Abstract:
A device for storing and mixing materials including gases, liquids, solids, and semi-solids is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes an outer shell and a plurality of cartridges. The outer shell is preferably cylindrical, however, it may be any of a variety of shapes including box shaped. The outer shell has an opened interior space, used for storing mixable materials. The cartridges are preferably separately sealed vesicles encasing the mixable material within frangible membranes at both ends of the vesicle as well as separately encased mixable materials contained within the holder&#39;s inner surface and may include a capping membrane. Cartridges may be separated by a stop member which serves to create multiple mixing and storage areas for the cartridges. A plurality of such devices may be mounted on a perforated sheet for convenient storage and removal or distribution. Alternatively, the device may include a variety of cartridges detachably engaged to one another in a linear fashion, preferably with a reinforcing wall protecting each cartridge and the contents therein. Alternatively, the device may include one or more gaskets each with a frangible membrane to separate different mixable materials. The devices are preferably disposable and include premeasured amounts of mixable materials. The device may also include a mixing instrument such as a brush or spatula.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention generally relates to receptacle type devices. More particularly, the invention relates to devices which serve as containers.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    There are many different instances where two or more materials are measured out and mixed immediately prior to use, typically because the usefulness of the mixture deteriorates with time and must be used soon after the components are mixed together. This usually involves measuring different portions of the various ingredients and then combining them in a common container for application. The difficulty of accurately measuring these materials, and then mixing them in such a manner to ensure that they remain contaminant-free is often a cause for improper mixtures that are either not properly proportioned, not properly and thoroughly mixed, or that are contaminated during mixing. Further, the measuring of such materials often involves some waste of materials, since once opened and exposed, even if only briefly, the shelf-life of the materials is significantly compromised. Proper measuring may also be time-intensive and slow down the process of applying the mixture to its intended use.  
           [0003]    Commercially available packaging materials for mixable substances include a flexible laminate foil formed into cells and attached to some mounting or backing material. These packages are designed so that a user presses on one or more cells and forces the materials together into a separate mixing area. This system provides for mixing of only two components and relies upon the user&#39;s ability to force the various portions together in order to achieve proper mixing. Thus, mixing is achieved by manipulating the cells, and the result is often inadequate mixing. This system also does not provide adequate protection for the cells and they may be inadvertently pierced or ruptured, thereby destroying the integrity of the system. A need exists for a system that provides a degree of protection for the mixable substances and enables complete mixing of the substances to form a relatively homogenous mixture.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a device for storing and, in some embodiments, dispensing, mixable materials. For purposes of this disclosure, mixable materials include any flowable material including fluids, liquids, gases, and semisolid materials, however, the device is not confined to flowable materials, since solids may be used. This is particularly true when the solids and/or semisolids are combined with sufficient flowable materials to give the entire mixture fluid or fluid-like properties.  
           [0005]    Certain embodiments of the presently described invention provide a greatly improved device for physically agitating the various ingredients together to achieve a higher level of mixing and a more homogeneous solution. In some embodiments, the presently described invention may also allow for mixing more than two components and may include the mixing of solids and semi-solids. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the materials are pre-measured in unit-dose quantities, for quick and easy mixing and dispensing and assurance of a properly proportioned mixture.  
           [0006]    In one embodiment, the device includes an outer shell and one or more cartridges. The outer shell is preferably elongated with one or more cartridges installed longitudinally within the outer shell. Each of the cartridges is useful for encasing mixable materials. Preferably, each of the cartridges is separated from the other cartridges by a frangible membrane. In certain embodiments, the device includes a stop member. The stop member may be used to preserve the integrity of the cartridges within the outer shell. In another embodiment, the stop member may be used to separate the cartridges within the outer shell so as to create multiple mixing or storage areas within a single outer shell.  
           [0007]    The concept of frangible cartridges provides for degree of flexibility in a premeasured disposable package that is heretofore unseen. Certain embodiments of the present invention are particularly useful where small portions of ingredients are to be mixed together. The devices disclosed herein are not, however, limited to small portions, as the devices allow for the instant preparation and mixing of virtually any proportions using a plurality of different ingredients.  
