GB2326865A - Multi-chamber container - Google Patents

Description

Multi-Chamber Container The present invention relates to containers, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with containers with multiple individual compartments or chambers and multiple inter-fitting chambers.

The term 'container' is used herein to embrace any form of vessel, receptacle or enclosure, with a selfcontained or discrete (storage) chamber, typically with a fill and delivery port and attendant closure; for storage, transport and in some instances dispensing and display.

In the generality of the container art, it is known to group containers, to detachably secure containers together, to fit or inter-nest containers one within another and to locate a subsidiary container alongside a parent container.

Thus, for example, a vacuum storage flask for consumable beverages, etc is known, with an insulated main compartment, a detachable end cap to form a cup to into which the flask contents can be poured and a detachable end compartment to store another self-contained vessel for, say, milk for selective admixture with the flask contents in the cup.

However, known such container configurations are intended for permanent or ongoing (repeated) use and as such are generally over-elaborate (eg in weight and robustness) in construction, cumbersome (in overall size and handling) and (uneconomically) unsuitable for consumer product packaging and retail display.

According to one aspect of the invention a multiple chamber container comprises a plurality of discrete, [mutually inter-fitting] chambers, [with individual access ports], including a body portion, a removable [end] portion, to the body portion, to form an open (mixer) receptacle, closed upon fitment to the body portion.

All the elements may be (moulded) from synthetic plastics material, such as (high density) polyethylene or polypropylene.

The end receptacle is desirably a snap-action interference fit with an end of the body portion.

Complementary peripheral upstanding rim ridge(s) and recess(es) may be formed in the body end and receptacle open edge to facilitate their mutual interfit.

The end receptacle may be translucent to enable inspection of its contents - for example in retail display to convey to a prospective purchaser that an additional vessel is stored within.

In use, the (open-mouthed) receptacle may serve as a mixer compartment, into which prescribed amounts of the contents of the other discrete chambers may be discharged, to form an admixture of the desired relative constituent proportions.

The relative proportions of the chambers conveniently reflect the preferred range of relative proportions of their intended contents in the mixture.

For added protection and compactness of storage, a discrete, self-contained vessel may be stored within the receptacle or mixer compartment.

Substances in liquid, gel, solid powder, granulated, chip, flake or other forms may be stored in the various chambers.

The respective chamber contents can be selectively isolated from one another, or intermixed.

Intermixing can create a mixture with prescribed relative constituent proportions, or a new reaction product.

The various chambers may be assembled - and secured together for combined storage, transport and display - or separated for independent use.

Configuring multiple discrete chambers within a unitary overall container profile represents a convenient and efficient packaging solution, for ease of handling and compact storage and transit.

For a multi-component product, particularly one for retail display, and where shelf space is at a premium, a unitary container profile, with greater composite 'presence' and so visual impact than the individual component parts represents a useful merchandiser package.

Some aspects of the invention are concerned with a multi-chamber container for the storage, transport, display and admixture or blending preparatory to usage of pharmaceuticals, toiletries or cosmetics.

A composite merchandiser package can accommodate disparate chamber shapes and sizes, within a common overall configuration and style.

Commonality is helpful when one of the elements is of relatively small volume compared to another element, and so could otherwise appear insignificant on display, or be readily misplaced.

When the small volume is of a 'precious' ingredient, greater care must be taken of it in retail handling.

This is the case, for example, with aromatherapy products in multi-component sampler kit form for customer admixture, and where relatively small quantities of seiected essential oil 'concentrate' or essence are presented, together with a relatively bulk quantity of base oil medium.

In use, small doses (typically in droplet form) of essential oils, are introduced into and mixed with a base oil medium, to achieve a prescribed therapeutic effect - such as the release of volatile agents for olfactory tract and associated nerve stimulation and/or sub-cutaneous absorption or migration into tissues and the blood system.

In some aromatherapy variants, the mixed oils are used for skin and body massage and toning, in addition to vapour discharge.

