Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MULTI COMPARTMENT CONTAINER CAP
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of removable caps for
bottles and
containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a convenient
and easy to use
article which allows two or more products to be stored in the same container
in separate
compartments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Container caps having more than one function are known. For example, many
container
caps provided on conventional laundry detergent bottles provide the dual
functions of releasably
sealing the container and providing a dosing feature to allow consumers to
measure a
predetermined volume of the laundry detergent composition for use. Dosing caps
are
commercially available in a variety of products, including in containers for
liquid or granular
laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Examples of dosing caps are available
in U.S. Patent
Nos. 2,985,343 to Mask; 4,892,126 to Bucherer et al.; 5,662,249 to Grosse;
5,855,302 to
Fisscher et al.; 5,865,331 to Jacobs et al.; 6,422,426 to Robins, III et al.;
and U.S. Patent Publ.
No. 2001/0030165 Al to Jacobs et al.
In addition, multi-compartment containers are known. See, e.g., U.S. Patent
No.
2,899,096 to Henchert et al. These multi-compartment containers have many
different purported
uses. One category of multi-compartment containers uses the separate
compartments to keep
different component ingredients separate during storage but allows for mixing
prior to use.
Examples of these multi-compartment containers are described in U.S. Patent
No. 5,255,812 to
Hsu et al.; and 5,954,213 to Gerhart et al. Another category of multi-
compartment containers
are designed to provide a composition reservoir in a first compartment and a
composition
dispensing mechanism in a second compartment. The composition dispensing
mechanism
extracts the composition from the first compartment and dispenses the
extracted composition.
Examples of these types of multi-compartment containers are described in U.S.
Patent No.
2,553,302 to Keskitalo; 4,636,328 to Flynn et al.; 5,188,472 to Sgro; and
7,066,674 to Gueret.
Although container designers and manufacturers have reported many different
types of
dosing caps and multi-compartment containers, there remains a need for a
container cap which
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can provide the multiple functions of conventional container caps, as well as
creating a multi-
compartment container for storing and /or packaging a complementary product.
The
complementary product can be used with the composition stored within the
container or can be
used in a stand alone application. As such, there remains a need for a new
container cap which
provides the functionality of a conventional container cap, such as protecting
the contents of the
container from undesired exposure to the environment and dosing, while
providing multi-
compartment storage capabilities. Further, the new container cap should be
user friendly and
simple to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention provides for a multi-compartment container
cap
comprising: a hollow tubular body comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; an
axial dimension
extending through said hollow tubular body from said proximal end to said
distal end; and a
dividing wall positioned within said hollow tubular body, said dividing wall
separating said
hollow tubular body into a proximal compartment and a distal compartment,
wherein said axial
dimension is transverse to said dividing wall, wherein said proximal
compartment comprises a
proximal opening at said proximal end, and wherein said distal compartment
comprises a distal
opening at said distal end.
Another aspect of the present invention provides for a kit comprising one or
more of a
multi-compartment container cap comprising: a hollow tubular body comprising:
a proximal
end; a distal end; an axial dimension extending through said hollow tubular
body from said
proximal end to said distal end; and a dividing wall positioned within said
hollow tubular body,
said dividing wall separating said hollow tubular body into a proximal
compartment and a distal
compartment, wherein said axial dimension is transverse to said dividing wall,
wherein said
proximal compartment comprises a proximal opening at said proximal end, and
wherein said
distal compartment comprises a distal opening at said distal end; and a
container body
comprising a reservoir and a neck operably connected to said reservoir,
wherein said proximal
compartment of said one or more of said multi-compartment container caps are
adapted to be
removably attached to said neck.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a frontal planar view of a container and a multi-compartment
container cap in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along view line A-A shown in FIG. 1, of the
multi-
compartment container cap shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of a multi-compartment container cap along
with a
container body in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is an elevated side view of a multi-compartment container cap in
accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an elevated side view of a multi-compartment container cap in
accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the multi-compartment container cap shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the multi-compartment container cap shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the multi-compartment container cap shown in FIG. 5
with
dashed lines showing some interior features of said multi-compartment
container cap.
FIG. 9 is an elevated side view of a multi-compartment container cap in
accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is another elevated side view of the multi-compartment container cap
shown in
FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the multi-compartment container cap shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the multi-compartment container cap shown in FIG. 9
with
dashed lines showing some interior features of said multi-compartment
container cap.
FIG. 13 is an elevated side view of a multi-compartment container cap in
accordance
with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is another elevated side view of the multi-compartment container cap.
