Device And Method For Simultaneously Dispensing Different Materials From A Container

Abstract

A device for simultaneously dispensing two different paste-like materials from the same container includes an outlet member which communicates with the container interior by means of a main channel leading to one of the materials and a secondary channel extending through the outlet member wall and leading to the other material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for the simultaneous dispensing of two different pastes or compositions of similar consistency which are situated side by side in a container, particularly a tube, and are dispensed from the container in a common flow.

Containers, such as tubes, have long utilized special devices to dispense simultaneously several different pastes or compositions of similar consistency in the form of a common flow. Thus, British Patent 209,920 discloses a container for the common dispensing of several components, for example tooth pastes, skin treatment agents or facial creams, which is characterized by the insertion of one tube into another having a common outlet tip which allows the simultaneous dispensing of the substance contained in each tube. A similar construction is the subject matter of Austrian Patent No. 100,296.

German Patent No. 820,268 equally relates to a tube which contains two individual tubes in an arrangement parallel to each other which are joined together to make a uniform tube of the customary shape, whereby according to the viscosity of the two filling materials and the plasticity of the casing materials to their reciprocal arrangement, the openings of both individual tubes are adjusted to each other in such a manner that with pressure on the entire tube, both agents emerge in the required proportion.

However, such containers cannot be used for the packaging of toothpastes, for example, and other cosmetic paste articles, since their preparation is too expensive and too complicated. Furthermore, a cogently required automatic preparation would be realized only with high material, labor and machine expenditures. Also, with respect to these containers which consist of two individual tubes pressed together coaxially, a uniform emergence of the paste content cannot be achieved by the exertion of outside pressure.

However, other containers are also known which allow the simultaneous dispensing from a common container of at least two pastes or compositions of similar consistency with the formation of a continuous flow and which do not have the above-described disadvantages of the tube within a tube arrangement.

German Patent 1,085,307, for example, discloses a device for the common dispensing from a container of at least two pastes, which are situated side by side in the container, but in use being dispensed, however, with the formation of a common flow from the container. In this patent the container is provided with an outlet tip having a larger central channel for one paste and at least one smaller channel situated laterally thereto for the other paste. The outer tip for the formation of the central channel is a bilaterally open pipe which is inserted a short distance into the container. The paste to be dispensed by way of the secondary channel(s) is located in the space surrounding the pipe, while the paste to be dispensed through the pipe as the center channel is located in the remainder of the container.

A limited strip of the paste flow emerging through the secondary channel, however, may be achieved only when the end of the secondary channel is situated immediately below a projection extending into the main channel, as suggested by the German Patent 1,112,447.

Both the arrangement of the radial side discharge openings as well as projections arranged directly over them and protruding into the main channel make the thusly arranged outlet insert for the container for the simultaneous dispensing of two pastes a relatively complicated construction, which in the preparation from a suitable synthetic material by means of spray molding requires the expensive construction of a corresponding tool. Consequently, the preparation of the known outlet inserts for containers for the common dispensing of several different pastes as articles in bulk in relatively difficult and expensive and causes a considerable expenditure of control devices, since it must be assured that the side discharge openings are all present in the same sectional area. A slight change in section of the side discharge openings effects in the application an already optically visible disproportion when, as often customary, the main paste dispensed through the larger central channel and the additional paste dispensed through the side discharge openings appear in different colors. The preset cross-section of the side discharge openings may be variably dimensioned in only a very limited manner, since the consistency of the secondary paste to the primary paste must be adjusted in such a manner that the secondary paste does not penetrate into the tube outlet during the filling process of the tube and thus fill it unintentionally. Instead such flow of the secondary paste must take place only in use by the consumer and only by means of the intended discharge pressure upon the tube body which overcomes the capillary tension and is thus admixed to the main flow.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention now provides for a device for the simultaneous dispensing of two different pastes or compositions of similar consistency which are situated side by side in a container, particularly a tube, and are dispensed from the container with the formation of a common flow, said device being simple to construct and not having the disadvantages of the above-described devices.

The present invention also provides a method for such simultaneous dispensing of two different paste-like substances.

