Two-component packages

• US 5,540,326 A
• Filed: 04/07/1995
• Issued: 07/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Wilson, Brian, Hilton, Kevin, Warburton, Nina, Arnold, Peter S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jacob K.
• Application Number:
  US08/418,320
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 206/219, 206/220, 206/221, 215/6, 215/228, 215/DIG. 8
• US Class Current: 206/221
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3222 with additional means facilitating admixture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/08 Mixing

Abstract

Two-component packages for storing two components which are to be isolated from each other during storage and mixed when the package is opened. The packages comprise an outer container (2) for a first component having a threaded neck (3). A closure cap (5) is provided to close the threaded neck (3). A capsule (6) for a second component is located inside the outer container (2) and extends into the threaded neck (3) of the outer container (2). A first ratchet means extends downwardly from the base of the closure cap (5) and engages with a second ratchet means on the top part (7) of the capsule (6), whereby the closure cap (5) can be screwed down without rotating the said top part (7) of the capsule (6), but cannot readily be unscrewed without also rotating the said top part (7). A rotation block (13,14) prevents rotation of a lower part (11) of the capsule (6). As a result, unscrewing the closure cap (5) exerts a torsional force on the capsule (6). Release means (12), such as a screw thread, are provided in the capsule (6) to release the contents of the capsule (6) when the said torsional force is applied.

Claims

1. A two-component package for storing two components which are to be isolated from each other during storage and mixed when the package is opened, the package comprising:

a container to receive first component, said container having a threaded neck;

a threaded closure cap to close the threaded neck of the container;

a capsule to receive the second component, said capsule being located inside the container with an upper part of the capsule extending into the threaded neck of the container;

a first ratchet means extending inwardly from the closure cap;

a second ratchet means provided on the upper part of the capsule to engage said first ratchet means, whereby the closure cap can be screwed down without rotating the upper part of the capsule, but unscrewing the closure cap causes the top part of the capsule to rotate with the closure cap;

one or more rotation blocks provided on the outer wall of the capsule and on the inner wall of the container to impede rotation of the lower part of the capsule in the direction of unscrewing of the closure cap; and

release means provided on the capsule to release the second component from the capsule when the upper part of the capsule is rotated relative to the lower part of the capsule.

2. A two-component package according to claim 1, wherein the capsule comprises snap-fitting means to secure the capsule to complementary receiving means on the inside of the container.

3. A two-component package according to claim 2, wherein the snap-fitting means comprises a plurality of radially compressible fins extending from the capsule.

4. A two-component package according to claim 2, wherein the complementary receiving means comprises a flange on the inside of the neck of the container.

5. A two-component package according to claim 2, wherein the complementary receiving means comprises an annular groove extending around the inside of the neck of the container.

6. A two-component package according to claim 1, wherein the first ratchet means comprises one or more drive pegs extending downwardly from the base to the closure cap and the second ratchet means comprises one or more ribs extending upwardly from the top part of the capsule, said drive pegs and/or said ribs being flexible.

7. A package according to claim 1, wherein the first ratchet means comprises a collar extending downwardly from the base of the closure cap with one or more first abutment means provided around the inner or outer circumference of the collar, and the second ratchet means comprises a cylinder on the top of the capsule, said cylinder fitting into or around the collar and being provided with one or more second abutment means around its outer or inner circumference, said first and/or said second abutment means being flexible.

8. A two-component package according to claim 1, wherein the rotation blocks comprise a flange on the lower part of the capsule and a rib on the inner wall of the container to abut against the flange.

9. A two-component package according to claim 1, wherein the rotation blocks comprise a tongue on the lower part of the capsule engaging a longitudinal groove in the inner wall of the container.

10. A two-component package according to claim 1, wherein the release means comprises a line of weakness formed in a wall of the capsule.

11. A two-component package according to claim 1, wherein the release means comprises a screw thread joining the upper and lower parts of the capsule.

12. A package according to claim 1, further comprising a loaded biasing means to push the upper and lower parts of the capsule apart after the release means has been released.

13. A two-component package according to claim 12, wherein the loaded biasing means comprises a coil spring substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of the capsule.

14. A two-component package according to claim 1, wherein the capsule includes a gas venting means comprising an aperture covered by a semipermeable membrane.

15. A two-component package according to claim 14, wherein the aperture is at the end of a flexible tube extending into the capsule, the flexible tube being provided with flotation means.

16. A two-component package according to claim 15, wherein the flexible tube is branched and the aperture at the end of each branch is covered by a semipermeable membrane.