Abstract:
A dispensing container which stores two or more separated fluids and blends the fluids when dispensing. The container has two or more liquid receptacles and a cap which threads to the bottle. The receptacles include the open interior of the container, and an interior vessel separate and removable from the container. The cap is connected a mixing circuit which retrieves and blends fluids taken from the receptacles. A pump, which may be either manually or electrically operated, draws fluids from the receptacles and discharges these fluids after they are mixed. The dispensing container has at least one, and optionally a plurality of separate, attachable auxiliary vessels. The auxiliary vessels communicate with the mixing circuit or alternatively with one another. The auxiliary vessels are constructed to hold pressurized propellant, while the dispensing container is formed from plastic. Internal circuitry has check valves which relieve vacuum which would otherwise develop within the container, and includes valves which open responsive to auxiliary vessels being installed or inserted into the dispensing container.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is related to my co-pending application Ser. No. 09/412,581, filed Oct. 5, 1999, and Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. ______, filed November, 1999, and No. ______, filed January, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to containers which blend fluent materials stored in separate chambers when dispensing these materials. More particularly, the invention sets forth a container which cooperates with a removable vessel which communicates with the container for the purpose of introducing a separate fluid thereto. The container has a dispensing pump for discharging fluids stored within the container. The novel dispensing container finds application wherever fluid materials must be blended and dispensed in quantities appropriate for individual consumers. For example, the container may be utilized by consumers to store and dispense personal care products such as shampoo and hair conditioner, products such as oil and vinegar for preparing salad dressings, among others. Alternatively, the container may be utilized in industrial, commercial, institutional, medical, and scientific applications to blend active ingredients with carrier fluids, or to blend ingredients which would interact on contact with one another. The fields which may benefit from the invention are many and diverse.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    It is necessary from time to time to dispense several dissimilar fluent substances which must be separated from one another prior to being utilized, yet blended when utilized. In many cases, the precise proportions of the two substances cannot be determined until the last minute. If the two substances were separately stored, it would require extreme care to assure that they be accurately mixed together. Also, metering and dispensing of two separate substances is somewhat time consuming. Furthermore, separate metering and dispensing may expose one or both substances to contact with the air, airborne contaminants, light, or other detrimental influences.  
           [0006]    Another aspect of containers is that in many cases, it is not feasible to provide separate fluids in proportional ratios. That is, it is frequently the case that one fluid is depleted while a usable quantity of another fluid yet remains. The fluid may be among the contents being dispensed, or alternatively may be a carrier fluid or a propellant. To this end, it would be desirable to provide a container which accommodates connection of a separate vessel containing one of the fluids.  
           [0007]    This feature is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,107, issued to Baudin et al. on Jun. 1, 1999, wherein one vessel threads to another. However, the device of Baudin et al. lacks the mixing and dispensing pump of the present invention, and also lacks alignable ports or valves which enable immediate communication between the two receptacles when the detachable vessel is connected to the principal container.  