This novel device is characterized in that the container has an outlet tip which has a main channel in the form of a bilaterally open pipe extending into the container and a secondary channel situated within the main channel and connected to the wall of the open pipe to communicate with the space in the container surrounding the pipe. The smaller part of the paste is dispensed through the secondary channel by being situated in the space surrounding the pipe and the larger portion of the paste is dispensed through the main channel by being situated in the remainder of the container. This outlet tip may be constructed as an insert passing through the container, which preferably may be prepared of snythetic material. Such an arrangement is suitably used when the container is a metal tube. If a tube of synthetic material is used as the container, it is possible to connect the novel tube insert at the time of the tube preparation of form an integral unit with the tube neck.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outlet tip utilized in the inventive device;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the outlet tip shown in FIG. 1 mounted in a container;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 2 along the line 3--3 and including a container cap;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 2 along the line 4--4 and including a separating layer; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing a further embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 show one embodiment of this invention wherein an outlet member 4 is inserted in a tube like container for simultaneously dispensing two different materials. As illustrated in this exemplary embodiment tube 1 has a closing cap 2 screwed on its externally threaded neck 3. Axially within the tube neck 3 is pressed the tubular, bilaterally opening (i.e., open at both ends) insert 4 made of synthetic material and pressed in such a manner that a friction seal results between the inside wall of the threaded section 3 on the one hand and the outside wall of the insert 4 on the other hand, so that in using the tube, a change in position of the insert is out of the question. Annular flange 10 on insert or outlet member 4 also aids in proper positioning. In the center of the tube insert 4 there is arranged a secondary channel 5 which by means of bores 7 is connected to the wall of the open pipe with the space 6 surrounding the pipe or insert 4. As is apparent from the drawings the secondary channel is formed by a cylinder 11 which is concentric with the pipe 4. Cylinder 11 is open at its discharge end, has a hollow interior 5 and is closed at its bottom or remote end. Cylinder is secured to the wall of pipe 4 by means of a plurality of hollow struts 12. The bores 7 in struts 12 terminate in openings in the wall of pipe 4 whereby the bores 7 and interior 5 form the secondary channel.

The smaller portion of the paste in the tube is located in the space 6 surrounding the pipe 4 and by means of outside pressure in the use of the tube is dispensed through secondary channel 5 in a common flow together with the larger portion of the paste which is simultaneously conducted through the main channel 8 and is situated in the remainder of the container 9.

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section of a tube made of synthetic material. In this embodiment the novel outlet tip is connected with the tube neck as a unit. In the preparation of this tube, the tube head or neck consisting of shoulder section 1A and threaded section 3 is made of one piece or integral with the outlet tip 4, and the actual tube body is subsequently molded. The process may be varied to the extent that the tube body is also pre-made and both parts, i.e., casing and tube head, are connected by welding or gluing.

FIG. 3 illustrates the cap 2 which is utilized with the various embodiments of this invention. As indicated therein cap 2 includes an internal wall 13 disposed toward outlet tip 4 with an annular shoulder 14 pressing against the inner rim of tip or pipe 4 to thereby close the main channel 8. Additionally, a downwardly projecting tapered plug 15 extends into cylinder 11 and closes secondary channel 5.

The containers, which according to the invention are provided with a device for the simultaneous dispensing of two different pastes or compositions of similar consistency, as already indicated, preferably are made as metal or plastic tubes. They are particularly suited for receiving and dispensing various cosmetic agents, of cream, gel or especially paste-like consistency, for example.

In this manner it is possible simultaneously to dispense compositions of different color, composition or consistency. The novel device is also particularly suited for dispensing together of incompatible substances, in which instance there may be constructed in the container as illustrated in FIG. 4 separating layer 16 between the larger portion to be dispensed through the main channel 8 and the smaller portion of the filling material to be dispensed through the secondary channel 5 situated in the center of the main channel.

The container equipped with the novel output tip is particularly well suited for the packaging of foodstuffs and cosmetic agents, yet it may also be used for dispensing technical products, cleaning agents and similar compositions.

