Storing and mixing container and method for separately depositing, storing and mixing two substances in a container

Abstract

A storing and mixing container and method for separately depositing and storing a first substance and a second substance in separate chambers and for mixing the substances together at the time of use by breaking the barrier between the separate chambers. The container comprises a cap at one end through which the contents of the container are emptied defined as the top portion, a crimp seal at the other end defined as the bottom portion and a breakable interior barrier seal between the top portion and the bottom portion. The interior barrier seal separates the top portion and the bottom portion of the container into two chambers. To maximize the substance volume within the container, the interior barrier seal is positioned at right angles and on an opposite plane to the crimp seal. The barrier can be broken by the application of external pressure to the outer walls of the container.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/612,648 filed Jun. 26, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to containers for substances and more particularly to containers for storing two substances which must be stored separately but should be mixed shortly before use.

BACKGROUND

[0003] There are many compositions in industries such as the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, chemical and beverage industries that require two substances to be stored separately but should be mixed shortly before use. As an example, the cosmetic industry manufactures and packages hair colour in one container and developer lotion in a second container. The consumer must follow a 5 step procedure by 1) removing the lid from the partly filled developer container; 2) removing the lid from the hair colour container; 3) depositing the hair colour into the partly filled developer container; 4) replacing the cap onto the developer container; and 5) shaking and mixing the contents together in the developer container.

[0004] The current method, as described above, involves the use of two separate containers, one for storing each substance. To mix the substances typically requires pouring, depositing or injecting the first substance in the first container into the second substance in the second container. This requires the second container to have sufficient extra space to make room for the first substance. Alternatively, the contents of the first and second containers are poured, deposited or injected into a third container. This requires the additional expense and space of such third container.

[0005] There are known containers for separately storing substances to be mixed before use. They tend to be expensive to manufacture, to be complex, to involve more than one step in order to separate and mix the fluids, or to be prone to accidental mixing. Some examples of such containers follow.

[0006] A two compartment container is disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 1,302,356 to Amos. The Amos container includes two compartments sealed by foil. Rotation of a intermediate part between the compartments cuts the foil on both compartments, causing the fluids contained therein to mix.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,548,562 to Schwartzman discloses a method of producing a mixing package employing two separate containers. The Schwartzman package includes first and second containers positioned vertically and separated by a frangible seal. By pushing downwardly on the second container, pointed ends pierce the seal and allow the fluids to mix.

[0008] Another example of a known double container with mixing means is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,919 to Miles. The Miles container comprises an inner container positioned within an outer container. The mouth of the inner container can be released from the stopper by applying compression to the double container. One disadvantage to this device is the potential for accidental mixing by inadvertent compression of the double container.

[0009] Other examples of devices for storing fluids separately and mixing the fluids before use are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,144 to Slade; U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,087 to Haber et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,322 to Haber et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,406 to Goncalves.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] A storing and mixing container according to the invention has application to many industries, including the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, beverage, chemical and industrial supplies industries. Such industries all presently manufacture substances which must be stored in two separate containers until being mixed together at or near the time of use. The container according to the invention replaces the use of two separate containers with a single unit container that 1) stores the substances and allows for their mixing; 2) saves on packaging, materials, labour and shipping costs; 3) reduces the number of procedural steps required in mixing; and 4) offers cost effective, convenient, and easy to use apparatus and methods for the customer.

[0011] For example in the process described above for mixing hair colour and developer a container according to the invention offers the user an expedient and convenient “squeeze and shake” container that reduces the 5 step procedure to a 2 step procedure. The consumer unbends and squeezes the container causing the temporary seal to open and the ingredients to automatically mix together. The ingredients can be mixed more uniformly by shaking the container. The container according to the invention, besides the simplified and expedient squeeze and shake mixing method, also reduces material, labour and shipping costs.

