Dispenser with two container and check valves
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2026/060802
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-04-14
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-22
Smart Images
Figure EP2026060802_22102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DISPENSER WITH TWO CONTAINER AND CHECK VALVES
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for dispensing liquids, and in particular an apparatus that dispenses a mixture of primary and secondary liquids. The secondary liquid is contained in a secondary container that can be detached from a primary container which holds the primary liquid.
[0004] Background of the Invention
[0005] Typically, products which feature a combination of multiple liquids (typically water and an additional ingredient) are sold in a pre-mixed format. These are typically sold in a single use container and contribute significant plastic waste to landfill or to the recycling stream. This is especially true of trigger spray systems which include a high mass of plastic and multiple components which are often of different materials, making them challenging to recycle and expensive to produce.
[0006] Recent regulatory changes have put pressure on manufacturers of trigger spray products to make them more easily recycled but this does not solve the problem of single use trigger sprays, as recycling still requires an energy input and plastic is known to degrade during the recycling process.
[0007] In addition, as city populations increase and housing costs increase around the world, people are frequently living in smaller accommodations with restricted storage availability. In relation to trigger spray products, it is not uncommon for a household to have as many as 15 different single use trigger spray products at any one time. While this highlights the scale of the plastic waste challenge, it is also an issue of how people can store these products in a smaller home.
[0008] Some consumers have sought to overcome the above challenges via non-technical means by removing trigger spray heads from containers and refilling bottles using concentrated ingredients. This poses a potential safety risk for consumers handling these undiluted materials and for either under- or over-diluting the product. Underdilution has obvious consequences when using harmful substances, but over-dilution can also pose significant issues in relation to products like disinfectants which require a certain ratio to be effective.In certain applications it is desired to dispense a mixture of two liquids, but it is necessary to keep the liquids separate from one another up until the time of dispensing. This may be to increase the shelf-life of the product or else to avoid a reduction in the performance of the product if its constituents are mixed and left for a prolonged period of time before being dispensed. It may also be a way of ensuring that a concentrated fluid (e.g. disinfectant) is diluted to an appropriate level before dispensing. It can also mean that the dispenser can be re-used if the containers holding the two fluids can be detached from one another.
[0009] Where fluids are to be mixed in this manner there will be a primary bottle or container holding a primary liquid (e.g. water). A detachable secondary container or pod, which is usually smaller than the primary container, holds a secondary liquid (e.g. concentrated flavouring) and is removably attached to the primary container and can be replaced when empty or when a different additive product is required.
[0010] A disadvantage of existing apparatus of this kind is that a small portion of the mixed liquids to be dispensed ends up remaining within the apparatus and may flow back into one, or both, of the primary and secondary containers, thereby contaminating the pure product(s) contained therein. In addition, if the secondary container is emptied of its contents a user may continue to inadvertently spray or dispense the primary liquid alone unaware that no secondary liquid is being mixed in. This can pose problems if the second liquid is safety critical. For example, if the primary liquid is water and the secondary liquid is a concentrated disinfectant, spraying pure water from the apparatus may give the user a false impression that a disinfectant spray is being issued from the apparatus. Furthermore, if the primary container is emptied then a user may inadvertently spray the contents of the secondary container undiluted, which may have safety issues in certain applications such as the disinfectant example above.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of these disadvantages with existing single- and dual-liquid dispensers.Summary of the Invention
[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus, comprising:
[0013] a primary container having a first internal volume configured to hold a primary liquid;
[0014] a secondary container having a secondary container outlet and second internal volume configured to hold a secondary liquid;
[0015] wherein the primary container further comprises a first dispensing conduit having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is in fluid communication with:
[0016] (i) a first check valve which allows fluid passage from the secondary container to the first dispensing conduit and prevents fluid passage from the first dispensing conduit to the secondary container; and
[0017] (ii) the first internal volume through a second check valve; and wherein the primary container has a first engagement configuration and the secondary container has a second engagement configuration which when engaged with one another selectively attach the first and second containers together such that the proximal end of the dispensing conduit is in fluid communication with the second internal volume through the first check valve located between the dispensing conduit and the secondary container outlet;
[0018] wherein at least one of the primary and secondary containers is configured such that when the first and second engagement configurations are engaged with one another, an air chamber separate from the first and second internal volumes is formed between the primary and secondary containers, the air chamber being in communication via an air passage with the exteriors of the primary and secondary containers, and
[0019] wherein an air check valve is provided in the secondary container, the air check valve configured to allow air from the air chamber into the second internal volume.