In aromatherapy, the relative ingredient proportions in admixture are critical for the desired therapeutic effect, and to avoid skin tissue surface inflammation, or waste of relatively expensive essential oils.

Thus, a multi-chamber container according to the invention may be used to store an essential oil and a base oil, ready for admixture, in, say, the open-top receptacle.

According to another aspect of the invention an aromatherapy (ingredient) storage and mixer container comprises a plurality of discrete, inter-fitting chambers, for respective ingredients, including a removable (open-top) mixer compartment or receptacle, into which ingredients may be introduced, for admixture and blending in desired relative proportions.

The mixer compartment may be provided with volumetric or level markings or graduations to identify corresponding volumetric contents and levels.

For storage compactness, a self-contained storage vessel - for example for essential oil or essence may be located within the mixer compartment.

The mixer compartment may be adapted for a complementary inter-fit with the self-contained storage vessel, for example with a location profile (eg complementary or abutment edges, etc) on the inner surface of the receptacle.

Such a bespoke location profile could include an optional (additional) lid or cap inter-fit profile, for complementary inter-fit with the screw cap of the subsidiary vessel to assist opening and tightening.

Thus (before filling) the receptacle could be inverted over the vessel cap and used as a cap grip/opener.

Inter-fit between the subsidiary vessel and the receptacle may also be enhanced by a complementary (eg flat-sided or polygonal) vessel (or vessel cap) profile.

The mixer compartment conveniently has a snug interference, say snap-action, fit upon the end of a body portion for bulk ingredient, such as a base oil.

An opposite container end may be fitted with a dispensing nozzle or spout and a (sealing) closure cap.

In use, the mixer (bottom end) compartment is detached from the body portion, allowing access to the self-contained vessel of essential oil. This vessel is removed along with its closure.

The body portion closure is also removed and some or all of its base oil content poured into the mixer compartment, followed by a small measure of essential oil.

Base and essential oils are introduced for intermixing in appropriate relative proportions to achieve the desired interactive therapeutic effect.

The mixer compartment may be used as a temporary reservoir or (finger/palm) 'dip' or immersion bath for the mixture, for example when used as a manuallyapplied massage oil.

Alternatively, the mixer compartment may be used as a dispenser for some or all of its contents, when, say, used as a bath additive.

There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 6E illustrate one container variant and its use; More specifically, Figure 1A shows a perspective view of an assembled multichamber container; Figure 1 B shows a part-exploded view of the container of Figures 1A, with an open main body chamber and detached mixing compartment containing a subsidiary vessel; Figures 2A through 2D show respectively (upright, front) elevation, side, (upper) plan and underside views of the assembled container of Figures 1 A and 1B; Figures 3A through 3C show respectively transverse sections along the lines x,x and y,y in Figure 3C, and an upper plan view of the (detachable, translucentwalled) base compartment of the container of Figures 1A through 2D, with an internal, selfcontained, supplementary vessel; Figures 3D through 3G show respectively transverse sections along the lines r,r and s,s in Figure 3F, and an upper plan view of a base compartment variant with and without the subsidiary vessel, with a location profile on the inner surface for complementary interfit with the supplementary vessel.

Figure 3G shows an additional complementary vessel lid profile incorporated in the location profile, to assist opening and tightening of the supplementary vessel closure.

Figure 3H shows the vessel lid fitted within the lid profile shown in Figure 3G to assist opening of the vessel screw cap.

Figures 4A through 4D show collectively (in upright front face elevation) an exploded view of the principal elements of the container of Figures 1A through 3G, and in particular show respectively, the (main central) body portion, base compartment, cap with flip-top closure, and self-contained vessel; Figure 4E shows a perspective assembled view of the elements of Figures 4A through 4D; Figures 5A through 5D show respectively, an (upright, front face) elevation, side elevation, (upper) plan and underside views of the main body portion of the container shown in Figures 1 A through 4E, that is with the top cover and bottom compartment removed; Figures 6A through 6E show the container shown in Figures 1A through 5D in an operational sequence.

