U.S. patent number RE38,067 [Application Number 09/815,537] was granted by the patent office on 2003-04-08 for device for separately storing at least two substances, for mixing them together, and for dispensing the mixture obtained thereby, and a method of manufacture.
This patent grant is currently assigned to L'Oreal. Invention is credited to Jean-Louis H. Gueret.
United States Patent |
RE38,067 |
Gueret |
April 8, 2003 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Device for separately storing at least two substances, for mixing
them together, and for dispensing the mixture obtained thereby, and
a method of manufacture
Abstract
The invention relates to a device enabling at least two
substances to be stored separately, to be mixed together, and the
resulting mixture to be dispensed, said device being of the type
comprising a receptacle and at least one removable shutter suitable
for separating, inside the receptacle, two chambers for
respectively containing said substances prior to first use of the
device, the device further including a pushbutton for moving on
first use to cause said shutter to be removed or torn and to put
the two chambers into communication with each other. The device
comprises a gasket including a portion fixed to the receptacle and
a deformable portion made of an elastically-deformable material
suitable for deforming when the pushbutton is depressed so to
accompany the movement thereof while simultaneously constituting a
sealed barrier between the inside of the receptacle and the
pushbutton.
Inventors: |
Gueret; Jean-Louis H. (Paris,
FR) |
Assignee: |
L'Oreal (Paris,
FR)
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Family
ID: |
9493534 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/815,537 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
880406 |
Jun 23, 1997 |
05884759 |
Mar 23, 1999 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 28, 1996 [FR] |
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96 08097 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/222; 206/219;
222/129; 222/145.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
51/2835 (20130101); B65D 51/2871 (20130101); B65D
51/2878 (20130101); B65D 81/3211 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
51/28 (20060101); B65D 51/24 (20060101); B65D
81/32 (20060101); B65D 025/08 (); B67D 005/56 ();
B67D 005/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/145.5,145.1,80,185.1,94 ;206/222,129,219 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 694 483 |
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Jan 1996 |
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EP |
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2 290 366 |
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Jun 1976 |
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FR |
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2 616 322 |
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Dec 1998 |
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FR |
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WO 97 09242 |
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Mar 1997 |
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WO |
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Other References
English language abstract of EP 0 694 483 A1, (Dec. 2, 1997). .
English lanuage abstract of FR 2 616 322, (Dec. 16, 1988)..
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Primary Examiner: Yuen; Henry C.
Assistant Examiner: Hwu; Davis
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow,
Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.
Claims
I claim:
1. A device enabling at least two substances to be stored
separately, to be mixed together, and the resulting mixture to be
dispensed, the device being of the type comprising a receptacle and
at least one removable shutter suitable for separating inside the
receptacle two chambers containing said substances respectively
prior to first use of the device, the device further including a
pushbutton for moving on first use to cause said shutter to be
moved away or torn and the two chambers to be put into
communication with each other, the device including a gasket
comprising a portion fixed to the receptacle and a deformable
portion made of an elastically-deformable material, suitable for
deforming when the pushbutton is depressed so as to accompany the
movement thereof, while continuing to constitute a sealing barrier
between the inside of the receptacle and the pushbutton.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said pushbutton is
connected to the receptacle via at least one bride of breakable
material for breaking on first use of the device.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said gasket is made out
of a thermoplastic elastomer.
4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said deformable portion
is in the form of a glove finger of transverse dimensions selected
in such a manner that at least part of said deformable portion
remains substantially in contact with the wall of the receptacle
during displacement of the pushbutton.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said deformable portion
is in the form of a bellows.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein one of said chambers is
formed inside a chimney of the receptacle that is closed at one end
by said shutter and at its other end by said gasket.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the pushbutton is mounted
on the receptacle in such a manner as to be capable of being moved
over a depression stroke greater than or equal to the maximum
height of substance in said chimney.
8. A device according to claim 6, wherein deformable portion has
one end adapted to .[.side.]. .Iadd.slide .Iaddend.in contact with
the wall of said chimney.
9. A device according to claim 1, including means for retaining
said pushbutton on the receptacle.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said pushbutton is
secured to said gasket.
11. A device according to claim 9, wherein said receptacle and/or
the pushbutton have resilient tongues or catches capable of
retaining the pushbutton after initial depression thereof.
12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said gasket .[.ha s.].
.Iadd.has .Iaddend.an end including at least one projection shaped
to create a tear starter in the shutter or to exert thrust at a
predetermined location on the shutter.
13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the pushbutton is shaped
to exert localized thrust on a surface of small extent of the
gasket.
