Mixing pouch with liquid and powder compartments
09902528 ยท 2018-02-27
Inventors
Cpc classification
B01F33/50111
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D35/242
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01F31/55
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Y02W30/80
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
B01F35/7137
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B29/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A45D2200/058
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B65D33/2508
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A45D34/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B65D75/5883
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D81/3266
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A45D34/04
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B65D75/5811
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B65D75/58
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D33/25
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A45D34/04
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A45D34/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B65B29/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D47/18
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A mixing pouch forms a packaging product that includes a first compartment containing a supply of a liquid ingredient and a second compartment that contains a supply of a powdered ingredient with a breakable seal between the two compartments to separate the two ingredients. Rupturing the breakable seal creates a common interior cavity and allows the mixing of the two ingredients to create a mixed product. One end of the mixing pouch is formed with a dispenser through which the mixed product is dispensed for use. An apparatus, such as a positionable clamp or an adhesive strip on the exterior of the mixing pouch, can reduce the size of the common interior cavity to facilitate the dispensing of the mixed product. Preferably, the mixing pouch is a flexible plastic member having a dispensing end formed with a channel closed by a tear-away portion.
Claims
1. A product packaging for a cosmetic product, comprising: a body with a common interior cavity formed by side edges and being divided into a first compartment and a second compartment separated by a breakable seal and being located on opposite sides of said breakable seal, one of said compartments containing a liquid ingredient and a second of said compartments containing a powdered ingredient with both said liquid and powder ingredients being simultaneously introduced into said first and second compartments, respectively; said breakable seal being formed to have less strength than said side edges along an entire length dimension of said breakable seal extending between said side edges to provide a breakable seal configuration that permits said breakable seal to be selectively opened along said length dimension, said breakable seal being subject to rupturing along said length dimension by pressure generated through compressing said compartment containing said liquid ingredient to destroy the integrity of said first and second compartments and create said common interior cavity that allows the mixing of said liquid and powdered ingredients to create a mixed product; and a dispensing end formed at a proximal end of said common interior cavity for selectively dispensing said mixed product from said first compartment; and an adhesive strip supported on an exterior surface thereof, said adhesive strip being oriented transversely across the compartment located longitudinally above said breakable seal and being located longitudinally between said breakable seal and said dispensing end, said adhesive strip being covered by a selectively removable release member, said adhesive strip, when uncovered, securing a rolled-up portion of said body corresponding to the compartment located longitudinally below said breakable seal after the formation of said mixed product to reduce the volume of said common interior cavity to facilitate the dispensing of said mixed product from said dispensing end.
2. A mixing pouch for transporting and subsequently creating a mixed product, comprising: a body with a common interior cavity formed by side edges and being divided into a first compartment and a second compartment separated by a breakable seal and being located on opposite sides of said breakable seal, one of said compartments containing a liquid ingredient and a second of said compartments containing a powdered ingredient with both said liquid and powder ingredients being simultaneously introduced into said first and second compartments, respectively; said breakable seal being formed to have less strength than said side edges along an entire length dimension of said breakable seal extending between said side edges to provide a breakable seal configuration that permits said breakable seal to be selectively opened along said length dimension, said breakable seal being subject to rupturing along said length dimension by pressure generated through compressing said compartment containing said liquid ingredient to destroy the integrity of said first and second compartments and create said common interior cavity that allows the mixing of said liquid and powdered ingredients to create said mixed product; a dispensing end formed at a proximal end of said common interior cavity for selectively dispensing said mixed product from said first compartment; and an apparatus for reducing the volume of said common interior cavity after the creation of said mixed product to facilitate the dispensing of said mixed product through said dispensing end, said apparatus being disposed transversely across the compartment located longitudinally above said breakable seal and being located longitudinally between said breakable seal and said dispensing end, said apparatus securing a rolled-up portion of said body corresponding to the compartment located longitudinally below said breakable seal after the formation of said mixed product to reduce the volume of said common interior cavity to facilitate the dispensing of said mixed product from said dispensing end.
3. The mixing pouch of claim 2 wherein seals are formed along peripheral edges of the first and second compartments and along said breakable seal through an application of a heat seal die where the peripheral edges are sealed at a higher temperature than the breakable seal so that the breakable seal is less strong than the seals along the peripheral edges.