Thus, Figure 6A shows a (front) elevation of an assembled container; Figure 6B shows separation from a body portion of the container of Figures 6A of a (bottom) end mixer compartment and withdrawal of a subsidiary selfcontained vessel stored therein; Figure 6C shows the opened main body chamber of Figure 6B tilted to dispense its contents through the pouring spout into the separated mixer compartment; Figure 6D shows the subsidiary vessel taken from the mixer compartment, upon removal of its own closure; Figure 6E shows the contents of the subsidiary chamber being discharged into the mixer compartment, part-filled from the step of Figure 6C; Figures 7A through 7E show the container of Figures 1A through 6E with an alternative variant cap, which is removable in its entirety, rather than the flip top lid; and correspond generally to the operational sequence of Figures 6A through 6E respectively; Figures 8A and 8B show an alternative embodiment of the container and variant shown in Figures 1 A through 7E, with an extended base mixer compartment, for multiple individual self-contained subsidiary chambers, stacked in one orientation.

Thus, Figure 8A shows a front/rear elevation of an upright assembled container; Figure 8B shows the container of Figure 8A with a (bottom) end mixer compartment separated from the main container body portion and removal of one of the self-contained vessels stored therein; Figures 9A through 9C show an alternative embodiment of the container and variant shown in Figures 1A through 7D, using the extended base mixer compartment theme of Figures 8A and 8B, but with multiple stacked individual (mixing) compartments, each containing subsidiary vessels.

Thus, Figure 9A shows a front/rear elevation of an assembled container; Figure 9B shows the container of Figure 9A upon removal of (a bottom) one of the stacked end compartments; Figure 9C shows the container of Figures 9A and 9B upon removal of another (intermediate) end compartment; Figures 10A through 10D show a further container variant with multiple individual subsidiary chambers clustered, cartridge-fashion, around a main body stem portion with an optional detachable (base) mixer compartment; Thus, Figure 10A shows a part cut-away or notional transparent 3-D view of an assembled container; Figure lOB shows an underside view of the container of Figure 10A; Figure 10C shows the container of Figures 10A and 10B upon removal of a (top) end closure cap from a main body chamber and the container tilted to pour out its contents through a neck spout opening; Figure 10D shows the container of Figures 10A through 10C, upon opening of one of the subsidiary chambers clustered around the main body chamber and its contents being discharged incrementally (droplet-fashion); Figures 11A through liD show yet another container variant, with inter-fitting annular main body and cylindrical subsidiary chamber, and an optional detachable (base) mixer compartment; Thus, Figure 11A shows a part cut-away or notional transparent 3-D view of an upright container; Figure 1 1 B shows the container of Figure 11 A, upon insertion of a subsidiary chamber into a complementary cylindrical passage in the stem of a main body chamber; Figure 11C shows the container of Figures 11 A and 11B upon removal of a common closure cap to the main and subsidiary body portions; Figure 11D shows the container of Figures 11 A through 11C upon tilting for simultaneous dispensing, through a common outlet neck spout, of the contents of the main body and subsidiary chambers; Figures 12A through 12C show a further 'flat-pack' container variant, with integrated main body and multiple subsidiary chambers, and an optional detachable mixer compartment; Thus, Figure 12A shows a side elevation of a multichamber container with integrated chambers; Figure 1 2B shows the container of Figure 1 2A upon closure cap removal from the main body and a subsidiary chamber; Figure 12C shows the container of Figures 12A and 1 2B tilted to discharge the contents of the opened main body and subsidiary chamber; Figures 13A through 13D show a still further container variant with a subsidiary chamber cluster to a main body chamber within a stylised/ ornamental common profile and with an optional detachable (base) mixer compartment; Thus, Figure 13A shows a front/rear elevation of an upright assembled container; Figure 13B shows the container of Figure 13A upon detachment of the peripheral subsidiary chamber from the main body chamber; Figure 13C shows the container of Figures 13A and 13B upon: (i) removal of a closure cap to the main body portion and tilting to discharge its contents through a neck spout, and (ii) removal of a closure cap from a detached subsidiary chamber and independent tilting to discharge incrementally (droplet-fashion) its contents through its own neck spout; Figures 14A through 14C show yet another container variant with a subsidiary chamber mountable at the top of a main body chamber within another common stylised overall profile, and with an optional detachable (base) mixer compartment; Thus, Figure 14A shows a 3-D view of a twin-chamber container; Figure 14B shows the container of Figure 14A upon separation of the main body and subsidiary chambers, exposing the respective individual chamber access neck spouts; Figure 14C shows the separated subsidiary chamber of the container of Figures 14A and 14B, tilted to discharge incrementally (droplet-fashion) its contents.

Referring to the drawings, a container 11 incorporates multiple discrete, inter-fitting or internesting, storage chambers - namely a main body chamber 12, with a closure cap 13, a self-contained subsidiary vessel 15, with screw cap 16, and a detachable base mixer compartment or receptacle 14.

The mixer compartment 14 has an (optional) location profile 141 on the inner surface for complementary inter-fit with the supplementary vessel 15, as shown in Figures 3D through 3G.

The location profile has an (optional) additional complementary lid profile 142 for interfit with the subsidiary vessel screw cap 16, to assist opening and tightening of the vessel closure, as depicted in Figure 3H.

The ribs of the location profile may be used as content (?) level indicators - or additional rulings may be employed on the compartment surface.

The vessel body may be profiled (eg flat-sided or polygonal) to assist (rotation-inhibiting) localised inter-fit with the compartment 14.

The mixer compartment 14 is attached to the (base of the) main body chamber through an interference fit.

The main body chamber 12 has a peripheral end rim with recesses or grooves 17, corresponding to ribs 18 on the upper inside edge of the mixer compartment 14, to achieve a secure, but readily disconnected, snap-action inter4it therebetween.

The main body portion has a shallow label recess 121 in one or more of its flat faces.

For aromatherapy use, the main body chamber 12 would be used to store a base mixer oil, and the vessel 15 an essential oil.

The mixer compartment 14 is used for inter-mixing the contents of the other individual chambers, and in particular the selective admixture in carefully prescribed relative proportions of base and essential oils, as shown in Figures 6A through 6E.

Thus, the base mixer receptacle or compartment 14 is removed from the body portion 12, by overcoming the relative snap-action inter-fit, allowing access to and withdrawal of the vessel 15 and removal of its associated screw cap 16.

A flip top closure lid 19 to the cap 13 is opened to expose a fill/discharge port 20 and the body portion 12 tilted to pour its contents 120A into the mixer receptacle 14, whereupon the contents 120B of the vessel 15 may be introduced progressively (eg droplet fashion) into the mixer receptacle 14.

A similar procedure is followed with the closure cap variant of Figures 7A through 7E.

Thus, a mixer compartment 24 is detached from the base of a main body chamber 22, and a selfcontained subsidiary vessel 25 removed.

A twist action closure cap 23 of the main body chamber 22 is removed, and the chamber 22 tilted, to dispense its contents 30A into the mixer compartment 24.

A screw closure cap 26 of a subsidiary vessel 25 is removed and its contents 30B dispensed incrementally (droplet fashion) into the mixer compartment 24.

As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, an enlarged, and in particular longitudinally-extended, mixer compartment 34, (with or without sub-division through divider walls or partitions - not shown), to accommodate multiple individual vessels 35, may be fitted to a common body portion 32 in an enlarged container variant 31.

Alternatively, multiple discrete self-contained, additional detachable receptacles 44A, 44B, 44C, containing one or more subsidiary vessels 45A, 45B, 45C respectively, may be fitted, as an 'end-on stack', to a common main body portion 42, as shown in Figures 9A through 9C.

The multiple detachable receptacles 44A, 44B, 44C are adapted to attach to one another.