           [0008]    The outer shell may be constructed in any of a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the outer shell is cylindrical. In another embodiment, the outer shell is box-shaped. The outer shell may take on any of a number of different shapes without departing from the true scope and spirit of the presently disclosed invention. The walls of the outer shell are preferably constructed from a relatively rigid, sturdy material and may be relatively opaque to preserve the integrity of light sensitive materials encased within the cartridges. This helps to avoid damage to the device&#39;s contents, including cartridges. A bottom end of the outer shell is preferably sealed with a protective material that, much like the walls of the outer shell, helps to ensure that the cartridges within are not damaged and remain intact. The bottom end may be constructed from the same material as the walls of the outer shell or may be constructed from an entirely different material as may be desirable for manufacturing or other purposes. The outer shell is preferably of a length sufficient to not only hold all of the cartridges, but also to include a gap between the uppermost cartridge and the upper end of the outer shell. This gap may provide a location for storing an applicator-mixing stick, or other instrument. The outer shell may be elongated with a relatively narrow diameter, in one embodiment, 2.1 mm, to lessen the likelihood of inadvertent cartridge piercing, rupture, or other damage. Additionally, the outer shell may be molded with a shallow ridge, indentation or detent along its inner wall at the upper edge of the top cartridge that would allow cartridges to be pushed into position in the outer shell, but would prevent them from shifting during shipping and handling. In this embodiment, the cartridges fit relatively snugly within the outer shell.  
           [0009]    In another embodiment, multiple outer shells may project from a common bottom end. This bottom end is of a suitable size to accommodate a plurality of outer shells. This embodiment permits the packaging, storing and/or mixing of multiple components as required by a user.  
           [0010]    In yet another embodiment, the outer shell is constructed to hold two cartridges, a first cartridge and a second cartridge. The first cartridge is affixed near one end of the outer shell, while the second cartridge is fixed longitudinally adjacent to the first cartridge. Each of the cartridges may be elongated and are of a diameter to fit within the outer shell. The two cartridges are sealed to prevent the cartridge contents from escaping. In the case of the first cartridge, the end adjacent to the second cartridge is sealed with a frangible membrane. The other end of the first cartridge may be sealed with a frangible membrane if the outer shell is equipped with an impenetrable wall, otherwise, the end of the first cartridge nearer to the base of the outer shell is preferably sealed with a relatively impenetrable seal. The second cartridge is equipped with frangible membranes at each end to permit the user to penetrate entirely through the second (top) cartridge and into the first (bottom) cartridge, thereby facilitating mixing the contents of both the first and second cartridges.  
           [0011]    The frangible membranes described herein may be constructed from any of a variety of materials. Such materials would include foil, plastics such as polyethylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), laminates of foil and polymer, or a variety of other suitable materials that provide barrier protection while permitting penetration with a suitable instrument.  
           [0012]    To use the device, a user pierces the outer frangible membrane with an applicator, such as a brush or spatula, and presses this instrument through the first cartridge to pierce both frangible membranes between the first and second cartridges. Once pierced, the material in the first cartridge may flow into the second cartridge or be carried into the second cartridge by the instrument. The instrument may then be used to agitate the materials that were formerly sealed within the first and second cartridges and thoroughly combine them into a relatively homogeneous solution or mixture.  
           [0013]    A capping membrane may be used to seal the outermost cartridge from the environment. The capping membrane is such that it may be peeled away prior to use. To use the device, a user peels off the capping membrane, exposing a frangible outer membrane, and pierces the frangible membranes to mix the contents of the first and second cartridges as previously described.  
           [0014]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a third cartridge is affixed within the outer shell, adjacent to the second cartridge. The second and third cartridges are separated by frangible membranes similar to the membranes used to separate the first and second cartridges. This embodiment permits the combination of three separately-contained mixture components. Other embodiments of the invention might employ still more cartridges.  
           [0015]    In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of outer shells are affixed to a mounting sheet. The outer shells each contain one or more filled cartridges, separated by suitable frangible membranes as previously described. The mounting sheet may be constructed from any of a variety of suitable materials including metals and plastics such as foils or polymers. Each outer shell is affixed to its own portion of a mounting sheet and a mounting sheet is perforated to facilitate removal of one or more individual outer shells.  