[0012] The pharmaceutical industry manufactures compositions in liquid and powder form that must be stored separately until being mixed together at the time of dispensing. Powder antibiotics are stored in one container, distilled water is stored in a second container and, at the time of dispensing, the ingredients are mixed together to produce a liquid oral antibiotic. The shelf life of liquid oral antibiotics (which must be refrigerated following activation) is 14 days. A container according to the invention separately stores pre-measured powder antibiotics and distilled water in one double container unit. By “unbending” and “squeezing” the container, the antibiotics can be activated and the 14 day shelf life predetermined. The invention reduces materials and dispensing costs and is convenient for travellers.

[0013] In the health food industry, powder vitamins and herbs, powder protein and powder or yogurt bacterial culture are packaged and stored separately and mixed with juices, soy milk, or other drinkable liquids at the time of consumption, thus eliminating the need for preservatives. A container according to the invention packages nutrition-rich protein, vitamin and yogurt beverages in a single “unbend, squeeze and shake” double container that preserves optimum nutritional value by separating the ingredients until the time of consumption.

[0014] In the chemical industry, two part chemicals and catalysts are manufactured, contained and stored by the industrial suppliers in separate containers until they are mixed together at the time of use. A container according to the invention packages pre-measured chemicals and chemical catalysts in a single unit double container that stores and can be used to mix the compositions at the time of use.

[0015] In all of the above examples, time, labour, material and shipping costs can be saved by reducing the number of steps in the mixing process and the amount of materials to separate and later mix the two substances together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bent container incorporating the invention

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an unbent container according to the invention

[0018] FIG. 3 is an inverted view thereof;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an unbent container showing the breakable interior seal;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective side view thereof;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an unbent container according to the invention showing the breakable interior seal and the crimp seal on opposite planes

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective side view thereof;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a standard cap for use in a container according to the invention

[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an applicator cap for use in a container according to the invention;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a push-pull cap for use in a container according to the invention;

[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a partially bent container according to the invention showing the applicator cap and an upper chamber and a lower chamber.

[0027] FIG. 12 is a perspective view according to the invention of an unbent container wherein the breakable interior seal is broken;

[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an inverted unbent container according to the invention showing the first substance deposited through a first filling nozzle;

[0029] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an inverted unbent container according to the invention showing a clamping instrument;

[0030] FIG. 15 is a perspective view an inverted unbent container according to the invention showing the breakable interior seal, a first substance contained within the first chamber and a second substance deposited through a second filling nozzle;

[0031] FIG. 16 is a perspective view according to the invention showing the crimp seal and the breakable interior seal and a first substance contained within the first chamber and a second substance contained within the second chamber; and

[0032] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the bent container incorporating the invention showing the exterior contact seal.

DESCRIPTION

Storing and Mixing Container

[0033] Drawing Index

[0034] 1=container

[0035] 2=container neck

[0036] 3=container neck rim

[0037] 4=container mouth opening

[0038] 5=container base rim

[0039] 6=container base opening

[0040] 7=interior container wall

[0041] 8=exterior container wall

[0042] 9=interior wall sealant

[0043] 10=first chamber

[0044] 11=second chamber

[0045] 13=applicator cap

[0046] 14=applicator nozzle

[0047] 15=breakable interior seal

[0048] 16=exterior contact seal

[0049] 17=seal seam

[0050] 18=crimp seal

[0051] 19=first filling nozzle

[0052] 20=second filling nozzle

[0053] 21=clamping instrument

[0054] 22=first substance

[0055] 23=second substance

[0056] A container embodying the invention, as best seen in FIG. 1, is a bent container 1 with an applicator cap 13 closure at one end, a permanent crimp seal 18 at the opposite end and two chambers 10 and 11, respectively separated by a breakable interior seal 15. The container is bent at or near the seam 17 of the breakable interior seal 15 and the chambers 10 and 11 are positioned side by side and held together by a temporary exterior contact seal 16.

[0057] The storing and mixing container, as best seen in FIG. 2, comprises a container 1

[0058] As best seen in FIGS. 1, 11 and 12, opening 4 is closed by a cap 13 and opening 6 is closed by a permanent crimp seal 18. As best seen in the FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the breakable interior seal 15 separates the container 1 into upper and lower chambers 10 and 11 and deforms the shape of the container.

