Patent Publication Number: US-9409695-B2

Title: Multi-chamber container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/65746, filed Nov. 19, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a multi-chamber container. The multiple chambers of the container may store respective flowable substances, for example, respective oral care products such as mouthwashes or respective components of a mouthwash. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A multi-chamber container is a container having more than one chamber for storing respective substances out of contact with one another. It may be desirable to keep the respective substances out of contact with one another during storage of the respective substances, for example if the substances might react or deteriorate overtime should they be allow to mix. 
     Over the years, efforts have been made to improve the design of multi-chamber containers to try to prevent, during dispensing of two substances from respective chambers of the container, a first of the substances from a first of the chambers flowing into a second of the chambers holding a second of the substances causing inadvertent mixing of the substances. For example, it is known to provide a two-compartment container with two discharge openings, each leading to a respective one of the compartments, and rib members between the discharge openings to hinder a substance from the first compartment flowing into the second compartment during dispensing of the substances. 
     Despite these efforts, a need still exists for multi-chamber container with a structure that better prevents, during dispensing of two substances from respective chambers of the container, a first of the substances stored in a first of the chambers flowing into a second of the chambers storing a second of the substances. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the present invention provides a multi-chamber container for dispensing flowable substances, comprising: a body having: a first storage chamber for storing a first flowable substance, a second storage chamber for storing a second flowable substance, a first outlet zone, a second outlet zone, a first inlet that fluidly connects the first storage chamber with the first outlet zone, a second inlet that fluidly connects the second storage chamber with the second outlet zone, a first member movable between a closed position, at which the first member seals the first inlet to isolate the first storage chamber from the first outlet zone, and an open position, at which the first storage chamber is in fluid communication with the first outlet zone, and a second member movable between a closed position, at which the second member seals the second inlet to isolate the second storage chamber from the second outlet zone, and an open position, at which the second storage chamber is in fluid communication with, the second outlet zone; and a closure movable relative to the body between (a) a first position, at which the closure isolates the first and second outlet zones from an exterior of the container, and the first and second members are prevented from moving to their respective closed positions, and (b) a second position, at which the first and second outlet zones are in fluid communication with the exterior of the container/and the first and second members are moved to their respective closed positions. 
     Preferably, when the closure is at the first position, the closure contacts the first and second members to prevent the first and second members from moving to their respective closed positions. 
     Preferably, the first and second members are biased to their respective closed positions. 
     Optionally, the first member comprises a first piston disposed in the first inlet and the second member comprises a second piston disposed in the second inlet. 
     Preferably, when the closure is at the first position, the closure is spaced from the first and second inlets. 
     Optionally, the body comprises a separator that isolates the first, outlet zone from the second outlet zone. 
     Optionally, the first outlet zone is a first portion of a mixing chamber of the body and the second outlet zone is a second portion of the mixing chamber. Preferably, the closure has a divider and, when the closure is at the first position, the divider isolates the first portion of the mixing chamber from the second portion of the mixing chamber and, when the closure is at the second position, the first portion of the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the second portion of the mixing chamber. 
     Optionally, a wall defining the mixing chamber has a groove for receiving a portion of the divider when the closure is at the first position. 
     Optionally, when the closure is at the second position, the mixing chamber is free of the divider. 
     Preferably, each of the first and second inlets comprises a protrusion protruding into a respective one of the first and second outlet zones, the protrusion having an internal passage in fluid communication with a respective one of the first and second storage chambers, which passage opens into the respective one of the first and second outlet zones at an opening formed in the protrusion. 
     Optionally, when the closure is at the second position, the closure is attached to the body. Preferably, when the closure is at the second position, the closure is detached from the body. 
     The container may comprise a lock for locking the closure at the first position. 
     Optionally, the first and second storage, chambers are defined by respective first and second vessels that are squeezable by a user to cause the first flowable substance to flow into the first outlet zone and the second flowable substance to flow into the second outlet zone. Alternatively, the first and second storage chambers are made from a hard, preferably rigid, material. 
     Preferably, the first, and second storage chambers are defined by respective non-unitary first and second vessels. Preferably, the first and second outlet zones are defined by a third vessel that is non-unitary with the first and second vessels and is attached to the first and second vessels. 
     Optionally, the container comprises a base that is non-unitary with the first and second vessels, wherein the first and second vessels are disposed between the third vessel and the base. Preferably, the first and second vessels are disposed in parallel between the third vessel and the base. 
