Connected Dispenser System

Abstract

An improved connected dispenser system where at least two dispensers of the same or different geometric shapes are joined together to allow a user to conveniently carry related compounds together in the connected dispenser system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispensers that can be connected together in order for a user to carry and have access to a plurality of different compounds that are contained within the dispensers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advantages provided by connected dispensers for delivering a plurality of different compounds, as compared to over use of a number of different of supply containers in various sizes and shapes as acquired by a user, have been recognized for several years.

Two advantages are elimination of dispenser clutter at the user site, for instance several loose containers in a user's bag, and cost saving. Cost saving can be achieved by purchasing each product in larger, more economical sizes than would be acceptable and then putting the product in one of the connected containers. The smaller connected containers can then be arranged to reduce clutter and save money.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,835, issued on Aug. 21, 2001 to Diane Breidenbach, et al., describes axially aligned, commonly joined dual dispensers. Unlike the present invention, there is no ability to connect the containers side by side, requires a common double ended cap, and does not allow for a unique top for each dispenser.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,191, issued on Oct. 27, 1992 to Jerry A. Douglas, et al., describes a dual bottle container having a dual outlet cap. Unlike the present invention, there is no ability to connect more than two containers, the containers require a common cap in order to remain connected properly, does not allow for connection without the common cap, and does not allow for a unique top for each container.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,568, issued on Jul. 21, 2001 to Paul G. Ringuette, describes a storage and dispenser system. Unlike the present invention, Ringuette does not contemplate the portable use of the connected dispensers and does not allow for a unique top for each container.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,276, issued on Sep. 1, 1987 Howard Sussman describes containers for cosmetic sundries. Unlike the present invention, the containers are not removably connected, does not contemplate the portable use of the connected dispensers and does not allow for a unique top for each container.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,426, issued on Jul. 13, 1965 to Lynne E. Brown, describes laterally interlocked containers. Unlike the present invention, the containers can only be joined longitudinally, only rectangular shaped containers can be joined and does not allow for a unique top for each container.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

There are many products that are used together by a user. By way of example, a user may desire to have lipstick, mascara, and lotion at their disposal. These products are generally provided in separate containers, requiring the user to carry at least three separate containers of varying shape and size in a bag. When the user desires to use the products, they have to search around whatever they are carrying the products in to find the right product. A backpacker may desire to have sunscreen, insect repellant and hand sanitizer easily available. Again, these products are generally provided in separate containers. Thus, the user must keep separate bottles together. It is thus desirable to be able to store these related products together so that they may be readily available at the same time. Moreover, each product may be more easily dispensed by a different top, for instance, a pump for sunscreen, a spray for insect repellant and a pour top for hand sanitizer. The means for connecting the bottles must also be convenient and easy. In the prior art, it is required to transversely or longitudinally connect containers using a dovetail approach and then locking the containers together with a single cap. This can be complicated, does not provide for connecting more than two containers, and/or does not allow for the connecting of shapes other than rectangular shapes. It is therefore desirable to provide connecting means for the containers that are simple, allow for the connection of more than two containers and allow for the connection of containers of different shapes.

It may also be desirable to allow for the mixing of components in a connected dispenser system. There are many products on the market that have dissimilar ingredients or components that need to be mixed together prior to use. There are also often times when a user may desire to customize the ingredients they are dispensing. For instance, a user may have a favorite type of lotion but that lotion does not contain sunscreen. The user may desire to add sunscreen to their preferred lotion. In recent years, there has been an increased demand for essential oils. Users may desire to mix different essential oils with a base lotion. However, they may not want to create a large batch of any particular combination of essential oils and lotion or any other combination of two liquids. Or may want to have a higher concentration of an additive in the lotion being dispensed.

Moreover, in many cases, there is a window of time subsequent to the mixing of two liquids in which the product needs to be used. Examples of this type of product are in cosmetics, such as hair coloring or dye, epoxies, glues, resins and the like, and soaps or lotions with fragrance or antibacterial ingredients. In all these cases, separate elements or materials need to be mixed together prior to use. The present invention allows for unique tops for each container, including the use of a top that mixes contents from different containers and including metered mixing.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved system of connected dispensers.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a connected dispenser system that is modular.

It is another object of the invention to provide a modular connected dispenser system that is expandable to any number of modules.

It is another object to provide the above system in which the dispensers dispense fluids.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved connected dispenser system where the top of each dispenser is unique and distinct from the other dispenser tops.

It is another object to provide the above system in which the dispensers hold objects.

It is another object to provide the above system in which the dispensers are connected by magnets.

It is another object to provide the above system in which the dispensers are connected with a hook and loop fastener.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multi use container having more than two interlocking bottles which may be readily interlocked and separated from one another without undue effort, but which are effectively interlocked.

