FR2753956A1 - PACKAGE WITH TWO COMPARTMENTS AND PUMPS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a two-chamber distributor (10) having a pump (30, 32) for each chamber (11, 13). A common closure having product outlet channels is provided for the two chambers. The channels extend upwards and horizontally along an axis consisting of a line drawn between the two chambers or parallel to this axis. The pumps are arranged in the form of cartridges having peripheral rims frictionally arranged in the chambers and retained in the chambers by ridges.

Description

The present invention relates to a double chamber dispenser.

  There is sometimes a need, in the packaging of consumer products, to keep two components separate until the product is actually used. An example is the registered trademark Mentadent toothpaste. In this product, a peroxide-containing formulation and a bicarbonate-containing formulation are kept separate before dispensing to prevent

  premature interaction of the constituents.

  Another example where it is desirable to keep the components separate in a consumer product is a cleaning composition in which it is necessary to keep a bleach separate from another component such as an enzyme, to avoid unwanted interaction . Other examples include popular skin products containing both surfactants for

  cleaning and a separate humidifying ingredient.

  In particular, if the products are relatively viscous, it may be desirable to arrange pumps to assist the consumer during distribution. Also, it is sometimes desirable that two products are

  distributed in equal quantities at similar rates.

  Various pumps and distributors are described in the documents.

  U.S. Patent No. 5,137,178 to Stokes et al. Discloses a dispenser in which product components such as a facial lotion and a makeup product can be maintained in containers.

  separate rooms before distribution.

  U.S. Patent No. 4,871,092 to Maerte describes an atomization or metering pump in which it is possible to adjust the atomized amount or the dose. The atomized quantity or the dose can be adjusted, for example, by turning the actuator relative to the pump housing. In one embodiment, a projection cooperates with a cavity extending over part of the circumference, two ends of the cavity limiting the movement of the projection in the cavity. In one embodiment, a projection 19A can be arranged so that the actuating pusher can be depressed to come to bear on several corresponding steps so that the length of the stroke

can be established.

  U.S. Patent No. 3,291,346 to Marraffino describes a mixing device for mixing hot water with cream to convert the cream to hot moist or moistened foaming soap, which comes out of a shaving cream dispenser. A locking finger is arranged to lock the cylinder against movement by

  relative to the sleeve when the device is not in use.

  US Patent No. 3,459,332 to Golden relates to a pneumatic control system for automatically dispensing metered quantities of liquid from one or more different liquid supply chambers so that the liquid dispensed will be in the correct quantity to provide a predetermined mixture of liquid, each dispensing operation being carried out by pneumatically controlled actuator means. In column 2, in lines 6 to 12, it is established that the various characteristics of the invention are described and represented as being able to be particularly adapted to provide automatic control of two or more of two liquid distribution units, but that It should be understood that the various features of the invention can be used separately or in any combination thereof to provide a unique liquid delivery structure, as desired. In FIG. 5, stop means are adjusted so that each unit dispenses a predetermined volumetric quantity of its feed liquid

  respective during each distribution cycle.

  U.S. Patent No. 4,773,562 to Gueret describes a dispensing head for mixing separate pasty substances, in which two conduits open into a mixing chamber which in turn

  opens to the outside of the container.

  US Patent No. 4,791,149, in the name of Pocknell, describes a package having two separate compartments, the ingredients present in each of the compartments not reacting with each other, a propellant being situated between a membrane and the container so that the membrane can be caused by the propellant to expel the

constituent when required.

  U.S. Patent No. 4,826,048 to Skorka describes a dispenser having two reservoirs for constituents of separate media. Each tank has a separate drain pump, the two drain pumps can be operated simultaneously via a common handle. The pumps are preferably push-piston pumps. It is said that the constituents can be combined in a report of precisely dosed quantities in accordance with the

  German patent application DE 32 25 910.7.

  U.S. Patent No. 3,704,812 to Marand relates to a dispenser having a plurality of fluid components in isolated containment chambers. U.S. Patent No. 5,385,270 to Cataneo et al. Relates to a device for dispensing two substances which can flow in a selectable usage ratio. The selector element is selectively rotatable with respect to the container between a series of predetermined positions where the opening of the selector element is entirely opposite, partially opposite, or not is not opposite the open ends of each of the chambers, such as during compression of the outer wall of the container. A predetermined dose of flowable substance is dispensed from the dispensing end of the container in a ratio of substances

  can flow from the two selectively variable chambers.

  Document EP 468 703 in the name of Cordery et al describes a shampoo system comprising a first package containing a surfactant and a cationic conditioning polymer and a second package containing a comfort agent. The first and second

  packages are suitable to be mixed together before use.

  The comfort agent is preferably advertised as being chosen from sun protection, certain silicones, a perfume, a hair growth agent, a hair humidifier, an anti-dandruff agent, reconstituting agents,

gloss and fixing agents.

  In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a two-chamber distributor. The dispenser has at least two chambers, a pump for each chamber and a combined closure and pump actuator. The fluid leaving each pump outlet is received in a respective channel intended to transport the product to the outside of the dispenser. The channels extend to one or more product outlet openings of the closure. Channels extend in a direction substantially parallel to an axis formed by a line

drawn between the two pumps.

  The present invention also relates to a common closure. The common closure comprises a first channel having a vertical section starting from a channel inlet and a horizontal section, and a second channel having a vertical section starting from a channel inlet and a horizontal section. The first and the second horizontal section of channel lead to one or more product outlet openings of the closure. The channels extend in an overlying direction or parallel to an axis traced from the entrance of the first channel to the entrance

of the second channel.