           [0016]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, cartridges are constructed so that they may be attached to other cartridges without use of a outer shell. Each cartridge includes at least one engagement member that may be used to attach the cartridge to the engagement member of another cartridge. Thus, multiple cartridges may be attached in a linear fashion using the engagement members affixed to or constructed as part of the cartridges. The engagement members are constructed so as to permit the flow of liquid or other mixable materials between the cartridges once the one or more membranes between the cartridges are ruptured. This facilitates the mixture of the contents of the cartridges. This is achieved by piercing or rupturing any frangible membranes that would otherwise separate the contents of various cartridges. Preferably each of these cartridges includes a reinforcement wall laterally affixed to the circumference or other outer edge of each cartridge. In the simplest embodiment of this type, where there are only two cartridges, one of the cartridges must have frangible membranes at both ends, while the other one requires only a single frangible membrane (but may also have two frangible membranes if a suitable capping membrane is also utilized to prevent this outer membrane from rupturing). When mated, the cartridge with a single frangible membrane must be connected to the other cartridge so that the frangible membranes are adjacent to one another. In this manner, the user is then able to pierce the outer membrane, penetrate the first cartridge and then pierce the two adjacent membranes, allowing the contents of the first cartridge to flow into, or be mixed into, the second cartridge.  
           [0017]    Another embodiment employs an outer shell. An inner sleeve may be used as a lining for the outer shell. The outer shell is adapted to accommodate gaskets that include a frangible membrane. In this embodiment, gaskets are constructed to effect a separation of materials. The gaskets are constructed to fit within the outer shell and have a holding member with a hole of a predetermined size through the inner portion that runs essentially parallel to the (long) edge of the outer shell. A frangible membrane is affixed across and covers the hole. Optionally, a conformable device is used to aid in containing mixable materials on either side of the gasket. For purposes of this disclosure, a conformable device is a device that aids in effecting a separation between two adjacent sections of the outer shell, such as an o-ring or other separating system. Typically, the conformable device contacts the outer shell or inner sleeve, if one is used, and the gasket thereby providing a seal or separation between the space above and below the gasket. The cross-section of the outer shell and consequently the gaskets may be any shape, although a circular cross-section is preferred. The use of the gaskets in conjunction with the outer shell helps to ensure that mixable materials can be separated from each other for storage and then later mixed.  
           [0018]    It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the gasket may be of a significant thickness to provide adequate structural support for the membrane. This gasket may be beveled or otherwise shaped to slope inward so as to promote the transfer of materials through the membrane once the membrane is pierced.  
           [0019]    Additional advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be appreciated further by practice of the invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 depicts an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 depicts an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 depicts an exaggerated cross-sectional top plan view of one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 depicts an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 depicts an elevated cross-sectional perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 depicts an exaggerated cross-sectional top plan view of another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 depicts a lateral cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 depicts a lateral, cross-sectional plan view of an othe r embodiment of the invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 depicts a lateral, cross-sectional plan view of another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 depicts a lateral, cross-sectional plan view of another embodiment of the inventions;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 a  depicts a top down cross-sectional plan view of one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 b  depicts a lateral cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 12 depicts an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]    For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by referring mainly to various exemplary embodiments thereof. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention are particularly disclosed herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be implemented in, a variety of other systems, and any such variation would be within the modifications that do not part from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of any particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 1 depicts an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of a packaging system  10 . In this embodiment of the packaging system  10  an outer shell  8  is shown and includes a first cartridge  14  and a second cartridge  12 . In the embodiment shown, the outer shell  8  is an elongated cylindrical tube with an open end  15 . The outer shell  8  is preferably made out of a sturdy, rigid material and is useful to protect the contents thereof, namely the cartridges. The outer shell  8  may also be useful to hold or store an instrument such as a mixer or applicator as in the case of a spatula or brush  20  and may be equipped with a removable stop (not shown) over the open end  15  and positioned to hold the instrument in place and prevent its escape from the packaging system  10  or to prevent inadvertent rupturing of the outer frangible membrane  18 . The outer shell  8  is preferably of a sufficient length so that there is space between an outer frangible membrane  18  at the top of the second cartridge  12 , and the open end  15 . The preferable difference between the inner diameter of the outer shell and the outer diameters of the first and second cartridges,  14  and  12 , are relatively small to provide a relatively tight fit within the outer shell  8 . These two characteristics help to insure that the cartridges contained within the outer shell  8  are not inadvertently pierced, ruptured, or damaged. In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell  8  has an inner diameter of 2.1 mm and is of sufficient length such that the lengths of the first cartridge  14  and second cartridge  12  combined are less than half of the overall length of the entire outer shell  8 .  