14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the pushbutton is
shaped so that during first use it causes said deformable portion
to be deformed in such a manner as to form a pointed zone for
striking the shutter.
15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is formed
by assembling together a hollow body and an end portion including a
base for fixing to said body and a cover fixed to the base and
connected to the pushbutton prior to first use of the device via
said at least one bridge of material.
16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said base, said cover,
and said pushbutton are integrally molded as a single piece, the
base being connected to the cover via a film hinge.
17. A device according to claim 15, wherein said shutter is
constituted by a wall integrally molded with the base.
18. A device according to claim 15, wherein said shutter is fixed
on the base.
19. A device according to claim 18, wherein said shutter is
constituted by an aluminum film heat sealed to said base.
20. A device according to claim 15, wherein said end portion
projects from the outer surface of said hollow body to serve as an
abutment or as a grip for the fingers of the user when the
pushbutton is being depressed.
21. A device according to claim 1, wherein the substance contained
in the chamber of the receptacle that is in contact with the gasket
is a powder.
22. A device according to claim 1, wherein the depression stroke of
the pushbutton is selected so as to create sufficient extra
pressure inside the receptacle to enable a predetermined quantity
of mixture to be expelled when the pushbutton is depressed.
23. A method of manufacturing a device for separately storing at
least two substances, for mixing them together, and for dispensing
the resulting mixture, the method comprising the steps consisting
in: making a hollow body provided with removable closure means at
one end and open at another end; making an end portion by integral
molding, said end portion including a base and a cover connected
together by a film hinge, said cover including a pushbutton
connected to the remainder of the cover via at least one bridge of
breakable material, said end portion including a chimney; fixing or
forming a removable shutter at one end of said chimney; filling
said chimney with a first substance; applying a gasket onto said
chimney and shaped to close said chimney; applying the cover onto
the base by pivoting about the axis of rotation of said film hinge;
filling said hollow body with a second substance via said open end;
and fitting said end portion on said open end of said hollow body.
.Iadd.
24. A device for mixing at least two substances to form a mixture,
and for dispensing the mixture, the device comprising: a
receptacle; a first chamber associated with the receptacle for
containing a first substance; a second chamber associated with the
receptacle for containing a second substance; at least one shutter
isolating the first chamber from the second chamber when the device
is in a storage position, the shutter being configured to be
actuated to place the first chamber in flow communication with the
second chamber; a movable actuator configured to be moved to
actuate the shutter and thereby enable mixing of the first
substance and the second substance to form a mixture; and a gasket
providing a sealing barrier between the movable actuator and an
interior portion of the receptacle, wherein the gasket comprises a
portion fixed to the receptacle, and a deformable portion made of
an elastically-deformable material, the deformable portion being
configured to deform when the actuator is moved..Iaddend..Iadd.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein the shutter separates an inside
of the receptacle into the first and second
chambers..Iaddend..Iadd.
26. The device of claim 24, wherein the shutter is configured to be
moved away from an initial position to place the first chamber in
flow communication with the second chamber..Iaddend..Iadd.
27. The device of claim 26, wherein the shutter is chosen from a
plug and a portion of the receptacle configured to be detached from
another portion of the receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
28. The device of claim 24, wherein the shutter is configured to be
torn to place the first chamber in flow communication with the
second chamber..Iaddend..Iadd.
29. The device of claim 28, wherein the shutter comprises a film of
material sealing a passage in the receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
30. The device of claim 24, wherein the movable actuator comprises
a pushbutton..Iaddend..Iadd.
31. The device of claim 30, wherein the pushbutton is movable
between an initial position and a depressed position, and wherein
the gasket is configured to return the pushbutton from the
depressed position to the initial position..Iaddend..Iadd.
32. The device of claim 30, further comprising at least one bridge
of breakable material connecting the pushbutton to the
receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
33. The device of claim 24, further comprising at least one bridge
of breakable material connecting the actuator to the
receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
34. The device of claim 34, wherein a portion of the gasket is
configured to slide in contact with a wall surface of the
receptacle when the actuator is moved to actuate the
shutter..Iaddend..Iadd.
35. The device of claim 24, wherein the actuator is in contact with
the gasket..Iaddend..Iadd.
36. The device of claim 24, wherein the device is configured to
have a size such that the device may be held in one hand of a user
during movement of the actuator..Iaddend..Iadd.
37. The device of claim 24, further comprising a dispensing outlet
flow communicating with an interior of the
receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
38. The device of claim 24, wherein the gasket is formed of a
thermoplastic elastomer..Iaddend..Iadd.
39. The device of claim 24, further comprising a powder contained
in the first chamber and a liquid contained in the second chamber,
wherein the first chamber is between the gasket and the
shutter..Iaddend..Iadd.
