GB2540574A

GB2540574A - Dual chambered bottle

Info

Publication number: GB2540574A
Application number: GB1512868.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amir Hussein Mohammad; Mohammed Yasin Ahmed Musa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-21
Filing date: 2015-07-21
Publication date: 2017-01-25
Also published as: GB201512868D0

Abstract

A bottle for dispensing liquids and pastes comprises at least two chambers 4, 5; a separating partition 6 between the chambers; and wherein each chamber has a dispensing apertures 2, 3 and a closing means. The liquids/pastes cannot pass directly from one chamber to the other, and each dispensing aperture exclusively dispenses the contents of one chamber only. The chambers of the bottle may be made from flexible plastics such as polypropylene. The partition may also be flexible, and may be removed by cutting, tearing, ripping or chemical methods. The bottle may be formed by sealing two half-bottles together, each half-bottle comprising a chamber and a dispensing aperture. Alternatively, the bottle may be formed by blow-moulding a single-chamber dispensing means and sealing a partition inside.

Description

Patent Application of (Mohammad) Amir Hussein and Musa Ahmed for Dual Chambered Bottle

Background of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to dispensing liquids, and in particular to dispensing more than one related liquid.

[2] Containers for dispensing more than one liquid are known in the art. For example, US2015090617 (Al) to Reza discloses a storing and mixing device comprising two chambers and one dispensing end, wherein operation of an actuation means enables the contents of the two chambers to be mixed prior to dispensing.

[3] Similarly US 20050098527 Al to Yates discloses a dual chambered bottle for storing and displaying two liquids separately and dispensing them together through apertures joined together to form a single aperture.

[4] Furthermore, containers for dispensing liquid through more than one aperture are known in the art. For example, US 5829607 A to Moheb discloses a double ended bottle having a single chamber, for dispensing liquid from dispensing ends of different diameters or cross sections.

[5] US2004159625 (Al) to Kwon discloses a dual chambered beverage bottle having a cylindrical body member that is divided by a partition wall perpendicularly disposed in the body member to form separate chambers, so that it is possible to contain two different drinks in the chambers. The beverage bottle has a cup which is secured to the bottle spout member as a cap in a substantially liquid-tight relationship.

[6] Liquids, pastes, and other viscous products that are seen by consumers as complimentary products are often packaged in separate dispensers. A few examples of such products include shampoo and conditioner, peanut butter and jelly, and ketchup and mustard. Such products often go hand in hand.

[7] However, having to buy and use two such complementary products in separate dispensers is inconvenient and time consuming.

Brief Summary of the Invention [8] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen for a convenient, efficient way of dispensing two liquids, pastes or other viscous complimentary products.

[9] It would be advantageous to provide a dispensing means for containing and dispensing two complimentary liquids, pastes or other viscous products in one container.

[10] It would be further advantageous to provide such a dispensing means wherein the separation between the chambers did not impede dispensation of the products efficiently and without waste .

[11] It would be further advantageous to provide such a dispensing means that is simple to manufacture.

[12] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dual dispensing means for dispensing two liquids, pastes or other viscous products. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a dispensing means which is simple to manufacture and efficiently dispenses products with little waste.

[13] To this end, disclosed is a dispensing bottle for dispensing liquids and pastes comprising: at least two chambers; and, for each chamber, a dispensing aperture and a closing means. Preferably, the dispensing bottle further comprises a substantially flexible, removable partition, wherein said chambers are divided by said partition. Preferably, each dispensing aperture is exclusive to one chamber.

[14] An advantage of the present invention is that it is able to hold and dispense two separate products. A further advantage is that the products will not mix inside the dispenser. A still further advantage of the invention is that the dispenser can hold products of varying viscosities, which can be dispensed via a single dispenser.

[15] A further advantage is that the dispenser can be squeezed easily without undue force or damage to the dispenser, enabling efficient dispensation of the products inside it with minimal waste.

Brief_Desari]Dtioii_of_^he_Several_^£iews_of_^he_^rawinc[ [16] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawing, in which: [17] Figure 1 shows the dual chambered bottle of the present invention, comprised of two chambers and two dispensing apertures .

Detailed Description of the Invention [18] The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing. Figure 1 shows a dispensing bottle 1 including dispensing apertures 2, 3, one being disposed on each end of the bottle.

[19] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a dispensing bottle for dispensing liquids and pastes is disclosed, comprising: at least two chambers, a partition between said chambers; and for each chamber, a dispensing aperture and a closing means. Preferably, the partition is removable and substantially flexible.

[20] The at least two chambers are preferably shaped as shown in Figure 1 and may be formed from polypropylene or other flexible material, or alternatively may be any liquid-proof material known in the art, which may be flexible or stiff. An advantage of using polypropylene or other flexible material is that the products can be squeezed from the dispensing bottle. Further suitable materials may include one of, or a combination of: PET - Polyethylene terephthalate, PE - Polyethylene, PP -Polypropylene, PS - Polystyrene, PA - (Polyamide or nylon), High Density Polyethylene, Low Density Polyethylene, polypropylene and any other unallocated references.

[21] Alternatively the chambers may comprise any shape having a hollow interior such that a liquid or paste could be contained therein, and may comprise a pumping mechanism or other dispensing mechanisms as known in the art.

[22] The chambers may be identical or may differ in size, shape, material and/or dispensing mechanism.

[23] The chambers may comprise bottles with bases and dispensing apertures, which are sealed together to form the dispensing bottle of the present invention, or may comprise hollow members having an opening and a dispensing aperture, the partition being sealed between their openings to form a closed bottle. This is described further with reference to the second method embodiment disclosed below.

[24] There may be two, three or more chambers which may be identical or different.

[25] The dispensing apertures are preferably disposed as shown in Figure 1 although each aperture may be disposed anywhere on each chamber and may or may not be in the same place on each chamber. The dispensing apertures may comprise simple circular holes or may comprise tubes or valves of any type as known in the art, or any means known in the art for dispensing a liquid or paste therefrom, and may be of any shape and dimensions. The dispensing apertures may or may not be the same on each or all chambers .

[26] The closing means may be any closing means known in the art and may comprise a hinged cap, a removable screw-on lid, a valve which is opened by exerting pressure on the chamber, or any other closing means known in the art.

[27] Suitable materials for the lid may include one of, or a combination of: PET - Polyethylene terephthalate, PE -Polyethylene, PP - Polypropylene, PS - Polystyrene, PA -(Polyamide or nylon), High Density Polyethylene, Low

Density Polyethylene, polypropylene and any other unallocated references.

[28] The partition 6 is a piece of liquid-proof material which divides one chamber from another in such a manner that liquid cannot pass from one chamber to the other.

[29] The partition may be glued, heat-sealed or affixed in position by any means known in the art.

[30] Preferably, the partition comprises a substantially flexible material such as a thin film, elastic, rubber or the like. An advantage of this is that it enables products to be dispensed from the dispensing means by squeezing without the need to apply undue force, thus facilitating dispensation of the products therein. A further advantage is that a flexible material will enable squeezing of the dispensing means without damage thereto. A still further advantage is that the products therein can be dispensed more efficiently with less waste compared to a substantially stiff partition. The term 'substantially flexible' is defined herein to mean capable of bending or changing shape under a normal hand-applied force.

[31] In particular, the partition may comprise silicon rubber (produced by injection molding of liquid silicon rubber) and/or LDPE plastic film (an advantage of this being ease of heat sealing). Both of these have suitable flexibility properties, the advantages of which are described above.

[32] Furthermore, the partition may comprise other types of rubber, plastic film, synthetic rubber, or a combination of both.

[33] Further suitable materials may include one of, or a combination of: PET - Polyethylene terephthalate, PE -Polyethylene, PP - Polypropylene, PS - Polystyrene, PA -(Polyamide or nylon), High Density Polyethylene, Low Density Polyethylene, polypropylene and any other unallocated references.

[34] Preferably, the partition is also thin enough to be easily cut or broken using a knife or other tool roughly perpendicular thereto. An advantage of this is that the partition can be removed with a knife or similar tool to enable use of the dispensing means as s single-chambered dispensing means.

[35] The partition may furthermore alternatively comprise the same material as the chambers or may be any other material capable of containing liquid or paste. The partition 6 is preferably disposed as shown in Figure 1 although it may be disposed anywhere between the chambers. In particular the partition may divide the chambers such that the chambers have substantially equal volumes as shown in Figure 1, or in any other way, an advantage of this being that equal amounts of two different products can be stored and dispensed. Alternatively the partition may divide the chambers such that the chambers have substantially different volumes. This would be advantageous where different amounts of the different products require storing. The partition may be at any angle and in any location with respect to the sides and apertures of the dispensing bottle.

[36] The partition is preferably at least partially removable and may be removed via tearing, ripping, cutting, chemical methods or any means known in the art. An advantage of having the ability to remove the partition is that the dispensing means can be used as a single chambered dispensing means. To remove the partition, the partition may be accessed via at least one dispensing aperture.

[37] Preferably, the first chamber and second chamber are divided such that the contents of the first chamber cannot pass directly into the second chamber, and the contents of the second chamber cannot pass directly into the first chamber, that is, each chamber is entirely self-contained and its contents have no means of passing into any other chamber. This may be achieved using materials mentioned herein and/or liquid-proof adhesives and/or sealants between chambers, within chamber walls, or between the chamber walls and the partition, or anywhere on the dispensing bottle, as known in the art. It will be readily understood that this concept may also be applied to dispensing bottles comprising more than two chambers.