         [0036]    In the embodiment of the packaging system  10  depicted in FIG. 1, the bottom end of the outer shell  8  may be sealed by a barrier that is relatively impenetrable. The bottom end  17  may be sealed in any of a variety of ways. This includes heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, capping, or other similar technology. Alternatively, the bottom end  17  may be sealed during an extrusion manufacturing process used to created the outer shell  8 . Alternatively, the bottom end  17  may exist as a stop member which is later affixed to the outer shell  8 .  
         [0037]    The first cartridge  14  occupies the space within the outer shell  8  adjacent to the relatively impenetrable bottom end  17 . Prior to assembly in the outer shell  8 , a frangible membrane is applied to one of the ends of the first cartridge  14 . Any desirable material is then loaded in through the open end of the first cartridge  14  and the first cartridge is sealed with another frangible membrane. The assembled first cartridge  14  is then loaded into the outer shell. The second cartridge  12  is filled in a similar manner and positioned adjacent to the first cartridge in the outer shell  8 . Thus, a frangible membrane  18  is presented to the open end of the outer shell  8 , two frangible membranes are positioned adjacent to one another at the interface  16  to the first and second cartridge and a final frangible membrane is affixed to the end of the first cartridge  14  adjacent to the relatively impenetrable bottom end  17  of the outer shell  8 . Using two frangible membranes for the first cartridge  14 , facilitates easy assembly, especially if the process is automated. Often, it then becomes unnecessary to align the cartridges so that the interface between the first and second cartridges are both frangible membranes. This process may be repeated to load as many cartridges as desired.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 depicts an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the packaging system  21 , however, in this embodiment, the outer shell  19  is box shaped. This embodiment includes a first cartridge  26  with a frangible membrane  28  affixed to the top end of the first cartridge  26  and a second cartridge  24  similar to that depicted in FIG. 1. A third cartridge having frangible membranes at both ends is then loaded above the second cartridge  24 . A capping membrane (not shown) may be installed on the outer shell  19  to protect the interior from contamination by dirt, dust, etc. during shipping/storage, or inadvertent rupture of the frangible membranes; this can be of any sort of protective, moldable material such as plastic, foil, or laminates that can be affixed to the end of the outer shell  19  either by induction seal, adhesion, pressure fitting, etc.  
         [0039]    The embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 shows how a plurality of cartridges may be installed within an outer shell  19 . It should be appreciated that while this embodiment depicts a box shaped outer shell  19 , the outer shell  19  could be any of a variety of shapes without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 depicts an exaggerated cross-sectional top plan view of one embodiment of the packaging system  40 . This drawing also depicts the circular shape of an outer shell  42 . Within the outer shell  42  is an inner sleeve  46  which is preferably fixedly attached to the outer shell  42 . The inner sleeve  46  is preferably constructed from a relatively nonporous and relatively impermeable material such as foil, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin, or any of a variety of other metallic or polymeric materials. The inner sleeve  46  may be constructed from the same material as the frangible membranes depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inner sleeve is preferably such that it contains the mixture components and prevents their lateral passage or contact with the outer shell  42 .  
         [0041]    Within the inner sleeve  46 , the contents of the cartridge  44  are shown. Although FIG. 3 depicts an exaggerated view, it may be appreciated from the drawing that, in the embodiment of the packaging system  40  depicted, the contents of the cartridge  44  may directly contact the inner sleeve  46 . In this way, the inner sleeve  46  may form the outermost lateral boundary for each of the different cartridges of a packaging system  40 . Alternatively, each of the cartridges may be a fully self-contained unit within the outer shell  46 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 depicts an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the packaging system  50 . In this embodiment, a variety of outer shells  52  containing filled cartridges with appropriate frangible membranes are affixed to a mounting sheet  54 . The mounting sheet  54  may be constructed from any of a variety of materials including metallic and plastic materials such as foils and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin. The mounting sheet  54  is of a width slightly greater than the length of the outer shells  52 . This permits a plurality of outer shells to be mounted to a mounting sheet  54 . Preferably, the mounting sheet  54  includes perforations  56  so that a section of the mounting sheet  54  may be removed while the remainder of the mounting sheet  54  is left intact. The mounting sheet  54  may be used to store a variety of outer shells  52 . Mounting sheets  54  may be stored flat or they may be rolled up for use in a dispenser or other suitable apparatus.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 5 depicts an elevated cross-sectional perspective view of another embodiment of the outer shell  58 . In this embodiment, a different technique is used to store a first cartridge  62  and a second cartridge  60  within the outer shell  64  by actually constructing the cartridges within the outer shell  64 . As previously described in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the outer shell  64  includes a bottom end  70 . The first cartridge  62  may be assembled inside of the outer shell  64  by sealing the bottom end of the first cartridge  62  with a frangible membrane (not shown). The mixable material for the first cartridge is then loaded directly into the first cartridge  62  with a frangible membrane  68  as a seal directly on top of the mixable material. The second cartridge  60  may be assembled in a similar fashion, using its own bottom membrane or the previously installed top membrane  68 . A capping membrane may be attached at the end of the outer shell  64 .  
