Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an apparatus including a selectively actuated fluid system having a plurality of selected fluid reservoirs, for example replaceable cartridge-type fluid reservoirs. A first subset of the reservoirs can be selectively actuated to dispense an individual fluid from the selected reservoir. A second subset of the reservoirs can be simultaneously actuated to dispense two or more fluids in mixed form.

<CIT> discloses a hand actuated multiple-container trigger sprayer includes a spray head assembly removably connected to a plurality of fluid containers. The sprayer head assembly has an outer housing, a nozzle attached to the housing, a pump mechanism enclosed within the housing, and tubing fluidly connecting each of the plurality of fluid containers with the pump mechanism in the housing. A trigger or lever actuates the pump mechanism to draw fluid through the tubing from each of the plurality of fluid containers and to discharge the fluid through the nozzle. A metering device is located between the fluid containers and the pump mechanism and is accessible externally from the housing to selectively control the amount of fluid drawn from the containers. The metering device includes flow paths to the pump mechanism for each of the fluid containers. The diameter and length of at least one of the flow paths can be controlled to selectively control the amount of fluid drawn from the fluid containers.

<CIT> discloses a method of spray coating at least one portion of a human subject and includes providing a first container containing a first skin coating solution, where the first container is configured to removably connect to a spraying apparatus configured to receive the first container and a second container containing at least one of the first skin coating solution and a second skin coating solution, where the first container includes a first disconnect valve configured to removably connect to a first disconnect fitting fluidly coupled to at least one nozzle in the spraying apparatus, and where the first container is configured for opening of a vent in the first container for air to enter the first container as the first skin coating solution flows out of the first container through the first disconnect valve and out of the at least one nozzle and onto the at least one portion of the human subject.

<CIT> discloses an automatic multiple colour-producing paint spray device comprising a spray gun having a depending nipple provided with a paint inlet bore and an adjacent air pressure conduit, a housing member secured at its upper end to the nipple, a connecting member secured to a lower end of the housing member, atubular stem projecting axially upwardly from the connecting member and connected at its upper end to the inlet bore of the nipple, and forming with the housing member an annular pressure chamber in communication with the air pressure conduit, a plurality of radial bores formed in the connecting member, each in communication with the tubular stem, a valve unit for each radial bore mounted on the connecting member, a depending paint container mounted on each valve unit, a paint delivery conduit connected to each valve unit and extending interiorly of the container associated therewith, an air supply conduit connecting the interior of each chamber with the annular pressure chamber, valve means within each valve unit operative between each radial bore and the tubular stem for controlling the flow of paint to the spray gun, a valve control stem for each valve means, a control member mounted on the housing meber for limited angular movement thereon and operatively connected to each valve control stem whereby movement of the control member in one direction will operate to simultaneously open each of the valve means.

<CIT> discloses a device for dispensing a mixture of at least two fluids and has a plurality of cartridges that each contain a fluid. A flow channel communicates with each cartridge and a valve adjusts a mass flow rate of the fluid drawn from the corresponding cartridge. A manifold has a mixing chamber and a plurality of inlets that each communicate with one of the flow channels. The manifold has a spring and a seal that covers the inlets. A piston is between the seal and the spring. The spring is moveable between an extended position that positions the seal to substantially and simultaneously close the inlets from the flow channels and a compressed position that positions the seal to substantially and simultaneously open the inlets to the flow channels. A dispensing pump communicates with the manifold and draws fluid from each of the cartridges. A nozzle dispenses the mixture.

<CIT> discloses a perfume dispenser which enables any of a plurality of different liquid perfumes to be selected or to be selectively mixed prior to being dispensed, whereby a plurality of different perfume fragrances can be obtained from the dispenser, as desired. The perfume dispenser comprises a holder for holding a plurality of perfume containers, each containing a liquid perfume of a different fragrance, a selector device which enables liquid perfume from any one or from a combination or combinations of the containers to be selected for dispensing through an outlet of the dispenser and an actuating means operable to cause the release of a quantity of the selected liquid perfume or perfumes into a mixing chamber and from said chamber to said outlet.

<CIT> discloses a multi-chambered dispenser for blending and dispensing a customized liquid product such as a liquid cosmetic foundation. The dispenser includes a device for selecting a customized liquid formula; a plurality of cartridges separately containing pre-mixed compositions for the customized liquid product; at least one ink jet head in fluid communication with the cartridges; a central processing unit for processing the customized liquid formula and activating the ink jet head; whereby the ink jet head dispenses the pre-mix compositions in accordance with the customized liquid formula to provide a customized liquid product.

According to the present invention, there is provided a container unit including a plurality of sub-container portions defining a plurality of chambers for containing liquid substances, a mixing chamber downstream of the sub-container portions, a selecting mechanism for selecting one or more such liquid substances from the sub-container portions, and a spray actuator comprising a spray button and for dispensing a single liquid substance from one of said sub-container portions or a mixture of liquid substances from two or more of the plurality of sub-container portions according to the selecting mechanism, wherein the sub-container portions are individually removable from the container unit characterised in that the selecting mechanism includes respective switch devices for each sub-container portion, each switch device serving to select between an on position and an off position for such liquid substances, and in that there are respective actuator units for the sub-container portions whereby when said spray button is pressed downwardly, said selecting mechanism either acts or does not act upon respective said actuator units to cause a corresponding downward movement of the selected actuator units. Owing to this aspect, the sub-container portions are able to be replaced and recycled.

In order that the present invention can be completely understood, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-.

Referring to <FIG>, a spherical container unit <NUM> comprises a plurality of sub-container portions <NUM>, four such container sub-portions being shown, which form substantially equal chambers in which fragrant liquids, preferably different to each other, are stored. At the top end of the container unit <NUM> there is a spray actuator <NUM> having an outlet nozzle 6a, the actuator <NUM> being hand-powered or electrically powered.

A corresponding number of narrow diameter dip tubes <NUM> extend into the plurality of sub-container portions <NUM>, with their respective lower end regions submerged in the liquid substance and their respective upper end regions connected to a mixing chamber <NUM>. Once the actuator <NUM> is operated, one or more liquid substances from the sub-containers <NUM> exit the sub-containers via the respective dip tube(s) <NUM> into the mixing chamber <NUM>, where if liquid substances from more than one sub-container <NUM> meet, they form a mixture to be sprayed through the outlet nozzle 6a of the actuator <NUM>.

A selecting mechanism <NUM> located operably between the sub-container portions <NUM> and the mixing chamber <NUM> enables selection of the desired sub-containers <NUM> in order to allow either a single liquid fragrance substance to be sprayed through the outlet nozzle 6a or a mixture of liquid fragrance substances to be sprayed through the outlet nozzle 6a. Such a selecting mechanism can be in the form of a manually or automatically operable selectable valve device, for example, a simple push button <NUM> to close off the top end region of one or more the dip tubes <NUM>, each dip tube <NUM> having its own push button <NUM>, as shown. Thus, in order to be able to spray a single fragrance, the buttons <NUM> of three of the four sub-containers <NUM> are pushed to close-off the respective dip tubes <NUM>. Similarly, fewer buttons <NUM> can be used to close-off fewer dip tubes <NUM> to result in a mixture of fragrances from different sub-containers <NUM> can be sprayed.

The push buttons <NUM> may act against a compression spring so that, when in a closed-off position, upon a further depression, the dip tube is open for use. Alternatively, each button may be a simply sliding mechanism slidable between an open and a closed position.

There could be sub-containers <NUM> of differing internal volumes depending, for instance, upon the different fragrances to be stored therein.

The sub-containers <NUM> are removable from the container unit <NUM> as a whole so that they can be replaced and recycled. In this way, the same fragrances can be refreshed or new combinations of fragrances can be arranged. This very advantageous arrangement enables freedom of choice and experimentation of different combinations of fragrances and allows the replacement of favourite fragrances and fragrance combinations. The container unit <NUM> may include some form of framework (not shown) to enable the sub-container portions <NUM> to be sufficiently held together or the individual container sub-portions <NUM> comprise means for connecting to an adjacent sub-portion <NUM>.