[0020] In one preferred embodiment the dispensing apparatus further comprises a manifold in fluid communication with the proximal end of the first dispensing conduit and the first and second internal volumes, and wherein the first and second check valves are located in the manifold.Preferably, the manifold further comprises:
[0021] a first manifold conduit having a first conduit end in fluid communication with the proximal end of the dispensing conduit, and a second conduit end in fluid communication with the second internal volume via the secondary container outlet; and
[0022] a second manifold conduit having a third conduit end in fluid communication with the first internal volume and a fourth conduit end in fluid communication with the first manifold conduit; and
[0023] wherein the first check valve is located in the first manifold conduit between the second conduit end and the second manifold conduit, and the second check valve is located in the second manifold conduit.
[0024] In an alternative preferred embodiment:
[0025] at least one of the first and second engagement configurations includes an engagement portion;
[0026] the secondary container outlet includes a secondary container check valve which allows liquid to leave the second internal volume through the secondary container outlet only when the secondary container check valve is open; and wherein the primary and secondary containers are configured such that when they are attached to one another the at least one engagement portion opens the secondary container check valve, such that liquid from both the first and second internal volumes can enter the first dispensing conduit.
[0027] Preferably, the primary container further comprises a manifold in fluid communication with the proximal end of the first dispensing conduit and the first and second internal volumes, and wherein the first and second check valves are located in the manifold.
[0028] Preferably, the manifold further comprises:
[0029] a first manifold conduit having a first conduit end in fluid communication with the proximal end of the dispensing conduit, and a second conduit end in fluid communication with the second internal volume via the secondary container outlet; and
[0030] a second manifold conduit having a third conduit end in fluid communication with the first internal volume and a fourth conduit end in fluid communication with the first manifold conduit; andwherein the first check valve is located in the first manifold conduit between the second conduit end and the second manifold conduit, and the second check valve is located in the second manifold conduit.
[0031] Preferably, the manifold has a first manifold end located in the first internal volume and a second manifold end acting as the engagement portion of the first engagement configuration.
[0032] Preferably, the manifold is threadably engaged within the primary container.
[0033] Preferably, the secondary container includes a second dispensing conduit having a first end proximate a bottom surface of the second internal volume and a second end in fluid communication with the secondary container outlet.
[0034] Preferably, the secondary container further comprises a removable closure which can be selectively removed for filling of the second internal volume.
[0035] Preferably, the first and second engagement configurations comprise first and second threaded portions which permit the primary and secondary containers to be threaded together.
[0036] In one preferred embodiment the dispensing conduit is a drinking straw and the distal end of the straw is open to permit a user to suck the contents of the first and second internal volumes up through the straw. Preferably, the proximal end of the drinking straw includes a flexible portion which permits the straw to pivot relative to the primary container.
[0037] In another preferred embodiment the dispensing apparatus further comprises a spraying head which is attachable to the primary container, wherein the distal end of the dispensing conduit is couplable to the spraying head.
[0038] Preferably, the dispensing apparatus further comprises an adjustable air inlet configured to control the flow rate of air entering the air check valve and second internal volume.Preferably, the adjustable air inlet comprises:
[0039] a plurality of air inlet apertures located on the exterior of the apparatus, wherein each air inlet aperture has a different cross sectional area and is in fluid communication with the air check valve; and
[0040] an adjustment member configured to selectively permit air to enter a specific one of the plurality of air inlet apertures.
[0041] Preferably, the plurality of air inlet apertures are located in a circumferential recess in the primary container and the adjustment member comprises a ring member which rotates within the recess, the ring member having a ring aperture which can be selectively aligned with one of the plurality of air inlet apertures.
[0042] Brief Description of the Drawings
[0043] Examples of a dispensing apparatus will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0044] Figure 1 shows a first example of a dispensing apparatus;
[0045] Figure 2 is a vertical section view through the dispensing apparatus of Figure 1;
[0046] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of Figure 1 in a detached state;
[0047] Figure 4 is a vertical section through the dispensing apparatus in the state shown in Figure 3;
[0048] Figure 5 is detail section view of the engagement between primary and secondary containers of the dispensing apparatus;
[0049] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of Figures 1-5 in a detached state;
[0050] Figure 7 is a vertical section through a second example of a dispensing apparatus in a detached state;
[0051] Figure 8 is a vertical section through the second example of the dispensing apparatus where a primary container of the apparatus is inverted;
[0052] Figures 9 and 10 are external views of a third example of a dispensing apparatus;
[0053] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the third example of the dispensing apparatus in a detached state;Figure 12 is a vertical section through a fourth example of a dispensing apparatus;
[0054] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the fourth example of the dispensing apparatus of Figure 12 in a detached state;
[0055] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a fifth example of a dispensing apparatus in a detached state;
[0056] Figure 15 is a vertical section through the fifth example of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 14 in an attached state;
[0057] Figure 16 is a vertical section through a sixth example of a dispensing apparatus in a detached state;
[0058] Figure 17 is a vertical section through the sixth example of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 16 in an attached state; and
[0059] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the sixth example of a dispensing apparatus shown in Figures 16 and 17 in a detached state.
