Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
1
TITLE OF INVENTION
TWO COMPARTMENT CONTAINER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application
Serial No. 61/414,695 filed 17 November 2010, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] 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.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 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 US
Patent
No. 5,692,644 while some require the user to actually connect the two
containers prior
to mixing, see for example US Patent No. 6,910,573.
[0004] Many of the two-compartment containers in the prior art require
the user to
screw the mechanisms together, see for example, US Patent No. 6,126,032 or to
use a
driving force to cause the mechanisms to mix See US Patent 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
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
2
to mix the two ingredients and that does not dispense a stopper within the
main
compartment.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
SUMMARY
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
3
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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
4
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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
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.
[0016] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the two-compartment container
in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the top portion of the
container and the
dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the top portion of the
container in
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
6
accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper container of an
exemplary
embodiment;
[0023] FIGS. 5A and 5B are a cross sectional and top view of an exemplary
embodiment of the base of the present invention; .
[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a cross sectional and top view of the lower
container
of an exemplary embodiment;
[0025] FIGS. 7A and 7B are a cross sectional and top view of the cap in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0026] FIGS. 8A and 8B are a top view and a cross sectional view of the
outer
cap in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0027] FIGS. 9A-C are a top view, a cross sectional view and a bottom
view of
the inner cap in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0028] FIGS. 10A-C are a top view, a cross sectional view and a bottom
view of
the shoulder band in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a piston in accordance with
an
exemplary embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the inner bottle in
accordance with an
exemplary embodiment;
[0031] FIGS. 13A-D are a top view, a side view, a cross sectional view
and a
bottom view of the valve adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0032] FIGS. 14A-D are a top view, a side view, a bottom view, and a
cross
sectional view of the valve in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0033] FIGS. 15A-E are a cross sectional view, an installed view, a top
view, a
cross sectional view and a bottom view of a lower piston in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment;
[0034] FIGS. 16A-C are a top view, a cross sectional view and a bottom
view of
the piston adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0035] FIGS. 17A and 17B are a top view and a side view of the packing
ring in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
7
[0036] FIGS. 18A and 18B are a top view and a side view of the pad in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0037] FIGS. 19A-D are a top view, a side view, a cross sectional view
and a
bottom view of the upper bottle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0038] FIGS. 20A-D are a top view, a side view, a cross sectional view
and a
bottom view of the base in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and
[0039] FIGS. 21A-E are a top view, a side view, a bottom view and two
cross
sectional views of the inner-bottle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
[0040] 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] FIG. 1 depicts two-compartment container 100 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment. Two-compartment container 100 is comprised of an upper
portion 200 containing top cap 1, dispenser bulb 2, outer neck cap 3, inner
neck cap 4,
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
8
shoulder band 5, upper piston 6, dispenser tube 7 and upper compartment 8. Two-
compartment container further comprises a lower portion 300 comprised of disk
9, valve
adapter 10, valve 11, lower piston 12, piston adapter 13, lower compartment
14, base
15, packing ring 16, o-ring 17, pad 18, retaining spring 19 and release spring
20.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
9
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.
[0046] 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
FIG. 1 depicts top cap 1 as generally cylindrical, it is to be appreciated by
those skilled
in the art, that top cap 1 can take on other geometries, such as, for example,
oval,
square, or conical.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows upper portion 200. Dispenser bulb 2 has an outside
surface
20 and an inside surface 21, thereby creating cavity 22. Dispenser bulb 2 is
intended to
be press fit into inner neck cap 4 and is molded with notch 23 and rim 24.
Notch 23 and
rim 24 pressingly mate with tab 43 thereby creating gap 44 between inner neck
cap 4
and upper compartment 8. Packing ring 16 fills gap 44 creating a flat seating
surface
161 to allow the dispenser assembly to rest on the neck of upper compartment
8.
Packing ring 16 is a washer shaped ring having a top, a bottom and an inner
and outer
circumference. Inner neck cap 4 is a generally cylindrical open tube having a
reduced
opening 42 on the top to allow bulb dispenser 2 to pass though. Inner neck cap
4 has
an interior surface 43 and an outer surface 45. Interior surface 43 contains
screw
threads 41 that mate with screw threads 81 on upper compartment 8. Outer neck
cap 3
is a generally cylindrical tube with a reduced opening 31 at the top to allow
bulb
dispenser 2 to pass through the opening and is generally open at the bottom.
Outer
neck cap 3 is conformed to fit in direct contact with inner neck cap 4 on all
exterior
surfaces. Outer neck cap 3 may be manufactured from a material different then
inner
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
cap 4, such as aluminum or a different plastic coated with a reflective
surface, although
other esthetically pleasing materials are contemplated.
[0048] 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.
[0049] In one embodiment a piston is located above the fluid contained in
the
upper compartment. FIG. 3 depicts upper piston 6. Upper piston 6 contains a
substantially flat bottom piston face 61 and top piston face 62, stem portion
63 which
has an inner surface 64 and an outer surface 65. Surrounding the radial outer
surface
of piston face 61 and 62 is groove 66 for receiving o-ring 17. 0-ring 17 forms
a fluid
tight seal with wall 84 of upper compartment 8, thereby preventing fluid from
passing
above upper piston 6 into cavity 82. Inner surface 64 of piston stem portion
63 forms a
hollow tube for conveying there through dispenser tube 7 and accordingly
access to the
fluid in upper container 8. Adjacent the distal end of stem portion 63 is
flare 67. At its
widest exterior point, piston stem 63 is the same diameter as the inner
surface of neck
83 of upper container 8. Flare 67 provides a contacting surface between upper
piston 6
and neck 83 as piston 6 is forced into cavity 82. In operation, as the fluid
from the lower
compartment 14 is driven into the upper compartment 8 by lower piston 12,
upper piston
6 is forced upwardly into cavity 82.
[0050] Upper container 8 seen in FIG. 4 is a generally cylindrical
container
constructed from clear plastic, such as PCTA, glass, or other highly
transparent material
such as Lucite or Lexan . It contains screw threads 81, neck 83, first
shoulder 85,
wall 84, bottom side wall 86, bottom 87, opening 88 and retaining ridge 89.
Bottom 87
is open to allow insertion of disk 9, valve adapter 10, valve 11, lower piston
12, piston
adapter 13, lower compartment 14, pad 18, retaining spring 19 and release
spring 20.
[0051] Base 15 as seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B is generally cup shaped with
vertical
side walls 151, substantially flat base 152, inner base 156, base notch 153,
teeth 154,
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
11
teeth rim 155 and open top 157. In one embodiment, side wall 151 may have a
transparent window 158 or other opening to provide indication that base 15 has
been
rotated from its starting position with respect to the upper compartment 8.
After disk 9,
valve adapter 10, valve 11, lower piston 12, piston adapter 13, lower
compartment 14,
pad 18, retaining spring 19 and release spring 20 are inserted into bottom
side wall
portion 86 through opening 87. Base 15 is press fit into place with upper
compartment
8 by inserting side wall portion 86 into open top 157 of base 15 until base
notch 153
engages retaining ridge 89, thereby mating base 15 onto upper compartment 8.
In this
configuration, as will be explained more fully below, the interconnection of
base notch
153 and retaining ridge 89 allow base 15 to be axially rotatable with respect
to upper
container 8.
[0052] FIGS. 6A and 6B show side and top view of lower compartment 14
respectively. Lower compartment 14 is generally cylindrical and cup shaped
having
open top 140, side wall 141, upper tab portion 142, upper tab notch 143, tab
lip 144,
lower base 145, base notch 146, base lip 147. In one embodiment lower
compartment
14 is filled with a fluid and fitted into base 15. Base notch 146 and base lip
147 mesh
with teeth 154, and teeth rim 155 of base 15. In one embodiment, the rotation
of base
15 with respect to upper compartment 8 causes teeth 154 to engage base notch
146
causing lower compartment 14 to rotate as base 15 is rotated. As will be
explained
further, with respect to a particular embodiment, such rotation releases the
trigger
mechanism releasing the energy in spring 20 and forcing the second fluid into
the first
compartment.
