Abstract:
A device for storing and dispensing different product possesses at least two interlocking product dispenser units each possessing a product dispensing outlet through which stored product may be selectively dispensed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to containers, in particular, to containers featuring multiple product storage enclosures from which an individual product is selectively dispensable. 
         [0002]    Containers possessing two or more enclosures, or compartments, for storing and selectively dispensing one of several products are known. 
         [0003]    However, there still exists a need for a device possessing individual product dispensers that are releasably locked to each other. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device for storing and selectively dispensing different products which comprises: 
         [0000]    a) a first product dispenser for storing and dispensing a first product, the first product dispenser having a first end portion, a second end portion, a wall extending therebetween defining a fixed or detachable first enclosure and at least one outlet through which first product stored within the first enclosure is dispensable; and,
 
b) a second product dispenser for storing and dispensing a second product, the second product dispenser having a first end portion, a second end portion and a wall extending therebetween defining a fixed or detachable second enclosure and at least one outlet through which second product stored within the second enclosure is dispensable, the first end portion of the second product dispenser being configured for releasable locking engagement with the second end portion of the first product dispenser and having a cavity therein configured to receive the second end portion of the first product dispenser when the second end portion of the first product dispenser is in locked engagement with the first end portion of the second product dispenser.
 
         [0005]    The foregoing device can be provided in a large variety of dimensions, e.g., ranging from palm-sized to those approximating or even exceeding the dimensions of a ladies handbag or small item of hand-carried luggage. 
         [0006]    Moreover, the device of this invention can be made to assume any of a large variety of configurations, particularly those providing an aesthetic visual appearance such as the embodiments described in the drawings, infra, while retaining the mechanical features that give it its distinctive utility as a dispensing container for a variety of different products. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals designate like structural elements throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are isometric views of embodiments in accordance with the invention illustrating individual product dispensers in locked engagement with each other; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are isometric views of the device of Fig. IA illustrating individual product dispensers disengaged from each other and each product enclosure separated from its recess within its respective product dispenser, 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are isometric views of product dispensers respectively illustrating sponge-type and roller-type product applicators; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a sectional plan view in cross section of a device of the invention in the locked configuration and illustrating a first product dispenser with a detachable first enclosure and brush-type product applicator and a second product dispenser having a fixed second enclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a plan view of the device of  FIG. 4A  taken through cross-sectional lines  4 B thereof and illustrating the arrangement of powder-dispensing outlets and associated brush applicator elements; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A  is a cutaway plan view in cross section of another embodiment of device in accordance with the invention illustrating threads on the mutually engageable ends of the first and second product dispensers; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5B  is an exploded isometric view of a device of the invention illustrating the snap-fit engagement of the mutually engageable ends of the first and second product dispensers; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5C  is an isometric view of a second product dispenser having a hinged closure for its single product dispensing outlet; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are cutaway sectional views of a pull tab for facilitating the separation of a detachable enclosure from its recess within the product dispenser; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are plan views of three-product dispenser embodiments of the device herein; and, 
           [0018]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are isometric views of the detachable first enclosure and detachable second enclosure, respectively, of  FIG. 1  A illustrating the hand-exerted bellows-like or compressive action which results in discharge of product therefrom. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A , elongated container device  10  of generally oval cross section as viewed from its arbitrarily designated right side includes a first product dispenser  11  possessing first and second end portions  12  and  13 , respectively, a wall  14  extending therebetween and a detachable first enclosure, or replaceable first cartridge,  15  occupying enclosure-accommodating recess  16  defined within the first dispenser such that wall  17  of the enclosure together with wall  14  of the dispenser forms a substantially continuous smooth-walled exterior. First product dispenser  11  also features a thumb-actuated release  18  for facilitating the removal of enclosure  15  from its recess  16  within product dispenser  11 . 
         [0020]    Container device  10  further includes a second product dispenser  19  possessing first and second end portions  20  and  21 , respectively, a wall  22  extending therebetween and a detachable second enclosure, or replaceable second cartridge,  23  occupying recess  24  defined within the second dispenser such that wall  25  of the enclosure together with wall  22  of dispenser  19  forms a substantially continuous smooth-walled exterior. 
         [0021]    In the configuration of the device shown in  FIG. 1A , second end portion  13  of first product dispenser  11  is shown in releasably locked engagement with first end portion  20  of second product dispenser  19 . Second end portion  21  of product dispenser  19  possesses a hinged closure member  26  for sealing the outlet of the second enclosure. An optional gripping or attachment component, e.g., carabiner  27 , is connected to first end portion  12  of first product dispenser  11 . 
         [0022]    Shown in phantom in  FIG. 1A  is an arcuate arrangement of bristle elements  28  associated with one or more outlets at first end portion  13  of first product dispenser  11 . As illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , infra, bristle elements  28  occupy a complementary arcuate-shaped cavity defined within first end portion  20  of second product dispenser  19 . 