         [0044]    As described, the aforementioned examples may be constructed using a single frangible membrane to separate the cartridges where cartridges are positioned adjacent to one another and where they have been described as having separate frangible membranes, one per each cartridge. In such embodiments, a single frangible membrane is shared by a pair of adjacent cartridges. In this embodiment, the frangible membrane must be capable of sealing on both sides. For simple systems, it could be an acceptable alternative to the aforementioned designs that utilize frangible membranes sealing both ends of cartridges.  
         [0045]    One skilled in the art will appreciate how other membranes may be employed to provide additional separation and/or protection of the cartridges. Additionally, it may be appreciated that an outer shell  64  such as that depicted in FIG. 5 is not limited to two cartridges as they may be used with a number of different cartridges. Further, it should be appreciated that the outer shell  64  may be constructed with an inner sleeve  46  such as that depicted in FIG. 3 and then either of the cartridge assembly types previously described may be employed either exclusively or along with the other cartridge assembly type.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6 depicts an exaggerated cross-sectional top plan view of one embodiment of the packaging system  80 . In this embodiment, the outer shell  88  has a generally circular cross-section and includes within it an inner sleeve  82 . Much like the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the inner sleeve  82  is preferably fixedly attached to the outer shell  88 . The drawing also depicts the mixable material  86  encased within a frangible membrane as a cartridge  84 . This cartridge  84  can be manufactured outside of the outer shell  88 , as previously described. As is evident from FIG. 6, the cartridge  84  is sized relative to the inner sleeve  82  such that the cartridge  84  will fit inside the inner sleeve  82 . Preferably, the cartridge will fit relatively snugly within the inner sleeve  82 . In one embodiment of the invention, the cartridge  84  is secured within the inner sleeve  82 . The cartridge  84  may be secured using any off a variety of suitable attachment means such as adhesives, e.g. glue, or small protrusions or indentions (not shown) within the outer shell  88  and liner  82 .  
         [0047]    Alternatively, the cartridge  84 , may be secured within the outer shell  88 , without use of an inner sleeve  82 . Use of the inner sleeve  82  may be advantageous in certain instances I I however, as it enables use of different types of cartridges as previously described, and provides added protection for the cartridges.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 7 depicts a lateral cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the package system  90 . In this embodiment the package system  90  is used to store a two-part adhesive. A resin mixture is present in a volume of approximately 100 μL and sealed within a first cartridge  96  installed near one end of an outer shell  92 . This first cartridge  96  is approximately 10 mm in length. A second cartridge  94  is installed adjacent to the first cartridge  96  and includes an activator mixture in a volume of approximately 25 μL. The second cartridge  94  is approximately 5 mm in length. Each of the first cartridge  96  and second cartridge  94  have an outer diameter of approximately 2.0 mm. The outer shell  92  has an inner diameter of approximately 2.1 mm so that the first cartridge  96  and second cartridge fit relatively snugly within the outer shell  92 . To further assure correct placement in the outer shell, a shallow concentric ring, indentation, detent  97  or the like can be molded into the inside wall of the outer shell at the upper edge of the upper cartridge  94  such that it would permit insertion of the cartridges past the ring, indentation, detent, etc., but would prevent their escape from the holder. This is important because during use, the two (or more) cartridges should be closely associated to ensure passage of the contents of one cartridge to the other. Other means of ensuring that cartridges are interconnected at time of use may be employed, such as gluing, snapping, or screwing them together.  
