U.S. patent application number 10/620836 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for dosing dispenser and reservoir.
Invention is credited to Brugger, Gerhard.
Application Number | 20050011853 10/620836 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34062854 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brugger, Gerhard |
January 20, 2005 |
Dosing dispenser and reservoir
Abstract
A dosing dispenser for dosing at least two components, wherein
the dosing dispenser has a reservoir with at least two containers,
which can be combined to form the reservoir and each of which can
receive one component wherein each container has at least one
engagement element at least in the area facing the bottom side of
the container, the at least one engagement element having at least
one projecting element and at least one corresponding recessed
element, wherein the containers can be combined to form the
reservoir by inserting the projecting elements of each container
into the recessed elements of the respective other container.
Inventors: |
Brugger, Gerhard; (Pflach,
AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
34062854 |
Appl. No.: |
10/620836 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/10 ;
220/23.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3288 20130101;
B65D 21/0204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/010 ;
220/023.4 |
International
Class: |
B65D 021/02; B65D
021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dosing dispenser for dosing at least two components, wherein
the dosing dispenser has a reservoir with at least two containers,
which can be combined to form the reservoir and each of which can
receive one component wherein each container has at least one
engagement element at least in the area facing the bottom side of
the container, the at least one engagement element comprising at
least one projecting element and at least one corresponding
recessed element, wherein the containers can be combined to form
the reservoir by inserting the projecting elements of each
container into the recessed elements of the respective other
container.
2. A reservoir for a dosing dispenser having at least two
containers that can be combined to form the reservoir wherein each
container has at least one engagement element at least in the area
facing the bottom side of the container, comprising at least one
projecting element and at least one corresponding recessed element
so that the at least two containers can be combined to form the
reservoir by inserting the projecting elements of each container
into the recessed elements of the respectively other container.
3. The reservoir as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the
projecting element and the corresponding recessed element are
undercut.
4. The reservoir of claim 3, wherein the undercuts are at
approximately a 60.degree. angle.
5. The reservoir of claim 2, wherein the projecting element and the
recessed element have a shape consisting of one of the set
consisting of dovetail, cylindrical, T-shaped, and L-shaped.
6. The reservoir of claim 2, wherein the projecting element has
approximately the shape of a sphere, and the recessed element has
the shape of a cylinder.
7. The reservoir of claim 2, wherein the recessed element comprises
an insertion area that has sloped walls.
8. The reservoir of claim 7, wherein the sloped walls of the
insertion area are formed at approximately angles of
45.degree..
9. The reservoir of claim 2, wherein the engagement elements are
formed on the contact surfaces of the containers.
10. The reservoir of claim 2, wherein the engagement elements are
approximately formed in the center.
11. The reservoir of claim 2, wherein the containers are laterally
reversed.
12. The reservoir of claim 2, wherein the reservoir is made of
blow-molded plastic.
13. The reservoir of claim 2, wherein the reservoir comprises more
than two containers.
14. The reservoir of claim 13, wherein the reservoir comprises more
than three containers.
15. The reservoir of claim 2, wherein the engagement elements only
take up a partial height of the respective container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a dosing dispenser for dosing at
least two components, wherein the dosing dispenser has a reservoir
with at least two containers, which can be combined to form the
reservoir and each of which can receive one component. The
invention also relates to a reservoir for a dosing dispenser having
at least two containers that can be combined to form the
reservoir.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Dosing dispensers for two or more components are known in
the art in a wide variety of forms. The components to be dosed are
located either in a reservoir divided into two compartments, or the
two components are located in separate reservoirs, each of which is
separately coupled to a dosing apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,732
of the applicant discloses a reservoir that is partitioned into two
separate accommodation compartments, where the two components can
be mutually dosed at a fixed quantitative ratio. This United States
patent also shows an embodiment with two separate reservoirs that
are connected to the dosing apparatus. Since the two reservoirs are
fixed only by coupling them to the dosing apparatus in the dosing
dispenser, the reservoir is often observed to shift in the dosing
dispenser, making it somewhat unstable.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,048 attempts to obviate this drawback by
connecting the two reservoirs by a separate bridge. This bridge or
shell is placed over the undersurface of the two reservoirs where
it is fixed in an interference fit. This manner of connecting the
two containers in the dosing dispenser has proven to be
disadvantageous because the connecting bridge can fall off if the
fit is not sufficiently accurate. A further drawback is that a
plurality of different connecting bridges must be provided for
different reservoir shapes and sizes. Furthermore, additional
effort is required to exchange the reservoirs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a
dosing dispenser with reservoir that obviates the described
drawbacks. In particular, a dosing dispenser and reservoir are to
be provided whose containers are configured separately but can be
combined to form a reservoir in such a way that the containers are
firmly and securely interconnected but can nevertheless be easily
detached. Furthermore, production thereof is to be simplified and
made more economical.
