U.S. patent application number 10/932907 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for squeezable multi-compartment container.
Invention is credited to David M. Deans, Jerilyne T. Deans.
Application Number | 20060045605 10/932907 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35943316 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060045605 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deans; David M. ; et
al. |
March 2, 2006 |
Squeezable multi-compartment container
Abstract
A single or multi-compartment container includes an inner
container for a liquid or powder product surrounded in part by an
outer container. The inner and outer containers are joined at a
neck assembly which has an opening communicating with the inner
container. The outer container is partially filled with a fluid,
semi-fluid or gel material giving the container a soft, resilient
"jelly-like" feel.
Inventors: |
Deans; David M.;
(Chatsworth, CA) ; Deans; Jerilyne T.;
(Chatsworth, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PETER S. LUCYSHYN
2300 GREENWOOD AVE
WILMETTE
IL
60091
US
|
Family ID: |
35943316 |
Appl. No.: |
10/932907 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 34/045
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/126 |
International
Class: |
A46B 11/00 20060101
A46B011/00 |
Claims
1. A squeezable multi-compartment container comprising inner and
outer chambers sealed together at a neck assembly by a
pressure/compression seal or heat fusing which includes an opening
communicating with the inner chamber, said outer chamber being at
least partially filled with a fluid, and said inner and outer
chambers being elastically deformable.
2. The squeezable container of claim 1, and further including a
closure for closing the opening to the inner chamber.
3. The squeezable container of claim 2, wherein the closure
comprises a screw top.
4. The squeezable container of claim 2, wherein the closure
comprises a press-fitted cap.
5. The squeezable container of claim 2, wherein the closure
comprises a flip cap.
6. The squeezable container of claim 2, wherein the closure
includes a brush.
7. The squeezable container of claim 2, wherein the closure
includes a dropper.
8. The squeezable container of claim 2, wherein the closure
includes an applicator wand.
9. The squeezable container of claim 2, and further including a
blade applicator under the closure.
10. The squeezable container of claim 1, wherein the outer chamber
is filled with a fluid, semi-fluid or a gel material.
11. The squeezable container of claim 1, wherein the outer chamber
is filled with a mineral oil or jelly-like fluid.
12. The squeezable container of claim 11, wherein the mineral oil
includes suspended particles.
13. The squeezable container of claim 1, wherein the inner
container is filled with a cosmetic.
14. The squeezable container of claim 1, wherein the inner and
outer chambers are formed from a single bag or from two sheets of
flexible material in which the inner and outer chambers are
separated by a barrier line.
15. The squeezable container of claim 14, wherein the barrier line
comprises a heat fused line.
16. The squeezable container of claim 14, wherein the inner and
outer containers comprise separate bags.
17. The squeezable container of claim 14, wherein the inner and
outer chambers are formed of a plastics material.
18. The squeezable container of claim 14, wherein the inner and
outer chambers are formed of a transparent or translucent plastics
material.
19. The squeezable container of claim 14, wherein the inner and
outer chambers are formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet.
20. A method of forming a squeezable multi-compartment container as
claimed in claim 1, which comprises providing inner and outer
chambers sealed together at their necks, and fitting the inner and
outer chambers at least in part.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the inner and outer containers
are formed from separate containers.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the inner container is formed
by pushing a portion of the outer container back into itself.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein the inner chamber is formed by
heat sealing a barrier line which separates the inner chamber from
the outer chamber.
24. The method of claim 20, including the step of filling the inner
chamber, at least in part, with a deliverable product.
