WO2026002508A1

WO2026002508A1 - A dual-chamber container

Info

Publication number: WO2026002508A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/064610
Authority: WO
Inventors: John XIN
Original assignee: Beiersdorf AG
Current assignee: Beiersdorf AG
Priority date: 2024-06-27
Filing date: 2025-05-27
Publication date: 2026-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-27

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a dual-chamber container, which includes an outer tube and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, the inner tube defining a hollow chamber for containing a first content, e.g., a viscous component, and an inner tube opening in communication with the chamber. A further hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube and the inner tube, which is provided for containing a second content, e.g., a less viscous component, and an outer tube opening is defined, which is in communication with the further chamber. Further the container includes a balance valve, which is initially snapped between the inner and outer tubes and closes off the inner and outer tube openings. The balance valve is configured in such a way that it can be lifted off by the first and second contents, especially the first content in the inner tube when pressing the container from outside, so as to expose the inner and outer tube openings. According to the invention, it is possible to ensure that the first and second contents stored in the respective chambers of the outer tube and inner tube are simultaneously expelled out of the container by simply manually pressing the container from outside.

Description

A dual-chamber container

Technical Field

The invention relates to a dual-chamber container for dispensing fluids, e.g., cosmetic preparations.

Background

Multi-chamber containers are widely used in dispensing fluids, such as viscous liquids, e.g., creams. Due to the properties of some fluids, which contain two or more components, it may be desirable to initially store the various components of such a fluid in separated chambers of a container. The components are expelled out of the container by simply pressing the container from outside and then mixed into the fluid just before use.

A dual-chamber container is known in the art, which is useful in dispensing different liquids from two separated chambers of the container. Figs. 1A-1C shows an example of such a dual-chamber container.

As shown, the dual-chamber container 1’ includes an outer tube 10’ and an inner tube 20’ positioned within the outer tube 10’, the inner tube defining a hollow chamber for containing a first content, e.g., a viscous component. A further hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube 10’ and the inner tube 20’, which contains a second content, e.g., a less viscous component. Both tubes are circular in section and the inner and out tubes may be fused together at their bottom ends. Preferably, the inner tube is circular cylindrical, whereas the outer tube is oval in section, so that the distance between the inner and outer tubes, especially at an upper portion thereof is small than the previous container would be. i The outer tube 10’ has a downwardly tapered outer tube body 11’, an upwardly tapered outer tube neck 12’ and a cylindrical outer tube mouth 13’ in which three outer tube openings 14’ are provided so as to be in communication with the chamber of the outer tube 10’. As shown in Figs. 1C and ID, the outer tube openings 14’ are evenly distributed in a circumference direction, i.e., spaced apart from each other by 120 degrees, each spanning across a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

Likewise, the inner tube 20’ has a downwardly tapered inner tube body 21’, an upwardly tapered inner tube neck 22’ and a cylindrical inner tube mouth 23’ in which an inner tube opening 24’ is provided so as to be in communication with the chamber of the inner tube 20’.

As shown in Fig. IB in detail, the outer tube 10’ and inner tube 20’ are joined together at their respective mouths 13’ and 23’ adjacent to the respective openings 14’ and 24’. To this end, the outer tube mouth 13’ and inner tube mouth 23’ are each narrowed at their respective upper portions.

However, with such an arrangement of the dual-chamber container 1 ’, it is difficult to ensure that the first and second contents stored in the respective chambers of the outer tube 10’ and inner tube 20’ are simultaneously expelled out of the container by manually pressing the container 1’. The reason is that, due to the space between the outer tube 10’ and inner tube 20’ (best shown in Fig. IB) and also due to the less viscous property of the second content in the outer tube, when pressing the container 1’ from outside, especially when pressing an upper portion of the container 1’, the pressing force may not be sufficient to expel the first content in the inner tube 20’ out of the container 1’, and in the worst case, may not be directed to the inner tube 20’ at all, so that an improper amount of first content in the inner tube, or only the second content in the outer tube 10’ is expelled out of the container 1’, which is not desirable.

It is possible to increase the pressing force so as to be directed to the inner tube 20’ when pressing the container 1’ from outside. However, in this way, the second content in the outer tube 10’ may be excessively expelled out of the container 1’, which is not desirable either.