The cosmetic agents which may be packaged in such containers should be noted to be, for example, skin care agents, hair-dressing agents, and particularly dental care agents in cream, gel, or paste form. The novel device is particularly well suited for simultaneous dispensing of two tooth pastes of different colors with the formation of a common flow from a tube. Such products are in demand and well accepted by the consumer. In such an embodiment for a teeth caring agent packaged in this manner the main portion of the filling material, which is to be dispensed through the main channel 8, is a gel of a composition known per se, while the smaller portion of the filling material to be dispensed through the secondary channel 5 consists of a tooth paste of customary consistency which is of a color that is different from the gel-like main portion. In this manner, dispensing a flow of a paste-like tooth care agent is obtained which is surrounded by a transparent gel of a different color.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for the simultaneous dispensing of two different paste-like materials disposed side by side in a common flow comprising a container, a first area in said container for one of the materials, a second area in said container for the other of said materials, a discharge end on said container having an outlet tip from which both materials may flow, said outlet tip incorporating a bilaterally open pipe communicating with said first area, said pipe having a main channel for the flow of the one material, said pipe having a secondary channel disposed within said main channel and connected to the wall of said pipe in communication with said second area, said first area being of greater size than said second area, said second area surrounding said pipe, said secondary channel being concentrically disposed along the axis of and within said main channel to permit a single central strip of material to flow from said secondary channel, and said main channel completely surrounding said secondary channel at the outlet end of said secondary channel to permit a single annular strip of material to form around the central strip.

2. A device of claim 1 wherein said outlet tip is an insert disposed in the neck of said container.

3. A device of claim 2 wherein said insert is made of synthetic material.

4. A device of claim 1 wherein said container is a tube made of synthetic material and having a dispensing neck, and said outlet tip is made of synthetic material integral with said neck.

5. A device of claim 1 wherein said secondary channel terminates slightly below the end of said pipe at the discharge end of said outlet tip.

6. A device of claim 1 wherein container is a tooth paste tube, said one material being a transparent gel, and said other material being a tooth paste having a color different from said gel.

7. A device for the simultaneous dispensing of two different paste-like materials disposed side by side in a common flow comprising a container, a first area in said container for one of the materials, a second area in said container for the other of said materials, a discharge end on said container having an outlet tip from which both materials may flow, said outlet tip incorporating a bilaterally open pipe communicating with said first area, said pipe having a main channel for the flow of the one material, said pipe having a secondary channel disposed within said main channel and connected to the wall of said pipe in communication with said second area, said container being a tube having a cylindrical neck, said outlet tip being of cylindrical shape and disposed in said neck, a concentric cylinder being mounted in said tube, a plurality of struts connecting the bottom end of said concentric cylinder with said wall of said pipe, said concentric cylinder being hollow and open at its top discharge end and closed at said bottom end, said struts being hollow and communicating with the hollow interior of said concentric cylinder above its bottom end, and said wall of said pipe having openings at said struts whereby said struts and said concentric cylinder comprise said secondary channel.

8. A device of claim 7 including a cap over said neck, said cap having an internal wall disposed toward said outlet tip, an annular tapered shoulder on said internal wall for closing said main channel, and a downwardly projecting tapered plug on said internal wall extending into said concentric cylinder for closing said secondary channel.

9. A device of claim 7 including a separating layer between said materials at about the lower end of said pipe.

10. A device of claim 7 wherein said neck and said outlet tip are integral.

11. A device of claim 7 wherein said outlet tip is an insert disposed in said neck and said outlet tip having an annular flange resting on said neck.

12. A method of simultaneously dispensing two different paste-like compositions from a tube comprising providing an outlet tip in the neck of the tube with the outlet tip extending below the neck of the tube, disposing one of the compositions in the tube around but not beyond the wall of the outlet tip, providing the other of the compositions in the remainder of the tube, applying external pressure to the tube to cause both compositions to flow simultaneously toward the outlet tip, discharging the one composition through a secondary channel extending laterally through struts from the wall of the outlet tip toward the axis of the outlet tip and axially through a cylinder concentric with the outlet tip, and simultaneously discharging the other composition directly through the outlet tip and around the concentric cylinder.