[38] The partition may be formed as a separate component or may alternatively be formed as part of one or both of the chambers. The partition is preferably substantially flat but may be curved or of any profile. Furthermore the entire dispensing bottle may comprise one component formed from a single piece of material.

[39] Preferably, the dispensing aperture of the first chamber exclusively dispenses the contents of the first chamber, and the dispensing aperture of the second chamber exclusively dispenses the contents of the second chamber, that is, the contents of each chamber can only be dispensed through its dedicated dispensing aperture. It will be readily understood that this concept may also be applied to dispensing bottles comprising more than two chambers.

[40] The chambers and partition may be formed using techniques including but not limited to solvent welding, transparent laser plastic welding, laser welding, spin welding, friction welding, ultrasonic welding, injection welding, high frequency welding, hot plate welding, contact welding, extrusion welding, speed tip welding, free hand welding, heat sealing, welding rod and hot gas welding as known in the art.

[41] Preferably, the chambers are made via blow molding and the partition is welded thereto. An advantage of this method is that the affixing of the partition as a separate component after manufacturing the chambers enables simpler blow molding techniques to be used.

[42] Figure 1 shows one dispensing aperture 2, 3 for each of the two chambers 4, 5 respectively in order to allow the contents of each chamber to be dispensed separately. Partition 6 divides the bottle into the two separate chambers 4, 5. This partition 6 divides the bottle into two chambers 4, 5, and make exclusive each dispensing aperture 2, 3 to the contents of one single chamber 4, 5. That is, the contents of chamber 4 can only be dispensed through dispensing aperture 2 and the contents of chamber 5 can only be dispensed through dispensing aperture 3.

[43] In one embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for forming a dispensing bottle having at least two chambers and, for each chamber, a dispensing aperture. The method comprises the steps of: [44] (1) obtaining at least two dispensing bottles, each bottle having a chamber and a dispensing aperture; and [45] (2) sealing together said at least two dispensing bottles .

[46] The at least two dispensing bottles may be shaped as the chambers shown in Figure 1 and may be formed from polypropylene or other flexible material, or alternatively may be any liquid-proof material known in the art, which may be flexible or stiff. Alternatively the dispensing bottles may comprise any shape having a hollow interior chamber such that a liquid or paste could be contained therein, and may comprise a pumping mechanism or other dispensing mechanisms as known in the art.

[47] Further suitable materials may include one of, or a combination of: PET - Polyethylene terephthalate, PE -Polyethylene, PP - Polypropylene, PS - Polystyrene, PA -(Polyamide or nylon), High Density Polyethylene, Low Density Polyethylene, polypropylene and any other unallocated references.

[48] The dispensing apertures are preferably disposed as shown on the assembled dispensing bottle of Figure 1 although each aperture may be disposed anywhere on each individual dispensing bottle and may or may not be in the same place on each bottle. The dispensing apertures may comprise simple circular holes or may comprise tubes or valves of any type as known in the art, or any means known in the art for dispensing a liquid or paste therefrom, and may be of any shape and dimensions. The dispensing apertures may or may not be the same on each or all bottles .

[49] The at least two dispensing bottles may be sealed together using any glue, heat treatment or other sealing means known in the art.

[50] Alternatively the dispensing bottle of the present invention may be molded, cast, extruded or formed in any way known in the art. Specifically, the dispensing bottle may be formed using techniques including but not limited to solvent welding, transparent laser plastic welding, laser welding, spin welding, friction welding, ultrasonic welding, injection welding, high frequency welding, hot plate welding, contact welding, extrusion welding, speed tip welding, free hand welding, heat sealing, welding rod and hot gas welding as known in the art.

[51] In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for forming a dispensing bottle having at least two chambers and, for each chamber, a dispensing aperture. The method comprises the steps of: [52] (1) obtaining a first substantially hollow member and a second substantially hollow member, each said member having an opening and a dispensing aperture; [53] (2) sealing a partition to the opening of said first member; and [54] (3) sealing the opening of the second member to the partition.

[55] The first and second substantially hollow members will form the first and second chambers of the present invention and as such are shaped similarly, with the exception that they have an opening where they will be sealed (via the partition) to each other, an advantage of this being that the chambers can become joined upon removal of the partition.

[56] As such, the substantially hollow members are preferably shaped as shown in Figure 1 (excepting the area of the partition) and may be formed from polypropylene or other flexible material, or alternatively may be any liquid-proof material known in the art, which may be flexible or stiff. An advantage of using polypropylene or other flexible material is that the products can be squeezed from the dispensing bottle.

[57] Further suitable materials may include one of, or a combination of: PET - Polyethylene terephthalate, PE -Polyethylene, PP - Polypropylene, PS - Polystyrene, PA -(Polyamide or nylon), High Density Polyethylene, Low Density Polyethylene, polypropylene and any other unallocated references.

