Storage and mixing device

• US 20080156673A1
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lancer and Loader Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Jonathan E. Levine
• Inventors: Levine, Jonathan E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,789,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/220
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/208 Hydrogen peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/182 Rigid packaging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3205 Separate rigid or semi-rigid containers joined to each other at their external surfaces B65D81/3288 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/822 Special shape

Abstract

A handheld storage and mixing device is disclosed. The device can include first and second separate containers each defining a distinct internal cavity. The first container can be movable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the second container between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cavities can be substantially sealed from one another. In the second position, a first gas forming ingredient in one of the cavities can mix with a second gas forming ingredient in the other cavity to form a gas, such as chlorine dioxide gas. The device can have one or more filtered openings to allow gas generated by mixing the first and second gas forming ingredients to escape into the ambient environment.

Claims

1. A handheld storage and mixing device, comprising first and second separate containers each defining a distinct internal cavity, the first container being movable relative to the second container between a first position in which the cavities are substantially sealed from one another and a second position in which a first gas forming ingredient in one of the cavities can mix with a second gas forming ingredient in the other cavity to form a gas, the device further comprising one or more filtered openings to allow the gas to escape into the ambient environment.

2. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein, in the first position one of the first and second containers is substantially sealed against air infiltration and the other of the first and second containers includes the one or more filtered openings.

3. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more filtered openings are positioned on a rounded surface.

4. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the device is substantially shaped as an oblate spheroid.

5. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the device is substantially shaped as a cylinder and the one or more filtered openings are positioned on an end of the cylinder.

6. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second containers have opposing faces with non-circular perimeters.

7. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second containers has an outer surface with an alignment indicator, the alignment indicators are substantially coplanar when the first container is in one of the first and second positions, and the alignment indicators are substantially non-coplanar when the first container is in the other of the first and second positions.

8. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, further comprising an opening configured to receive a string.

9. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first container is rotatable relative to the second container between the first position and the second position.

10. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 9, wherein the first container is permanently attached to the second container at an axis of rotation.

11. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first gas forming ingredient is disposed in the first cavity and the second gas forming ingredient is disposed in the second cavity.

12. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 11, wherein the first and second gas forming ingredients cannot be accessed without breaking the device.

13. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 11, wherein the first and second gas forming ingredients can be mixed to form chlorine dioxide gas.

14. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second containers have opposing faces, each face has an opening, in the first position the openings are substantially non-overlapping, and in the second position the openings are substantially overlapping.

15. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 14, wherein one of the first and second faces includes a cylindrical projection sized to fit within a corresponding cylindrical recess in the other of the first and second faces, and the openings are positioned on respective end portions of the cylindrical projection and the cylindrical recess.

16. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 15, further comprising an o-ring positioned around a side portion of the cylindrical projection.

17. A handheld storage and mixing device, comprising:

a first container having a first face which defines a first opening; and

a second container having a second face which defines a second opening, wherein the first container is connected to the second container with the first face substantially parallel to the second face, the first and second containers being rotatable relative to one another between a first position in which a perimeter of the first face is substantially aligned with a perimeter of the second face, the first opening is out of alignment with the second opening, and an internal cavity of the first container is separate from an internal cavity of the second container, and a second position with one of the containers rotated 180 degrees relative to the other container in which the perimeter of the first face again is substantially aligned with the perimeter of the second face, the first opening is substantially aligned with the second opening, and the internal cavity of the first container is open to the internal cavity of the second container, the perimeters of the first and second faces being out of alignment with one another when not in the first or second positions.

18. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 17, wherein an outside wall of the device is perforated.

19. The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 17, wherein the first container and the second container are substantially shaped as respective halves of an oblate spheroid.

20. A solid container other than a sphere formed by two connected container halves, each defining a cavity, each container half having an interface surface of substantially the same shape as the other interface surface, both interface surfaces being symmetrical with respect to bisecting vertical and horizontal planes such that the interface surfaces substantially align with one another both in a first orientation and in a second orientation in which one of the interface surfaces is rotated 180 degrees relative to the other, with the interface surfaces being out of alignment when not disposed in either the first or second orientation.

21. A handheld storage and mixing device, comprising:

first storage means for storing a first gas forming ingredient;

second storage means for storing a second gas forming ingredient;

connecting means for connecting first and second storage means, such that the first and second gas forming ingredients are separate from one another and mixable on demand; and

releasing means for releasing gas formed by mixing the first and second gas forming ingredients.

22. A method for making a handheld storage and mixing device, comprising:

providing a first container and a second container, each having a mixing opening and a loading opening;

connecting the first container to the second container, such that the mixing openings of the first and second containers can be moved into or out of alignment by rotating the first container relative to the second container;

introducing a first gas forming ingredient into the first container via the loading opening of the first container;

introducing a second gas forming ingredient into the second container via the loading opening of the second container; and

sealing the loading openings of the first and second containers.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein sealing the loading openings of the first and second containers comprises placing a cover over each loading opening and welding the cover to the respective container.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first and second gas forming ingredients are combinable to form chlorine dioxide gas.

25. A method for performing a chemical reaction, comprising:

providing a handheld storage and mixing device comprising a first container and a second container;

rotating the first container relative to the second container to open a connection between the first and second containers; and

agitating the device, such that a first gas forming ingredient in the first container mixes with a second gas forming ingredient in the second container to form a gas, wherein the gas is releasable via filtered perforations.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the gas is chlorine dioxide and the method further comprises placing the device in an area in need of deodorizing or disinfection after agitating the device.