Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for dispensing fluids. One general aspect includes a multi-chamber fluid dispenser. The multi-chamber fluid dispenser includes a container and a cap. The container has a plurality of chambers formed therein. Each of the chambers in the plurality of chambers is configured to store fluid therein. The cap is for covering the container. The cap includes a distributor through which fluid stored in any one of the chambers in the plurality of chambers is allowed to be expelled from the container Each of the chambers in the plurality of chambers is configured to be in fluid communication with the dispenser such that fluid is dispensable from the container in at least one of the following manners individually as an individual fluid and together as a mixed fluid.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to fluid dispensers, and in particular, to fluid dispenser with multiple chambers to hold multiple fluids.

BACKGROUND

Containing and dispensing liquid, in general, is a task that spans multiple industries. Considering the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, it is generally common for liquid containers to include a reservoir to hold the liquid and measures to dispense the fluid contained in the reservoir. For example, squeeze-, mug-, tumbler-, and pump-type fluid containers typically include a single reservoir or are otherwise ill equipped to conveniently dispense a multi-reservoir contained multiple liquids.

SUMMARY

Examples disclosed herein provide a variety of advantages over relevant art. For instance, those advantages include: an ability to carry or serve multiple fluids (e.g., sauces or other liquids) with just one hand, an ability to serve multiple fluids (e.g., sauces or other liquids) with just one bottle, and saving space in storage such as in bathrooms, showers, cup holders in cars, and small restaurants with limited space.

Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments exemplifying the disclosure as presently perceived.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features can be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, and such an exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, these exemplary embodiments were chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can utilize their teachings. It is not beyond the scope of this disclosure to have a number (e.g., all) the features in a given embodiment to be used across all embodiments.

Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for dispensing liquid from a multi-chamber liquid container. By way of example, three specific embodiments employing principles of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. It is intended, and one skilled in the art will appreciate, that each of these examples be applicable in multiple industries, including for instance industries involving restaurants, home, automotive, hospitality, and sports. In general, each of these examples involve an improved dispensing design (e.g., of pumps, caps, etc.) that are intuitive for an end user and employ attachment measures that are easily removable (e.g., via magnets versus screwing) to attach to a container.

With reference toFIGS.1-3, one general aspect of the present disclosure includes a multi-chamber fluid dispenser100or dispensing system100. Various views (A-Q) of each illustrated example are also shown. Illustratively, the multi-chamber fluid dispenser100includes a container110having a plurality of chambers115formed therein, each of the chambers115in the plurality of chambers115being configured to store fluid therein; and a cap120for covering the container110. The cap120includes a distributor122through which fluid stored in any one of the chambers115in the plurality of chambers115is allowed to be expelled from the container110. Each of the chambers115in the plurality of chambers115is configured to be in fluid communication with the distributor122such that fluid is dispensable from the container110occurs. Such dispensing can occur in at least one of the following manners: individually as an individual fluid and together as a mixed fluid. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding methods, systems, and apparatus, each configured to include this general aspect and to optionally include any or all the specific examples further discussed below.

In a first example, a squeeze bottle that has multiple chambers115(e.g., a multi-chamber squeeze bottle100) is disclosed. In particular, the dispenser100can be formed as a squeeze bottle such that at least the container110is squeezable. In the illustrated example orFIG.1, the squeeze bottle includes four chambers115to be used, for example, with four different fluids both edible (e.g., sauces) and non-edible (e.g., soaps) fluids. The squeeze bottle has a substantially cylindrical profile. The dispenser100may include a selector124that is configured to control which of the chambers115in the plurality of chambers115is allowed to be dispensed from the container110. The cap120includes at least one aperture126(e.g., as formed by or as part of the distributor122and/or the selector124) through which the fluid is allowed to be dispensed from the container110. Each of the apertures in the at least one aperture126has a corresponding selector124in the at least one selector124and a corresponding chamber115in the plurality of chambers115.

Optionally, the plurality of chambers115can be integrally or separately formed with the container110. As shown inFIG.1, the plurality of chambers115is defined by a divider117arranged relative to the container110to thereby form the plurality of chambers115. The plurality of chambers115includes first and second chambers115. In examples, the first chamber115is fluidly isolated from the second chamber115. In another example, the first chamber115is permeable to the second chamber115. As is also shown, the divider117extends longitudinally within an interior portion of the container110. As such, the divider117extends the length of an interior of the container110and may optionally extend into or otherwise interface with the cap120to maintain a fluid-tight connection.

Materials used for the container110can be silicone, plastic, or the like to allow the container110to be squeezed. Internal walls that can form the chamber115can be made of similar materials to the container110. In an example, the internal walls can be made of a more flexible material (e.g., silicone) and that of the outer walls (e.g., plastic). In any of these cases, the container110has “give” that allows the end-user to squeeze to collapse the container110with enough pressure to squeeze out the sauce or liquid.

Plus, the cap120can, as discussed above, be attached via a slide feature that is different from than a typical twist design. Fluid can be dispensed (e.g., via squeezing) from each chamber115individually or several (e.g., all) together. As well, the design reduces complexities that exist in traditional designs that employ mechanical measures (e.g., a spring load to push down) to dispense from a specific compartment and reduces waste from using individual packets in order for the spring squeeze design to function properly.

As noted above, dispensing from the container110can be controlled via the selector124. In examples, the selector124is formed as at least one selector124operatively arranged relative to the cap120such that the fluid is allowed to be dispensed through the aperture126when the selector124is in an open position and fluid is inhibited from being dispensed through the aperture126when the selector124is in a closed position. In an example, the at least one selector124is rotatable relative to the cap120. (See views B and E.) In another example, the at least one selector124is slidable relative to the cap120. (See views A, C, and D.)

