Dual chamber package

Details Dual chamber package Dual chamber package

1999-08-24

2001-04-17

Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)

Dispensing

Collapsible wall-type container

Plural container and/or compartment

C222S137000, C222S213000, C222S391000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06216915

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a package for containing and simultaneously dispensing a plurality of fluent products. More particularly, this invention relates to a package of the foregoing character in which each of the products is not continuously externally pressurized in its as packaged condition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,990 (Fillmore) describes a pump package for containing and simultaneously dispensing two fluent products, specifically, viscous products. The package of this reference has an outer plastic body that is internally divided into two compartments, one for each of the packaged products. The package has a dispensing end through which each of the packaged products is dispensed, and each of the products is caused to flow to the dispensing end by a piston within the compartment in which such product is contained; thus, two such pistons are required for a package that contains two products. Obviously, of course, two piston rods are required to advance the pistons within their respective compartments, one for each piston, and a one-way spring connection is required by each piston and the piston rod that is used to advance it. Moreover, to actuate the movement of the piston rods, a lever system is provided, and the lever system, of necessity, is external to the outer plastic body, since the interior of the plastic body is filled with the packaged products. Thus, the lever system is subject to accidental actuation during shipment of a pump package according to this reference or during its display on a retail shelf.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,046 (Miczka) also discloses a package for containing and simultaneously dispensing two fluent products, and teaches that each such product be contained within a collapsible container, both collapsible containers being positioned within an outer container body. The collapsible containers are caused to collapse by the motion of a common piston within the container body. However, the motion of the piston requires that it be pressurized by a gas propellant filling, and such internally pressurized packages are expensive because of the need to be strong enough to be able to contain the propellant, and sufficiently well sealed to be able to do so without leakage.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a package for two or more fluent products, neither of which is continuously externally pressurized and each of which is contained out of contact with the other fluent product(s) in its own chamber or compartment of a flexible outer container body. Each packaged product is contained within a collapsible bellows, and dispensing occurs when the collapsible bellows are simultaneously collapsed by the advance of a common elevator within the outer container body, and toward a dispensing end of the package. The advance of the elevator is actuated by the reciprocation of a single rod that passes through the elevator, and has a one-way or ratchet connection to the elevator. Motion of the rod is actuated by a spring biased lever handle system made up of an opposed pair of handles, each of which is contained entirely within the outer body, but externally of each of the collapsible bellows within the outer body, the flexibility of the outer body serving to facilitate actuation of the handles by way of hand pressure. A valve is provided for each of the collapsible bellows to close its outlet during periods in which no dispensing is occurring, and each valve is interconnected to the handles of the container to open the outlet from the bellows during the dispensing of the packaged product therein.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved package for containing and simultaneously dispensing two or more fluent products that are not externally pressurized. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a package of the foregoing character in which the manually actuatable handles for actuating the dispensing of the packaged products are contained within the outline of a flexible outer container and are shielded from inadvertent disengagement during shipment and display on a retail shelf. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a package of the foregoing character with a valve for releasing each of the fluent products only during the dispensing of the fluent product.
For a further understanding of the present invention and the objects thereof, attention is directed to the drawing and the following brief description thereof, to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the appended claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3866800 (1975-02-01), Schmitt
patent: 4067479 (1978-01-01), Moline
patent: 4801046 (1989-01-01), Miczka
patent: 4826044 (1989-05-01), Volfson
patent: 4846371 (1989-07-01), Pfanstiel
patent: 4865231 (1989-09-01), Wiercinski
patent: 5209376 (1993-05-01), Dirksing
patent: 5224627 (1993-07-01), Weag
patent: 5348194 (1994-09-01), Mascitelli et al.
patent: 5348392 (1994-09-01), Bouquet et al.
patent: 5363990 (1994-11-01), Fillmore
patent: 5372285 (1994-12-01), Harrold et al.
patent: 5540356 (1996-07-01), Camm et al.
patent: 5564598 (1996-10-01), Camm et al.
patent: 6019251 (2000-02-01), Koga

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