Abstract:
A connector device is provided that permits two separately stored ingredients to be mixed in and dispensed from the same container. The connector device includes an attachment mechanism for connecting two containers together to permit combining of separately stored ingredients and another attachment mechanism for connecting a dispenser to the container containing the combined ingredients to permit dispensing of the product directly from that container. In a preferred embodiment, a stopper is included in the neck of the first container, the second container including a device for penetrating the stopper. Also disclosed is a method of intermixing products with the connector device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to connecting devices and, more specifically, to connecting devices for facilitating mixing of two separately stored components. 
     There are many applications where it is desirable to separately store ingredients of a product prior to use. This is especially true with products that will expire or that are most effective after initial mixing, such as cosmetics and hair dyes. Because these products can only be used for a limited time after combining the ingredients, and because in many cases only small amounts of the product are used for each application, people are often discouraged from purchasing the products in bulk. Additionally, manufacturers must limit the amount of the products that they produce to ensure the products are sold before they perish or lose efficacy. As a result, products that suffer from these problems are often sold in an unmixed state, with separated ingredients that are combined by the consumer prior to use. For example, cosmetics products are often separated into a freeze-dried powder and a solvent. To facilitate mixture of the ingredients, a variety of assemblies have been developed that permit the ingredients to be combined only when desired for use. Typically, these assemblies include two containers, each holding a separate ingredient, and a connector device that interconnects the two containers in a way that permits combination of the ingredients. The connected device providing the consumer with a clean and easy way to mix the products when the consumer wishes to use the product. 
     Traditional connector device assemblies generally consist of two vials, one containing a liquid and one containing a solid, and a connector device that facilitates the mixing of the two materials. These assemblies are often used in conjunction with cosmetics, where a freeze-dried powder is included in one vial and a liquid is included in another vial. 
     Conventional connector devices include a lower portion attached to the first vial containing the solid and an upper threaded portion. To connect the two vials, the second vial containing the liquid is screwed into the upper threaded portion of the connector device. After connecting the two vials, the liquid from the second vial is injected into the first vial and the two materials are mixed. The mixed solution is then drawn back into the second vial. To accomplish this, the second vial is generally a dropper bottle. The mixed solution is then dispensed from the second vial. 
     One disadvantage to this method is that all of the mixed solution is not drawn back into the first vial. The solution that is left in the first vial after transferring the solution to the second vial is generally unusable, and thus is discarded. This is particularly a problem with expensive solutions, such as cosmetic products. Another disadvantage of this method is that it can be rather difficult, requiring the user to use a pulsing motion to draw the solution back into the second vial. This can make the system difficult to use, particularly for those with limited dexterity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned problems are overcome by the present invention wherein a connector device is provided that permits two separately stored ingredients to be mixed in and dispensed from the same container. The connector device includes an attachment mechanism for connecting two containers together to permit combining of separately stored ingredients and another attachment mechanism for connecting a dispenser to the container containing the combined ingredients to permit dispensing of the product directly from that container. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the attachment mechanisms include internal threads to attach the connector device to the first container, a guide to shepherd the second container into an appropriate position with respect to the first container to permit its contents to be dispensed into the first container and external threads to attach a dispenser to the first container to dispense the mixed solution. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the connector device is designed to mount to the top of the first container, which contains a solid such as a cosmetic powder. A stopper is present in the neck of the first container and has an orifice through the center. A perforable membrane covers the orifice and is clamped between the connector device and the stopper. The second container is preferably a syringe containing a liquid. The syringe is used to inject the liquid into the first container. A dispensing pump is attachable to the connector device while the connector device is attached to the first container. The dispensing pump permits the combined ingredients to be easily dispensed from the first container. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the connector device includes a top portion (e.g. circumferential wall) that is shaped to define a syringe guide that accepts the syringe. The syringe guide shepherds the second container into the correct position through the stopper to dispense the contents of the second container into the first container 
     In a more preferred embodiment, the connecting device has internal threads for attachment of the connector device to the first container and external threads for connection of a dispenser to the connecting device. The external threads preferably wrap around the external surface of the top portion of the connector device. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the stopper includes a central orifice covered by a perforable membrane. The perforable membrane covers the top of the stopper, including the central orifice. The diameter of the central orifice is large enough to allow insertion of the tank of the dispenser through the orifice. 