     Preferably, the container comprises a first apparatus configured, on operation, thereof, to dispense from the first storage chamber via the first inlet into the first outlet zone a first predetermined volume of the first flowable substance. Preferably, the container comprises a second apparatus configured, on operation thereof, to dispense from the second storage chamber via the second inlet into the second outlet zone a second predetermined volume of the second flowable substance. 
     Optionally, the closure comprises a first cavity, a second cavity, and a divider isolating the first cavity from the second cavity. Preferably, when the closure is at the first position, the first outlet zone is in fluid communication with the first cavity of the closure and the second outlet zone is in fluid communication with the second cavity of the closure. 
     Preferably, the first cavity has a first volume equal to or greater than the first predetermined volume, and the second cavity has a second volume equal to or greater than the second predetermined volume. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of components of a multi-chamber container according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the components of  FIG. 1  assembled to form the multi-chamber container according to the first embodiment of the present invention, shown with the closure of the container at its first, closed position relative, to the body of the container; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the multi-chamber container of  FIG. 2 , shown with the closure of the container at its first, closed position relative to the body of the container; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the multi-chamber container of  FIG. 2 , shown with the closure of the container at its second, open position relative to the body of the container; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of a multi-chamber container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, shown with the closure of the container at its first, closed position relative to the body of the container; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the multi-chamber container of  FIG. 5 , shown with the closure of the container at its first, closed position relative to the body of the container; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the multi-chamber container of  FIG. 5 , shown with the closure of the container at its second, open position relative to the body of the container; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the multi-chamber container of  FIG. 7 , shown with the closure of the container at its second, open position relative to the body of the container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative, thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected/” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such preferred embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features. 
     A multi-chamber container for dispensing flowable substances and according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
     The container  1  of the first embodiment comprises a body  100  and a closure  200 . The body  100  comprises first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  each for storing a flowable substance, or each storing a flowable substance, such as a liquid or a paste. The first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  are defined by respective first and second vessels  110 ,  120  that have respective orifices  114 ,  124  at a first small end  111 ,  121  thereof. Each of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  has a second small end  112 ,  122  at an end opposite to the first small end  111 ,  121  thereof. Each of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  is elongate between its first and second small ends. The first and second vessels  110 ,  120  may be made from a hard, preferably rigid, material. However, in a variation to this embodiment, the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  may be made from a flexible, preferably resilient, material, whereby each of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  is squeezable by a user to cause the first and second flowable substances to flow out from the respective first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  through the respective orifices  114 ,  124 . 
     The first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are non-unitary. That is, the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are not integrally formed together, but instead are separate components that are connected together during assembly of the container  1 . In a variation to the illustrated embodiment, the first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  may be defined as separate compartments in a single, unitary vessel. 
     The container  1  also comprises a base  180  that is non-unitary with the first and second vessels  110 ,  120 . The base  180  has an exterior base end  182 , and an interior hollow  181  for receiving the second small ends  112 ,  122  of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120 . 
     The body  100  further comprises a third vessel  130  that is non-unitary with the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  and the base  180 . The third vessel  130  is attached to the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  during assembly of the container  1 . More specifically, during assembly of the multi-chamber container  1 , the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are brought into contact with each other, their respective first small ends  111 ,  121  and orifices  114 ,  124  are inserted into a receiving hole  131  formed in a first side of the third vessel  130 , and their respective second small ends  112 ,  122  are inserted into the hollow  181  formed in the base  180 . Then, the respective first small ends  111 ,  121  of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are fixed to the third vessel  130 , such as by adherence using adhesive or by sonic welding the third vessel  130  to the first and second vessels  110 ,  120 , and the respective second small ends  112 ,  122  of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are fixed to the base  180 , such as by adherence using adhesive or by sonic welding the base  180  to the first and second vessels  110 ,  120 . Accordingly, in the assembled container  1 , the first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123 , indeed the first and second vessels  110 ,  120 , are disposed in parallel between the base  180  and the third vessel  130 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the third vessel  130  has a wall  136  defining a mixing chamber  133 . In this embodiment, the wall  136  defining the mixing chamber  133  comprises a circular sub-wall  136   a  and a cylindrical sub-wall  136   b  depending from an edge of the circular sub-wall  136   a . However, in variations to this embodiment, the wall  136  may take a different shape. Indeed, in some embodiments, the wall  136  may be comprised of a set of polygonal sub-walls that together define the mixing chamber  133 , or the wall  136  may be substantially hemispherical. The mixing chamber  133  is sized to receive a divider  220  of the closure  200  when the closure  200  is at a first, closed position relative to the body  100 , as will be discussed in more detail below. The mixing chamber  133  can be considered to comprise a first portion  133   a  (or first outlet zone  133   a ) and a second portion  133   b  (or second, outlet zone  133   b ), with the first, and second portions  133   a ,  133   b  together forming the mixing chamber  133 . As discussed in more detail below, the divider  220  of the closure  200  has edges  222   a ,  222   b  that cooperate with the sub-walls  136   a ,  136   b  of the wall  136  of the third vessel  130  when the closure  200  is at the first, closed position, to isolate the first portion  133   a  of the mixing chamber  133  from the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133 . 