           [0008]    It is convenient and effective to store, meter, blend, and dispense several substances from a single container in a manner assuring that plural contents be separated until the point in time at which they are used. The prior art has proposed containers which dispense plural contents. An example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,346, issued to James E. Richardson et al. on Nov. 26, 1974. The subject dispenser of Richardson et al. is hand squeezed to dispense fluids, whereas the present invention includes a pump. Also, the present invention has an internal circuit cooperating with a removable vessel.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,137, issued to Jean-Francois Grollier et al. on Aug. 8, 1995, shows an aerosol type dispenser having plural fluid containers which dispense fluid. Unlike the present invention, there is no manual pump and no separable, connectable vessel.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,548, issued to Michel Brunet et al. on Jul. 7, 1992, features a dispenser having a plunger pump at one end and a discharge nozzle at the other end, in the manner of a hypodermic syringe. Actuation of the plunger ruptures a barrier which separates two stored fluids. The present invention lacks a frangible barrier which would require renewing for each subsequent use. Also, there is no mixing circuit incorporating check valves, as seen in the present invention, and no separable, connectable vessel. In the present invention, fluid is discharged through the pump, whereas this arrangement is not possible in the device of Brunet et al.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,550, issued to Robert C. Meyer on Dec. 31, 1996, illustrates a compartmented container which dispenses plural fluids in adjustable proportion. However, Meyer lacks a plunger pump and a dispensing circuit having check valves and an internal mixing chamber, as seen in the present invention, as well as a separable, connectable vessel.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,624, issued to William M. Klima et al. on Apr. 6, 1999, shows a dispensing container providing plural storage compartments and an indirectly operated plunger pump. Klima et al. has a dispensing circuit incorporating check valves and a mixing chamber. However, Klima et al. lacks a separable, connectable vessel, an agitator or mixing structure carried on the piston of the pump, and an internal support for supporting one of the storage compartments within the container. By contrast, these features are all seen in the present invention. Klima et al. has a plunger type pump. However, this pump is indirectly actuated by a trigger and associated linkage, whereas the pump of the present invention is directly actuated.  
           [0013]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    The present invention affords a hand held, pump action dispensing container or dispenser which is suitable for enabling consumers to blend and dispense many different fluids. The novel container has a storage receptacle in the form of a jar or bottle open at one end, and threads for securing a cap which bears a discharge nozzle. Optionally, the storage receptacle is divided into several compartments each intended to contain one fluid. The compartments are, in different embodiments, arranged side by side, one above the other, or one within another. Fluids contained within the compartments may be mixed in any desired proportion prior to discharge. The fluids are mixed or blended internally within the container prior to discharge.  
           [0015]    The novel container has an associated separate auxiliary vessel which is connectable thereto. The separate vessel contains a second fluid which may interact with the first fluid contained within the container, or which may be a carrier fluid, a propellant, such as pressurized gas, or which may serve some other purpose. The container has passages which are opened by installing the separate vessel in the container. These passages establish communication between a compartment of the dispenser and the separate vessel. Communication occurs only when the separate vessel is installed in the container of the dispenser. Selectively opened passages enable residual pressure, in containers operated by pressurized propellant, to be vented relieved prior to opening the container, and without unduly depleting the source of propellant. Withdrawal of the vessel closes passages such that no undesired leakage to the outside of the container occurs.  
           [0016]    A principal application of the invention is to provide pressurized propellant gas in a small, inexpensive vessel so that the principal container can be economically fabricated from an inexpensive material such as plastic. The pressure vessel can be fabricated from aluminum, steel, or any other suitable material.  
           [0017]    The pressure vessel is removable from the principal container. This leads to certain advantages apart from cost of the container and attachable vessel. For example, depletion of one of the fluids need not cause the container and any remaining quantity of the other fluid to be discarded. Both fluids can be renewed as desired. Therefore, mismatches in quantity between propellant and the fluid being dispensed can be overcome. Both the fluid being dispensed and the propellant can independently, and at any time, be renewed as required. This feature enables usage of the container to continue with minimal regard for depletion of either propellant or of the fluid being dispensed.  
           [0018]    A dispensing circuit enclosed within the container has a pick up tube for each compartment of the container, a common mixing chamber, and check valves to prevent cross contamination of storage compartments by backflow within the mixing circuit and to isolate the mixing chamber from exposure to the outside atmosphere.  
           [0019]    The dispensing circuit and its conduits are secured to the cap. One of several types of pumps are incorporated to achieve forced dispensing. A manual plunger type pump is one possible type of pump. The plunger pump operates by direct action, that is, its upper portion is contacted by the user&#39;s hand and depressed. Depressing the plunger directly pressurizes fluid contained in the mixing chamber. Pressurized fluid can escape only through the discharge nozzle. A spring returns the plunger to its original position where it is ready for the next pressurizing stroke. The return stroke generates a partial vacuum in the mixing chamber which recharges the mixing chamber with fluids retrieved from storage. An optional proportioning valve adjusts proportions of fluids retrieved from storage. An electrically operated pump is an alternative to a manual pump.  