     The present invention also provides a method for intermixing products including the general steps of: (a) connecting a connector device to a first container containing a first ingredient; (b) connecting a second container containing a second ingredient to the first container by the connecting device; (c) dispensing the ingredients from the second container into the first container to mix the ingredients; and (d) connecting a dispenser to the first container by the connecting device. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the method more specifically includes the steps of (a) connecting the connector device to a first container having a stopper and a membrane; (b) inserting a dispensing device of the second container into the connector device so that the dispensing device ruptures the membrane and penetrates the stopper; (c) dispensing the second ingredient from the second container into the first container; (d) mixing the ingredients in the first container; and (e) connecting a dispensing pump to the connector device with the dispensing pump tank extending through the stopper to allow the mixture to be dispensed from the first container. 
     This invention provides a simple and inexpensive connector device that allows a mixture of two or more separately stored ingredients to be mixed and dispensed from the same container. Because the mixture does not need to be drawn back into the second container (e.g., the syringe), the user does not need to manipulate the second vial to draw the mixture out. Additionally, no product is wasted because of failure to draw it back into the second dispensing vial. The use of a syringe as the second container provides a relatively failsafe mechanism for combining the two ingredients. The syringe guide shepherds the syringe end through the stopper in the desired location, thereby addressing concerns of misalignment. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kit for mixing and dispensing a preparation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the a vial using the connector device of a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vial and connector device taken along line  3 — 3 ; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a vial and syringe assembly using the connector device; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a vial, syringe and connector device assembly according to a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of the vial, syringe and connector device assembly; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the pump, vial and connector device according to a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a pump, vial and connector device assembly according to a preferred embodiment; and 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of the pump, vial and connector device assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A product mixing and dispensing kit  10  incorporating a connector device  12  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  1 . The kit  10  permits two separately stored ingredients to be easily combined and dispensed. In the illustrated embodiment, the kit  10  includes a first container  18 , such as a vial, that holds one of the two ingredients  20  (preferably in a powder form) and a second container  22 , such as a syringe, that contains the other ingredient  24  (preferably in liquid form). The kit  10  further includes a connector device  12 . The connector device  12  is attached to the first container  18  and permits the syringe  22  to be connected to the first container  18  so that the contents of the syringe  22  can be easily injected into the first container  18 . The kit  10  also includes a pump dispenser  28 . The connector device  12  permits the pump dispenser  28  to be easily attached to the first container  18  to permit dispensing of the combined ingredients. Although the present invention is described in connection with a kit having a vial and a syringe, the present invention is well suited for use with various alternative containers. The terms “mixture” and “combination” are used interchangeably in this application to refer to the resultant of the combination of separate ingredients. These terms are intended to include all types of mixtures, solutions, combinations and other resultants arising out of the combination of the separately stored ingredients. 
     As noted above, the connector device  12  is connected to a first container  18  containing a first ingredient  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first container  18  is a conventional glass or plastic vial having a threaded neck that is closed by a stopper  17  (as shown in FIG.  4  and described in more detail below). In the illustrated embodiment, the second container  22  is a conventional syringe that is connectable to the connector device  12 . As described in more detail below, the second container  22  has an injection device  26  that penetrates the stopper  17  during use. The second ingredient  24  is dispensed into the first container  18  through injection device  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser  28  is a generally conventional pump that can be connected to the connector device  12  to dispense the mixture of the first ingredient  20  and the second ingredient  24 . In this embodiment, the connector device  12  includes external connectors  30  for connecting the dispenser  28  to the connector device  12 . While this invention will be described in relation to an essentially round container and connector device, it is to be understood that both elements can be of essentially any shape, such as rectangular or triangular. Additionally, although the first and second container described in the disclosure will be a vial and a syringe, respectively, essentially any container can be used for either element, such as a bottle or flask. 
     The kit  10  will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2-9. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the connector device  12  attached to first container  18 . The first container  18  has a top end  32 , a bottom end  36  and an external surface  38  and defines an internal space  34 . An open neck  40  is located at the top end  32  of the first container  18 . The external surface  38  of the neck  40  includes threads  44 , which permit the connector device  12  to be threadedly secured to the first container  18 . As an alternative to threads, the first container  18  may include essentially any other type of container connectors capable of connecting the first container  18 , such as a snap fitting. 
     A stopper  17  is fitted with the neck  40  of the first container  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper  17  is manufactured from rubber; however, the stopper  17  can be produced from essentially any material capable of retaining a substance within the first container  18 . The stopper  17  has a substantially T-shaped cross section and includes a shelf  58  and a plug  62 . The shelf  58  of the stopper  17  rests on the top end  32  of the neck  40 . The plug  62  of the stopper is contained within the neck  40  of the first container  18  and seals the first ingredient  20  in the first container  18 . The stopper  17  defines a central orifice  60 . The central orifice  60  is a hole in the stopper  17  that extends through the stopper  17  from the top end  42  to the bottom end  46  of the stopper  17 . The dimensions of the central orifice  60  will preferably depend in part on the size of the dispenser  28  as will be explained further below. 
