Abstract:
A security tab isolating varied dispensing apertures with a multi chamber consumable container is disclosed. In one embodiment the dispensing apertures are similar and have either a spray dispenser or a spot dispenser. In another embodiment they may have dissimilar apertures such as a spray dispenser and a spout dispenser. The dispensing aperture can be operated simultaneously or separately. The dispensing aperture may be sealed individually or together with a security tab. The sealing of the dispensing apertures with a security tab enables the user to select the consumable of choice, to prevent loss and accidental usage of the wrong consumable.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present Application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/233,140, entitled “Secure dispensing system for multiple consumables,” by Miriam M. Flores, filed Aug. 12, 2009, and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to the field of a secure dispensing system for several types of consumables. The secure dispensing system, when secured to a chambered bottle containing the consumables is convenient to carry, use, quickly open and close, refill with ease and has an elegant and beautiful appearance. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Generally, a person has to carry two different types of containers for different consumables such as a perfume and a face cream, tooth paste and a mouth wash, shaving cream and after shave lotion, diaper rash cream and baby cream, hair spray and mousse, shampoo and conditioner, sun screen and moisturizer cream, disinfectant anti-bacterial and soap, hand sanitizer and hand lotion and a water and a drink etc. 
         [0004]    The containers may be large and may not be convenient to carry such as in carry on luggage or a ladies purse. New security systems prohibit carrying bulky liquid containers. It also makes it bulky to carry when one is travelling and/or going to remote locations where certain necessary consumables may not be available. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one embodiment a secure dispensing system is disclosed. The dispensing system has more than one dispenser. The dispensers are separated by a unique security tab that prevents the dispensers to be suppressed accidentally. The security tab prevents the other dispenser to be pressed while using the first dispenser. 
         [0006]    The security tab can be screwed in, snapped on or attached by sliding on and the dispenser heads for a particular container can be interchanged based on the requirement. The security tab may be in the form of a lid on top of the dispensers. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment the dispenser may be placed at 90° and/or 180° or 240° angles from each other. In another embodiment they can be parallel to each other. In one embodiment they can be facing the same direction or they can be at opposite directions. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment a dual dispenser container including a segmented container carrying different consumables is disclosed. The segmented container enables the user to dispense the consumable of choice either separately or simultaneously at a specific instance. This would also prevent unnecessary discharge of one consumable when the other is being used. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, a single container having a separated segment and dual dispenser is disclosed. In another aspect, a container having two different consumables that are immiscible are separated in a segmented container and have their individual dispensing apertures. One aperture may be a spray aperture and the other could be a spout aperture. The top of the container would have a rigid lid partially covering the two apertures so that when one type of dispenser top is used, the other is not accidentally suppressed and consumable is not discharged. 
         [0010]    A container may have two spray apertures for dispensing two aerosol liquids such as a perfume and an Eu de toilette or Eu de cologne. The security tab covering both the apertures may be a screw tight or press shut type and can be round shape, t-shaped or square shaped. This would prevent accidental spillage of the consumables from the container. 
         [0011]    A container may have two spout apertures to dispense consumables such as a diaper rash cream and a baby cream. The apertures may be opened and closed individually so that a person can operate one aperture at a time instead of both. The container would be suitably labeled outside so that a distinction could easily be made for the intended purpose and the suitable consumable for a particular instance. 
         [0012]    The container may contain a pivoting lid so that one aperture at a time can be opened. The pivoting lid would close one of the apertures so an individual can use one consumable at a time. 
         [0013]    A container may have a combination of apertures such as a spray dispenser and a spout dispenser to store a combination of consumables such as a tooth paste and a mouth wash, a perfume and a hand lotion, shaving cream and after shave lotion, diaper rash cream and baby cream, hair spray and mousse, shampoo and conditioner, sun screen and moisturizer cream, disinfectant anti-bacterial and soap, hand sanitizer and hand lotion, a water and a drink etc. 
         [0014]    A container may have rigid separated segments for two different consumables. The container may also have a replaceable and disposable sub-segment that can be inserted once a particular consumable has been used up. The container itself may be reusable or disposable. 
         [0015]    The apertures may be designed as a lid that are detachable from one container and fit into another container of similar size. The container is portable and suitable for personal use. The container is suitable for carry-on luggage, personal luggage and remote area usage such as camping. 