40. The device of claim 24, further comprising a retainer retaining
the actuator on the receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
41. A device for mixing at least two substances to form a mixture,
and for dispensing the mixture, the device comprising: a receptacle
including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to
the first end portion; a first chamber associated with the
receptacle for containing a first substance; a second chamber
associated with the receptacle for containing a second substance;
at least one shutter isolating the first chamber from the second
chamber when the device is in a storage position, the shutter being
configured to be actuated to place the first chamber in flow
communication with the second chamber; a movable actuator at the
first end portion of the receptacle, the movable actuator being
configured to be moved to actuate the shutter and thereby enable
mixing of the first substance and the second substance to form a
mixture; a gasket providing a sealing barrier between the movable
actuator and an interior portion of the receptacle during actuation
of the shutter; and a dispensing outlet at the second end portion
of the receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
42. The device of claim 41, wherein the shutter separates an inside
of the receptacle into the first and second
chambers..Iaddend..Iadd.
43. The device of claim 41, wherein the shutter is configured to be
moved away from an initial position to place the first chamber in
flow communication with the second chamber..Iaddend..Iadd.
44. The device of claim 41, wherein the shutter is configured to be
torn to place the first chamber in flow communication with the
second chamber..Iaddend..Iadd.
45. The device of claim 44, wherein the shutter comprises a film of
material sealing a passage in the receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
46. The device of claim 41, wherein the movable actuator comprises
a pushbutton..Iaddend..Iadd.
47. The device of claim 41, wherein a portion of the gasket is
configured to slide in contact with a wall surface of the
receptacle when the actuator is moved to actuate the
shutter..Iaddend..Iadd.
48. The device of claim 41, wherein the actuator is in contact with
the gasket..Iaddend..Iadd.
49. The device of claim 41, wherein the device is configured to
have a size such that the device may be held in one hand of a user
during movement of the actuator..Iaddend..Iadd.
50. The device of claim 41, further comprising a powder contained
in the first chamber and a liquid contained in the second chamber,
wherein the first chamber is between the gasket and the
shutter..Iaddend..Iadd.
51. The device of claim 41, further comprising a retainer retaining
the actuator on the receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
52. A device for mixing at least two substances to form a mixture,
and for dispensing the mixture, the device comprising: a receptacle
including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to
the first end portion; a first chamber associated with the
receptacle for containing a first substance; a second chamber
associated with the receptacle for containing a second substance;
at least one shutter isolating the first chamber from the second
chamber when the device is in a storage position, the shutter being
configured to be actuated to place the first chamber in flow
communication with the second chamber, wherein the shutter is
configured to be moved away from an initial position to place the
first chamber in flow communication with the second chamber, and
wherein the shutter is chosen from a plug and a portion of the
receptacle configured to be detached from another portion of the
receptacle; a movable actuator at the first end portion of the
receptacle, the movable actuator being configured to be moved to
actuate the shutter and thereby enable mixing of the first
substance and the second substance to form a mixture; a gasket
providing a sealing barrier between the movable actuator and an
interior portion of the receptacle; and a dispensing outlet at the
second end portion of the receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
53. A device for mixing at least two substances to form a mixture,
and for dispensing the mixture, the device comprising: a receptacle
including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to
the first end portion; a first chamber associated with the
receptacle for containing a first substance; a second chamber
associated with the receptacle for containing a second substance;
at least one shutter isolating the first chamber from the second
chamber when the device is in a storage position, the shutter being
configured to be actuated to place the first chamber in flow
communication with the second chamber; a movable actuator at the
first end portion of the receptacle, the movable actuator being
configured to be moved to actuate the shutter and thereby enable
mixing of the first substance and the second substance to form a
mixture, wherein the movable actuator comprises a pushbutton, and
wherein the pushbutton is movable between an initial position and a
depressed position; a gasket providing a sealing barrier between
the movable actuator and an interior portion of the receptacle,
wherein the gasket is configured to return the pushbutton from the
depressed position to the initial position; and a dispensing outlet
at the second end portion of the receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
54. A device for mixing at least two substances to form a mixture,
and for dispensing the mixture, the device comprising: a receptacle
including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to
the first end portion; a first chamber associated with the
receptacle for containing a first substance; a second chamber
associated with the receptacle for containing a second substance;
at least one shutter isolating the first chamber from the second
chamber when the device is in a storage position, the shutter being
configured to be actuated to place the first chamber in flow