           [0020]    Optionally, paddles or vanes are carried on the pump to improve blending within the mixing chamber. This option is used when highly viscous fluids are to be mixed, or when dispensing any fluids which resist spontaneous mixing. In a further option, a support cage or frame for supporting a small storage container within the bottle or jar depends from the cap.  
           [0021]    A significant advantage of the invention is that preexisting spray heads can be utilized. This is of interest to manufacturers who will be able to utilize existing tooling to fabricate the spray head.  
           [0022]    Another advantage of the invention is that the container, together with its internal circuits and valve features, can be manufactured by known molding techniques in a homogeneous single part, or in relatively few mutually attachable parts. Materials utilized to fabricate the container are readily recyclable.  
           [0023]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a hand held dispenser which blends and dispenses plural fluids which must be stored separated from one another.  
           [0024]    Another object of the invention is to provide a hand held fluid dispenser which has a removably attachable auxiliary vessel, and which dispenser receives fluid from the auxiliary vessel.  
           [0025]    It is another object of the invention that the dispenser and auxiliary vessel establish paths of communication therebetween to enable the various fluids to contact one another, and to close these paths of communication to prevent undesired discharge of the contents of the dispenser.  
           [0026]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a mixing chamber for mixing fluids, which mixing chamber is isolated from the outside atmosphere.  
           [0027]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus enabling standard pump spray dispensers to be readily converted from single fluid operation to blending and dispensing operation.  
           [0028]    Still another object of the invention is to vary proportions of fluids being mixed and dispensed.  
           [0029]    An additional object of the invention is that the dispenser be manufactured by molding techniques, and that discarded dispensers be readily recyclable.  
           [0030]    Still another object of the invention is to enable pressurized dispensing containers formerly fabricated from steel to be fabricated from inexpensive materials, with only the vessel containing pressurized propellant to be fabricated from metals and their alloys.  
           [0031]    It is a further object of the invention to vent residual pressure in propellant operated dispensing containers when dispensing is finished, without depleting the source of pressurized propellant.  
           [0032]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide direct; actuation of the pressurizing plunger, and to discharge pressurized fluids through the cap.  
           [0033]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0034]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0035]    Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 is a partially exploded, cross sectional, side elevational view of a dispensing container which may incorporate the present invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional, side elevational view of a second embodiment of a dispensing container which may incorporate the present invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 is a top plan detail view of the upper center of FIG. 1.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 is a top plant detail view of the upper center of FIG. 1, showing an adjustment from the positions shown in FIG. 3, made by mutually rotating the components relative to one another.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a dispensing container which may incorporate the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 6 is a side elevational, cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a dispensing container which may incorporate the present invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 7A is a side elevational, cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention incorporating a removable auxiliary fluid containing vessel.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 7B is a diagrammatic, side elevational detail view of an embodiment of the invention, showing closure of fluid circuits when an auxiliary fluid vessel is removed from the host container.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7C corresponds to FIG. 7B, but shows the auxiliary fluid vessel installed in the host container.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8 is a side elevational, cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention, incorporating a removable auxiliary fluid containing vessel.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 9 is a side elevational, cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention incorporating an electrically operated pump.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 10A is an enlarged, side elevational detail view, shown mostly in cross section, of an auxiliary fluid vessel.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 10B is similar to FIG. 9A, but shows an internal sliding valve projecting from the auxiliary vessel.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 11 is a perspective detail view, partially broken away to reveal internal detail, of an auxiliary vessel similar to that of FIG. 11A, but modified to discharge fluid from a bottom surface.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 12 is a side elevational, cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention showing a plurality of auxiliary vessels associated with one dispensing container.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention depicting plural auxiliary vessels.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a component which attaches additional auxiliary vessels to those of FIG. 13.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 15 is a side elevational view, shown mostly in cross section, of an embodiment featuring an interlock which discharges pressurized propellant into the novel container only during dispensing of the contents of the container. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0054]    The present invention improves upon the container shown in my co-pending application Ser. No. 09/412,581, filed Oct. 5, 1999, which is incorporated therein by reference. Reviewing the subject matter of the co-pending application, and as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, novel dispensing container  10  is seen to comprise a storage bottle  12  having a floor  14 , a lateral wall  16 , and an open upper end  18 . A receptacle  20  for storing a fluid for subsequent dispensing is defined within bottle  12 . Container  10  stores two fluids separately, and can blend these fluids immediately prior to dispensing. A second receptacle  22  is defined within storage vessel  24 . Storage vessel  24  is dimensioned and configured to be insertable into, contained within, and readily retrieved from receptacle  20 .  
