GB2606157A

GB2606157A - Dual carton

Info

Publication number: GB2606157A
Application number: GB2105945.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Singh Badyal Gurpreet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-04-26
Filing date: 2021-04-26
Publication date: 2022-11-02
Also published as: GB202105945D0

Abstract

A multi-compartment container, eg for drinks or powder such as salt or sugar, comprises two or more sub-containers within a common housing and closure means connected to each sub-container allowing each sub-container to be opened independently. The sub-containers may each have separate closure means accessible through the housing, or may have a common closure unit, eg with a rotating component, for selective access to more than one sub-container. The housing may be flexible, or rigid or semi-rigid, eg formed as a carton with an aperture in each sloping upper surface. Each sub-container may be flexible, rigid or semi-rigid, and may be loose within, or bonded to, the housing.

Description

Patent application Of Badval For

A

container for multiple separate. ontents iFiedOfthQPynt1Qfl The present invention relates to containers for liquid orfiowablé dry products such as 10 powders, in particular to containers having more than one containment volume forming part of a common package,

Background

Containers having more than one containment volume or compartment within a common unit or package are known. These are commonly for containing ['golds such as drinks or cleaning liquids, and commonly are adapted to mix liquids from the two compartments at the time of dispensing. Two-compartment liquid containers of the pnor art are typically complex and have a common cap Or spout for the two compartments.. In some prior art containers the two compartments are formed within separate containers adapted to interfit to form a common whole. In others, a single compartment structure is divided by a partition to form two compartments: which has the disadvantage that the internal partition requires a complax assembly process different from that for a standard, single compartment container. The present invention provides a multi-comparlment container that is simple to manufacture, xible in application and low in cost compared with prior art containers

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempto resolve the problem or similar, including the following: DE102010027469 discloses a multipart container formed from a common outer container wall and having an internal partition and caps at each of two ends, adapted 35 for use with two liquids that need to be kept separate, for example with hair shampoo and conditioner.

CN202080510U discioses a two compartment drink box. solving the pr blem that h liquid in a single compartment drink box is unable to be drunk at different times The box body is separated into two independent cavities by tin foiL As the box has two rnutua I independent cavity structures, the two liquids in drink box can be filled mutually independently, liquid can be drunk from a first cavity arid liquid in the unbroken cavity can continue in long-term storage.

CA102241300 discloses a can for drinks having an internal baffle to separate two compartments, each having an opening such as a ring pull at its upper end. The itindrical arid each compartment comprises a hail cylinder.

CNI 021 1406 discloses a multi-chambered container; include at least two volumes opening independently, formed within a common external wall, with an internal 15 partition between the two volumes, adapted for use with liquids or powder contents, The above disclosures are similar and each provides a container having a common external wall defining a containment volume and an internal partition dividing that volume into two compartmenta.

CN201882424U discloses a container which comprises a first half bottle and a second half bottle. The first half bottle is provided with a first matched surface; the second half bottle is provided with a second matched surface which is matched with the first matched surface and tightly attached onto the first matched surface; and pull rings are arranged at the tops of both the first half bottle and the second nalf bottle The container is formed by combining the two half bottles in a tightly attached manner and the pull rings are arranged at the tops of both the two half bottles, and liquid in the two half battles can be poured out by pulling the pull rings. Two types of hadid can be contained in the two half bottles, and if the liquid in one of the two half bottles needs to be poured out, only an opening of the other half bottle needs to be blocked The two half bottles are combined into the container which is equivalently integral, and the container cannot occupy excessive space but can contain the two types cif different liquid.

JP2 011162209 discloses a two compartment container formed from two independent sub-containers, each having a closure, adapted to be fitted one to another.

Each of the abovedisclosures present cornbinationS Of two separate sub -containers that clip or fil together to form a common unit without any form of outer enclosing housing or clip.

DE102011102161 discloses a container having two standing individual packaged parts arranged next to each other for receiving different drinking liquids e.g. -viscous, pasty liquids, that are made to flow into and removed from common mixing chambers, te, a drinking mouthpiece. The container parts are accommodated 10 in a vertically movable housing cap and equipped with pierceable seal closures. Inwardly directed pierceable arbors are arranged at the cap and face the container The arbors form a iquid-leading connection into the mixing chamber, An dependent claim is also included for a method for mixing liquids in a multi-chamber container.

This device comprises two independent containers'retained within a common housing, but without independently accessible closures, and directed to applications involving mixing at the point of use. It is not adapted to low cost manufacture using similar techniques to present mass production of containers 0820080149126 discloses a container containing a cosmetic product e.g. lip and including an actuating wall to distribute the product towards a distribution orifice. Another container contains another cosmetic product e.g. lip gloss, and includes an actuating wall to distribute the latter product towards a distribution orifice.. A coupling device connects the containers. The orifices are opened respectively at application surfaces, and the containers are configured to be actuated independently with respect to each other. An independent claim is also included for a method for applying a cosmetic product.

This device is adapted o combine two liquids at the point of use and has a closure common to the. two.

nv ntio In contrast to the above the present invention provides a multi-compartment drink container comprising sub-containers adapted to be manufactured and filled using techniques used ii present mass production and allows independent access to each compartment.

°cording, to the present invention there is provided a multi-compartment drink 5 container comprising: at least a first and a second sab-containerthe su ontainers being for separate units; a housing adapted to hold the sub-containers in a common unit closure means connected to each sub-container allowing each sub-contain r to e 1 opened or dosed independently of the other sub-containers In a preferred embodiment the closure means comprises a separate closure means mounted on each sub-container, the closure of each sub-container being operable separately.

in an alternatNe embodiment the closure means comprises a single unit connected to rnore than one sub-container and is operable to allow access to each sub-container separately. In a further embodiment the closure means comprises a selection means adapted to allow access selectively to only ore sub-container at a time.

In a preferred embodiment the invention provides a container comprising: east a first and a second sub-container each having a separate closure through iich the into!or of the sub-container may be ac e sub-containers being formed as separable units; a housing adapted to hold the sub-containers in a common unit, the closure of each sub-container being separately accessible.

In a preferred embodiment the container comprises two sub-containers, in alternative embodiments the container comprises more than two sub-containers, in one embodiment the sub-containers are arranged side by side, in further embodiments the sub-containers many be arranged in a pattern, for example in a circular, square, rectangular or other geometric pattern. Preferably the at are arranged so that the closures are presented at the same side for face of the container. Preferably the container is adapted so that the closures are presented on the upper side of the container in use in a preferred embodiments the sub-containers are formed from a flexible material *such as a foil or plastic film as known in the art of drinks container fabrication, preferably a multi-layer film comprising one or more plastic films and a metallised layer, again as known in the art to maintain freshness. In alternative embodiments the sub-container are formed from a rigid or semi rigid material, so being adapted to be at least in part self-supporting In a preferred embodiment the housing comprises a hollow carton within which the sub-containers are disposed side by side, the housing comprising one or more apertures through which a closures may be accessed In preferred embodiments apertures are provided in the housing such that each closure is accessible through a separate aperture in preferred embodiments the sub-containers are substantially or wholly enclosed by the housing, and the closure may project through the aperture in the hoOsino. In alternative embodiments, particularly adapted to containers in which the sub containers are formed from a rigid or semirigid material, the housing may enclose only a portion of the sub-containers, and a portion of the sub-containers may project beyond the housing In one embodiment the housing is in the form of a sleeve or clip adapted to hold a portion of each sub-container, so holding the sub-containers in a fixed arrangement within the container.

Closures may comprise a range of forms as known in* the art in a preferred embodiment the Closure comprises a screw cap sealed to the sub-container, and the container is adapted so that the screw cap projects through an aperture in the housing. In a further preferred embodiment the closure may comprise a pull tag, for example as in a ring-pull, or a pierceable closure adapted for use with a straw In an embodiment in which the container comprises a single closure unit adapted to allow access to multiple sub-containers, the closure may Comprise a lift up sealable flap to allow access to each sub-container. Alternatively the closure unit may comprise a rotatable sealing component that in a first position allows access to only the first sub-ccmtainer, in the second position only to the second sub-container, and so forth for the number of sub.containers present. in a further embodiment, one position of the rotatable sealing member may allow access to two &Lib-containers simultaneously, for example to allow contents to be dispensed simultaneously.

In preferred embodiments the container is adapted to contain liquid, for example drinks such r3S juices, and the emptied by pouring and gravity. In further ernoodiments the container is adapted to dispense liquids by compression of the sub -containers, either singly or together in further embodiments the container is adapted to contain a powder, for example salt or sugar. In preferred embodiments the container may comprise a spout for pouring, which may be formed as part of the closure, and may be movable for example so as to be located substantially within the housing when not in use and to be capable of being extended through the aperture An required The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from e scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the opti dimensional relationships for the parts oftt* invention, to include variations in materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, arid all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention..

Therefore; the fbregoing is considered as illustrative only the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes readily occur to those skilled in the art, U i.not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction 25 and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Srief "Pemonpliag, qf igyres 0 Figure 1 shows a cross section of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a three.q,uarter view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention; Figure 3 snows a three quarter view of an embodiment of sub- suitable to form part of a container according to the invention: Figure 4 shows a cross section of seco embodiment of a ontainer according to 5 the invention; Figure 5 shows a three-quarter View of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention; Figure 6 shows a closure pa Of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention Figure 7 invention; across Lion of a third embodiment of a container according to the Figure 8 shows athree-quarter view of a third embodiment of a container according to the invention; Figure 9a shows a closure forming pan of a third embodiment of a container 20 *according to the invention; Figure 9b shows.anThner component.of the closure shown in figure

Detailed Description of Figures

Figure 1 snows a cross section of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention in which the container comprises two separate sub-containers housed within an outer housing, each sub-container having a separate closure in the form of a screw cap projecting through an aperture in the housing. Different liquids are shown in each sub-container. Figure 2 shows a three quarter view of this first embodiment The housing is formed as a hollow carton in a shape known in the art, having two sloping upper sudaces joined at a Seam, and having an aperture in each sloping upper surface through whic-11 a closure may project. in some embOdiments the closure and the sub-container is not attached to the housing at this point, but in* others either or both of the aperture and the sub-container may be attached to the housing adiacent to the aperture in order to prevent the closure being pushed back through the aperture in use. In a further alternative embodiment, the sub-container further cart prices a rigid component adapted to hold the closure in place inside the housing and/or to hold the sub-container itself in place inside the housing. The housing may be formed for example from plastic coated cardboard, from plastic or from other housing materials as known in the art The housing s preferably semirigid or rigid in order to hold the sub-containers in place, but in some embodiments may be flexible so as to form a wholly flexible container. The housing is preferably adapted to be printable and in preferred embodiments logos, images eft, are printed onto the housing surface, The housing may be of any appropriate shape to hold the shape and number of sub-containers required, for example cylindrical or rectangular in shape.

Figure 3 shows a three quarter view of an embodiment of a sub-container suitable to form Part of a container accordi ig to figures 1 and 2. The sub-container is shown as a shaped unit adapted to fit inside the housing of figures 1 and 2. The sub-container may be formed from a semi-rigid or rigid material, so having such a shape when not contained within the housing and when not full of content, or may be formed from a fiexible material such that its shape is determined primarily by the housing, in such a case, the illustrated shape in figure 3 is that shape that the flexible sub-container would have when within the housing and when substantially full, Sub-containers may be loose within the housing in this embodiment, or may be bonded to it at one or more 1ocations, for example in order to assist in retaining the shape of the sub-container whHe it is. emptied, Sub-containers may have a single opening to the inside, i.e. the closure, or may 30 comprise a breather opening to allow access of air to the inside of the sub-container while liquid is being emptied through the closure.

