Device for separately storing at least two substances, for mixing them together, and for dispensing the mixture obtained thereby, and a method of manufacture

• US 5,884,759 A
• Filed: 06/23/1997
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEAL, DAVID R
• Application Number:
  US08/880,406
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 222/145.5, 222/145.1, 222/80, 206/222, 206/129, 206/219
• US Class Current: 206/222
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/2835 ruptured by a sharp element, e.g. a cutter or a piercer
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/2871 the plug falling into the main container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/2878 the element being a lid or cover seated on a passage between the auxiliary container and the main container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3211 coaxially and provided with means facilitating admixture

Abstract

The invention relates to a device enabling at least two substances to be stored separately, to be mixed together, and the resulting mixture to be dispensed, said device being of the type comprising a receptacle and at least one removable shutter suitable for separating, inside the receptacle, two chambers for respectively containing said substances prior to first use of the device, the device further including a pushbutton for moving on first use to cause said shutter to be removed or torn and to put the two chambers into communication with each other. The device comprises a gasket including a portion fixed to the receptacle and a deformable portion made of an elastically-deformable material suitable for deforming when the pushbutton is depressed so to accompany the movement thereof while simultaneously constituting a sealed barrier between the inside of the receptacle and the pushbutton.

Claims

1. A device enabling at least two substances to be stored separately, to be mixed together, and the resulting mixture to be dispensed, the device being of the type comprising a receptacle and at least one removable shutter suitable for separating inside the receptacle two chambers containing said substances respectively prior to first use of the device, the device further including a pushbutton for moving on first use to cause said shutter to be moved away or torn and the two chambers to be put into communication with each other, the device including a gasket comprising a portion fixed to the receptacle and a deformable portion made of an elastically-deformable material, suitable for deforming when the pushbutton is depressed so as to accompany the movement thereof, while continuing to constitute a sealing barrier between the inside of the receptacle and the pushbutton.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said pushbutton is connected to the receptacle via at least one bridge of breakable material for breaking on first use of the device.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said gasket is made out of a thermoplastic elastomer.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said deformable portion is in the form of a glove finger of transverse dimensions selected in such a manner that at least part of said deformable portion remains substantially in contact with the wall of the receptacle during displacement of the pushbutton.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said deformable portion is in the form of a bellows.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein one of said chambers is formed inside a chimney of the receptacle that is closed at one end by said shutter and at its other end by said gasket.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the pushbutton is mounted on the receptacle in such a manner as to be capable of being moved over a depression stroke greater than or equal to the maximum height of substance in said chimney.

8. A device according to claim 6, wherein said deformable portion has one end adapted to side in contact with the wall of said chimney.

9. A device according to claim 1, including means for retaining said pushbutton on the receptacle.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said pushbutton is secured to said gasket.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein said receptacle and/or the pushbutton have resilient tongues or catches capable of retaining the pushbutton after initial depression thereof.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said gasket ha s an end including at least one projection shaped to create a tear starter in the shutter or to exert thrust at a predetermined location on the shutter.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the pushbutton is shaped to exert localized thrust on a surface of small extent of the gasket.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the pushbutton is shaped so that during first use it causes said deformable portion to be deformed in such a manner as to form a pointed zone for striking the shutter.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is formed by assembling together a hollow body and an end portion including a base for fixing to said body and a cover fixed to the base and connected to the pushbutton prior to first use of the device via said at least one bridge of material.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said base, said cover, and said pushbutton are integrally molded as a single piece, the base being connected to the cover via a film hinge.

17. A device according to claim 15, wherein said shutter is constituted by a wall integrally molded with the base.

18. A device according to claim 15, wherein said shutter is fixed on the base.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein said shutter is constituted by an aluminum film heat sealed to said base.

20. A device according to claim 15, wherein said end portion projects from the outer surface of said hollow body to serve as an abutment or as a grip for the fingers of the user when the pushbutton is being depressed.

21. A device according to claim 1, wherein the substance contained in the chamber of the receptacle that is in contact with the gasket is a powder.

22. A device according to claim 1, wherein the depression stroke of the pushbutton is selected so as to create sufficient extra pressure inside the receptacle to enable a predetermined quantity of mixture to be expelled when the pushbutton is depressed.

23. A method of manufacturing a device for separately storing at least two substances, for mixing them together, and for dispensing the resulting mixture, the method comprising the steps consisting in:

making a hollow body provided with removable closure means at one end and open at another end;

making an end portion by integral molding, said end portion including a base and a cover connected together by a film hinge, said cover including a pushbutton connected to the remainder of the cover via at least one bridge of breakable material, said end portion including a chimney;

fixing or forming a removable shutter at one end of said chimney;

filling said chimney with a first substance;

applying a gasket onto said chimney and shaped to close said chimney;

applying the cover onto the base by pivoting about the axis of rotation of said film hinge;

filling said hollow body with a second substance via said open end; and

fitting said end portion on said open end of said hollow body.