There is a need for a dual-chamber container which is able to eliminate or at least alleviate the above-mentioned problems in the art.

Summary of Invention

An object of the invention is to provide an improved dual-chamber container, which is superior over the above-discussed conventional dual-chamber container and is able to ensure that the first and second contents stored in the respective chambers of the outer tube and inner tube are simultaneously expelled out of the container by simply manually pressing the container from outside.

According to the invention, there is provided a dual-chamber container, which includes an outer tube and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, the inner tube defining a hollow chamber for containing a first content, e.g., a viscous component, and an inner tube opening in communication with the chamber. A further hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube and the inner tube, which is provided for containing a second content, e.g., a less viscous component, and an outer tube opening is defined, which is in communication with the further chamber. Further the container includes a balance valve, which is initially snapped between the inner and outer tubes and closes off the inner and outer tube openings. The balance valve is configured in such a way that it can be lifted off by the first and second contents, especially the first content when pressing the container from outside, so as to expose the inner and outer tube openings. In particular, the snapping force of the balance valve between the inner and outer tubes is overcome when a certain force acts on the balance valve, which force is applied by the first content in the inner tube when pressing the container from outside.

With such an arrangement of the invention, by adjusting the snapping force, it is possible to ensure that a sufficient pressing force is directed to the inner tube when the snapping force is overcome. In this way, the balance valve can be lifted off only when a sufficient pressing force is directed to the inner tube so as to expel the first content in the inner tube out of the container. Thus, it is possible to ensure that the first and second contents stored in the respective chambers of the outer tube and inner tube are simultaneously expelled out of the container by simply manually pressing the container from outside.

According to an embodiment, the balance valve has a central portion, which closes off the inner tube opening, a beveled portion, which is tapered downwardly and is snapped between the inner and outer tubes and closes off the outer tube opening, and a cylindrical portion which abuts against an inner wall of the outer tube, the three portions being integrally connected to each other. Preferably, the central portion is in flush with the beveled portion, and the cylindrical portion is positioned below the other two portions.

Preferably, the beveled portion has a tapered outer wall and a less tapered inner wall, the inner wall abutting against an outer wall of the inner tube. According to an embodiment, the central portion is connected to the beveled portion via a plurality of, e.g., three radially connection portions, e.g., in the form of webs, thereby defining three valve openings which will be in communication with the inner tube opening when the balance valve is lifted off. Preferably, the three valve openings are evenly distributed in a circumference direction, i.e., spaced apart from each other by 120 degrees, each spanning across a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

According to an embodiment, the beveled portion is connected to the cylindrical portion via a plurality of, e.g., three elongated ribs, e.g., in the form of spring ribs. Preferably, the three ribs are evenly distributed in a circumference direction, i.e., spaced apart from each other by 120 degrees, each spanning across a certain arc length in the circumferential direction. With the spring ribs, the balance valve can automatically rebound back to be snapped between the inner and outer tubes again when the pressing force is released. Preferably, the ribs are each configured as a S -shape with one end being connected to the beveled portion at a lower portion thereof and the other end connected to the cylindrical portion at a middle or top portion thereof, leaving the intermediate portion of the rib not connected to either the beveled portion or cylindrical portion.

According to an embodiment, the outer tube has a cylindrical outer tube body, a tapered outer tube neck and a cylindrical outer tube mouth in which the outer tube opening is provided so as to be in communication with the chamber of the outer tube. Likewise, the inner tube has a cylindrical inner tube body, a tapered inner tube neck and a cylindrical inner tube mouth in which the inner tube opening is provided so as to be in communication with the chamber of the inner tube.

According to an embodiment, the outer tube mouth and inner tube mouth are each narrowed at their respective upper portions. The balance vale is positioned between the narrowed portions of the inner and outer tube mouths. With such an arrangement, it is possible to prevent the balance valve from falling downwardly.

According to an embodiment, the tapering of the tapered outer wall is dimensioned depending on the ratio between the amounts of the first and second contents to be expelled out of the container. In this way, it is possible to adjust the ratio between the amounts of the first and second contents to be expelled out of the container so as to meet various requirements.