25. The method of claim 20, including the step of partially filling
the outer chamber with a mineral oil or jelly-like fluid.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates generally to novel product
containers, and more particularly to squeezable single or
multi-compartment containers for liquid and paste materials. The
invention has particular utility in providing containers having a
unique squeezable soft touch or hand feel for high value products
such as cosmetics, and will be described in connection with such
utility, although other utilities are contemplated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] High value products such as cosmetics typically are packaged
in small rigid walled or semi-rigid walled containers such as
tubes, jars and bottles. Often the containers are made of various
plastic resins, which are somewhat lighter in weight and more
shatter resistant than glass, which also is used. Manufactures
often differentiate their products from those of other
manufacturers by employing uniquely shaped containers, colors and
sizes to create unique or distinctive product identification. It is
thus an object of the present invention to provide unique
containers, which can be manufactured from a wide variety of
materials including but not limited to: vinyl, plastic, rubber,
films, sheet material, etc which can contain a decorative
"jelly-like" solution and a product solution in a separate chamber.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multi channel or
compartment squeezable containers that are simple and economical to
manufacture in a variety of colors and shapes. Yet another object
of the invention is to provide unique squeezable containers that
provide superior impact-resistance and protection of the
contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a "fun to hold, fun to see
and fun to use" flexible container which containers a decorative
"jelly-like" liquid, which provides an aesthetically pleasing look
and a squeezable feel. Within this container is a separate
compartment, which holds the product, which can be a liquid, powder
or semi liquid product. Often, but not always, the product is a
cosmetic such a lip-gloss, eye shadow, blush, mascara, etc. Usually
the "jelly-like" liquid is a bright vibrant color to complement or
contrast the product color and provides a squeezable feel.
[0004] More particularly, the present invention provides novel
multi-compartment containers comprising of a separate chamber or
bag for containing a liquid or paste type product, surrounded at
least in part by an outer chamber or bag. The inner and outer
chambers or bags are separated and one chamber usually, but not
always the outer, contains a "jelly-like" fluid which is provided
for color and/or squeeze-ability, but is not usually dispensed. The
inner chamber is usually, but not always, used to contain the
product. Depending on the design the separate chambers can be
formed using a chamber within a chamber or two chambers formed by
creating a sealed seam separating the product chamber from the
"jelly-like" fluid containing chamber. The two chambers form a
container with the "jelly-like" fluid containing chamber preferably
sealed into itself and the product chamber sealed to a neck
assembly, which is used to dispense the product. The chamber walls
are generally formed of a flexible material. The outer chamber is
at least partially filled with a fluid, semi-fluid or gel material
giving the outer chamber a soft, resilient "jelly-like" look and
feel. Completing the container is a closure for closing the
opening, which communicates with the inner chamber, which contains
the product.
[0005] The containers of the present invention may be formed in a
variety of shapes and sizes and may be used for holding a variety
of products including high valued products such as cosmetics,
creams lotions and the like. Also, if desired, solid particles
having a density approximating that of the liquid, semi-liquid, gel
or other "jelly-like" material filling the outer chambers may be
included in the filling to provide aesthetic appeal. In another
aspect, the invention provides a method of producing the novel
containers, which involves sealing the inner and outer containers
from each other and sealing the product container to the neck
assembly. The outer container is partially filled with a liquid,
semi-liquid, gel or other "jelly-like" material and sealed, and the
inner container is filled with the desired product and sealed with
a closure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will be seen from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view and FIG. 2 an assembled view
illustrating one embodiment of multi-compartment container made in
accordance with the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a process for forming the
container of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIGS. 4-7 show an alternative form and process of forming a
multi-compartment container made in accordance with a second
embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a process for forming the
container of FIGS. 4-7;
[0011] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of yet another embodiment
of a multi-compartment container made in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the alternative
embodiment of FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a
multi-compartment container 10 made in accordance with the present
invention. Container 10 includes an inner chamber or bag 12 having
a main body, which includes a upper portion 14, a side wall portion
16 and a bottom portion 18. Chamber 12 is primarily bulb-like in
shape, and includes a neck portion 20 formed around a rigid neck
element 22 having an opening 24 through which product may be
dispensed. Inner container 12 is surrounded by an outer container
30 which also is bulb-like in shape, and includes a neck portion
32, a side wall portion 34 and a base portion 36. Outer container
30 preferably has the same general shape as inner container 12, but
is larger in size so that when the inner container 12 and outer
container 30 are assembled together, a chamber or space 38 is
formed between the inner and outer containers 12 and 30,
respectively (see FIG. 2). Space or chamber 38 is partially filled
with a "jelly-like" fluid such as mineral oil, and the inner and
outer containers 12 and 30 are sealed together at neck 20 by a ring
40 that fits snugly over the upper ends of the inner and outer
containers and rigid neck element 22. The containers also may be
sealed, to the neck assembly, by heat fusing the inner and outer
containers to a rigid neck assembly.
