Device for separately packaging two components, for mixing them together and for dispensing the resulting mixture

• US 5,875,889 A
• Filed: 07/21/1997
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Albisetti, Nicolas
• Primary Examiner(s): Gehman, Bryon P.
• Application Number:
  US08/897,671
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 206/219, 206/221, 206/568, 222/94, 222/129, 222/145.5, 222/207, 222/529, 215/DIG. 8
• US Class Current: 206/221
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/06 with closable apertures at bottom
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/087 the partition being in the form of a plug or the like which can be raised off its seat by means of a pull cord or the like, e.g. the plug being connected to the cap B65D81/3211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3211 coaxially and provided with means facilitating admixture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/08 Mixing

Abstract

A device for separately packaging two components, for mixing them together, and for dispensing the resulting mixture, includes a receptacle having two compartments, a removable plug for separating the compartments prior to first use, a dispenser endpiece, a rotary drive member suitable, in an initial position, for preventing the endpiece being opened, and a coupling device for transforming rotation of the drive member into action on the plug for the purpose of putting the two compartments into communication with each other. The coupling device includes a coupling member that is axially movable relative both to the receptacle and to the drive member.

Claims

1. A device for separately packaging two components, for mixing them together, and for dispensing the resulting mixture, the device comprising a receptacle having two compartments, a removable plug for separating said compartments prior to first use, a dispenser endpiece defining an outlet channel initially closed by closure means, a rotary drive member suitable, in an initial position, for preventing the closure means being removed, and coupling means for transforming rotation of the drive member into action on the plug for the purpose of putting the two compartments into communication with each other, wherein said coupling means comprise a coupling member that is axially movable at the same time relative both to the two compartments of the receptacle and to the drive member.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprise a slideway link between the coupling member and one of the receptacle and the drive member.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said coupling member is in the form of a tubular skirt secured to the dispenser endpiece.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said tubular skirt co-operates by screw-engagement relative to the receptacle and by slideway link relative to the drive member.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said plug is integrally molded with a drive rod secured to said coupling member.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said drive rod is secured by snap-fastening to said coupling member, and wherein the dispenser endpiece is integrally molded with the coupling member.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein the coupling member is integrally molded with the drive rod, and wherein the dispenser endpiece is secured to the drive rod by snap-fastening.

8. A device according to claim 5, wherein, when the drive member is in its initial position, the drive rod is axially compressed, and wherein the drive rod is shaped in such a manner as to be capable of deforming elastically under the effect of such compression.

9. A device according to claim 5, wherein the drive rod is hollow and has a circularly cylindrical top portion.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises a body made as a single piece having two ends and having between these two ends a constriction serving as a seat for said plug prior to the components being mixed together.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said receptacle body is made by injection blow-molding.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said receptacle body is made by injection blow-molding using PVC.

13. A device according to claim 10, wherein said receptacle body is made by coextrusion blow-molding.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said receptacle body is made by molding coextruded PE/EVOH/PE material.

15. A device according to claim 10, wherein said plug has a shoulder shaped to bear axially against the constriction through which the two compartments communicate.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle has two ends and wherein these ends are both open prior to the receptacle being filled.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein said drive member is externally in the form of a cover having a top and that snap-fastens onto the receptacle, wherein said cover is provided with a unique central aperture at its top through which said dispenser endpiece moves during rotation of the drive member, said closure means extending at least partly inside said drive member in said initial position and said closure means extending outside said drive member after the two compartments have been put into communication by the rotation of said drive member.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said cover snap-fastens on a rim formed at the end of the top compartment of the receptacle, adjacent to said constriction.

19. A device according to claim 17, including one portion in relief placed on the dispenser endpiece so that when said portion in relief sasses said aperture it clicks audibly, thereby informing a user that the dispenser endpiece has finished its stroke.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein said closure means is formed by an internally threaded cap.