Thus, for example, the undersides of the receptacles have recesses into which projections on the upper inside edge of another receptacle can be received as a snap-action inter4it (not shown).

Figures 10A through 10D show a variant multichamber container configuration 51, with an indented, multi-faceted (eg the triangular-section shown) main body chamber 52 and cluster of (three) subsidiary, self-contained, peripheral chambers 55 disposed one at each corner apex and integrated into composite (triangular with rounded corners) outline profile.

The subsidiary chambers 55 may be a lateraldisplaceable, snap-fit, cartridge-style in the side (corner edge) walls of the main body chamber 52, or may be slid axially or longitudinally from the underside.

The main chamber 52 has an independent fill and discharge spout 58, with a screw cap closure 53, through which its contents 59A may be dispensed.

Similarly, each subsidiary chamber 55 has an independent fill and discharge port 57 and associated snap-fit closure cap 56, through which contents 59B may be dispensed incrementally, droplet fashion.

An optional mixer compartment 54 may be detachably fitted to the end of the body portion 52, helping the end retention of the subsidiary chambers 55.

Figures 11A through 11D show a variant multichamber container configuration, with an annular, cylindrical main body portion 62 and a single, axiallyinterfitting, complementary cylindrical subsidiary chamber 65.

An optional mixer compartment 64 may be detachably fitted to the end of the body portion 62.

The main body portion 62 has a fill and discharge port 67, aligned with the fill and discharge port 66 of the compartment 65, when the latter is inserted, and with a common screw closure cap 63.

Upon removal of a common screw closure cap 63 to a threaded spout 68 on the main body portion 62, over the aligned ports 66, 67, the container 61 as a whole can be tilted - for simultaneous dispensing, through the common outlet neck spout 68, of the (progressively combined) contents 69 of both the main body and subsidiary chambers 62, 65.

The respective sizes of the ports 66, 67 determine the associated dispensing characteristics - that is between a regulated continuous flow and incremental, droplet-fashion.

In the 'flat-pack' container variant 71 of Figures 12A through 1 2C discrete, isolated subsidiary chambers 75 are integrated with a main body portion 72, within a composite (rectangular) outline profile.

The main body portion 72 has a screw closure cap 73, upon whose removal the respective contents 77A may be dispensed.

Similarly, each subsidiary chamber 75 has its own individual screw closure cap 76, upon whose removal the respective contents 77B may be dispensed.

An optional removable end tray 74 may be provided, as a snap-action inter4it with, say, the main body portion 72, to serve as a mixer compartment.

In the container variant of Figures 13A through 13C discrete, isolated lateral 'wing' chambers 85 at opposite sides of a 'barrelled' main body 82 are integrated within a composite outline ornamental profile.

An optional mixer compartment 84 may be detachably fitted to the end of the body portion 82.

Alternatively, one of the detachable 'wing chambers 85 could be a mixer compartment/ receptacle.

The main body chamber 82 has an associated screw closure cap 83, upon whose removal the respective contents 89A may be dispensed.

Similarly, the subsidiary peripheral chambers have respective screw closure caps 86, upon whose removal the respective contents 89B may be dispensed.

In the pyramid-profile variant of Figures 14A through 14C, a truncated main body portion 92 is surmounted by a miniature pyramidal subsidiary cap vessel 95, which also forms a screw cap closure to the main body portion 92.

The underside of the cap vessel 95 has a fill and discharge nozzle or spout 97, through which its contents 99 can be dispensed, incrementally (droplet fashion), and which inter-fits within a neck 98 to the main body portion 92.

An optional shallow-walled, rectangular-plan, base tray 94 is detachably fitted to the underside of the main body chamber 92, for use as a mixer receptacle.