communication with the second chamber; a movable actuator at the
first end portion of the receptacle, the movable actuator being
configured to be moved to actuate the shutter and thereby enable
mixing of the first substance and the second substance to form a
mixture, wherein the movable actuator comprises a pushbutton; a
gasket providing a sealing barrier between the movable actuator and
an interior portion of the receptacle; a dispensing outlet at the
second end portion of the receptacle; and at least one bridge of
breakable material connecting the pushbutton to the
receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
55. A device for mixing at least two substances to form a mixture,
and for dispensing the mixture, the device comprising: a receptacle
including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to
the first end portion; a first chamber associated with the
receptacle for containing a first substance; a second chamber
associated with the receptacle for containing a second substance;
at least one shutter isolating the first chamber from the second
chamber when the device is in a storage position, the shutter being
configured to be actuated to place the first chamber in flow
communication with the second chamber; a movable actuator at the
first end portion of the receptacle, the movable actuator being
configured to be moved to actuate the shutter and thereby enable
mixing of the first substance and the second substance to form a
mixture; a gasket providing a sealing barrier between the movable
actuator and an interior portion of the receptacle; and a
dispensing outlet at the second end portion of the receptacle; and
at least one bridge of breakable material connecting the actuator
to the receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
56. A device for mixing at least two substances to form a mixture,
and for dispensing the mixture, the device comprising: a receptacle
including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to
the first end portion; a first chamber associated with the
receptacle for containing a first substance; a second chamber
associated with the receptacle for containing a second substance;
at least one shutter isolating the first chamber from the second
chamber when the device is in a storage position, the shutter being
configured to be actuated to place the first chamber in flow
communication with the second chamber, a movable actuator at the
first end portion of the receptacle, the movable actuator being
configured to be moved to actuate the shutter and thereby enable
mixing of the first substance and the second substance to form a
mixture; a gasket providing a sealing barrier between the movable
actuator and an interior portion of the receptacle, wherein the
gasket is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer; and a dispensing
outlet at the second end portion of the
receptacle..Iaddend..Iadd.
57. A method of manufacturing a device for mixing at least two
substances to form a mixture, and for dispensing the mixture, the
method comprising: providing a hollow body having an open end;
providing an end portion comprising a base and a cover connected
together by a hinge, the cover including an actuator connected to
the remainder of the cover via at least one bridge of breakable
material, wherein the end portion further comprises a chimney;
placing an actuatable shutter on the chimney; adding a first
substance to the chimney; placing a gasket on the chimney, the
gasket being shaped to close the chimney; applying the cover onto
the base by pivoting movement about the hinge; adding a second
substance to the hollow body; and fitting the end portion on the
open end of said hollow body..Iaddend.
Description
The present invention relates to separately storing at least two
substances, to mixing them together, and to dispensing the
resulting mixture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
French patent application 2 290 366 discloses a device enabling two
substances to be stored separately, to be mixed together, and the
resulting mixture to be dispensed, that device comprising a necked
receptacle containing one of the substances and a perforated plate
made of a semi-rigid plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride,
containing the other substance and disposed on the neck of the
receptacle.
A pushbutton is provided to tear off a tab closing the perforated
plate and to enable the substance contained therein to fall into
the receptacle and be mixed with the other substance.
Also known, from French patent application FR 2 722 765 in the name
of the Applicant company, is a device comprising a receptacle and a
removable shutter placed inside the receptacle for separating two
chambers respectively containing the two substances prior to first
use. On first use of the device the shutter is removed or torn by
means of a pushbutton so as to put said chambers into communication
and enable said substances to be mixed together. On each occasion
that the pushbutton is depressed, it is also advantageously used to
establish a pressure rise within the receptacle and the expulsion
of a predetermined quantity of the mixture. A return spring enable
the pushbutton to be returned to its initial position when the user
releases it. Typically, since at least one of the two substances is
a liquid, it is necessary for the pushbutton to move in sealed
manner relative to the receptacle so as to avoid any leakage.
Sealing is obtained by the pushbutton being an exact fit in a
cylindrical portion of the receptacle, and, if necessary, sealing
is reinforced by the presence of a sealing skirt surrounding said
cylindrical portion. A tamperproofing ring can prevent the
pushbutton being moved so long as the ring is present on the
receptacle. Such a device has rather a large number of component
parts and it is therefore relatively expensive to manufacture and
to assemble.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to further improve that type
of device, in particular for the purpose of reducing its
manufacturing cost.