[0060] Detailed Description of the Drawings
[0061] Examples of dispensing apparatus for mixing and dispensing two liquids will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, second and third examples of the apparatus are shown in Figures 1-11 and each includes a spraying head for dispensing the two liquids in a spray. A fourth example shown in Figures 12 and 13 takes the form of a drinks cup with a drinking straw, which again mixes two liquids as a user sucks the end of the drinking straw. Fifth and sixth examples of dispensing apparatus for dispensing two liquids are shown in Figures 14-18, which also employ spraying heads.
[0062] The first example of the dispensing apparatus 2 has a primary container 4 and a secondary container 60 which can be selectively attached to one another. In this example a spraying head 8 of a known type is releasably secured to a top end 5 of the primary container 4. Figures 1 and 2 show the apparatus with the two containers 4,60 attached together and Figures 3 and 4 show the containers in a detached state.
[0063] The internal arrangement of the dispensing apparatus 2 is shown in Figures 2 and 4. The primary container 4 has a first internal volume 10 defined by the top end 5, a bottom end or base 7 and at least one side wall 9. The bottom end 7 has a raised central portion 12 within which a threaded bore 14 is located. The threaded bore 14connects the first internal volume 10 to the outside of the apparatus 2 via the bottom end 7. The apparatus has a static or adjustable air return valve (not shown) selectively allowing air into the first internal volume from outside the primary container.
[0064] A manifold 16 is located at the bottom of the first internal volume 10. A threaded portion 18 of the manifold 16 has external threads which engages in the threaded bore 14. Consequently, when installed in the primary container 4 the manifold 16 fills the bore 14 and prevents the passage of any contents of the first internal volume 10 out of the bottom end 7 of the primary container. A gasket or O-ring 11 is provided on the exterior of the manifold immediately adjacent the threaded portion 18 so that a seal is formed between the manifold 16 and the bottom end 7 of the primary container 4.
[0065] A first or upper manifold end 20 projects upwards into the first internal volume 10 whilst a second or lower manifold end 22 projects downwards beyond the bottom end 7 of the primary container, as best seen in Figure 4. The manifold 16 has first and second valve conduits 24,26 formed therein. The first valve conduit 24 has a first conduit end 28 at the upper manifold end 20 and a second conduit end 30 at the lower manifold end 22 such that the first valve conduit 24 extends axially through the manifold 16. The second valve conduit 26 is in fluid communication with the first valve conduit 24 and extends transversely from the first valve conduit to the exterior of the manifold 16. The second valve conduit 26 has a third conduit end 32 on the exterior of the manifold 16 and a fourth conduit end 34 connected to the first valve conduit 24.
[0066] The first valve conduit 24 has a first check valve 36 located between the second conduit end 30 and the second valve conduit 26, and preferably adjacent the second conduit end as illustrated in the figures. The first check valve 36 is configured to allow liquid to enter the first valve conduit 24 from the second conduit end 30 and to prevent liquid flowing back out of the first valve conduit through the second conduit end.The second valve conduit 26 has a second check valve 38 configured to allow liquid to enter the second valve conduit from the third conduit end 32 and to prevent liquid flowing back out of the second valve conduit through the third conduit end.
[0067] The primary container 4 also houses a dispensing conduit or tube 40. A proximal or lower end 42 of the dispensing tube 40 is connected to the first conduit end 28 of the first valve conduit 24 in the manifold 16. A distal or upper end 44 of the tube 40 is connected to the spraying head 8. The spraying head 8 is of a known type and in the illustrated example it has a manually operated actuation mechanism comprising a trigger 50 and an adjustable spray nozzle 52. Alternatively, an automated spraying head could be used instead.
[0068] Referring to Figure 4 in particular it can be seen that the bottom end 7 of the primary container 4 includes a sleeve portion 46 which projects downwards from the bottom end. In the illustrated example the sleeve portion 46 is substantially cylindrical so as to match the cylindrical shape of the remainder of the primary container 4. The interior surface of the sleeve portion 46 has a first engagement configuration for attaching the primary container 4 and secondary container 60 to one another. In this preferred example the first engagement configuration is internal threads 48.