According to an embodiment, the inner and out tubs are fused together at their bottom ends. Preferably, the inner tube is circular cylindrical, whereas the outer tube is oval in section, so that the distance between the inner and outer tubes is small. With such an arrangement, it is possible to facilitate simultaneously expelling the first and second contents out of the container the when pressing the container from outside.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Brief Description of Drawings

For better understanding, the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the Figures shown in the Drawings in which:

Fig. 1A is a top view of an example of a conventional dual-chamber container in the art; Fig. IB is a section view of the container of Fig. 1A;

Fig. 1C is a perspective view of the conventional dual-chamber container of Fig. 1A;

Fig. ID is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Fig. 1C;

Fig. 2A is a top view of an example of a dual-chamber container according to the invention;

Fig. 2B is a section view taken along Line B-B of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2C is a perspective view of the dual-chamber container of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2D is another section view of the dual-chamber container of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2E is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Fig. 2B;

Fig. 3A is a top view of an example of a balance valve of the dual-chamber container of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3B is a section view taken along Line A-A of Fig. 3A;

Fig. 3C is a perspective view of the balance valve of Fig. 3 A;

Fig. 4 A is a top view of another example of a balance valve according to the invention;

Fig. 4B is a section view taken along Line A-A of Fig. 4A;

Fig. 4C is a perspective view of the balance valve of Fig. 4A; and

Fig. 4D is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 2B with the balance valve of Fig. 4A.

The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner, and not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the figures, like reference numerals identify like elements.

Detailed Description

In the context of the invention, for the sake of conveniences, directional terms, such as “top”, “radial”, “circumferential” or the like are used with reference to the orientations depicted in the figures.

Figs. 2A-2C shows an example of a dual-chamber 1 container according to the invention.

As shown, the dual-chamber container 1 also includes an outer tube 10 and an inner tube 20 positioned within the outer tube 10, the inner tube defining a hollow chamber for containing a first content, e.g., a viscous component. A further hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20, which contains a second content, e.g., a less viscous component. The inner tube is circular cylindrical, whereas the outer tube is oval in section, and the inner and out tubes are fused together at their bottom ends, as shown in Figs. 2C and 2D.

As shown in Figs. 2C, the outer tube 10 has a cylindrical outer tube body 11, a tapered outer tube neck 12 and a cylindrical outer tube mouth 13 in which an outer tube openings 14 is provided so as to be in communication with the chamber of the outer tube 10.

As shown in Fig. 2B, the inner tube 20 has a cylindrical inner tube body 21, a tapered inner tube neck 22 and a cylindrical inner tube mouth 23 in which an inner tube opening 24 is provided so as to be in communication with the chamber of the inner tube 20. Also, as shown, the outer tube mouth 13 and inner tube mouth 23 are each narrowed at their respective upper portions.

Fig. 2E illustrates that the container 1 further includes a balance valve 30, which is snapped between the inner and outer tubes 10 and 20 and closes off the inner and outer tube openings 14 and 24. Generally the balance valve 30 is configured in such a way that it can be lifted off by the first and second contents, especially the first content in the inner tube when pressing the container 1 from outside, so as to expose the inner and outer tube openings 14 and 24.

Figs. 3A-3C shows an example of a balance valve 30 in detail, which is positioned between the narrowed portions of the inner and outer tube mouths 13 and 23 (see Fig. 2D).

. The balance valve 30 has a central portion 31, which closes off the inner tube opening 24 (see Fig. 2D), a beveled portion 33, which is tapered downwardly and is snapped between the inner and outer tubes 10 and 20 and closes off the outer tube opening 14 (see Fig. 2D), and a cylindrical portion 35 which abuts against an inner wall of the outer tube 10 (see Fig. 2D), the three portions being integrally connected to each other.

As shown in Fig. 3B, the central portion 31 is in flush with the beveled portion 32, and the cylindrical portion 33 is positioned below the central and beveled portions 31 and 32. The beveled portion 32 has a tapered outer wall and a less tapered inner wall, the inner wall abutting against an outer wall of the inner tube 20. Moreover, the tapering of the tapered outer wall can be dimensioned corresponding to the ratio between the amounts of the first and second contents to be expelled out of the container.

