US20190100355A1

US20190100355A1 - Dispensing devices

Info

Publication number: US20190100355A1
Application number: US16/141,905
Authority: US
Inventors: Alyse N. Merritt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-09-25
Filing date: 2018-09-25
Publication date: 2019-04-04

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention has two containers arranged head to head so that the opening at each head is attached to a central core that acts as cup, measuring device or simple connector or all of the aforementioned. A multiple container sandwich bag such that successive multiple containers are arranged end to end or the containers are arranged back to back.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices that dispense various fluid or solid materials for home, personal or consumption. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices that dispense from a plurality of openings therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various condiment, personal hygiene (soap, shampoo), food sachets and other types of packaging exists in the marketplace. Typically, a usable or consumable material such as the aforementioned are placed into the device and then machinery takes over to finally seal the package for later use. When a user wants to use the contents he or she breaks open the package, a seal on the package or otherwise opens it and expels the contents as needed.
However, a problem with this is that a user typically has various needs. For example, to clean one's hair, a user needs conditioner, shampoo and final treatment but these are separately obtainable and therefore not always easily available. When he or she wants to place condiments on a hot dog or hamburger, a similar problem exists as they may be found at a fast food restaurant but not in easy travel packs. Another example in a different venue is when a user wants to add for example milk from a pint to cereal contained in a small box. A user carrying both items could lose one while porting it thereby defeating the original purpose of carrying them with him or her. Another problem with these items is that the device is not always easily squeezable as in some hard plastic containers and that the device is disposable.
Thus, there is a need for a solution that provides both multiplicity of contained materials as well as re-usability.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for solutions to the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing a method and respective apparatus for packaging and consumption of take out appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention has two containers arranged head to head so that the opening at each head is attached to a central core that acts as cup, measuring device or simple connector or all of the aforementioned.
A multiple container system such that successive containers are arranged end to end or the containers are arranged back to back.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:

FIG. 1A presents a dual chamber container having a central core used as a measuring thimble, food bowl or more.

FIG. 1B presents a main container of a dual chamber device having a central protrusion at its top portion with a central hole for engaging a dimple portion in a central core of FIG. 1C having a central spike.

FIG. 1C presents a small container attached to a central core.

FIG. 1D presents a view of a central core cup or bowl area having measuring steps showing large, medium and small indications.

FIG. 1E presents an exploded view of the various possible measurements shown in FIG. 1D.

FIG. 2A presents a dual container system having a dual central cores useable together as screw on thread to thread cores or snap together using side born raised protrusions to engage together in an alternative embodiment described herein.

FIG. 2B presents a straw useable within the dual containers for easy expulsion of materials therefrom.

FIG. 3A presents a dual container system having a dual central core and holders with holes at the bottom of each holder for insertion of bags therein. The side of the holders also open to permit the container to be easily removed from either holder. The cores are held to their respective holder by being integrally formed therefrom; attached via corresponding engagement protrusions on the holder and its respective core.

FIG. 3B presents a cross section of one alternative container system.

FIG. 3C presents a closeup view of a top central core of any of the dual core designs having an external thread for engagement with a bottom central core having an internal corresponding thread.

FIG. 3D presents a closeup view of a bottom central core having an internal corresponding thread for use with a top central core in any of the dual core designs having an external thread for engagement.

FIG. 3E presents a view of the top portion of the insertable bags for condiments, shampoos or similar items inside of a sleeve or holder shown in FIG. 3A-3B. The top of the bag is inserted in a corresponding hollow neck of the holder having a central core attached thereto or integrally formed therefrom. A hole in the top surface of a holder permits a user to grip the flap at the top surface of the neck portion of the bags and remove it for expulsion of contents therefrom.

FIG. 3F presents a flap attached to the top surface of a neck portion of the insertable bags of FIG. 3E.

FIG. 3G presents a puncture head for use with a top bag surface that does not have a flap. This sharp protrusion extends down from the underside of the central core on a support ledge (or for the top bag of FIG. 3A if it is flipped vertically then the same would apply; if not then the puncture spike extends upwards). Space around this puncture head is formed in the cavity thereabout as described with the straw insertion in the event a puncture head is required in this alternative.

FIG. 4 presents a dual container having a central core with a handle (alternatively a depression having protrusions acting to hold the tool) having a tool such as a spoon inserted therein. These containers can hold things like milk in one, and granola or cereals on the other side and so forth.

FIG. 5A presents a dual sandwich bag back end to front end thus end to end.

FIG. 5B presents a dual sandwich bag back to back.

FIG. 6 presents a dual container system having a eating implement such as a fork, spoon or straw attached to one or both containers with a non-toxic safe adhesive that is easy to overcome with sufficient force by a typical user of the item.

