SYSTEM FOR SAFELY CONTAINING, MIXING, AND THEN POURING TWO LIQUIDS

Abstract

A mixing and dispensing container having a first chamber for retaining a first material, the first chamber including a first port, a second chamber for retaining a second material, a septum separating the first chamber from the second chamber, and a first closure having a spike, the first closure movable between a first position and a second position, the first closure configured to: (i) sealingly close the first port; and (ii) pass a portion of the septum with the spike in the first position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a container, and more particularly a container for containing two separate liquids that are subsequently mixed in the container.

Description of Related Art

Many industrial and medical applications require that two liquids, often toxic, be safely contained, mixed together, and then poured in such a way that the two liquids do not come into contact with the user prior to mixing and pouring. Previously, designs required a dual-chamber plastic bottle with separate necks on each chamber that did not allow the material in each chamber to be mixed within the same plastic bottle. Such dual-chamber blow-molded bottles are limited in capacity and require somewhat complex and expensive molds.

For example, some different chemicals selected from a group of same-based cosmetic materials and medicines are mixed so that novel cosmetics or medicines may be obtained. Colorants may also be used in dying, as an oxidizing agent, and in liquid or powder materials for make-up.

However, although medicine and agents are used to exhibit unique properties, medicine and agents are typically manufactured and accommodated in separated containers, respectively. Chemical reactions and difficulty of long-term custody arise when utilizing a single container due to the nature of the different components. Moreover, a user has to buy these containers separately and then mix the contents in yet another container, increasing room for error. Thus, it is inconvenient to manufacture, sale, and buy. Additionally, dust in the air may contaminate the components when they are mixed together, and due to this, the chemical composition of the mixture may be negatively altered.

Described below is a system for mixing two different liquids within a single container without requiring the operator to pour one liquid into the other or to have any physical contact with the two unmixed liquids. The design described herein may also utilize a capspike principle for storing and then releasing one liquid into the other and employing a design that has a single neck rather than the two necks required by the dual-chamber bottle as described above.

While the system described above utilizes a container that includes two different liquids, the current system and method described below provides significant improvements to those containers, particularly regarding a container for containing two separate liquids that are subsequently mixed in the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a mixing and dispensing container having a first chamber for retaining a first material, the first chamber including a first port, a second chamber for retaining a second material, a septum separating the first chamber from the second chamber, and a first closure having a spike, the first closure movable between a first position and a second position, the first closure configured to: (i) sealingly close the first port; and (ii) pass a portion of the septum with the spike in the first position.

Another embodiment is disclosed of a method for mixing materials in a container. The method including providing a mixing and dispending container having a first chamber for retaining a first material, the first chamber including a first port, a second chamber for retaining a second material, a septum separating the first chamber from the second chamber, and a first closure having a spike, the first closure movable between a first position and a second position, the first closure configured to sealingly close the first port in the first position and penetrate a portion of the septum with the spike, disposing the first material in the first chamber of the mixing and dispending container, disposing the second material in the second chamber of the mixing and dispending, closing the first port in the first chamber, and moving the spike relative to the septum to pass the first material from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Yet another embodiment is disclosed wherein the septum may form a sealed interface with the spike to substantially retain the first material within the first chamber; the mixing and dispensing container may further include a second port accessing the second chamber and a second closure selectively sealing the second port, the mixing and dispensing container may further include a second port accessing the second chamber and the first closure in the first position selectively occluding the second port; wherein at least a portion of the septum may be formed of polypropylene; wherein the septum may include an O-ring to engage the spike in the first position; wherein the spike may include an O-ring to engage the septum in the first position; wherein the first closure may include a threaded interface for engaging the first port; wherein the first closure further may include a fill hole to receive the first material into the first chamber of the mixing dispensing container; wherein the first closure may further include a sealer to securely engage the fill hole to prohibit the first material from dispensing from the first chamber; and wherein the first chamber may further include a fill hole to transfer the first material into the first chamber of the mixing dispensing container.

