Double-chamber container

Abstract

Disclosed herein are dual chamber containers comprising an outer tube and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, the inner tube defining a hollow chamber for containing a first content, such as a viscous component, and an inner tube opening in communication with the chamber. A further hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube and the inner tube, the chamber being configured to receive a second content, such as a less viscous component, and defining an outer tube opening in communication with the further chamber. Further, the container includes a balance valve that is initially snapped between the inner tube and the outer tube and closes the inner tube opening and the outer tube opening. The balance valve is configured such that when the container is pressed from the outside, the balance valve can be jacked up by the first content and the second content, particularly the first content in the inner tube, thereby exposing the inner tube opening and the outer tube opening. According to the container disclosed by the utility model, the first content and the second content which are stored in the corresponding cavities of the outer tube and the inner tube can be simultaneously discharged out of the container by only manually extruding the container from the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a double-chamber container for dispensing fluids (e.g., cosmetic preparations). Background Art

[0002] Multi-chamber containers are widely used for dispensing fluids, such as viscous liquids, e.g., creams. Due to the nature of certain fluids containing two or more components, it may be desirable to initially store the various components of such a fluid in separate chambers of the container. Just prior to use, these components are expelled from the container by simply squeezing the container from the outside and then mixed into the fluid.

[0003] Double-chamber containers are known in the art and can be used to dispense different liquids from two separate chambers of the container. Figure 1A - 1C An example of such a double-chamber container is shown.

[0004] As shown, the double-chamber container 1' includes an outer tube 10' and an inner tube 20' positioned within the outer tube 10'. The inner tube defines a hollow chamber for receiving a first content (e.g., a viscous component). Another hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube 10' and the inner tube 20', and this other hollow chamber receives a second content, e.g., a less viscous component. The cross-sections of both tubes are circular, and the inner tube and the outer tube can be fused together at their bottom ends. Preferably, the inner tube is cylindrical while the cross-section of the outer tube is elliptical, such that the distance between the inner tube and the outer tube, particularly at the upper part of the container, is smaller than that of previous containers.

[0005] The outer tube 10' has a downwardly tapering outer tube body 11', an upwardly tapering outer tube neck 12', and a cylindrical outer tube nozzle 13'. Three outer tube openings 14' are provided in the outer tube nozzle 13' to communicate with the chamber of the outer tube 10'. As Figure 1C and 1D shown, the outer tube openings 14' are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, i.e., spaced 120 degrees apart from each other, and each outer tube opening spans a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

[0006] Similarly, the inner tube 20' has a downwardly tapering inner tube body 21', an upwardly tapering inner tube neck 22', and a cylindrical inner tube nozzle 23'. An inner tube opening 24' is provided in the inner tube nozzle 23' to communicate with the chamber of the inner tube 20'.

[0007] As Figure 1B shown in detail, the outer tube 10' and the inner tube 20' are joined together at their respective nozzles 13' and 23' adjacent to their respective openings 14' and 24'. For this purpose, the outer tube nozzle 13' and the inner tube nozzle 23' each narrow at their respective upper parts.

[0008] However, with this arrangement of the double-chamber container 1', it is difficult to ensure that the first and second contents stored in the respective chambers of the outer tube 10' and the inner tube 20' are simultaneously discharged from the container by manually squeezing the container 1'. The reason is that due to the space between the outer tube 10' and the inner tube 20' (which is best shown in Figure 1B and due to the lower viscosity characteristics of the second content in the outer tube, when squeezing the container 1' from the outside, especially when squeezing the upper part of the container 1', the squeezing force may not be sufficient to discharge the first content in the inner tube 20' from the container 1', and in the worst case, the squeezing force may not be directed to the inner tube 20' at all, so that an inappropriate amount of the first content in the inner tube is discharged from the container 1', or only the second content in the outer tube 10' is discharged from the container 1', which is not desirable.

[0009] The squeezing force can be increased so that when squeezing the container 1' from the outside, the squeezing force is directed to the inner tube 20'. However, in this way, the second content in the outer tube 10' may be discharged from the container 1' in excess, which is also not desirable.

[0010] There is a need for a double-chamber container that can eliminate or at least mitigate the above problems in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object of the present utility model is to provide an improved double-chamber container that is superior to the above-mentioned traditional double-chamber container and can ensure that the first content and the second content stored in the respective chambers of the outer tube and the inner tube are simultaneously discharged from the container by simply manually squeezing the container from the outside.