The invention achieves this by providing a novel device for
separate storage of at least two substances, for mixing them
together, and for dispensing the mixture obtained in this way, the
device being of the type comprising a receptacle, at least one
removable shutter suitable, prior to first use of the device, for
separating two chambers within the receptacle for containing said
substances respectively, and a pushbutton for moving during first
use to cause said shutter to move away to be torn and to put the
two chambers into communication with each other, the device
including a gasket comprising a portion fixed to the receptacle and
a deformable portion made of an elastically-deformable material,
suitable for deforming when the pushbutton is depressed so as to
accompany the movement thereof, while continuing to constitute a
sealing barrier between the inside of the receptacle and the
pushbutton.
Because of the invention, manufacture and assembly of the device
can be simplified since the pushbutton and the receptacle no longer
need to be fitted together precisely in order to obtain sealing in
use and during storage. The pushbutton and the receptacle can also
have a wide variety of shapes.
The deformable portion of the gasket, made of an
elastically-deformable material, behave like a spring serving to
return the pushbutton each time it is released by the user.
The pushbutton can thus be used to generate excess pressure inside
the receptacle each time it is depressed, and to cause a
predetermined quantity of mixture to be expelled.
Preferably, the pushbutton is connected to the receptacle by at
least one bridge of breakable material for breaking on first use.
Manufacture of the device is thus simplified since the pushbutton
can be integrally molded with a portion of the receptacle. The
bridge(s) of material which is/are broken on first use serve
advantageously as tamperproofing indicators. This avoids the use of
a tamperproofing ring applied to the receptacle of the kind that is
to be found in prior art devices.
Advantageously, the pushbutton is shaped so that on first use it
deforms said deformable portion in such a manner as to form a
pointed zone for striking the shutter.
Preferably, the gasket is made of a thermoplastic elastomer,
thereby facilitating recycling of the device.
The gasket can be made deformable by having a special shape, such
as localized thinning of its wall. In a variant, it is also
possible to shape the deformable portion of the gasket as a
bellows.
Preferably, the deformable portion of the gasket is generally in
the form of a glove finger whose transverse dimension is selected
so that at least a part of said deformable portion remains
substantially in contact with the wall of the receptacle during
displacement of the pushbutton. Preferably, one of the substances
is contained in a chimney of the receptacle, the pushbutton is
mounted on the receptacle so as to be capable of being moved over a
depression stroke greater than or equal to the maximum height of
the substance contained in said chimney, and said deformable
portion has one end adapted to slide in contact with the wall of
said chimney. This makes it possible to expel substantially all of
the substance contained in one of the chambers into the other
chamber on first depression of the pushbutton. This ensures that
when the substance in contact with the gasket is a powder, while
the other substance contained in the receptacle is a liquid, no
lumps of powder remain in nooks or crannies when the two chambers
are put into communication with each other.
The free end of the deformable portion may have one or more
portions in relief for creating one or more tear starters in the
shutter or for facilitating departure thereof by exerting localized
thrust suitable for facilitating displacement thereof relative to
the receptacle.
Provision can thus be made at the free end of the deformable
portion of the gasket for a central stud or a peripheral annular
lip that is continuous or otherwise.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the receptacle is
formed by assembling together a hollow body and an end portion
including a base for fixing to said body and a cover fixed to the
base and connected via at least one bridge of material to the
pushbutton prior to first use of the device. Advantageously, said
base, said cover, and said pushbutton are integrally molded as a
single piece, with the base being connected via a film hinge to the
cover. In this way, manufacture and assembly of the device are
greatly simplified compared with prior art devices. In a variant,
the cover can be made independently from the base and can be fixed
thereon by snap-fastening. Also, it is possible to make the base
and the cover having various profiles depending on the desired
appearance, but that are preferably selected so that, after the
base and the cover have been assembled together, they confer a
shape to the end portion suitable for serving as a grip or an
abutment for the fingers of the user in order to prevent the device
from sliding when the user presses down on the pushbutton.
The shutter may be constituted by an aluminum film heat sealed onto
said base. In a variant, it may be integrally molded with the
receptacle. It may also be constituted by a separate plug placed in
the receptacle.
The portion of the pushbutton which comes into contact with the
gasket may be of various different shapes.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is thus possible to
make said portion in the form of a set of tongues organized to
constitute a cone converging towards the center of the gasket and
pressing via their free ends substantially against the middle of
the gasket and over a small extent so as to exert central thrust on
the shutter.
Preferably, means are provided for retaining the pushbutton on the
receptacle after the bridge(s) of material that act as
tamperproofing indicator(s) has/have been broken.
It is thus possible to secure the gasket to the pushbutton by
adhesive, heat sealing, friction, or snap-fastening. It is also
possible to provide the receptacle and/or the pushbutton with
catches or tongues capable of retaining the pushbutton after it has
been pushed down initially.