[0059] As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the breakable interior seal 15 is above and at a right angle and on an opposite plane to the crimp seal 18. Positioning interior seal 15 and crimp seal 18 in such a fashion provides several advantages. For example, this position allows the opposite ends of the container 1 to be in close proximity (as seen in FIG. 1), more so than if seals 15, 18 are parallel, which in turn means container 1 requires less space when full. Also, container 1 can hold a greater volume of substances when shaped in this way.

[0060] Another advantage to the positioning of the seals at right angles is that container 1 becomes tamper proof, i.e. the opposite ends of the container can be affixed to each other (as seen in FIG. 17), so that if container 1 is unbent, such a change is immediately observable by a potential consumer. Yet another advantage is that when container 1 is bent as seen in FIGS. 1 and 17, seal 15 is reinforced. Finally, bending container 1 provides a more efficient and less expensive means of storing the substances container therein.

[0061] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 11, the container 1 is bent along or beside the seam 17 of the breakable interior seal 15. As best seen in FIG. 1, the breakable exterior contact seal 16 bonds the chambers 10 and 11 in a side by side v-shape position.

[0062] As best seen in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, the bent container 1 can be unbent by breaking the exterior contact seal 16. Squeezing the unbent container 1 causes the breakable interior seal 15 to break and the first substance 22 and the second substance 23 to interact. Preferably the user will shake the container 1 to facilitate the mixing of the contents.

[0063] A container embodying the invention as best seen in FIG. 13 is inverted and placed in a holder with the cap 13 facing downwards and the container base opening 6 facing upwards. The container 1 is indexed and the surface scanned by photoelectric sensors while it is rotated. After indexing to the first fill station, the first filling nozzle 19 dives down into the container base opening 6 and dispenses the first substance 22 into the lower portion of the container. During the first fill cycle, the first filling nozzle 19 rises in a cam controlled movement with an engineered size part for a specific container size and fill volume.

[0064] The half filled container 1 is indexed to another station. As best seen in FIG. 14, a clamping instrument 21 such as a set of jaws with thermostatically controlled heaters apply pressure to the opposite exterior walls 8 above the level of the first substance 22. Heat is applied until the sealant 9 coated to the interior container wall surface 7 reaches the melting point. The clamped area is immediately cooled to chill and set the interior seal 15. (Alternate heat sensitive sealing or heat resistant sealing may be equally as effective.).

[0065] In summary, At the time of filling, the container is inverted and comprises a cap closure at one end in a downward facing position and an opening at the opposite end in an upward facing position. The first substance is deposited into the lower portion of the inverted container through the opening. An interior barrier seal is formed above the level of the first substance using heat sealing means such as sealant heat bonding and impulse welding. Other sealing methods such as sonar and re-sealable sealing methods may be equally as effective. The interior barrier seal separates and seals the first substance inside a first chamber. The second substance is deposited into the upper portion of the inverted container through the opening. The second substance is sealed inside a second chamber by closing the container opening using crimp sealing or other permanent sealing techniques known to the industry. The interior barrier seal and the crimp seal are made at right angles and on opposite planes to each other allowing for maximum substance volume within the chambers. The container can be folded or bent along the crease formed by the barrier seal so that the two chambers are in a substantially side by side v-shape position. The two chambers may be held and secured in a substantially side by side v-shape position by applying a breakable exterior contact seal at a point where the two compartments make side by side contact with each other.

[0066] When a user desires to mix the first substance and the second substance together, the user unbends and squeezes the container causing the interior barrier seal to break and the substances to interact. When the user agitates the container, the first and second substances are mixed together.

[0067] As best seen in FIG. 15, a breakable interior seal 15 seals the first substance 22 inside the first chamber 10. A second substance 23 is dispensed at a second fill station through a second filling nozzle 20 into the upper portion of the container 1 through the container base opening 6.

[0068] As best seen in FIG. 16, the container 1 is indexed to a registration station and rotated 90 degrees. A permanent crimp seal 18 closes the container base opening 6 and seals the second substance 23 inside the second chamber 11.