It should be understood that either the single core or the dual core are optionally a cup or bowl formed from the plastic forming the spaces therein for holding food, soap, creams or similar useful items.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
FIG. 1A presents a dual chamber system 1 having a central core 2 used as a measuring thimble, food bowl or more. The central core 2 is a separate device from the two containers 3 (container), 4 (main container). The containers each have a hole 5 at their respective top centers in a raised central protrusion 6. This hole 5 engages a post 5A centrally located in a corresponding dimple 6A in the central core 2 at its top or bottom. The two containers 3, 4 and the central core 2 are connected together using matching protrusions that engage together like two hands gripping together. The top portion of either container (viewed when its bottom portion which is opposite a protrusion or hole is placed on a ground surface) has a surface 7 that fits snugly within a cup 7A (on either side, top or bottom of the central core 2) or bowl area of the central core 2.
FIG. 1B presents a main container 4 of a dual chamber system having a central protrusion 6 at its top portion with a central hole 5 for engaging a dimple portion 6A in a central core 2 of FIG. 1C having a central spike 5A.
FIG. 1C presents a small container 3 attached to a central core 2. The small container 3 can be of similar or identical size as the other one. The central cores has various structural supporting walls.
FIG. 1D presents a view of a central 2 core cup 7A or bowl area (on either side of the central core 2) having measuring steps 8 showing large, medium and small indications on the inside of the cup 7A or bowl area. There is a second set of steps opposite the first group of steps in the cup 7A. Thus on one side of the cup 7A there is a shallower end and on the other end of cup 7A about midway the steps begin down into a deeper portion of the cup 7A.
FIG. 1E presents an exploded view of the various possible measurements shown in FIG. 1D.
FIG. 2A presents a dual container system having a dual central cores useable together as screw on thread to thread cores or these can alternatively snap together using side born raised protrusions to engage together one to another in an alternative embodiment described herein.
FIG. 2B presents a straw useable within the dual cored dual containers for easy expulsion of materials therefrom in an alternative embodiment described herein. A separate straw is inserted down the centerline of the containers and the dual cores in cavities therein so that they abut corresponding narrower holes (typically covered by an adhesive peel strip or removable tab or similar cover) in the top surface of each of the cores (formed in this example integrally with the container or snapped on using corresponding locking protrusions). Thus the straws are held snugly by the cavities so that they will not disengage therefrom.
The straw is tightly held in a small cavity within the neck of a respective one of the dual central cores. The dual cores are optionally placed together using twist on screw on thread to thread type described below FIG. 3C-3D. Each one of the dual cores can be used to measure an amount of a substance such as milk, yogurt, cereal, shampoo, conditioner, baby food and more in a cup or bowl formed within the cores.
FIG. 3A presents a dual container system in an alternative embodiment disclosed herein. This embodiment has a dual central core (top core) 10A, (bottom core) 10B and integral holders 11A, 11B with holes at the bottom 12A, 12B of each holder 11A, 11B for insertion of bags 14 therein. The side of each of the holders 11A, 11B are also open as shown by hole 13A, 13B to permit the bags 14 to be easily removed from either holder.
FIG. 3B presents a cross section of one alternative container system shown in FIG. 3A. The dual cores are optionally placed together using twist on screw on thread to thread type described below in FIG. 3C-3D. Each one of the dual cores can be used to measure an amount of a substance such as milk, yogurt, cereal, shampoo, conditioner, baby food and more in a cup or bowl formed within the cores.
FIG. 3C presents a closeup view of a top central core 10A of any of the dual core designs having an external thread for engagement with a bottom central core 10B having an internal corresponding thread.
FIG. 3D presents a closeup view of a bottom central core 10B having an internal corresponding thread for use with a top central core 10A in any of the dual core designs having an external thread for engagement therewith.
FIG. 3E presents a view of the top portion of the insertable bags for condiments, shampoos or similar items that are inserted inside of the holders 11A, 11B shown in FIG. 3A-3B.
FIG. 3F presents a flap attached to the top surface of a neck portion of the insertable bags of FIG. 3E designed to cover a hole in the top surface of the neck portion of the bag.
FIG. 3G presents a puncture head for use with a top bag surface that does not have a flap. This sharp protrusion extends down from the underside of the top 10A and or bottom 10B central cores when the bottom portion of their associated holder 11A, 11B is disposed downwards.
FIG. 4 presents a dual container in an alternative embodiment having a central core with a handle integrally disposed on its outer surface of the central core (alternatively a depression having protrusion(s) acting to hold the tool) having a tool such as a spoon inserted therein.
FIG. 5A presents an alternative embodiment such that a dual sandwich bag is disposed back end to front end thus end to end so that the user has alternative condiments available. An adhesive is used which is weak enough to easily permit removal of one bag from another yet strong enough to hold them together whilst porting these.
FIG. 5B presents an alternative embodiment such that a dual sandwich bag is disposed back to back so that the back of one bag attaches to the back of another at the edges thereof with at least two edges of each bag attaching to one another. An adhesive is used which is weak enough to easily permit removal of one bag from another yet strong enough to hold them together whilst porting these.
FIG. 6 presents a dual container system having an eating implement such as a fork, spoon or straw attached to one or both containers with a non-toxic safe adhesive that is easy to overcome with sufficient force by a typical user of the item.
It should be appreciated that not every wall and structure is shown in each figure for simplicity. For example, FIG. 3C, 3D optionally has a cup or bowl shape for measurement therein as shown in FIG. 1C-1E.
Numerous modifications of the teachings herein are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the limitations of various embodiments taught herein are not to limit the protection provided.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention has two containers arranged head to head so that the opening at each head is attached to a central core that acts as cup, measuring device or simple connector or all of the aforementioned.

2. A multiple container sandwich bag such that successive multiple containers are arranged end to end or the containers are arranged back to back.