MXPA98004602A - Packing distributor of dua cameras - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure, characterized in that it comprises: a first portion of plastic having an integral means thereon for coupling the dual outputs of a dual chamber plastic container, a second portion of plastic connected to the first portion by an integral hinge, the first portion of the closure defining a peripheral wall, and having butt joint surfaces for coupling the surfaces surrounding the outlets of a container, the abutting surfaces of the first portion of the closure engage the surfaces of a container having an integral sealing means, the first portion and the second portion having abutting surfaces, and an integral interconnect sealing means, on the butt joint surfaces in the first portion and the second portion

Description

PACKAGING DISTRIBUTOR OF DUAL CHAMBERS FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to dual chamber packages and particularly to dual distributor packages including a closure.

BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the distribution of various products, it has been common to have dual chamber packages that may consist of plastic containers, side by side, plastic tubes, or a plastic container having dual chambers. In order to provide closures for these packages, it has been proposed to use separate threaded closures for each chamber, or closures with adapters. To date, it has been suggested that two flexible tubes can be put together to form a dual hose package, as shown for example in US Pat. Nos. 3,782,600, 4,687,663, 5,052,590, 5,244,120, 5,269,441 and 5,318,203. . Patent No. 5,318,203 discloses the concept of using flexible, hollow, elongated tubes, each of which has one end REF: 27703 upper and a lower end, where the upper end is D-shaped in its cross section. The upper ends of the tubes are joined to a coupling that joins a distribution base. The coupling has two outlet holes, one for each tube. The distribution base includes two nozzles that are inserted in the two holes. In the copending application Serial No. 08 / 707,564, filed on September 4, 1996, which has a common transferee with the present application, the dual-tube flexible tubes distributor packaging comprises two and substantially identical tubes that are images in the mirror with each other. Each tube includes a rigid finished means, a rigid shoulder means and a flexible tubular body extending from the shoulder. The cross sections of the finished means, the raised middle and the body of each tube are D-shaped, such that each has a flat portion and all the flat portions are in an individual plane. The two tubes have the flat portions in an abutting relationship with each other, such that the dual tube packing has a termination defined by the two finished means, a shoulder defined by the two raised means and a body of dual cameras defined by the two bodies of flexible tubes. The threads in the finished means are located therein such that when the two tubes are put in a butt-joint relationship, a continuous thread is formed in the finish. The resulting dual-tube hoses are then filled with the respective viscous materials and the open ends are sealed to finish the packing. In another form of the dual chamber dispensing package, each tube has a plurality of integral ribs, vertically spaced, which extend transversely. The ribs in the tubes are staggered relative to the ribs in the other tube so that when the tubes are put into engagement, the ribs in a tube attach the ribs in the tube and the first portions of the ribs are in butt joint . Each rib is convex outward when viewed in the cross section. Each tube of dual-tube flexible tube dispenser gaskets is formed by providing a plastic parison (hollow balloon), each parison is blow molded to form a vessel having a rigid finished medium, a rigid shoulder means adjacent to the vessel. finished and a flexible body extending from the shoulder to a lower, closed, rigid end. The closed, rigid end of each container is cut to produce the two tubes. The flat portions of the two tubes are then placed in a butt-joint relationship so that when the flat walls of the two tubes are in a butt-joint relationship, the thread in the finished medium in a tube forms a continuous thread with the middle thread finished in the other tube. This results in the distributor of flexible tubes, dual cameras. The complete configurations of the cross section of the shoulder and the flexible body are generally oval with the main axis at ninety degrees to the flat butt joint portions. In US Patents Nos. ,020,694, 5,289,949, 5,318,203, 5,332,124 and 5,335,827 dual dispenser packages are described wherein a pump-type package has a dual dispensing nozzle with an hinged hinged closure which is sealed by seals similar to a stopper. Among the objects of the invention are to provide a closure that is easily applied to form a dual dispenser package and provides access to the two chambers by individual movement of the closure opening; wherein the closure provides a seal without the need for resilient or plug seals; wherein the closure can be easily applied by a fast action; dual chamber flexible tube dispenser packaging that includes a quick-release closure; packaging that includes integral seals; and packaging that includes an articulated lid with hinge and integral seals. According to the invention, the dual chamber packing comprises dual chambers having outlets and a common wall between the outlets. The closure comprises a first portion that is quickly put into position at the outlets and a second portion hinged to the first portion and which provides a cover that closes the outlets. Each outlet has a top surface with an annular groove. The second closure portion includes complementary annular ridges that engage the grooves and provide a seal. The second portion of the closure preferably includes an outer flange that engages a shoulder on the first closure portion. Each outlet further includes an annular wall having an annular rim on the outer surface thereof which engages by rapid action with an inner annular rim in the annular wall of the first portion of the closure. According to the invention, the dual-chamber flexible tube dispenser package comprises two substantially identical tubes which are mirror images of each other, except for the finished ones. Each tube includes a rectangular, rigid finish, a rigid shoulder means, and a flexible tubular body extending from the shoulder. The cross sections of the raised means and the body of each tube are D-shaped, such that each has a flat portion and all the flat portions are in an individual plane. The two tubes have the flat portions in an abutting relationship with each other, such that the dual tube packing has a termination defined by the two rectangular terminations, a shoulder defined by the two raised means and a dual chamber body defined by the two bodies of flexible tubes. A closure is provided having a first portion that is compressed over the two rectangular butt-joining terminations and the second hinged-hinged portion to the first portion. Integral seals are provided between the first portion and the rectangular ends and the integral seals are provided between the second portion and the first portion. The resulting dual-tube hoses are then filled with respective viscous materials and the open ends are sealed to finish the packing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dual chamber flexible tube dispenser package embodying the invention, prior to filling.