As shown in Fig. 3 A, the central portion 31 is positioned radially inward of, spaced apart from, and connected to the beveled portion 33 only via three radially connection portions 32 in the form of webs, thereby defining three valve openings which will be in communication with the inner tube opening 24 when the balance valve is lifted off (see Fig. 2D). The three valve openings are evenly distributed in a circumference direction, i.e., spaced apart from each other by 120 degrees, each spanning across a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

The beveled portion 33 is positioned radially inward of, spaced apart from, and connected to the cylindrical portion 35 only via three elongated spring ribs 34. The three ribs 34 are evenly distributed in a circumference direction, i.e., spaced apart from each other by 120 degrees, each spanning across a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

As shown in Fig. 3C, the ribs 34 are each configured as an S-shape with one end being connected to the beveled portion 33 at a lower portion thereof and the other end connected to the cylindrical portion 35 at a middle portion thereof. The intermediate portion of each rib 34 is not connected to either the beveled portion 33 or cylindrical portion 35.

Figs. 4A-4C illustrate another example of a balance valve 130, which has a similar design to the balance valve 30 except that the ribs 134 are each connected to the cylindrical portion 135 at a very upper portion thereof so that the ribs 135 are in flush with and coplanar with an upper surface of the cylindrical portion 135. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4D, the cylindrical portion 135 not only abuts against an inner wall of the outer tube but also against a step of the outer tube formed at the level where the cylindrical portion 135 is located.

During use, when a user presses the container 1 from outside, the second content in the chamber of the outer tube 10 will be pushed out towards the outer tube opening 14. However, due to the fact that the beveled portion 33 of the balance valve 30 is snapped between the inner and outer tubes 10 and 20 at their respective narrowed portions and also due to the tapered outer wall of the beveled portion 33, which results in that a majority component of the force acting on the beveled portion 33 by the second content is perpendicularly directed to the inner tube 20, the balance valve 30 will not easily be lifted off by the second content and thus expose the outer tube opening 14 so as to allow the second content to be expelled out of the container 1 through the outer tube opening 14 from the chamber of the outer tube 10. Instead, only when the pressing force is sufficient to be directed to the inner tube 20 so that the first content in the chamber of the inner tube 20 is pushed out towards the inner tube opening 24 and overcomes the snapping force, the balance valve 30 will be lifted off by the first content so as to allow the first content in the inner tube 20 to be expelled out of the container 1 through the inner tube opening 24 (exposed when the balance valve 30 is lifted off ) and the valve openings from the chamber of the inner tube 20. The lifting off of the balance valve 30 also exposes the outer tube opening 14 so as to allow the second content to be expelled out of the outer tube opening 14. Consequently, both first and second contents are simultaneously expelled out of the container 1 from the respective chambers of the inner and outer tubes 10 and 20. When the pressing force is released, the balance valve will return back to its initial position due to the elastic property of the spring ribs 34 so as to close off the inner and outer openings 14 and 24 again.

Meanwhile, due to the structure of the beveled portion 33, when the second content in the outer tube 10 flows towards the outer tube opening 14, there will be a force component perpendicularly acting on the beveled portion 33, thereby pressing the beveled portion 33 against the inner tube mouth 23. In this way, it is possible to prevent the second content in the outer tube 10 from flowing into the inner tube 20.

Moreover, by adjusting the tapering of the tapered outer wall of the beveled portion, it is possible to adjust the ratio between the amounts of the first and second contents to be expelled out of the container, e.g., 1: 1, 2: 1 or more.

A comparison was carried out between the dual-chamber container according to the invention and a conventional one. Except for the balance valve, the conventional container has a similar design to the container according to the invention.

In squeezing the conventional container, the squeeze position was at the very bottom of the container, which is the most effective position for squeezing. In squeezing the container according to the invention, the squeeze position was at the middle of the container, which is generally a less effective but preferable position for users. In Habit A, the containers were squeezed for 2 seconds with a pressing force of 5N. In Habit B, the containers were squeezed for 1 second with a pressing force of 8N. The result is listed in Table 1, as follows.

Table 1 As shown in Table 1, according to the invention example, both components in the inner and outer tubes can be simultaneously expelled out of the container each time when squeezing the container. In contrast, according to the conventional example, the ratios are only 71% and 77%, respectively, in Habits A and B.