[0007] In one embodiment, the dosing dispenser for two or more
components according to the invention has the following component
parts. A reservoir with at least two containers is provided, in
which the two components are disposed and which can be combined to
form the reservoir. Furthermore, a pump unit may be provided for
each container. The quantitative ratios of the two components may
be adjustable by means of an adjusting element. In addition, a
handle may be provided to actuate the pump units and a mixing
nozzle to discharge the components.
[0008] According to one embodiment, the containers that can be
combined to form the reservoir each have at least one engagement
element in the area facing the bottom side of the container. Each
engagement element comprises at least one projecting element and at
least one corresponding recessed element. The engagement element of
each container interacts with the engagement element of the other
container so that the at least two containers can be combined to
form the reservoir by inserting the projecting elements of each
container into the recessed elements of the respectively other
container. This configuration of the anchoring on the contact
surfaces of the two containers with the aid of the protuberant,
protruding or projecting element and the corresponding recessed
element connects the containers to form a reservoir in a positive
locking and stable manner. At the same time, the containers are
nevertheless readily detachable.
[0009] Since, in one embodiment, the containers are fastened only
in a partial area and not over the entire container length or
height, they can easily be connected to form the reservoir. Because
the interconnection is provided in the area of the reservoir that
is most remote from the pump and dosing unit, the overall stability
of the dosing dispenser is at the same time substantially
increased. A shifting of the containers, e.g., due to lateral
pressure, is inhibited because the containers and thus the
reservoir are interconnected to form a unit not only by the dosing
device but also by the engagement elements. This positive locking
anchoring can also be described as a tongue and groove joint or a
bayonet joint. Likewise, the protruding element could also be
described as a latching projection.
[0010] In addition to affording the advantage of simple yet secure
combinability of the two containers, there are other advantages as
well. Because of the manner in which the engagement elements are
arranged on the contact surfaces of the containers according to the
invention, it is sufficient to produce only a single container
type, which based on the opposite connection is then complemented
in mirror image. For example, if only one indentation were provided
on one container and only one protruding element on the other, two
different containers and molds would have to be produced to
manufacture the reservoir according to the invention and thus the
dosing dispenser. This would increase the production costs
considerably. However, because one complete engagement element
comprises a protruding element and a corresponding recessed element
is provided on each container, it is sufficient to provide only a
single container type, two (or more) of which can be connected to
form a reservoir. This significantly reduces the production costs
for a dosing dispenser and a reservoir according to the
invention.
[0011] In one embodiment, both the indentation and the fixation
projection are undercut, so that the interconnection of the two
containers becomes especially secure. However, even without an
undercut in the fixation projection and the corresponding
indentation, the two containers are more securely interconnected
than if these elements were absent. It should be noted that the
undercut is a preferred embodiment but not a necessity.
[0012] The engagement elements can assume different shapes. In one
embodiment the projections and indentations assume a dovetail
shape, which can also be described as a trapezoidal shape. It is
also possible to provide a cylindrical bead and a like slot into
which the cylindrical bead can be inserted. Furthermore, instead of
the cylindrical bead, a spherical shape may be provided, which can
again be inserted and anchored in a cylindrical indentation. Other
shapes of protruding and recessed elements, including barb-type
configurations, may also be provided. To be mentioned are T-shaped
and L-shaped projections and indentations.