FIG. 15 is an elevated side view of a roll of substrates which can be stored
within a
multi-compartment container cap in accordance with at least one embodiment of
the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Definitions:
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As defined herein, hermetic refer to seals between container components (such
as the lid
and multi-compartment container cap and the multi-compartment container cap
and container
body) which provide at least a degree of resistance to moisture migration
through the seal, at
least equal to that of the container and hollow tubular body materials. Such
seals may also
provide resistance to migration of gases at least equal to that of the
container body and lid
materials
As defined herein, hollow tubular body means a conical, cylindrical, squared
or other
multi-sided shape which can have the same or varying shape and/or cross
sectional area along its
height. Non-limiting examples of suitable container cap shapes are provided in
U.S. Patent Nos.
D390,466 and D390,462 both to Mao; D389,740 to Toleman; D189,059 to
Vanderhyde; and
D306,265 to Jeo.
As defined herein, substantially perpendicular to a planar surface means that
upon
determining a normal vector to said planar surface, any line intersecting said
planar surface
forms an angle of between about 0 and about 15 from said normal vector.
Where the surface
does not form a plane, the normal vector is determined by ascertaining the
center point of said
surface, then taking the normal vector of the tangential plane to the center
point of said surface.
As defined herein, substantially water tight means that no appreciable amount
of liquid
water will is visibly observed to pass through a sealed compartment under
ambient
environmental conditions.
FIG. I illustrates a container body 600 with a multi-compartment container cap
100 in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. Container
body 600
comprises a reservoir 640 capable of storing a liquid or granular composition,
and a neck 620
adapted to be removably attached with a corresponding container cap. FIG. I
shows a cut away
650 revealing the interior contents of the reservoir 640. Granular or liquid
composition 700 is
shown stored within reservoir 640. Any container body which can be closed with
a container
cap can be used with the present invention. In one embodiment, the container
body has a
separate handle, not shown, such as available with commercially marketed
laundry softener or
detergent containers and automatic dish washing gel or liquid containers.
Those of skill in the
art will understand that container bodies without handles are also within the
scope of the present
invention. Non-limiting examples of container bodies which can be used in
accordance with the
present invention include containers for liquid or granular laundry
detergents, liquid fabric
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softeners, paint containers, bottles for liquid or granular hard surface
containers, aerosol cans,
food containers such as cookie jars, beauty and cosmetic containers, and so
forth.
The container cap shown in FIG. 1 is a multi-compartment container cap 100
having a
hollow tubular body 110 comprising a proximal end 200 and a distal end 300.
Within said
hollow tubular body is a dividing wall 150 separating said hollow tubular body
into a proximal
compartment 210 and a distal compartment 310. Those of skill in the art will
understand that
the dividing wall 150 can be a single layer wall or a dual or multi layered
wall. When said
multi-compartment container cap 100 is removably attached to said container
body about said
neck 620, a substantially water tight seal is created. In one embodiment, this
substantially water
tight seal between said multi-compartment container cap 100 and the container
body 600 is a
hermetic seal (not shown).
FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the multi-compartment container cap 100
shown in FIG.
1, taken along view lines A-A. Any conventional container body which is
suitable for storing
compositions including but not limited to liquid, granular, gelled and semi-
solid compositions
can be used in accordance with the present invention, including but not
limited to container
bodies for storing liquid laundry detergent or fabric softener. In addition,
the container body can
be an aerosol can, a spray bottle for hard surface cleaning compositions, and
any container body
which is used suitable for storing a composition and adapted to be closed with
a removable cap.
The multi-compartment container cap 100 comprises a hollow tubular body 110
forming
a proximal end 200 and a distal end 300. The portion of the hollow tubular
body forming said
proximal end further comprises a container attachment member 255 adapted to
form a
substantially water tight removable closure with the neck of a container. The
multi-compartment
container cap further comprises an axial dimension 160 extending through the
length of said
hollow tubular body; and a dividing wall 150 separating said hollow tubular
body into a
proximal compartment 210 and a distal compartment 310. The axial dimension 160
intersects
the dividing wall 150 in a transverse orientation. In one embodiment, the
dividing wall 150 is a
planar surface. In another embodiment, the dividing wall is a cupped surface,
wherein the
cupped surface can be concave towards the proximal end or convex from the
proximal end, or an
otherwise non-flat surface which can contain flat portions, convex portions
and concave
portions. In one embodiment, the axial dimension is substantially
perpendicular to said dividing
wall, alternatively perpendicular to said dividing wall. The portion of the
tubular body 110
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forming the proximal compartment 210 forms a proximal opening 220 at the
proximal end 200.