     In a variation to this embodiment the wall  136  has a groove  137  for receiving the edges  222   a ,  222   b  of the divider  220  of the closure  200  when the closure  200  is at a first, closed position relative to the body  100 . 
     With reference to both  FIGS. 3 and 4 , first and second, protrusions  141 ,  142  protrude into the mixing chamber  133 . The first protrusion  141  is part of a first inlet that fluidly connects the first storage chamber  113  with the mixing chamber  133 , while the second protrusion  142  is part of a second inlet that fluidly connects the second storage chamber  123  with the mixing chamber  133 . More specifically, the first inlet fluidly connects the first storage chamber  113  with the first portion  133   a  (or first outlet zone) of the mixing chamber  133 , while the second, inlet fluidly connects the second storage chamber  123  with the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133 , particularly when the divider  220  isolates the first portion  133   a  from the second portion  133   b.    
     The first protrusion  141  has a first internal passage  141   a  in fluid communication with the first storage chamber  113 , which first internal passage  141   a  opens into the mixing chamber  133  at a first opening  143  in the first protrusion  141  at a position spaced from the wall  136 , while the second protrusion  142  has a second internal passage  142   a  in fluid communication with the second storage chamber  123 , which second infernal passage  142   a  opens into the mixing chamber  133  at a second opening  144  in the second protrusion  142  at a position spaced from the wall  136 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , the container  1  further comprises a first member  155  disposed in the first internal passage  141   a  of the first protrusion  141  and movable between a closed position, at which the first member  155  seals the first inlet to isolate the first storage chamber  113  from the first outlet zone  133   a , and an open position, at which the first storage chamber  113  is in fluid communication with the first, outlet zone  133   a . Similarly, the container  1  comprises a second member  165  disposed in the second internal passage  142   a  of the second protrusion  142  and movable between a closed position, at which the second member  165  seals the second inlet to isolate the second storage chamber  123  from the second outlet zone  133   b , and an open position, at which the second storage chamber  123  is in fluid communication with the second outlet zone  133   b.    
     The first member  155  comprises a first piston having a piston head  157  and a blade  158  depending from the piston head  157 . The piston head  157  is connected to the first inlet by a rubber band  156  or other resilient element, which biases the first member  155  to its closed position relative to the first inlet. However, when the closure  200  is at its first, closed position (as shown, in  FIG. 3 ), the first member  155  is prevented from moving relative to the first inlet to its closed position, because an end  158 ′ of the blade  158  contacts an interior side  212  of the closure  200 . Accordingly, when the closure  200  is at its first, dosed position, the first member  155  is held at its open position, and the first portion  133   a  of the mixing chamber  133  is maintained in fluid communication with the first storage, chamber  113 . It will be noted that the blade  158  defines and separates two separate paths in the first internal passage  141   a , to permit flow of the first flowable substance in a direction from the first storage chamber  113  to the first portion  133   a  of the mixing chamber  133  via one of the paths, and simultaneous flow of air from the first portion  133   a  of the mixing chamber  133  to the first storage chamber  113  via the other of the paths, when the first member  155  is at its open position. However, when the closure  200  is at its second, open position, the first member  155  no longer contents, the closure  200  and so is movable to its closed position to seal the first inlet under the biasing force of the resilient element  156 . 
