Patent Publication Number: US-2010122987-A1

Title: Apparatus for containing liquid chemicals

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present disclosure claims priority under 35 United States Code, Section 119 from the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/115,260 filed on Nov. 17, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses for containing liquids, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for containing two liquid chemicals. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In homes, solid surfaces such as a plumbing pipeline, basin, bathroom sink, and the like get clogged or dirty by objects such as, hair, dust, debris, junk or other vicious materials. Various liquid chemicals are typically used to remove clogs, dirt, stains, clutter, and the like caused by these objects on the solid surfaces. For example, clogs in a typical pipeline may be treated with a cleaning agent, such as a clog remover, which essentially contains liquid chemicals for removing the clogs in the pipeline. 
     The clog remover is, typically, composed of different liquid chemicals that are activated on contact to form a thick, dense deep-cleaning foam (hereinafter referred to as foam). The foam so formed fills problem areas in the entire pipeline and cleans the pipeline. 
     Generally, the clog remover is available in a container having two chambers. Each chamber contains a particular liquid chemical of the different liquid chemicals. Specifically, one chamber contains a thickened formula that can dissolve the objects causing clogging in the pipeline. The other chamber contains a foaming agent that carries the thickened formula throughout the pipeline. In use, to clean the pipeline, a user opens the container and pours the liquid chemical contained in the each chamber of the container in the pipeline. The liquid chemical from the each chamber combines to form the foam that cleans the pipeline. 
     Typically, the container having different liquid chemicals includes a single capped outlet for both the chambers. The single capped outlet is enclosed under a single cap. Removing the single cap for pouring the liquid chemicals of the container causes the different liquid chemicals to be poured in the pipeline simultaneously. 
     Such simultaneous pouring of the different liquid chemicals causes the different liquid chemicals to react instantaneously to form foam, and such early reaction precludes the foam from properly reaching actual problem areas in the pipeline. Further, using the single capped outlet always results in simultaneous pouring of the different liquid chemicals, thereby precluding the usage of only one liquid chemical of different liquid chemicals, at a time. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for precluding an early reaction of different liquid chemicals upon pouring the different liquid chemicals from a container for cleaning purposes of a solid surface. Specifically, there exists a need for cleaning foam, formed by the reaction of different liquid chemicals, to properly reach a problem area at the solid surface, such as in a pipeline. Further, there exists a need to be able to use the different liquid chemicals contained in the container separately. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for containing liquid chemicals, configured to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein. 
     Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to preclude an early reaction of different liquid chemicals upon pouring the different liquid chemicals from a container for purposes of cleaning an object. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to enable cleaning foam (formed by the reaction of different liquid chemicals upon pouring from a container) to properly reach a problem area in a pipeline. 
     Yet another object of the present disclosure is to enable separate usage of different liquid chemicals contained in a container. 
     To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for containing liquid chemicals is provided. The apparatus includes a dual chamber container and at least one covering member. The dual chamber container includes a base, a neck portion, and a pair of chambers configured between the base and the neck portion. Each chamber of the pair of chambers includes an opening at the neck portion. Further, the each chamber of the pair of chambers is adapted to contain a liquid chemical. Each covering member of the at least one covering member is capable of covering the opening of a chamber of the pair of chambers. Furthermore, the each covering member includes a body member having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an attachment means. The attachment means is disposed on the inner surface of the body member. Moreover, the attachment means is capable of detachably attaching the inner surface of the body member to the neck portion of the dual chamber container for covering the opening of the chamber of the pair of chambers. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a covering member for a dual chamber container. The dual chamber container includes a base, a neck portion, and a pair of chambers configured between the base and the neck portion. Each chamber of the pair of chambers includes an opening at the neck portion. Further, the each chamber of the pair of chambers is adapted to contain a liquid chemical. The covering member includes a body member having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an attachment means. The attachment means is disposed on the inner surface of the body member. Moreover, the attachment means is capable of detachably attaching the inner surface of the body member to the neck portion of the dual chamber container for covering the opening of a chamber of the pair of chambers. 
     The covering of the opening of the chamber of the pair of chambers enables the liquid chemical contained in the each chamber to be used separately. Specifically, the liquid chemical contained in the each chamber may be poured separately, thereby precluding an instantaneous reaction and an instantaneous formation of cleaning foam. Accordingly, the covering of the opening of the chamber of the pair of chambers enables the cleaning foam to properly reach the problem area in a pipeline. 
     These together with other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus for containing liquid chemicals, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict perspective views of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  being utilized for cleaning a pipeline, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular apparatus for containing liquid chemicals, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of terms, “including,” or “comprising,” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. 
     Unless limited otherwise, the terms “attached,” “disposed,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect attachments and arrangements. 
     The present disclosure provides an apparatus for containing liquid chemicals. The term, “liquid chemicals” relate to cleaning agents used to remove clogs, dirt, stains, clutter, and the like, from a solid surface such as a pipeline. Examples of the liquid chemicals include, but are not limited to, sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite. The apparatus of the present disclosure is explained in detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict a perspective view of the apparatus  10  being utilized for cleaning a pipeline, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The apparatus  10  includes a dual chamber container  100  and at least one covering member, such as a covering member  200  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B). The dual chamber container  100  includes a base  102 , a neck portion  104 , and a pair of chambers  106 . The pair of chambers  106  is configured between the base  102  and the neck portion  104 . Further, the pair of chambers  106  includes a first chamber  106   a  and a second chamber  106   b.  Each of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b  of the pair of chambers  106  includes an opening at the neck portion  104 . Specifically, the first chamber  106   a  includes a first opening  108   a,  and the second chamber  106   b  includes a second opening  108   b  (as shown in  FIG. 2B ). It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the pair of chambers  106  may be configured between the base  102  and the neck portion  104  while manufacturing the apparatus  10 . 
     Furthermore, each of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b  is adapted to contain a liquid chemical for the cleaning purposes of the pipeline. Specifically, the first chamber  106   a  may contain a first liquid chemical (not shown), and the second chamber  106   b  may contain a second liquid chemical (not shown). The first liquid chemical may be a thickened formula that can dissolve hair, thick vicious matter, and the like. Further, the second liquid chemical may be a foaming agent that carries the thickened formula throughout the pipeline. However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the first liquid chemical and the second liquid chemical may be any other suitable liquid chemicals for the cleaning purposes of the pipeline. The first liquid chemical and the second liquid chemical react on contact to form cleaning foam, which will be further explained in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
     The covering member  200  of the apparatus  10  is capable of covering the opening of one of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b  of the pair of chambers  106 . In an exemplary representation of the apparatus  10  in  FIG. 1 , the covering member  200  is shown as capable of covering the second opening  108   b  of the second chamber  106   b  (as indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 1 ). The covering member  200  includes a body member  202 , and an attachment means  204 . The body member  202  includes an inner surface  202   a  and an outer surface  202   b.  Further, the attachment means  204  is disposed on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202 . 
     In the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the attachment means  204  is a layer of adhesive coated on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202  (as shown  FIG. 1 ). However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the attachment means  204  may be any other suitable attachment, known in the art. Further, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that though the present embodiment of the present disclosure illustrates the attachment means  204  to be coated on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202 , the attachment means  204  may be disposed on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202  in any other manner known in the art. Furthermore, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the attachment means  204  may be disposed on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202  when the apparatus  10  is manufactured. The attachment means  204  is capable of detachably attaching the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202  to the neck portion  104  of the dual chamber container  100  for covering the opening of one of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b.    
     The body member  202  may be detachably attached to the neck portion  104  for covering the opening of one of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b,  for example the second opening  108   b  of the second chamber  106   b.  It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that a specific downward force may be applied on the body member  202  to enable the attachment means  204  to detachably attach to the neck portion  104  of the dual chamber container  100 . It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the body member  202  may also be detachably attached to the neck portion  104  for covering the first opening  108   a  of the first chamber  106   a.    
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the covering member  200  includes a gripping member  206  protruding from the body member  202  of the covering member  200 . Specifically, the gripping member  206  protrudes from a portion of a periphery of the body member  202 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B, the gripping member  206  is designed as an elongated member, protruding from the periphery of the body member  202 . However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the gripping member  206  may be of any suitable shape. Moreover, the gripping member  206  is adapted to detach the attachment means  204  from the neck portion  104  of the dual chamber container  100  for uncovering the opening of one of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b,  upon application of a lateral force away from the neck portion  104  on the gripping member  206 . Specifically, a user may hold the gripping member  206  and apply specific lateral force on the body member  202  away from the neck portion  104  to enable the attachment means  204  to detach from the neck portion  104 , thereby uncovering the opening of one of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b.  In the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the gripping member  206  is adapted to detach the attachment means  204  for uncovering the second opening  108   b  of the second chamber  106   b  of the pair of chambers  106 , upon application of the lateral force. The apparatus  10  may then be utilized to clean the pipeline, such as a pipeline  250 , as explained in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict a perspective view of the apparatus  10  being utilized for cleaning the pipeline  250  of a sink. The second opening  108   b  of the second chamber  106   b  is covered by the covering member  200 . In use, the first chemical contained in the first chamber  106   a  is poured in the pipeline  250  (as shown in  FIG. 2A ). Specifically, the user may hold the apparatus  10  and tilt the apparatus  10  at specific angle to enable the first liquid chemical to be poured out from the first chamber  106   a.  Thereafter, a small amount of hot water may be poured in the pipeline  250  to enable the first liquid chemical to properly reach a problem area in the pipeline  250 . It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the hot water may be contained in a separate container. 