Still another embodiment is disclosed wherein the method may further include opening the first port in the first chamber; and withdrawing the spike from the septum thereby disposing the first material into the second chamber to be mixed with the second material; wherein the method may further include dispensing the mixture of the first material and the second material from the mixing and dispensing container; wherein the mixing and dispending container may further include a second port accessing the second chamber and a second closure selectively occluding the second port; wherein the method may further include disengaging the second closure from the second port; and dispensing the second material through the second port of the mixing and dispensing container; wherein the first closure may further include a fill hole to transfer the first material into the first chamber of the mixing dispensing container; wherein the disposing the first material in the first chamber of the mixing and dispending container may be disposed through the fill hole of the first closure; wherein the first closure may further include a sealer to securely engage the fill hole to prohibit the first material from dispensing from the first chamber; and wherein the method may further include sealing the fill hole with the sealer after the first material is disposed in the first chamber.

In another embodiment, a method is disclosed including moving a closure of a port of a first chamber from a first sealed position to withdraw a penetrating spike from a penetrating position in a penetrated septum, the septum separating the first chamber from a second chamber; and passing a material in the first chamber through the penetrated septum into the second chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the present invention disclosed in the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an improved mixing and dispensing container;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mixing and dispensing container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the mixing and dispensing container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the mixing and dispensing container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the mixing and dispensing container shown in FIG. 1, taken generally on a plane passing through axis A-A shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the mixing and dispensing container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the mixing and dispensing container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the mixing and dispensing container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of a first chamber and a first closure of second embodiment of an improved mixing and dispensing container;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the first closure of the mixing and dispensing container shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-section side view of a third embodiment of an improved mixing and dispensing container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the present disclosure and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It will be apparent, however, to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details.

Where they are used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and so on, do not necessarily denote any ordinal, sequential, or priority relation, but are simply used to more clearly distinguish one element or set of elements from another, unless specified otherwise. By “exemplary” is meant to be “an example of,” not intended to suggest any preferred or ideal embodiment.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly FIGS. 1-8 thereof, a mixing and dispensing container is provided, of which a first embodiment is generally indicated at 100. Mixing and dispensing container 100 is shown broadly including a first chamber 10 having a main port 11 and a first closure 20 selectively closing main port 11 and a second chamber 30 having an outlet port 40 and a second closure 42 to selectively close outlet port 40.

As shown, first chamber 10 includes sidewalls 14, a septum 60, and main port 11. First chamber 10 may house a first material 12. First chamber 10 may be cylindrical in shape but may also be any shape suitable for the intended purpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. First chamber 10 may also include a window strip or a floating indicator 16 to provide an indication of the amount of first material 12 in first chamber 10 as shown in FIG. 8.

First chamber 10 and second chamber 30 may include a neck 18, 44, respectively, extending outwardly from mixing and dispensing container 100, wherein each neck includes an externally threaded portion. Thus, as first and second closures 20, 40 are threadingly engaged with the corresponding threads on mixing and dispensing container 100, first and second closures 20, 40 move vertically relative to mixing and dispensing container 100.

Second chamber 30 of mixing and dispensing container 100 includes sidewalls 34 and a bottom 36. Second chamber 30 may be any shape suitable for the intended purpose of transporting material and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. A top section of second chamber 30 of mixing and dispensing container 100 may include a portion that surrounds a top portion of first chamber 10, as shown in FIG. 8. Second chamber 30 may also include a window strip or floating indicator to provide an indication of the amount of second material 32 in second chamber 30.

Second chamber 30 may also house second material 32. First material 12 and second material 32 may be different materials. In one embodiment, first material 12 and second material 32 may undergo a chemical reaction when mixed together. For example, first material 12 and second material 32 may be two-part epoxy, two-part disinfectants, two-part medical solutions, two-part gluing systems, or any other two-part materials suitable for the intended purpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. First material 12 may be an activator for second material 32 and vice versa. First chamber 10 may be wholly contained within second chamber 30 or integrated into second chamber 30 such that first material 12 and second material 32 are separated.