The portion of the tubular body 110 forming the distal compartment 310 forms a
distal opening
320 at the distal end 300. In one embodiment, the distal opening comprises a
distal opening
comprises an opening size of from about 5 cm2 to about 200 cm2, alternatively
from about 20
cm2 to about 150 cm2, alternatively from about 50 cm2 to about 100 cm2
As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the distal compartment 310 contains a
pouched
article 500. Those of skill in the art will understand that the composition
contained within the
distal compartment can be chosen to be complementary to the composition stored
within the
container body. For example, where the composition stored in the container
body is a liquid,
gel, or granular detergent composition, the composition stored in the distal
compartment can be
complementary to the composition stored in the container body. As defined
herein,
"complementary" means combination of products which can be used together in
parallel, or used
in a series of steps; or used in separate but related steps such as where the
container body
contains a liquid or gelled automatic dish washing composition and the
composition stored
within the distal compartment is a wet nap for treating hard surfaces. Those
of skill in the art
will understand that any two or more products which can be suitably marketed
together can be
contained by a container and cap in accordance with at least one embodiment of
the present
invention.
In one embodiment, the composition contained within the container body, as
shown in
FIG. 1, is a liquid, gel or granular laundry or hard surface detergent
composition, such as an
automatic dish washing composition or a car washing formulation. In another
embodiment, the
composition stored within the distal compartment of the container cap is a
granule, a sheet, a
pouch or a tabletted treatment composition which can be used in a laundry
application. Non-
limiting examples of compositions which can be placed within the distal
compartment include:
one or more softening and/or antistatic dryer sheets; one or more whitening or
bleaching tablets
comprising additional surfactants, bleaches, bleach activators and mixtures
thereof; one or more
pouched odor controlling agent such as a perfume additive comprising free
perfume,
encapsulated perfumes, cyclodextrin compositions, malodor control agents, and
mixtures
thereof; and combinations thereof. This is believed to be particularly useful
in situations where
the manufacturer wants to provide consumers with a sample product which is
complementary to
any product marketed within the container body. For example, in one
embodiment, TIDE
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liquid laundry detergent is stored within the container body and a BOUNCE
dryer sheet is
provided within the distal compartment of the multi-compartment container cap.
The two
products can be complementary in terms of the desired end use and/or they can
include
complementary elements such as the same or a similar fragrance scent; the same
or a similar
perfume ingredient; the same or similar aesthetic appearance such as coloring
or pearlescence;
and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the products marketed within
the container
body and the multi-compartment container cap are chosen to provide a
synergistic benefit when
used in parallel or in series. Those of skill in the art will understand that
combinations of
products can be used to provide a desired end user benefit such as overall
scent experience, stain
repellency, shine on hard surfaces, etc. In one embodiment, the container body
and/or the distal
compartment is empty such that a consumer can fill either compartment with any
combination of
objects or products they desire.
FIG. 2 further shows a multi-compartment container cap comprises a lid 400,
which is in
a detached position. The lid can form a substantially water tight removable
closure when sealed
onto said distal end 300, thereby removably sealing said distal compartment
310. In one
embodiment, the multi-compartment container cap, or any portion thereof can be
translucent or
transparent such that a consumer can see the interior contents. In one
embodiment, the lid 400 is
translucent or transparent. In another embodiment, the hollow-tubular body or
a portion thereof
is translucent or transparent.
FIG. 3 illustrates the upper portion of another opened container body 600 with
a
corresponding multi-compartment container cap 100 in accordance with at least
one embodiment
of the present invention. Partial cut-away 312 reveals that a granular
composition 505 is located
within the proximal compartment 310. Further, in this embodiment, the multi-
compartment
container cap 100 is shown with the lid 400 removably attached upon the
proximal opening.
The lid shown in this embodiment comprises a plurality of ribs 410 adapted to
allow a user to
grip and turn the lid to remove it from the hollow tubular body 110.
FIG. 4 illustrates a multi-compartment container cap 100 in accordance with at
least one
embodiment of the present invention. The multi-compartment container cap shown
in FIG. 4 is
in an inverted position such that the proximal end 200 of said hollow tubular
body 110 is in an
upwards orientation such that a measured volume of liquid, gel, or granular
composition 610 is
collected in said proximal compartment of the multi-compartment container cap.