Component List Figures 1A through 6E 11 container 12 main body chamber 13 cap (main body chamber) 14 (detachable) receptacle/mixer compartment 1 5 subsidiary vessel 1 6 screw closure cap (subsidiary vessel) 17 recess 18 ribs 1 9 flip-top lid closure 20 fill/discharge mouth 1 20A contents (main body chamber) 1 20B contents (subsidiary chamber) 121 label recess 141 location profile 142 (subsidiary chamber) lid profile Figures 7A through 7E 21 container 22 main body chamber 23 closure cap (main body chamber) 24 receptacle / mixer compartment 25 subsidiary vessel 26 screw closure cap (subsidiary vessel) 27 recess 28 ribs 29A fill/discharge spout (main body chamber) 29B fill/discharge spout (subsidiary vessel) 30A contents (main body chamber) 30B contents (subsidiary vessel) Figures 8A and 8B 31 container 32 main body chamber 33 closure cap (main body chamber) 34 receptacle / mixer compartment 35 subsidiary vessel 36 closure cap (subsidiary vessel) Figures 9A through 9C 41 container 42 main body chamber 43 closure cap (main body chamber) 44A receptacle / mixer compartment 44B receptacle / mixer compartment 44C receptacle / mixer compartment 45A subsidiary vessel 45B subsidiary vessel 45C subsidiary vessel 46 closure cap (subsidiary vessel) Figures 10A through 10D 51 container 52 main body chamber 53 screw closure cap (main body chamber) 54 detachable (base) mixer compartment 55 subsidiary chamber 56 snap-fit closure (subsidiary chamber) 57 fill/discharge spout (subsidiary chamber) 58 fill/discharge spout (main body chamber) 59A contents (main body chamber) 59B contents (subsidiary chamber) Figures 11A through liD 61 container 62 main body chamber 63 (common) screw closure cap 64 detachable (base) mixer compartment 65 subsidiary chamber 66 fill/discharge port (subsidiary chamber) 67 fill/discharge port (main body chamber) 68 neck spout (combined) 69 (combined) contents Figures 12A through 12C 71 container 72 main body chamber 73 screw closure cap (main body chamber) 74 detachable mixer compartment 75 subsidiary chamber 76 screw closure cap (subsidiary chamber) 77A contents (main body chamber) 77B contents (subsidiary chamber) Figures 13A through 13C 81 container 82 main body chamber 83 screw closure cap (main body chamber) 84 detachable (base) mixer compartment 85 subsidiary chamber 86 screw closure cap (subsidiary chamber) 87 fillldischarge spout (subsidiary chamber) 88 fill/discharge.spout (main body chamber) 89A contents (main body chamber) 89B contents (subsidiary chamber) Figures 14A through 14C 91 container 92 main body chamber 94 detachable (base) mixer compartment 95 subsidiary chamber 97 fill/discharge spout (subsidiary chamber) 98 fill/discharge spout (main body chamber) 99 contents (subsidiary chamber)

Claims (9)

1. Claims 1. A multi-chamber container (11) comprising a plurality of discrete, mutually inter-fitting chambers, with individual access ports (and respective closures), including a main body chamber (12), and a removable subsidiary chamber (14).
2. 2. A container, as claimed in Claim 1, with a self contained vessel (13) receivable in the subsidiary chamber.
3. 3. A container, as claimed in either of the preceding claims, including a location profile on the inner surface of the subsidiary chamber for enhanced inter4it between said subsidiary chamber and a self-contained vessel stored therein.
4. 4. A container, as claimed in Claim 3, whereby said location profile has an additional complementary lid profile for interfit with the self-contained vessel screw cap, to assist opening and tightening of the self contained vessel closure.
5. 5. A container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, whereby a self-contained vessel is profiled to assist localised inter-fit with the subsidiary chamber.
6. 6. A container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including complementary inter-fitting body chamber and mixer compartment.
7. 7. A container, as claimed in either of the preceding claims, wherein the relative proportions of the chambers reflect their respective contents' relative proportions in the mixture.
8. 8. A container, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
9. 9. An aromatherapy (ingredient) storage and mixing kit, including a dedicated container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, and comprising a plurality of discrete inter fitting chambers for respective ingredients, including a mixer compartment, into which the discrete ingredients may be introduced for admixture and blending in desired relative proportions.