         [0016]    Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exterior view of a secure dispensing system, according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross sectional view of the dual dispenser container illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates a structural view of a nozzle of a dual dispenser container, according to one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates assembling of the dual dispenser nozzles, according to one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates the function of a security tab, according to one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a side view of a dual dispenser container with a spray aperture, according to one embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a side view of a dual dispenser container with a spout aperture, according to one embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a multiple chamber dispenser container, according to one embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a side view of a multiple chamber dispenser container with spout dispensers, according to one embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a side view of a multiple chamber dispenser container with spray dispensers, according to another embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates assembling of two dispenser container, according to one embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  A illustrates a view of a secure dispensing system with a cylindrical two dispenser container having a spout aperture and spray aperture. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  B illustrates a view of a cylindrical two dispenser container with two spray apertures. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  illustrates a view of a cylindrical two dispenser container with two spout apertures. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    A secure dispensing system is described. Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exterior view of a secure dispensing system  100 , according to one embodiment. In one embodiment,  FIG. 1  illustrates a dual dispenser container  150  and outer surface  168  that can hold two dispenser containers. The dual dispenser container  150  may be provided with a cap  164 . The cap  164  may include ridges  166  that may allow the cap  164  to fit properly to the neck of the container over cap screwing area  154 . The security tab  160  and security tab limb  162  may be placed in between the dispenser tabs, so that fortuitously one cannot press both together. 
         [0035]    The dual dispenser container  150  may include two dispenser containers to store different consumables in each container. The consumables in each dispenser container may be dispensed through the nozzles while maintaining a consistent and aesthetically pleasing appearance at the time of usage of the consumables. 
         [0036]    The apertures of the nozzle may be enclosed by the cap  164  so that the accidental spilling of the consumables in the containers may be avoided. For example, the contents may not spill out when the dual dispenser container  150  is placed inclined in the hand baggage or suitcase during traveling. Any type of cap that can fit to the nozzle may be used. For example, the cap  164  may be a screw on cap, a twist cap, a snap shut cap, a pull-off cap, etc. The cap  164  may also be a flip-open top for a convenient consumer use. 
         [0037]    The dispenser containers may contain consumables of same viscosity or different viscosities and the contents in the containers may be dispensed separately. The dispenser containers may include a spray dispenser and/or a spout type dispenser (e.g., a dispenser A  156  or a dispenser B  158  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). The containers may be replaceable and/or reusable. The nozzle may be of any configuration, such as, a pin hole tip, slit, atomizer, or the like to suit the spray and/or spout mechanism. The internal containers and outer bottle may be of any form or pattern to suit the dispensing application at hand. 
         [0038]    The dimension of the apertures in the nozzle may be determined based on the viscosity and rheology of the contents to be filled in the dispenser containers of the dual dispenser container  150 . A smaller dimension is chosen for the apertures when the content has a lower viscosity and a larger dimension is chosen for the aperture when the content has a higher viscosity. 
         [0039]    The dual dispenser container  150  may provide easy storage and distribution of the consumables. In addition, the dual dispenser container  150  may be molded to any convenient shape and size. The dual dispenser container may be made of at least one of glass, thermoplastic material, biodegradable material and plastic. The container pouches may be available in the market along with the contents or may be filled by the user In an example embodiment, the dispenser containers may be used to store cosmetic consumable product (e.g., body lotion, perfumes, shampoo, conditioners, hair spray, etc.), hygienic consumable product (e.g., disinfectant solutions, cleansing gels etc.), paint consumable product (e.g., paint, solvent, etc.), medicinal consumable product (e.g., mouth wash, pain relief creams/gels, bug repellents, anti-allergic solutions or creams etc.), drinking consumable product (e.g., water, juices, soft drinks, soda water etc.), and any other similar products. 
         [0040]    In another embodiment, the dual dispenser container  150  and the dispenser containers inside it may be made up of transparent material or a translucent material that may allow a user to see through the contents of the containers. The dual dispenser container  150  may be durable and safe to use. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross sectional view of the dual dispenser container illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment. 
         [0042]    In an embodiment, the dual dispenser container  150  may be provided with effective containers for storing and dispensing different consumables that are frequently used at the same time or uninterruptedly used one after the other. The containers may include different types of consumables of various viscosities that are packaged for dispensing by a user either individually or collectively as the user requires. The dual dispenser container  150  may have a thick double wall  220  to protect the containers (e.g., pouches) enclosed inside it. 
         [0043]    In an example embodiment, the dual dispenser container  150  may include a container A  212  and a container B  210  to store different consumables separately. The containers may be provided with a partition wall  216  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The dispensing nozzle may be placed on the container neck  152  as illustrated in the  FIG. 2 . The container A  212  and the container B  210  may be of the same size or different size and may be made up of any material that may not react with the contents of the container. For example, the containers may be made up of a suitable material that may include low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, foils (e.g., aluminum foil) etc. The container A  212 , the container B  210 , and/or dual dispenser container  150  may be made up of polyethylene, polypropylene terpthalate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), copolymers, and/or co-extrusions. 
         [0044]    Each container may have a tube (e.g., duct) through which the consumable fluid of the container may dispense through the nozzle. The container A  212  may be provided with a spray tube  206  and the container B  210  may be provided with a spot tube. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  illustrates a structural view of a nozzle of a dual dispenser container, according to one embodiment. 
         [0046]    According to one embodiment, the dispensers may include a passageway linking to the respective containers. For example, the dispenser B  158  may include the spray passage way  318  and the dispenser A  156  may include the spout passageway  322 . When the spot dispenser tab is pressed, a spring  324  attached to the spout passageway  322  may be compressed and the consumable may be sucked from the container through the spout tube  204  attached to the nozzle and cause the consumable in the container to spout through the aperture of the nozzle. In another embodiment, when the spray dispenser tab is pressed, a spring attached to the spray passageway  318  at the container neck may be compressed. This may change the pressure inside the spray tube  206  attached to the dispenser nozzle and cause the consumable to be pulled up the tube, past bulb  316 , swiftly and sprayed out through the aperture of the dispenser B  158 . 
         [0047]    The spray dispenser may be used to dispense the consumables such as perfumes, mouth wash, disinfectants etc. The spout type of dispenser may be used to squirt the consumables such as body lotion, hand lotion, shampoo, shaving cream, etc. The nozzle of the may be closed with the cap  164  to avoid spilling of the contents of the containers. 
         [0048]    The security tab  160  may be placed in between the dispenser tabs, so that fortuitously one cannot press both together. The security tab  160  may be made of hard and solid material so that it will not break easily when pressed. The passageways on the top of the nozzle are deflected in an opposite direction so that the two liquids do not mix. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  illustrates assembling of the dual dispenser nozzles, according to one embodiment. 
         [0050]    According to one embodiment, the different types of dispensers (e.g., spray dispenser, and/or spout dispenser) may be fitted depending on the consumable filled in the containers. In step  1 , the dispenser B  158  may be fitted to the neck of the container. Screwing area  404  may be provided to fix the security tab  160  firmly between the dispenser A  156  and the dispenser B  158 . 
         [0051]    In another embodiment, the dispenser A  156  may be fitted to the neck of the container as illustrated in step  2 . The security tab  160  may be placed between the dispenser A  158  and the dispenser A  156 . The security tab  160  may be in a ‘T ’shape. A vertical limb  414  of the security tab  160  may be placed in between the dispenser B  158  and the dispenser A  156 . A horizontal limb  406  of the security tab  160  may be placed on the top surface of the two dispensers (e.g., the dispenser A  156  and the dispenser B  158 ). The security tab  160  may be provided with a screw thread  412  at the end of the vertical limb  414 , to fix the tab firmly in the screwing area  404 . The security tab  160  may be rigid and do not bend when its upper surface  408  is pressed. In yet another embodiment, step  3  illustrates the security tab fitted between the dispenser tabs as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  illustrates the function of a security tab, according tone embodiment. In an embodiment,  502  illustrate the position of the security tab  160  and the dispenser B  158  before pressing the dispenser tab. In another embodiment,  504  illustrate the position of the security tab  160  and the dispenser B  158  after pressing the dispenser tab. The security tab  160  remains stationary before dispensing and after dispensing the consumable. Only the consumable (e.g., perfume, room freshener, etc) is dispensed from an aperture of the dispenser B  158  and nothing is dispensed from the dispenser A  156 . When the dispensing tab is pressed the tab moves down, whereas the security tab  160  remains fixed in its position. The security tab  160  may be hard and inflexible and avoid accidental pressing of both the dispenser tabs simultaneously. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a side view of a dual dispenser container with a spray aperture, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment,  FIG. 6A  illustrates a dual dispenser container  650  containing two containers filled with consumables as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . For example, the containers may be filled with room freshener and insect disinfectant, perfumes, lens cleaning agent etc. Each container may be provided with an aperture (e.g., a spray aperture  602 ) through which a consumable of the container can be sprayed. The containers may be labeled outside so that a user can distinguish easily and use a suitable consumable. The dual dispenser container  650  may be provided with a cap  654  to avoid accidental spilling of the consumables. The dual dispenser container  650  may be provided with a thick double wall to protect the pouches (e.g., consumable containers) enclosed inside. 