The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a device for
separately storing at least two substances, for mixing them
together, and for dispensing the mixture obtained in this way, the
method comprising the steps consisting in: making a hollow body
provided with removable closure means at one end and open at
another end; making an end portion by integral molding, said end
portion including a base and a cover connected together by a film
hinge, said cover including a pushbutton connected to the remainder
of the cover via at least one bridge of breakable material, said
end portion including a chimney; fixing or forming a removable
shutter at one end of said chimney; filling said chimney with a
first substance; applying a gasket onto said chimney and shaped to
close said chimney; applying the cover onto the base by pivoting
about the axis of rotation of said film hinge; filling said hollow
body with a second substance via said open end; and fitting said
end portion on said open end of said hollow body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention
appear on reading the following detailed description of
non-limiting embodiments of the invention, and on examining the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a device constituting a
particular embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section through the device
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view analogous to FIG. 2 showing the pushbutton after
the bridges of breakable material connecting it to the receptacle
have been broken;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary section showing how the
device is assembled; and
FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic section views showing various
embodiments of the invention.
MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a device 1 constituting a first embodiment of
the invention, comprising a receptacle 2 and a shutter 3
subdividing the inside of the receptacle into two chambers 4 and
5.
In the particular embodiment described, the chamber 4 situated in
the bottom portion of the receptacle contains a liquid substance L,
and the chamber 5 situated in the top portion of the receptacle
contains a powder substance P. The volume of the chamber 4 is
considerably greater than that of the chamber 5. Naturally, it
would not go beyond the ambit of the invention to use the device 1
for separately packaging two liquids.
The receptacle 2 is formed by assembling together an end portion 7
and a hollow body 6, which is generally tubular and elongate along
a longitudinal axis X in the example described. The body 6 is
provided at its bottom end with a neck 8 defining an orifice 9 for
dispensing the mixture.
When the device is not in use, the orifice 9 is closed by a
removable closure cap 10 which can be fixed by any known means onto
the neck 8.
In the embodiment described, the cap 10 comprises an inner tubular
skirt 11 shaped to snap onto an annular rim 12 provided in the
vicinity of the base of the neck 8, and a central stud 13 shaped to
close the orifice 9. The cap 10 and the neck 8 may, in a variant,
be shaped to co-operate by screw engagement, and it is also
possible to provide any other means for closing the dispensing
orifice 9 without going beyond the ambit of the present
invention.
The end portion 7 includes a base 14 designed to be snap-fastened
onto the open top end of the body 6, and a cover 15.
In the embodiment described, the cover 15 is connected by a bridge
of material 16 constituting a film hinge to the base 14, and it is
secured by snap-fastening on said base after being pivoted through
180.degree., as shown in FIG. 4.
The base 14 includes an outer shell 17 extended upwards at its
bottom end by a cylindrical inner skirt 18 surrounding the top end
of the body 6 when the end portion 7 is in place, as shown in FIG.
2.
The inner skirt 18 is connected via bridges of material 19 to a
central piece 20 having a ring 34 in the bottom portion thereof
defining a downwardly open annular groove 21 and shaped to engage
on the top end of the body 6. The top portion of the piece 20
includes a chimney 22 centered on the longitudinal axis X. The
chimney 22 is generally cylindrical and it is closed at its bottom
end by the shutter 3 and at its top end by a gasket 23.
In the particular embodiment described, the shutter is constituted
by an aluminum film heat sealed to an annular surface 24
surrounding the bottom orifice of the chimney 22.
The gasket 23 is made of an elastically-deformable material and
presents a central wall 25 engaged in the chimney 22 and of outline
that matches that of the cross-section of the chimney. In the
particular example described, the wall 25 is circular and has an
outside diameter corresponding substantially to the inside diameter
of the chimney 22. The wall 25 is extended upwards at its periphery
by a wall 26 forming a downwardly open annular groove that is to
close the top end of the chimney 22 in sealed manner. The wall 26
is extended radially outwards at its end remote from its end
connected to the wall 25 by an annular wall 27 which extends
substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X. The wall
25 and the portion of the wall 26 situated inside the chimney 22
constitute a glove finger.
The cover 15 includes a shell 29 co-operating with the shell 17 of
the base 14 after being snap-fastened thereto to form an outwardly
convex annular swelling, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The outside
surfaces of the shells 17 and 29 may have portions in relief for
the. purpose of giving the device 1 a particular appearance, and
making it possible, where appropriate, to make the device 1 more
ergonomic for holding purposes while in use. In FIG. 4, references
41 and 42 designate annular grooves formed in the shells 17 and 29
respectively, and intended to enable them to be fixed together by
snap-fastening.