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A dosing indicator 230 is provided on said hollow body 110 to allow the end
user to
determine the amount of composition which can be dosed into the proximal
compartment. The
dosing indicator shown in FIG. 4 is a visual indicator in the form of a fill
line comprising a
groove formed in at least a portion of the interior of the proximal
compartment. Those of skill in
the art will understand that one or more dosing indicators can be provided on
the interior of the
proximal compartment, for example where the composition stored within the
container body is a
fabric softener, the dosing indicator can include a first fill line for "Soft"
a second fill line for
"Extra Soft." Those of skill in the art will also understand that the dosing
line can be positioned
to allow the user to measure a predetermine amount of the composition
depending upon the
recommended dosage amount, for example from about 0.5 fl. oz. to about 5 fl.
oz., alternatively
from about 1 fl. oz. to about 3 fl. oz. In one embodiment, the dosing
indicator comprises more
than one fill line. In another embodiment, the dosing indicator comprises an
indicia applied to
the surface of the interior of the proximal compartment, such as ink or paint
indicia; physical
deformations to a portion of the interior of the proximal compartment,
including protuberances
and/or grooves applied to the interior of the proximal compartment; and
combinations thereof.
The dosing indicator can be applied to a portion of a ring around the interior
of the proximal
compartment, applied to a full ring around the interior of the proximal
compartment, or
combinations thereof.
A partial cut away 312 reveals a pouched article 500 contained within the
distal
compartment. The multi-compartment container cap of FIG. 4 is shown with the
lid 400 in a
detached position. In this embodiment, although the lid is not attached to the
distal opening 300,
the composition stored within the distal compartment will not necessary fall
out when the multi-
compartment container cap is in an orientation where the distal end is facing
downwards and the
lid is not attached. In one embodiment, a removable freshness seal is provided
(not shown in
this embodiment) further sealing said distal opening 300. In one embodiment,
the removable
freshness seal is a foil wrapper which restricts or prevents air from passing
into the distal
compartment. In one embodiment, the removable freshness seal hermetically
seals the interior
of the distal compartment from the ambient enviromnent.
In one embodiment, the composition contained within the distal compartment
comprises:
a granular composition, a pouched article, a substrate, tabletted products,
such as molded
products like vitamins or laundry/dish washing detergent tablets; and
combinations thereof. In
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one embodiment, the distal compartment contains one or more compositions
wherein the
compositions can be the same form having the same or different variants (such
as a plurality of
pouched articles with varying scents or colors) or have the same form and be
the same variant.
In one embodiment, where the distal compartment comprises a pouched article,
the pouched
article comprises a water-soluble or partially soluble film material such as
polyvinyl alcohol or a
derivative thereof. In another embodiment, the pouched article comprises a
single compartment
pouch, a dual compartment pouch, or a multi-compartment pouch, wherein said
pouched articles
are adapted to store a liquid composition, a granular composition, a gelled
composition, and
mixtures or combinations thereof. Examples of suitable pouched articles and
suitable water-
soluble films for use therein are provided in U.S. Patent Application No. U.S.
Patent Nos.
6,881,713 to Sommerville-Roberts et al., 6,815,410 to Boutique et al., and
7,125,828 to Catlin et
al. Where the composition contained within the distal compartment is a
substrate, the substrate
can be in the form of folded sheets or a roll of sheets as shown in FIG. 16.
FIG. 5 illustrates another multi-compartment container cap in accordance with
at least
one embodiment of the present invention. Those of skill in the art will
recognize that the lid 400
of FIG. 5 is adapted to form a removable seal with said distal compartment 310
at the distal
opening 320. In one embodiment, the lid forms a substantially water tight seal
with said distal
opening 320. The lid of FIG. 5 comprises one or more attachment members 455
which are
adapted to fit with one or more receiving members 355 from said distal
compartment. In one
embodiment, said one or more attachment members are designed such that the lid
is a screw-on
lid, such as a partial turn lid, a quarter turn or half turn lid. In another
embodiment, the
attachment members of the lid are a full thread such that the lid is a screw-
on lid which can
require one or more full revolutions. In another embodiment, the lid is a snap
on lid, where said
one or more attachment members of said lid and said receiving members of said
hollow body
110 can be either ball and socket or tongue and groove fitments such that the
lid can be snapped
onto the hollow body to form a closure around the distal opening. In another
embodiment, the
lid comprises both screw-on and snap-on receiving members. Those of skill in
the art will
understand that the container attachment member 255 can similarly be selected
such that the
multi-compartment container cap is either a screw-on cap, a snap-on cap, or a
combination
thereof.
