Dispensing – Plural sources – compartment – containers and/or spaced jacket
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-22
2001-09-25
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Plural sources, compartment, containers and/or spaced jacket
C215SDIG008, C206S221000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293433
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device for separately storing two components, mixing them, and then dispensing the mixture.
Known devices exist that separately store two components which are to be mixed together prior to dispensing and use.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,627 discloses a device comprising a multi-chambered container, a tubular member acting as a plug for separating the chambers prior to first use, a nozzle, and a threaded cap. Opening of the cap moves the tubular member axially with respect to the container body so as to cause the two compartments to communicate. The two-compartment container is formed as a single piece structure with a transition zone of smaller cross section provided between the two compartments. Thus, a restriction is formed in the device and acts as a seat for the tubular member before the products in the two compartments are mixed. To mix the products in the two compartments, the tubular member is moved axially out of engagement with the transition zone between the two compartments.
Some existing devices have certain drawbacks. In particular, the container body may be difficult to produce, particularly if it is intended to contain a component that may limit the choice of materials from which the container can be made and/or the manufacturing techniques that can be employed. In particular, fitting a plug-like member in a sealed manner in a restricted region of the body may prove somewhat unreliable if the body is produced by injection blow-molding. This technique may result in large tolerances on the interior cross section of the restricted region that are intolerable for the sealed fitting of a rigid plug.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device for separately storing at least two components prior to dispensing, for selectively mixing the components, and for dispensing a mixture of the components. A further object of the invention is to provide such a device that is relatively easy and simple to manufacture and that is reliable. Preferably, the device will be suited for the packaging of at least two components, at least one of which may be irritant or corrosive.
Products intended to be stored in the device of the present invention include, for example, hair dyes which work by oxidation, perming products, and the like. These types of products customarily comprise at least two components, one of which includes a strong oxidizing or reducing agent which, if brought into contact with the other component inadvertently prior to use, causes degradation of the product.
It should be understood that the invention could still be practiced without performing one or more of the preferred objects or advantages set forth above. Still other objects of the present invention will become clear from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which will be explained shortly.
A first aspect of the invention includes a device for dispensing a mixture of at least two components, comprising a container body defining at least two compartments and a stopper member configured to selectively seal the two compartments from one another and place the two compartments in flow communication with one another. The device further includes an actuator operably coupled to the stopper member and configured to selectively place the stopper member from a storage position in which the two compartments are sealed from one another, to a mixing position in which the two compartments are in flow communication with one another. The stopper member has a transverse cross-section in the storage position that is larger than a transverse cross-section of the stopper member in the mixing position.
According to another aspect of the invention, the stopper member of the device has a height that is smaller in the storage position than a height of the stopper member in the mixing position.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, at least a portion, and preferably the bottom, of the stopper member of the device remains in approximately the same axial position relative to the container body in both the storage and mixing positions. Preferably, another portion of the stopper member moves axially with respect to the container body to place the stopper member in the storage and mixing positions.
Preferably, the stopper member may include an elastically deformable element and the actuator is configured to apply axial compression to the stopper member to place the stopper member in the storage position. The axial compression causes an increase in the cross-section of the stopper member relative to a cross-section of the stopper member absent the axial compression. The increase in cross-section of the stopper member places a lateral surface of the stopper member in sealing engagement with an inner portion of the container body. The diameter of the stopper member absent axial compression preferably is less than an inner diameter of the container body at an axial location corresponding to the stopper member.
Preferably, a first movement of at least a portion of the actuator places the stopper member in the storage position and a second movement of the actuator opposite to the direction of the first movement places the stopper in the mixing position. The actuator may further include two compression elements, with at least one of the compression elements configured to move axially relative to the other compression element. The stopper member is disposed between the two compression elements. In a preferred embodiment, the compression elements are in the form of plates having a diameter less than an inner diameter of the container body.
The actuator may include a rotatable opening/closure member whereby the first movement rotates the opening/closure member in a first direction and the second movement rotates the opening/closure member in the second opposite direction. The rotatable opening/closure member may be coupled to compression elements for axially compressing and decompressing the stopper member in response to rotation of the rotatable closure. The device may be provided with a stop mechanism configured to limit rotation of at least one of the compression elements with respect to the container body.
At least a portion of the actuator preferably is configured to move axially with respect to both the container body and the stopper member. The actuator may include a threaded portion configured to be in threaded engagement with the container body. Preferably, the threaded portion is configured to rotate with respect to the container body in a first direction to place the stopper in the storage position and in a second direction to place the stopper in the mixing position. Rotation of the threaded portion with respect to the container body may impart axial motion to at least a portion of the actuator relative to both the container body and to the stopper member. The actuator may include compression elements configured to selectively compress and decompress the stopper member in response to the axial motion.
One of the compartments may be in flow communication with an outlet orifice configured to dispense the mixture. The device may further include a hollow stem configured to place at least one of the compartments in flow communication with the outlet orifice. Preferably, the stem communicates with the at least one compartment through at least one opening formed on an outer surface of the stem. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator includes the stem.
A dispensing attachment in flow communication with one of the compartments of the device may be provided. The dispensing attachment preferably is equipped with an outlet duct. The dispensing attachment can be closed by a removable or break-off tab, or by a removable cap, such as, for example, a screw cap. The stem preferably extends in the form of a neck delimiting an open free end on which the dispensing attachment is mounted. The stem preferably communicates with the compartment by means of at least one slot provided on an exterior portion of the stem. This slot preferably may extend over practically the entire hei
Buechner Patrick
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
L'Oreal
Shaver Kevin
LandOfFree
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