     A perforable membrane  64  covers the central orifice  60 . The perforable membrane  64  is preferably a generally conventional seal that can be easily pierced by an object, such as a needle or plastic probe. Several materials can be used for this purpose, such as aluminum, tin foil and various laminated materials. The perforable membrane  64  is connected to the shelf  58  of the stopper  17 . Any conventional method, such as adhesive, can be used to maintain the perforable membrane  64  in the correct position in relation to the stopper  17 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 show the interaction of the connector device  12  and the second container  22 . The second container  22  can be any container capable of dispensing an ingredient into the first container  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second container  22  is a syringe having a plunger  70 , an injection device  26  and a barrel  68 . The injection device  26  is hollow and has an open first end  78  and an open second end  80 . The second end  80  of the injection device  26  may include a needle or be pointed to facilitate insertion of the injection device  26  into the stopper  17  through the perforable membrane  64 . The barrel  68  is hollow and has an open dispensing end  82  and a back end  84 . The first end  78  of the injection device  26  is connected to the dispensing end  82  of the barrel  68  so that a passage exists from the back end  84  of the barrel  68  to the second end  80  of the injection device  26 . The barrel  68  contains the second ingredient  24 . In the described embodiment, a plunger  70  projects from an open back end  84  of the barrel  68 . The plunger  70  is movable from a retracted position to an inserted position to facilitate dispensing of the second ingredient  24 . In the retracted position, the plunger  70  is substantially withdrawn from the barrel  68 . In the inserted position, the plunger  70  is fully inserted into the barrel  68  so that the plunger  70  contacts the dispensing end  82  of the barrel  68 . 
     The connector device  12  includes an upper portion having a circumferential wall that defines a generally cylindrical guide  14 . The top of the guide  14  is preferably sized to interfit with a portion of the second container  22  when the injection device  26  of the second container  22  is inserted into second container  22 . More specifically, the internal diameter of the circumferential wall preferably is sized to provide a close fit between the guide  14  and the second container  22  when the second container  22  is in this position. This permits the guide  14  to shepherd the second container  22  into proper alignment with the first container  12 . For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide  14  may closely receive the barrel  68  of syringe  22 . The guide  14  includes an internal surface  48  and an external surface  52 . The external surface  52  includes external threads  30 . The external threads  30  can alternatively be any connection device capable of connecting the dispenser  28  to the first container  18 , such as a snap fitting. 
     The connector device  12  also includes a lower portion having a circumferential wall that defines a generally cylindrical rim  16 . The cylindrical rim  16  has an internal surface  96  and an external surface  98 . In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the rim  16  is greater than the diameter of the guide  14 . The internal surface  96  of the rim  16  includes internal threads  56 . The threads  56  can alternatively be replaced by essentiaiiy any connection device capable of interconnecting with the container connectors  44 , such as a snap fitting. 
     The connector device also includes a lip  54  disposed along the junction between the guide  14  and the rim  16 . The lip  54  extends inward from the internal surface  48  of the connector device  1  and defines an opening  50 . The opening  50  is preferably centered over the central orifice  60 . The lip  54  is a flat protrusion that is in contact with the shelf  58  of the stopper  17  along substantially its entire length. The presence of the lip  54  maintains the stopper  17  in the proper position within the neck  40  of the first container  18 . The lip  54  can be connected to the connector device  12  by any conventional method, such as molding the lip  54  as an integral part of the connector device  12 . 
     A cap  66  may be located atop the guide  14  of the connector device  12  to seal the interior of the guide and further seal the first ingredient  20  in the first container  18  in the unlikely event that the perforable membrane  64  ruptures. The cap  66  can be any cap attachable to the guide  14  of the connector device  12 , such as a conventional plastic cap. The cap  66  is preferably attached to the guide  14  by a conventional method, such as threads or a frictional fit, to prevent the cap  66  from dislodging during shipment. 
     FIGS. 7-9 show the interaction of the connector device  12  and dispenser  28 . The dispenser  28  can be any dispenser device capable of dispensing a mixture from the first container  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser  28  is a generally conventional finger pump, as shown in the figures. While the invention will be described with reference to a conventional finger pump, it is to be understood that the dispenser  28  can be any structure capable of dispensing solution from the first container  8 , such as a spout or dropper. 