[0012] According to the present utility model, there is provided a double-chamber container comprising an outer tube and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube. The inner tube defines a hollow chamber for receiving a first content (such as a viscous component) and an inner tube opening communicating with the chamber. Another hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube and the inner tube, and this another hollow chamber is provided for receiving a second content, such as a less viscous component, and defines an outer tube opening communicating with the another chamber. In addition, the container includes a balance valve that is initially snapped between the inner tube and the outer tube and closes the inner tube opening and the outer tube opening. The balance valve is configured such that when squeezing the container from the outside, the balance valve can be lifted by the first and second contents (especially the first content), thereby exposing the inner tube opening and the outer tube opening. In particular, when a certain force (the force applied by the first content in the inner tube when squeezing the container from the outside) acts on the balance valve, the snap force of the balance valve snapped between the inner tube and the outer tube is overcome.

[0013] With this arrangement of the present utility model, by adjusting the snap force, it can be ensured that when the snap force is overcome, sufficient extrusion force is guided to the inner tube. In this way, only when sufficient extrusion force is guided to the inner tube to discharge the first content in the inner tube from the container can the balance valve be lifted. Therefore, by simply manually squeezing the container from the outside, it can be ensured that the first content and the second content stored in the corresponding chambers of the outer tube and the inner tube are discharged from the container simultaneously.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the balance valve has: a central portion that closes the opening of the inner tube; a beveled portion that tapers downward, snaps between the inner tube and the outer tube, and closes the opening of the outer tube; and a cylindrical portion that abuts against the inner wall of the outer tube, and these three portions are integrally connected to each other. Preferably, the central portion is flush with the beveled portion, and the cylindrical portion is disposed below the other two portions.

[0015] Preferably, the beveled portion has a tapered outer wall and a less tapered inner wall that abuts against the outer wall of the inner tube.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the central portion is connected to the beveled portion via a plurality of (e.g., three) radially connecting portions (e.g., in the form of webs), thereby defining three valve openings that will communicate with the opening of the inner tube when the balance valve is lifted. Preferably, the three valve openings are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, i.e., spaced 120 degrees apart from each other, and each valve opening spans a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the beveled portion is connected to the cylindrical portion via a plurality of (e.g., three) elongated ribs (e.g., in the form of spring ribs). Preferably, the three ribs are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, i.e., spaced 120 degrees apart from each other, and each rib spans a certain arc length in the circumferential direction. With the spring ribs, when the extrusion force is released, the balance valve can automatically rebound to snap between the inner tube and the outer tube again. Preferably, each of the ribs is configured in an S shape, where one end of the rib is connected to the beveled portion at the lower part of the beveled portion, and the other end of the rib is connected to the cylindrical portion at the middle part or the top part of the cylindrical portion, such that the middle part of the rib is not connected to the beveled portion or the cylindrical portion.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the outer tube has a cylindrical outer tube body, a tapered outer tube neck, and a cylindrical outer tube nozzle, and the outer tube opening is disposed in the outer tube nozzle to communicate with the chamber of the outer tube. Similarly, the inner tube has a cylindrical inner tube body, a tapered inner tube neck, and a cylindrical inner tube nozzle, and the inner tube opening is disposed in the inner tube nozzle to communicate with the chamber of the inner tube.

[0019] According to one embodiment, each of the outer tube nozzle and the inner tube nozzle is narrowed at its respective upper portion. The balance valve is positioned between the narrowed portion of the inner tube nozzle and the narrowed portion of the outer tube nozzle. With such an arrangement, it is possible to prevent the balance valve from falling off.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the taper of the tapered outer wall is set according to the ratio of the amount of the first content and the amount of the second content to be discharged from the container. In this way, the ratio between the amount of the first content and the amount of the second content to be discharged from the container can be adjusted to meet various requirements.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the inner tube and the outer tube are fused together at their bottom ends. Preferably, the inner tube is cylindrical while the cross-section of the outer tube is elliptical, such that the distance between the inner tube and the outer tube is small. With such an arrangement, when the container is squeezed from the outside, it can help to discharge the first content and the second content from the container simultaneously.