         [0049]    The first cartridge  96  and second cartridge  94  are each sealed with frangible membranes, or with a shared frangible membrane, as previously described. In use, both of the cartridges may be pierced or ruptured with some instrument such as a brush or spatula and their contents thoroughly blended together. Once properly mixed, the adhesive may be used in the desired application employing the same brush or spatula that was used to mix the contents of the paired cartridges. Following use, both the instrument and the outer shell can easily be disposed of to prevent interpersonal transfer of fluids. This package system  90  is suitable for a wide variety of adhesive and other applications, and may be of particular use in the dental field.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 8 depicts yet another embodiment of the invention utilizing a cartridge assembly  100 , in a lateral, cross-sectional plan view. The cartridge assembly  100  includes one or more cartridges  105 . Each cartridge  105  includes a frangible membrane at each of its ends  110  which defines an interior space  115 . The interior space  115  may be used to hold any of a variety of mixable materials. Each cartridge assembly  100  also includes one or more engagement members  125  affixed to either the top or bottom of the cartridge  105 . The engagement members  125  are constructed so that they may be removably affixed to complementary features on the engagement member of another cartridge.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 8 shows a first cartridge  105  detachably connected to a second cartridge  135  by the engagement members  120  of each cartridge  105  and  135 . In FIG. 8, the engagement members  120  of the first cartridge  105  and second cartridge  135  are shown engaged, and as a singular unit. The engagement members may be constructed to snap together and form a resilient, yet separable bond. Likewise, FIG. 8 also depicts a singular engagement member  125  on the first cartridge  105  and a singular engagement member  130  on the second cartridge  135 . Each of the engagement members  125 ,  130  are constructed so that the fluid contents or other mixable materials within the cartridges  105  and  135  may flow between the cartridges  105  and  135  when the frangible membranes  110  and  145  located between the cartridges  105  and  135  are pierced, or ruptured with a mixing instrument. Alternatively, one engagement member  125  or  130  may be replaced by a relatively impermeable barrier.  
         [0052]    In this way, a variety of cartridges  105  may be linearly interconnected for mixing of their contents. For instance, a user might attach cartridges together each of which contains a separate component of an adhesive formulation and then add a third cartridge containing a coloring component so that when mixed together the contents of three cartridges creates an adhesive having a desirable color. Alternatively the user might employ a different component to achieve a different color or perhaps an entirely different chemical characteristic such as added bonding strength, quicker drying and fixing time, or a harder final product.  
         [0053]    Each cartridge  135  may also include a reinforcement wall  140 . The reinforcement wall  140  is laterally disposed on a cartridge  135  so as to protect the cartridge  135  from inadvertent piercing, rupture, or other damage. The reinforcement wall  140  wraps around the outer circumference of the cartridge  135 . The reinforcement wall  140  may be constructed from any of a variety of materials, or may be installed as part of the extrusion process used to manufacture each cartridge  135 , or added as a separate assembly step.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 9 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 9, an outer shell  190  is open on either end and includes a stop member (relatively impenetrable wall)  200 . The stop member  200  is a more substantial element with a thickness and strength such that it is relatively difficult to pierce or rupture with the instrument provided with the package. As depicted in FIG. 9, the stop member  200  prevents mixing of the separate cartridges within the outer shell  190 . While the stop member  200  may be affixed at one end of the outer shell  190  and used as previously described as a bottom end, in this embodiment the stop member  200  is affixed at a predetermined position between the ends of and within the outer shell  190 . When affixed within the outer shell  190 , the stop member  200  creates two mixing and/or storage areas. The stop member  200  acts as a barrier between these two areas, each of which extends between the stop member  200  and an exterior end of the outer shell  190 . The first cartridge  210  and a second cartridge  220  are set within the outer shell  190  and on one side of the stop member  200 . This enables the user to pierce the frangible membranes on the first cartridge  210  and the second cartridge  220  without disturbing the contents of the outer shell  190  beyond the stop member  200 . When the user is finished with mixing and application of the contents of the first cartridge  210  and the second cartridge  220 , the user may pierce the third cartridge  230 , fourth cartridge  240 , and fifth cartridge  250  to mix the contents thereof together and apply the resulting mixture as appropriate. It should be appreciated that any variety of cartridge combinations may be used with the embodiment including the stop member  200 . For instance, the outer shell  190  might include a total of cartridges with three cartridges on either side of the stop member  200 , or the outer shell might include four cartridges on one side of the stop member  200  and a singular cartridge upon the opposite side of the stop member  200 . In addition, a plurality of outer shells may project outward from a common stop member (not shown). In this embodiment, multiple mixing/storage areas can be joined into one unit.  