In one embodiment, first closure 20 includes a fill hole 22, a stopper 24, and a spike 26. Fill hole 22 allows access to first chamber 10 through first closure 20 when first closure 20 is operably engaged to seal main port 11. For example, first material 12 can be introduced into first chamber 10 through fill hole 22 while first closure 20 is engaged with mixing and dispensing container 100. Fill hole 22 may be sealed by stopper 24 after first material 12 has been introduced, such as poured, into first chamber 10. Fill hole 22 may also include a threaded interface to securely engage stopper 24 so that first material 12 is unable to leak out of first chamber 10 when stopper 24 has sealed fill hole 22. First closure 20 may also include a vent 28 to vent an ullage space of first chamber 10. Vent 28 may be uni-directional and only allow one type of material (e.g., gas and not liquid) from being expelled from first chamber 10.

Stopper 24 may be a screw made of nylon or any other sealer made of materials suitable for the intended purpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. First closure 20 may also include a retainer in an interior section of first closure 20 that engages mixing and dispensing container 100 and that prevents first closure 20 from being disengaged from mixing and dispensing container 100. The retainer can be a frangible portion, such as a projecting tang or finger that is fractured upon moving past a lip 21 on main port 11, such that the fractured finger evidences separation of first closure 20 from mixing and dispensing container 100.

Alternatively, the retainer can include a shoulder that precludes non-destructive separation of stopper 24 from mixing and dispensing container 100. A bottom portion of first closure 20 may include a gasket to provide a sealed seal with mixing and dispensing container 100 when first closure 20 is operably engaged with main port 11 of first chamber 10. Alternatively or additionally, main port 11 of first chamber 10 may also include a gasket to provide the sealed interface with first closure 20.

Spike 26 may be tapered, made of the same material as first closure 20, and a penetrating spike or lance. Spike 26 has a length that is greater than a longitudinal length of first chamber 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the length of spike 26 is greater than the longitudinal length of first chamber 10 and passes through septum 60 in the bottom of first chamber 10. For example, the longitudinal length of first chamber 10 may be approximately 52 mm and the length of spike 26 may be 60 mm. A diameter of spike 26 may be 9 mm. Septum 60 may also be formed of polypropylene, high density polyethylene, or any other material suitable for the intended purpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Alternatively, spike 26 can have a curvilinear cross section that seals with an adjacent portion of septum 60 to preclude fluid flow therebetween, wherein rotation of first closure 20 relative to mixing and dispensing container 100 imparts vertical motion of spike 26 relative to septum 60, thereby breaking the fluid tight interface and permitting the passage of material 12 from first chamber 10 to second chamber 30. In this configuration, spike 26 is concentric with the axis of rotation of first closure 10 and mixing and dispensing container 10.

In one embodiment, when spike 26 penetrates septum 60 as first closure 20 is secured onto mixing and dispending container 100, septum 60 forms a sealed interface with spike 26 and retains first material 12 within first chamber 10 of mixing and dispending container 100. Septum 60 may include a second septum between either first material 12 and septum 60 or septum 60 and second material 32. The second septum provides additional resistance when spike 26 penetrates septum 60 such that a user has a better understanding when spike 26 has penetrated septum 60. For example, the second septum may be circular and positioned towards the center of septum 60 such that a sealed interface is formed between spike 26 and the second septum. The second septum may further include an aperture to allow first material 12 to drain into second chamber 30 when spike 26 has been disengaged from septum 60.

Alternatively, septum 60 include an aperture to receive a portion of spike 26, wherein a periphery of the aperture and the surface of spike 26 form a sealed interface. It is contemplated at least one of spike 26 and septum 60 can include a seal 62 (e.g., an O-ring) to form the sealed interface between spike 26 and septum 60 to substantially retain first material 12 within first chamber 10. In one configuration, a portion of septum 60 is formed of a high-density polyethylene.

After spike 26 has penetrated septum 60 or partially passed through the aperture in septum 60, first chamber 10 is sealed. That is, first closure 10 forms a sealed interface with mixing and dispensing container 100 and spike 26 is sealed with septum 60. First material 12 can then be introduced into first chamber 10 through fill hole 22.

Upon first closure 20 being raised (such as rotated through the threads on mixing and dispensing container 100), spike 26 is disengaged from septum 60 and releases first material 12 into second chamber 30, thereby mixing with second material 32. First closure 20 can then be threaded back onto mixing and dispensing container 100, to reseal first chamber 10 from second chamber 30.