[0022] Details of one or more embodiments of the present utility model are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the specification, the drawings, and the claims. Description of the Drawings

[0023] For a better understanding, the present utility model will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1A is a top view of an example of a conventional double-chamber container in the art;

[0025] Figure 1B is Figure 1A a cross-sectional view of the container;

[0026] Figure 1C is a perspective view of an example of a conventional double-chamber container in the art;

[0027] Figure 1D is Figure 1C an enlarged view of the circled portion;

[0028] Figure 2A is a top view of an example of a double-chamber container according to the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 2B is along Figure 2A the line B-B of the cross-sectional view;

[0030] Figure 2C is Figure 2A a perspective view of the double-chamber container;

[0031] Figure 2D isFigure 2A Another cross-sectional view of the double-chamber container;

[0032] Figure 2E is Figure 2B An enlarged view of the circled portion of;

[0033] Figure 3A is Figure 2A A top view of an example of the balance valve of the double-chamber container of;

[0034] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 3A line A-A of;

[0035] Figure 3C is Figure 3A A perspective view of the balance valve of;

[0036] Figure 4A is a top view of another example of the balance valve according to the present utility model;

[0037] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 4A line A-A of;

[0038] Figure 4C is Figure 4A A perspective view of the balance valve of; and

[0039] Figure 4D is an enlarged view similar to that of the balance valve having Figure 4A of; Figure 2B ;

[0040] These figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For clarity, the drawings illustrate some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner, and not every component is labeled in each figure. In the drawings, like reference numerals identify like elements. Detailed Description

[0041] In the context of the present utility model, for convenience, directional terms such as "top", "radial", "circumferential", etc. are used with reference to the orientations depicted in the figures.

[0042] Figure 2A - 2C Shows an example of the double-chamber container 1 according to the present utility model.

[0043] As shown in the figure, the double-chamber container 1 also includes an outer tube 10 and an inner tube 20 positioned within the outer tube 10. The inner tube defines a hollow chamber for accommodating a first content, such as a viscous component. Another hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20, and this other hollow chamber accommodates a second content, such as a less viscous component. The inner tube is cylindrical, while the cross-section of the outer tube is elliptical, and the inner tube and the outer tube are fused together at their bottom ends, as Figure 2C and 2D shown.

[0044] As Figure 2C shown, the outer tube 10 has a cylindrical outer tube body 11, a tapered outer tube neck 12, and a cylindrical outer tube nozzle 13. An outer tube opening 14 is provided in the outer tube nozzle 13 to communicate with the chamber of the outer tube 10.

[0045] As Figure 2B shown, the inner tube 20 has a cylindrical inner tube body 21, a tapered inner tube neck 22, and a cylindrical inner tube nozzle 23. An inner tube opening 24 is provided in the inner tube nozzle 23 to communicate with the chamber of the inner tube 20. In addition, as shown in the figure, each of the outer tube nozzle 13 and the inner tube nozzle 23 narrows at its respective upper portion.

[0046] Figure 2E Shown, the container 1 further includes a balance valve 30. The balance valve 30 snaps between the inner tube 10 and the outer tube 20 and closes the inner tube opening 14 and the outer tube opening 24. Generally, the balance valve 30 is configured such that when the container 1 is squeezed from the outside, the balance valve 30 can be lifted by the first and second contents (especially the first content in the inner tube), thereby exposing the inner tube opening 14 and the outer tube opening 24.

[0047] Figure 3A - 3C A detailed example of the balance valve 30 is shown. The balance valve 30 is positioned between the narrowed portion of the inner tube nozzle 13 and the narrowed portion of the outer tube nozzle 23 (see Figure 2D ).

[0048] The balance valve 30 has: a central portion 31 that closes the inner tube opening 24 (see Figure 2D ); a beveled portion 33 that tapers downward, snaps between the inner tube 10 and the outer tube 20, and closes the outer tube opening 14 (see Figure 2D ); and a cylindrical portion 35 that abuts against the inner wall of the outer tube 10 (see Figure 2D ), and these three portions are integrally connected to each other.

[0049] As Figure 3BAs shown, the central portion 31 is flush with the beveled portion 32, and the cylindrical portion 33 is positioned below the central portion 31 and the beveled portion 32. The beveled portion 32 has a tapered outer wall and a less tapered inner wall that abuts against the outer wall of the inner tube 20. Further, the taper of the tapered outer wall can be set to correspond to the ratio between the amount of the first content and the amount of the second content to be discharged from the container.