         [0055]    A cap  26  closingly engages upper end  18  of storage bottle  12 . Components of a mixing and dispensing circuit and a pump for pressurizing fluids being dispensed are carried on cap  26 . The mixing and dispensing circuit includes a first pick up tube  28  extending from cap  26  into receptacle  20 , terminating near floor  14 . A second pick up tube  30  depends from cap  26 , extending to near the bottom of receptacle  22  of storage vessel  24 . Pick up tubes  28 ,  30  discharge their respective retrieved fluids into a mixing chamber  32 .  
         [0056]    Mixing chamber  32  is defined within a generally cylindrical member  34 . A pump is provided by a plunger  36  which is slidably disposed within cylindrical member  34  and accessible to manual contact from above cap  26 . The pump pressurizes and propels fluids contained within mixing chamber  32 . Plunger  36  includes a head  38  formed to define structure which cooperates with a user&#39;s thumb or finger, and a discharge nozzle  40  opening to the outside atmosphere. Circumferential ribs  41  project outwardly from plunger  36  at that portion contacting the interior surface of member  34 , for improving engagement of an external object. Illustratively, it is easy to grasp plunger  36  manually when assembling container  10  when ribs  41  engage the fingertips. The function of member  34  will be described hereinafter.  
         [0057]    The dispensing circuit includes a first conduit  42  formed in pick up tube  28 , a second conduit  44  formed in pick up tube  30 , mixing chamber  32 , and a discharge conduit  46  formed in head  38  of plunger  36 . Discharge conduit  46  is disposed to conduct pressurized fluid from the pump to discharge nozzle  46 . Conduits  42 ,  44 , and  46  are disposed in fluid communication with chamber  32 , subject to respective check valves  48 ,  50 ,  52 . Check valves  48 ,  50  prevent back flow of blended fluids from chamber  32  into their respective receptacles  20 ,  22 , to preclude cross contamination of stored fluids. Check valve  52  closes chamber  32  to fluid communication with the outside atmosphere, thereby minimizing possible deterioration of mixed fluids due to contact with air and airborne contaminants.  
         [0058]    When plunger  36  is depressed by the user from the ready position shown in FIG. 1, plunger  36  imposes pressure on fluids contained within chamber  32 . These fluids can escape only through conduit  46 , and are subsequently discharged through nozzle  46 . A return spring  54  urges plunger  36  upwardly towards the ready position, thereby generating a partial vacuum within chamber  32 . This vacuum draws fluids from receptacles  20 ,  22  past check valves  48 ,  50  into chamber  32 .  
         [0059]    Plunger  36  performs the further function of actively mixing or blending fluids drawn into chamber  32 . Mixing vanes or blades  56  project downwardly from plunger  36  such that they have a tendency to stir and mix fluids in chamber  32 .  