Thereafter, the combination of first material 12 and second material 30 may be dispensed from mixing and dispensing container 100 from outlet port 40 upon releasing second closure 42.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a mixing and dispensing container 200 includes a first chamber 110, a first closure 120, a pour slot 122, a fill hole 124, a stopper 125, a spike 126, a second chamber 130, and a septum 160 similar to embodiments provided above. In this configuration, first chamber 110 includes sidewalls 112 and is a separate component from mixing and dispensing container 200, and as seen in the figures includes a lip 114 for engaging the throat of mixing and dispensing chamber 200. Pour slot 122 is an aperture at a top section of second chamber 130 to allow material to be dispensed from second chamber 130, similar to outlet port 40. Pour slot 122 is sealed by first closure 120 when in a closed position. First closure 120 may include a gasket to seal pour slot 122 when in the closed position, or vice versa. After materials 118 in first chamber 110 and second chamber 130 are mixed, first closure 120 may be removed from mixing and dispensing container 200 and dispensed from pour slot 122.

In this embodiment, with first closure 120 removed from mixing and dispensing container 200, second chamber 130 is filled with the desired material, fluid. First chamber 110 is then located within a neck 116 of mixing and dispensing container 200 such that lip 114 engages the throat of mixing and dispensing container 200 and pour slot 122 is 180 degrees from the bottle handle to ensure proper pouring from mixing and dispensing container 200. It is contemplated that first closure 120 can be joined or bonded to mixing and dispensing container 200 to retain the first chamber 110 in the desired orientation.

First closure 120 is then engaged with mixing and dispensing container 200 to form a sealed interface between first closure 120 and mixing and dispensing container 200 as well as pass a portion of spike 126 through septum 160. It is contemplated that spike 126 can form the aperture in septum 160 or engage an aperture in septum 160 as set forth above. It is contemplated at least one of spike 126 and septum 160 can include a seal 162 (e.g., an O-ring) to form the sealed interface between spike 126 and septum 160 to substantially retain first material 118 within first chamber 110. Spike 126 may further be configured to be a tapered spike.

First chamber 110 is then filled through fill hole 124. In one configuration, a predetermined volume or mass of first material 118 is introduced through fill hole 124 into first chamber 110. Stopper 125 (e.g., sealer) is then engaged with fill hole 124 to seal first material 118 in the first chamber.

To selectively mix the contents of first chamber 110 with the material of second chamber 130, first closure 120 is rotated about the threads to withdraw a portion of spike 126 from septum 160, thereby allowing first material 118 to pass into second chamber 130. First closure 120 can then be fully reengaged with mixing and dispensing container 200.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 11, an improved mixing and dispensing container 300 includes a first chamber 210 having an inlet port 212, a first closure 220, a fill hole 222, a stopper 224, a spike 226, a second chamber 230, a dispensing port 240, and a septum 260 similar to embodiments provided above. A fill hole 222 may be located on a top portion of first chamber 210 and not a part of first closure 220. For example, when first closure 220 does not have enough surface area to include fill hole 222, fill hole 222 may be a part of first chamber 210 and allow direct access to an interior region of first chamber 210.

Again in this configuration, septum 260 and spike 226 can be configured wherein spike 226 punctures septum 260 to form the passageway for passing material from first chamber 210 to second chamber 230 or spike 226 and form a sealed interface with a performed aperture in septum 260.

In this configuration, mixing and dispensing container 300 can be a blow molded construction, such as HDPE, wherein first chamber 210 and second chamber 230 each have threaded necks. It is contemplated that at least a portion of first chamber 210 can include a translucent viewing strip for monitoring the amount of material in first chamber 210.

Second chamber 230 can be filled through dispensing port 240 and second closure 242 engaged with mixing and dispensing container 300 to form a sealed interface.

First closure 220 is threadingly engaged with mixing and dispensing container 300 to seal spike 226 with septum 260 and first closure 220 with mixing and dispensing container 300. It is contemplated at least one of spike 226 and septum 260 can include a seal 262 (e.g., an O-ring) to form the sealed interface between spike 226 and septum 260 to substantially retain the material within first chamber 210. Spike 226 may further be configured to be a tapered spike.

