Special receptacle or package – For mixing – Means to manipulate without rupture
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-01
2001-06-12
Gehman, Bryon P. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For mixing
Means to manipulate without rupture
C215SDIG008, C222S080000, C222S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244433
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to devices for separately storing at least three components, for mixing them, and for dispensing them extemporaneously.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such devices are useful in particular for packaging the components of a hair dye.
German utility model 87 00 341 discloses a device having a bottom receptacle and a top receptacle that are capable of turning relative to each other. The bottom receptacle has two coaxial chambers closed on top by a common stopper. The top receptacle has a shoulder which, during rotation of the two receptacles, entrains the above-mentioned stopper away from its closure position, thereby enabling the components to be mixed.
Such a device is relatively complex in structure and is poorly suited to one of the two receptacles being made out of glass, should that be necessary given the nature of one of the components.
In addition, that known device appears to be overdimensioned for the case where one of the three components represents only a small volume of the final mixture, e.g. when said component is a scent or perfume.
Finally, such a device cannot easily be modified for storing four components or even more.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is a novel device enabling at least three components to be stored separately, to be mixed together, and the resulting mixture to be dispensed extemporaneously, which device should be simultaneously simple to manufacture, reliable, capable of using a receptacle made of glass should that be necessary, and easy to modify where appropriate for separately storing four components, or even more.
The device of the invention comprises:
a first receptacle having a neck and containing a first component;
a second receptacle containing a second component and provided with a chimney serving to receive the neck of the first receptacle, at least one of the first and second receptacles including a dispensing endpiece;
a shutter removably disposed in said chimney to close it prior to use; and
an intermediate element disposed inside the chimney between said shutter and the opening for receiving the neck, said intermediate element defining at least one compartment containing a third component, the neck, the chimney, and the intermediate element also being organized in such a manner that after a predetermined axial displacement stroke of the neck in the chimney, the shutter is ejected, and the components can mix together.
By means of the invention, the first receptacle can be relatively simple in shape and can be made of glass should that be necessary. Furthermore, the compartment containing the third component can be of a volume that is just sufficient to contain the quantity of substance required, thus making it possible to make a device that is compact.
In a particular embodiment, at the end of said predetermined axial stroke, said cup is ejected.
Still in a particular embodiment, the device includes an annular sealing lip inside the chimney, the sealing lip being suitable for bearing in sealed manner against the neck at least at the end of the axial displacement thereof inside the chimney, said lip being situated between said intermediate elements and the opening of the chimney serving to receive the neck.
Preferably, said lip is directed towards the inside of the second receptacle, and said intermediate element initially bears against said lip.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the intermediate element is constituted by a cup.
Preferably, the cup initially bears via a rim at its periphery against an inside shoulder of the chimney.
Advantageously, the shutter has a ring shaped initially to engage in sealed manner on the chimney and initially resting via its bottom face on the said rim.
Preferably, the ring defines a downwardly open groove for capping the free end of the chimney.
In a particular embodiment, the intermediate element has at least one bearing surface in its center against which the shutter bears initially.
The bearing surface can be constituted by a central peg, or in a variant by one or more partitions co-operating with the shutter to define compartments that are to contain the respective components separately.
It is thus easy to store four or more components merely by modifying the cup, by adding partitions so as to make additional compartments.
Preferably, the neck and the chimney are suitable for screw co-operation.
In a particular embodiment, the second receptacle has a body provided at its bottom with a tubular skirt, and the chimney is carried by a connection piece fixed to said body.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 415959 (1999-11-01), Antoine
patent: 3443726 (1969-05-01), Muller et al.
patent: 4823946 (1989-04-01), Stoeffeler et al.
patent: 5170888 (1992-12-01), Goncalves
patent: 5277303 (1994-01-01), Goyet et al.
patent: 5647481 (1997-07-01), Hundertmark et al.
patent: 5692644 (1997-12-01), Gueret
patent: 5884759 (1999-03-01), Gueret
patent: 5908107 (1999-06-01), Daudin
patent: 5992693 (1999-11-01), Albisetti
patent: 87 00 341 U1 (1988-06-01), None
patent: 198 12 657 A1 (1998-12-01), None
patent: 2 763 048 A1 (1998-11-01), None
patent: WO 98 51586 A1 (1998-11-01), None
Gehman Bryon P.
L'Oreal
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
LandOfFree
Device for storing three components, for mixing them, and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for storing three components, for mixing them, and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for storing three components, for mixing them, and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2475076