[0069] The secondary container 60 has a generally cylindrical or disc shape and has a second internal volume 62 defined by an upper surface 64, a bottom surface 66 and at least one side wall 68. In the preferred example illustrated the secondary container 60 comprises an upper part 70 and a lower part 72. The upper part 70 has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the lower part 72. As a result a ridge or step 74 is formed where the upper and lower parts 70,72 meet. An external surface of the upper part 70 has a second engagement configuration. In the illustrated example the second engagement configuration is external threads 76 which engages with the internal threads 48 inside the sleeve portion 46 of the primary container 4.
[0070] A secondary container check valve 80 is provided in a secondary container outlet 78 in the upper surface 64 of the secondary container 60. The secondary container check valve 80 is configured such that it prevents liquid contained within the second internal volume 62 from leaving the secondary container 60 unless the secondarycontainer check valve is open. A secondary dispensing conduit or dip tube 82 is located in the second internal volume 62 and has a first or bottom end 84 proximate to the bottom surface 66 and a second or top end 86 in communication with the secondary container check valve 80. The bottom end 84 of the dip tube 82 may be integrally formed, or in contact, with the bottom surface 66. If so, the bottom end 84 is provided with one or more slots or apertures 88 which permit liquid within the second internal volume 62 to pass into the bottom end 84 of the dip tube 82.
[0071] An air check valve 90 is provided in the secondary container so as to allow air to enter the second internal volume 62 and assist with the flow of liquid from the second internal volume when in use. An underside 13 of the bottom end 7 of the primary container 4 has at least one recess 15 which communicates with the exterior of the primary container and forms an air gap between the underside of the primary container and the upper surface 64 of the secondary container 60 when the secondary container is secured to the primary container.
[0072] This air flow arrangement for the secondary container is shown in more detail in Figures 5 and 6. It should be noted that the vertical section view shown in Figure 5 shows the same primary container 4 and components as seen in Figures 1-4, other than that the manifold 16 has a left-handed configuration compared to the right-handed configuration shown in Figures 1-4. In other words, the second valve conduit 26 is on the left side of the manifold 16 in Figure 5 rather than on right side as shown in the preceding figures. Either manifold configuration may be employed.
[0073] Referring initially to Figure 6, the lower sleeve portion 46 of the primary container 4 and the secondary container 60 are shown. It can be seen that one or more air passages 49 extend in the axial direction through the internal threads 48 within the sleeve portion 46 of the primary container 4. The, or each, air passage 49 is in communication with the recess 15. It can be seen in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 6 that the recess 15 comprises a plurality of radial portions 15B extending radially outwards from a central annular portion 15A, where the central portion 15A surrounds the lower end 22 of the manifold 16. The radial recess portions 15B communicate with the air passages 49, so preferably the number of radial recess portions 15B corresponds with the number of air passages 49 provided.When the secondary container 60 is fully attached to the primary container 4, the recess 15 and the upper surface 64 of the secondary container 60 define an air chamber 17 between the primary and secondary containers, where the air chamber is separate from the first and second internal volumes 10,62. There is a small gap 51 left between the bottom of the sleeve portion 46 of the primary container 4 and the step 74 on the exterior of the secondary container 60. External air can therefore flow through the gap 51 and up the air passages 49 in the internal threads 48 arriving in the recess portions 15A,15B. Air can therefore flow into the secondary container 60 from outside the apparatus via the air chamber 17 and air check valve 90 when liquid is drawn out of the second internal volume 62.
[0074] The, or each, air passage 49 can take other forms, for example the air passage 49 can comprise a bore through the lower sleeve portion 46 of the primary container 4, or the air passage can comprise a helical gap between the external thread of the secondary container 60 and the internal thread of the lower sleeve portion 46. The air chamber 17 may be of any suitable shape, or alternatively may simply comprise a passage which is in communication with, or is a continuation of, the or each air passage 49.
[0075] The air check valve 90 may be removable and act as a closure so that the second internal volume can be filled with liquid when the closure is removed. A removable closure separate from the air check valve may also be provided.
[0076] In the first example of the dispensing apparatus the spraying head 8 is shown as being threaded onto a neck of the primary container 4. However, the spraying head 8 could be integrally formed with the primary container 4. Even if it is not integral it is often undesirable to remove the spraying head 8 from the primary container 4. Consequently, an adapted version of the apparatus is proposed as a second example shown in Figures 7 and 8.
[0077] The vast majority of the features of the second example are shared with that shown in Figures 1 to 6. The sole addition is a removable plug or closure 98 in the bottom end 7 of the primary container 4. As shown in Figure 8, if the primary container is inverted and the plug 98 is removed the first internal volume 10 can be filled via a fill aperture 92 vacated by the plug. Hence the primary container can have a sprayinghead which is integral with the primary container or at least the primary container can be filled without removing the spraying head.
[0078] A third example of the dispensing apparatus is shown in Figures 9-11. As with the second example, the vast majority of the features and components of the third example are shared with the first example shown in Figures 1 to 6. Hence, shared components have been allocated the same reference numbers and will not be described again here unless necessary for the understanding of the third example.
[0079] In the third example of the dispensing apparatus an outer surface of the primary container 4 is provided with a rotatable ring 100 which sits within a circumferential recess 102 in the outer surface of the primary container. The ring 100 and recess 102 are adjacent the sleeve portion 46 or may be in the sleeve portion itself. As can be seen in Figure 9 the ring 100 is provided with a ring aperture 104 which connects the exterior and interior surfaces of the ring.
[0080] Figure 10 shows the recess 102 in more detail with the ring 100 removed purely for illustrative purposes. As can be seen, the recess 102 includes a plurality of recess apertures 106, where each of the recess apertures is of a different diameter. The ring 100 is configured to rotate within the recess 102 so that the ring aperture 104 can be selectively brought into alignment with each of the plurality of recess apertures as the ring is manually rotated by a user.
[0081] Referring now to Figure 11 one can more clearly seen the recess 15 in the underside 13 of the bottom end 7 which provide an equivalent to the air flow path described above in respect of the first example in Figures 1-6. This alternative air flow path includes a plurality of grooves or channels 108 which extend between a respective one of the recess apertures 106 and the recess 15. When the secondary container 60 is attached to the primary container 4 these channels 108 act as air passages between the recess apertures 106, the recess 15 and subsequently the air check valve 90 of the secondary container 60.
[0082] As a result of the aforementioned arrangement in the third example, the amount of air drawn into the second internal volume 62 when the second liquid is drawn out of the second internal volume can be varied by turning the ring 100 and aligning thering aperture 102 with one of the recess apertures 106. This allows the amount of second liquid being drawn out of the second internal volume to be varied, such that the ratio of the first and second liquids can be adjusted. A similar or identical arrangement may be provided in respect of the air check valve for the primary container. Consequently, the apparatus may comprise adjustable air inlets for the primary and / or secondary containers, such that the amount of liquid drawn from the primary and / or secondary containers may be varied as required.
[0083] A fourth example of a dispensing apparatus is shown in Figures 12 and 13. Components which are shared between the first, second and third examples are allocated the same reference numerals in Figures 12 and 13 and will not be described again in detail here.
[0084] The key differences between the fourth example and those preceding it is that in the fourth example the primary container is a drinks cup 100 without a spraying head, and the dispensing conduit or tube takes the form of a drinking straw 101. Hence, a distal end 102 of the straw 101 is open so that a user can suck the liquids through the straw. A proximal end 104 of the straw 101 is connected to the first conduit end 28 and includes a flexible portion 106, which permits the straw 101 to pivot within the first internal volume 10. The flexible portion 106 may take the form of a concertina as seen in Figure 12.
[0085] The manner in which the dispensing apparatus is used will now be described. Firstly, the first and second internal volumes are filled at least in part with primary and secondary liquids, respectively. The secondary container 60 and second internal volume 62 are typically smaller than the primary container 4,100 and first internal volume 10. As such, the secondary liquid is usually an additive or flavouring to be added to the primary liquid (e.g. water) just before it is dispensed.
[0086] Once both containers are filled and ready for use the secondary container 60 will be brought into engagement with the bottom end 7 of the primary container 4,100. As shown in the figures this engagement is preferably by way of a threaded connection between the two containers. As described above, the lower end 22 of the manifold 16 projects or extends downwards away from the bottom end 7 of the primary container within the interior of the sleeve portion 46. Consequently, as the twocontainers are engaged with one another the lower end 22 of the manifold 16 enters the secondary container check valve 80, forcing the secondary container check valve open.
[0087] With the secondary container check valve 80 open a liquid path is provided from the second internal volume 62 into the first conduit 24 and the dispensing tube 40 or drinking straw 101. Thus, when the trigger of the spraying head 8 is released, or a user sucks through the drinking straw 101, liquid will be drawn into the manifold 16 from both the first and second internal volumes 10,62. The two liquids will then mix in the first valve conduit 24 and dispensing tube / drinking straw before reaching the spraying head or a user’s mouth.
[0088] The first and second check valves 36,38 ensure that the mixed liquids cannot flow back into the separate first and / or second internal volume(s), contaminating the original liquids in one or both containers. In addition, these check valves ensure that if the second internal volume is empty only air will be drawn through the dispensing tube or straw as the first check valve upstream of the second internal volume will provide less impediment to fluid (air) flow from that volume than the second check valve does upstream of the first internal volume, where that volume still contains liquid. In this way if the apparatus is to spray a secondary liquid additive (e.g. disinfectant) in a particular diluted state it will not just spray the primary liquid (e.g water) without any additive. This ensures that a user of the apparatus does not mistakenly spray the contents of the primary container alone, which could result in the user mistakenly assuming they were spraying disinfectant as opposed to purely water, for example.
[0089] Figures 14 and 15 show a fifth example of a dispensing apparatus, which is in effect a modified version of the first example of the apparatus shown in Figures 1-6. Components of the apparatus which are shared with the preceding examples have been allocated the same reference numbers and will not be described again here in detail. Unless expressly stated otherwise, it should be understood that the components described in respect of the first example are also present in this fifth example even if some are omitted or unlabelled in Figures 14 and 15 for illustrative reasons.The primary difference between the fifth example and the first example is that the sleeve portion 46 of the primary container 4 and the upper part 70 of the secondary container 60 have smaller diameters than that of their respective containers. Consequently, the sleeve portion 46 is an inner sleeve and the primary container 4 further comprises an outer sleeve or skirt portion 47. When the secondary container 60 is attached to the primary container 4 an annular air gap is formed between the inner and outer sleeves 46,47. A bottom portion of the outer sleeve 47 is located adjacent the step 74 in the outer surface of the secondary container 60, with the air gap 51 formed between the two.
[0090] The other difference of note in the fifth example is seen in Figure 15, where the primary container is formed in two parts, where the bottom end 7 of the primary container 4 is formed separately from the remainder of the primary container. The manifold 16 is integrally formed with the bottom end 7, and the bottom end is attached to the upper part of the primary container, either by welding or a snap-fit connection.
[0091] The air check valve for the primary container is shown in Figure 15, and designated 110. The air check valve 110 is in the spraying head 8 and provided in a cap portion 99 of the spraying head. The cap portion 99 is provided with internal threads which allows the spraying head 8 to be screwed onto the neck of the primary container 4, which has corresponding external threads. The cap portion 99 is air- and liquid-tight but has a central aperture through which the distal end 44 of the dispensing tube 40 extends into the spraying head 8. When the primary and secondary liquids are sprayed from the apparatus the air check valve 110 allows air to enter the primary container through the cap portion 99. An air check valve of this kind may also be provided on the primary containers of the other spray dispensers described in this specification.
[0092] Figures 16-18 show a sixth example of a dispensing apparatus. As above, components of the apparatus which are shared with the preceding examples have been allocated the same reference numbers and will not be described again here in detail. Unless expressly stated otherwise, it should be understood that the components described in respect of the first example in particular are also present in this sixth example even if some are omitted or unlabelled in Figures 16-18 forillustrative reasons. For example, the spraying head and dispensing tube in the primary container would be present in the final apparatus even though they are not shown in Figures 16-18.
[0093] The primary difference between the sixth example and the preceding examples is that the engagement between the primary and secondary containers 4,60 is by way of a snap fit instead of a threaded arrangement. In this example the secondary container 60 has a cuboidal shape and the sleeve portion 46 of the primary container 4 has a corresponding shape so as to receive the secondary container. Projecting inwardly along one side of the sleeve portion 46 is a rib 150. The rib 150 preferably has a hemispherical profile, as seen in Figures 16 and 17 in particular. A first end face 59 of the secondary container 60 has a channel 61 which extends laterally across the end face. The channel 61 is configured to cooperate with the rib 150 so that when the end face 59 of the secondary container 60 is inserted into the sleeve portion 46 the rib 150 and channel 61 will engage with one another, as seen in Figure 16.
[0094] Projecting inwardly from an opposite side of the sleeve portion 46 is a tongue 160. The secondary container 60 has a second end face 63 at the opposite end of the secondary container from the first end face 59. A groove 65 is provided in the second end face 63 which is configured to cooperate with the tongue 160. As seen in Figures 16-18 the manifold 16, dispensing tube (not shown), dip tube 82 and associated connections between the primary and secondary containers need not be co-axial with a central axis of the apparatus. In Figures 16-18, these components and connections are radially offset from the central axis.
[0095] In operation, the first end face 59 of the secondary container 60 is inserted into the sleeve portion 46 of the primary container 4 and the channel 61 engages the rib 150 within the sleeve portion. This is the position shown in Figure 16. After the channel 61 and rib 150 are engaged, the cooperating hemi-spherical profiles of the two permit the secondary container 60 to be rotated upwards (anticlockwise in Figures 16 and 17) about the first end of the secondary container so that the second end face 63 enters the sleeve portion 46. As the secondary container 60 continues to rotate, the tongue 160 and groove 65 are brought into engagement with one another, securing the secondary container 60 to the primary container 4 via the sleeve portion46. This attached state is shown in Figure 17, where it can also be seen that the lower part 22 of the manifold 16 is pressing open the secondary container check valve 80. A circumferential seal (not shown), provided on either the secondary container or the sleeve portion, ensures an air-tight connection between the primary and secondary containers 4,60.
[0096] The second end face 63 of the secondary container 60 is configured to be resilient. Consequently, when the secondary container 60 is to be detached from the primary container 4 the second end face 63 can be pressed inwards, with the result that the tongue 160 and groove 65 disengage from one another and the secondary container can be rotated out of the sleeve portion in the opposite direction (clockwise in Figures 16 and 17) to that when the secondary container was attached.
[0097] In examples with a manual or automated spray head a universal spray head can be used thanks to the secondary container being attachable to the primary container. As various secondary containers can be swapped in and used there is no need for a variety of spray heads having bespoke or special features. Furthermore, such a universal spray head could in theory be used indefinitely, and could be manufactured from more robust and durable materials thereby improving the performance of the spray head.
[0098] Mixing the two liquids inside the dispensing conduit or drinking straw prevents cross contamination of the primary and / or secondary containers, and also offers flexibility in respect of the choice of dispenser - spray head or straw, for example.
[0099] Due to the configuration of valves and how the liquids are combined, the present invention allows for readily available, industry standard dip tubes (dispensing conduits) and trigger spray heads to be used in combination with the present invention.
[0100] Because the primary container is not contaminated, the secondary container can be interchanged with another, which could be filled with a different ingredient. This allows for a single trigger mechanism to be used for multiple different ingredients, reducing the need to store multiple trigger spray bottles and the need for single-use, disposable trigger sprays.The apparatus with the first and second check valves allows for a specific and consistent ratio of mixing between the primary and secondary liquids. This prevents user error contributing to inaccurate mixing ratios, i.e. under or over dilution, which could be harmful when using certain ingredients. The mixing ratio in the apparatus is independent of the fill volume of the primary or secondary container. Therefore, a secondary container could be sufficiently filled to allow for multiple refills of the primary container, further reducing plastic waste or recycling requirements e.g. a secondary container filled with a concentrated disinfectant could be the equivalent of 10 currently available single use trigger spray and bottle systems.
[0101] Due to the configuration of the two check valves, should the primary container run out of product (typically water), the concentrated ingredient in the secondary container will not be dispensed. This happens as the air from the empty primary container is drawn preferentially into the dispenser. This is a significant safety feature when dealing with concentrated ingredients such as disinfectants etc.
[0102] The user only needs to make sure that both containers have liquid, to ensure the product is not over diluted, and the system is configured to prevent the user from dispensing any under diluted product.
[0103] By providing the or each secondary container with a secondary container check valve the secondary container(s) can be stored without risk of their contents being spilled. The threaded or snap-fit engagement between the primary and secondary containers provides an easy way for the containers to be connected to one another. It also means that access is not required into the primary container when connecting the secondary container, further reducing the risk of any contamination of the primary liquid in the primary container.
[0104] Instead of a threaded connection between the primary and secondary containers the engagement configuration between the two may be a snap fit connection, for example.
[0105] Instead of being located on the primary container, the adjustable air inlet may be located on the secondary container itself. For example, the air check valve may be located on a side wall of the secondary container, and the secondary container itselfmay have the various air apertures and an adjustment member to selectively open a specific one of those apertures. The adjustment member may be a ring as in the illustrated example, but other options such as a sliding member arranged in the wall of the secondary container may also be used.
[0106] In the preferred embodiments described a second or bottom end of the manifold projects downwards so as to engage with the secondary container. Hence that second manifold end acts as an engagement portion forming part of the engagement configurations that ensure engagement between the primary and secondary containers. However, the present invention is not limited to an engagement portion that extends from the primary container and / or opens a check valve. The secondary container may have an engagement portion instead of, or in addition to, an engagement portion on the primary container. For example, a spring-loaded tube or conduit may project upwards from the secondary container outlet, where the tube is pushed against its spring by a part of the primary container when the secondary container is engaged with the primary container to open the secondary container check valve.
[0107] The secondary container outlet may not have a secondary container check valve and instead may simply be an outlet initially sealed for storage and / or transportation with a removable tab or seal. The seal can be manually be removed before the containers are engaged, or the seal may be punctured by an engagement portion of the primary or secondary container during engagement.
[0108] The secondary container may be a bag or other collapsible receptacle if the contents need to avoid contamination from air, for example. The secondary container may just be the bag alone or else the bag may be housed within an outer housing or casing. An air return valve is not required should the secondary container be a bag alone.
[0109] Instead of being threaded into the primary container the manifold may be bonded or welded into place. Alternatively, the manifold may be integrally formed with the primary container.Whilst the illustrated embodiments use air passages which extend through the internal threads in the sleeve portion of the primary container, the present invention is not limited to such an arrangement. Instead, the air passage may be within the internal threads themselves. For example, one of the internal threads may have a larger root to crest dimension than the other internal threads, thus forming a helical air passage through the internal threads.
[0110] Instead of having a variable air inlet to the secondary container, the apparatus may comprise a set of secondary containers where each container has a different sized air inlet and associated air check valve. The appropriate secondary container can then be selected in order to ensure that the contents of the container are delivered at the appropriate concentration ratio for mixing with water or whatever other liquid is held within the primary container.
[0111] Other modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
AMENDED CLAIMSreceived by the International Bureau on 08 September 2026 (08.09.26)CLAIMS:
1. A dispensing apparatus, comprising:a primary container having a first internal volume configured to hold a primary liquid;a secondary container having a secondary container outlet and a second internal volume configured to hold a secondary liquid;wherein the primary container further comprises a first dispensing conduit having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is within the first internal volume and in fluid communication with a manifold located at the bottom of the first internal volume, the manifold also being in fluid communication with the first and second internal volumes and comprising:(i) a first check valve which allows fluid passage from the secondary container to the first dispensing conduit and prevents fluid passage from the first dispensing conduit to the secondary container; and(ii) a second check valve which allows fluid passage from the first internal volume to the first dispensing conduit and prevents fluid passage from the first dispensing conduit to the first internal volume; andwherein the primary container has a first engagement configuration and the secondary container has a second engagement configuration which when engaged with one another selectively attach the first and second containers together such that the proximal end of the dispensing conduit is in fluid communication with the second internal volume through the first check valve located between the dispensing conduit and the secondary container outlet;wherein at least one of the primary and secondary containers is configured such that when the first and second engagement configurations are engaged with one another, an air chamber separate from the first and second internal volumes is formed between the primary and secondary containers, the air chamber being in communication via an air passage with the exteriors of the primary and secondary containers, andwherein an air check valve is provided in the secondary container, the air check valve configured to allow air from the air chamber into the second internal volume.
2. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the manifold further comprises:a first manifold conduit having a first conduit end in fluid communication with the proximal end of the dispensing conduit, and a second conduit end in fluid communication with the second internal volume via the secondary container outlet; anda second manifold conduit having a third conduit end in fluid communication with the first internal volume and a fourth conduit end in fluid communication with the first manifold conduit; andwherein the first check valve is located in the first manifold conduit between the second conduit end and the second manifold conduit, and the second check valve is located in the second manifold conduit.
3. The dispensing apparatus of either preceding claim, wherein:at least one of the first and second engagement configurations includes an engagement portion;the secondary container outlet includes a secondary container check valve which allows liquid to leave the second internal volume through the secondary container outlet only when the secondary container check valve is open; andwherein the primary and secondary containers are configured such that when they are attached to one another the at least one engagement portion opens the secondary container check valve, such that liquid from both the first and second internal volumes can enter the first dispensing conduit.
4. The dispensing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the manifold has a first manifold end located in the first internal volume and a second manifold end acting as the engagement portion of the first engagement configuration.
5. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the manifold is threadably engaged within the primary container.
6. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary container includes a second dispensing conduit having a first end proximate a bottom surface of the second internal volume and a second end in fluid communication with the secondary container outlet.
7. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary container further comprises a removable closure which can be selectively removed for filling of the second internal volume.
8. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second engagement configurations comprise first and second threaded portions which permit the primary and secondary containers to be threaded together.
9. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing conduit is a drinking straw and the distal end of the straw is open to permit a user to suck the contents of the first and second internal volumes up through the straw.
10. The dispensing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the proximal end of the drinking straw includes a flexible portion which permits the straw to pivot relative to the primary container.
11. The dispensing apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a spraying head which is attachable to the primary container, wherein the distal end of the dispensing conduit is couplable to the spraying head.
12. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing apparatus further comprises an adjustable air inlet configured to control the flow rate of air entering the air check valve and second internal volume.
13. The dispensing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the adjustable air inlet comprises:a plurality of air inlet apertures located on the exterior of the apparatus, wherein each air inlet aperture has a different cross sectional area and is in fluid communication with the air check valve; andan adjustment member configured to selectively permit air to enter a specific one of the plurality of air inlet apertures.
14. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plurality of air inlet apertures are located in a circumferential recess in the primary container and the adjustment member comprises a ring member which rotates within the recess, the ring member having a ring aperture which can be selectively aligned with one of the plurality of air inlet apertures.