         [0060]    A support cage or frame  58  is attached to that portion  60  of cap  26  projecting into receptacle  20  of bottle  12 . Support frame  58  surrounds vessel  24  and retains vessel  24  against portion  60  of cap  26 .  
         [0061]    In the embodiment of FIG. 1, vessel  24  is contained within receptacle  20  of bottle  12 , and is removed therefrom by withdrawing cap  26 . Cap  26  has threads  62  which engagingly mate with threads  64  formed in bottle  12 . Pick up tube  28  passes through an upper opening  66  and a lower opening  68  formed in vessel  24  so that pick up tube  28  has access to fluid stored below vessel  24  in receptacle  20 . Vessel  24  and pick up tubes  28 ,  30  are withdrawn from bottle  12  when cap  26  is unthreaded and removed.  
         [0062]    Referring now to FIG. 2, in another embodiment of the invention, container  110  has two fluid storage receptacles  120 ,  122  formed in bottle  112 . Receptacles  120 ,  122  are separated from one another by an interior partition wall  102 . Bottle  112  is closed by cap  126 . Pitch of threads  162 ,  164  is modified from the embodiment of FIG. 1 so that cap  126  is fully installed prior to interference occurring between pick up tubes  128 ,  130  with wall  102 . Wall  102  and the bottom portion  160  of plunger  136  are dimensioned and configured so that lower portion  160  of plunger  136  contacts wall  102 , thereby sealing and separating receptacles  120 ,  122 .  
         [0063]    Cap  126  carries a member  134  and a plunger  136 , which are both essentially similar to member  34  and plunger  36  of FIG. 1. The only difference between the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is that receptacles  120 ,  122  in FIG. 2 are both formed integrally with bottle  112 . Optional mixing blades  41  are omitted from the embodiment of FIG. 2. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is appropriate where the proportions of the two fluids approach equality in the blended mix.  
         [0064]    Both embodiments incorporate an adjustable proportioning valve disposed to selectively vary proportions of fluids entering the mixing chamber. This feature will be described in terms of the embodiment of FIG. 1, although it will be understood that the operative principles are equally applicable to the embodiment of FIG. 2. Turning now to FIG. 3, floor  70  of member  34  is seen to have an arcuate opening  72  which exposes upper opening  74  of conduit  42  (see FIG. 1) and upper opening  76  of conduit  44  (see FIG. 1) to fluid communication with chamber  32 . Member  34  may be grasped by a knurled, ridged, or otherwise textured collar or flange  78  (see also FIG. 1) and rotated to vary the cross sectional exposed area of openings  74 ,  76 . Member  34  is rotatably contained within section  60  of plunger  26  so that this adjustment is possible.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 4 shows adjustment which has been made from the relative positions of member  34  and the bottom of portion  60  of cap  26  originally shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, opening  74  is fully uncovered, and opening  76  is partially obstructed by floor  70  of member  34 . In FIG. 4, member  34  has been rotated in the direction of arrow  80  with the result that opening  74  is now partially obstructed and opening  76  is fully open. The proportions of respective fluids which will be drawn into chamber  32  by suction on the return stroke of plunger  36  will vary accordingly. Proportions of fluids entering chamber  32  are therefore infinitely adjustable within the range enabled by the cross sectional area of conduits  42 ,  44  and opening  72 .  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 5 shows the externally visible components of container  10 , as they relate to adjustment of proportion of the fluid mix. A pointer  82  formed in flange  78  is arranged to align with index marks of an index scale  84  molded into or printed on cap  26 . Rotation of member  34  in directions indicated by arrow  86  by grasping flange  78  will be reflected by different relative positions of pointer  82  and scale  84 .  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 6 shows an embodiment particularly adapted for modification of pre-existing spray dispensers not originally designed to incorporate blending features. Container  210  includes a storage bottle  212  having a floor  214 , a lateral wall  216 , and an upper edge  218 . A receptacle  220  for storing a fluid for subsequent dispensing is defined within bottle  212 . A second receptacle  222  is defined within storage vessel  224 . Storage vessel  224  is dimensioned and configured to be insertable into, contained within, and readily retrieved from receptacle  220 .  
