CN1449349A - Multi-component mixing - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging system or a closure (1) or base (3) for a packaging system which provides for a positive displacement (or 'pumping') of at least some of each of one or more components out of their separate and hermetically sealed chambers, using a twisting motion of the respective chambers, to combine them into a single main chamber (2) or separate container.

Description

multi-component mixing

technical field

The present invention relates to a package for mixing together two or more components of a flowable material.

Background technique

Currently, there are many multi-component mixing systems available on the market. Most of these systems allow the user to mix small portions of two or more components as needed for immediate use, while saving the remainder of the separated components for later use. These systems are not relevant for the application here.

The systems to which the present invention pertains relate to the few multi-component systems currently available which require the complete combination of two or more components prior to mixing and dispensing. All of these systems have the components stored in separate chambers and/or completely separate containers prior to mixing. Combining and blending is achieved by (but not limited to) one or more of the following:

• Pour all components from their respective containers (or extrude if one or more chambers or containers are tubes) into a separate larger additional container ready for mixing.

• The second and any additional components are poured (or extruded) from their respective containers into the larger container used for mixing, which at this point already contains one component.

• All components are stored separately in several chambers within a single larger container with interconnected stoppers or valves. When these plugs or valves are moved or actuated, the second and any secondary components can flow or pour from their respective chambers into the first larger chamber ready for mixing. Larger chambers may or may not contain one of these components.

• Any combination of the above.

US Patent No. 5,277,303 shows a package of the type that stores components in two separate bottles. A smaller bottle thread fits on the underside of the second larger bottle, and by mating the threads and turning the two bottles, a stopper in the underside of the upper larger bottle moves. The two threaded bottles can then be turned upside down and product can flow from the smaller bottle or down into the larger bottle.

This is a passive coupling system as the user must wait for the product to flow from the smaller bottle into or pour into the larger bottle. The system fully combines two products at once.

US Patent 5,909,753 shows a type of packaging in which the different components are contained in two separate bottles. In this packaging, the second component is stored in a separate bottle which is threadedly fitted within the upper closure portion of the first bottle.

This is also a passive coupling system since the user must wait for the contents of the second bottle to flow down or pour into the first bottle and then remove the second bottle before dispensing. The system fully combines two products at once.

U.S. Patent No. 5,692,644 shows a packaging of the type that stores components in a bottle in two separate chambers, the two chambers are separated by a movable wall, and At the top, a threaded fit between the two bottle parts moves the movable wall and moves one component into the second under pressure.

Although, the system can move one component into the second under pressure, the total internal volume of the two rotating bottle parts will be significantly reduced due to the movement of their threaded engagement, which will make the internal pressure of the bottle Increase. Such use does not reveal the possibility of partially dosing one component into the second component.

US Patent No. 5,967,309 shows a package of the type that stores components in a closure and container combination. In this type of packaging, a rotating interlock combines an internal groove (thread) and an extrusion tab (keyway). By turning the top of the closure, the tabs move the inner sleeve, thereby opening several release windows that allow the components in the closure to come into contact with the components in the container.

Although the system effectively has two external rotating parts (the top of the closure and the main container) and the total volume of the container can remain essentially constant, the volume of the chamber formed by the threads/keyway increases, not decreases . Therefore, no displacement under pressure takes place, thus this is a passive bonding system.

US Patent No. 4,785,931 shows a type of packaging in which various components are stored in separate chambers. To mix one or more components, a foil membrane can be broken, allowing the components in the chamber to drip into the main container.

The method of disruption in this system is by simple finger pressure rather than by inherent mechanism manipulation.

US Patent No. 6,076,570 shows a package in which the components to be displaced are stored in a closure. Turning the closure allows the user to open or close a valve that allows the components stored in the closure to flow or pour into the main container under the action of gravity or pressure (eg in the form of a gas).

This method uses rotation to open or close the valve, so it is effectively a passive displacement system. No mechanism acts as a rotating part to allow pumping or pressurized displacement to occur. The effect of displacement under pressure will only occur due to the pressurized components within the closure.

US Patent Nos. 5,029,718 and 5,038,951 show a type of packaging in which the components to be displaced are stored in a closure. In the closure, a removable seal covers a reservoir that can be pushed down to break the rupturable bottom and release the components into the main container.

Although, the system discusses a "sealing cap", the method does not discuss sealing the reservoir, the cap seal is more like a dust cap and protects the reservoir from mishandling. Once the cap seal is removed, there is no longer a seal in the component reservoir.

With every currently available system, once the components are combined into a larger chamber or container, mixing is usually by shaking, with a heavier foreign object located in the flowing material to assist mixing, and Agitation by a foreign object or mechanism or any combination of the above.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of current packaging systems and to provide a useful alternative.

Contents of the invention

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a packaging system that permits positive displacement (or "pumping") of at least some of each of the one or more components out of their separate and sealed chambers , and combine them into a single main chamber or separate containers.

Another aspect of the invention is that the package may provide a swirling and/or swirling action during the pressurized removal of one or more components out of one or more chambers to facilitate uniform mixing.

The present invention realizes compression displacement combination by forming such a container:

· The container may consist of at least three parts;

the fully assembled container is formed with one or more sealed interior chambers and/or sub-chambers; and

• The volume of at least one internal chamber can be reduced by rotating the two external interlocking parts relative to each other.