[0013] In one embodiment, the engagement elements are centered
relative to the vertical axis of the container. Even an eccentric
arrangement, however, does not impair the effect and function of
the engagement elements according to the invention. Furthermore, at
least the recessed elements--and in this case also the protruding
elements--of the engagement element can extend over the entire
container height. This would achieve an even more stable engagement
of the two containers, i.e., it would further improve the stability
of the anchoring.
[0014] In one embodiment, the reservoir according to the invention
is made of a plastic material, which is can be formed by blow
molding. Especially when the blow molding process is used, it is
important that the reservoirs produced can be easily removed from
the mold, without the mold having to be disassembled into many
individual parts or long mold slides having to be provided to
remove the reservoirs from the mold. This is ensured specifically
by the configuration of the engagement elements according to the
invention and the reservoirs per se. As a result the mold is
compact and simple. In addition, the production cycle times are
reduced. This, too, lowers the production costs for the reservoirs
and thus for the dosing dispenser as a whole. This, however, is a
prerequisite for the dosing dispenser to be used in a wide range of
applications, e.g., in cosmetics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention will now be explained and described in greater
detail with reference to the drawings in which
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a reservoir;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the reservoir shown in FIG. 1
divided into two containers;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the two containers depicted in
FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the containers depicted in FIG.
3, combined to form the reservoir;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
container;
[0021] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the container depicted
in FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of the container shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the container shown in FIGS. 5
and 6;
[0024] FIG. 9 depicts bottom views of additional embodiments of a
container;
[0025] FIG. 10 shows bottom views of yet other embodiments of the
container;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of yet another embodiment of the
container;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of yet another embodiment of the
container;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a
reservoir (A) and an individual container (B) thereof; and
[0029] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of yet another embodiment of a
reservoir (A) and an individual container (B) thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a reservoir 1 comprising two
separate containers 10 and 30. The two containers 10 and 30 are
interconnected via an engagement element 50, which is only outlined
here. Each of the containers 10 and 30 is hollow on the inside and
accommodates one of the components to be dosed by means of the
dosing dispenser. Pump units (not depicted), inserted into the
interior of the containers 10 and 30 and conveying the components,
can be connected to the fittings 11 and 31 of the containers 10 and
30. To fasten them securely, threads or, as shown in FIG. 1, webs
12 and 32 are provided. The reservoir 1 of FIG. 1 further has a
projection in its upper region, which in the case of containers 10
and 30 is identified by reference numerals 13 and 33. The dosing
unit (not depicted in FIG. 1) sits on these projections.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows the reservoir 1 of FIG. 1 separated into the
two containers 10 and 30. A smaller scale than in FIG. 1, however,
has been selected for this representation. FIG. 2 depicts a side
view of the containers 10 and 30 showing the contact surfaces 14
and 34. FIG. 1 on the other hand depicts a view of the containers
10 and 30 rotated by 90.degree.. In the representation of FIG. 1
the contact surfaces 14 and 34 of the containers 10 and 30 are
facing one another in the center plane of the reservoir 1 thus
formed. The connection 50 is established by interlocking the
engagement elements 15 and 35. Each engagement element 15 and 35 of
the containers 10 and 30 has a projecting element 16 or 36 and a
recessed element 17 or 37. To facilitate insertion of the
projecting elements 16 and 36 into the corresponding recesses 37
and 17, an insertion area 18 or 38 with sloping walls 19 and 39 is
preferably provided. FIG. 2 also shows that, in this embodiment,
the engagement elements 15 and 35 are provided in the lower region,
e.g. in the bottom region of the containers 10 and 30. As a result,
the projecting element 16 or 36 only needs to be inserted over a
small distance into the recessed elements 17 or 37. This makes it
substantially easier to thread in and connect the two
containers.