         [0055]    The stop member  200  is preferably constructed from a relatively durable, resilient material that will help to prevent inadvertent piercing or rupture of the stop member  200 . This material includes the variety of metal and plastics, for instance, the stop member  200  may be constructed from a reinforced foil or polymer material. As such, a stop member  200  may be of varying thickness in order to achieve the desired effect.  
         [0056]    Thus, it can be appreciated that the invention might have application to a wide variety of embodiments. The cartridges used to contain and store the mixable materials have varying components and may be assembled in a variety of different ways. In certain embodiments, the single outer shell may include a combination of different cartridge types.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 10 depicts a lateral cross-sectional plan view of a packaging system  290 . In this figure the outer shell  330  has a bottom  335  portion affixed. Alternatively, a gasket that is relatively impermeable and unbreakable throughout its cross section may form the bottom portion  335 . A gasket  320  fits inside the outer shell  330  and separates the first mixable material  360  from the second  350  mixable material. The gasket  320  includes a holding member  325  affixed with a frangible membrane  365 . The position of this gasket  320  may be predetermined. Additionally, a conformable device  340  such as an O-ring (or similar gasket-type device) aids in the separation of the materials. A second gasket  310  contains the second mixable material  350  from exposure. A plurality of stops  345  may be installed within or as part of the outer shell  330  to prevent undesired movement of the gasket  310  and  320 . Preferably these stops  345  are molded or otherwise affixed to the outer shell. These stops  345  may take the form of rings, tabs, or other physical restraints. FIG. 10 also shows the brush, spatula, or other device  300  used to pierce the frangible membrane and mix the materials  350  and  360 . Both or either of the gaskets  310  and  320  may include a holding member  325  with a beveled or shaped side that slopes toward the membrane  365  to aid in mixing the materials after the penetration of the membrane  365 .  
         [0058]    Although FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment with two mixable materials, it can be appreciated that a number of mixable materials could be stored between gaskets in one packaging system.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 11 a depicts a top down cross-sectional plan view of a component  320 . In this drawing, a frangible membrane  365  is mounted within a holding member  325 . The holding member  325  may be lined at its periphery with a conformable device (e.g., an o-ring)  340  that fits snugly within an inner sleeve (not shown) preventing intermingling of materials on either side of the frangible membrane  365  and aids in positioning the component  320  within the outer shell (not shown). As previously described, the holding member  325  may be beveled or otherwise shaped to slope toward the membrane  365  so as to aid in the mixing of materials. Although the cross-sectional shape is depicted as circular, other shapes may be employed.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 11 b  depicts a lateral cross-sectional view of a gasket  320 . In this drawing, a frangible membrane  365  is attached to a holding member  325 , similar to that depicted in FIG. 11 a . The holding member  325  may be lined at its periphery with a conformable device  340  that aids in separating material on either side of the gasket  320 . As previously described, the holding member  325  may be beveled or otherwise shaped to slope toward the membrane  365  so as to aid in the mixing of materials.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 12 depicts a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment  440 , a plurality of outer shells  460 ,  470 ,  480 ,  490 ,  500 , and  510  extend from a common bottom end  450 . The outer shells  460 ,  470 ,  480 ,  490 ,  500 , and  510  may extend at a variety of angles from the bottom end  450 . These outer shells may be constructed so that they are detachable, and allow a user to make different combinations to suit the particular mixture desired. Each of the outer shells may contain more than one component and where they contain more than one component, each component is separated from the others by frangible membranes. Additionally, the outer shells, may be separated from the common chamber  450  by frangible membranes in order to permit multiple combinations of ingredients in the common chamber. It should be appreciated that such a device may include fewer or more outer shells.  
         [0062]    While the invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art may make various modifications to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. In particular, although the present invention has been described by examples, a variety of devices would practice the inventive concepts described herein. While the invention has been described and disclosed in various terms and certain embodiments, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved, especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these and other variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims and their equivalents.