Dispenser

• US 20190308209A1
• Filed: 12/01/2016
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: HOM, Frank, CRAWFORD, John
• Granted Patent: US 11,033,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 11/0086 Arrangements for allowing spraying and pouring

Abstract

A dispenser includes a housing that defines a first opening and a second opening. The first opening provides a first path of fluid communication between a first interior volume of the housing and an exterior of the housing. The second opening provides a second path of fluid communication between a second interior volume of the housing and the exterior of the housing. A divider is positioned in the housing between the first interior volume and the second interior volume. The divider defines a third opening that provides a third path of fluid communication between the first interior volume and the second interior volume. A valve allows fluid to flow from the second interior volume, through the third opening, and into the first interior volume and prevents the fluid from flowing from the first interior volume, through the third opening, and into the second interior volume.

Claims

1. A dispenser, comprising:

a housing defining;

a first opening that provides a first path of fluid communication between a first interior volume of the housing and an exterior of the housing; and

a second opening that provides a second path of fluid communication between a second interior volume of the housing and the exterior of the housing;

a divider positioned in the housing between the first interior volume and the second interior volume, wherein the divider defines a third opening that provides a third path of fluid communication between the first interior volume and the second interior volume; and

a valve that allows fluid to flow from the second interior volume, through the third opening, and into the first interior volume and prevents the fluid from flowing from the first interior volume, through the third opening, and into the second interior volume.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a first liquid disposed in the first interior volume and a second liquid disposed in the second interior volume, wherein the first liquid is different than the second liquid.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the first liquid comprises water, surfactant, or a combination thereof, and wherein the second liquid comprises a cleaning solution.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, further comprising a vent opening that prevents a vacuum effect from occurring in the second interior volume when a portion of the second liquid is transferred from the second interior volume, through the third opening, and into the first interior volume.

5. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the housing is substantially transparent, and wherein the housing comprises a first visual indicator on the portion of the housing that is substantially transparent.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the first visual indicator is a lighter shade of a color of the second liquid.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the first visual indicator corresponds to a known concentration of the second liquid in a mixture of the first liquid and the second liquid in the first interior volume.

8. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a second visual indicator on the portion of the housing that is a different shade of the color of the second liquid and corresponds to a different known concentration of the second liquid in the mixture.

9. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

a first cap coupled to the housing to cover the first opening; and

a second cap coupled to the housing to cover the second opening, wherein the first cap actuates differently than the second cap.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the first cap is part of a pump assembly.

11. A dispenser, comprising:

a housing defining;

a first interior volume, wherein a first opening provides a first path of fluid communication between the first interior volume and an exterior of the housing; and

a second interior volume;

a divider positioned in the housing between the first interior volume and the second interior volume, wherein the divider defines a second opening that provides a second path of fluid communication between the first interior volume and the second interior volume;

a valve that allows fluid to flow from the second interior volume, through the second opening, and into the first interior volume and prevents the fluid from flowing from the first interior volume, through the second opening, and into the second interior volume; and

a first visual indicator positioned on a portion of the housing that is substantially transparent and defines the first interior volume.

12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the second interior volume is configured to have a liquid disposed therein, and wherein the first visual indicator is a shade of the liquid.

13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the first visual indicator is a lighter shade of the liquid.

14. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the first interior volume is configured to have water disposed therein, wherein the second interior volume is configured to have a concentrated liquid disposed therein, and wherein the first visual indicator is a shade of a mixture of the water and the concentrated liquid.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the shade of the first visual indicator corresponds to a known concentration of the mixture.

16. A method for using a dispenser, comprising:

introducing a first liquid into a first interior volume of a housing of the dispenser;

transferring a first portion of a second liquid from a second interior volume of the housing into the first interior volume to form a mixture; and

dispensing at least a portion of the mixture from the first interior volume through a first opening in the housing to an exterior of the housing, wherein the housing is configured to dispense a second portion of the second liquid from the second interior volume of the housing through a second opening in the housing to the exterior of the housing.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the dispenser further comprises a divider that is positioned in the housing between the first interior volume and the second interior volume, and wherein transferring the first portion of the second liquid from the second interior volume of the housing into the first interior volume comprises transferring the first portion of the second liquid through a one-way valve in the divider.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising comparing a color of the mixture to a visual indicator on the housing to determine a concentration of the second liquid in the mixture.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising adding an additional amount of the first liquid into the first interior volume when the color of the mixture is a darker shade than the visual indicator.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising transferring an additional portion of the second liquid from the second interior volume into the first interior volume when the color of the mixture is a lighter shade than the visual indicator.