Mixing and dispensing apparatus

• US 20040140321A1
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veltek Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Veltek Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Stank, Robert E., Vellutato, Arthur L. Sr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,851,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/129
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3222 with additional means facilitating admixture

Abstract

A mixing and dispensing apparatus has a small bottle which is positioned within a larger bottle. The small bottle contains a concentrated solution, and the larger bottle contains water. The small bottle has a nozzle that is off-center, a grip base that is an integral part of the bottle, and a vent to maintain zero atmospheric pressure internally. The small bottle is inverted and placed within the neck of the large bottle. The small bottle is then rotated so that the neck of the nozzle comes between two arms of a release mechanism which is an integral part of the large bottle. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the nozzle is centered, and is pushed through the arms of the release mechanism. Once the apparatus is ready for use, the small bottle is pulled upward using the base grip or a pull ring, thereby opening the nozzle and releasing the contents of the small bottle into the large bottle. The contents are poured out through the space between the small bottle and the neck of the large bottle, or through a separate pour spout.

Claims

1. A mixing and dispensing apparatus comprising:

a first container for retaining a first substance, said first container having a projection located at the interior of the first container and projecting inwardly, the projection being forked to form two prongs; and

,

a second container for retaining a second substance, said second container having a nozzle positioned between the two prongs of the projection of said first container, whereby when said first container is raised upward, the two prongs pull the nozzle open to release the second substance into said first container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a receiving portion molded integral with said first container, said receiving portion receiving said second container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said second container having a collar projecting outwardly from a bottom surface of said second container, and a lid positioned over said collar, further comprising a pull mechanism having a first ring positioned about said collar and a second ring freely positioned about said lid, wherein said first container can be raised upward by pulling on the second ring.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first ring is connected to the second ring by a mid-section, further comprising a plug positioned at the mid-section an aligned to removably engage an opening in the bottom surface of said second container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first container has a pour spout for dispensing the first substance and the second substance.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a space between said first container and said second container, wherein the first substance and the second substance can be dispensed from said first container at the space.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said nozzle has a ledge which, when said first container is raised upward, engages the two prongs of the projection to open said nozzle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said nozzle is off-center.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said nozzle is positioned between the two prongs of the projection by placing said second container within said first container and rotating said second container so that said nozzle is positioned between the two prongs of the projection.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said nozzle is positioned between the two prongs of the projection by placing said second container within said first container and pushing said second container between the two prongs, thereby forcibly separating the two prongs.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vent on said second container to release pressure from said second container.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first container has a neck, the projection is located at the neck of said first container, and said second container is positioned within the neck of said first container.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second container has a bottom with a grip.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first container has an opening with a wide mouth.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second container has bottom which threadably engages a lid.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising ridges located about the lid.

17. A mixing and dispensing apparatus comprising:

a first container for retaining a first substance, said first container having at least two elongated depressions depressed in said first container from substantially opposite sides of said first container to form a narrowed internal passageway therebetween, and the at least two depressions each define an internal bottom surface; and

,

a second container for retaining a second substance, said second container having a nozzle positioned within the internal passageway of said first container, whereby when said first container is raised upward, the internal bottom surface pull the nozzle open to release the second substance into said first container.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least two depressions further define an internal top surface which supports said second container.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first container has a neck, and the at least two depressions are formed at the neck of said first container.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, said second container having a collar projecting outwardly from a bottom surface of said second container, and a lid positioned over said collar, further comprising a pull mechanism having a first ring positioned about said collar and a second ring freely positioned about said lid, wherein said first container can be raised upward by pulling on the second ring.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first ring is connected to the second ring by a mid-section, further comprising a plug positioned at the mid-section an aligned to removably engage an opening in the bottom surface of said second container.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first container has a pour spout for dispensing the first substance and the second substance.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said nozzle has a ledge which, when said first container is raised upward, engages the bottom internal surfaces of the at least two depressions to open said nozzle.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said nozzle is positioned within the internal passageway by placing said second container within said first container and pushing said second container into the internal passageway.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a vent on said second container to release pressure from said second container.

26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said second container has a bottom with a grip.

27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first container has an opening with a wide mouth.