by presenting the mixing of the two ingredients in a particular way certain qualities associated with the product may be enhanced. For example, if the ingredients to be mixed are intended to reduce the signs of aging, one may wish to present them in such a manner as to convey a “fountain of youth” for example. Similarly, by representing the ingredients to the user in the form of a fountain might convey a sense of nature or purity. Traditional two compartment containers are not concerned with the impressions and feelings experienced by the user during the mixing of ingredients and therefore do not present the user with a container that allows the user to observe the mixing of ingredients.
Accordingly, a need exists for a two compartment container that allows a user to easily mix the separated ingredients, that does not leave any stoppers or other foreign matter in the main compartment and/or that allows the user to observe the mixing of ingredients. Furthermore, a need exists for a two compartment container that allows the ingredients to be mixed in such a manner as to elicit a specific response from the user. Further a need exists for a two compartment container that creates an impression of a fountain when the two ingredients are mixed. The present disclosure addresses those needs.
The present disclosure relates to a container for storing at least two fluids comprised of a first compartment for holding a first fluid and a second compartment for holding a second fluid until such time as the user decides to mix the fluids.
The fluids may be liquids or gases or a combination of liquids and gases. Examples of fluids include water based liquids, alcohol based liquids, oil based liquids, petroleum based ointments, viscous liquids, such as gels, oils, and ointments.
The first or main compartment is typically clear which allows the user to observe the mixing of the fluids, although the compartment may be translucent or even opaque. It is large enough to house the volumes of both the first and second fluids once combined. Additionally, there is typically a removable dropper or other form of dispenser, such as, for example, a pump, in communication with the first compartment for dispensing the fluid after it has been mixed.
The second compartment is typically smaller in size, although it could be of equal or larger volume than the first compartment. It is typically located at the base of the first compartment opposite the dispenser.
In the present invention, the second fluid stored in the second container is driven into the first container to mix with the first fluid by stored energy or tension. In particular, by utilizing tension mechanisms such as springs, valves, and a piston, the fluids are mixed without much effort by the user, and without causing any puncturing, tearing or removal of any membrane or stopper deployed between the two compartments and fluids. Various tensioning, valve, and piston configurations can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention as long as the release of stored energy causes the second fluid to cause the opening of a valve or other reusable barrier interposed between the first and second compartments, thereby allowing the mixing of the two fluids. Additionally, the valve or other reusable barrier may allow the flow of fluid in only one direction, or in multiple directions depending on the forces that are applied to the first fluid and second fluid.
Once mixed, the combined fluids may be dispensed from the upper compartment. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.
In one embodiment, the lower compartment sits on a piston that is surrounded by a compressed spring or other tensioning mechanism that is held in compression by a latch mechanism. Upon turning a base portion of the lower container, the latch mechanism releases the spring which forces the piston upward which in turn compresses the fluid stored in the lower compartment and forces the fluid upward. At the top of the lower compartment is a valve that is formed from a solid disc of polyethylene material although other valve configurations are possible such as a diaphragm valve, a duck bill valve, a flapper valve, etc., or any valve that will contain the second fluid until mixing is desired. Likewise, the valve may be made of other materials, such as latex, plastic, rubber, etc. Above the valve is a valve adapter. The valve adapter has a single opening that is slightly inward of the outer edge of the valve adapter. The valve adapter may also include a plurality of openings extending circumferentially to the valve adapter and slightly inward of the outer edge of the valve adapter. Other opening configurations are possible as well, without departing form the spirit of the invention.
The valve adapter interposes between a transition chamber located above the valve and the upper compartment of the container. The valve includes a lip that sits on the top a cylindrical extension of the lower compartment. Upon release of a first spring or other tensioning mechanism below, adjacent to or corresponding to the lower compartment, the second fluid is forced upward against the valve. The valve is held in place against the top of the cylindrical extension by a slightly tensioned second spring or other tensioning mechanism. The value of the spring constant of the second spring is less than the spring constant of the first spring. Thus, when the fluid is forced against the valve upon release of the first spring, the force exerted against the second spring by the valve is greater than the spring constant which results in compression of the second spring and lifting of the valve from the top of the cylindrical extension. Other tensioning mechanisms might be, for example, the valve itself or the valve adapter composed from compressible materials. In the present embodiment, the pressure resulting from decompression of the lower spring causes the fluid from the lower compartment to force the valve upward and passes the lip of the valve to enter the transition chamber and to pass through the valve adapter into the upper compartment causing the mixing of the first and second fluids.