  The dispenser of the present invention is preferably designed to deliver equal amounts of two liquid products. Preferably, the two chambers are connected to each other either mechanically or using an adhesive. The dispenser is designed to be handled by hand and is particularly useful in shower products or

shelving is limited.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the pump is provided in the form of a cartridge which is snap-fitted into the dispensing chamber. The pump has a peripheral rim which is held in the chamber by an edge arranged on the interior surface of the opening of the chamber. As a result, such pumps can be easily installed in

appropriate rooms.

  For a better understanding of the above and of the characteristics and advantages of the present invention, reference is made to

  now to the detailed description that follows of preferred modes of

  embodiment of the present invention, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a double dispenser according to the present invention, in which the closure has been inserted on the dispenser, - Figure 2 is a top view of the dispenser of the present invention, - Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of a closure and a double dispenser according to the present invention, - Figure 4 is an exploded view of the dispenser according to the present invention, the pump cartridges not being fully inserted in the chambers, - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 except that the cartridges have been fully inserted, - Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the cap depressed and the product leaving, - Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 6, - Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3

  representing the area of one of the pump outlets, in more detail.

  A dispenser 10 has two compartments 12 and 14 which define the chambers containing a product to be dispensed. The compartments are fixed to each other mechanically or by means of a chemical adhesive at the surfaces 16 and 18 which are preferably flat or have a certain other configuration suitable for fixing the chambers l to one another. If desired, surfaces 16 and 18 may have projections 20 and openings 22

  intended to receive the projections, to help to pair the rooms.

  Other walls 24 of the compartments 12, 14 are hollowed out as indicated by the reference numeral 26 to receive a common closure 28 at the level of the upper part of the dispenser. The dispenser stands on a generally flat bottom 90. The pump cartridges 30, 32 are arranged by snap-fastening in the chambers 11, 13 of the compartments 12, 14 as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The cartridges 30, 32 have distribution outlets 34, 36 and

  peripheral edges 38, 40, located below the distribution outlets.

  As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the peripheral edges 38, are arranged and snapped under edges 42, 46 of the compartments 12, 14. Apart from the presence of the edges or peripheral cords and the presence of the pumps under the in the form of cartridges, pumps 30, 32 are usual and are available from distributors such as SAR USA, Inc., 401 Hackensack Avenue, 5th floor, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601. Although pump cartridges having peripheral edges are known , how to keep the cartridges in the packaging until

now been different.

  The pumps can be formed by injection molding of the components (other than stainless steel springs) and assembly of the components. The cartridges 30, 32 are inserted into the chambers 11, 13. Their insertion is guided in part by annular walls 60, 62 extending upwards from the upper part of the hollow parts of the wall 24.

  The outputs 34, 36 lead to channels 70, 72 of the closure 28.

  Each of the channels has a section extending upwards and a section extending horizontally. The outlets 34, 36 are arranged with friction in the sections extending upwards from the channels 70, 72 and can be retained by edges 102, 104 situated in the channels as shown for the pump outlet 343 of FIGS. 3 and 8 A seal 206 made of foam or rubber is arranged below the rim 38. The sections extending horizontally from the channels 70, 72 are arranged one above the other. Consistently with the ergonomic nature of the dispenser, in particular by keeping in mind its intended use with one hand in the shower, the channels generally extend parallel to an axis traced between the two pumps. The product leaves the channel 70 at a product outlet opening 80 and at

  from channel 72 at a product outlet opening 82.

  The simplicity of the design of the closure 28 is advantageous in that it facilitates the injection molding of the part. During molding, the straight sections of each channel are formed by pins. These pins (straight) can be easily removed from the mold. Pumping is carried out by applying manual pressure to the upper part of the closure 28. The closure transmits the force on the upper parts of the outlets 34, 36 and therefore to the rest of the pumping mechanism. As will be appreciated, the pump of the present invention is capable of delivering equal amounts of the two liquid products via a single actuator head, the closure. The distributor

  is ergonomically designed so that it can be held in the hand.

  When grasped by the consumer, in one hand, one or more of the consumer's fingers can easily be placed at the top of the closure while being directed towards the product outlet openings. Although the present invention has been described as having separate channels and separate product outlet openings, it will be appreciated that the product can be mixed in the channels or can be sent to

  through a single opening, if desired.

  The oval shape of the dispenser helps similarly

  the user to grasp it in one hand.

  The friction arrangement of the pump in the neck facilitates the manufacture of the dispenser. This allows the pumps to be inserted into chambers having a different shape, if desired. The chambers and the pumps are preferably identical. This helps

  to keep the manufacturing tools.

  The dispenser, including the pump cartridges, is preferably made of polyolefin such as polypropylene. The compartments of the

  dispenser can be blow molded.

  It should be understood naturally that the specific forms of the present invention shown and described here or given by way of example only can be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Consequently, only reference will be made to

  claims appended to determine the actual scope.

Claims (3)

  1. Distributor (10) characterized in that it comprises at least one compartment (12) having a chamber (11), said compartment having an opening, said opening comprising an edge (42) surrounding at least part of said opening, said chamber comprising a pump (30), said pump having a peripheral rim (38), said pump being arranged with friction in said opening, said edge (42) retaining said   pump flange in said opening.   2. Distributor (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first compartment (12) having a chamber, a first pump (30) operatively associated with said chamber, said first pump having a fluid inlet located in said first chamber (11) and a fluid outlet (34), a second pump (32) operatively associated with a second compartment (14) having a chamber (13), said second pump having a fluid inlet located in said second chamber and a fluid outlet (36), said first and second chambers each having an opening, each said opening having an edge (42, 46) surrounding at least a portion of said opening, said first and second pumps comprising a peripheral rim (38, 40), said first and second pumps being arranged with friction in said openings, said edges retaining said   pump edges in said openings.   3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a   pump (30, 32) is arranged by snap-fastening in a chamber (11, 13).