         [0023]    The embodiment of elongated container device  30  shown in  FIG. 1B  is similar to that shown in  FIG. 1A  except that the device is viewed from its left side and first and second product dispensers  31  and  32  possess fixed enclosures  33  and  34 , respectively. 
         [0024]    Each product dispenser is adapted for the storage and dispensing of a single product from either  9  fixed or detachable closure. In the embodiment of the device of  FIG. 1A , detachable first enclosure  15  can contain a powdery product, e.g., talcum powder, which upon being dispensed therefrom is to a large extent deposited upon its associated product applicator, i.e., bristle elements  28 , from which the powder may then be applied to the skin. Once emptied of powder, the enclosure  15  can be removed from its recess within first product dispenser  11  and a full replacement enclosure, or cartridge, inserted in its place. Similarly, detachable second enclosure  23  once emptied of its contents, e.g., an antimicrobial liquid, cosmetic lotion, cream, sunscreen, medicated ointment, etc., can be removed from its recess  24  within second product dispenser  19  and replaced with a fresh cartridge. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2A  illustrates first product dispenser  11  of  FIG. 1A  with its detachable enclosure  15  shown separated from its recess  16 . First enclosure  15  can be inserted into recess  16  from either the left or the right side of product dispenser  11  or from one side only where the opposite side of the dispenser is defined by a continuous wall. Peelable tape  35  provides a temporary closure for outlets  36  of enclosure  15  and may be removed at the time when enclosure  15  is inserted into its recess. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2B  illustrates second product dispenser  19  with its detachable second enclosure  23  separated from recess  24 . Detachable second enclosure  23  can be inserted into its recess  24  from either the left or the right side of second product dispenser  19  or from one side only where the opposite side of the dispenser is defined by a continuous wall. Peelable tape  37  provides a temporary closure for outlet  38  of enclosure  23  and may be removed at the time the enclosure  23  is inserted into its recess. Hinged closure member  26  at second end  21  of the second product dispenser  19  is shown in its open position to reveal outlet  39  which is aligned with outlet  38  of enclosure  23  to provide a substantially continuous conduit for dispensed product. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate first product dispensers  40  and  50  having, respectively, sponge applicator  41  and roller applicator  51  for receiving product, e.g., liquid, gel, etc., dispensed from detachable first enclosure  15 , and applying the dispensed product to a surface, e.g., skin. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4A  illustrates in cross section plan view modification  60  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  wherein in place of detachable second enclosure  23  of the latter, the former possesses a fixed second enclosure  23   a  as the product-storing portion of second product dispenser  61 . 
         [0029]    In the plan view of the device of  FIG. 4A  taken through cross sectional lines  4 B thereof, there is illustrated in  FIG. 4B  an arrangement of bristle elements  28  and associated powder-discharging outlets, or orifices,  29  positioned at second end portion  13  of first product dispenser  11 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a cutaway plan view in cross section of an embodiment  70  of the invention wherein detached second end portion  13  of first product dispenser  11  and first end portion  20  of detached second product dispenser  19  are both of circular cross section. External threading  71  on first end portion  13  and internal threading  72  on first end portion  20  provide for locking engagement of product dispensers  11  and  19 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5B  is an exploded isometric view of an embodiment  80  of the device of the invention in which first end portion  13  of first product dispenser  11  and second end portion  20  of second product dispensing  19  are generally ovoid in cross section allowing for friction fit-locking engagement, e.g., as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5C  illustrates another embodiment  85  of second product dispenser  19  wherein offset hinged closure member  26  positioned at second end portion  21  of second product dispenser  19 , shown in the open position, provides sealing of outlet  39 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate cutaway views  90  and  90   a  of pull tab  18  shown in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 3B ,  5 B,  7 A,  78  and  8 A. Downward (outward) biased movement of pull tab  18   a  facilitates detachment of detachable first enclosure  15  from its recess in the first product dispenser. In place of pull tab  18 , there may be provided a thumb actuated snap lock/release mechanism of known or conventional construction for facilitating alternate locking engagement and release of detachable first enclosure  15  from within its recess in the product dispenser. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrating 3-product embodiments of the device of the invention and possess a third product dispenser  100   a  and  200   a , respectively, positioned between the other two. Numerous other arrangements, including the positioning of product dispenser outlets, may be provided as desired. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate the discharge of product from detachable first and second enclosures  15  and  23  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , respectively. In the case of detachable first enclosure  15  in  FIG. 8A , a cosmetic powder, e.g., talcum powder, is dispensed therefrom by a bellows-like, or compressing, action exerted against a lateral wall or walls  17  of the enclosure. Similarly, in the case of detachable second enclosure  23  in  FIG. 8B  a bellows-like or compressing, action exerted against one or both walls  22  cause a fluid product, e.g., an antimicrobial liquid, to be dispensed therefrom. 
         [0036]    Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being defined by the following claims.