It is a further object of the invention to provide mixing of compounds contained within the dispensers, allowing a user to easily change the compound being created by the mixing of the contents of two or more dispensers.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

To the accomplishment of the above and related aspects, the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings, however, are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a circular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exploded view of a circular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a square embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exploded view of a square embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rectangular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another circular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exploded view of another circular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another circular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exploded view of another circular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another square embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exploded view of another square embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another square embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a pentagonal embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exploded view of a pentagonal embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a triangular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exploded view of a triangular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an oval embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an exploded view of an oval embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a figure eight embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an exploded view of a figure eight embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an exploded view of a trapezoidal embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an exploded view of a circular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention that uses individual dispensers of different shapes to form a connected dispenser system.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of and exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention that uses individual dispensers of different shapes to form a connected dispenser system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the accompanying drawings, this is an improved system of connected dispensers. FIG. 1 shows connected dispenser system 10, containing individual dispensers 11, which are arranged to create a circular shape. Each individual dispenser 11 includes a reservoir portion 12 and a lid portion 13. Individual dispensers 11 are connected in this embodiment by magnets 14, which are located in reservoir portion 12 and lid portion 13. Magnets 14 allow for more than two individual dispensers to be joined to create connected dispenser system 10. Magnets 14 also allow for a variety of shapes to be used to create connected dispenser system 10.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of connected dispenser system 10. Individual dispenser 11 is shown with lid portion 12 separated from reservoir portion 13. The other individual dispensers 11 remain connected by magnets 14, showing the ease of disconnecting an individual dispenser 11 from the other individual dispensers 11 that comprise connected dispenser system 10. Each individual dispenser 11 may also include a neck portion 15 with threads 16 to allow connection of lid portion 12 to reservoir portion 13. If it is desirable to slip lid portion 12 from reservoir portion 13, neck portion 15 would not include threads 16. Neck portion 15 is used to allow a variety of tops to be connected to reservoir portion 13, including, but not limited to, a sprayer top, a pour top, a roller top, a squeeze top, or a pump top.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention in a square configuration. Connected dispenser system 20 includes individual dispensers 21, which include lid portion 22 and reservoir portion 23. Individual dispensers 21 are connected in this embodiment by magnets 24, which are located in lid portion 22 and reservoir portion 23.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of connected dispenser system 20. Individual dispenser 21 is shown with lid portion 22 separated from reservoir portion 23. The other individual dispensers 21 remain connected by magnets 24. Neck portion 25 with threads 26 is provided to allow connection of lid portion 22 to reservoir portion 23. Neck portion 25 is used to connect a variety of different tops to each reservoir portion 23. FIG. 5 shows a rectangular configuration of connected dispenser system 20 and illustrates the modular capability of the present invention to include multiple individual dispensers 21.

FIG. 6 shows another circular configuration of connected dispenser system 30 with three individual dispensers 31. FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the same configuration.

In FIG. 8, individual dispensers 41 are cylinders and are joined by magnets 44 to form connected dispenser system 40. FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of connected dispenser system 40

FIG. 10 shows a square configuration of connected dispenser system 50, which is formed by triangular individual dispensers 51 instead of rectangular shapes. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of connected dispenser system 50. FIG. 12 shows two individual dispensers 51 being used to create a two dispenser model and illustrates the flexibility of the present invention to form different connected dispenser systems based on the way a user connects the individual dispensers.

In FIG. 13, individual dispensers 61, which include lid portions 62 and reservoir portions 63 are connected by magnets 64 to form a star shaped system of connected dispensers 60. FIG. 14 is an exploded view of connected dispenser system 60 and shows neck portions 65 with threads 66.

In FIG. 15, the individual dispensers 51 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are connected in a different manner to form a triangular shaped system of connected dispensers. FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the triangular configuration

FIGS. 17 and 18 are provided to show that connected dispenser system 70 can be connected by means other than magnets. FIG. 18 shows protrusions 71 aligned to be inserted into indentations 72. Similarly, in FIGS. 19 and 20, protrusions 81 and indentations 82 are used to connect individual dispensers of different sizes together to create connected dispenser system 80. FIG. 21 shows connected dispenser system 90 being connected together though protrusions 91 and indentations 92.

FIG. 22 shows the connected dispenser system 10 from FIGS. 1 and 2 being connected through the use of protrusions 17 and indentations 18. Protrusions 17 and indentations 18 are sized so that when pushed together, protrusions 17 fit snugly inside indentations 17 and create a tight fit for connected dispenser system 10 to stay together.

Because of the unique and novel connecting means used in the present invention, FIG. 23 is presented to show that individual dispensers 101 can be connected together to form connected dispenser system 100. Each individual dispenser 101 is of a different geometric shape, but by using magnetic connecting means 104, individual dispensers 101 can still be joined together to form connected dispenser system 100. FIG. 24 provides an exploded view of connected dispenser system 100 to show the different shapes of individual dispensers 101 and magnets 104.

The description of the invention above should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the disclosed embodiment because those who are skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to devise other equivalent forms thereof within the scope of the invention. Variations and changes, which are obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope and nature of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connected dispenser system comprising:

at least two dispensers held alongside each other, each of said dispensers comprised of a reservoir, a neck and a lid;

said at least two dispensers removably connected to each other by connecting means.

2. The connected dispenser system of claim 1 wherein said connecting means are magnets located within said at least two dispensers.

3. The connected dispenser system of claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprise at least one protrusion on one side of a dispenser and at least one indentation on the facing of the opposing dispenser wherein said protrusion fits into said indentation.

4. The connected dispenser system of claim 1 wherein said at least two dispensers are different geometric shapes.

5. The connected dispenser system of claim 1 wherein said at least two dispensers are made of molded plastic.

6. The connected dispenser system of claim 1 wherein said at least two dispensers are made of metal.

7. The connected dispenser system of claim 1 wherein a dispenser cap is attached to said neck.

8. The connected dispenser system of claim 7 wherein said dispenser cap includes a spray attachment.

9. The connected dispenser system of claim 7 wherein said dispenser cap includes a pump attachment.

10. The connected dispenser system of claim 7 wherein said dispenser cap includes a squirting attachment.

11. The connected dispenser system of claim 7 wherein said dispenser cap includes a mixing attachment.