         [0068]    The embodiment of FIG. 6 departs from that of FIG. 1 in that vessel  224  is configured to be supported from upper edge  218 . To this end, vessel  224  has a flange  225  which will come to rest on upper edge  218  when vessel  224  is inserted into receptacle  220  of bottle  212 . Cap  226  has a horizontal member  227  which entraps flange  225  when cap  226  is threaded to bottle  212 .  
         [0069]    The spray pump of the embodiment of FIG. 6 operates similarly to that of FIG. 1, but is adapted to be compatible with vessel  224 . A mixing chamber  232  is formed within a housing  234  formed at the top of vessel  224 . A first pick up tube  228  depends from member  234  and passes through vessel  224 . A telescopic tubular extension  235  extends nearly to the floor  214  of bottle  212 . Fluid drawn by suction from the pump will enter extension  235 , pass through pick up tube  228 , and pass by check valve  248  to enter mixing chamber  232 . A second pick up tube  230  depends from member  234  and extends nearly to the bottom of vessel  224 . Fluid drawn by suction from vessel  224  is conducted through tube  230  past check valve  250  to enter mixing chamber  232 .  
         [0070]    The pump of container  210  includes a plunger  236  slidably disposed on cap  226  and a head  238  which is the equivalent of that of the embodiment of FIG. 1. A housing  233  acts in concert with cap  236  to form a suction chamber  237  which is in fluid communication with mixing chamber  232 . A check valve  252  carried in housing  233  separates mixing chamber  232  from suction chamber  237 . Preferably, check valves  248 ,  250 , and  252  each have a spring urging the respective valve into the closed position. These springs are sufficiently weak so that their associated valves will open responsive to suction established when plunger  236  moves upwardly responsive to return spring  254  after the user has removed manual pressure from plunger  236 . Container  210  has a dispensing circuit including the conduit provided by pick up tubes  228 ,  230 , mixing chamber  232 , suction chamber  233 , and a discharge conduit  246  formed in head  238 . The overall function of the dispensing circuit of container  210  is similar to that of container  10  as regards pumping action, check valve operation, retrieval of fluids from receptacles  220 ,  222 , and dispensing of blended fluids under pressure from the pump. The pump utilizes plunger  236  in a manner similar to that of plunger  36  of container  10 . In container  210 , blending may occur in chamber  237  as well as in chamber  232 . The significant advantage of container  210  is that insertion of vessel  224  into bottle  212  readily converts a standard pump dispensing container (not shown) into a blending dispensing container. Most of head  238  and plunger  236  can be adapted for use in container  210 , this requiring-a limited degree of truncation of the original suction chamber and downwardly depending portion thereof from the original head and plunger (not shown).  
         [0071]    Progressive depletion of fluids stored in the various receptacles of all embodiments may be accommodated in any suitable way. Air relief valves (not shown) may be incorporated where desired. A source of compressed gas may be provided to prevent collapse or inoperability upon depletion of stored fluids. Alternatively, one or more receptacles may be flexible, so that they collapse in controlled fashion as their contents are removed.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 7 shows a modification of the embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 2. The embodiment of FIG. 7 shares many structural features with that of FIG. 2, and reference numerals common to both Figures indicate structurally identical features. These features are described prior, and therefore description need not be repeated with respect to FIG. 7. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, lateral wall  316  of container  310  has a recess  301  for receiving a separate auxiliary vessel  303 . An opening  302  admits fluids from vessel  303  into compartment  320  of container  310 . An externally operable valve  304  opens opening  305  formed in the floor of auxiliary vessel  303 . Fluids from compartment  320  are drawn into the mixing and dispensing circuit by the pump associated with plunger  136 . A laterally displaceable link  307  controls a valve  308  to open opening  302  when vessel  303  is inserted into recess  301 . A unidirectional check valve  309  is disposed within cap  326  to admit air into compartment  320  from the exterior thereof. This feature relieves vacuum which would otherwise be generated by operation of the pump. Other check valves (not shown) may be provided at other locations on dispensing container  310  to relieve vacuum which would otherwise interfere with operability.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate how link  307  operates. Link  307  is disposed within lateral wall  316  of container  310  (see FIG. 7A). Link  307  has an opening  307 A and a section  307 B which projects to the left of wall  316 , into recess  301 . It will be seen by examining FIG. 7B that opening  302  is misaligned with opening  307 A. As a consequence, no communication is established between compartment  320  of container  310  and the exterior thereof.  