     Similarly, the second member  165  comprises a second piston having a piston head  167  and a blade  168  depending from the piston head  167 . The piston head  167  is connected to the second inlet by a rubber band  166  or other resilient element, which biases the second member  165  to its closed position relative to the second inlet. However, when the closure  200  is at its first, closed position (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), the second member  165  is prevented from moving relative to the second inlet to its closed position, because an end  168 ′ of the blade  168  contacts the interior side  212  of the closure  200 . Accordingly, when the closure  200  is at its first, closed position, the second member  165  is held at its open position, and the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133  is maintained, in fluid communication with the second storage chamber  123 . It will be noted that the blade  168  defines and separates two separate paths in the second internal passage  142   a , to permit flow of the second flowable substance in a direction from the second storage chamber  123  to the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133  via one of the paths, and simultaneous flow of air from the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133  to the second storage chamber  123  via the other of the paths, when the second member  165  is at its open position. However, when, the closure  200  is at its second, open position, the second member  165  no longer contacts the closure  200  and so is movable to its closed position to seal the second inlet under the biasing force of the resilient element  166 . 
     With the closure  200  in the first, closed position, the volume of the first portion  133   a  of the mixing chamber  133  is equal (or substantially equal) to a first predetermined volume of the first flowable substance to be dispensed from the container  1 , and the volume of the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133  is equal (or substantially equal) to a second predetermined volume of the second flowable substance to be dispensed from the container  1 . Accordingly, as will be described further below, the container  1  comprises a first apparatus configured, on operation thereof, to dispense from the first storage chamber  113  via the first inlet into the first portion  133   a  (or first outlet zone) of the mixing chamber  133  a first predetermined volume of the first flowable substance, and a second apparatus configured, on operation thereof, to dispense from the second storage chamber  123  via the second inlet into the second portion  133   b  (or second outlet zone) of the mixing chamber  133  a second predetermined, volume of the second flowable substance. 
     As mentioned above, the container  1  further comprises a closure  200 . The closure  200  is detachably attached to the body  100  through a screw thread  134  of the third vessel  130  that cooperates with a screw thread  234  of the closure  200 . The closure  200  is movable relative to the third vessel  130  and the rest of the body  100 . 
     The closure  200  has a main portion  210  having a first exterior side  211  and the interior side  212 , and the divider  220  extending from the interior side  212 . The divider  220  has a first straight edge  222   a  that cooperates with the wall  136 , more specifically the circular sub-wall  136   a , of the third vessel  130  when the closure  210  is at the first, closed position, and a pair of second outer edges  222   b  that cooperate with the wall  136 , more specifically the cylindrical sub-wall  136   b , of the third vessel  130  when the closure  200  is at the first, closed position. 
     The closure  200  is detachable from the body  100  to move the closure  200  from the first, closed position, to the second, open position, and the closure  200  comprises a first cavity  213  and a second cavity  214 , with the divider  220  separating the first cavity  213  from the second cavity  214 . The first cavity  213  is defined by the combination of a first portion of the interior side  212 , a first portion of an annular outer wall  215  of the main portion  210 , and one side of the divider  220 , while the second cavity  214  is defined by the combination of a second portion of the interior side  212 , a second portion of the annular outer wall  215 , and another side of the divider  220 . The first cavity  213  of the closure  200  has a first volume equal to or greater than the first predetermined volume, and the second cavity  214  of the closure  200  has a second volume equal to or greater than the second predetermined volume. When the closure  200  is at the first, closed position, the first portion  133   a  (or first outlet zone) of the mixing chamber  133  is in fluid communication with the first cavity  213  of the closure  200  and the second portion  133   b  (or second outlet zone) of the mixing chamber  133  is in fluid communication with the second cavity  214  of the closure  200 . 
     The closure  200  is movable relative to the body  100  between the first, closed position (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and the second, open position (see  FIG. 4 ). The cooperating screw threads  134 ,  234  of the third vessel  130  and closure  200  together act as a lock for locking the closure  200  at the first, closed position. When the closure  200  is at the first, closed position, the closure  200  is not movable away from the third vessel  130  without being rotated relative to the third vessel  130 . The closure  200  is rotatable relative to the third vessel  130  to disengage the cooperating screw threads  134 ,  234  to permit movement of the closure  200  relative to the body  100  to the second, open position. Rotation through about 15 to 30 degrees is required to release the lock. Other forms of lock for locking the closure  200  at the first, closed position may instead be provided. 