[0032] The bottom views of FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the
interlocking of the containers 10 and 30 or their engagement
elements 15 and 35. The bottom sides 20 and 40 of the containers 10
and 30 are shown. The bottom views of FIGS. 3 and 4 clearly show
that the projecting elements 16 and 36 protrude over the contact
surfaces 14 and 34, while the recessed elements 17 and 37 are sunk
into the contact surfaces 14 and 34. When the containers 10 and 30
are combined to form the reservoir, the contact surfaces 14 and 34
are facing one another, indicated by arrows 60 and 61. The
projecting elements 16 and 36 are then inserted into the
corresponding recessed elements 37 and 17. In other words, the
projecting element 16 of the container 10 is inserted into the
recessed element 37 of the container 30 and conversely, the
projecting element 36 on the container 30 is inserted into the
recess 17 of the container 10.
[0033] The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 further show
that both the projecting element 16 or 36 and the recessed element
17 or 37 have an undercut to ensure particularly stable meshing of
the engagement elements 15 and 35. FIGS. 2 and 3 also show that the
two containers 10 and 30 are configured substantially identically
and can thus be exchanged as desired. Because each of the
containers 10 and 30 has both a projecting element 16 or 36 and a
recessed element 17 or 37, only a single container type has to be
produced.
[0034] FIG. 1-4 show a geometric example of a reservoir 1 according
to the invention. The reservoir 1 as a whole preferably has a
cylindrical shape, for which the two containers 10 and 30
complement each other. The containers 10 and 30 shown in the
embodiment of FIG. 1-4 have approximately the shape of cylinder
halves, resulting in semicircles in the bottom views. The reservoir
1 is divided approximately equally into the two containers 10 and
30, making possible the identity of the containers 10 and 30.
Depending on the type of application, however, it may be
advantageous to configure the containers 10 and 30 in different
sizes. This would also make it possible to divide them in a
different ratio, e.g., 2:1, 3:1 or 4:1. Furthermore, the shape of
the reservoir 1 according to the invention can differ from that of
a circular cylinder and in particular may be a square, a pyramid or
an oval cylinder. The two containers 10 and 30 are divided
accordingly.
[0035] FIG. 5-8 show a further embodiment of a container 110 that
can be combined with another like container to form a reservoir.
The perspective views depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 show the container
110 in such a way that the peripheral surface 121 (FIG. 5) and the
contact surface 114 (FIG. 6) are visible. Also shown is the
projection 113 on which the dosing apparatus is placed. The dosing
head is placed on the fitting 111, with the webs 112 providing the
anchoring. The components are located in the interior 123 of the
hollow container 110. The engagement element 125 is shown
particularly clearly in FIG. 6. A projecting element 116 and a
recessed element 117 are provided. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.
5 and 6, the engagement element 125 is again provided in the bottom
region of the container 110. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG.
1-4, however, it extends to approximately half the height of the
container 110. The height of the projecting element 116 is smaller
than the depth of the recessed element 117 because an insertion
area 118 is formed in the recessed element 117 into which the
projecting element 116 of another container 110 is inserted to
provide the anchoring. A projecting element 116 is introduced into
the insertion area 118 of another container 110 and moved
downwardly, so that the projecting element 116 is threaded into the
recessed area 117 of another container 110. To facilitate insertion
of the projecting element 116, the insertion region 118 has sloped
walls 119. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the slope is e.g.,
45.degree.. FIG. 8 further shows an embodiment wherein both the
projecting element 116 and the recessed element 117 are undercut at
a 60.degree. angle.
[0036] FIG. 9-12 each shows a bottom view of containers with
different configurations of the engagement elements. Accordingly,
the illustrations depicted in FIG. 9-12 represent embodiments of
the engagement elements. FIG. 9 depicts the containers 210 (A), 220
(B) as seen from the bottom side 211 or 221. The figure clearly
shows that the projecting element 216 or 226 protrudes over the
contact surface 214 or 224 and the recessed element 217 or 227 is
set back relative to the contact surface 214 or 224. The
embodiments of FIG. 9 show engagement elements meshing in dovetail
configuration. Consequently, both the projecting element and the
recessed element are undercut. FIG. 9A shows the projecting element
216 and the recessed element 217 immediately adjacent to one
another, whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 9B the projecting
element 226 and the recessed element 227 are spaced at a distance
from one another.