[0050] As Figure 3A shown, the central portion 31 is positioned radially inward of the beveled portion 33, spaced apart from the beveled portion 33, and connected to the beveled portion 33 only via three radially connecting portions 32 (in the form of webs), thereby defining three valve openings that will communicate with the inner tube opening 24 when the balance valve is lifted (see Figure 2D ). The three valve openings are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, i.e., spaced 120 degrees apart from each other, and each valve opening spans a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

[0051] The beveled portion 33 is positioned radially inward of the cylindrical portion 35, spaced apart from the cylindrical portion 35, and connected to the cylindrical portion 35 only via three elongated spring ribs 34. The three ribs 34 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, i.e., spaced 120 degrees apart from each other, and each rib spans a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

[0052] As Figure 3C shown, each of the ribs 34 is configured in an S shape, where one end of the rib 34 is connected to the beveled portion 33 at the lower part of the beveled portion 33, and the other end of the rib 34 is connected to the cylindrical portion 35 at the middle part of the cylindrical portion 35 such that the middle part of the rib 34 is not connected to the beveled portion 33 or the cylindrical portion 35.

[0053] Figure 4A - 4C Another example of the balance valve 130 is shown, which is designed similar to the balance valve 30, except that each of the ribs 134 is connected to the cylindrical portion 135 at the uppermost part of the cylindrical portion 135, such that the ribs 135 are flush with and coplanar with the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 135. In this case, as Figure 4D shown, the cylindrical portion 135 not only abuts against the inner wall of the outer tube, but also abuts against the step formed in the outer tube at the horizontal height where the cylindrical portion 135 is positioned.

[0054] In the process of use, when the user squeezes the container 1 from the outside, the second content in the chamber of the outer tube 10 will be pushed out towards the outer tube opening 14. However, due to the fact that the beveled portion 33 of the balance valve 30 is snapped between the inner tube 10 and the outer tube 20 at the corresponding narrowed portions of the inner tube 10 and the outer tube 20, and due to the tapered outer wall of the beveled portion 33 (which causes most of the components of the force exerted by the second content on the beveled portion 33 to point vertically towards the inner tube 20), the balance valve 30 will not be easily lifted by the second content and thus will not easily expose the outer tube opening 14 to allow the second content to be discharged from the chamber of the outer tube 10 through the outer tube opening 14 and out of the container 1. Instead, only when the squeezing force is sufficiently directed to the inner tube 20 such that the first content in the chamber of the inner tube 20 is pushed out towards the inner tube opening 24 and overcomes the snapping force, will the balance valve 30 be lifted by the first content, thereby allowing the first content in the inner tube 20 to be discharged from the chamber of the inner tube 20 through the inner tube opening 24 (which is exposed when the balance valve 30 is lifted) and the valve opening and out of the container 1. The lifting of the balance valve 30 also exposes the outer tube opening 14, thereby allowing the second content to be discharged from the outer tube opening 14. Therefore, the first content and the second content are simultaneously discharged from the corresponding chambers of the inner tube 10 and the outer tube 20 and out of the container 1. When the squeezing force is released, due to the elastic characteristics of the spring rib 34, the balance valve will return to its initial position, thereby closing the inner tube opening 24 and the outer tube opening 14 again.

[0055] Meanwhile, due to the structure of the beveled portion 33, when the second content in the outer tube 10 flows towards the outer tube opening 14, there will be a force component acting vertically on the beveled portion 33, thereby pressing the beveled portion 33 against the inner tube nozzle 23. In this way, the second content in the outer tube 10 can be prevented from flowing into the inner tube 20.

[0056] In addition, by adjusting the taper of the tapered outer wall of the beveled portion, the ratio between the amount of the first content and the amount of the second content to be discharged from the container can be adjusted, for example, 1:1, 2:1 or greater.

[0057] A comparison is made between the double-chamber container according to the present utility model and a traditional double-chamber container. Except for the balance valve, the traditional container has a design similar to that of the container according to the present utility model.

[0058] When squeezing the traditional container, the squeezing position is at the bottom of the container, which is the most effective position for squeezing. When squeezing the container according to the present utility model, the squeezing position is in the middle of the container, which is usually less effective but is a preferred position for the user. In habit A, the container is squeezed with a squeezing force of 5 N for 2 seconds. In habit B, the container is squeezed with a squeezing force of 8 N for 1 second. The results are listed in Table 1 as follows.

[0059] Table 1

[0060]

[0061] As shown in Table 1, according to an embodiment of the present utility model, each time the container is squeezed, the two components in the inner tube and the outer tube can be discharged from the container simultaneously. In contrast, according to traditional examples, the ratios are only 71% and 77% in Habit A and Habit B, respectively.

[0062] The embodiments of the present utility model described above illustrate a dual-chamber container for dispensing, for example, a cosmetic preparation. However, it should be understood that the present utility model can also be applied to dual-chamber containers for dispensing other fluids.

[0063] The present utility model has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show several embodiments of the present utility model. It should be understood that there are many different embodiments of the present utility model, and all of these embodiments fall within the scope of the present utility model defined by the appended claims.