One type of mechanism of forming the output mist of one or fragrances is preferably by way of the spray actuator <NUM> causing a stream of fluid, preferably air, to move along a conduit, in the form of, for example, a narrow tube, across a small opening at the top end region of the or each dip tube <NUM> where it is forced to follow a curved path up and over the top of the or each dip tube. This curved path creates a lower pressure on the inside of the curve at the top of the or each dip tube <NUM>. The difference between the reduced pressure at the top of the or each dip tube <NUM> and the higher atmospheric pressure existing inside the or each sub-container <NUM> pushes the liquid up the or each dip tube <NUM> and into the moving stream of air where it is broken up into small droplets and carried away with the stream of air. Thus, for example, if the container <NUM> comprised four sub-containers <NUM> as shown, each with its respective dip tube <NUM> at the top end of which is an opening it would be possible to cause, upon actuation of the spray actuator <NUM> (either manually or automated), a stream of air to flow across all four openings which would result in a mixture of the fragrances in each of the four sub-containers <NUM>. Advantageously, the selecting mechanism enables the opening and closing of the individual dip tubes <NUM> in order to be able to select any desired combination of the fragrances in each of the sub-containers <NUM>. This would allow a user to mix in the case of four sub-containers <NUM> fifteen variations of fragrance. The sub-portions <NUM> are detachable and can be replaced to account for higher usage of a preferred fragrance.

Referring to <FIG>, the container unit <NUM> of a preferred embodiment comprises a base portion <NUM> in which the sub-container portions <NUM> (two of three sub-containers <NUM> being shown) are retained. The sub-container portions <NUM> are also retained by a lid or head portion <NUM>, on top of which the spray actuator <NUM> is located and on the front side edge the spray nozzle 6a is located. The lid portion also includes the selecting mechanism <NUM>, which takes the form of a switch device for each sub-container portion <NUM> for simply selecting an on or off position.

<FIG> shows the base portion <NUM> of the container unit <NUM> of <FIG> retaining three sub-container portions <NUM> located in respective receiving cavities <NUM> recessed into the base <NUM>. There are shown two different sizes sub-container portions <NUM>; a forward first sub-container portion 4a of a first shape, the one shown being substantially circular cylindrical cross-section and a pair of rearward second sub-container portions 4b of a second shape, the ones shown being of a different cross section to the forward sub-container portion 4a. Any suitable shape can be chosen. Alternatively all three sub-container portions <NUM> could be of the same shape and size. In relation to the embodiment shown in <FIG> with the different shaped bottles, the first and second sub-container portions <NUM> can have a different volumetric capacity of respective fragrances, so that, for example, a more concentrated, stronger fragrance can be contained in the smaller first sub-container portion 4a.

Referring to <FIG>, the internal parts of the of the container unit <NUM> is shown where all three sub-container portions <NUM> are the same shape and size and retained by the receiving cavities <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. Located above the sub-container portions are internal parts of the lid portion <NUM> which can be seen to include the spray actuator <NUM> and the selecting mechanism <NUM> including a respective switch device 14a for each sub-container portion <NUM> which is movable from an 'on' position in which the fragrance in the respective sub-container portion <NUM> is selected and an 'off' position. The framework <NUM> of the container unit <NUM> also assists in holding the sub-container portions in place.

<FIG> shows in detail the spray mechanism of the container unit <NUM> located within the lid portion <NUM>. The spray actuator <NUM> is in the form of a spray button plate section of which only the uppermost circular button is visible in the finished container unit <NUM>, which when pressed downwardly casues the selecting mechanism <NUM> to either act or not act upon respective actuator units <NUM>. The selecting mechanism comprises the switche devices 14a which each have on their undersides a pair of downwardly projecting fins <NUM> spaced apart from each other of a distance slightly greater than the width of the respective actuating unit <NUM> so that when the switch device 14a is in the 'off' position and the spray actuator <NUM> is pressed the pair of fins <NUM> pass on either side of the actuator unit <NUM> and therefore to do actuate the fragrance to exit from the respective sub-container portion <NUM>. However when the switch device 14a is placed into the 'on' position the switch device 14a is rotated about an axis through, for example, approximately <NUM> degrees which also causes the pair of fins <NUM> to rotate by the same amount such that now as the spray actuator <NUM> is pressed, the bottom edges of the fins <NUM> press downwardly against the actuator units <NUM>. This causes a downward movement of the selected actuator unit(s) <NUM> in order to disperse a quantity of the fragrance in the sub-container portion <NUM> into a chamber <NUM> by causing operation of a pre-compression pump <NUM>.

