Dispensing – Plural sources – compartment – containers and/or spaced jacket – With discharge assistant for each source
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-03
2002-10-15
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Plural sources, compartment, containers and/or spaced jacket
With discharge assistant for each source
C222S145100, C222S389000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06464108
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to containers, and in particular, to a container assembly which contains a plurality of compositions to be mixed upon discharge therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a dispensing container which provides for the dispensing of more than one flowable substance contained therein through a single nozzle. Typically, these types of dispensing containers include separate compartments for receiving corresponding compositions prior to use. The nozzle releases the compositions from their compartments and from the dispensing container. A chamber is provided for mixing the compositions just prior to flowing from the nozzle since many compositions cannot be mixed until use.
In view of the foregoing, dispensing containers must be capable of mixing the compositions stored therein in proper proportions and only in those amounts required for use at one time. In order to insure that properly metered amounts of the compositions are mixed, various types of dispensing containers have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,011 (Harrison et al.) discloses various types of dispensing containers which utilize two concentric compartments for storing the compositions to be mixed. Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 of the Harrison et al. '011 patent, dispensing container includes a container body, a bellows container and a piston. An inner air compartment is provided inside of the bellows container and an outer compartment is provided in the space between the bellows container and the container body. When the valve assembly is actuated, the piston moves axially upward in the container body so as to collapse the bellows container and to force the material contained in the bellows container along with the material in the outer compartment into a mixing chamber in the valve assembly. Materials flow into the mixing chamber in a fixed volumetric ratio because the volume of the bellows container and the volume of the outer compartment are reduced in a fixed ratio.
While functional for its intended purpose, the dispensing container disclosed in the Harrison et al. '011 patent has limitations. For example, the ratio of mixture of the composition within the bellows container and the composition within the outer compartment is limited since the bellows container must be engaged with the piston in order for the piston to force material from the inner compartment within the bellows container. Further, due to the shape of the piston, not all of the contents of the outer container can be forced therefrom by the piston. As a result, a certain portion of the composition in the outer compartment of the dispensing container is wasted thereby increasing the cost of the product. In addition, since the bottom portion of the bellows container does not mesh with the upper surface of the piston, the bellows container may not collapse upon itself. This, in turn, may result in the uneven dispensing of the composition in the inner compartment thereby altering the ratio of the compositions in the mixture.
Other examples of prior dispensing containers for dispensing two flowable compositions are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,223 (Jass et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 3,474,934 (Forim) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,668 (Riccio). The Riccio '668 patent discloses an aerosol dispenser, i.e., a dispenser for dispensing an atomizing mixture, and among other things would be incapable of dispensing two substances at a substantially constant ratio. The device of the Jass et al. '223 patent, as opposed to involving mixing in the valve stem, at most discloses mixing in the nozzle itself or what amounts to separate, though simultaneous, dispensing of two compositions. Furthermore, the Jass el al. device would not allow high-ratio fixed-ratio dispensing—i.e., dispensing of mixtures of a very large amount of a primary composition with a very small amount of a secondary composition. The mixing of the device of the Forim '934 patent is less controlled than desirable and, like the Jass et al. patent, cannot allow high-ratio fixed-ratio dispensing.
To summarize, the devices of the prior art have very significant functional shortcomings rendering them unacceptable for various significant applications. This invention is directed to providing a dispensing container which overcomes problems and shortcomings in the prior art and is a highly significant device for co-dispensing applications.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is a primary object and feature of the present invention to provide a container assembly which allows for a predetermined fixed ratio of compositions in a mixture to be dispensed therefrom.
Another object of this invention is to provide a container for dispensing two compositions in a very high ratio of primary composition to secondary composition.
Another object and feature of the present invention to provide a container assembly for holding a plurality of compositions which allows such compositions be dispensed from the container assembly in their entireties.
It is still a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a container assembly which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a container assembly is provided for dispensing a mixture of a primary composition and a secondary composition. The container assembly includes a container extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a chamber for receiving the primary composition therein. A collapsible inner container is positioned within the outer container and defines a chamber for receiving the secondary composition therein. A dispensing structure simultaneously urges the primary composition from the outer container and a secondary composition from the inner container. A mixing valve is provided in communication with the outer and inner containers. The mixing valve is movable between a first closed position wherein the primary composition is retained in the outer container and the secondary composition is retained in the inner container, and a second opened position wherein the primary compositions and the secondary compositions are mixed to form the mixture for release from the container assembly.
A valve housing is positioned about the mixing valve. The valve housing includes a mixing chamber therein wherein the primary composition and the secondary composition are mixed. The valve housing is integral with the inner container.
It is contemplated that the primary composition is urged from the outer container and the secondary composition is urged from the inner container in a predetermined ratio. The dispensing structure for urging the compositions from the corresponding containers includes a piston disposed in the outer container. The piston divides the chamber of the outer container to a first portion for receiving the primary composition and the inner container therein and a second portion. A compressed gas is disposed in the second portion of the chamber of the outer container. The compressed gas urges the piston against the primary composition in the first portion of the chamber of the outer container.
The inner container extends along the longitudinal axis of the outer container and includes a terminal end. The piston includes an upper surface having a first portion complementary to the terminal end of the inner container. The inner container further includes a longitudinally extended wall having baffles formed therein for facilitating the collapse thereof. The inner container collapses axially along the longitudinal axis of the outer container. It is contemplated that the outer container includes an upper end which is complementary to a second portion of the upper surface of the piston.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a container assembly is provided for dispensing a mixture of a primary composition and a secondary composition. The container assembly includes an outer container extending along a longitudinal axis and definin
Buechner Patrick
Jansson Shupe & Munger Ltd
Morris Lesley D.
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