US2753990A - Container - Google Patents

Description

y 1956 P. CHALFIN ET AL CONTAINER Filed July 2, 1953 INVENTORS PHILIP CHALFIN BENJAMIN CHALFIN, DECEASED BY ROSE CHALFIN,

ms ADMINISTRATRIX 71 771% 70 NEY CONTAINER Philip Chalfin, Eatontown, N. J., and

deceased, late of Philadelphia, Pa., administratrix, Philadelphia, Pa.

Benjamin Chalfin, by Rose Chalfin,

The present invention relates to a container. More particularly the invention relates to a container wherein it is desired to keep and maintain individual liquids separated and in separate compartments of said container under diiferent determinate pressures, and thereafter actively mix and unite said liquids immediately prior to their use by releasing the pressure in one of the compartments to allow the flow of liquid into said compartment from the other compartment.

In many instances, particularly in the chemical fields, it is necessary that two separate liquids be united to form a desired mixture. Heretofore separate containers were required wherein each of said liquids was separately stored and the liquid from one container would be poured into another container for mixing the separate ingredients. It is obvious that such method of forming desired mixtures is inconvenient. To this end it is an object of the present invention to provide a single container having two or more compartments and means between said compartments to permit the flow of one liquid into the other of said compartments whereby intimate mixing of the liquids can be accomplished. Where attempts have been made to mix or compound two liquids for use at some future time, it has been found that under storage conditions adverse etfects may take place after undue periods of storage time thereby decreasing the eifectiveness of the mixed liquid for its desired use. It has been found that certain ingredients can be maintained separately under storage for considerable periods of time but in cases of certain chemicals must be mixed together immediately prior to their use.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container whereby the separate liquids can be kept in separate compartments and the mixing of the two liquids can be accomplished immediately prior to use. It has been found that in some instances the mixing of two liquids is accomplished by merely pouring the liquid from one container into the liquid of another container and manually shaking the liquids together does not thoroughly and completely effect an intimate mixmre of the products. It is, therefore, another object of the invention to provide a container wherein the separate liquids are stored under pressure within the separate compartments so that when the liquids are combined the mixing will be accomplished under a condition where thorough and complete mixing of the two liquids is accomplished.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description to be read in View of the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, partly in elevation, showing the separate liquids within their compartments during time of storage;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the liquids immediately after they have been mixed together prior to use;

Figure 3 is a view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the valve means; and

" nited States Patent Figure 5 is another modification of the invention in cross-section, and partly in elevation.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a container 11 having two separate compartments 13, 15, said compartments being formed by a common wall 17 extending longitudinally throughout the length of the container.

Said compartments 13, 15 terminate, respectively, in neck portions 19 and 21, on which can be applied caps 23 and 25 respectively.

Located adjacent to the bottom of the container and extending through the common wall 17 is a one-way valve means 27 which, when in closed position, covers an opening 29 in the wall 17. The valve is so designed and positioned that it is normally held closed by the pressure of the liquid in compartment 13. The valve 27, as particularly shown in Figure 4, comprises an elongated body portion 28 and is made of a flexible material. The body portion 28 of the valve should be of sutficient size to cover the opening 29 when the valve is urged flush against the wall 17 as shown in Figure 1. The body portion 28 of the valve has a medially disposed transverse groove 32 on one surface thereof, whereby the body portion of the valve can be readily flexed as shown in Figure 2 and more fully explained hereinafter. Extending perpendicularly from the opposite surface of the body portion of the valve is a relatively short stem 33 terminating in a disc 34. The length of the stem portion is substantially the same as the thickness of the common wall 17. As shown in Figure 1 the valve 27 is held in position by the snug fit effected by the stem 33 through the opening 30. In all cases it is desirable that the valve 27 be composed of a material that will not be adversely affected by the liquids contained within the compartments; the material from which such valve is made will accordingly be dependent upon the composition of the liquids. I

In the utilization of the container, the following technique is practiced. With the valve 27 in closed position, which position it will assume due to its own weight and the spring-like quality of the material from which the valve is made, liquid A is introduced into the compartment 13 until the container is partially filled. With the valve 27 in closed position there is no possibility of seepage of the liquid A into compartment 15. The liquid is then subjected to a pressure of approximately 25 pounds and the compartment is then capped with the cap 23. Liquid B is then introduced into compartment 15 and subjected to a pressure of about 20 pounds. The compartment 15 is then capped with the cap 25. With the pressure maintained in compartment 13 being greater than that in compartment 15, the body portion 28 of the valve will be urged against the wall 17 thereby eifectively preventing the flow of liquid from one compartment to the other. Under such conditions the container can be stored indefinitely until ready for use.