[58] Alternatively the chambers may comprise any shape having a hollow interior such that a liquid or paste could be contained therein, and may comprise a pumping mechanism or other dispensing mechanisms as known in the art. They may be identical or may differ in shape, material or size. Preferably the openings of the first and second substantially hollow members are of substantially identical cross section to enable sealing the members together, via the partition, at their openings.

[59] Specifically, the substantially hollow members may be formed using techniques including but not limited to solvent welding, transparent laser plastic welding, laser welding, spin welding, friction welding, ultrasonic welding, injection welding, high frequency welding, hot plate welding, contact welding, extrusion welding, speed tip welding, free hand welding, heat sealing, welding rod and hot gas welding as known in the art.

[60] The partition may comprise rubber, plastic film, synthetic rubber, or a combination of all three. This is advantageous because it will allow the partition to be soft and elastic. As a result, the bottle can be squeezed without any resistance, feeling as if there is no internal solid partition present. A partition which was not soft and elastic could cause high resistance when the bottle is squeezed, creating difficulties in the dispensing of the bottle's content and waste thereof, as well as potentially damaging the dispensing means. In particular the partition may comprise silicon rubber or LDPE plastic film as described above with reference to the dispensing means of the present invention.

[61] The partition may be sealed to the substantially hollow members by adhesives, plastic wielding techniques including solvent welding, transparent laser plastic welding, laser welding, spin welding, friction welding, ultrasonic welding, injection welding, high frequency welding, hot plate welding, contact welding, extrusion welding, speed tip welding, free hand welding, heat sealing, welding rod and hot gas welding or any other means known in the art.

[62] The partition may be removable. The partition may be removed by ripping, tearing, cutting or chemical means as known in the art.

[63] In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for forming a dispensing bottle having at least two chambers and, for each chamber, a dispensing aperture. The method comprises the steps of: [64] (1) blow molding a single-chambered dispensing means, having at least two dispensing apertures; and [65] (2) sealing a partition inside the dispensing means to create two chambers.

[66] The chambers and partition may be any of the materials, shapes and other variations described hereinabove.

[67] The partition may be affixed to the chamber using adhesives, plastic wielding techniques including solvent welding, transparent laser plastic welding, laser welding, spin welding, friction welding, ultrasonic welding, injection welding, high frequency welding, hot plate welding, contact welding, extrusion welding, speed tip welding, free hand welding, heat sealing, welding rod and hot gas welding or any other means known in the art.

[68] The partition may be removable. The partition may be removed by ripping, tearing, cutting or chemical means as known in the art.

[69] An advantage of this method is that the affixing of the partition as a separate component after the dispensing means has been manufactured enables the relatively simple method of blow molding to be used to manufacture the dispensing means as a single-chambered dispensing means, allowing the addition of the partition to create two chambers thereafter.

[70] The single-chambered dispensing means may comprise the shape of that shown in Figure 1 (without partition 6) or any other shape having two dispensing apertures and a single chamber.

Claims

1. A dispensing bottle for dispensing liquids and pastes comprising: at least two chambers; a partition between said chambers; and for each chamber: a dispensing aperture; and a closing means.

2. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein said partition is removable .

3. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein said partition is substantially flexible.

4. The dispensing bottle according to claim 1, in which the partition is disposed such that the chambers have substantially equal volumes.

5. The dispensing bottle according to claim 1, in which the partition is disposed such that the chambers have substantially different volumes.

6. The dispensing bottle according to claim 1 comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein said partition completely separates said first chamber and said second chamber such that contents of the first chamber cannot pass directly into the second chamber, and contents of the second chamber cannot pass directly into the first chamber.

7. The dispensing bottle according to claim 1, in which the dispensing aperture of said first chamber exclusively dispenses contents of said first chamber, and the dispensing aperture of said second chamber exclusively dispenses contents of said second chamber.

8. A method of forming a dispensing bottle having at least two chambers and, for each chamber, a dispensing aperture, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining at least two dispensing bottles, each bottle having a chamber and a dispensing aperture; and sealing together said at least two dispensing bottles.

9. A method of forming a dispensing bottle having at least two chambers and, for each chamber, a dispensing aperture, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a first substantially hollow member and a second substantially hollow member, each said member having an opening and a dispensing aperture; sealing a partition to the opening of said first member; and sealing the opening of the second member to the partition.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said partition is removable.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said partition is substantially flexible.

12. A method for forming a dispensing bottle having at least two chambers and, for each chamber, a dispensing aperture, the method comprising the steps of: (1) blow molding a single-chambered dispensing means, having at least two dispensing apertures; and (2) sealing a partition inside the dispensing means to create two chambers.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said partition is removable.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said partition is substantially flexible.