4. The mixing pouch of claim 3 wherein said apparatus for reducing the volume of said common interior cavity comprises an adhesive strip formed on an exterior surface of said body, said adhesive strip being covered by a selectively removable release member, said adhesive strip, when uncovered, being operable to secure a rolled-up portion of said body after the formation of said mixed product to reduce the volume of said common interior cavity to facilitate the dispensing of said mixed product from said dispensing end.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The advantages of this invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
(19)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(20) In one embodiment, the present invention comprises multi-compartment packaging 100. A breakable divisor 106 separates the compartments 104, 107. In each of the compartments 104, 107 is one of a set of ingredients. When combined, the ingredients constitute a cosmetic product such as a face mask or skin treatment. For example, the invention may comprise a two-compartment packaging, each compartment containing one of a set of binary ingredients.
(21) Along one edge of one of a first compartment 104 is a dispensing tip 102. The dispensing tip 102 has a center channel 103. At an interior end, the channel 103 terminates in the first compartment 104. At an exterior end, the channel 103 is occluded by a tear-away portion 101 of the dispensing tip 102. When the tear-away portion 101 is torn away, the channel 103 is open to allow communication of the fluid from the interior of the first compartment 104 with the exterior of the packaging 100.
(22) The dispensing tip 102 may be constructed of a relatively stiff, but bendable, material. The dispensing tip 102 may be constructed of a reinforcing material. For example, the dispensing tip 102 may be constructed of a stiff yet thin plastic. The dispending tip 102 facilitates spreading the product on the treatment area.
(23) Adjacent compartments 104, 107 are joined along a common edge 106. The edge 106 may comprise a breakable seal 106. Once the breakable seal 106 is broken, the ingredients contained in the two adjacent compartments 104, 107 can intermix. The edge of the first compartment 104 that comprises the dispensing tip 102 may be an edge adjacent to the common edge 106 or may be an end opposite the common edge 106.
(24) Each of the ingredients may comprise a fluid or a powder. The fluid may be of any viscosity and may comprise water, a lotion, a cream, an herbal concoction, a solute, or any other liquid. Fluid means liquid, but may include liquids with one or more gasses or solids dissolved or otherwise contained therein.
(25) Adjacent compartments 104, 107 may be separated by a breakable seal 106. The seal 106 may be effected by an adhesive placed internally of the mixing pouch 100, or may be effected solely by pressure existed by a clamp 105. In the case of an adhesive or other similar seal 106 separating the two compartments 104, 107, the seal 106 may be broken when a user exerts pressure on one of the compartments 104, 107, thereby stressing the seal to the point of breaking. In the case of a breakable adhesive seal 106 broken by pressure, other edges defining each of the compartments 104, 107 should have a higher resistance to pressure to prevent accidentally rupturing the incorrect edge. In the case of a clamp 105, the seal may be broken by removing the clamp 105. A clamp 105 and an adhesive or other seal 106 may be used in conjunction with one another. Once the seal is broken, the binary ingredients are free to intermix, thereby reconstituting the cosmetic product.
(26) The clamp 105 may serve to separate the compartments 104, 107 to prevent intermixing of the ingredients. In this case, the clamp may be in addition to an adhesive seal 106 or in lieu of it. When removed, the clamp 105 no longer prevents the intermixing of the ingredients. Once all seals separating the compartments are removed, the interiors of the compartments 104, 107 merge to form a common interior cavity 110.
(27) The clamp 105 may serve to assist in dispensing the product once the mixture is formed. Once the ingredients intermix and the cosmetic product is formed, the clamp 105 can be reattached to the product packaging at the end opposite the dispensing end 102. The clamp 105 can then be slid toward the dispensing end 102, reducing the portion of the common interior cavity 110 available to the cosmetic product and facilitating the dispensing of the cosmetic product from the aperture 103 of the dispensing tip 102.
(28) The clamp 105 may serve multiple purposes. It may serve to separate the ingredients contained in adjacent compartments 104, 107 when in a first position. The clamp 105 may then be removed to allow the formation of the common interior cavity 110 and the mixing of the ingredients. The clamp 105 may then be repositioned to facilitate dispensing of the mixed product from the common interior cavity 110.
(29) The clamp 105 may comprise two substantially parallel bars 115, 116 joined at one end by a hinge 117 and at an opposite end by a clasp 119. The parallel bars 115, 116 have a length greater than or equal to the portion of the packaging 100 which they are clamping. Additional variations of the clamp 105 are described in greater detail below.
