Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Introduction
DUAL COMPARTMENT PACKAGE
AND PUMPS
This invention relates to a dual chamber dispenser.
There is sometimes a need in the packaging of consumer
products to keep separated two of the components until such
time as the product is actually to be used. An example is
the Mentadent~ brand of toothpaste. In that product, a
peroxide-containing formulation and a bicarbonate-containing
formulation are kept separate prior to dispensing to prevent
premature interaction of the components.
Another example where it may be desirable to keep components
separate in a consumer product would be a cleaning
composition where it is necessary to keep a bleaching agent
separate from another component such as an enzyme, to avoid
undesirable interaction. Other examples include popular skin
products having both surfactants for cleansing and a separate
moisturizing ingredient.
Particularly if the products are relatively viscous it may be
desirable to provide pumps to assist the consumer in
dispensing. Also, it is sometimes desirable that both
products be dispensed in equal quantities at similar flow
rates.
Various pumps and dispensers are disclosed in the literature.
Stokes et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,137,178 discloses a
dispenser wherein product components such as facial lotion
and makeup can be kept in separate chambers prior to
dispensing.
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Maerte, U.S. Patent No. 4,871,092 discloses an atomizing or
metering pump wherein it is possible to adjust the metering
or atomizing quantity. The metering or atomizing quantity
can be adjusted, eg. by twisting the operating pusher with
respect to the pump casing. In one embodiment a projection
cooperates with a recess extending over part of the
circumference, two ends of the recess limiting the movement
of the projection within the recess. In one embodiment, a
projection 19A can be set so that the operating pusher can be
pressed down to rest on of a number of corresponding steps so
that the length of the stroke can be set.
Marraffino, U.S. Patent No. 3,291,346 discloses a blending
device for blending hot water with creme to convert the creme
into a wet or moist hot, foamy lather which issues from a
shaving creme dispenser. A locking pin is provided to lock
the cylinder against movement relative to the sleeve when the
device is not in use.
Golden, U.S. Patent No. 3,459,332 is directed to a pneumatic
control system for dispensing metered quantities of liquid
from one or more different liquid supply chambers in an
automatic manner so that the dispensed liquid will be in
proper quantities for providing a predetermined mixture of
liquids, each dispensing operation being effected by
pneumatically controlled actuator means. At column 2, lines
6-12, it is stated that the various features of the invention
are described and illustrated as being particularly adaptable
to provide automatic control for two or more liquid
dispensing units, but that it is to be understood that the
various features of the invention can be utilized singly or
in any combination thereof to provide dispensing structure
for only a single liquid as desired. In Fig. 5, a stop means
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is adjusted so that each unit will dispense a predetermined
volumetric quantity of its respective supply liquid during
each dispensing cycle.
Gueret, U.S. Patent No. 4,773,562 discloses a dispenser head
for mixing separate pasty substances wherein two ducts open
into a mixing chamber which in turn opens out to the outside
of the container.
Pocknell, U.S. Patent No. 4,791,149 discloses a package
having two separate compartments where the ingredients
present in each such compartment do not react with each
other, there being a propellant located between a membrane
and the container whereby the membrane may be caused by the
propellant gas to expel the component when required.
25
Skorka, U.S. Patent No. 4,826,048 discloses a dispenser
having two reservoirs for separate media components. Each
reservoir has a separate discharge pump, both discharge pumps
being simultaneously operable by means of a common handle.
The pumps are preferably thrust piston pumps. It is said
that the components can be brought together in a precisely
dosed quantity ratio in accordance with German patent
application DE 32 25 910.7
Marand, U.S. Patent No. 3,704,812 is directed to a dispenser
including several fluid components in isolated sack chambers.
Cataneo et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,385,270 is directed to an
apparatus for dispensing two flowable substances in a user
selectable ratio. The selector member is selectively
rotatable with respect to the container between a series of
predetermined positions where the selector member opening is
either in full registry, partial registry or not in registry
with the open ends of each of the chambers, such as upon
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compression of the outer container wall. A predetermined
measure of flowable substance is dispensed from the
dispensing end of the container with a ratio of the flowable
substances from the two chambers being selectively variable.
Cordery et al. EP 468 703 discloses a shampoo system
comprising a first pack including a surfactant and a cationic
conditioning polymer and a second pack containing a benefit
agent. The first and second packs are adapted to be mixed
together before use. The benefit agent is said preferably to
be chosen from among sunscreens, certain silicones, perfumes,
hair growth agents, hair moisturizers, anti-dandruff agents,
bodying agents, shine enhancers and setting agents.
Statements of the Invention
In a first aspect, the invention provides a dispenser
comprising a compartment with a chamber, the compartment
having an opening including a bead surrounding at least a
portion of the opening. The chamber includes a pump
cartridge having a peripheral rim and the pump cartridge is
friction fit into the opening. The bead retains the pump
cartridge rim within the opening. The dispenser has a
common closure which contains a channel having a vertical
section leading from a channel inlet and a horizontal
section leading to an exit aperture in the closure. The
pump cartridge outlet is friction fit with the vertical
section of the channel of the closure and retained by a
bead in the channel.