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In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the lid 400 comprises a gripping
member 410
formed on the outer surface of the lid. In one embodiment, the gripping member
is selected from
the group consisting of one or more vertical ribs; one or more horizontal
ribs, and combinations
thereof.
FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the lid 400 shown in FIG. 5. As shown in this
figure, the
gripping member 400 includes both a plurality of vertical ribs 411 and a
horizontal rib 412.
Those of skill will understand that vertical ribs are particularly useful for
screw-on lids, whereas
horizontal ribs are particularly useful for snap-on lids.
FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the multi-compartment container cap 100 with
the lid
400 removably attached onto the distal opening.
FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the multi-compartment container cap 100
shown in FIG.
5 with dashed lines showing some interior features of said multi-compartment
container cap. A
dividing wall 150 is provided to separate said hollow tubular body into a
proximal compartment
210 and a distal compartment 310.
FIG. 9 illustrates an elevated side view of a multi-compartment container cap
100 in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The lid 401
comprises a hinged
flip top lid wherein the surface of said flip top lid forms an opening which
is hingedly closable
from a hinged flap 420 which can be swung open to reveal the interior contents
of the distal
compartment. Those of skill in the art will understand that the amount of the
lid surface which
is occupied by said flip top opening can be varied based on the desired access
area desired. In
one embodiment the lid 400 forms an access area of from about 10 % to about 80
% of the
planar area of said lid; alternatively from about 30 % to about 70 %,
alternatively from about 40
% to about 60 %. As defined herein, the lid area means the planar area
occupied by the outer
perimeter of the lid of the present invention if the outer perimeter were
superimposed on a flat
surface.
FIG. 10 illustrates another elevated side view of the multi-compartment
container cap
100 shown in FIG. 9. In this view, the hinged flip top lid 401 is removed from
the multi-
compartment container cap, revealing the dividing wall 150. The hinged flip
top lid can also be a
screw-on lid and/or a snap-fit lid to allow the hinged flip top lid to form a
removable seal with
said hollow tubular body 110 at the location of the distal opening.
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FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the multi-compartment container cap 100
shown in FIG.
9. The hinged flap 420 is in a partially open position.
FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the multi-compartment container cap 100
shown in FIG.
9 with dashed lines showing some interior features of said multi-compartment
container cap.
Dividing wall 150 separates the hollow tubular body 110 into the proximal
compartment 210
and the distal compartment 310.
FIG. 13 illustrates an elevated side view of a multi-compartment container cap
110 in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows
an
embodiment of the present invention wherein at least one of said lid 402 and
said hollow tubular
body 110 forming said distal compartment comprises a minor distal opening 430.
Lid 402
comprises at least one minor distal opening 430 providing an access path from
the interior of the
distal compartment to the environment external to the multi-compartment
container cap. In
addition, the hollow tubular body 110 forms another minor distal opening 330.
Said one or more
minor distal openings are adapted to allow a composition to be transferred
from the distal
chamber to the exterior of the multi-compartment container cap. The
composition which is
transferred can be a substrate or granular composition which can be released
like salt from a salt
shaker. In one embodiment, the minor distal opening comprises an opening size
of from about
0.01 cm2 to about 5 cm2, alternatively from about 0.03 cm2 to about 4 cm2,
alternatively from
about 1 cm2 to about 3 cm2. In one embodiment, said minor distal opening is
formed in a shape
which facilitates the separation of sheets which can be in a roll contained
within the distal
compartment. In one embodiment, the shape of the minor distal opening is
selected from the
group consisting of: a tapered opening which is can be triangular or isosceles
trapezoid; a
rectangular opening; an X shape; a circle; or square. In another embodiment,
the shape is
tapered such that the cross section area of the minor distal opening facing
the interior of the
distal compartment is smaller than the cross sectional area of the opening
facing the exterior of
the multi-compartment container cap. These and other shapes which facilitate
the distribution
and tearing of substrates which can be in a roll with tear lines separating
individual doses of the
substrates are within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 14 illustrates another elevated side view of the multi-compartment
container cap
100. Lid 402 comprises a minor distal opening which comprises an obstructing
member 435. In
one embodiment, the obstructing member comprises a flexible membrane disposed
over said
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minor distal opening, said flexible membrane having at least one aperture or
cut in the
membrane to allow a substrate to be drawn out of the distal compartment. In
one embodiment,
the flexible membrane comprises a silicone rubber membrane. Non-limiting
examples of
flexible membranes which can be used in accordance with the present invention
are disclosed in
U.S. Patent Nos. 5,989,469 to Dirr et al., 5,931,352 to Dirr et al., 5,897,033
to Hiroyuki Okawa
et al., 4,728,006 to Drobish et al. Other obstructing members can be a hook or
tooth which is
extends into the center of the minor distal opening such that the obstructing
member can catch
any separation between passing sheets and allow the sheets to separate upon a
user pulling on a
dispensed sheet.