[0037] FIG. 10 shows a container 230 (A) and a container 240 (B).
Here, too, views of the bottom sides 231 or 241 are shown. The
engagement elements depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 10 are
rounded. The recessed elements 237 or 247 have the shape of a
cylinder. The projecting elements 236, 246 can also have the shape
of a cylinder. However, it is also provided that the projecting
elements 236, 246 can have approximately the shape of a sphere
whereby the projecting element 236, 246 can likewise be anchored in
the recessed element 237 or 247. FIG. 10A shows the recessed
element 237 and the projecting element 236 directly adjacent to one
another, whereas in FIG. 10B the recessed element 247 and the
projecting element 246 are spaced at a distance from one another.
FIG. 10 further shows the contact surfaces 234 and 244.
[0038] FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of a container 250. The
figure again depicts a view of the bottom side 251, wherein the
contact surface 254 is also shown. The engagement elements in the
embodiment of FIG. 11 are L-shaped. Both the projecting element 256
and the recessed element 257 each have a barb 255 and 258 to
provide a secure mutual anchoring of two containers 250. FIG. 12
finally shows an embodiment with two barbs 265, 268. The figure
again shows a view of the bottom side 261 of the container 260. The
projecting element 266 and the recessed element 267 each have a
T-shaped configuration. When two containers 260 interlock, the
barbs 265 engage with the barbs 268. The embodiment of FIG. 9-12
illustrates that the projecting elements and the recessed elements
can either be directly adjacent to or spaced apart from one
another. The figure further shows that the positions of the
projecting and the recessed elements can be reversed (see, for
example, FIG. 9A and 10A).
[0039] FIGS. 13 and 14 further show embodiments of reservoirs 300
and 400 that comprise more than two containers. The figures depict
the bottom sides of the containers. FIG. 13A depicts a reservoir
300 comprising three containers 310, 320, 330. FIG. 13B depicts an
individual container 310. The containers 310, 320 and 330 are
configured identically and interlock. Here, each of the containers
310, 320, 330 has two contact surfaces 314 and 315. When assembled,
the contact surface 314 of the container 310 touches the contact
surface of the container 320. In contrast, the contact surface 315
of the container 310 touches a contact surface of the container
330. This is clearly visible in FIG. 13A where the container 310 is
hatched to improve clarity. The container 310 now has a projecting
element 316 on the contact surface 314. It furthermore has a
recessed element 317 in the area of the contact surface 315. As may
be seen in FIG. 13A, the projecting element 316 now engages with
the recessed element of the adjacent container 320. The projecting
element 336 of the container 330, in turn, engages with the
recessed element 317. This is similarly true for containers 320 and
330. Here the projecting element 326 of the container 320 engages
with the recessed element of the container 330. The recessed
elements of the containers 320 and 330 are not shown. Since the
containers 310, 320 and 330 are configured substantially
identically, however, their form and shape are evident from FIG.
13B.
[0040] FIG. 14 shows a reservoir 400 that comprises four separate
individual containers 410, 420, 430 and 440. Here, too, it should
be noted that the individual containers 410-414 are configured
identically. FIG. 14B shows a container 410, which is hatched in
FIG. 14A. FIG. 14 depicts the bottom side of the reservoir 400 and
the container 410. The container 410 has two contact surfaces 414,
415. A projecting element 416 is disposed on the contact surface
414, while a recessed element 417 is provided on the contact
surface 415. For the sake of clarity, FIG. 14A again shows only the
projecting elements 416, 426, 436, 446. FIG. 14A clearly
illustrates how the individual containers 410-440 engage with one
another.
* * * * *