         [0054]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a side view of a dual dispenser  652  container with a spout aperture, according to one embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 6A  illustrates the dual dispenser container  650  containing two containers filled with consumables as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . For example, the containers may be filled with shampoo and conditioner that may be used in one instance. Each container may be provided with an aperture (e.g., a spout aperture  604 ) through which a consumable of the container can be dispensed. The containers may be labeled outside so that a user can distinguish easily and use a suitable consumable. The dual dispenser container  650  may be provided with a cap  654  to avoid accidental spilling of the consumables. 
         [0055]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a multiple chamber dispenser container, according to one embodiment. The multiple chamber dispenser container may include dual chambers, four chambers and six chambers, a container A  704 , a container B  706 , a container C  708 , and a container D  710  in its chambers. In an example embodiment, the containers  704 ,  706 ,  708 , and  710  may be used to store consumables that may need to be used consecutively. For example, the multi chambered container may be used to store shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and/or body lotion. In addition, the containers may also be used to store beverages, chemicals, inks, cosmetics, beverages, medicinal consumables, etc. The containers  704 ,  706 ,  708 , and  710  may be provided a spout type of dispensers and/or spray type of dispensers depending on the type of the consumable filled in the containers. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a side view of a multiple chamber dispenser container with spout dispensers, according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, the multi chamber dispenser container may provide an option to include multiple spout dispensers, wherein in the cap, the first dispenser, the second dispenser, the container neck, the container are movable parts. Particularly,  FIG. 7A  illustrates a side view of a multiple chamber dispenser container with spout apertures (e.g., a spout aperture  714 ). 
         [0057]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a side view of a multiple chamber dispenser container with spray dispensers, according to another embodiment. The type of dispenser (e.g., spout and/or spray) may be chosen depending upon the type of consumable to be stored in the containers. In particular, a side view of multiple chamber dispenser containers with spray type of aperture (e.g., a spray aperture  716 ) is illustrated in  FIG. 7C . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  illustrates assembling of two dispenser container, according to one embodiment. In an embodiment, an upper section  808  of the dispensing container and an upper section  806  of the other dispensing container may be fitted into the container neck  152  by twisting in the direction of the arrows as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The dispenser A  156  and the dispenser B  158  may be fitted to the container neck with the security tab between them. The dispenser A  156  may be a spout dispenser and the dispenser B  158  may be a spray dispenser. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  A illustrates a secure dispensing system  100  containing a cylindrical dual chamber container containing lotion  940  with a spout dispenser  930  and a spray dispenser  920 . The security tab  160  is round in shape and spans both of the spout and spray dispensers. The spray and spout dispensers are parallel to each other in this configuration. 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  B illustrates a cylindrical dual chamber container enclosed by an outer container with dual spray aperture  920 . The entire dual dispenser assembly is externally covered by a round screw on cap  164 . The dual dispenser  900  may contain liquid  960  on both sides of the segmented wall or base  910 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 10  is similar to  FIGS. 9  A and  9  B, but has two spout dispensers, spout aperture  930 A and spout aperture  930 B, as another embodiment. This type of assembly may be used for lotion  1010  dispensing. The figure shows a screw on type of cap  164 . In another embodiment it can be a snap shut type of cap as well. 
         [0062]    In view of the above, it will be seen that several objects of the invention are achieved and others advantageous results attained. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense. 
         [0063]    Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and/or changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and/or scope of the various embodiments.