When it is desired to mix the two liquids A and B, the cap is removed from compartment 13 thereby allowing the pressure to become normal therein. Since now the pressure in compartment 15 will be greater than that in compartment 13, there will be a surge of liquid through the opening 29 forcing the lower half of the body portion 28 of the valve away from the opening 29 as shown in Figure 2. Such sudden surge and violent agitation will cause a thorough intermingling of the two liquids within the compartment 13, and the resultant mixture is then ready for use.

In order to avoid any accidental opening of compartment 15 by removing the cap therefrom, it is suggested that the cap on compartment 15 be appropriately labeled, or with appropriate instructions set forth on the container proper. Another suggested method is to have the cap 25 of the irremovable type so that it cannot be taken oif when once placed in position.

In the modification shown in Figure the same basic principle is employed as set forth above in the construction of a bottle having three compartments wherein it is desired to bring together three separate liquids. In the device of Figure 5, the container '11 comprises three separatesections 31, 36 and 35, wherein 35 will be the mixing chamber maintained at a pressure greater than that of the other two chambers 31 and 36 respectively. Liquid can be poured into the compartment 35 through the neck portionofthe container as was accomplished above. Liquid can be poured into separate compartments 31 and 36 and maintained under a pressure smaller than that of compartment 35, through the entry ports 37 which can then be sealed by any appropriate means such as stoppers 39. The method of mixing the liquids is the same as was accomplished in the two-compartment container. By removing the cap from the bottle of the device shown in Figure 5 .the pressure is immediately reduced to normal and the resultantlgreater pressure within the separate compartments 31 and 36 will force the valves to open, permitting the flow of liquid from said compartments into the main mixing compartment 35 whereby the desired mixing is accomplished.

While there have been herein described what are to be considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, itzis obvious modifications may be made to the containers described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, while not shown, it is within the scope of the invention to provide a bottle or container having but one neck, such as the bottle of Figure 5, and having 'an inner wall dividing the bottle into two compartments. The lower portion of the wall is provided on one surface thereof with a one-way valve, such as the valve 27 supra, and a similar valve close to the top of the wall on the opposite surface of the wall. In such arrangement similar or different liquids can be introduced into the separate compartments and maintained under the same pressure. When the cap is removed the pressure in one compartment will decrease and the greater pressure inth'e second compartmentwill'force the liquid from said second compartment into the first compartment where thorough commixing will be eifected.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A liquid package comprising a container having first and second compartments with a'common vertical Wall therebetween, a communicating passage in said wall adjacent the bottom of said container, a one-way pressure valve in said passage controlling the flow of liquid from said first compartment to said second compartment, liquids only partially filling each of said compartments above the level of said passage under gaseous pressure, the pressure in said second compartment being greater than the pressure in said first compartment and both pressures being greater than atmospheric pressure, and means for venting said second compartment, whereby when the latter is vented the pressure in said first compartment will force the liquid therein into said second compartment.

2. A package .of the kind set forth in claim 1 wherein said one-way pressure valve comprises a flap in said second compartment which abuts against said passage and prevents the flow of liquid from the first compartment into the second compartment when the gaseous pressure in the second compartment is greater than the pressure in the first compartment.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED :STATES PATENTS 611,520 *Smith Sept. 27, 1898 1,700,623 -Bleecker Jan. 29, 1929 2,096;088 Copeman Oct. 19, 1937 2,512,694 Stout et al. June 27, 1950 I FOREIGN PATENTS 286,780 Germany Aug. 30, 1915

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