     The finger pump  28  of the illustrated embodiment is a generally conventional finger pump having a pump  72 , a tank  74  and pump connectors  76 . The pump connectors  76  can be any connection device capable of interconnecting with the connector device  12  and the dispenser  28 . The tank  74  is hollow and has an open first end  90  and an open second end  92 . The first end  90  of the tank  74  is connected to the pump  72 . The second end  92  of the tank  74  preferably includes a sharp point to facilitate insertion of the dispenser  28  into the stopper  17  through the perforable membrane  64 . In the assembled position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second end  92  of the tank  74  of the dispenser  28  contacts the solution contained in the first container  18 . The dimensions of the tank  74  preferably closely match the dimensions of the central orifice  60  so that a seal is created between the central orifice  60  and the tank  74  when the dispenser  28  is attached to the first container  18 . This seal prevents the solution from escaping the first container  18  during use and storage. 
     To assemble a connector device and vial according to this invention, a stopper  17  is inserted into the neck  40  of a first container  18 . A perforable membrane  64  is placed over the stopper  17  so that the perforable membrane  64  covers the central orifice  60  of the stopper  17 . The connector device  12  is placed atop the first container  18  and the container connectors  44  are interconnected with the rim connectors  56 . The manner of connecting the container connectors  44  and rim connectors  56  will vary depending on the types of connectors used. In a preferred embodiment both the container connectors  44  and rim connectors  56  consist of threads, and the connector device  12  is twisted onto the first container  18  until the container connectors  44  interlock with the rim connectors  56 . Upon connection of the container connectors  44  to the rim connectors  56 , the perforable membrane  64  is clamped between the stopper  17  and the lip  54  of the connector device  12 , as is perhaps best shown in FIG.  3 . 
     Method of Use 
     To use the connector device of the present invention, the cap  66  is removed from the connector device  12  to open the guide  14  and reveal the perforable membrane  64 . The injection device  26  of the second container  22  is then inserted into the central orifice  60  of the stopper  17 . The opening  50  defined by the lip  54  shepherds the injection device  26  into an appropriate position to enter the central orifice  60  of the stopper  17 . Additionally, the guide  14  closely receives the barrel  68  of syringe  22  to shepherd the syringe  22  into place and provide a more stable, positive interaction between the syringe  22  and the connector device  12 . 
     When inserted into the connector device  12 , the injection device  26  of the second container  22  pierces the perforable membrane  64  and enters the central orifice  60 . In a preferred embodiment, the injection device  26  pierces the perforable membrane  64  so that the central orifice  60  is only partially exposed. The unadulterated portion of the perforable membrane  64  reduces the likelihood of dust and other matter entering the first container  18 . 
     The second ingredient  24  is then dispensed into the first container  18 . If a plunger  70  is used, the plunger  70  is movable from a retracted position to an inserted position. As the plunger  70  is moved from the retracted position to the inserted position, the second ingredient  24  is expelled from the barrel  68  through injection device  26 . When the plunger  70  is fully inserted into the barrel  68 , the second ingredient  24  preferably is completely expelled from the barrel  68 . The first container  18  is preferably shaken to mix the first ingredient  20  and second ingredient  24  while the first container  18  and second container  22  are still connected. Optionally, the ingredients can be mixed after connecting the dispenser  28  to the first container  18 . 
     After expelling the second ingredient  24  from the second container  22  and, if desired, mixing the ingredients, the second container  22  is removed from the first container  18 . The dispenser  28  is then attached to the first container  18 . Again, the unadulterated portion of the perforable membrane  64  reduce the likelihood of dust and other matter entering the first container  18  after the second container  22  is removed and before the dispenser  28  is attached. As discussed previously, the manner of connecting the dispenser  28  to the first container  18  will vary depending on the types of connectors used. In a preferred embodiment, the external connectors  30  and pump connectors  76  are threads, and the dispenser  28  is twisted onto the first container  18  until the external connectors  30  interlock with the pump connectors  76 . 
     When inserted into the connector device  12 , the second end  92  of the tank  74  pierces the perforable membrane  64  and the tank  74  enters the central orifice  60 . As the tank  74  is inserted into the central orifice  60 , the tank  74  preferably penetrates the perforable membrane  64  sufficiently to reveal the entire central orifice  60 . The central orifice  60  closely interfits with the tank  74  to tightly seal the first container  8 , therefore the dimensions of the central orifice  60  will vary according to the dimensions of the tank  74 . The dispenser  28  is used to dispense the mixed solution from the first container  18 . If the dispenser  28  consists of a pump; the pump  72  is repeatedly depressed to dispense the product. 
     The above descriptions are those of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any references to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.