         [0074]    After auxiliary vessel  303  is fully inserted or installed in container  310 , occupying recess  301 , it displaces link  307  by moving link  307  to the right, as depicted in FIG. 7C. This causes openings  302 ,  305 , and  307 A to align, thereby establishing fluid communication between vessel  303  and compartment  320 . Although not shown, link  307  is preferably spring biased into the closed position of FIG. 7B.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 8 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 7 wherein the opening of the auxiliary vessel is located at the top of the auxiliary vessel, rather than at the bottom thereof, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, a check valve  550  is formed at the top of recess  501 . Auxiliary vessel  503  has a valve  504  biased by a spring  505  into the closed position. The upper surface of recess  501  is so configured that valve  504  is depressed when vessel  503  is inserted into recess  501 .  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention incorporating an electrically operated pump  700  which replaces the plunger operated pump of the previous embodiments. A battery  701  supplies power to pump  700 . A switch  702  disposed on the exterior of dispensing container  710  controls pump  700 .  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 10A shows how a seal is provided for those embodiments utilizing the arrangement of valve  504  of FIG. 8. Auxiliary vessel  503  has a groove  520  which slidingly retains a tab  522  having an opening  524  and a flexible membrane  528 . Tab  522  projects beyond lateral side  526  of vessel  503 . When vessel  503  is inserted into its host container  510  (see FIG. 8), tab  522  is displaced to the left, as depicted in FIG. 10A. The displaced condition is shown in FIG. 10B. Valve  504  aligns with opening  524  and is urged by spring  530  to project upwardly therethrough. Upward travel of valve  504  is limited by stop  532 . Fluid contained within vessel  503  can now escape through valve  504 , which is a hollow tube, Valve  504  is aligned with the passageway associated with check valve  550  (see FIG. 8). The contents of vessel  503  thereby establish fluid communication with chamber  32  of the pump.  
         [0078]    If desired, direction of discharge of the contents of the auxiliary vessel may be at the bottom thereof. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 11, wherein vessel  803  is generally equivalent to vessel  503  of FIG. 10A.  
         [0079]    As described with reference to FIG. 12, plural attachable auxiliary vessels may be employed with one dispensing container. With only the portion  660  shown, the portion  660  corresponding to portion  60  of FIG. 1, it being understood that portion  60  is a part of a dispensing container (not shown in its entirety) generally similar to that of FIG. 1, three pick up tubes  628 ,  629 ,  631  project downwardly. Tube  628  communicates with receptacle  620 , which is either integrally formed with the associated dispenser container or alternatively as a detachable part thereof. Tubes  629 ,  631  respectively communicate with separate auxiliary vessels  603 P,  603 B. Each vessel  603 A,  603 B removably connects to receptacle  620 , and communicates therewith by a respective pick up tube extension  641 ,  643 . Fluids contained within vessels  603 A,  603 B, and receptacle  620  are drawn into the pump simultaneously when the pump operates.  
