Mixing and dispensing apparatus

• US 10,335,812 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2017
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veltek Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Veltek Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Vellutato, Jr., Arthur L., Baker, Walter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buechner, Patrick M.
• Application Number:
  US15/705,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20180021794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/22 Phase substances, e.g. smokes, aerosols or sprayed or atomised substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/14 Filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/211 Use of hydrogen peroxide, liquid and vaporous
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0081 and for mixing the components in a common container as a mixture ready for use before discharging the latter
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0089 Dispensing tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/048 characterised by the container, e.g. this latter being surrounded by an enclosure, or the means for deforming it B05B11/041, B05B11/046 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/10 Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/26 Apparatus in which liquids or other fluent materials from different sources are brought together before entering the discharge device B05B7/2402 takes precedence

Abstract

A mixing and dispensing apparatus having first and second containers. The first container has a main body portion which retains a first substance. A separate compartment is located in the first container and an internal passageway is formed between the main body portion and the compartment. The second container is configured to retain a second substance, and is compressible. The second container has a top end and a closed spout, wherein the closed spout is located in the compartment with the spout extending through the internal passageway into the main body portion of said first container. A release mechanism is formed by a plunger extending within the second container. The plunger has a first end in communication with the top end of the second container, and a second end aligned with the closed spout. The second end opens the closed spout when the second container is compressed to release the second substance into the main body portion of the first container.

Claims

1. A mixing and dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a first container that includes a main body portion, a first opening, and a second opening, and a receiving portion coupled to the main body, the main body portion being configured to retain a first substance;

a second container configured to retain a second substance, the second container being compressible and having a spout in fluid communication with the main body portion of the first container through the second opening, wherein the receiving portion includes a compartment that is configured to receive the second container and a neck extending between the main body portion and the second container; and

a plunger received entirely within the second container, the plunger being aligned with the spout and configured to open the spout when the second container is compressed to release the second substance into the main body portion of the first container through the neck.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first container is configured to dispense the first substance or a combination of the first substance and the second substance through the first opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is configured to be integrally molded with the main body portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the neck includes a ramp connected to a bottom of the main body portion at an angle greater than or equal to 30 degrees and less than or equal to 45 degrees.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main body portion has a first width, the compartment has a second width, and the neck has a third width and wherein the first width and the second width are greater than the third width.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main body portion has a first width and the compartment has a second width and wherein the first width and the second width are substantially equal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the compartment includes a top and a bottom portion; and

a compartment opening through which the second container is received is located at the top.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the compartment opening is threaded to receive a cover.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartment is configured to extend to one side of the main body portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the compartment includes a first side that is substantially parallel to a side of the main body portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the compartment includes a first side that is attached to a side of the main body portion by an elongated web member to support the compartment against movement.

12. A mixing and dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a first container that includes a main body portion configured to retain a first substance and a receiving portion coupled to the main body portion, the receiving portion including a compartment configured to receive a second container, wherein the second container is configured to retain a second substance, the second container being compressible and having a spout in fluid communication with the main body portion of the first container through the second opening, and wherein the receiving portion includes a neck extending between the main body portion and the second container; and

a plunger received entirely within the second container, the plunger being aligned with the spout and configured to open the spout when the second container is compressed to release the second substance into the main body portion of the first container through the neck.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the receiving portion is configured to be integrally molded with the main body portion.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein

the compartment includes a top and a bottom portion;

and

a compartment opening through which the second container is received is located at the top.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the compartment is configured to extend to one side of the main body portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the compartment includes a first side that is attached to a side of the main body portion by an elongated web member.

17. A method of mixing a dispensing a sterilized composition within a cleanroom, comprising:

providing an apparatus including;

a first container including a main body portion and a receiving portion that includes a compartment configured to receive a second container that has a spout extending through a passageway in the compartment and in fluid communication with the main body portion, wherein the receiving portion includes a neck extending between the main body and the second container; and

a plunger received entirely within the second container;

filling at least a portion of the main body portion of the first container with a first substance;

filling at least a portion of the second container with a second substance;

aligning the plunger with the spout;

applying downward pressure to the plunger such that the plunger opens the spout to release the second substance into the main body portion through the neck such that the first and second substances mix.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first substance is sterile water and the second substance is a concentrated cleaner.