The container may be a type of component that includes one or more of the following characteristics, which are:

the first part of the container is interlocked with the second part of the container in such a way that the two parts are allowed to rotate relative to each other without substantially changing the internal volume enclosed within the two rotating parts;

a third part keyed to the first part and threadedly engaged to the second part to form one or more internal sealed chambers;

Alternately, a third part is keyed to the first part and threadedly engaged to the second part, thereby forming one or more internal chambers accommodating a number of independent and fully sealed sub-chambers;

Two or more components are kept completely separated from each other before mixing in the sealed chamber and/or sub-chamber;

The combination of the components is effected mechanically by displacement or "pumping" under pressure by rotating the first part relative to the second so that the third part Achieved by reducing the volume of an internal chamber due to movement of the keyway/thread;

This will cause one or more components to move out of the chamber under pressure as the volume decreases;

if a second chamber is present, the volume of the second chamber increases in proportion to the decrease in volume of the first chamber, such that the total internal volume of the assembly remains substantially constant;

· If there are several sub-chambers, the reduction of the volume of the chamber can expose the surrounding sub-chambers, which can be manually operated by the user, or the mechanism can automatically make the sub-chambers work;

Two or more components can be fully combined at one time, or one or more components can be dosed into the first component as needed;

And therein, due to the swirling action, there is also a mixing/stirring action to assist in uniform mixing.

Preferably, the first and second parts are outer parts of the container and the third part is an inner part. It is contemplated that other possible configurations will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

One or more adjustable volume chambers may be formed through the use of keyways and threads and optional interlocking means. The two parts that rotate relative to each other are usually formed as part or all of the exterior of the container and they interlock together in an inseparable manner (unless the interlock is specifically designed to allow disengagement at the disposal of the user). During the rotation of the two interlocking parts, the internal volume enclosed by the two parts neither substantially increases nor decreases.

The third part is usually formed as part of the interior of the container and may be screwed to a rotating part and keyed to a second rotating part.

The third member may or may not have a sealing surface between itself and one or both of the rotating members. If the third part is not sealed with one of the interlocked rotating parts, then the chamber formed between the third part and one or both of the interlocked rotating parts can enclose one or more sealed sub-chambers .

These three parts are assembled to form a "mechanical" container in which the rotation of the two interlocking parts causes the third part to move in a linear fashion relative to its keyed part, driven by its threaded part .

By combining a threaded shape on the surface of the third part with one or more male threaded shaped flanges or lugs molded on the mating surface of the other part, the relative relative stability of the third part to the parts to which it is keyed can be achieved. relative movement so that during assembly, the third part is inserted first, and when the third part is pushed into the other part, one or more free-standing male thread-shaped flanges or lugs follow the third part The thread form on the male thread form is bent back by these flanges or lugs, and when the third part is fully inserted, one or more male thread form flanges or lugs will fully fit at or near the bottommost part of the thread form , in this position, the shoulder of the other part can act so that the flange or lug cannot bend any further, thereby forming a functional thread shape between the third part and the other part.

The linear movement of the third member creates an internal chamber of adjustable volume such that, as the volume decreases, one or more components within the chamber can be moved or "pumped" out of the chamber under pressure . This stressed displacement can be:

· directly out of the container (e.g. out of the cap shape of the package into a self-contained bottle); or

• Entering another chamber of the same container, wherein the volume of the second chamber increases in proportion to the volume of the chamber of decreasing volume, such that the total volume of the container remains substantially constant at all times.

As another aspect of the present invention, since there are at least two parts that rotate relative to each other, an integrated stirring device (such as a stirring blade) can be mounted on one or more rotating surfaces. During rotation, these stirring devices can create a swirl and/or vortex action to assist in the uniform mixing of two or more components when combined.

All components may be enclosed in a reduced volume chamber, or if there are two chambers, the second and any subsequent components may be enclosed in a reduced volume chamber while the first component may be enclosed in a reduced volume chamber. Enclosed directly in the main chamber of the container.

For applications where it is necessary to keep two or more components separate prior to combining, this can be achieved in a number of ways including (but not limited to):

• All components are packaged in individual thin-walled containers and these thin-walled containers are placed in sealed chambers or sealed sub-chambers of reduced volume.

· one or more components are enclosed in separate thin-walled containers or sealed sub-chambers located in the sealed chamber of the reducing body, while the first component is directly enclosed in the main part located directly in the container;

one component is directly enclosed in a reduced volume sealed chamber or in a sealed sub-chamber, while the first component is located directly in the main part of the container;

One or more components are enclosed in separate thin-walled containers and placed in a sealed chamber or sub-chamber of reduced volume, one component is directly enclosed in one or more thin-walled containers within a sealed chamber or sub-chamber of reduced volume on the outside of the container, while the first component is enclosed directly within the main part of the container;

• Any combination of the above.

Wherein several thin-walled containers are used, since the two interlocking parts of the container are rotated relative to each other, the volume of the chamber can be reduced by the third part which moves linearly, causing the thin-walled container to be crushed, which can make the Its internal pressure increases, causing it to rupture.

For sealed chambers or sub-chambers of reduced volume, one or more components located within the chamber can be dispensed out of the container, or, if there are two chambers, the components can be dispensed into a smaller chamber. Large chamber. These methods include (but are by no means limited to):

By removing a plug, the removal of which is caused by an increase in pressure in the chamber or sub-chamber with a decrease in volume;

· by removing a plug by internal or external mechanical means;

By breaking a diaphragm, the breaking of which is caused by an increase in pressure in a chamber or sub-chamber with a decrease in volume;

· by breaking a diaphragm by internal or external mechanical means;

· With the linear moving member, which is effectively a plug in itself, so that when the moving member starts to move due to the rotational action, its movement causes an "unplugging" effect and allows One or more components move out of the chamber or sub-chamber under pressure as its internal volume decreases;

through a one-way valve; or

• Through a small convergent channel.

In either configuration, continuous rotation of the two interlocking components eventually reduces the volume of the internal chamber to zero, allowing one or more flowable materials to move completely out of the chamber, or to completely expose or actuate a sub-chamber .

The rupture point of one or more thin-walled container and/or membrane components may be one or more locations including (but not limited to):

A physical stress fracture of the wall surface;

· Along the weld or connecting line;

· Along a physical cut or tear;

A tear or section along a surface weakness designed or made in the wall for the above purpose;

through an integral closure in the wall surface;

• Any combination of the above.

Rupture of one or more thin-walled containers and/or diaphragm components can be by one or more methods including (but not limited to):

A foreign object inserted downward into a container;

• An object that is integral to the container design.

An object integral to the design may be (but by no means limited to):

· a column or upright;

The ends are shaped to assist in breaking, for example sharp-edged;

· Solid or hollow structure;

be designed to be destructible such that diaphragm cracks can open resulting in a permanent opening;

• Designed to be breachable such that the diaphragm seals continuously around the object, thereby forming a one-way valve.

Thin-walled membranes can have or be (but are not limited to):

Has a continuous thickness;

have a thinner portion at the point of rupture;

· Designed to have thin and thick sections that control rupture such that the crack membrane remains connected without breaking completely;

· A converging channel molded, punched or cut out in its surface, resulting in a one-way or self-sealing valve structure;

one or more slits molded, punched or cut out in its surface, thereby creating a one-way or self-sealing valve;

• Other configurations or connections that create one-way or self-sealing valves.

The one or more thin-walled containers and/or membrane portions may be constructed of any flexible or rigid material that has suitable barrier properties that can contain the components prior to bonding and that is susceptible to tearing, cutting or breaking. Suitable materials include (but are not limited to): cardboard, plastic, metal foil (eg aluminum), rubber, plastic/rubber blends, and laminated combinations of any of the above.

The one or more thin-walled containers may be in the form of bladders or pouches.

One or more of the thin walled containers may be blow molded bottles with very thin walls.

The one or more thin walled containers may be injection molded bottles with very thin walls.

One or more thin-walled containers is any formed, constructed or molded box, bag, envelope, bag, container having a wall portion sufficiently thin to be easily broken for joining and mixing, but Such thin-walled containers in turn have sufficiently high-strength barrier properties to ensure that the encapsulated flowing materials remain completely separate prior to bonding and mixing.

One or more thin-walled containers can be independent of each other or connected together, or a combination of these.

The one or more thin-walled containers can be either rigid or flexible.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure or base combination for a packaging system that allows at least some of each of the one or more components to be compressed. Their separate sealed chambers are removed, thereby combining them into a single main chamber of a bottle or container connected in use.

In another aspect of the invention, the packaging system closure or base can be a type of assembly that includes one or more of the following features:

the first part of the assembly is interlocked with the second part of the assembly in such a way that the two parts are rotated relative to each other without substantially changing the internal volume enclosed within the two rotating parts,

a third part is keyed to the first part and threadedly engaged to the second part to form one or more internal and sealed chambers,

Alternatively, a third part is keyed to the first part and threaded to the second part, thereby forming one or more internal chambers containing several independent and fully sealed sub-chambers, between the sealed chamber and/or Two or more components are kept completely separated from each other prior to mixing in or sub-chambers, and the combination of these components is achieved mechanically by displacement or "pumping" under pressure, while displacement or "pumping" The "feed" action is achieved by rotating the first part relative to the second part so that the first part moves due to the keyway/thread, thereby reducing the volume of an internal chamber, as the volume decreases, a or multiple components can be moved out of the chamber under pressure,

If a second chamber is present, the volume of the second chamber increases directly in proportion to the decrease in volume of the first chamber, such that the overall internal volume of the assembly remains substantially constant,

If there are several sub-chambers, the reduction of the volume of the chamber can expose the surrounding sub-chambers, which can be manually operated by the user, or the mechanism can automatically make the sub-chambers work,

Either two or more components may be fully combined at one time, or one or more components may be dosed into a first component as required, and wherein, when the assembly is fitted to a bottle or container, due to The swirling action also creates a mixing/stirring action to assist in even mixing.

Other aspects of the invention, which are considered to be novel in its entirety, will become apparent from the following description, which is given only as an example.

Description of drawings

The description of the present invention is exemplarily provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and several embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, and the accompanying drawings are respectively:

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of an exploded view of a container with two sealed chambers according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the fully assembled container shown in Figure 1 prior to combining and mixing;

Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the container shown in Figures 1 and 2, partly through bonding and mixing;

Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the container shown in Figures 1 to 3 when combining and mixing are complete;

Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional exploded cross-sectional view of another container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the container shown in Figure 5 fully assembled;

Figure 7 shows a partial three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the container and dispenser shown in Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view similar to Figure 7, showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a three-dimensional sectional view similar to Figures 7 and 8, showing a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a three-dimensional sectional view similar to Figures 7 to 9, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 11 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a closed form with a sealed chamber according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, wherein the chamber can combine all components at the same time;

Figure 12 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of Figure 11 when it is in a fully dispensing position;

Figure 13 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the invention in the form of a closure with a sealed chamber allowing the dosing of components;

Fig. 14 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the invention with a single chamber enclosing several sealed sub-chambers allowing individual components in each sub-chamber feeding by dose;

Figure 15 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of Figure 14 in a partial dispensing mode; and

Figure 16 shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a closure form with a rupturable membrane according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.

Detailed ways

In the description, embodiments of the invention have been described in one orientation, it being understood that the orientation of up and down or top and bottom, for example, is reversed or in an orientation other than vertically upward as shown in the figures. The reference numbers would be reversed, as would be readily recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the invention of a bottle-shaped container with two chambers. Figure 1 shows this embodiment of the invention in exploded view.

Referring to Figure 1, the container is composed of a lid 1, a container body 2 (first external rotating and interlocking part), a rotatable base 3 (second external rotating and interlocking part) and a dispenser 4 (keyed to the base 3 and screwed to the third inner part of the main body 2). This particular embodiment has an integral stirring device 5 and dispenser orifice 6 .

The base 3 is connected to the bottom of the body 2 in such a way that a seal between the body 2 and the base 3 is achieved without restricting the ability of the base to rotate relative to the body 2 . Rotation of the base 3 is also assisted by having a diameter large enough that it can be firmly gripped by hand and also ensures good torque generation when the base 3 is turned by hand.

Referring to Figure 2, the dispenser 4 and base 3 may form an adjustable volume chamber 7 in which one or more flowable material components may be placed. The dispenser 4 can slide down into the recess 8 of the base 3 . The base 3 and the dispenser 4 are mutually locked by a sliding keyway 9 . When the body 2 , base 3 and dispenser 4 are initially assembled, the dispenser plate 4 abuts on a shoulder 10 on the inner surface of the body 2 . This allows the base 3 and dispenser plate 4 to fit perfectly along the keyway 9 during initial assembly without any chance of them becoming detached. This initial configuration places the volume-adjustable chamber 7 at its maximum size.

While the first embodiment is discussed as having a seal between the base 3 and body 2 to seal the container, such a seal could also be in the form of a lip seal, an "O" ring seal or other suitable seal design between the top edge of the dispenser 4 at 10 and the main body 2. Also, a similar seal can be used between the bottom edge of the dispenser 4 and the base 3 at 22 . In this embodiment, both the upper and lower chambers are individually sealed, rather than the entire container being sealed as a single unit.

Referring to Figure 3, when the dispenser 4 slides down into the recess 8 of the base 2 due to the interlocking body 2 and base 3 rotation, the size of the adjustable volume chamber 7a can be reduced.

Referring to Figure 4, when the dispenser 4 slides fully down into the recess 8 of the base 3, the size of the volume-adjustable chamber 7b is reduced to zero.

Thus, moving the dispenser 4 relative to the base 3 changes the size of the adjustable volume chamber 7, allowing it to be reduced from a maximum size (the adjustable volume chamber 7) to zero (the adjustable volume chamber 7 in FIG. 4 ). chamber 7b) to create a pressure that allows the flowable material to be moved under pressure out of the adjustable volume chamber 7 until all the flowable material is moved under pressure into the container body.

A second embodiment of the invention of a bottle-shaped two-chamber container is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 . Components in this embodiment that are similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the rotational movement of the dispenser 4 relative to the base 3 is achieved by incorporating a threaded shape 11 onto the outer surface of the dispenser 4 , one or more molded male threaded A lip or lug 12 is joined to the inside of the body 2 and a thin shoulder 13 is joined to the base 3 .

During assembly, the dispenser 4 is first inserted into the body 2 . When the dispenser 4 is pushed into the body 2, as the thread form 11 on the dispenser 4 moves past one or more freestanding male thread form flanges or lugs 12, these flanges or lugs 12 can Bend backward. When the dispenser 4 is fully inserted up against the shoulder 10, the dispenser 4 is fully in place and one or more male thread shape flanges or lugs 12 are fully engaged at or near the lowermost portion of the thread shape 11 .

If thin-walled containers are used, these can now be placed in the volume-adjustable chamber 7 .

Finally, the base 3 can be inserted.

Referring to Figure 6, once the base 3 is snap fit in place:

the base 3 sits firmly up against the bottom of the body 2, as indicated by reference number 14 in the figure;

The interlocking features of the base 3 and body 2 cooperate at 15 to maintain the integrity of the completed container assembly;

• The dispenser 4 stacks down and fits into the recess 8 in the base 3;

the keyway 9 between the base 3 and the dispenser 4 fits at 16 to key the base 3 and the dispenser 4 together; and

- Thin shoulder portion 13 fits up and behind flexible male thread shaped flange or lug 12 at 17 .

Referring again to FIG. 6 , the thin shoulder portion 13 of the one or more male thread-shaped flanges or lugs 12 at 17 prevents the one or more thread-shaped flanges or lugs 12 from bending back. Thus, a fully functional thread is formed through the flange or lug 12 between the body 2 and the dispenser 4 .

The keyway 9 can restrict the rotation of the dispenser 4 around the base 3 when the base 3 is then rotated relative to the body 2 . As the dispenser 4 turns, one or more male thread-shaped flanges or lugs 12 which cannot bend back any further must follow the thread form 11 on the outer surface of the dispenser 4 . Therefore, as the base 3 turns, the dispenser 4 must move downwards relative to the base 3 .

When the base 3 is rotated, the keyed dispenser 4 can be moved in a downward spiral direction towards the base 3, thereby reducing the size of the adjustable volume chamber 7 (to the adjustable volume chamber 7a, eventually Reduced to a volume-adjustable chamber 7b).

Although the volume of the volume-adjustable chamber 7 decreases during rotation of the body 2 relative to the base 3, the total volume of the container enclosed in the body 2 and base 3 does not substantially increase or decrease.

Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a section AA of the main body 2', the shoulder 10 and the dispenser 4' with the dispenser hole 6 (shown in Figure 6). In this configuration, generally one or more components will be packed in several thin-walled containers in the volume-adjustable chamber 7 , while a flowing material to be mixed is packed directly in the body 2 .

Alternatively, if a seal such as a lip seal or an "O" ring is used at 10 between the body 2 and the dispenser 4, then a component can be directly enclosed in the adjustable volume chamber within 7.

Referring to Figure 8, this figure shows the main body 2', the shoulder 10 and the distributor plate 4' with an integral thin-walled membrane 18. In this structure, generally, one flowable material component is directly encapsulated in the volume-adjustable chamber 7 , and one flowable material component is directly encapsulated in the main body 2 . A seal may be introduced at 10 sealing the adjustable volume chamber 7 between the body 2 and the dispenser 4 .

Referring to Figure 9, there is shown a section AA of the main body 2', the shoulder 10 and the dispenser plate 4' with a solid and thicker top plate on the dispenser 4 19. In this configuration, the top plate 19 is sealable to the extended shoulder 10a on the body 2, thereby completely sealing the chamber above the dispenser 4 from the adjustable volume chamber 7 below. When the dispenser 4 initially moves downwards, the seal between the shoulder 10a and the top plate 19 can be released and the flowing material can be displaced upwards through several outlets 20 in the dispenser 4 under pressure. A seal may be introduced at 10a to form a seal between the body 2 and the dispenser 4 .

For this structure, usually one flowable material component is directly packaged in the volume-adjustable chamber 7 , while the other flowable material component is directly packaged in the main body 2 .

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown a section AA of the main body 2', the shoulder 10 and the dispenser 4', wherein the dispenser 4' has a solid, thicker closure with an integral closure 21. top plate19. In this configuration, the integral closure 21 can be used as a fill entry point and/or a flowable material exit point, and/or if the closure 21 is located on a thin-walled container and/or on a thin-walled membrane , which can be used as an engineered rupture point. The integral closure 21 may also be a one-way valve or a convergent conduit.

An integral closure 21 may also be located on the base 3 to provide an alternative filling entry point directly into the volume adjustable chamber 7 .

Regardless of the configuration of the dispenser 4, as it spirals and rotates, the integral agitator 5 can also rotate and a vortex and/or mixing vortex can be created as the flowing material moves up through the agitator 5 Work to help mix evenly.

In addition, different parts of the turning process of the thread shape 11 can be designed to have different pitch angles, for example a thinner thread during the breaking phase to maximize hydraulic pressure, a leading thread during the bonding phase to allow the base 3 and branch The relative motion between the dispenser 4 and the swirl action of the helix is maximized, while the substantially zero thread minimizes the relative motion between the base 3 and the dispenser 4 during the final rotation which allows the user to The base is twisted backwards and forwards (and thus the dispenser 4 and integral agitation device 5) creating a further swirling and mixing vortex prior to dispensing.

The dispenser aperture 6 may be of any desired shape including, but not limited to, circular, oval, square, rectangular or any combination of more complex shapes.

Although in these embodiments the dispenser 4 is threaded to the body 2 and keyed into the base 3, the dispenser 4 could also be of the opposite configuration, i.e. the dispenser 4 is threaded to the base 3 and keyed into the base 3. The key is connected to the main body 2.

The closure on the container can be anything from a threaded connection to a snap fit, from a simple disposable to a complex combination to facilitate the incorporation of additional components or to facilitate separation such as tearing or breaking cavities. deliver. The closure may be freestanding, or part of a larger packaging or dispensing system.

The seal for the container and/or chamber can be any of a variety of locations, including between the body 2 and base 3 as described, between the body 2 and the dispenser 4, between the base 3 and the dispenser 4, or other Any possible combination or embodiment.

A third embodiment of the invention of a single chamber container in the form of a closure is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 .

Referring to Figure 11, the closure is formed by a chamber cover 23, a distribution ring 24 and a main cover 25 (the main cover 25 is shown as two sub-pieces but could be a single part).

The chamber cover 23 is interlocked at 26 with the distribution ring 24 so that unless an unlocking design is required, the two parts can rotate freely while remaining inseparable. These two parts form the outer part of the closure which is rotatable relative to each other, while the inner volume enclosed by the two parts neither substantially increases nor decreases.

The distribution ring 24 is threaded 27 onto the main cap 25 . The chamber lid 23 is keyed to the main lid 25 at 28 by cooperating a cross on the chamber lid 23 with a castellation on the main lid 25 .

Referring to FIG. 12 , the chamber cover 23 is sealed at 29 between the chamber cover 23 and the main cover 25 . The chamber opening is a removable cover 30 . Although this embodiment is exemplified by a plug, the opening could also be in the form of a breakable seal or foil or any other removable cover.

The closure can be attached to any bottle or container by a standard thread 31 .

Given that the chamber lid 23 is keyed to the main lid 25, rotation of the chamber lid 23 will directly cause the main lid 25 to be turned, thus making the closure easy to thread on and off the bottle or container.

However, when the dispensing ring 24 is rotated, the interlock 26 allows the dispensing ring to rotate freely relative to the chamber cover 23 but must accept threaded engagement 27 with the main cover 25 . As shown in Figure 12, this causes the chamber cover 23 and interlocking dispense ring 24 to move downward relative to the main cover 25, which will open or break the removable cover 30 to allow flow or egress of the components within the chamber. Rotation of the distribution ring reduces the volume of the chamber pocket 32 thereby moving the components out of the chamber pocket 32 under pressure.

A fourth embodiment of the invention of a single chamber container in the form of a closure is shown in FIG. 13 . Components in this embodiment that are similar to those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the only difference between this embodiment and the third embodiment is that this embodiment has a one-way valve or self-sealing valve 33 instead of a removable cover 30 .

By turning the dispensing ring 24, the downward movement of the chamber cover 23 can reduce the volume of the chamber pocket 32, thereby increasing the pressure in the chamber pocket 32, and thus allow the dosing components to flow out of the chamber pocket 32 as required. When the dispensing ring 24 is turned, the contents of the chamber pocket 32 can be dispensed either in individual drops or in a steady flow.

The one-way or self-sealing valve 33 may be any known form of mechanical valve that seals the bore in one direction, from a mechanical valve to a simple disc, or as a bore, one or more slits, a disc or a realizable Any combination of contour shapes for check valves or self-sealing valve structures,

Figures 14 and 15 show a fifth embodiment of the invention of a multi-chamber container in the form of a closure. Components in this embodiment that are similar to those in the third and fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figure 14, the operation of the mechanism of this embodiment is similar to that of the third and fourth embodiments in that there is a chamber cover 23 interlocked at 26 with the dispensing ring 24 and a main cover 25 at 27 with the dispensing ring. The rings 24 are threaded together and keyed together at 28 with the chamber cover 23 .

When the dispensing ring 24 is turned, the chamber cover 23 can move downward relative to the main cover 25 , thereby reducing the volume of the chamber cavity 32 .

In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cavity 32 surrounds a plurality of sub-chambers 34 . Each subchamber is individually sealed at 35 . Before the distribution ring 24 turns, when the chamber cover 23 is in its highest position, the sub-chamber 34 fits on the top 36 of the chamber cover 23 so that no downward pressure on the sub-chamber will cause any group Allocation takes place.

Referring to Figure 15, when the dispensing ring 24 is rotated and the sub-chambers 34 are exposed, the downward pressure on the sub-chambers 34 will dispense the components in the respective sub-chambers. Dispensing can take place through the bottom of the subchamber 37 and can be a one-way or self-sealing valve, a removable plug or a membrane that can be pierced or broken. The membrane can be punctured or destroyed by pushing the actual component against the membrane or by a structural part of the subchamber coming into direct contact with the membrane. The structural components of the sub-chambers required to break the membrane can be suitably shaped to facilitate this breaking.

The components in each subchamber can be dispensed in one operation or in one action to give a dose. The user can operate each sub-chamber individually, or an additional mechanism can move each sub-chamber in combination with the chamber cover 23 downward when the dispensing ring 24 is rotated.

The drawing shows the subchambers in a dispensing position 38 .

Referring to Figure 16, there is shown the diaphragm 39 which is being pierced by a protrusion 40 of the chamber cover 23. The protrusion can be square, round, hollow, solid or any other shape, and it can have a flat end or any shape that is useful to assist in breaking. For hollow protrusions 40, components may or may not be stored within the hollow protrusions. The diaphragm can be ruptured open to create a permanent opening, or the diaphragm can remain in contact with the diaphragm forming a one-way valve or self-sealing valve structure. The protrusion 40 may be located anywhere within the cavity and may be either an integrally molded part or a separate part inserted during assembly. Multiple protrusions 40 may be used.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a container in which two or more components are kept separate until combined, after which the components are moved under pressure into a single chamber or separate container for For combining, swirl action and/or vortex can be created at the same time for uniform mixing.

The threads between an outer rotating part and the inner part may be as described above, or any other known mechanical equivalent.

The keyway between an outer rotating part and the inner part may be as described above, or any other known mechanical equivalent.

A dust-tight cover for the container may be used, which may be on or off the container or its closure. An anti-tamper system can be used on the closure.

Any element of the bottle instance that is not included in the closure instance can be applied to the closure instance. Any element of the closure instance that is not included in the bottle instance can be applied to the bottle instance.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to integers or components which have known equivalents, then such individually recited equivalents are hereby incorporated herein.

Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to possible embodiments by way of example, it will be understood that various improvements and/or modifications may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (45)

1. A packaging system that enables at least some of each of one or more components to be removed under pressure from their separate and sealed chambers, combining them into a single main chamber or in a separate container attached to this packaging system. 2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the packaging system provides a vortex and/or or vortex to assist in even mixing. 3. A packaging system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressurized movement union is formed in a container which consists of at least three parts and wherein the fully assembled container forms one or more The inner chambers and/or subchambers are sealed, and the volume of at least one inner chamber can be reduced by mutual rotation of the two outer interlocking parts. 4. A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is an assembly of the type comprising one or more of the following: said first part of the container is interlocked with the second part of the container in such a way that the two parts are allowed to rotate relative to each other without substantially changing the internal volume enclosed within the two rotating parts, a third part is keyed to the first part and threadedly engaged to the second part to form one or more internal sealed chambers, Alternatively, a third part is keyed to the first part and threaded to the second part, thereby forming one or more internal chambers containing several independent and fully sealed sub-chambers, between the sealed chamber and/or Two or more components are kept completely separated from each other prior to mixing in or sub-chambers, and the combination of these components is achieved mechanically by displacement or "pumping" under pressure, while displacement or "pumping" The "feed" action is achieved by rotating the first part relative to the second part so that the first part moves due to the keyway/thread, thereby reducing the volume of an internal chamber, as the volume decreases, a or multiple components can be moved out of the chamber under pressure, If a second chamber is present, the volume of the second chamber increases in proportion to the decrease in volume of the first chamber so that the total internal volume of the assembly remains substantially constant, If there are several sub-chambers, the reduction of the volume of the chamber can expose the surrounding sub-chambers, which can be manually operated by the user, or the mechanism can automatically make the sub-chambers work, Either two or more components can be fully combined at one time, or one or more components can be dosed into the first component as needed, And therein, due to the swirling action, there is also a mixing/stirring action to assist in homogeneous mixing. 5. A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second parts are outer parts of the container and the third part is an inner part. 6. A packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein one or more adjustable volume chambers are formed using keyways and threads and optional interlocking means. 7. A packaging system as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the relative rotation of the two parts is generally formed as part or all of the exterior of the container, and they are interlocked together in this inseparable manner, between two mutual During the rotation of the lock part, the internal volume enclosed by the two parts neither substantially increases nor decreases. 8. The packaging system of claim 6, wherein the interlock is specifically designed to allow disengagement at the disposal of a user. 9. A packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the third part is formed generally as part of the interior of the container and is threaded to a rotating part and keyed to a second rotating part superior. 10. The packaging system of claim 9, wherein the third member may or may not have a sealing surface between itself and one or both of the two outer rotating members. 11. The packaging system of claim 9, wherein the third member is not sealed to one of the interlocked rotating members, but a gap is formed between the third member and one or both of the interlocked rotating members. The chamber surrounds one or more sealed sub-chambers. 12. A packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the assembly of the three parts forms a container and the rotation of the two interlocking parts allows the third part to pass through the parts to which it is threaded Actuated components move in a linear fashion relative to their keyed connections. 13. The packaging system of claim 12, wherein the linear movement of the third member forms a chamber with an adjustable internal volume such that one or more components within the chamber decrease as the volume decreases. Displaces or "pumps" out of the chamber under small pressure. 14. The packaging system of claim 13, wherein displacement under pressure means: direct removal out of the container or into another chamber of the same container, wherein the volume of the second chamber is related to the reduced volume The chamber increases proportionally, so that the total volume of the container is basically constant at any time. 15. The packaging system of claim 14, wherein displacing by pressure means removing the cap into an individual bottle. 16. The packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two parts rotating relative to each other enable the integral stirring device to be mounted on one or more rotating surfaces so that during rotation, The stirring device may create a vortex and/or vortex action to assist in the homogeneous mixing of two or more components as they are combined. 17. The packaging system of claim 16, wherein all components are packaged in reduced volume chambers, or if there are two chambers, the second and any subsequent components are packaged in reduced volume chambers. small-volume chamber, while the first component is packaged directly in the main chamber of the container. 18. A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two or more components remain separate prior to combining. 19. The packaging system of claim 18, wherein the components are kept separate by one of the following methods including (but not limited to): all components are enclosed in a single thin-walled container and the thin-walled container is placed in a reduced-volume sealed chamber or in a sealed sub-chamber; one or more components are enclosed in a separate thin-walled container or sealed in a reduced-volume sealed chamber a sub-chamber, while the first component is directly enclosed in the main part of the container; a component is directly enclosed in a reduced-volume sealed chamber or in a sealed sub-chamber, and the first component is directly located in the In the main part of the container; one or more components are enclosed in a separate thin-walled container and placed in a sealed chamber or sub-chamber of reduced volume, one component is directly enclosed in a or a sealed chamber or sealed sub-chamber of reduced volume on the outside of a plurality of thin-walled containers, with the first component encapsulated directly within the main part of the container; or any combination of the above. 20. The packaging system of claim 19, wherein the containers are thin-walled, and a third part that moves linearly causes the chamber to move as the two outer interlocking parts of the two containers rotate relative to each other The volume is reduced, so that the thin-walled container is crushed, which increases the internal pressure of the thin-walled container, causing it to rupture. 21. The packaging system according to claim 20, characterized in that it has a sealed volume-reducing chamber or several sub-chambers, one or more components in the chamber can be distributed to Outside the container, or in the case of two chambers, the components can enter the larger chamber. 22. The packaging system of claim 21, wherein the components are dispensed by one of the following methods: by removing a stopper, the removal of which follows volume caused by an increase in pressure in a reduced chamber or sub-chamber; by removal of a plug by internal or external mechanical means; caused by an increase in pressure within a small chamber or sub-chamber; by breaking a diaphragm by internal or external mechanical means; When set in motion by the action of rotation, its movement causes an "unplugging" effect and allows one or more components to move out of the chamber or sub-chambers under pressure as their internal volume decreases ; through a one-way valve; or through a small converging channel. 23. The packaging system of claim 22, wherein continuous rotation of the two outer parts eventually reduces the volume of the inner chamber to zero, thereby allowing complete removal of all of the one or more component materials from the chamber chamber, or fully expose or actuate sub-chambers. 