The Figure is a view in elevation, frontal.

Figure 3 is an elevation, side view.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the filled package.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the upper part.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional, fragmentary view, taken along line 7-7 in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the package with the closure in the open position.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the upper part of the package shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 in Figure 10.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 in Figure 10.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one of the packaging chambers.

Description of the Preferred Modality For purposes of illustration, the dual-distribution closure is described with a dual-tube flexible hose distributor package. With reference to Figures 1-15, the packaging The distributor of flexible tubes, of dual chambers incorporating the invention, comprises two plastic tubes 22, 24 which are in abutting relation to each other. Each tube 22, 24 is an image in the mirror of the other, as described below. Each tube 22, 24 includes a rigid, rectangular, terminated 26, 28, a rigid, integral shoulder 30, 32, and a flexible body 34, 36, thin, integral, respectively. The finish 26, 28, the shoulder 30, 32 and the body 34, 36 of each tube 22, 24 have flat surfaces that abut against each other. Each termination 26, 28 is rectangular in cross section and includes a flat portion 38, 40 and integral interconnecting walls extending from the ends of the flat wall portions 38, 40 to define rectangular openings in each finish 26, 28 , respectively. Each shoulder portion 30, 32 includes a flat portion 46, 48 and an arcuate portion 50, 52, respectively. As shown in Figures 1-3 and 5, the lower end of each body 22, 24 is opened to provide access for the filling of the tubes 22, 24. A medium is provided on the outside of the finished medium 36, 38 for interconnect a closure, as described further. Similarly, when the finished means 26, 28 are in a butt joint relationship, the flat portions 38, 40 form a double wall. When the shoulder portions 30, 32 are in abutting relationship, the flat portions 46, 48 define a double wall. The flat wall portions 58, 60 are also in a butt joint relationship to define a double wall. Each of the tubes 22, 24 is made from a parison (hollow globe) of plastic and is blow molded according to well-known procedures to form a hollow container and then cut to provide the respective tube. Blow molding is by any of the well-known blow molding methods, such as extrusion blow molding, extrusion blow molding and injection and injection molding of a parison and blow molding of the parison. In each, a parison (hollow globe) is formed and blow molded. The preferred methods are blow molding with extrusion and extrusion blow molding and injection molding. The containers and the resulting tubes 22, 24 are made of parison monolayer or parison of several layers depending on the viscous materials to be packed. A plastic, monolayer, satisfactory parison is made of linear, low density polyethylene. A satisfactory multilayer plastic extruded parison is one that has an inner layer of low density polyethylene; a layer of adhesive; a layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol; a layer of adhesive; and a re-sharpening layer of only low density polyethylene container; and an outer layer of low density polyethylene alone or mixed with high density polyethylene and colorant. Preferably, the two tubes 22, 24 of the dual tube dispensing package are provided with an interconnecting means to prevent relative movement with respect to one another when put together. This means includes the flat portions 58, 60 of each tube body 34, 36 that are provided with a plurality of integral r100., vertically spaced that extend transversely. The ribs 100 in one tube are staggered relative to the ribs 100 in the other tube, so that when the tubes are put into engagement, the ribs 100 in one tube engage the ribs 100 in the other and the flat portions 46, 48 of the shoulder 30, 32, respectively, are in union with the stop. Each rib 100 is convex outward when viewed in the cross section. Preferably, the tubes are put into engagement and maintained in assembled relation by the closure, as will be described later. Additionally, according to the invention and with reference