Figure 4 shows a cross section of a s:econd.embodiment of a container according to the invention in which, two sub-containers have their closures formed as part of a common closure unit, the closure unit being adapted to allow access to a first sub-container independently of access to the second, and usable without mixing of their The sub-containers are bonded to portions of the closure unit, and then both sub-containers and closure unit are housed within a housing as shown in figure 5. Figure 6 shows the closure unit having two lift-up flaps each giving a separately -eatable access to the interior of a sub-container. Sub-containers may be formed from rigid, semi-rigid or flexible material as before.

e 7 shows a cross section cia third embodiment of a container according to the invention in which two sub-cont have their closures formed as part of a common closure unit, the closure unit being adapted to allow access to a first sub-container independently of access to the second and usable without mixing of heir contents. The sub-containers are bonded to portions of the closur-e unit and then both sub-containers and closure unit are housed within a housing as shown in figure 8. Figure 9a shows the closure unit having a rotating component that allows selection of one acentric giving access to one sub-container at a time. Figure 9b shows an inner component of the closure.nit to which the sub-containers are joined. The closure may have three locations: a closed location and a location giving access to either sub-container. Locators on the housing may be provided to indicate the positions, and slight bump-offs in the closure may hold the rotatable component in each location The containers be any appropriate dimension according to the contents to be dispensed. Typical volumes for the sub-containers are in the range of up to 51, 21 to 51, 11 to 21, 500oil to II, loOrril to 500m1 or less than 100mi. The sub-containers many be of equal size and similar or the same shape or of different sizes and/or shapes.

Housings have been shown as completely containing the sub-containers --in some embodiments sub-containers may be visible through a housing, through openings in a housing, or may project partially from a housing. In some embodiments, a housing may comprise a framework in which the sub-containers are Housings may be formed from folding and bonding of a sheet material as known in the art, and it is an advantage of the invention that the housing material need not be adapted itself for containing liquid. Therefore a wide range of materials and designs may be used Sub-containers may be formed from folding and bonding of sheet material. for example plastics film or plastic coated paper sheet, by blow moulding as known in the art for formation of semi-rigid bottles. A wide range of fabrication methods and configurations of the sub-containers is available to form the container of the invention and the invention is not limited to any one fabrication method 1:0 9 3.

Claims

A muftkompartmentdrink container comprising: at least a first and a second sub-container, the sub-containers b no formed as separate units; a housing adapted to hold the sub-containers in a common unit, closure means connected to each sub-Container allowing each subccntai.ner to be opened or closed independently of the other sub-containers..A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure means comprises a separate closure means mounted on each sub-container each being operable separately.A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure means comprises a closure unit connected to more than one sub-ccntai.rier and is operable to allow access to each sub-container separately.A container as claimed in claim 3 where'i ure means comprises a selection means adapted to allow access selectively to only one sub-container at a time.A container as claimed in claim 1 comprising: at east a first and a second sub-container each having ate closure through which the interior of the sub-container may be accessed., the sub-containers being formed as separable units; a housing adapted to hold the sub-containers in n unit, the closure of each sub-container being separately accessible.A container as claimed in any ci9it above wherein The sub-containers are formed from a flexible material A container as claimed in any of claims 5 wherein the subntain formed from a rigid or semi-rigid material 8. A container as claimed in any claim above wherein the housing comprises hollow carton within which the sub-containers are disposed side by side, the housing comprising one or more apertures hr gh which a closure may be access A contain() , claimed ii clami 8 whereTh the losure projects through the aperture.10. A container as claimed in claim 3 w Lerein the closure comprises a lift up sealable flap to allow access to each sub-container.11, A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein the clOsure. unit comprises a rotatable sealing component that in a first position allows access to only the first sub-container and in a second position only to the second sub-container.