24. A packaging system according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the rupture point of one or more thin-walled containers and/or one or more membrane parts can be located at one or more locations, These locations include, but are not limited to: a physical stress fracture in a wall surface; along a weld or join line; along a physical cut or tear; along a surface designed or fabricated in a wall for the above purpose A tear or section of weakness; through an integral closure in a wall surface; any combination of the above. 25. Packaging system according to any one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the rupture of one or more thin-walled containers and/or one or more membrane parts can be carried out by one or more methods , these methods include but are not limited to: inserting a foreign object into the container, or a physical object designed integrally with the container. 26. The packaging system of claim 25, wherein the design-integrated object can be, but is not limited to: a column or upright; the ends are shaped to assist in destruction, such as sharp corners of a solid or hollow structure; designed to be breached such that a diaphragm crack may open, thereby causing a permanent opening; designed to be breached such that the diaphragm is continuously sealed around the object, thereby form a one-way valve. 27. The packaging system according to any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein the thin-walled film can have or be, but is by no means limited to: have a continuous thickness; have a thinner wall at the point of rupture; section; designed to have several thin and thick sections which control the rupture such that the slit membrane remains connected without breaking completely; a converging channel molded, punched or cut out in its surface, A structure that produces a one-way or self-sealing valve; one or more slits molded, punched, or cut in its surface to produce a one-way or self-sealing valve; others that produce a one-way or self-sealing valve The shape or connection of the structure. 28. The packaging system according to any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein one or more thin-walled containers and/or one or more membrane parts are formed from any flexible or rigid material, which Has suitable barrier properties that can contain components prior to bonding, and are easy to tear, cut or break. 29. The packaging system of claim 28, wherein flexible or rigid materials include, but are not limited to: cardboard, plastic, metal foil (such as aluminum), rubber, plastic/rubber blends, and any of the foregoing A combination of layers. 30. The packaging system of claim 29, wherein the one or more thin walled containers are in the form of pouches or pouches. 31. The packaging system of claim 29, wherein the one or more thin walled containers are extremely thin walled blow molded bottles. 32. The packaging system of claim 29, wherein the one or more thin walled containers are extremely thin walled injection molded bottles. 33. The packaging system of any one of claims 19 to 32, wherein the one or more thin walled containers are any formed, constructed or molded boxes, bags, envelopes, bags, A container having a wall portion thin enough to be easily broken to allow bonding and mixing, but having barrier properties of sufficient strength to ensure that the enclosed flowing materials remain completely separate prior to bonding and mixing . 34. A packaging system according to any one of claims 19 to 33, wherein the one or more thin walled containers are either independent of each other or connected together, or a combination thereof. 35. A packaging system according to any one of claims 19 to 34, wherein one or more thin-walled containers and/or one or more membrane parts have one or more integral closures, These closures may serve as fill points and/or outflow paths for the flowing component materials. 36. The packaging system of claim 35, wherein the filling or outflow path is a one-way valve type or a converging conduit. 37. The packaging system according to any one of claims 19 to 36, wherein one or more thin-walled containers and/or one or more film parts may have one or more Weak points with purpose-built joints or welded lines that form the point of failure in the event of rupture. 38. A packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 37, wherein the filling of the main chamber of the container is normally done on a bottle filling line and the filling of one or more thin-walled containers This is usually accomplished on a pouch or bag filling machine, while direct filling of the reduced volume internal chamber is accomplished through a valve or closure in the base, through the main container hole and a final A plug or cap inserted or filled prior to assembly. 39. The packaging system of claim 38, wherein the container has a linearly moving member that provides compressively moving engagement, but does not have an integrated agitation device that produces uniform mixing. 40. The packaging system of claim 38, wherein the container has a linearly moving member that does not provide a compressively movable engagement, but that has an integrated agitation device that produces homogeneous mixing. 41. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the container is a box, bottle, jar, flask, jug, drink bottle, lid, closure, syringe, vial, cruet, glass, jug Or cartons in any form, and any form of closure, threaded or not. 42. A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the relative movement of the third member relative to the member to which it is keyed is achieved by combining the shape of the thread on the surface of the third member with One or more male thread-shaped flanges or lugs on mating surfaces on other parts are combined so that, during assembly, the third part is inserted first and as the third part is pushed into the other part, when the threaded form on the third part moves past one or more free-standing male thread-shaped flanges or lugs, the flanges or lugs bend back and when the third part is fully inserted, a or multiple free-standing male thread-shaped flanges or lugs that are fully fitted at or near the lowest portion of the thread shape, with the shoulder of another component acting in this position so that the flange or lug cannot bend further , thereby forming a functional thread shape between the third part and the other part. 43. The packaging system of claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 44. A packaging system closure or base incorporating a device that enables at least some of each of one or more components to move under pressure out of their independent sealed chambers, thereby combining them into a single main chamber of bottles or containers connected in use. 45. The closure or base of a packaging system according to claim 44, wherein said closure or base is an assembly of the type comprising one or more of the following: the first part of the assembly is interlocked with the second part of the assembly in such a way that the two parts are rotated relative to each other without substantially changing the internal volume enclosed within the two rotating parts, a third part is keyed to the first part and threadedly engaged to the second part to form one or more internal and sealed chambers, Alternatively, a third part is keyed to the first part and threaded to the second part, thereby forming one or more internal chambers containing several independent and fully sealed sub-chambers, between the sealed chamber and/or Two or more components are kept completely separated from each other prior to mixing in or sub-chambers, and the combination of these components is achieved mechanically by displacement or "pumping" under pressure, while displacement or "pumping" The "feed" action is achieved by rotating the first part relative to the second part so that the first part moves due to the keyway/thread, thereby reducing the volume of an internal chamber, as the volume decreases, a or multiple components can be moved out of the chamber under pressure, If a second chamber is present, the volume of the second chamber increases in proportion to the decrease in volume of the first chamber so that the overall internal volume of the assembly remains substantially constant, If there are several sub-chambers, the reduction of the volume of the chamber can expose the surrounding sub-chambers, which can be manually operated by the user, or the mechanism can automatically make the sub-chambers work, Either two or more components may be fully combined at one time, or one or more components may be dosed into a first component as required, and wherein, when the assembly is fitted to a bottle or container, due to The swirling action also creates a mixing/stirring action to assist in even mixing.

Images