     When the closure  200  is at the first, closed position, the main portion  210  of the closure  200  creates a seal with a rim or lip  132  of the third vessel  130  around an opening of the mixing chamber  133  to isolate the mixing chamber  133  from an exterior of the container  1 . Moreover, when the closure  200  is at the first, closed position, the divider  220  is disposed in the mixing chamber  133  with the edges  222   a ,  222   b  of the divider  220  contacting the respective sub-walls  136   a ,  136   b , and the divider  220  isolates the first portion  133   a  of the mixing chamber  133  from the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133 . Furthermore, when, the closure  200  is at the first, closed position, the entire closure  200 , including the divider  220 , is spaced from the first and second inlets, i.e. front the first and second protrusions  141 ,  142  and their respective openings  143 ,  144 , so as to permit flow of the first flowable substance from the first storage chamber  113  via the opening  143  of the first protrusion  141  into the first portion  133   a  of the mixing chamber  133 , and so as to permit flow of the second flowable substance from the second storage chamber  123  via the opening  144  of the second protrusion  142  into the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133 . 
     On the other hand, when the closure  200  is at the second, open position, the main portion  210  of the closure  200  is separated from the rim or lip  132  of the third vessel  130 , and the mixing chamber  133  is in fluid communication with the exterior of the container  1 . Moreover, when the closure  200  is at the second, open position, the closure  200  is detached from the third vessel  130  and the rest of the body  100 , the mixing chamber  133  is free of the divider  220 , and the first portion  133   a  of the mixing chamber  133  is in fluid communication with the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133 . 
     When a user wishes to dispense the first and second flowable substances from the container of the first embodiment, they first ensure that the closure  200  is at the first, closed position and that the screw threads  134 ,  234  are mating to engage the lock, as shown in  FIG. 2 . As discussed above, in this configuration, the first and second members  155 ,  165  are retained in their open positions. 
     The user then ensures that the container  1  is in a state with the closure  200  lower than, i.e. below, the base  180  and with the container  1  in a horizontal state, that is with the base end  182  of the container  1  horizontal. This causes the first and second flowable substances to flow out from the respective first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  under the influence of gravity, through the respective first and second orifices  114 ,  124 , through the respective first and second internal passages  141   a ,  142   a  and respective first and second openings  143 ,  144  of the first and second protrusions  141 ,  142  of the first and second inlets, and into the respective first and second portions  133   a ,  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133 , which first and second portions  133   a ,  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133  are isolated from each other by the divider  220  of the closure  200 . The volumes of the first and second portions  133   a ,  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133  dictate the respective predetermined volumes of the first and second flowable substances that are dispensed into the first and second portions  133   a ,  133   b.    
     While maintaining the container  1  in the horizontal stale with the closure  200  lower than, i.e. below, the base  180 , the user then rotates the closure  200  relative to the third vessel  130  to release the lock. The user then quickly but steadily moves the closure  200  downwards and away from the third vessel  130 , to allow the first and second members  155 ,  165  to move to their closed positions under the influence of the resilient elements  156 ,  166 , which cuts off the flow of the first and second flowable substances to the first, and second portions  133   a ,  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133 . Simultaneously, the first predetermined volume of the first flowable substance disposed within the first portion  133   a  of the mixing chamber  133  becomes retained within the first cavity  213  of the closure  200 , and the second predetermined volume of the second flowable substance, disposed within the second portion  133   b  of the mixing chamber  133  becomes retained within the second cavity  214  of the closure  200 . The divider  220  of the closure  200  keeps the first and second flowable substances separate from each other in the closure  200 . 
     While the foregoing description discusses the use of the container  1  in a horizontal state, it is understood that the user may also use the container  1  even if the container  1  is not in a horizontal, state, such as using the container  1  when it is slightly tilted with respect to the base  180  of the container  1 . 
     The user then brings a lip or rim of the closure  200  to their lips, tilts the closure  200 , and pours the separate first and second, predetermined volumes of the respective first and second flowable substances into their mouth. The closure  200  accordingly is useable as a cup. Alternatively, the user may choose to pour the separate first and second predetermined volumes of the respective first and second flowable substances into a separate receptacle or back into the mixing chamber  133  to allow the first and second flowable substances to mix, and then drink the mixed first and second flowable substances from the receptacle or from the mixing chamber  133 . 
     Accordingly, since the first and second flowable substances are kept separate from each other during the dispensing routine, it is prevented, or the risk is minimized, that any of the first flowable substance is allowed to flow towards the second storage chamber  123  via the second opening  144 , and that any of the second flowable substance is allowed to flow towards the first storage chamber  113  via the first opening  143 . 
     A multi-chamber container for dispensing flowable substances and according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 8 . 
     The container  1  of the second embodiment comprises a body  100  and a closure  200 . The body  100  comprises first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  each for storing a flowable substance, or each storing a flowable substance, such as a liquid or a paste. The first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  are defined by respective first and second vessels  110 ,  120  that have respective orifices  114 ,  124  at a first small end  111 ,  121  thereof. Each of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  has a second small end  112 ,  122  at an end opposite to the first small end  111 ,  121  thereof. Together, the second small ends  112 ,  122  may be considered to form a base end of the container  1 . Each of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  is elongate between its first and second small ends. The first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are made from a hard, preferably rigid, material. However, in a variation to this embodiment, the first, and second vessels  110 ,  120  may be made from a flexible, preferably resilient, material, whereby each of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  is squeezable by a user to cause the first and second flowable substances to flow out from the respective first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  through the respective orifices  114 ,  124 . 
     The first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are non-unitary. That is, the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are not integrally formed together, but instead are separate components that are connected together during assembly of the container  1 . In a variation to the illustrated embodiment, the first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  may be defined as separate compartments in a single, unitary vessel. 
     The body  100  further comprises a third vessel  130  that is non-unitary with the first and second vessels  110 ,  120 . The third vessel  130  is attached to the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  during assembly of the container  1 . More specifically, during assembly of the multi-chamber container  1 , the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are brought into contact with each other, their respective first small ends  111 ,  121  and orifices  114 ,  124  are inserted into a receiving hole  131  formed in a first side of the third vessel  130 , and then the respective first small ends  111 ,  121  of the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  are fixed to the third vessel  130 , such as by adherence using adhesive or by sonic welding the third vessel  130  to the first and second vessels  110 ,  120 . Accordingly, in the assembled container  1 , the first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  are disposed in parallel between the second small ends  112 ,  122  and the third vessel  130 . 
     In a variation to the described embodiment, the container  1  may further comprise a base (not shown) that is non-unitary with the first and second vessels  110 ,  120  wherein, in the assembled container  1 , the first, and second vessels  110 ,  120  are disposed in parallel between the third vessel  130  and the base. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 , the third vessel  130  has a separator  139  and defines a first outlet zone  133   a  and a second outlet zone  133   b . The separator  139  separates the first outlet zone  133   a  from the second outlet zone  133   b . When the closure  200  is at its first, closed position, the first outlet zone  133   a  is isolated from the second outlet zone  133   b.    
     With reference to both  FIGS. 5 and 7 , first and second protrusions  141 ,  142  protrude into the respective first and second outlet zones  133   a ,  133   b . The first protrusion  141  is part of a first inlet that fluidly connects the first storage chamber  113  with the first outlet zone  133   a , while the second protrusion  142  is part of a second inlet mat fluidly connects the second storage chamber  123  with the second outlet zone  133   b.    
     The first protrusion  141  has a first internal passage  141   a  in fluid communication with the first storage chamber  113 , which first internal passage  141   a  opens into the first outlet zone  133   a  at a first opening  143  in the first protrusion  141 , while the second protrusion  142  has a second internal passage  142   a  in fluid communication with the second storage chamber  123 , which second internal passage  142   a  opens into the second outlet zone  133   b  at a second opening  144  in the second protrusion  142 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 , the container  1  further comprises a first member  155  disposed in the first internal passage  141   a  of the first protrusion  141  and movable between a closed position, at which the first member  155  seals the first inlet to isolate tire first storage chamber  113  from the first outlet zone  133   a , and an open position, at which the first storage chamber  113  is in fluid communication with the first outlet zone  133   a . Similarly, the container  1  comprises a second member  165  disposed in the second internal passage  142   a  of the second protrusion  142  and movable between a closed position, at which the second member  165  seals the second inlet to isolate the second storage chamber  123  from the second outlet zone  133   b , and an open position, at which the second storage chamber  123  is in fluid communication with the second outlet zone  133   b.    