[0014] Inner and outer containers 12 and 30 are formed of a thin
resiliently flexible material such as polyvinyl sheet material or
another material that is inert both to the material intended to be
held in the inner container 12 and to the fluid in the chamber 38.
For example, where the material intended to be held in container 12
comprises an oil-based cosmetic, and the fluid in chamber 38
containers comprises a mineral oil, the inner and outer containers
may be made of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet of appropriate
thickness. However, the material used to form the inner and outer
containers may comprise other plastic or rubber materials.
[0015] Referring also to FIG. 3, there will now be described the
assembly of the multi-chamber container illustrated in FIG. 1.
Pre-formed inner container 12 is loaded into outer container 30 and
the two are assembled together on a rigid neck element 22 at a
station 50. The outer container 30 is then partly filled from the
bottom with a mineral oil at a filling station 52, and sealed. The
inner container is then filled through the open top end with a
product of choice at a filling station 54, and a removable top or
cap 56 which may include an applicator such as a brush 60 is
affixed to the top end of the assembly at a capping station.
Alternatively, the cap 56 may include a dropper, a rod, a brush, a
sponge or a blade applicator or the like.
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, there is shown an alternative
embodiment soft-walled multi-compartment container made in
accordance with the present invention. In this alternative
embodiment the multi-compartment container is constructed from a
single pre-formed long necked bag 68 in which the inner container
70 is formed by turning a neck portion 72 of the bag 68 which also
forms the outer container 74 in on itself. As before, the inner and
outer containers 70, 74 are sealed to a rigid neck element 22 and
ring 40, and the inner container capped with a cap 56. As in the
case of the first embodiment, the outer container 74 may be
partially filled with a mineral oil or the like, while the inner
container 70 may then be filled with a high value product and
sealed with the cap.
[0017] Referring also to FIG. 8, a method of forming a
multi-compartment container of FIGS. 4-7 will now be described.
Referring again to FIG. 4, a bulb-shaped bag 68 having an elongate
neck 72 is provided at a station 80. The bag 68 is then partially
filled with a "jelly-like" fluid at station 82.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 5, the neck 72 is pushed into itself using
a rod 84 at a station 86 whereby to create the inner container 70.
FIG. 6 shows the neck 72 pushed into its final position.
[0019] A rigid neck element 22 is supplied and is inserted into the
neck at a station 88 shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, an outer sealing
ring 40 is press fitted over the neck element 22. The container
neck also may be sealed, to the neck assembly, by heat fusing each
to the other. The inner container 70 is then filled through the top
end with a product of choice at station 90 and the filled container
is then capped or sealed with an applicator 56 or other form of cap
at station 92.
[0020] Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9
and 10. In this latter embodiment, the inner and outer containers
100, 102 are formed by heat fusing two sheets of flexible film
along pattern edges 104, 106 to create the outer container and
inner container separated by a barrier line. A rigid neck element
22 and sealing ring 40 supplied and sealed to the necks of the
inner and out containers, as before. The inner and outer containers
may then be filled, as before, and capped 56.
[0021] The containers of the present invention can be made in a
conventional shape such as an elongated tube or bulb. Usually,
however, the containers may be made in unconventional shapes such
as star or tear drop shapes to catch the eye of a consumer. Also,
if desired, the inner and outer container walls may be made of
transparent or translucent materials which may be the same or
different color materials. If desired, patterns may be printed on
the inner and/or outer container walls. In another embodiment of
the invention, particles such as glitter or the like may be
incorporated into the fluid in the outer container.
[0022] It is thus seen that the present invention provides highly
unusual eye catching product packaging that satisfies the aforesaid
and other objects above described. Additionally, the product has a
soft "jelly-like" "squishy" hand feel. Moreover, by making the
outer wall and filling material transparent, the user can see how
much product is remaining. Also, by making the outer container
flexible, the consumer can express essentially all of the contents
from the inner container.
[0023] Various changes may be made in the foregoing without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,
the inner compartment closure or cap may comprise a screw top, or a
press-fitted or flip cap. Other changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *