Abstract:
The present invention generally relate to a delivery system for dispensing product(s) and in particular relates to a delivery system for dispensing multiple products wherein the delivery system selectively dispenses the multiple products using a single actuator having two directions of rotation on a single axis of rotation. The delivery system of the invention is economical in manufacturing and has a lesser cycle time during manufacturing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of Indian Provisional Application Ser. No.2571/DEL/2011, filed Sep. 7, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a delivery system for dispensing product(s). More particularly, the present invention relates to a delivery system for dispensing multiple products wherein the delivery system selectively dispenses the multiple products using a single actuator having two directions of rotation on a single axis of rotation. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Various types of dispensers have been developed for dispensing a plurality of fluid materials and many dual containers or multiple product packages are known in the art. A known means for dispensing two products involves the use of dual chambers placed adjacently in a container or a dispensing tube. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,107 to Brugger, discloses a proportioning dispenser for proportioning two components in an adjustable ratio. The products are supplied from the associated accommodating compartment each via a pump unit wherein the adjustment of the mixing ratio is effected by a transmission member, the point of application of which is adjustable with respect to the two pump units. The components are supplied to a common mixing chamber from where the mixture is conveyed to the dispenser nozzle. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,345 to Cistone et al. discloses a tube for dispensing two products simultaneously, and more specifically to a tube having two chambers formed from different materials. The body portion of the tube comprises of two adjacent chambers sharing a common wall wherein each chamber is in fluid communication with an orifice in the neck portion, and wherein the two chambers are formed from different materials. 
         [0008]    Various dual fluid cartridge assemblies are also known. Such dual fluid cartridges assemblies are known to be used to dispense fluid materials such as adhesives, which typically contain two components that need to remain separated and applied quickly after mixing. 
         [0009]    Attempts have also been made to provide a package that facilitates dispensing of two separate products for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,481 to Hundertmark et al., is disclosed a dual container system for two-component hair dye. It discloses that the user assembles the two separate containers at the time of use. The system is such that the second component from the second container is made to enter the first container; thereby permitting mixing of first component with the second component and the mix is dispensed out of the dispensing nozzle. 
         [0010]    Many of these prior art dual product dispensers described above and in general dispense the products after they are mixed in the dispensing or the mixer nozzle, or dispenses the mixture of products in adjustable quantities or at least two products in a user-defined ratio. A drawback associated with these kinds of packages is that such dual product dispenser does not allow the user to dispense only one product stored in the dispenser independently of the other product, thus forcing the user to use only the fixed or adjustable mixture of two products. In order to overcome these short-comings there were developed dual dispenser packages comprising a hollow barrel which consists of a first chamber and a second chamber containing the first and the second products respectively. The package may employ a push type dispensing or a screw type dispensing mechanism for each of its associated chamber storing the product. Generally each of these dispensing mechanisms include an actuator for each of its associated chamber, said actuators are connected to a barrel and both the actuators and the barrel are rotatably connected to each other. The drawback associated with this assembly is that the addition of two actuators in the dispensing package in order to allow the user to dispense one product independently of the another product, increases the complexity and cost of the dispensing device making it a less than desirable alternative. Further, since the number of parts is large, the manufacturing costs such as molding, assembly or the like is complicated and therefore it is desirable that a low cost be achieved. 
         [0011]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for a delivery system which has a dispensing mechanism for selectively dispensing the products stored in it while minimize the manufacturing costs and simplify the production process. The present invention therefore, is directed to a delivery system that uses a single actuator in dual dispensing mechanism assembly and delivers each of the multiple products independently and at the same time is cost-effective in manufacturability. Also, the delivery system of the present invention is smaller in size and easy to use by virtue of it being efficiently portable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    The present invention generally relates to a delivery system for dispensing product(s). More particularly, the present invention relates to a delivery system for dispensing at least two products wherein the delivery system selectively dispenses each of the at least two products using a single actuator having two directions of rotation on a single axis of rotation. 
         [0013]    According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a delivery system that is economical in manufacturing and has a lesser cycle time during manufacturing. The invention provides for a delivery system which is inexpensive to produce, require inexpensive tooling and inexpensive fabricating procedures. 
         [0014]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the delivery system for dispensing at least two products comprises an outer body, the outer body comprises at least two chambers, wherein each of the at least two chambers contains one of the at least two products; an actuator engaged with the outer body, wherein the actuator rotates around its radial axis in a first direction and a second direction, and wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction; and wherein the rotation of the actuator in at least one of the first direction or the second direction selectively dispenses one of the at least two products. According to an alternate embodiment, the actuator is capable of rotating around more than one of its axis in the first direction and the second direction, and wherein the rotation of the actuator in at least one of the first direction or the second direction selectively dispenses one of the at least two products. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the delivery system of the present invention comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber contain a first product and a second product respectively, and an actuator. 
         [0016]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and the second chambers are arranged in a series in a barrel or in a tube and are axially aligned to each other. Each of said chambers have a respective first piston and a second piston for discharging the first product and the second product respectively, wherein the actuator provides a linear force along the longitudinal axis of said chambers to displace each of the first piston and the second piston individually with respect to their respective chambers for discharging the products there from. The delivery system further comprises two motion converters. 
         [0017]    According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a delivery system comprising a first motion converter and a second motion converter which are configured such that when the actuator is rotated in a first direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise direction), the first motion converter is engaged with the actuator to allow linear movement of its associated first piston rod , which in turn causes the linear displacement of the first piston to discharge the first product stored in its associated first chamber. At the same time, the second motion converter will not engage with the actuator and thus no linear movement of its associated second piston rod will take place. In order to discharge the second product, the actuator is rotated in a direction opposite to the first direction in which the second motion converter gets engaged with the actuator to allow the linear movement of its associated second piston rod with respect to its associated second chamber. 
         [0018]    According to an embodiment of an invention the delivery system comprises two chambers for storing two products, two piston assemblies associated with the two chambers, and an actuator. The two piston assemblies further comprise two delivery screws, two pistons, two piston rods, two motion converters. Each of the pistons is disposed inside its corresponding chamber, and is operatively engaged with proximal end of its respective piston rod, such that the piston is linearly displaceable with respect to the chamber. Each of the piston rods is arranged to be engaged with its corresponding delivery screw and the motion converter so as to allow its linear rotational movement along its longitudinal axis with respect to the associated delivery screw. The linear rotational movement of the piston rod means that while the piston rod is capable of rotating along its longitudinal axis, it is also capable of linear movement along its longitudinal axis. The delivery screw is structured such that its inner periphery has engagement means such as threads or ribs to compliment an engagement means present on the outer periphery of the piston rod. The motion converters are inserted into the hollow portion of their associated delivery screws. 
         [0019]    According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the motion converters is engaged with its associated piston rod such that the piston rod is non rotatable with respect to the motion converter. Each of the motion converters has a generally cylindrical shape having an upper side wall and a lower sidewall. The upper sidewall has at least one flat shaped surface on its inner periphery to compliment with the at least one flat shaped side wall present on the outer periphery of the corresponding piston rod and thereby form a secure engagement between the motion converter and the piston rod. 
         [0020]    According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the motion converters comprises a plurality of extensions present on outer periphery of its lower sidewall and its upper side wall. The plurality of extensions includes a first set of extensions present on the outer periphery of the lower side wall and a second set of extensions present on the outer periphery of the upper side wall respectively. The extensions of the lower sidewall and the upper side wall may have a profile that operatively engages with a complimentary profile of extensions present on the inner periphery of the actuator and on the inner periphery of the delivery screw respectively. This structural engagement between the motion converters, and the actuator and the delivery screws is such that the movement of actuator in a first direction (clock wise) causes one of the motion converters to engage with the actuator and allow the linear rotational movement of its associated piston rod while the other motion converter will not engage with the actuator. The movement of associated piston rod in turn causes the linear displacement of associated piston to discharge the first product stored in its associated chamber. Similarly, the movement of the actuator in the second direction which is opposite to the first direction (anti-clockwise) will result in the discharge of the second product stored in said delivery system. 
         [0021]    According to another embodiment, the extensions present on the inner periphery of the actuator further include a first set of extensions and a second set of extensions, wherein the first set of extensions present on the lower side wall of the first motion converter have a profile that operatively engages with a complimentary profile of the first set of extensions present on the inner periphery of the actuator; and wherein the first set of extensions present on the lower side wall of the second motion converter have a profile that operatively engages with a complimentary profile of the second set of extensions present on the inner periphery of the actuator. 
         [0022]    According to a further embodiment, the first set of extensions and the second set of extensions of the actuator are present at different heights on the inner periphery of the actuator. 
         [0023]    According to an embodiment of the present invention the plurality of extensions on the first motion converter are placed at a different height along its longitudinal axis in comparison to the placements of the extensions on the longitudinal axis of the second motion converter. 
         [0024]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention the first set of extensions present on the lower side wall of the first motion converter is placed at a different height along its longitudinal axis in comparison to the placements of the first set of extensions present on the longitudinal axis of the lower side wall of the second motion converter. 
         [0025]    According to an embodiment of the present invention the profile of the plurality of extensions present on outer periphery of the lower and the upper side wall of motion converters, inner periphery of the actuator and inner periphery of the delivery screws has a flat shaped edge and an inclined shaped edge. In the present invention the structural arrangement between the motion converter, the actuator and the delivery screw is such that the movement of the actuator in first direction results in the engagement of the flat shaped edge of the extensions on the lower side wall of the first motion converter with the complimentary flat shaped edge of the extensions of the actuator. This allows the rotational movement of the first motion converter with respect to the first delivery screw which results in the linear rotational movement of the first piston rod which in turn causes the linear displacement of the first piston to discharge the first product stored in its associated first chamber. Simultaneously, the flat shaped edge of the extensions on the lower side wall of the second motion converter does not engage with the complimentary flat shaped edge of the extensions present on the actuator. Such an arrangement prevents the rotational movement of the second motion converter with respect to the second delivery screw and thus no second product is discharged from the second chamber. Similarly, the movement of the actuator in second direction results in the engagement of the flat shaped edge of the extensions on the lower side wall of the second motion converter with the complimentary flat shaped edge of the extensions of the actuator. This allows the rotational movement of the second motion converter with respect to the second delivery screw which results in the linear rotational movement of the second piston rod which in turn causes the linear displacement of the second piston to discharge the second product stored in its associated second chamber. Simultaneously, the flat shaped edge of the extensions on the lower side wall of the first motion converter does not engage with the complimentary flat shaped edge of the extensions present on the actuator. Such an arrangement prevents the rotational movement of the first motion converter with respect to the delivery screw and thus no first product is discharged from the second chamber. 
         [0026]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first motion converter and the second motion converter are magnetically engaged with respective first delivery screw and the second delivery screw and with the actuator. 
         [0027]    According to an embodiment of the present invention the actuator provides the force to actuate the dispensing of the product. However, the force required to operate the actuator may be applied manually, pneumatically, hydraulically or through various other types of displacement mechanisms. 
         [0028]    According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a delivery system for dispensing metered dosage of product/bulk upon actuation. 
         [0029]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a delivery system comprising at least two chambers for storing at least two products and an actuator, wherein the force required to actuate the actuator remains constant throughout the shell life of the delivery system. 
         [0030]    According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery system for dispensing a product in a user-defined dosage. There is also provided a delivery system that is easy to operate by a user and is portable as it can be produced in the form of a pen as well. 
         [0031]    According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided a transparent outer body area of the delivery system that would keep the user informed of the products kept inside the delivery system and thereby making it informative as well as attractive for the user. 
         [0032]    Thus, the present invention provides for a simplified, cost-effective, inexpensive, and efficient delivery system. 
         [0033]    The delivery system of the present invention may be used to dispense a wide variety of consumer and industrial products related to cosmetic, skin care, hair care, oral care, personal care, pharmaceutical, wound care, orally administrable products, home-care or adhesives. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the delivery system as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the delivery system as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the delivery system as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 5   a  is an isometric view of the motion converters of the delivery system as shown in  FIG. 3 , 
           [0040]      FIG. 5   b  shows engagement of motion converters with the actuator in the delivery system of the  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
       [0041]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]      FIGS. 1  through to  5   b  illustrate a delivery system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the delivery system comprises an outer body  102 , and a cover  104 . The outer body  102  has a proximal end and a rear end and has a cavity  103  to accommodate a first chamber  112  and a second chamber  114 . It will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that the cavity  103  may include more than two chambers without limiting the scope of the disclosed embodiments. The delivery system  100  further comprises an applicator  106  and an actuator  108 . The proximal end of the outer body  102  accommodates the applicator  106 . The rear end of the outer body  102  is engaged to the actuator  108 . The actuator  108  provides the force to actuate the movement of the product stored in the first chamber  112  and the second chamber  114  in the delivery system  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the applicator  106  further comprises a first applicator  106   a  and a second applicator  106   b,  the applicator  106  is accommodated in an applicator holder  110 , and the applicator holder  110  engages with the outer body  102 . 
         [0044]    As further illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the first chamber  112  and the second chamber  114  are fixedly disposed inside the cavity  103  such that the first chamber  112  and the second chamber  114  are arranged in series and are in axial alignment with each other. In an embodiment, the first chamber  112  and the second chamber  114  contain a first product and a second product respectively (not shown in the Figures). The delivery system  100  further comprises a first piston assembly and a second piston assembly associated with the first chamber  112  and the second chamber  114  respectively. It will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that the delivery system may comprise more than two piston assemblies without limiting the scope of the disclosed embodiments. The number of piston assemblies will be proportional to the number of chambers present in the cavity  103 . The first piston assembly comprises a first piston  116 , a first piston rod  120 , a first delivery screw  124 , and a first motion converter  128 . The second piston assembly comprises a second piston  118 , a second piston rod  122 , a second delivery screw  126 , and a second motion converter  130 . The first piston rod  120  and the second piston rod  122  are arranged to be engaged with the corresponding first delivery screw  124  and the second delivery screw  126  and with the actuator  108  such that linear rotational movement of the first piston rod  120  and the second piston rod  122  with respect to the first delivery screw  124  and the second delivery screw  126  is allowed. Each of the first delivery screw  124  and the second delivery screw  126  has a first engagement means including threads  141  on its inner periphery to engage with a complimentary second engagement means including threads  137  present on the outer periphery of the first piston rod  120  and the second piston rod  122  respectively. It will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that the first delivery screw  124  and the second delivery screw  126  may include ribs as engagement means on their inner periphery in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Each of the first delivery screw  124  and the second delivery screw  126  has an attachment means for fixedly attaching the corresponding first delivery screw  124  and the second delivery screw  126  within the first chamber  112  and the second chamber  114  respectively. A clamp  131  is placed inside the actuator  108  for clamping the first motion converter  128  and the second motion converter  130 . 
         [0045]    Each of the first piston  116  and the second piston is disposed inside its corresponding first chamber  112  and the second chamber  114 , and is engaged with proximal end of the first piston rod  120  and the second piston rod  122  respectively. 
         [0046]    In the delivery system  100  as shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5   b , each of the first motion converter  128  and the second motion converter  130  has an upper sidewall  133   a  and a lower sidewall  133 . The upper sidewall  133   a  of each of the first motion converter  128  and the second motion converter  130  is inserted into the hollow portion of its associated first delivery screw  124  and the second delivery screw  126 . Further each of the first motion converter  128  and the second motion converter  130  is structured such that its upper sidewall  133   a  has at least one flat shaped surface  132  on its inner periphery to compliment with at least one flat shaped side wall  134  present on the outer periphery of the first piston rod  120  and the second piston rod  122  respectively, so as to prevent rotational movement of the first piston rod  120  and the second piston rod  122  with respect to the corresponding first motion converter  128  and the second motion converter  130 . The first motion converter  128  and the second motion converter  130  have plurality of extensions including a respective first set of extensions  136   a  and  136   b  on the outer periphery of their lower sidewalls  133 , and have respective second set of extensions  139   a  and  139   b  on their upper sidewalls  133   a.  The first set of extensions  136   a  and  136   b  of the respective first motion converter  128  and the second motion converter  130  have a profile that operatively engages with their respective complimentary profile of first set of extensions  138   a  and the second set of extensions  138   b  present on the inner periphery of the actuator  108 . The second set of extensions  139   a  and  139   b  of the respective first motion converter  128  and the second motion converter  130  have a profile that operatively engages with the complimentary profile of extensions  143  and  143   a  present on the inner periphery of the first delivery screw  124  and the second delivery screw  126  respectively. 
         [0047]    The profile of the plurality of extensions  136   a,    139   a  of the first motion converter  128 ; the plurality of extensions  136   b,    139   b  of the second motion converter  130 ; the plurality of extensions  138   a,    138   b  of the actuator  108 ; and the plurality of extensions  143 ,  143   a  of the delivery screws  124  and  126 , comprises a flat shaped edge  142  and an inclined shaped edge  144 . 
         [0048]    During the operation of the delivery system  100 , the movement of the actuator  108  in the first direction results in the engagement of the flat shaped edge  142  of the first set of extensions  136   a  of the first motion converter  128  with the complimentary flat shaped edge  142  of the first set of extensions  138   a  of the actuator  108 . This results in rotation of the first motion converter  128  with respect to the first delivery screw  124  causing linear rotational movement of the first piston rod  120  along its longitudinal axis, which in turn causes the linear displacement of the first piston  116  to push forward the first product stored in its associated first chamber  112  towards the first applicator  116   a  for being dispensed out. At the same time, the flat shaped edge  142  of the first set of extensions  136   b  of the second motion converter  130  does not engage with the complimentary flat shaped edge  142  of the second set of extensions  138   b  of the actuator  108  and the inclined shaped edge  144  of the first set of extensions  136   b  of the second motion converter  130  rides over the complimentary inclined shaped edge  144  of the second set of extensions  138   b  of the actuator  108 . Such an arrangement prevents the rotation of the second motion converter  130  with respect to the second delivery screw  126 , and thus no second product is discharged from the second chamber  114  of the delivery system  100 . 
         [0049]    Similarly, the movement of the actuator  108  in second direction which is opposite to the first direction, results in the engagement of the flat shaped edge  142  of the first set of extensions  136   b  of the second motion converter  130  with the complimentary flat shaped edge  142  of the second set of extensions  138   b  of the actuator  108 . This results in rotation of the second motion converter  128  with respect to second delivery screw  126  causing linear rotational movement of the second piston rod  122  along its longitudinal axis, which in turn causes the linear displacement of the second piston  118  to push forward the second product stored in its associated second chamber  114  towards the second applicator  106   b  for being dispensed out. At the same time, the flat shaped edge  142  of the first set of extensions  136   a  of the first motion converter does not engage with the complimentary flat shaped edge  142  of first set of extensions  138   a  of the actuator and the inclined shaped edge  144  of the first set of extensions  136   a  of the first motion converter  128  rides over the complimentary inclined shaped edge  144  of first set extensions  138   a  of the actuator  108 . Such an engagement prevents the rotation of the first motion converter  128  with respect to first delivery screw  124  and thus no first product is discharged from the first chamber  112  of the delivery system  100 . 
         [0050]    The actuator  108  provides the force to actuate the dispensing of the product. However, the force required to operate the actuator may be applied manually, pneumatically, hydraulically or through various other types of displacement mechanisms. 
         [0051]    The outer body  102  of the delivery system  100  according to the invention may be formed of a polymeric material such as PCTA, polypropylene or any other suitable material. The outer body  102  may have any suitable shape such as cylindrical, rectangular or any other suitable shape. The actuator of the delivery system  100  according to the invention may be formed of a suitable polymeric material such as styrene acrylonitrile or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or any other suitable material. The materials suitable for forming the first piston rod  120  and the second piston rod  122  may be polyacetal or any other suitable polymeric/non-polymeric material. The material for forming piston  116  and  118  may be any suitable polymeric material such as polypropylene, polyacetal or low-density polyethylene or any other suitable material. The material for forming the first delivery screw  124  and the second delivery screw  126  may be polyacetal or any other suitable polymeric material. The cover  104  of the delivery system  100  may be formed of a suitable polymeric material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polypropylene or any other suitable material. The aforementioned materials for forming various parts of the delivery system  100  and the dispensing mechanism assembly of the present invention are an example, however other suitable materials may also be used. 
         [0052]    Although the above description and drawings show the delivery system  100  being cylindrical, the shapes and profile cross section thereof are not limited to the same. Also, the applicator  106   a,    106   b  of the delivery system  100  may have any suitable form to target a specific application. The applicator  106   a,    106   b  may be cylindrical and slightly domed on top having concentric grooves with multiple orifices that contain the product when they are being dispensed. The applicator  106   a,    106   b  may alternatively have any suitable construction which helps in application of the product. 
         [0053]    The delivery system  100  of the present invention may be used to deliver a wide variety of consumer and industrial products related to cosmetic, skin care, hair care, oral care, personal care, pharmaceutical, wound care, orally administrable products, home-care or adhesives. 
         [0054]    Various examples of the products where the delivery system of the present invention could be used are but not limited to cheek blush, cheek plumping gel/cream, lip plumping gel/cream, moisturizer, sunscreen, temporary hair colors, hair styling gel, hair mousse, hair repair cream, hydrating cream, antiseptic and correction cream, acne treatment cream, concealer, blemish concealer, skin treatment cream, hair repair cream, anti-dandruff cream, hair treatment serum, scalp hydrating oils, teeth whitening gel, teeth whitening and teeth lamination solutions, pain relieving cream, antibiotic cream and analgesic cream, antipyretic and analgesic serums/solutions, bleaching agent, fabric softener, stain remover, bleaching agent, adhesive gels. 
         [0055]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.