The operation of the pair of fins <NUM> is based on cams for robust longevity of the device, allowing reuse as sub-container portions <NUM> are removed and replaced.

Each pre-compression pump <NUM> allows for extremely low activation pressure to reduce the finger pressure required on activation and to maintain the dosage and mix irrespective of how fast or slow the button <NUM> is pushed and produces consistent dosage sizes. The pre-compression pumps <NUM> are fixed into the sub-container portions <NUM> (or 4a and 4b) and couple with the respective chambers <NUM> when inserted into the lid portion <NUM>.

The spray mechanism of the present invention meters a mix of fragrances consistently so that when switching between seven combinations of three sub-container portions <NUM>, the ratio of the mix is substantially constant, so that with two fragrances selected as an example the mixture will always smell substantially the same. The consistency is achieved by the pre-compression pump <NUM> which draws a measured amount in the mixing of the <NUM> fragrances, the ratio being substantially <NUM>:<NUM> and in the case of all <NUM> to be mixed the ratio is approximately one third of each fragrance that is pumped into a manifold <NUM> linked to each pre-compression pump <NUM> by flexible tubes <NUM> and mixed in the mixing chamber <NUM> immediately before they are sprayed through the spray nozzle 6a. In this way, the manifold <NUM> serves to both the linking and blending the fragrances. Such consistency in the dosage is achieved by the combination of the manifold <NUM> and the pre-compression pumps <NUM>.

Not according to the claimed invention, the dosage may, alternatively be metred in such a way, either manually or electronically, that an unequal mix is achieved; for example <NUM>% of a first fragrance, <NUM>% of a second fragrance and <NUM>% of a third fragrance. One advantageous way of providing such a mix is for the switching mechanism to be electronically controlled with a software application stored in the memory of an electronic computer device such as a smartphone or tablet computer, whereby the switching mechanism may include one or more metering pumps such as solenoid operated pumps. In this way, a user can input the particular fragrances present in the container unit <NUM> and control exact mixtures by programming a desired mixture into the software application, which is then communicated either wirelessly or via a wired connection to the selecting mechanism. That particular programmed mix can then be sprayed from the container unit <NUM>. The software application may also provide suggested mixtures according to, for example, the season or time of the year.

Each sub-container portion <NUM> is removable from the container unit <NUM> and as such are rechargeable with replacement sub-container portions. This is very advantageous where, for instance, a user prefers one type of mix that will cause certain sub-container portions <NUM> run out quicker than others. If the user could not replace the sub-container portions then there could be far more waste than necessary. As such the container unit <NUM> is 're-usable'.

The base portion <NUM> advantageously includes a locking device for securing the base portion <NUM> to the framework <NUM>, which when unlocked, by hand or with a key device, enables removal of the base portion to gain access to each sub-container portion <NUM> or 4a and 4b for replacing.

Claim 1:
A container unit (<NUM>) including a plurality of sub-container portions (<NUM>) defining a plurality of chambers for containing liquid substances, a mixing chamber (<NUM>) downstream of the sub-container portions (<NUM>), a selecting mechanism (<NUM>) for selecting one or more such liquid substances from the sub-container portions (<NUM>), and a spray actuator (<NUM>) comprising a spray button plate and for dispensing a single liquid substance from one of said sub-container portions (<NUM>) or a mixture of liquid substances from two or more of the plurality of sub-container portions (<NUM>) according to the selecting mechanism (<NUM>), wherein the sub-container portions (<NUM>) are individually removable from the container unit (<NUM>) wherein the selecting mechanism includes respective switch devices (14a) for each sub-container portion (<NUM>), each switch device serving to select between an on position and an off position for such liquid substances, and wherein there are respective actuator units (<NUM>) for the sub-container portions (<NUM>) whereby when said spray button plate is pressed downwardly, said selecting mechanism (<NUM>) either acts or does not act upon respective said actuator units (<NUM>) to cause a corresponding downward movement of the selected actuator units (<NUM>).