[0069] As best seen in FIG. 17, the container 1 is folded along the seam 17 of the breakable interior seal 15 until the first chamber 10 makes contact with the second chamber 11. A breakable exterior contact seal 16 holds the first chamber 10 and the second chamber 11 in a substantially side by side v-shape position and reinforces the breakable interior seal 15.

[0070] Some examples of use of the invention include:

[0071] 1. Cosmetic Industry

[0072] Hair colour and developer are typically packaged in two separate containers. The user must open both containers, pour or squeeze the hair colour into the developer container and shake the contents at the time of use. The use of a container according to the invention offers the user an expedient “squeeze and shake” single unit product. The invention offers the manufacturer a simple, inexpensive one unit container that saves on materials, labour and shipping costs.

[0073] 2. Beverages

[0074] Powder vitamins and herbs, powder protein and yogurt or powder acidophilus and bifidus bacterial culture are ingredients that are packaged and stored separately but can be mixed with juices, soy milk, or other drinkable liquids at the time of consumption. A container according to the invention offers the consumer nutrition-rich beverages in a single “squeeze and shake” container that preserves nutritional integrity by separating the ingredients until consumption.

[0075] 3. Medical/Pharmaceutical

[0076] Pharmaceutical preparations in liquid and powder form are frequently stored separately until being mixed together at the time of dispensing. A container according to the invention offers pre-measured storage of pharmaceutical preparations that must be kept separate until being mixed together at the time of dispensing.

[0077] 4. Chemical

[0078] A container according to the invention allows storing and mixing of pre-measured chemicals and chemical catalysts.

[0079] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A container for storing and mixing comprising:

a flexible container

a breakable interior seal;

a crimp seal;

a breakable contact seal;

a cap closure; and

a cheese wax sealant material or rupturable sealant material;

wherein the interior surface of said container is coated or layered with a predominantly cheese wax material or a rupturable sealant material and wherein said container has a first opening at the upper end and a second opening at the lower end; said cap positionable to close said first opening and said crimp seal positionable to close said second opening.

2. A container for storing and mixing comprising:

a cap closure at one end;

a crimp seal at the opposite end of said container;

a breakable interior seal positionable between said cap closure and said crimp seal;

wherein said breakable interior seal is positionable at a substantially right angle and on an opposite plane above said crimp seal.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein said container is bent along the seam created by said breakable interior seal.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein said breakable interior seal is breakable by applying external pressure to said container.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein said breakable interior seal is formed by heat sealing methods.

6. The container of claim 4 wherein said breakable interior seal is formed sonar sealing methods.

7. A filling method for a storing and mixing container comprising:

a flexible container

a cap closure

a first substance

a second substance

filling nozzles

a clamping apparatus

a crimping apparatus

a thermostatically controlled heating and cooling apparatus

wherein said flexible container has a first opening at the upper end and a second opening at the lower end and a cap closure to close said first opening.

8. The filling method of claim 7 wherein the interior surface of said container is coated or layered with a predominantly cheese wax material or rupturable sealant material.

9. The filling method for a storing and mixing container of claim 8 wherein:

said container is inverted with said cap closure facing downwards and said second opening facing upwards;

said first substance is dispensed through a filling nozzle into said second opening;

pressure is applied to the exterior surface of said container above the level of said first substance by said clamping apparatus causing the opposite interior walls of said container to make contact;

heat is applied to the clamped area by a heat generating apparatus known to the industry and causes said cheese wax material or said rupturable sealant material to melt;

a cooling apparatus known to the industry causes said cheese wax or rupturable sealant material to harden and to bond the opposite interior walls of said container together at the clamped points of contact;

said breakable interior seal seals said first substance inside a first chamber;

said second substance is dispensed through said second opening; and

said second opening is crimp sealed and seals said second substance inside a second chamber.

10. The filling method for a storing and mixing container of claim 9 wherein said crimp seal is positioned at a right angle and on an opposite plane to said breakable interior seal.

11. The filling method for a storing and mixing container of claim 10 wherein said container is bent along the seam created by said breakable interior seal.