Those of ordinary skill will understand that any obstruction or flexible
membranes which
can allow a substrate to be drawn out of the interior of the distal
compartment can be used with
the minor distal opening in order to provide an obstruction to assist in
separating any substrates
within the distal compartment or to control the amount of any granular
composition poured out
of the distal compartment. As mentioned herein, the minor distal opening can
be located on the
lid as shown as 430 or on a portion of the hollow tubular body forming the
distal opening as
shown as 330. As shown in FIG. 13, the minor distal opening 430 can be shaped
to act as an
obstructing member where the edges of the minor distal opening can catch a
portion of the
substrate allowing a user to pull on the substrate dispensed through the minor
distal opening and
separate said dispensed substrate from any other substrates within the distal
compartment.
The multi-compartment container cap 100 shown in FIG. 14 further comprises a
removable freshness seal 360 applied over the distal opening. In one
embodiment, the
removable freshness seal is a foil wrapper which restricts or prevents air
from passing into the
distal compartment. Non-limiting examples of foil wrappers are commonly used
in tennis ball
containers and food containers. In one embodiment, the removable freshness
seal hermetically
seals the interior of the distal compartment from the ambient environment. In
yet another
embodiment, the lid itself provides a hermetic seal when initially releasably
attached to said
distal opening of the hollow tubular body. Forming a hermetic seal between the
lid and the
distal opening can be achieved by selecting a one or more attachment members
455 which are
adapted to fit with one or more receiving members 355 from said distal
compartment to form a
hermetic seal. A non-limiting example of a suitable attachment member and
receiving member
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systems is described in U.S. 5,511,680 to Kinne. This tamper evident system
allows a consumer
to know if the distal compartment had been accessed prior to purchase.
FIG. 15 illustrates a roll of substrates 510 which can be placed within the
distal
compartment for use in a multi-compartment container cap in accordance with
the present
invention. The free end 511 of the roll of substrates can be drawn through the
one or more
minor distal openings provided in accordance with the present invention. In
addition, the roll of
substrates can be used with any of the embodiments of the multi-compartment
container cap
shown in the figures provided, where the free end of the roll of substrates
can be pulled either
through the distal opening when the lid is removed, or through the access area
of a hinged flip
top lid. The roll of substrates 510 can be one continuous roll of substrates
wherein a plurality of
lines of weakness 517 is introduced. Examples of lines of weakness include
tear lines, score
lines or mini apertures along a portion of the substrate. Examples of these
types of rolls of
substrates with line of weakness are toilet paper and hand towels.
Non-limiting examples of suitable substrates which can be used in accordance
with the
present invention include thermoplastic films; fibrous substrates including
woven and non-
woven substrates; paper products including: tissues, hand towels; water-
soluble and non-water
soluble substrates; and so forth. Those of skill in the art will recognize
that the substrate can be
a carrier for cleaning, freshening, or fabric softening benefits, such as a
dryer sheet or moist
cleaning towellete. Non-limiting examples of suitable substrates for use
herein are described in:
U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2008/0014393 Al to Denome et al.; U.S. Patent Nos.
5,173,200 to Kellett
et al., 5,425, 887 to Lam et al., 5,593,508 to Gatt et al., 6,025,321 to Smith
et al., and 6,716,805
to Sherry et al.
It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given
throughout this
specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower
numerical limitations
were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given
throughout this
specification includes every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher
numerical limitations
were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this
specification
includes every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader
numerical range, as if
such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.
CA 02630345 2008-05-26
14
All parts, ratios, and percentages herein, in the Specification, Examples, and
Claims, are
by weight and all numerical limits are used with the normal degree of accuracy
afforded by the
art, unless otherwise specified.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being
strictly
limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise
specified, each such
dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range
surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is
intended to mean
"about 40 mm".
Except as otherwise noted, the articles "a," "an," and "the" mean "one or
more."
To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document
conflicts with
any meaning or definition of the same term in a document cited in the Detailed
Description of
the Invention, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this
document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other
changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is
therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and
modifications that are
within the scope of this invention.