     After pouring the hot water in the pipeline  250 , the user may apply the lateral force away from the neck portion  104  on the gripping member  206  to detach the attachment means  204  from the neck portion  104 , which in turn uncovers the second opening  108   b  of the second chamber  106   b.  The second liquid contained in the second chamber  106   b  may then be poured in the pipeline  250  (as shown in  FIG. 2B ). Specifically, the user may hold the apparatus  10  and tilt the apparatus  10  at a specific angle to enable the second liquid chemical to be poured in the pipeline  250 . In the pipeline  250 , the second liquid chemical comes in contact with the first liquid chemical, thereby causing a chemical reaction to form the cleaning foam. The cleaning foam so formed removes clogs, dirt, stains, clutter, and the like from the pipeline  250 , thereby cleaning the pipeline  250 . 
     It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the dual chamber container  100  of the apparatus  10  and the opening of each of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b  may have any suitable shape and size, other than the one shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B. Further, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the covering member  200  of the apparatus  10  may have any suitable shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of the opening of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b.  Although,  FIGS. 1 and 2A  show a single covering member such as the covering member  200  for covering the second opening  108   b  of the second chamber  106   b,  however, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that two such covering members may be utilized to cover the first opening  108   a  and the second opening  108   b  of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b,  respectively. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, components such as the body member  202  and the gripping member  206  of the covering member  200  are composed of a plastic material. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the body member  202  and the gripping member  206  are composed of metal such as aluminum or any metal alloy. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a covering member, such as the covering member  200 , for a dual chamber container is provided. Specifically, the user may separately purchase or manufacture the covering member  200  for the dual chamber container such as the dual chamber container  100 . Further, reference will be made to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B for describing the covering member  200  of the present aspect of the present disclosure. 
     The covering member  200  includes the body member  202  and the attachment means  204  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B). The body member  202  includes the inner surface  202   a  and the outer surface  202   b.  Further, the attachment means  204  is disposed on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202 . In the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the attachment means  204  is the layer of adhesive coated on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the attachment means  204  may be any other suitable attachment, known in the art. Further, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that though the present embodiment of the present disclosure illustrates the attachment means  204  to be coated on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202 , the attachment means  204  may be disposed on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202  in any other manner known in the art. Furthermore, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the attachment means  204  may be disposed on the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202  when the covering member  200  is manufactured. The attachment means  204  is capable of detachably attaching the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202  to the neck potion  104  of the dual chamber container  100  for covering the opening of one of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b.    
     In the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the covering member  200  includes the gripping member  206  protruding from the body member  202 . Specifically, the gripping member  206  protrudes from a portion of the periphery of the body member  202 . The gripping member  206  is adapted to detach the attachment means  204  from the neck portion  104  for uncovering the opening of one of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b,  upon application of a lateral force away from the neck portion  104  on the gripping member  206 . In the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the gripping member  206  is adapted to detach the attachment means  204  for uncovering the second opening  108   b  of the second chamber  106   b  of the pair of chambers  106 . 
     The user purchases the dual chamber container  100  and the covering member  200  separately. Thereafter, the inner surface  202   a  of the body member  202  of the covering member  200  is detachably attached to the neck portion  104  of the dual chamber container  100  for covering the opening of one of the first chamber  106   a  and the second chamber  106   b.  As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , the body member  202  of the covering member  200  is detachably attached to the neck portion  104  for covering the second opening  108   b  of the second chamber  106   b  of the pair of chambers  106 . 
     It should be understood that the use of the dual chamber container  100  and the covering member  200  for cleaning purposes of the pipeline is explained in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , and accordingly, a description thereof is avoided herein for the sake of brevity. 
     The present disclosure provides an apparatus, such as the apparatus  10 , for containing liquid chemicals, in one aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, the apparatus includes the dual chamber container and the at least one covering member. The each covering member of the at least one covering member is capable of being detachably attached to the neck portion of the dual chamber container for covering the opening of a chamber of the pair of chambers. Accordingly, the apparatus enables the liquid chemical contained in each chamber of the pair of chambers to be used separately. Specifically, the liquid chemical contained in the each chamber may be poured separately, thereby precluding an instantaneous reaction and an instantaneous cleaning foam formation. Accordingly, use of the apparatus enables the cleaning foam to properly reach the problem area in the pipeline. 
     The present disclosure provides a covering member, such as the covering member  200  for a dual chamber container, in another aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, the covering member is capable of being detachably attached to the neck portion of the dual chamber container for covering the opening of a chamber of the pair of chambers. Accordingly, the use of the covering member enables the liquid chemical contained in each chamber of the pair of chambers to be used separately. Specifically, the liquid chemical contained in the each chamber may be poured separately, thereby precluding an instantaneous reaction and an instantaneous cleaning foam formation. Accordingly, the covering of the opening of the chamber of the pair of chambers enables the cleaning foam to properly reach the problem area in the pipeline. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.