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Another aspect of the invention provides a dispenser
containing a first compartment having a chamber, a first
pump cartridge operatively associated with the chamber and
having a fluid inlet within the first chamber and a fluid
outlet. The dispenser also includes a second compartment
having a chamber, a second pump cartridge operatively
associated with a second chamber, the second pump cartridge
having a fluid inlet within the second chamber and a fluid
outlet. The first and second chambers each have an opening
each of which includes a bead surrounding at least a
portion of the opening. The first and second pump
cartridges include a peripheral rim and the cartridges are
friction fit into the openings. The beads retain the pump
cartridge rims within the openings. The dispenser has a
common closure which contains a first channel having a
vertical section leading from a first channel inlet and a
horizontal section, and a second channel having a vertical
section leading from a second channel inlet and a
horizontal section. The first and second horizontal
sections lead to one or more product exit openings in the
closure. The channels extend in the direction overlying or
parallel to an axis drawn from the first channel inlet to
the second channel inlet. At least one of the first and
second pump cartridge outlets is friction fit within the
vertical section of the respective channel in the closure
and retained by a bead in the channel.
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The dispenser of the invention is designed preferably to
deliver equal amounts of two liquid products. Preferably the
two chambers are connected together either mechanically or
with an adhesive. The dispenser is designed to be hand held
5 and is particularly useful in shower products where shelf
space is limited.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the pump
is provided in the form of a cartridge which is snap fit into
the dispensing chamber. The pump includes a peripheral rim
which is held within the chamber by a bead disposed on the
inside surface of the chamber opening. Consequently, such
pumps can be readily installed in appropriate chambers.
For a more complete understanding of the above and other
features and advantages of the invention, reference should be
made to the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments and to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawincxs
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dual dispenser according to
the invention wherein the closure has been inserted onto the
dispenser.
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the dispenser of the invention.
Fig. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of a closure and
dual dispenser according to the invention.
Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the dispenser according to
the invention with the pump cartridges not fully inserted in
the chambers.
Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 except that the cartridges
have been fully inserted.
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the cap depressed
and product exiting.
Fig. 7 is a cross section along the lines 7-7 of Fig. 6.
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Fig. 8 is a cross section similar to Fig. 3 showing the area
of one of the pump outlets in greater detail.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Dispenser 10 comprises two compartments 12 and 14 which house
the chambers containing product to be dispensed. The
compartments are affixed to each other mechanically or by
chemical adhesive at surfaces 16 and 18, which are preferably
flat or of some other configuration lending itself to
affixing the chambers together. If so desired, surfaces 16
and 18 may include projections 20 and openings 22 for
receiving projections, to assist the chambers in mating.
Outer walls 24 of compartments 12, 14 are recessed at 26 to
accommodate common closure 28 at the top of the dispenser.
The dispenser stands on generally flat bottom 90. Pump
cartridges 30, 32 are snap fit within the chambers 11,13 of
compartments 12, 14 as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. Cartridges 30,
32 include dispensing outlets 34, 36 and peripheral rims 38,
40 beneath the dispensing outlets. As best seen in Fig. 2,
peripheral rims 38, 40 are disposed and snap fit beneath
beads 42, 46 in compartments 12, 14. Apart from the
presence of the peripheral rims and the presence of the pumps
in the form of cartridges, pumps 30, 32 are conventional and
are available from suppliers such as SAR USA, Inc., 401
Hackensack Avenue, 5th Floor, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601.
While pump cartridges having peripheral rims are known, the
manner of holding the cartridges within the packages has
heretofore been different.
The pumps may be made by injections molding the components
(other than the stainless steel springs) and assembling the
components.
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Cartridges 30, 32 are inserted within chambers 11, 13. Their
insertion is guided in part by annular walls 60, 62 extending
upwardly from the top of recessed portions of wall 24.
Outlets 34, 36 lead to channels 70, 72 in closure 28. Each
of the channels includes an upwardly extending section and a
horizontally extending section. Outlets 34, 36 are friction
fit within the upwardly extending sections of channels 70, 72
and may be retained by beads 102, 104 in the channels as
illustrated for pump outlet 343 in Figs. 3 and 8. Foam or
rubber gasket 206 is disposed beneath rim 38. The
horizontally extending sections of channels 70, 72 are
disposed one above the other. Consistent with the ergonomic
nature of the dispenser, particularly keeping in mind its
intended one-handed use in the shower, the channels extend
generally parallel to an axis drawn between the two pumps.
Product emerges from channel 70 at product exit aperture 80
and from channel 72 at product exit aperture 82.
The simplicity of the design of closure 28 is advantageous in
that it facilitates injection molding of the part. During
molding, the straight sections of each channel are formed by
pins. These (straight) pins can be readily withdrawn from
the mold.
Pumping is effected by applying manual pressure to the top of
closure 28. The closure transmits the force to the tops of
outlets 34, 36 and thus to the rest of the pumping mechanism.
As will be appreciated, the pump of the invention is capable
of delivering equal amounts of two liquid products through a
single actuator head, the closure. The dispenser is
ergonomically designed so that it can be hand held. Trihen
grasped by the consumer in one hand, one or more of the
consumers' fingers can readily be placed at the top of the
closure pointed toward the product exit apertures.
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Although the invention has been disclosed as having separate
channels and separate product exit apertures, it will be
appreciated that the product may be mixed either in channels
or may be passed through a single aperture, if this is
desired.
The oval shape of the dispenser likewise assists the user in
grasping it in one hand.
The friction fit of the pump into the bottle neck facilitates
manufacture of the dispenser. This permits the pumps to be
inserted in different shaped chambers, if so desired.
The chambers and the pumps are preferably identical. This
helps conserve manufacturing resource.
The dispenser, including the pump cartridges, is preferably
made of a polyolefin, such as polypropylene. The
compartments of the dispenser may be extrusion blow molded.
It should be understood of course that the specific forms of
the invention herein illustrated and described or intended to
be representative only, as certain may be made therein
without departing from the clear teaching of the disclosure.
Accordingly reference should be made to the appended claims
in determining the full scope.
