Abstract:
A multi container assembly comprising, a first container having an opening with a first securing means distal to the opening and integrated within an internal cavity of the first container and a protrusion extends upwards towards the opening and a second securing means is disposed on the protrusion, a second container wherein the first end has an opening and a first securing means distal to the opening and a second securing means distal to the second end, and a cap having a first securing means designed to mate with the first securing means of the first container and a protrusion extending downward from the internal cavity, wherein the protrusion has a second securing means designed to mate with the first securing means of the second container, wherein when the cap is secured to the first container and the second container a substantially impervious seal is formed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a container, and more particular to a container that allows for the separation of the compositions while in storage and the mixing of the compositions at a desired time. 
         [0002]    Most multiple compartment containers have a side by side division or have a compartment with a common closure. None of these have a smaller compartment fully enclosed by a larger compartment with each compartment remaining separate until a desired time and a desired action is performed to the container. The advantage of the latter is its compactness, the ease of accessibility with one closure not getting into the way of the other and the ability of placing different types of items in each compartment that would normally react when mixed. 
         [0003]    Within the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement products and the delivery system of these products there is a problem when storing and delivering products. Many of the elements of these products are reactive to one another when mixed. Thus, it is necessary to store the elements separately until the product is being consumed or applied. Various attempts have been made to keep the elements separate until the desired time, but these attempts require multiple packaging, various coatings or sealants. 
         [0004]    Thus, it is desired to have a delivery system that has multiple compartments and the contents of these compartments are not mixed until the desired time and that is commercially accessible to make, fill, and store. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to one aspect of the present invention a multi container assembly comprising a first container having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has an opening with a first securing means distal to the opening and integrated within an internal cavity of the first container and a protrusion extends upwards towards the opening and a second securing means is disposed on the protrusion, a second container sized to fit within the opening of the first container having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has an opening and a first securing means distal to the opening and a second securing means distal to the second end, wherein the second securing means mates with the second securing means of the first container, and a cap having an internal cavity with a first securing means disposed on surface of the internal cavity designed to mate with the first securing means of the first container and a protrusion extending downward from the internal cavity, wherein the protrusion has a second securing means designed to mate with the first securing means of the second container, wherein when the cap is secured to the first container and the second container a substantially impervious seal is formed. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the present invention a multi container assembly comprising a container having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has an opening with a first securing means distal to the opening and a hollow protrusion extending upwards a predetermined distance and having a second end with an opening and a securing means distal to the opening at the second end, a cap having an internal cavity with a first securing means designed to mate with the first securing means of the container and a protrusion extending downward from an internal cavity, wherein the first protrusion has a second securing means designed to mate with the second securing means of the container, wherein when the cap is secured to the container and a substantially impervious seal is formed. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect of the present invention a multi container assembly comprising a container having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has an opening with a first securing means distal to the opening and integrated within an internal cavity of the first container and a protrusion extends upwards towards the opening and a second securing means is disposed on the protrusion, a cap having an internal cavity with a first securing means disposed on surface of the internal cavity designed to mate with the first securing means of the container and a hollow protrusion extending downward from the internal cavity and the hollow protrusion has an opening and a second securing means distal to the opening designed to mate with the second securing means of the container, wherein when the cap is secured to the first container and the second container a substantially impervious seal is formed. 
         [0008]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded isometric view of a container, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross section view of the container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts a cross section view of the container, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross section view of the container, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The present invention can be described as a delivery platform that is capable of delivering multiple product formulas as a single product in a single dose. The formulations are stored separated but are delivered in unison as the multiple formulas are mixed at the point of delivery which reduces the risk of ingredients interacting before consumed by the end user. This unique delivery gives birth to a brand-new breed of products that offers a multitude of applications and functionality. 
         [0015]    The invention solves many aspects of product development. Compatibility, solubility, and stability between active and inactive ingredients. The formulation stage of product development usually introduces any issues between raw materials which leads to many products never getting launched. This enables new formulations that could not be delivered currently and offers products that have never been seen before. In addition, this delivery platform has also proven to increase taste masking aspects of many compositions that contain ingredients that are bitter and of bad taste. excipients in order to produce products that remain shelf stable and contain the same purity throughout the life of the product. For example, preservatives, solvents, stabilizers, and many other excipients are being used in almost all the formulations currently on the market today. The invention can offer a reduction or complete illumination of such excipients which creates cleaner products for consumers. 
         [0016]    This delivery platform creates products that offer the ability to deliver multiple applications in a wide range of industries. This delivery system offers applications that are single dose and disposable or multi-dose and modular. The modular type offers attachments that are interchangeable and in many different designs specific to the type of product application such as liquid/liquid, liquid/powder, and liquid/pill formulations. In addition, the secondary vessels can offer pre-dosed formula&#39;s that can be attached and delivered with the main vessel then detached and repeated which offers a new safe dosing application for children and adults. 
         [0017]    As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0018]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. 