to Figures 2-13, a closure 110 is applied to the assembled tubes and comprises a first portion 112 of the closure that is quickly put on the assembled finishes 26, 28, respectively, and a second portion 114 joined to the first portion by integral hinges 116. Integral interconnection means are provided between the upper surface 118 of each termination 26, 28 and the first portion 112 and comprise a rectangular slot 120, 122 in each termination 26, 28 which are coupled by a complementary rib 124, 126 on the underside of the base wall 128 of the first closure portion 114. The first closure portion 114 also includes a peripheral wall portion 130 extending from the base wall 128 and includes the peripheral edge 132 on the inner surface thereof engaging the U-shaped peripheral edges 134, 136 in the terminations 26, 28, respectively. The base wall 128 comprises diametral, spaced apart walls 138, 140, which define in part the ribs 124, 126. The second closure portion 114 includes a base wall 142 and a peripheral, rectangular wall 144. A straight groove 146 is provided in the bottom part of the base wall 142 and seals a straight rib 148 in the base wall 128 of the first closure portion 112. Preferably, the hinge between the closure portions 112, 114 is of the type shown in FIG. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,638,916 and 5,489,035 incorporated herein by reference. The packing is inverted and filled and then the lower ends of the tubes are compressed together and sealed as in 150 to form a filled packing. The dual dispensing closure embodying the invention can also be applied to a dual dispensing container comprising dual bottles with flat butt-joint walls. It is also applicable to a dual chamber vessel having a single wall in place of the two butt joint walls between the two chambers. The individual wall will contain the two slots coupled by the ribs 126. In this way, it can be seen that a dispenser package has been provided which includes a closure that is easily applied and provides access to the two chambers by individual movement of the closure opening; wherein the closure provides a seal without the need for resilient seals; wherein the closure can be easily applied by a fast action; a flexible, dual tube package that will effectively segregate active ingredients in the respective tubes; which is manufactured more easily; that is more easily filled; and that it seals more easily.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (19)

1. A closure, characterized in that it comprises: a first portion of plastic having an integral means thereon for coupling the dual outputs of a plastic container of dual chambers, a second portion of plastic connected to the first portion by an integral hinge, the first portion of the closure defining a peripheral wall, and having butt-joining surfaces for coupling the surfaces surrounding the outlets of a container, the abutting surfaces of the first portion of the closure for coupling the surfaces of a container that they have an integral sealing means, the first portion and the second portion having abutting surfaces, and an integral interconnect sealing means, on the abutting surfaces in the first portion and the second portion.

2. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing means in the first portion that abuts the second portion comprises a rib means, in one of the first portion and the second portion and a complementary slot means in the other of the first portion and the second portion.

3. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the integral sealing means in the first portion for coupling a container comprises a peripheral rib means in the first portion.

4. The closure according to claim 3, characterized in that the peripheral wall in the first portion is rectangular and the peripheral rib means in the first portion is rectangular.

5. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that a peripheral portion of the second portion is compressed on the first portion.

6. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the first portion of the closure and the second portion of the closure includes a rib means of closed, diametrically extending, complementary, and a slot means on the abutting surfaces.

7. The closure according to claim 6, characterized in that the diametral portion of the first portion comprises integral dual walls that support the rib means for coupling the dual outputs of the container.

