Containers and methods for isolating liquids prior to dispensing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A container for isolating a first liquid and a second liquid prior to dispensing, the container comprising:
- a first, squeezable enclosed body for containing the first liquid and having a first body access opening;
a second, squeezable enclosed body for containing the second liquid and having a second body access opening, the second body access opening being adjacent to the first body access opening;
a common cap secured to at least one of the first and second bodies, the common cap having a dispensing aperture;
an insert positioned between the access openings of the first and second bodies and the common cap, the insert defining a dispensing path having an upstream entrance in fluid communication with the first and second body access openings and a downstream exit in fluid communication with the dispensing aperture; and
a valve moveable, in response to the first and second enclosed bodies being squeezed, from a closed position blocking flow from both the dispensing path and through the dispensing aperture and isolating the first and second liquids upstream of the valve to an open position permitting flow through both the dispensing path and the dispensing aperture to dispense the first and second liquids from the container;
wherein the valve is a flexible diaphragm moveable, in response to the first and second enclosed bodies being squeezed, from the closed position to the open position;
wherein the flexible diaphragm includes a plate portion including one or more slits that form one or more flaps in the flexible diaphragm; and
wherein a mixing chamber is disposed upstream of the valve when the valve is in the open position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A container (100) for isolating first and second fluids, such as beverage concentrate components, until dispensing is provided, as well as methods of assembly and dispensing. The container can have first (111) and second (113) enclosed bodies for containing the first and second fluids to be dispensed and an insert (130) directing fluid from the enclosed bodies towards one or more valves or separate discharge paths (148a, 148b).
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A container for isolating a first liquid and a second liquid prior to dispensing, the container comprising:
-
a first, squeezable enclosed body for containing the first liquid and having a first body access opening; a second, squeezable enclosed body for containing the second liquid and having a second body access opening, the second body access opening being adjacent to the first body access opening; a common cap secured to at least one of the first and second bodies, the common cap having a dispensing aperture; an insert positioned between the access openings of the first and second bodies and the common cap, the insert defining a dispensing path having an upstream entrance in fluid communication with the first and second body access openings and a downstream exit in fluid communication with the dispensing aperture; and a valve moveable, in response to the first and second enclosed bodies being squeezed, from a closed position blocking flow from both the dispensing path and through the dispensing aperture and isolating the first and second liquids upstream of the valve to an open position permitting flow through both the dispensing path and the dispensing aperture to dispense the first and second liquids from the container; wherein the valve is a flexible diaphragm moveable, in response to the first and second enclosed bodies being squeezed, from the closed position to the open position; wherein the flexible diaphragm includes a plate portion including one or more slits that form one or more flaps in the flexible diaphragm; and wherein a mixing chamber is disposed upstream of the valve when the valve is in the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification