Patent Publication Number: US-4838457-A

Title: Lotion blending and dispensing unit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a dispensing unit for combining a plurality of lotions and for dispensing the composite lotion, and more particularly to a novel blending and dispensing unit wherein a plurality of lotions are selectively introduced to a mixing or blending chamber followed by dispensing of the resultant composition so that the ultimate discharge from the unit is a selective blend of the combined lotions through a discharge orifice in an outer container. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     In the past, it has been the conventional practice to provide multiple compartment dispensers which require that individual lotions or substances be introduced into separate compartments in a container and then sealing the container whereby eventual squeezing or depression of the container causes the separate ingredients to be discharged through a common orifice. In some instances, the separate substances are mixed externally of the container during the squeezing or expulsion procedure. One such container is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,071 wherein separate substances are introduced into a chamber when the cap has been removed. Therefore, it can be seen that such a device mixes ingredients externally of the container as the device or dispenser is being used. There is no internal mixing chamber that premixes the variety of substances prior to the dispensing or expulsion procedure. Also, there is no selection means associated with the container for providing a wide selection of blending proportions. The orifices leading from the separate substance containers are fixed and cannot be adjusted to suit the needs of the user. 
     Other dispensing devices, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,307, merely provide for separate dispensing of a variety of stored substances without blending or mixing preparatory to dispensement. Another such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,006. Therefore, in all of the above-mentioned prior devices, blending or mixing of the substance takes place outside of the container and no means are shown for premixing the variety of substances by the user in accordance with a proportion selector means. In other words, the user can blend proportions according to his taste or desire external of the container or the user is limited to a fixed proportion without the capability of adjustment. 
     Therefore, a long standing need has existed to provide a novel blending and dispensing unit for selectively combining a plurality of individual solutions, lotions or substances wherein the proportions can be readily selected by the user during the dispensing procedure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are obviated by the present invention which provides a novel blending and dispensing unit for a multiplicity of substances, lotions or solutions which includes a cylindrical housing or container having an internal storage chamber enclosing a plurality of individual tubes containing the lotion, substance or solution intended to be combined and dispensed. The container includes a body portion having orifices terminating at an annular surface in alignment with the respective plurality of containers for the lotion, substance or solution. The container further includes a central projection extending above the annular surface about which a rotary disc is disposed which is provided with a plurality of different sized orifices movable about the projection in selected registry with the orifices opening at the annular surface. The projection further includes a conical portion overlapping the disc which is provided with passageways in fixed alignment with the orifices of the annular surface so that lotion, substance or solutions may be passed therethrough when the apertures in the disc are indexed between the orifices and the passageways respectively. A dial is rotatably carried about the projection and includes means attachable to the disc so that the disc may be rotated to selective locations. Alpha-numeric or graphic representations can be carried on the container and the dial respectively for the use of the user in selecting proper aperture alignment between the orifices and passageways. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the novel lotion blender and dispensing unit incorporating the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the blending and dispensing unit of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the blending and dispensing unit; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the blending and dispensing unit substantially as taken in the direction of arrows 4--4 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the regulating aperture disc disposed between the orifices on the annular surface of the container and the passageways shown in the dispensing projection; and 
     FIG. 6 is an alternate regulator disc. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the novel blender and dispenser unit of the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 10 which includes an outside housing 11 of cylindrical configuration having a closed bottom and a removable top 12. The top is arranged in threadable engagement with the upper end of the housing 11 and the housing is further provided with an opening 13 communicating an interior storage compartment or chamber with ambient environment. The user controls discharge or disbursement of the stored substances or ingredients by closing the opening 13 with a thumb or finger at the time of dispensing. Also, it is to be understood that the housing is composed of a transparent or translucent material so that the interior can be visually inspected to check the quantity of lotions or solutions available for mixing during the dispensing procedure. The lid 12 includes a central opening through which a conical projection 14 extends, which terminates in a dispensing orifice 15. Movably mounted on the conical projection 14 is a dial 16 having raised portions 17 and 18 suitable for grasping by the fingers of the user in order to rotate the selector dial 16 about the conical projection 14. The dial further includes a window or elongated opening 20 exposing a portion of the underlying conical projection 14 that carries indicia or graphic representations intended to be used for selection purposes in determining proportions of a blend of the plurality of substances, lotions or solutions contained within the housing 11. 
     Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the housing 11 includes an internal storage chamber in which a pair of containers 22 and 23 are located, each of which contain a different lotion, solution or substance. It is to be understood that although a pair of containers is shown, multiple containers can be employed so that a multiple of substances can be blended or combined and subsequently dispensed as a common composition. Each of the respective containers 22 and 23 is suitably engaged with receiving sockets in a mount 24 disposed to close the storage chamber of the housing 11 at one end. The mount 24 includes a pair of openings 25 and 26 which communicate the respective nozzles of the containers 22 and 23 with an annular surface 27 on which the regulating aperture disc 16 rides. The mount 24 further supports the conical member 14 so that the opposite ends of passageways 27 and 28 interconnect the dispensing orifice 15 with the openings 25 and 26 respectively. However, it is to be understood that the disc 21 interferes with communication between the passageways and the openings. The disc 21 is shown more clearly in FIG. 5 which includes a plurality of different sized openings, such as openings 30, so that when a selected opening is in registry between the openings 24 and its respective passageway or opening 25 with its respective passageway 27, the substance contained within the containers will be permitted to pass into blending relationships at the orifice 15. 
     It is to be particularly noted that the disc 21 includes a plurality of notches, such as notch 31, into which projections, such as projection 32 of FIG. 3 is inserted or engaged. Therefore, the selector dial 16 is connected to the regulating aperture disc 21 by means of the projections 32 disposed within the respective notches 31. Therefore, as the dial is rotated, the disc will rotate in accordance therewith. 
     Also, it is to be noted that the conical projection 14 includes a plurality of numerals arranged in a circular path about its surface wherein each numeral is adjacent to a specifically sized aperture. For example, the numeral 6 is located adjacent to aperture 30 and when the disc has been rotated to the position where the user desires this size opening to interconnect one of the containers with a particular passageway, the numeral will appear through the window 20. Also, it is to be noted that each of the respective openings in the regulating aperture disc 21 includes a recessed seat for accommodating the presence of an O-ring. The O-rings are shown in FIG. 4 and identified by numerals 32 and 33 and are arranged in association with the ports for passageways 27 and 28. Therefore, as the disc 21 rotates, the O-rings will drop into the respective recesses about each of the selected apertures 30 and provide a seal so that the lotion or substance flowing through the aperture will not leak. 
     Therefore, it can be seen from the foregoing that the blending and dispensing unit of the present invention provides a novel means for storing a plurality of substances such as suntan lotion, suntan blocks or the like, and that these substances can be selectively withdrawn from respective containers 22 and 23 into a proportioned blend via the passageways 27 and 28 in accordance with the desired sized apertures in the rotating disc 21. An aperture of one size can be in registry between the opening 25 and the passageway 27 while a different sized aperture in the disc can be indexed or registered between opening 26 and the passageway 28. Therefore, different quantities of substances can be introduced to the blending nozzle 15 preparatory to leaving the unit for application to the skin of the user. Initially, the selector dial 16 is moved by the user to a desired indicator number on the disc 21 as viewed through the window 20 which positions the apertures over the lotion and block tubes 22 and 23 orifices respectively. The outer container is grasped and squeezed in a manner that the thumb of the user is postioned over and sealing the air hole 13. Air pressure inside the container applies an even pressure to the pliable lotion and block tubes 22 and 23 regardless of how spent their contents may be. The lotion and block are forced through the selected regulating apertures and discharged in the desired suntan lotion and block blend. The thumb is removed from the air hole and the container regains form. 
     The alternate disc shown in FIG. 6 by numeral 40 includes multiple circular paths of apertures, such as 41 and 42, for blending a greater variety of substances. Additional passages are included in the projection 16 for alignment with the respective circular paths of apertures. 
     The housing 11 is suitable to be wall mounted or disposed on a sink or table top. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.