8. The closure according to claim 7, characterized in that the peripheral wall of the second proportion comprises dual, integral walls.

9. The closure in accordance with any of the claims in a dual-chamber package, characterized in that it comprises: a plastic container means comprising dual chambers to contain products to be distributed by pressure, each chamber that tier.e an outlet, the outlet that are in a side-by-side relationship, each outlet having a peripheral wall, a common wall means between the outlets defined by the portions of the peripheral walls, the peripheral walls having a sealed, lateral, rounded, raised surface , on which the closure is received with the sealing means on the abutting surface in sealing coupling of the outlet.

10. The dual chamber packaging according to claim 9, characterized in that each outlet comprises a sealing means for sealing the coupling with the sealing means in the closure.

11. The dual chamber distributor packaging according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the plastic container means, comprises: a pair of plastic tubes, each tube comprising a rigid finish, a shoulder adjacent the finish and a flexible body , thin that extends from the shoulder, the finished, the shoulder and the body of each flexible tube that have a generally flat wall and an integral interconnecting wall that extend from the flat wall, the flat walls that are in a relationship of union to the top to define the means of common wall, and the endings that define the outputs.

12. The dual chamber distributor packaging according to claim 11, characterized in that the shoulder and the body of each flexible tube are in general D-shaped in their cross section, each end being generally rectangular.

13. The dual chamber distributor packaging according to claim 12, characterized in that the integral sealing means comprises a groove means in one of the closure and the finish, and a complementary rib means in the other of the closure and the finish.

14. The dual chamber packaging according to claim 13, characterized in that the outlets in the container, and the peripheral walls in the first and the second portions of the closure are rectangular in cross section.

15. The method for producing a dual chamber package, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: forming a plastic container comprising dual chambers to contain products to be distributed by pressure, forming each chamber having an outlet, placing the outputs in a side-by-side relationship, to define a peripheral wall surrounding the outlets and a common wall between the outlets, forming the peripheral wall with a sealing surface, lateral, rounded, raised, forming a plastic closure with a first portion and a second hinged portion to the first portion, forming the first portion with the first sealing means, integral, annular, dual, forming each outlet with the second integral, complementary sealing means coupled by one of the first sealing means, integral, forming the first closing portion with the third sealing means, integral, annular, dual, forming the second portion of the closure with the fourth to sealing means, integral, annular, dual coupling the third means of sealing, integral, annular, dual.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of forming the first sealing means and the third sealing means comprises forming a rib means and wherein the step of forming each of the second sealing means and the fourth means of sealing comprises forming a groove means.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the step of forming a common wall means comprises forming dual walls.

18. The method according to claim 15, 16 or 17, characterized in that the step of forming the container comprises: forming a pair of plastic tubes, forming each tube with a rigid finish, a shoulder adjacent to the finished and a flexible, thin body extending from the shoulder, forming the finished, the shoulder and the body of each flexible tube having a generally flat wall and an integral interconnecting wall extending from the flat wall, placing the flat walls in a joint relationship butt to the common wall medium.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the step of forming each shoulder and the body of each flexible tube is such that they are generally D-shaped in their cross-section and each end is generally rectangular. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A dual chamber closure (110) and a dual closure chamber package (20) including dual chambers (22, 24) having an outlet and a common wall between the outlets. The closure comprises a first portion (112) that is quickly put into position at the exit toward a second portion (114) hinged to the first portion and which provides a cover that closes the outlets. Each outlet has a top surface (118) with an annular groove (120, 122). The first closure portion includes complementary annular edges (124, 126) that engage the slots and provide a seal. The second closure portion preferably includes an inner rim that encloses and couples an axial wall of the first portion. The second portion further includes an outer flange (144) that engages a shoulder in the first portion of the closure. Each outlet has a peripheral edge (134) on the outer surface thereof which engages by rapid action with an inner edge (132) in the annular wall of the first portion of the closure. In a way, the dual chamber package comprises a container formed by two substantially identical plastic tubes with D-shaped outlets. In another form, the container has rectangular outlets and may include two separate containers. In another form, the container is an individual plastic container with two chambers and two outputs from the chambers.