[0064] List of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1’ Dual-chamber container

[0066] 10’ Outer tube

[0067] 11’ Outer tube body

[0068] 12’ Outer tube neck

[0069] 13’ Outer tube nozzle

[0070] 14’ Outer tube opening

[0071] 20’ Inner tube

[0072] 21’ Inner tube body

[0073] 22’ Inner tube neck

[0074] 23’ Inner tube nozzle

[0075] 24’ Inner tube opening

[0076] 1 Dual-chamber container

[0077] 10 Outer tube

[0078] 11 Outer tube body

[0079] 12 Outer tube neck

[0080] 13 Outer tube nozzle

[0081] 14 Outer tube opening

[0082] 20 Inner tube

[0083] Inner tube body

[0084] Inner tube neck

[0085] Inner tube nozzle

[0086] Inner tube opening

[0087] Balancing valve

[0088] Central part

[0089] Radial connection part

[0090] Beveled part

[0091] Elongated spring rib

[0092] Cylindrical part

Claims

1. A dual-chamber container, comprising an outer tube and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, wherein: The inner tube defines a hollow chamber for accommodating a first content and an inner tube opening connected to the chamber, and wherein an additional hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube and the inner tube, the additional hollow chamber is configured to accommodate a second content and defines an outer tube opening, which is connected to the additional chamber, characterized in that the container also includes a balancing valve, which is initially snapped between the inner tube and the outer tube and closes the inner tube opening and the outer tube opening, wherein the balancing valve is constructed so that: when the container is squeezed from the outside, the balancing valve can be pushed up by at least the first content in the inner tube, thereby exposing the inner tube opening and the outer tube opening.

2. The dual-chamber container according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a certain force acts on the balancing valve, the snapping force of the balancing valve snapping between the inner tube and the outer tube is overcome, the force being applied by the first content in the inner tube when the container is squeezed from the outside.

3. The dual-chamber container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The balancing valve comprises: a central portion, which closes the inner tube opening; a chamfered portion, which tapers downward, is snapped between the inner tube and the outer tube, and closes the outer tube opening; and a cylindrical portion, which abuts against the inner wall of the outer tube, and the above three portions are integrally connected to each other.

4. The dual-chamber container according to claim 3, characterized in that: The central portion is flush with the chamfered portion, and the cylindrical portion is positioned below the central portion and the chamfered portion.

5. The dual-chamber container according to claim 3, characterized in that: The chamfered portion has a tapered outer wall and a less tapered inner wall that abuts against the outer wall of the inner tube.

6. The dual-chamber container according to claim 3, characterized in that: The central portion is connected to the chamfered portion via a plurality of radial connecting portions, thereby defining a plurality of valve openings that will communicate with the inner tube openings when the balancing valve is lifted.

7. The dual-chamber container according to claim 6, characterized in that: The valve openings are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, and each valve opening spans a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

8. The dual-chamber container according to claim 3, characterized in that: The chamfered portion is connected to the cylindrical portion via a plurality of elongated ribs.

9. The dual-chamber container according to claim 8, characterized in that: The ribs are in the form of spring ribs.

10. The dual-chamber container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The ribs are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, and each rib spans a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

11. The dual-chamber container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The ribs are each configured in an S shape, wherein one end of the rib is connected to the chamfered portion at a lower portion of the chamfered portion, and the other end of the rib is connected to the cylindrical portion at a middle portion or a top portion of the cylindrical portion, such that the middle portion of the rib is not connected to the chamfered portion or the cylindrical portion.

12. The dual-chamber container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The outer tube has a cylindrical outer tube body, a tapered outer tube neck and a cylindrical outer tube nozzle, and the outer tube opening is arranged in the outer tube nozzle to communicate with the chamber of the outer tube, and the inner tube has a cylindrical inner tube body, a tapered inner tube neck and a cylindrical inner tube nozzle, and the inner tube opening is arranged in the inner tube nozzle to communicate with the chamber of the inner tube.

13. The dual-chamber container according to claim 12, characterized in that: The outer tube nozzle and the inner tube nozzle are each narrowed at respective upper portions thereof, wherein the balancing valve is positioned between the narrowed portion of the inner tube nozzle and the narrowed portion of the outer tube nozzle.

14. The dual-chamber container according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tapering degree of the tapered outer wall is set according to a ratio between an amount of the first content and an amount of the second content to be discharged from the container.

15. The dual-chamber container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The inner tube and the outer tube are fused together at their bottom ends.

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