     The first member  155  comprises a first piston having a piston head  157  and a blade  158  depending from the piston head  157 . A tubular element  159  is disposed around a portion of the blade  158  and has an external surface that mates with a wall of the first internal passage  141   a . The tubular element  159  is connected to the first inlet by a helical spring  156  or other resilient element, which biases the first member  155  to its closed position relative to the first inlet. However, when the closure  200  is at its first, closed position (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), the first member  155  is prevented from, moving relative to the first inlet to its closed position, because an end  158 ′ of the blade  158  contacts an interior side  212  of the closure  200 . Accordingly, when the closure  200  is at its first, closed position, the first member  155  is held at its open position, and the first outlet zone  133   a  is maintained in fluid communication with the first storage chamber  113 . It will be noted that the blade  158  defines and separates two separate paths in the tubular element  159  in the first internal passage  141   a , to permit flow of the first flowable substance in a direction from the first storage chamber  113  to the first outlet zone  133   a  via one of the paths, and simultaneous flow of air from the first outlet zone  133   a  to the first storage chamber  113  via the other of the paths, when the first member  155  is at its open position. However, when the closure  200  is at its second, open position, the first member  155  no longer contacts the closure  200  and so is movable to its closed position to seal the first inlet under the biasing force of the spring  156 . 
     Similarly, the second member  156  comprises a second piston having a piston head  167  and a blade  168  depending from the piston head  167 . A tubular element  169  is disposed around a portion of the blade  168  and has an external surface that mates with a wall of the second internal passage  142   a . The tubular element  169  is connected to the second inlet by a helical spring  166  or other resilient element, which biases the second member  165  to its closed position relative to the second inlet. However, when the closure  200  is at its first, closed position (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), the second member  165  is prevented from moving relative to the second inlet to its closed position, because an end  168 ′ of the blade  168  contacts the interior side  212  of the closure  200 . Accordingly, when the closure  200  is at its first, closed position, the second member  165  is held at its open position, and the second outlet zone  133   b  is maintained in fluid communication with the second storage chamber  123 . It will be noted, that the blade  168  defines and separates two separate paths in the tubular element  169  in the second internal passage  142   a , to permit flow of the second flowable substance in a direction from the second storage chamber  123  to the second outlet zone  133   b  via one of the paths, and simultaneous flow of air from the second outlet zone  133   b  to the second storage chamber  123  via the other of the paths, when the second member  165  is at its open position. However, when the closure  200  is at its second, open position, the second member  165  no longer contacts the closure  200  and so is movable to its closed position to seal the second inlet under the biasing force of the spring  166 . 
     With the closure  200  in the first, closed position, the volume of the first outlet zone  133   a  is equal (or substantially equal) to a first predetermined volume of the first flowable substance to be dispensed from the container  1 , and the volume of the second outlet zone  133   b  is equal (or substantially equal) to a second predetermined volume of the second flowable substance to be dispensed from the container  1 . Accordingly, as will be described further below, the container  1  comprises a first apparatus configured, on operation thereof, to dispense from the first storage chamber  113  via the first inlet into the first outlet zone  133   a  a first predetermined volume of the first flowable substance, and a second apparatus configured, on operation thereof, to dispense from the second storage chamber  123  via the second inlet into the second outlet zone  133   b  a second predetermined volume of the second flowable substance. 
     As mentioned above, the container  1  further comprises a closure  200 . The closure  200  is detachably attached to the body  100  through a screw thread  134  of the third vessel  130  that cooperates with a screw thread  234  of the closure  200 . The closure  200  is movable relative to the third vessel  130  and the rest of the body  100 . 
     The closure  200  has a main portion  210  having a first exterior side  211 , the interior side  212 , and an annular outer wall  215 . Together, the outer wall  215  and the interior side  212  define an interior cavity  217  of the closure  200 . The closure  200  is detachable from the body  100  to move the closure  200  from the first, closed position to the second, open position. The interior cavity  217  of the closure  200  has a volume equal to or greater than the sum of the first predetermined volume and the second predetermined volume. When the closure  200  is at the first, dosed, position, both, the first outlet zone  133   a  and the second outlet zone  133   b  are in fluid communication with the interior cavity  217  of the closure  200 . 
     The closure  200  is movable relative to the body  100  between the first, closed position (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and the second, open position (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The cooperating screw threads  134 ,  234  of the third vessel  130  and closure  200  together act as a lock for locking the closure  200  at the first, closed position. When the closure  200  is at the first, closed position, the closure  200  is not movable away from the third vessel  130  without being rotated relative to the third vessel  130 . The closure  200  is rotatable relative to the third vessel  130  to disengage the cooperating screw threads  134 ,  234  to permit movement of the closure  200  relative to the body  100  to the second, open position. Rotation through about 360 degrees, more preferably between 90 and 270 degrees, is required to release the lock. Other forms of lock for locking the closure  200  at the first, closed position may instead be provided. 