The shell 29 is extended at its radially innermost end by a
cylindrical inner skirt 30 which comes into contact with the wall
27 of the gasket 23 when the cover 15 is fixed on the base 14, as
shown in FIG. 2.
Until first use of the device, the inner skirt 30 is connected by
bridges of breakable material 31 to a pushbutton 32.
As explained below, the inside of the pushbutton 32 is provided
with stock 33 serving to transmit thrust. The stock 33 has one end
connected to a wall 35 substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis X and constituting the top of the pushbutton 32.
This wall 35 is extended at its periphery by an outer skirt 36
surrounding part of the stock 33.
The bridges of material 31 connect the outer skirt 36 to the inner
skirt 30.
The locations of said bridges of material 31 and the shape of the
pushbutton 32 are selected in such a manner that the pushbutton 32
extends outside the shell 29 while it is being held by the bridges
of material 31 prior to being actuated, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2.
In the embodiment described, the base 14, the cover 15, and the
pushbutton 32, are all manufactured as a single piece by injection
molding in the configuration shown in FIG. 4. The film 3 is heat
sealed onto the piece 20 and then the chimney 22 is filled with the
substance P and the gasket 23 is put into place.
Thereafter, the cover 15 is pivoted through 180.degree. and is
snap-fastened onto the base 14. The wall 27 of the gasket 23 is
then clamped between the top surface of the ring 34 and the free
edge of the inner skirt 30, as shown in FIG. 2. The ring 34 may
have an annular rib 28 on its face facing the gasket 23 for the
purpose, where appropriate, of improving the sealing that is
obtained between the piece 20 and the cover 15. The chamber 5
containing the substance P is isolated from ambient air by the
gasket 23, thereby ensuring good conservation of the substance P
until first use of the device.
Means are preferably provided for retaining the pushbutton 32 on
the end portion 7 after the bridges of material 31 have been
broken.
The stock 33 can thus be connected to the central wall 25 of the
gasket 23 by adhesive, heat sealing, friction, or snap-fastening.
It is also possible to provide retaining means on the pushbutton
for co-operating with the cover, as described below.
The end portion 7 is snap-fastened onto the body 6 after it has
been filled with the substance L, the neck 8 having previously been
provided with its closure cap 10.
In the embodiment described, an annular rim 37 is formed in the
vicinity of the top end of the body 6, and the base 14 includes
internal projections 38 shaped to retain the end portion 7 on the
body 6 when the end portion 7 is fixed on the body 6.
The top end face 39 of the body 6 then presses against the bottom
of the groove 21 to close the receptacle in sealed manner.
Naturally, it is possible to modify the way in which the end
portion is fixed onto the body 6 without going beyond the ambit of
the invention.
The body 6 is preferably not completely filled with the substance L
so as to leave a volume of gas that facilitates mixing of the two
substances after the shutter 3 has been removed or torn.
On first use of the device, the user exerts pressure on the
pushbutton 32, thereby breaking the bridges of material 31 securing
it to the inner skirt 30.
Depression of the pushbutton 32 exerts pressure on the gasket 23
which, in the embodiments described, transmits the pressure to the
substance P contained in the chamber 5, thereby causing the film 3
to be torn and the substance P to be ejected into the inside of the
body 6 so as to be mixed with the substance L.
In the embodiment described, the wall 25 is provided at its
periphery and on its face that is in contact with the substance P
with a portion in relief 40 that serves to create a tear starter in
the shutter 3.
The force to be exerted on the wall 35 of the pushbutton to put the
chambers 4 and 5 into communication with each other is thus
reduced, and the shutter 3 is expelled or torn in predetermined
manner.
Also, the stock 33 does not exert significant thrust on the shutter
3 so long as the bridges of material 31 have not been broken. On
first use of the device 1, these bridges break relatively suddenly,
so the stock 33 then acts as a striker capable of projecting all or
nearly all of the substance P deep into the substance L, and
regardless of the orientation of the device. This results in the
substance P being mixed quickly and effectively within the
substance L.
During descent of the pushbutton 32, the gasket 23 deforms to
follow the movement of the stock 33 while continuing to close the
top end of the chamber 5 in sealed manner, as shown in FIG. 3. More
precisely, in the embodiment described, the portion of the wall 26
situated inside the chimney 22 stretches elastically while the
pushbutton 32 is depressed because of the elasticity of the
material from which it is made, with the elongation of this wall
portion 26 being capable of being as much as 10% or more of its
initial height. When the user relates the pushbutton, the
elastically-deformed portion of the gasket 23 tends to return to
its initial shape and return the pushbutton 32 into its original
position. It will be observed that at the end of the down stroke,
the outer skirt 36 comes into abutment against the wall 27 of the
gasket 23. This thus avoids any shock between portions made of
rigid plastics material, thereby improving comfort in use and
reducing the risk of the device 1 being damaged.