(30) The user may begin by removing the clamp 105 from the common edge. If the breakable seal 106 of the common edge is sealed by an adhesive in addition to the clamp 105, the user will grip one of both of the compartments 104, 107 of the mixing pouch 100 and exert a squeezing force. This squeezing force is translated to the breakable seal 106 and various other portions of the compartments 104, 107. If the other edges of the compartments are constructed with adhesive, these other edges should be stronger than the breakable seal 106 so that it is the breakable seal 106 which ruptures first when the user squeezes the compartment or compartments 104, 107. The common interior cavity 110 is now formed, as the mixing pouch 100 is no longer segregated into separate compartments 104, 107. The ingredients mix to create the cosmetic product. A shaking or massaging action may facilitate mixing of the ingredients to form the product. The user then repositions the clamp 105 at the edge of the mixing pouch 100 opposite the dispensing end 102 and tears away the tab 101 sealing the channel 103 of the dispensing end 102. The user can then exert squeezing force on the mixing pouch 100 to dispense the cosmetic product from the dispensing end 102. To facilitate dispensing of the cosmetic product, the user can slide the clamp 105 toward the dispensing end 102, thereby reducing the volume of the common interior cavity 110 available to the cosmetic product. Sliding the clamp 105 farther will force the dispensing of the cosmetic product through the aperture 103 of the dispensing end 102. The cosmetic product can thus be applied directly to the desired treatment surface. For example, a face mask may be applied directly to the face. However, if desired, the product may be applied to any other surface or instrument, such as a miniature spatula (not shown) to assist in application of the product to the target treatment surface.
(31) The cosmetic product may be hydrated, meaning it is substantially free of moisture. A dehydrated powder may be rehydrated with water or with another fluid. Cosmetic powders of varying nature will have varying preparation methods. This other fluid may be contained in another of the compartments. For example, the fluid may be fruit juice, vegetable juice, herbal tea, lotion, balm, or other similar products. Variations in the viscosity of these fluids influence the viscosity of the product created, as does the composition and nature of the powder and the reaction between the powder and the fluid used.
(32) A single use embodiment is depicted in
(33) In another embodiment shown in
(34) In an alternate embodiment shown in
(35) This alternative embodiment may have several variations. The sachet 306, nozzle 304, and clamp 305 may be retained within the inner cavity 310 by the removable end cap 309a. The cosmetic ingredient may be combined with a liquid within the inner cavity 310 to form a cosmetic product. The nozzle 304 may attach to the tip 301. The clamp 305 may deform a portion of the annular wall 308 to obstruct the flow of the cosmetic product toward the access end 309 so that the cosmetic product may dispense from the inner cavity 310 via the nozzle 304. The sachet 306 may be one of a plurality of sachets. The nozzle 304 may be one of a plurality of nozzles, each respective nozzle 304, as depicted in
(36) Variations of the clamp 105 can be seen in
(37) In the configuration of the clasp 119 in
(38) The clasp 119 in the configuration shown in
(39) Referring now to
(40) The formation of the mixing pouch 500 is schematically depicted in
(41) The adhesive strip 505 on the exterior surface of the mixing pouch 500 is formed through an application of an adhesive which is then covered and protected through an applied removable release strip 503 placed over the adhesive strip 505. The mixing pouch 500 is then bent at the location of the breakable seal 506 to reinforce the formation of the breakable seal 506, but also to elevate the distal and proximal ends of the mixing pouch 500 as represented in
(42) With the distal and proximal ends elevated appropriately, the introduction, as represented in
(43) Alternatively, a mixing pouch such as is depicted in
(44) Utilization of the mixing pouch 500 is similar to the other embodiments described above. The user asserts a pressure force on the breakable seal 506 by squeezing, preferably, the powdered ingredient in the second compartment, until the seal 506 breaks and allows the mixing of the liquid and powdered ingredients. Massaging and/or shaking the mixing pouch 500, as needed, will properly mix the two individual components to create a mixed product that is ready for dispensing. As is depicted in
(45) One skilled in the art will recognize that the placement of a liquid ingredient in a first compartment and a dry powdered ingredient in a second compartment of a single common interior cavity of a mixing pouch is a difficult task that is not known in the prior art. Both the liquid and powdered ingredients must remain uncontaminated by the other, and in some scenarios also remain sterile, to maintain the integrity of the ultimate mixing process. Accordingly, the provision of a single mixing pouch having at least two individual compartments separated by a breakable seal divisor to allow a subsequent mixing of the respective ingredients is heretofore unknown in the art. The concept of a two or more compartment mixing pouch having separated liquid and powdered ingredients that can be mixed subsequently to the formation of the mixing pouch is particularly adaptable to the cosmetic industry to provide do-it-yourself face masks, skin treatments, and other cosmetic products. However, the cosmetic industry is not the only industry in which this mixing bag concept can be utilized.
(46) It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiments of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Other systems, methods, and/or products according to the above embodiment will be or will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the above description, the following drawings, and any further description. It is intended that all such addition systems, methods, and/or products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.