         [0019]    It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded isometric view of the container assembly  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The container is comprised of a first container  200 , a second container  300 , and a cap  400 . 
         [0021]    The first container  200 , the second container  300 , and/or the cap  400  may be made from, but not limited to, polyolefins, styrenics, polypropylene, copolymer polypropylene, polystyrene, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, copolymer polypropylene, metals, or various other materials thereof known in the art. Additionally almost all resins used for preparing thermosetting plastic bottles can be used such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyamide, Polycarbonate, Polyvinylchloride (PVC), Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Ultra high molecular weight (UHMW-PE), Polypropylene, Ionomar, and Poly-4-methyl-1-pantene (TPX). The parts may be made from various other materials such as wood, metal, or a combination of woods, metals, or plastics. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the first container  200 , the second container  300 , and the cap  400  may be made from, but not limited to, injection, blow, compression, 3-D, thermoforming, foam molding, and the like. In some embodiments, the first container  200 , the second container  300 , and the cap  400  may be made from various other manufacturing techniques depending upon the material the parts are made out of and the machine process. 
         [0023]    In the depicted embodiment, a threaded style locking mechanism is seen on the first container  200  and the second container  300 . In additional embodiments, various detachable locking mechanism may be used, such as, but not limited to, threaded locks, snap lock, pressure fit lock, sliding lock or the like. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  depicts a cross section view of the container assembly  100  dissembled, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0025]    The first container  200  is designed to house the first product and also the second container  300 . In the depicted embodiment, the first container  200  has a main compartment  205 , a neck  206  with an opening  202  at a top end  201 . The first container  200  has a predetermined shape, size, and volume based on the intended quantity or volume of the contents that are placed inside. In various embodiments, the first container  200  may have various shapes and sizes. The first container  200  has the opening  202  that is sized to receive the second container  300 . The first container  200  is sealed, expect for the opening  202  to allow the first container  200  to hold a liquid, solid, or gas material. In the depicted embodiment, approximate to the opening  202  is a first securing means  204  exposed on the exterior surface of the first container  200  on the neck  206  which is designed to mate with the cap  400  to create a seal between the cap  400  and the first container  200 . The seal created between the cap  400  and the first container  200  is a substantially air tight, water tight, and/or hermetic seal. Various types of seals may be employed, such as but not limited to mechanical sealing mechanisms, adhesives, welding techniques, induction seals, heat seals, or the like. 
         [0026]    The first container  200  may have various volumes depending upon the intended purpose and quantities to be mixed. In some embodiment, the first container  200  ranges from 1 oz to 16 oz, and the second container  300  ranges from 5 ml to 100 ml dose sizes. In some embodiments, the container assembly  100  is a one-time use design. In some embodiments, the containers may be washed, cleaned, and reused. 
         [0027]    In the depicted embodiment, the first container  200  has an extension  209  extending towards the top end  201  from a bottom surface  203 . The extension  209  has a hollow design with a second securing means  207  integrated into the surface of the extension  209 . The second securing means  207  is positioned so that the second container  300  when inserted into the first container  200  through the opening  202  can mate with the second securing means  207 . In additional embodiments, the second securing means  207  may be integrated into the bottom surface  203  of the first container  200  depending on the thickness of the first container  200 . 
         [0028]    In various embodiments, more than one securing means may be implemented within the interior cavity of the first container  200  so that more than one containers may be attached if the desired mixture requires more than two parts. The opening  202  is sized to accommodate the multiple containers. The second securing means  207  is designed to secure the second container  300  in place so that the second container  300  is not damaged, broken, or opened, thereby releasing the contents of the second container  300  before the desired time. 
         [0029]    The second container  300  is designed to contain a product that is desired to remain separate from the contents of the first container  200  until a predetermined time. In the depicted embodiment, the second container  300  is a substantially cylindrical container a compartment  306 , a first securing means  302  located at a first end  301  and a second securing means  304  located at a second end  303 . The first end  301  has an opening  305  and the second end  303  has an opening  307 . The first securing means  302  is designed to mate with the reciprocal mating feature of the cap  400  and form a substantially air tight, water tight, and/or hermetic seal. The second securing means  304  is designed to mate with the second securing means  207  of the first container  200  and form a substantially air tight, water tight, and/or hermetic seal. When properly secured to the cap  400  and the first container  200 , the content of the first container  200  and the second container  300  are separated. In the depicted embodiment, the first and second securing means  302  and  304  are substantially similar securing means. In additional embodiments, the first and second securing means  302  and  304  are different methods of accomplishing the desired seal. Various types of securing means may be employed by the first and second securing means  302  and  304 . For example, a screw style lock, a snap lock, a pressure lock, a sliding lock or the like. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the first end  301 , the second end  303 , or both ends are open with a seal (such as heat seal or induction seal) that provides the air tight, water tight, and/or hermetic seal over opens  305  and  307 . This seal may be used to provide additional security so that the contents do not mix prematurely. In some of these embodiments, the first container  200  or the cap  400  may have a protrusion that is designed to puncture one or both of these seals so that either there is an elongated release period of the contents of the containers, or so that when the cap is removed (either with the second container  300  attached, or alone) the contents of the second container  300  are automatically introduced into the contents of the first container  200 . 