         [0080]    Auxiliary vessels  603 A,  603 B are replenished by respective removably attachable auxiliary vessels  617 A,  617 B. Vessels  603 A and  617 A mutually attach by snap structures (not; shown) or in any other suitable way. Valves  651 A,  651 B control transfer of fluid into vessels  603 A,  603 B. Valves  651 A,  651 B may take the form of manual valve  304  (see FIG. 7A) or interference operated valve  308  (see FIG. 7A).  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 13 shows a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 12, wherein receptacle  760  has external threads  765  for connection enabling mounting of auxiliary vessels  817 A,  817 B (see FIG. 14). Auxiliary vessels  703 A,  703 B are shown connected to receptacle  760 . Internal fluid communication among receptacle  760  and auxiliary vessels  703 A,  703 B is accomplished as discussed relative to other embodiments. Valves  751 A,  751 B are shown as part of associated vessels  703 A,  703 B, respectively. A unitary assembly uniting auxiliary vessels  817 A,  817 B is shown in FIG. 14, wherein a skirt  800  envelops vessels  817 A,  817 B. Skirt  800  has internal threads  865  which mate with threads  765  of receptacle  760 . Valve connectors  851 A,  851 B enable communication between each upper and lower pair of auxiliary vessels  703 A,  817 A or  703 B,  817 B.  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 15 shows a mechanical interlocking feature optionally and preferably utilized with those embodiments of the invention wherein the auxiliary vessel contains a propellant gas under pressure. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, container  910  is generally structurally similar to any of the prior embodiments of the invention, but has an interlock feature which assures that pressurized propellant gas is released into container  910  from auxiliary vessel  903  only when the user is dispensing liquids contained within container  910 .  
         [0083]    When head  938  is depressed, an arm  959  comes into contact with lever  961  of a tilt switch (not shown in its entirety) of auxiliary vessel  903 . The tilt switch may be generally conventional, being that type which opens when lever  961  is tilted from the horizontal orientation shown in FIG. 15. Propellant gas contained at pressures above ambient pressures within auxiliary vessel  903  enters chamber  920 , thereby propelling liquids (not shown) contained within chamber  920  into pick up tube  928  for ultimate ejection through head  938  in a manner similar to that of the other embodiments.  
         [0084]    Releasing head  938  so that head  938  returns to the original position shown in FIG. 15 will release lever  961  to reassume its original position, thereby closing its associated tilt valve. This feature avoids unduly depleting auxiliary vessel  903  but more importantly spares container  910  from being subjected to injurious high pressures. Therefore, container  910  is fabricated inexpensively from materials such as plastics, whereas only auxiliary vessel  903  need be fabricated to standards appropriate for containing high pressures typical of gas propellants. Illustratively, auxiliary vessel  903  is fabricated selectively from metals and metal alloys, such as, for example, steel and aluminum.  
         [0085]    The present invention is susceptible to variations and modifications which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concept. For example, valves disposed upon the auxiliary vessel, and structure located on the dispensing container for opening the valves by interference may be reversed in their locations. Also, valves shown and described herein may be replaced by other types of valves. For example, valves actuated by insertion of auxiliary vessels into the host container could be tilt-lever valves (not shown), wherein a horizontal projection contacts a pivotal arm. When the arm is contacted, it pivots and opens the valve. Check valves may take the form of solid members or flaccid membranes which yieldably cover ports formed in solid walls of the container and its associated auxiliary vessels. In a further example, any of the novel improvements shown herein may be utilized with any of the embodiments of the dispensing containers described herein.  
         [0086]    Additional features may be incorporated into any of the embodiments of the invention. For example, a pressure relieiE feature may be incorporated into those containers which operate by pressure. In a second example, a mechanical interlock, such as link  307  of FIGS.  7 A- 7 C, may be employed to vent pressure which would otherwise be unrelieved in various chambers and conduits of the novel container. This is accomplished by providing selectively overlapping contact of an auxiliary vessel with the link or other actuators of valves. The venting valve would be held open until after the fluid control valve closes. Thus pressure is vented after the source of pressure is closed.  
         [0087]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.