[0053] FIG. 7 depicts top cap 1. Top cap 1 is a generally cylindrical
hollow cap
with a solid top portion 701 on one end and an open portion 702 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. Top cap 1 may be any shape such as square,
trapazoidal, oval,
dome, or conical, or any other geometries as will be appreciated by those
skilled in the
art.
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
12
[0054] FIG. 8 depicts outer cap 3. Outer cap or neck cap 3 is a generally
cylindrical tube with a reduced opening 31 at the top 350 to allow bulb
dispenser 2 to
pass through the opening and is generally open at the bottom 351. Outer neck
cap 3 is
conformed to fit in direct contact with inner neck cap 4 on all exterior
surfaces. Outer
neck cap 3 may be manufactured from a material different than inner cap 4,
such as
aluminum or a different plastic coated with a reflective surface, although
other
esthetically pleasing materials are contemplated.
[0055] FIG. 9 depicts inner cap 4. Inner cap 4 is a generally cylindrical
tube with
a reduced opening 401 at the top 450 to allow bulb dispenser 2 to pass through
the
opening and is generally open at the bottom 451. Inner cap 4 fits in direct
contact with
outer cap 3 on all exterior surfaces. Inner cap 4 may be manufactured from a
material
different then outer cap 3. Inner cap 4, may contain threads 403 on the inner
portion
402 for securing to upper bottle 8. Additionally, inner cap 4, may be press
fit onto upper
bottle 8 or secured with adhesive or other bonding techniques such as thermal
or
chemical bonding.
[0056] FIG. 10 depicts shoulder band 5. Shoulder band 5 is generally
cylindrical
and contains an opening 501 on upper surface 500. Opening 501 is large enough
to fit
over the neck of the upper bottle 8. Shoulder band 5 may have an oval shaped
ridge
502 or may be any geometry as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Shoulder
band 5 contains lip 503 upon which top 1 sits when in a closed position.
Shoulder band
may be made of any material, such as metal, plastic or glass, and may be
coated or
uncoated with various finishes. Shoulder band 5 may be press fit onto upper
bottle 8 or
may be attached utilizing adhesive or other techniques.
[0057] FIG. 11 depicts upper piston 6. in an embodiment, upper piston 6
is used
to compensate for the space present in the upper compartment prior to the
introduction
of the second liquid. Upper piston 6 rests on top of the fluid in the upper
compartment
until the two liquids are mixed. Once that occurs, the upper piston 6 is
driven into the
upper compartment neck, such that the entire upper compartment appears full.
[0058] FIG. 12 depicts a cross sectional view of bottle disk 9. Bottle
disk 9 is
generally cylindrical and circumferentially surrounded by side wall 90,
containing wall
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
13
notch 91, upper notch 92, lip 93, disk notch 94, valve adapter notch 96, valve
adapter
wall 97, center opening 98, and valve shelf 99. FIG. 14 depicts valve 11 which
sits in
contact with valve shelf 99. Valve 11 is generally cylindrical and contains a
top lip 111
that is larger then the base 112. Base 112 is sized to fit within center
opening 98 of
bottle disk 9 with top lip 111 sufficiently large enough not to pass through
center
opening 98. Top lip 111 rests on valve shelf 99 and is held closed by
retaining spring
19.
[0059] FIG. 13 depicts valve adapter 10. Valve adapter 10 is generally
cylindrical
and contains openings 100. Valve adapter 10 is sized to fit within bottle disk
9 resting
on lip 93. openings 100 in Valve adapter 10 are circumferentially placed
around valve
adapter 10 such that when the tension in release spring 20 is released, the
liquid in the
bottom bottle passes through valve openings 100 causing the mixing of the two
fluids in
the upper bottle. Interposed between valve adapter 10 and bottle disk 9 are
valve 11
and retaining spring 19. Retaining spring 19 is sufficiently strong to keep
valve 11
closed until the tension in spring 20 is released. Once it is desired to mix
the liquids and
the tension in release spring 20 is released, the expansion force in retaining
spring 19 is
insufficient to keep valve 11 in a closed position such that the fluids are
forced to be
mixed in the upper container.