         [0031]    The cap  400  is designed to seal the contents of the first container  200  and the second container  300  and prevent the contents of the containers from mixing. The cap  400  also provides the desired security means to keep children or other individuals from gaining access to the contents. The cap  400  may be various types of caps with child-resistant, senior-friendly designs. In the depicted embodiment cap  400  has a first securing means  402  and a second securing means  404 . The first securing means  402  is designed to mate with the first securing means  204  of the first container  200 . The second securing means  404  is designed to mate with the first securing means  302  of the second container  300 . In the depicted embodiment, the first securing means  402  and the second securing means  404  are integrated into the cap  400 . In additional embodiments, an extension of the cap  400  may extend downwards and have the second securing means  404  integrated into the extension. The length at which the second securing means  404  extends from the interior surface  403  of the cap  400  is determined by the length of the second container  300 . The cap  400  may have various designs and sizes to allow for easier gripping, security for children, or the like know to those of ordinary skill in the art. The cap  400  may be a single element with all necessary features integrated into the unitary design. In additional embodiments, the cap  400  may be constructed out of numerous parts to create the desired functionality. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  depicts a section view of the container assembly  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The second container  300  is secured to the first container  200  and the cap  400  to keep the contents of the second container  300  separate from the first container  200  and also to secure the second container  300  so that the second container  300  is not damaged during transportation or storage. In the depicted embodiment, the first securing means  302  and the second securing means  304  of the second container  200  is a threaded style lock with the respective securing means of the cap  400  and the first container  200 . It is shown that the second container  300  is a length that allows the cap  400  to have a hollow portion where the securing means  404  inserted. In additional embodiments, the securing means  404  of the cap  400  may extend a predetermined distance into the first container  200  to reach the second container  300 . In the depicted embodiment, the            
         [0033]      FIG. 4  depicts a cross section view of the container assembly  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the first container  200  has a main compartment  205  and the compartment  306  in a unitary design, wherein the second container  300  is integrated into the bottom surface  203  of the main compartment  205  of the first container  200 . A seal  500  is secured to the top surface  301  of the second container  300 . The cap  400  has a protrusion  405  extending downward from an internal surface  406 . The protrusion  405  is used to break the seal that is separating the compartment  306  from the main compartment  205 . Due to the seal between the cap  400 , the first container  200  and the second container  300 , the contents of the compartment  306  cannot mix with the contents of the main compartment  205  until the cap  400  is removed. The protrusion  405  is shown puncturing the seal  500 , so that when the cap  400  is removed, the contents of the compartments  205  and  306  can be mixed together at the time of removal from the container assembly  100 . 
         [0034]    The cap  400  is secured to the first container  200  via a threaded style lock and the second container  300  is secured to the cap  400  via a pressure fit style lock. When the cap  400  is removed, the second container  300  will be removed with the cap  400  thereby releasing the contents into the first container  200 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross section view of the container, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the cap  400  has a compartment  407  integrated into the cap  400 , and the cap  400  is secured to the first container  200 . The cap  400  has an extended portion  408  with a securing means  409  located at an open end  410 . The compartment  407  is sealed from the main compartment  205  by a seal  500 . The first container  200  has a protrusion  210  within the internal compartment of the extension  209 , so that when the cap  400  is secured to the first container  200  and the securing means  409  is substantially secured to the first container  200 , the protrusion punctures the seal  500 . Thus because of the securing means  409  mating with the first container  200  and forming an air tight and water tight seal, the contents of the compartment  407  and the main compartment  205  will remain separate until the cap  400  is removed from the first container  200  and the contents will then mix. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, within the second securing means  204  is a protrusion that is designed to puncture the second container  300  or a seal that is used to cap the second container  300 . Thus, because of the seal between the first container  200  and the second container  300  the contents of the second container  300  will not be released until the cap  400  is removed with the second container  300  attached to the cap  400 . 
         [0037]    The invention is inclusive of combinations of the embodiments or embodiments described herein. References to “a particular embodiment” or “embodiment” and the like refer to features that are present in at least one embodiment of the invention. Separate references to “an embodiment” or “particular embodiments” or “embodiments” or the like do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or embodiments; however, such embodiments are not mutually exclusive, unless so indicated or as are readily apparent to one of skill in the art. The use of singular or plural in referring to “method” or “methods” and the like is not limiting. The word “or” is used in this disclosure in a non-exclusive sense, unless otherwise explicitly noted. 
         [0038]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. The present invention shall be easily carried out by an ordinary skilled person in the art, and any modifications and changes are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0039]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 
         [0040]    All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.