The embodiment of the invention as discussed above exemplifies a dual-chamber container for dispensing e.g., cosmetic preparations. However it will be understood that the invention can also be applied to a dual-chamber container for dispensing other fluids.

The invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent several embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that many different embodiments of the invention exist, and that all of these embodiments fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

List of Reference Signs

1 ’ dual-chamber container

10’ outer tube

11’ outer tube body

12’ outer tube neck

13’ outer tube mouth

14’ outer tube opening

20’ inner tube

21’ inner tube body

22’ inner tube neck

23 ’ inner tube mouth

24’ inner tube opening I dual- chamber container

10 outer tube

I I outer tube body

12 outer tube neck 13 outer tube mouth

14 outer tube opening

20 inner tube

21 inner tube body

22 inner tube neck 23 inner tube mouth

24 inner tube opening

30 balance valve

31 central portion

32 radially connection portion 33 beveled portion

34 elongated spring rib

35 cylindrical portion

Claims

1. A dual-chamber container including an outer tube and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, wherein the inner tube defining a hollow chamber for containing a first content, and an inner tube opening in communication with the chamber, and wherein a further hollow chamber is defined between the outer tube and the inner tube, which is provided for containing a second content, and an outer tube opening is defined, which is in communication with the further chamber, characterized in that the container further includes a balance valve, which is initially snapped between the inner and outer tubes and closes off the inner and outer tube openings, wherein the balance valve is configured in such a way that it can be lifted off by at least the first content in the inner tube when pressing the container from outside, so as to expose the inner and outer tube openings.

2. The dual-chamber container according to claim 1 characterized in that the snapping force of the balance valve between the inner and outer tubes is overcome when a certain force acts on the balance valve, which force is applied by the first content in the inner tube when pressing the container from outside.

3. The dual-chamber container according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the balance valve has a central portion, which closes off the inner tube opening, a beveled portion, which is tapered downwardly and is snapped between the inner and outer tubes and closes off the outer tube opening, and a cylindrical portion which abuts against an inner wall of the outer tube, the three portions being integrally connected to each other.

4. The dual-chamber container according to claim 3 characterized in that Preferably, the central portion is in flush with the beveled portion, and the cylindrical portion is positioned below the central portion and beveled portion.

5. The dual-chamber container according to claim 3 characterized in that the beveled portion has a tapered outer wall and a less tapered inner wall, the inner wall abutting against an outer wall of the inner tube.

6. The dual-chamber container according to claim 3 characterized in that the central portion is connected to the beveled portion via a plurality radially connection portions, thereby defining a number of valve openings which will be in communication with the inner tube opening when the balance valve is lifted off.

7. The dual-chamber container according to claim 6 characterized in that valve openings are evenly distributed in a circumference direction, each spanning across a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

8. The dual-chamber container according to claim 3 characterized in that the beveled portion is connected to the cylindrical portion via a plurality of elongated ribs

9. The dual-chamber container according to claim 8 characterized in that the ribs are in the form of spring ribs.

10. The dual-chamber container according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that the ribs are evenly distributed in a circumference direction, each spanning across a certain arc length in the circumferential direction.

11. The dual-chamber container according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that the ribs are each configured as an S -shape with one end being connected to the beveled portion at a lower portion thereof and the other end connected to the cylindrical portion at a middle or top portion thereof, leaving the intermediate portion of the rib not connected to either the beveled portion or cylindrical portion.

12. The dual-chamber container according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the outer tube has a cylindrical outer tube body, a tapered outer tube neck and a cylindrical outer tube mouth in which the outer tube opening is provided so as to be in communication with the chamber of the outer tube, and in that the inner tube has a cylindrical inner tube body, a tapered inner tube neck and a cylindrical inner tube mouth in which the inner tube opening is provided so as to be in communication with the chamber of the inner tube.

13. The dual-chamber container according to claim 12 characterized in that the outer tube mouth and inner tube mouth are each narrowed at their respective upper portions, wherein the balance vale is positioned between the narrowed portions of the inner and outer tube mouths.

14. The dual-chamber container according to claim 5 characterized in that the tapering of the tapered outer wall is dimensioned depending on the ratio between the amounts of the first and second contents to be expelled out of the container.

15. The dual-chamber container according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the inner and out tubes are fused together at their bottom ends.