     When the closure  200  is at the first, closed position, the main portion  210  of the closure  200  creates a seal with a rim or lip  132  of the third vessel  130  around openings of the first and second outlet zones  133   a ,  133   b , and further creates a seal with the separator  139 , to isolate the first and second outlet zones  133   a ,  133   b  from each other and from an exterior of the container  1 . Furthermore, when the closure  200  is at the first, closed position, the entire closure  200  is spaced from the first and second inlets, i.e. from the first and second protrusions  141 ,  142  and their respective openings  143 ,  144 , so as to permit flow of the first flowable substance from the first storage chamber  113  via the opening  143  of the first protrusion  141  into the first outlet zone  133   a , and so as to permit flow of the second flowable substance from the second storage chamber  123  via the opening  144  of the second protrusion  142  into the second outlet zone  133   b.    
     On the other hand, when the closure  200  is at the second, open position, the main portion  210  of the closure  200  is separated from the rim or lip  132  of the third vessel  130  and from the separator  139 , and the first and second outlet, zones  133   a ,  133   b  are in fluid communication with the exterior of the container  1 . Moreover, when the closure  200  is at the second, open position, the closure  200  is detached from the third vessel  130  and the rest of the body  100 . 
     When a user wishes to dispense the first and second flowable substances from the container of the second embodiment, they first ensure that the closure  200  is at the first, closed, position and that the screw threads  134 ,  234  are mating to engage the lock, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As discussed above, in this configuration, the first and second members  155 ,  165  are retained in their open positions. 
     The user then ensures that the container  1  is in a state with the closure  200  lower than, i.e. below, the base end and with the container  1  in a horizontal state, that is with the base end of the container  1  horizontal. This causes the first and second flowable substances to flow out from the respective first and second storage chambers  113 ,  123  under the influence of gravity, through the respective first and second orifices  114 ,  124 , through the respective first and second, internal passages  141   a ,  142   a  and respective first and second openings  143 ,  144  of the first and second protrusions  141 ,  142  of the first and second inlets, and into the respective first and second outlet zones  133   a ,  133   b , which first and second outlet zones  133   a ,  133   b  are isolated from each, other by the separator  139  of the third vessel  130 . The volumes of the first and second outlet zones  133   a ,  133   b  dictate the respective predetermined volumes of the first and second flowable substances that are dispensed into the first and second outlet zones  133   a ,  133   b.    
     While maintaining the container  1  in the horizontal state with the closure  200  lower than, i.e. below, the base end, the user then rotates the closure  200  relative to the third vessel  130  to release the lock. The user then quickly but steadily moves the closure  200  downwards and away from the third vessel  130 , to allow the first and second members  155 ,  165  to move to their closed positions under the influence of the helical springs  156 ,  166 , which cuts off the flow of the first and second flowable substances to the first and second outlet zones  133   a ,  133   b . Simultaneously, the first and second predetermined volumes of the first and second flowable substances disposed within the first and second outlet zones  133   a ,  133   b  become retained within the interior cavity  217  of the closure  200  and are allowed to mix therein. 
     While the foregoing description discusses the use of the container  1  in a horizontal state, it is understood that the user may also use the container  1  even if the container  1  is not in a horizontal state, such as using the container  1  when it is slightly tilted with respect to the base  180  of the container  1 . 
     The user then brings a lip or rim of the closure  200  to their lips, tilts the closure  200 , and pours the mixed first and second flowable substances into their mouth. The closure  200  accordingly is useable as a cup. Alternatively, the user may choose to pour the mixed first and second flowable substances into a separate receptacle, and then drink the mixed first and second flowable substances from the receptacle. 
     Accordingly, since the first and second flowable substances are kept separate from each other while located in the body  100  (more specifically in the first and second outlet, zones  133   a ,  133   b ), it is prevented, or the risk is minimized, that any of the first flowable substance is allowed to flow towards the second storage chamber  123  via the second opening  144 , and that any of the second flowable substance is allowed to flow towards the first storage chamber  113  via the first opening  143 . 
     While the invention has been described with, respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.