Variable ratio dual dispenser for fluids

Abstract

A dual dispenser includes a first container adapted to hold a first product, the first container including an end portion having at least one dispensing port and a second container adapted to hold a second product, the second container including an end portion having at least one dispensing port. The dual dispenser also includes a closure having at least one dispensing opening therein adapted to be in fluid communication with the at least one dispensing port of the first and second containers. The end portions of the first and second containers form a neck finish adapted to receive the closure. The neck finish and closure include engagement surfaces for rotatably mounting the closure on the neck finish such that the closure can rotate relative to the first and second containers. Upon rotation of the closure, the at least one dispensing port of the first and second containers are aligned or misaligned with the at least one dispensing opening of the closure so that a variable amount of first and second products are dispensed from the dual dispenser depending upon the orientation of the closure relative to the first and second containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual dispenser comprising:
 a first container adapted to hold a first product, the first container including an end portion having at least one dispensing port;   a second container adapted to hold a second product, the second container including an end portion having at least one dispensing port;   a closure including at least one dispensing opening therein adapted to be in fluid communication with the at least one dispensing port of the first and second containers;   wherein the end portions of the first and second containers form a neck finish adapted to receive the closure, the neck finish and closure including engagement surfaces for rotatably mounting the closure on the neck finish such that the closure can rotate relative to the first and second containers, and wherein upon rotation of the closure, the at least one dispensing port of the first and second containers are aligned or misaligned with the at least one dispensing opening of the closure so that a variable amount of first and second products are dispensed from the dual dispenser depending upon the orientation of the closure relative to the first and second containers.   
     
     
         2 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second containers comprise a flexible tube so that the first and second products are dispensed by applying pressure to the flexible tube. 
     
     
         3 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second containers are integrally formed as a single container having a dividing wall between the first and second containers and a unitary neck finish. 
     
     
         4 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second containers are separately formed and each end portion includes half of the neck finish. 
     
     
         5 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the engagement surfaces comprise an outwardly projecting rib received in a groove. 
     
     
         6 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure includes two dispensing openings so that the first and second products are not mixed until after being dispensed from the dual dispenser. 
     
     
         7 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure includes a mixing chamber so that the first and second products are mixed when dispensed from the dual dispenser. 
     
     
         8 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second products are the same or different products. 
     
     
         9 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure is snap-fitted on the neck finish. 
     
     
         10 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure includes a substantially flat cap for removably sealing the at least one closure dispensing opening and to allow the dual dispenser to be supported on a surface by the closure. 
     
     
         11 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second containers include a plurality of dispensing ports. 
     
     
         12 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of dispensing ports comprise various sizes for outputting varying amounts of first and second products. 
     
     
         13 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure includes a plurality of dispensing openings for alignment and misalignment with the plurality of dispensing ports on the first and second containers. 
     
     
         14 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dispensing port on the first and second containers comprises a radial slot. 
     
     
         15 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 14 , wherein the radial slot tapers from a larger opening to a smaller opening. 
     
     
         16 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 15 , wherein the radial slot in fluid communication with the second container is a mirror image of the radial slot in fluid communication with the first container. 
     
     
         17 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 14 , wherein the closure includes closure dispensing openings for alignment and misalignment with the radial slots on the first and second containers. 
     
     
         18 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising markings on the closure and first and second containers to indicate a dispensing ratio of the first product and second product. 
     
     
         19 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 18 , wherein the markings include detents and recesses on the closure and first and second containers to provide tactile feedback of the dispensing ratio setting. 
     
     
         20 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dispensing port of the first and second containers are fully misaligned with the at least one dispensing opening of the closure providing a no flow storage position. 
     
     
         21 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealed end of the dual dispenser comprises means for hanging the dual dispenser on a hook or the like. 
     
     
         22 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a vent valve in each of the first and second containers to allow air to be drawn into the container to replace dispensed product so that the dual dispenser maintains its original slope. 
     
     
         23 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate component having at least two apertures thereon, the intermediate component adapted to be mounted between the closure and neck finish to modify a size of the at least one dispensing port of the first and second containers. 
     
     
         24 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least two apertures comprise a plurality of holes or radial slots. 
     
     
         25 . A dual dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first container is concentrically located within the second container.