First chamber 210 is filled through inlet port 212 with a predetermined amount of material and stopper 224 is engaged with mixing and dispensing container 300. To mix the contents, first closure 220 is partly unthreaded from mixing and dispensing container 300 to allow the material from first chamber 210 to pass through septum 260 into second chamber 230. First closure 220 is fully reengaged with mixing and dispensing container 300 and the resulting mixture can then be dispensed through dispensing port 240 upon opening second closure 242.

In one configuration, first chamber 210 includes a post-rinse sanitizer for food contact surfaces such as peroxyacetic acid (PAA). It is known that PAA can also be used as an antimicrobial or applied directly to food products to kill pathogenic bacteria. PAA is a stabilized blend of hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid and is environmentally friendly and rapidly breaks down after use to water, acetic acid (vinegar), and oxygen. As such, PAA is suitable for use as a sanitizer in facilities that produce USDA organic products.

PAA decomposes slowly during storage, giving off oxygen. Thus, the configurations of the present disclosure include the vent to selectively vent all the off gassing. Glass, polyethylene (HDPE/LLDPE), and Teflon (PTFE) are all suitable for handling concentrated solutions. Upon dilution to an “at use” concentration (usually 100 ppm-200 ppm), the range of compatible materials increases.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a present preferred embodiment, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to the illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Claims

1. A mixing and dispensing container, comprising:

a first chamber for retaining a first material, the first chamber including a first port;

a second chamber for retaining a second material;

a septum separating the first chamber from the second chamber; and

a first closure having a spike, the first closure movable between a first position and a second position, the first closure configured to: (i) sealingly close the first port; and (ii) pass a portion of the septum with the spike in the first position.

2. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the septum forms a sealed interface with the spike to substantially retain the first material within the first chamber.

3. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 1, further comprising a second port accessing the second chamber and a second closure selectively sealing the second port.

4. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 1, further comprising a second port accessing the second chamber and the first closure in the first position selectively occluding the second port.

5. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the septum is formed of polypropylene.

6. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the septum includes an O-ring to engage the spike in the first position.

7. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the spike includes an O-ring to engage the septum in the first position.

8. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the first closure includes a threaded interface for engaging the first port.

9. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the first closure further includes a fill hole to receive the first material into the first chamber of the mixing dispensing container.

10. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 9, wherein the first closure further includes a sealer to securely engage the fill hole to prohibit the first material from dispensing from the first chamber.

11. The mixing and dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the first chamber further includes a fill hole to transfer the first material into the first chamber of the mixing dispensing container.

12. A method for mixing materials in a container, the method comprising:

providing a mixing and dispending container including: a first chamber for retaining a first material, the first chamber including a first port; a second chamber for retaining a second material; a septum separating the first chamber from the second chamber; and a first closure having a spike, the first closure movable between a first position and a second position, the first closure configured to sealingly close the first port in the first position and penetrate a portion of the septum with the spike;

disposing the first material in the first chamber of the mixing and dispending container;

disposing the second material in the second chamber of the mixing and dispending;

closing the first port in the first chamber; and

moving the spike relative to the septum to pass the first material from the first chamber to the second chamber.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

opening the first port in the first chamber; and

withdrawing the spike from the septum thereby disposing the first material into the second chamber to be mixed with the second material.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising dispensing the mixture of the first material and the second material from the mixing and dispensing container.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the mixing and dispending container further includes a second port accessing the second chamber and a second closure selectively occluding the second port.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

disengaging the second closure from the second port; and

dispensing the second material through the second port of the mixing and dispensing container.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first closure further includes a fill hole to transfer the first material into the first chamber of the mixing dispensing container.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the disposing the first material in the first chamber of the mixing and dispending container is disposed through the fill hole of the first closure.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first closure further includes a sealer to securely engage the fill hole to prohibit the first material from dispensing from the first chamber.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising sealing the fill hole with the sealer after the first material is disposed in the first chamber.

21. A method comprising:

moving a closure of a port of a first chamber from a first sealed position to withdraw a penetrating spike from a penetrating position in a penetrated septum, the septum separating the first chamber from a second chamber; and

passing a material in the first chamber through the penetrated septum into the second chamber.