Container

Abstract

A container (1) with separate sealed compartments for different substances. The container (1) comprises separate and relatively sealed first (A), second (B) and third (C) compartments. The first compartment (A) receives a first substance (such as colorant); the second compartment (B) receives a second substance (such as a developing solution); and the third compartment (C) defines a mixing volume for receiving the first and second substances from the first and second compartments. A rupturable portion adjoins the third compartment (C) and separates the first and second compartments (A, B), from the third compartment so that in use, when the a rupturable portion is ruptured substances from the first and second compartments (A, B) can pass to the third compartment (C). A passage (16) is provided in a wall of the third compartment (C) along an edge not shared with either of the first or second compartments. The passage (16) leads to a first opening that is opened by a first opening means (6) which when opened, permits controlled release of a user defined amount of the first and/or second substances; and the third compartment (C) has a second opening with a second opening means (66) which enables at least one of the sheets to be opened in order to access the third compartment (C) and remove first and/or second substances therefrom.

Claims

1. A container with separate sealed compartments suitable for receiving substances for mixing by a user, the container comprises: separate and relatively sealed first, second and third compartments defined by walls between upper and lower sheets; the first compartment receives and stores a first substance; the second compartment receives and stores a second substance; and the third compartment defines a mixing volume for receiving the first substance from the first compartment when a wall in the first compartment is ruptured and the second substance from the second compartment when a wall in the second compartment is ruptured; a passage is provided in a wall of the third compartment along an edge not shared with either of the first or second compartments, the passage leading to a first opening that is opened by a first opening means which when opened, permits controlled release of a user defined amount of the first and/or second substances; and the third compartment has a second opening with a second opening means which enables at least one of the sheets to be opened in order to access the third compartment and remove first and/or second substances therefrom.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the third compartment includes a substance.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the first and second compartments have volumes that correspond to predetermined mixing ratios of the substances contained in the first and second compartments.

4. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container comprises film layers configured to define the compartments.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the sheets are film layers are formed from a polyester film.

6. A container according to claim 5 wherein the polyester film is formed from biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET).

7. A container according to claim 1 wherein the opening means comprises a weakened section configured to allow the container to be easily tom open.

8. A container according to claim 1 wherein the opening means comprises a tear point in the form of a notch located on the third compartment.

9. A container according to claim 1 including a filter.

10. A container according to claim 1 for holding a volume of 15 ml to 25 ml of substances.

11. A container according to claim 1 for holding a volume of 20m of substances.

12. A container according to claim 1 comprising a slot configured for hanging the container.

13. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container is configured with a common dividing wall between the first and second compartment that can be broken to allow mixing of the two substances before the substances enter the third compartment.

14. A container according to claim 1 includes at least one window to allow a user to view contents of one or more compartment(s).

15. A container according to claim 1 includes a mixing nozzle.

16. A container according to claim 1 includes an applicator comprising a comb, brush or spatula.

17. A container according to claim 1 wherein the first and second compartments are maintained within the third compartment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows an overview of a preferred embodiment of the container;

(2) FIG. 2 shows an overview of a second embodiment of a container;

(3) FIG. 3 shows an overview of a third embodiment of a container;

(4) FIG. 4 shows an overview of a fourth embodiment of the container;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a view from above of the third embodiment;

(7) FIG. 7 shows a side view of third embodiment;

(8) FIG. 8 shows a cutaway cross-sectional view of the third embodiment, showing internal detail of first and second pockets separated by a common internal wall;

(9) FIG. 9 shows a package of hair treatment product that contains sufficient hair treatment product for colouring a user's hair, and which also contains a separate test-use container as shown in any one of FIGS. 3 to 6; and

(10) FIG. 10 shows a display and storage apparatus for holding containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(11) Embodiments of the container of the present invention will now be described with reference to the Figures.

(12) FIGS. 1 to 4 shows a container 1 having three separate compartments, A, B and C.

(13) The containers are rectangular with compartments A and B arranged so that both are adjacent to compartment C.

(14) In FIGS. 1 and 2 compartment A has the smallest internal volume. Compartment B has an internal volume larger than compartment A.

(15) In FIGS. 3 and 4 compartment B has the smallest internal volume and compartment A has a larger internal volume than compartment B.

(16) Compartment C is the largest compartment providing a mixing region for the contents or compartments A and B (and optionally the contents of compartment C).

(17) It is appreciated that the volumes of each compartment may vary in different containers so as to be suitable for different substances/compositions and associated mixing ratios.

(18) Compartment C includes an opening means 6 in the form of a tear line which when torn reveals an opening 16 in the form of a pathway through which contents can be exuded.

(19) The pathway 16 is 2 to 3 mm wide so as to permit controlled release of the mixed contents.

(20) In FIG. 1 Compartment C has a second opening means 66 in the form of a cutting line.