As can be seen inFIG.1, the cap120can be designed to create an intuitive dispensing method. The cap120can have a sliding feature to open the nozzles that will dispense the liquid or the sauce for the end-user. The nozzles can inhibit flow of fluid from the container110past the cap120. The cap120can include a variety of labels that identify what fluid is in a given chamber115. The labels can be concealed and revealed via actuation of a label portion of the cap120. Actuation, for example, can be in the form of a twisting or rotation of the label portion. Unlike traditional designs where caps (e.g., twist dial caps) only allow one sauce to be dispensed at a time and only work with two compartments, the disclosed cap120can be designed to dispense one or all (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.) sauces/liquids desired by the end-user. This allows both a permutation and combination style dispensing. In addition, having different nozzles allows individual dispensing and prevents cross contamination of the cap120with respect to the fluid whereas in traditional designs there is one cap120that when opened is exposed to multiple fluids such that the end consumer must dispense multiple fluids at once or do not get to choose either one or all fluids to dispense.

In a second example, as shown inFIG.2, a pump-type fluid dispenser100is disclosed. The second example can be similar to and include all the features of the first example. In this regard, the dispenser100may include a pump assembly230with which to expel the fluid from the container110. As shown, the pump assembly230includes a pump232and a handle234with which to actuate the pump232. The handle234can be actuated via application of an external force. (See, e.g., view J.) In some examples, there is a common pump232to each chamber115while in other examples, there are individual pumps for each chamber115. In any of these instances, fluid communication between the pump232and the chambers115can be established via a conduit extending between the pump232and the chamber115.

In general, implementations may include one or more of the following features. The handle234may include a plurality of internal passageways236corresponding to each chamber115in the plurality of chambers115. The plurality of internal passageways236include is in fluid communication with the plurality of chambers115such that actuation of the handle234dispenses the fluid from at least one of the chambers115in the plurality of chambers115and out of the container110through at least one internal passageway236in the plurality of internal passageways236(e.g., via apertures or outlets238). The dispenser100may include a collar240that is operatively arranged relative to the handle234so as to secure the handle234to the container110. The handle234is formed from a plurality of complementary handle segments234a-234d. Each of the handle segments234a-234din the plurality of handle segments234a-234dhas an internal passageway236of the plurality of internal passageways236formed therein.

As shown here, as compared to the first example, the cap120is modified to be (e.g., in part or in whole) a pump assembly230. The pump232can be similar to those known in the art except that the nozzle design allows for the ability to dispense four liquids. For example, the pump232can include multiple pumping chambers that correspond to each chamber115in the container110. A top portion of the pump232can have a smooth curve to ergonomically allow end-user to press down with their digits (e.g., fingers or thumbs) or mechanically via an operatively connected controller (not shown). In examples, the handle234can have a generally mushrooming shape comprising handles for each pump232. The top portion can include a dispensing aperture or outlet238positioned underneath a plume of the mushroom shape.

In a third example, as shown inFIG.3, a mug-type fluid dispenser100is disclosed. The third example can be similar to and include all the features of the first and second examples. As shown here, as compared to the first and second examples, the cap120is modified to be a lid and the container110has two chambers115. The cap120has a storage350for the end-user to store materials such as prescriptions, vitamin pills, etc.

As shown here, the dispenser100is formed as an insulated container110. The plurality of chambers115is defined by a divider117arranged relative to the container110to thereby form the plurality of chambers115. The plurality of chambers115includes first and second chambers115. In examples, the first chamber115is fluidly isolated from the second chamber115. In another example, the first chamber115is permeable to the second chamber115. As is also shown, the divider117extends longitudinally within an interior portion of the container110. As such, the divider117extend the length of an interior of the container110and may optionally extend into or otherwise interface with the cap120to maintain a fluid-tight connection. Dispensing can occur via an aperture126that is formed in the cap120.

The divider117is formed as an insert that is receivable within the container110and is movably arranged within the container110such that movement of the insert corresponds to controlling which of the chambers115in the plurality of chambers115is allowed to dispense from the container110. The insert is arranged so as to be rotatably movable within the container110. The cap120is rotatable relative to the container110such that rotation of the cap120corresponds to rotation of the insert. The cap120and the container110form an outer profile of the dispenser100, and where an interface between the cap120and the insert includes interlocking features360that are internal to the outer profile.

Attachment of the cap120to the container110can be performed via magnets instead of a traditional twist thread design. This design prevents inadvertent twisting that would misalign the labels, e.g., making it difficult to figure out which side is water and which side is coffee. The magnetic cap120will enclose the liquid and make it intuitive on the end-user for the two-sided container110. In examples, there is a window on both sides of the container110to also see the color of the liquid to help the end-user see exactly which liquid it is. Unlike traditional designs where a container110stores one main liquid to be combined with a gel or concentrate or powder through permeable membranes, the present disclosure in this example can have a rigid container110with chambers115that inhibit mixing of stored fluids.

It is well understood that methods that include one or more steps, the order listed is not a limitation of the claim unless there are explicit or implicit statements to the contrary in the specification or claim itself. It is also well settled that the illustrated methods are just some examples of many examples disclosed, and certain steps can be added or omitted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such steps can include incorporating devices, systems, or methods or components thereof as well as what is well understood, routine, and conventional in the art.

The connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections can be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that can cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements. The scope is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone can be present in an embodiment, B alone can be present in an embodiment, C alone can be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B or C can be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described can include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment can not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.