In an embodiment, the container for mixing two stored fluids comprises a first compartment for holding a first fluid and a second compartment for holding a second fluid. The container has a valve for preventing the mixing of the first and second fluid, a first tension mechanism for maintaining the valve in a normally closed position, and a piston held in position by a second tension mechanism. The container also comprises a release mechanism for releasing the second tension mechanism, wherein the release of the second tension mechanism causes the piston to open the normally closed valve, allowing the second fluid to flow past the valve into the first compartment.
In another embodiment, a method for preparing a two compartment container for mixing two isolated fluids comprises inserting a first fluid in a first compartment, inserting a second fluid in a second compartment, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are coupled. Isolating, via a valve between the first compartment and second compartment, the first and second fluid, positioning a first tension mechanism to maintain the valve in a normally closed position and positioning a second tension mechanism to hold a piston in a first position. Such that upon release of the second tension mechanism the piston moves to a second position providing for the second fluid to flow past the valve into the first compartment.
The present disclosure, in accordance with one or more embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the apparatus and methods and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.
Some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments from different viewing angles. Although the accompanying descriptive text may refer to such views as “top,” “bottom” or “side” views, such references are merely descriptive and do not imply or require that all embodiments be implemented or used in a particular spatial orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise.
The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the various embodiment can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the invention is limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
The embodiments described herein are merely examples. Descriptions in terms of these embodiments are provided to allow the various features to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. As will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art, the invention can be implemented in different and alternative embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in applications, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this document prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.
In one embodiment, lower compartment 14 sits on lower piston 12 that is surrounded by a compressed release spring 20 or other tensioning mechanism that is held in compression by a latch mechanism of lower compartment 14 and base 15. Upon turning base 15, the latch mechanism releases release spring 20 which forces lower piston 12 upward which in turn compresses the fluid stored in lower compartment 14 and forces the fluid upward. For purposes of this embodiment, the fluid in the lower compartment is a liquid and the fluid in the upper compartment is a liquid. At the top of the lower compartment is valve 11 that is formed from a solid disc of polyethylene material although other valve configurations are possible such as a diaphragm valve, a duck bill valve, a flapper valve, etc. or any valve that will contain the second fluid until mixing is desired. Likewise, the valve may be made of other materials, such as latex, plastic, rubber, etc. Above valve 11 is valve adapter 10 and disk 9. Valve adapter 10 has a single opening that is slightly inward of the outer edge of valve adapter 10. The valve adapter may also include a plurality of openings extending circumferentially to the valve adapter and slightly inward of the outer edge of the valve adapter. Other opening configurations are possible as well.
Valve adapter 10 interposes between a transition chamber located above valve 11 and upper compartment 8 of container 100. The valve includes a lip that sits on the top a cylindrical extension of the lower compartment. Upon release of retaining spring 20 or other tensioning mechanism, the second fluid is forced upward against valve 11. Valve 11 is held in place against the top of the cylindrical extension by a slightly tensioned retaining spring 19 or other tensioning mechanism. The spring constant of retaining spring 19 is less than the spring constant of release spring 20. Thus, when the fluid is forced against valve 11 upon release of retaining spring 20, the force exerted against retaining spring 19 by valve 11 is greater than the spring constant which results in compression of retaining spring 19 and lifting of valve 11 from the top of the cylindrical extension. Other tensioning mechanisms might be, for example, the valve itself or the valve adapter composed from compressible materials. In the present embodiment, the pressure resulting from decompression of the release spring 20 causes the fluid from lower compartment 14 to force valve 11 upward and passes the lip of valve 11 to enter the transition chamber and to pass through the opening in valve adapter 10 and disk 9 into upper compartment 8 causing the mixing of the first and second fluids.
Top cap 1 is a generally cylindrical hollow cap with a solid top portion on one end and an open portion on the opposite end. Top cap 1 engages with the neck band 5 and is held in place by ridge 703, although other methods of retention, such as screw threads, press releases or the like could be used. Top cap 1 is large enough to cover dispenser 2, thereby preventing accidental dispensing of the fluid. Although
Dispenser tube 7 contains an open top end 71 adjacent to dispenser bulb 2 and an open distal end 72 that is housed within upper compartment 8. Distal end 72 may terminate in an end 75 that is bulb shaped, straight, or curved. Dispenser tube 7 has a shoulder 73 located adjacent top end 71. Shoulder 73 mates into grove 25 on dispenser bulb 2, creating a press fitting. Dispenser tube 7 is hollow and contains inner cavity 74 for drawing in fluid contained in upper container 8.
In one embodiment a piston is located above the fluid contained in the upper compartment.
Upper container 8 seen in
Base 15 as seen in
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations can be implemented to implement the desired features. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein can be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.
A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.
As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/414,695 filed 17 Nov. 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61414695 | Nov 2010 | US |