The pushbutton 32 is advantageously used so that each time it is
depressed and moves over a predetermined stroke relative to the
receptacle, it generates a small amount of extra pressure inside
the receptacle, thereby causing a predetermined quantity of the
mixture to be expelled through the orifice 9.
FIG. 5 shows a device 1' comprising a second embodiment of the
invention.
This device has certain elements that are identical to those of the
preceding embodiment. These elements are given identical references
in the figures and they are not described again.
The device 1' shown in FIG. 5 differs from the above-described
device 1 specifically by the fact that the shutter is no longer
implemented in the form of a heat-sealed film, but in the form of a
thin wall 3' integrally molded with the remainder of the base 14.
As shown in FIG. 5, the wall 3' is preferably connected at its
periphery via a ring of thinned-down material 41 so as to
facilitate detachment thereof from the piece 20.
To illustrate the fact that the gasket can have various shapes
without going beyond the ambit of the invention, FIG. 5 shows a
gasket 23' that differs from the gasket 23 as described above by
the fact that the wall 25 is connected to the remainder of the
gasket by a wall 26' having an annular recess 47 in its inside
surface, for the purpose of facilitating deformation of the gasket
while it is accompanying downward movement of the pushbutton. It is
thus possible to shape the gasket in such a manner that it deforms
in predetermined manner when the pushbutton is depressed.
The pushbutton 32' in the embodiment described is shaped in such a
manner as to exert thrust on a zone of small extent in the center
of the wall 25 of the gasket 23'. More precisely, the pushbutton
32' is shaped so that on first use, it causes the deformable
portion of the gasket to deform in such a manner as to form a
pointed zone for striking the shutter, with the stock 33 of the
preceding embodiment being replaced in the present embodiment by a
set of fins 43 disposed in a cone that converges towards the center
of the wall 25. When the user pushes in the pushbutton 32', the
pushbutton presses against only the center of the wall 25 at the
beginning of its descent, and thereby exerts via the substance P a
high pressure on the center on the shutter 3', facilitating
ejection or tearing thereof. The fact of exerting thrust mainly in
the center also makes it possible to avoid compacting the substance
P as a whole on initial depression of the pushbutton.
FIG. 6 shows a device 1" constituting a third embodiment of the
invention.
The device 1" differs from the preceding devices specifically by
the fact that the shutter is constituted by a plug 3" fitted in the
bottom opening of the chimney 22. In addition, the gasket 23" has
in the center of its wall 25 and on its face in contact with the
substance P, a stud 44 whose tip presses against the shutter 3".
Thus, when the pushbutton 32 is depressed, thrust is transmitted
via the stud 44 directly to the shutter 3" without passing via a
significant thickness of the substance P. This avoids compacting
the substance P on the first occasion the pushbutton is
depressed.
Also, in order to illustrate the fact that it is possible to retain
the pushbutton 32 in a manner other than by securing it to the
gasket, FIG. 6 shows catches 45 formed at the periphery of the
outer skirt 36 of the pushbutton 32 and capable of bending
elastically when the pushbutton 32 is depressed for the first time
so as to pass over latch projections 46 formed on the radially
inner surface of the skirt 30. These projections 46 are shaped to
retain the pushbutton 32 on the cover 15 after first use of the
device.
In all three embodiments described above, the wall 25 remains
substantially in contact with the radially inner surface of the
chimney 22, and the pushbutton moves over a stroke that is
advantageously greater than or equal to the maximum height of
substance contained in the chamber 5 so as to ensure that
substantially all of the substance contained in the chamber 5 is
ejected on first depression of the pushbutton, regardless of the
position in which the device is held.
Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments
described above.
In particular, the shape of the hollow body 6 and the shape of the
end portion 7 can be modified, with the fact of using two portions
14 and 15 interconnected by a film hinge allowing a wide variety of
shapes for making the end portion 7.
Without going beyond the ambit of the invention, it is also
possible to mount a plurality of removable shutters inside the
receptacle for separate storage, mixing, and dispensing of more
than two substances. It is thus possible to provide a plurality of
chambers in the chimney 22 which are separated from one another by
shutters that are ejected or torn on initial actuation of the
pushbutton.
Also, the dispenser orifice may be of any kind, for example it may
be constituted by a porous applicator such as a sintered form, a
paint brush, or a dropper.
* * * * *