(21) In FIGS. 3 and 4 a second opening 66 in the form of a notch is provided to permit a larger opening to be made.

(22) In FIG. 1 the internal volume of compartment C is substantially trapezium shape and the opening is formed at a corner of the third compartment C. The crosshatched region C1 adjacent to compartment C is not capable of containing any contents and forms a barrier to the substances/composition. Typically the crosshatched region C1 is formed from heat-sealing layers of film together or attaching them with adhesive.

(23) This arrangement permits the container to be manufactured from square or rectangular layers of film. The crosshatched region C1 could be cut off during manufacture if required/desired.

(24) In FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 the container has a first rupturable portion 4A arranged between compartment C and compartments A and B. When this ruptures contents from compartments A and B are released into compartment C. Arrows indicate the flow of substances from compartments A and B into C and exiting from C through the tear opening means 6.

(25) In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 each container has a crosshatched perimeter edge 11 that indicates the sealed edge of the container and defines the outer shape of the container. The perimeter edge also serves to define walls of the compartments A, B and C.

(26) The perimeter edge 11 provides a sealed edge to contain substances within the container. Typically the perimeter edge is formed by a heat-sealing process between the upper and lower sheets.

(27) The opening means 6, 66 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are arranged in the perimeter edge 11.

(28) In some embodiments the wall between compartments A and B may also be rupturable providing a second rupturable portion 4B (see FIG. 2). In this way mixing is permitted freely within the combined volume of the container. In addition to this it is possible to mix the contents of compartments A and B before they enter compartment C.

(29) FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the container 1. The footprint of the container is rectangular. An upper face of the container is arcuate and a lower face of the container is planar.

(30) The container 1 is formed by layering layers of film 5 so that a single container with at least two compartments is provided. In this embodiment, the film layers are formed from a polyester film such as biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET), which is known under the trade name Mylar in some territories. This material provides and inexpensive, easy-to-source and strong material that is highly flexible.

(31) The container has an internal wall 4 formed from the same material to separate the compartments. The internal wall 4 is weakened before forming so that excess and directed squeezing pressure applied to the container 1 will cause the internal wall 4 to rupture, allowing the contents of the compartments (not shown in FIG. 3) to mix.

(32) The third embodiment includes an opening means 6 in the form of a notch so that the container can be readily torn open.

(33) In FIG. 6 the container is shown having a window section 7 is formed so that a user can view the contents in use, for example to assess if the colourant and developer has mixed.

(34) In some embodiments a spatula or application utensil is provided with the container. In some embodiments the application utensil or applicator may be included internal to the container wherein the application utensil may be displaced fully or partly so as to aid in application.

(35) A notch 6 is formed in one side of the container 1, towards one end. The notch 6 forms a weakened section that allows the container/sachet to be easily tom open via the weakened section. This aids a user with opening and dispensing the container contents.

(36) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention with an outer polyester film that forms part of the container. An opening means 6 is a notch formed in one side of the container to provide a weakened section so that the container can be tom open. A slot at one end is provided for hanging the container on a hook or point of sale display panel.

(37) In FIG. 6 the container is shown having a slot 8 formed in one end of the container 1 so that the container can be hung on a hook or similar for storage and/or display.

(38) A display of containers 1 is shown in FIG. 8. A number of containers 1 are hooked onto hooks spaced along the length of an elongate display member 9. This allows a vendor or similar to display and store a number of containers in a convenient location.

(39) FIG. 7 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the container having a flat lower face and an arcuate upper face so as to define an internal volume for the substances to be contained and subsequently mixed. In this way the container can be position on a flat surface and the arcuate surface deformed in order to rupture the rupturable portion.

(40) The containers 1 as described above can be easily and quickly formed by overlaying a first polyester film sheet onto a second polyester film sheet, heat-sealing the opposed edges of the first and second sheets, feeding colourant in between the layers, and heat-sealing the colourant into pockets between the layers.

(41) If required, a third pocket or compartment can be added, for holding bleaching agent booster powder. When the pocket is ruptured internally, the bleaching agent booster powder mixes with the colourant solution and developing solution.

(42) FIG. 8 shows a cross section of a container having a compartment 3 arranged within compartment 2. The internal wall 4 that divides the compartments is rupturable so as to permit mixing when ruptured.

(43) Containers such as container 1 described above can be included as part of a package 10 of hair treatment product as shown in FIG. 6 that contains sufficient hair treatment product for completely colouring a users head of hair.

(44) The container or sachet contents can then be used to provide a patch test for allergies, a compatibility test and/or a colour test for cosmetics, topical applications, colourants, dyes and bleach hair products before deciding whether to use the main contents of the package. The sachet provides quick and convenient testing prior to full use of the hair product.

(45) In other uses the sachet may include ingredients separated into the different compartments that are selectively mixed before eating or drinking the mixture.

(46) The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.