[0060] FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment of lower piston 12. Lower piston 12
is
generally cylindrical having piston side walls 120, piston face 121, piston
bottom 122,
piston stem 123, piston rim 124, piston notch 125 and piston lip 126. The
diameter of
piston 12, including piston face, 121, piston rim 124, piston notch 125 and
piston lip 126
is such that it fits inside lower compartment 14 and contacts the inner
surface of
sidewalls 151. In the depicted embodiment, piston side walls 120
circumferentially
extend down from piston face 121 and taper to a chiseled flared end 127.
Flared
chiseled end 127 ensures contact between piston side walls 120 and inner
compartment side walls 151. While this specific piston configuration is
depicted, it
should be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that other piston
configurations are
possible. For example, piston face 121 could extend the full diameter of the
piston face
without the need for piston rim 124, piston notch 125 and piston lip 126.
Likewise, a
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
14
sealing ring or other means could be utilized in place of side walls 120 and
chiseled end
127 to ensure a tight fit with respect to sidewalls 151 of lower compartment
14.
[0061] FIG. 16 depicts piston adapter 13. Piston adapter 13 is generally
cylindrical and hollow with an inner portion 133, an upper portion 130 and a
lower
portion 131. Upper portion 130 contains ridge 132 that circumferentially
surrounds
upper portion 130 and engages with release spring 20. Lower portion 131 is
generally
cylindrical and smaller then upper portion 130. Lower portion 131 seats within
piston 12
against piston bottom 122. Piston stem 123 fits within hollow inner portion
133. When
release spring 20 is compressed, piston 12 and piston adapter 13 contain the
force
used to drive the second liquid from the lower container into the upper
container when
released.
[0062] FIG. 17 depicts packing ring 16. Packing ring 16 fills gap 44
creating a flat
seating surface 161 to allow the dispenser assembly to rest on the neck of
upper
compartment 8. Packing ring 16 is a washer shaped ring having a top 162, a
bottom
163 and an inner circumference 164 and outer circumference 165. It may be
configured
from any compressible material, such as plastic or rubber, although other
materials are
possible.
[0063] FIG. 18 depicts pad 18. Pad 18 surrounds bottle disk 9. Pad 18 is
a
washer shaped pad having a top 182, a bottom 183 and an inner circumference
184
and outer circumference 185. It may be configured from any compressible
material,
such as plastic or rubber, although other materials are possible.
[0064] FIG. 19 depicts a cross sectional view of upper bottle 8. As can
be seen
in FIG. 19, bottom 87 is open to allow insertion of the other components of
the valve
system. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, upper bottle 8
need not be
round, but may take on other geometries, as long as the valve parts are
modified
accordingly.
[0065] FIG. 20 depicts a cross sectional view of base 15. Base 15 as seen
is
generally cup shaped with vertical side walls 151, inner base 156, base notch
153, teeth
154, teeth rim 155 and open top 157. In an embodiment, side wall 151 may have
a
transparent window or other opening to provide indication that base 15 has
been rotated
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
from its starting position with respect to the upper compartment 8.
[0066] FIG. 21 depicts a cross sectional view of lower compartment 14.
Lower
compartment 14 is generally cylindrical and cup shaped having open top 140,
side wall
141, upper tab portion 142, upper tab notch 143, tab lip 144, lower base 145,
base
notch 146, base lip 147. In one embodiment lower compartment 14 is filled with
a fluid
and fitted into base 15. Base notch 146 and base lip 147 mesh with teeth 154,
and
teeth rim 155 of base 15. In one embodiment, the rotation of base 15 with
respect to
upper compartment 8 causes teeth 154 to engage base notch 146 causing lower
compartment 14 to rotate as base 15 is rotated.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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
CA 02818488 2013-05-17
WO 2012/068398 PCT/US2011/061235
16
limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.
[0069] 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.
