Multi-chamber container with device for discharge of a substance

Abstract

The invention is a container having at least two product chambers connected to form a common multi-chamber container system. Each of the product chambers includes at least one product discharge opening and the product discharge openings open into a common outlet channel. At least one of the product chambers includes at least one discharge valve device provided in the area of the product discharge opening that permits the discharge of a substance located in the product chamber but prevents return flow of the discharged substance into the product chamber. The discharge valve device also permits the admission of air into the product chamber.

1 . A container, comprising 
 at least two product chambers, said product chambers connected to form a common multi-chamber container system;    at least one product discharge opening provided in each of the product chambers, said product discharge openings communicating with a common outlet channel; and    at least one discharge valve device provided in at least one of the product chambers in the area of a product discharge opening, said at least one discharge valve permitting the discharge of a substance located in an adjacent product chamber but preventing return flow of the discharged substance into the adjacent product chamber and said at least one discharge valve further permitting the admission of air into the adjacent product chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said product chambers include a discharge valve device.  
   
   
       3 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one air admission opening that can be opened and closed by an air readmission valve device.  
   
   
       4 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said at least one discharge valve device has a first valve that seals the product discharge opening for the substance as long as a pressure difference between the interior of the chamber and the exterior of the container is smaller than a first predetermined limit value and that opens the product discharge opening for the substance when the pressure difference between the interior of the chamber and the exterior of the container is greater than the first predetermined limit value, and    the air admission valve device has a second valve that opens the air admission opening for admission of air as long as a pressure difference between the interior of the chamber and the exterior of the container is smaller than a second predetermined limit value and that seals the air admission opening for admission of air when the pressure difference between the interior of the chamber and the exterior of the container is greater than the second predetermined limit value.    
   
   
       5 . The container as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the air admission opening is located in the first valve, and the second valve is integrated in the first valve.  
   
   
       6 . The container as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first valve is a plunger valve.  
   
   
       7 . The container as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the second valve is a disk valve.  
   
   
       8 . The container as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said first valve comprises a flexible material in the form of a lip, said lip capable of being placed across said discharge opening to sealably close said discharge opening.  
   
   
       9 . The container as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said second valve comprises a flexible material in the form of a lip, said lip capable of being placed across said air admission opening to sealably close said air admission opening.  
   
   
       10 . The container as claimed in  claim 9 , comprising a plurality of air admission openings.  
   
   
       11 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a mixing element in the area of the outlet channel.  
   
   
       12 . A multi-chamber container comprising at least two product chambers having a common outlet channel and a mixing element disposed in said common outlet channel, said product chambers each including: 
 at least one discharge opening for the discharge of a substance from the product chamber into said outlet channel, wherein each of said at least one discharge openings includes a discharge valve device, said discharge valve device movable from a closed position to an open position in response to an increase in pressure in the product chamber above a first predetermined limit, and from an open position to a closed position in response to a decrease in pressure in the product chamber below the first predetermined limit; and    at least one air admission opening for the admission of air into the product chamber, wherein each of said at least one air readmission openings has an associated air admission valve device movable from a closed position to an open position in response to the pressure in the product chamber decreasing below a second predetermined level, and from an open position to a closed position in response to the pressure in the product chamber being equal to or greater than the second predetermined level.    
   
   
       13 . A multi-chamber container according to  claim 12 , wherein said air admission valve is integrally disposed in said discharge valve.  
   
   
       14 . A multi-chamber container according to  claim 13 , wherein said discharge valve comprises a plunger valve.  
   
   
       15 . A multi-chamber container according to  claim 13 , wherein said air admission valve comprises a disk valve.  
   
   
       16 . A multi-chamber container according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one discharge valve comprises a flexible material in the form of a lip, said lip capable of being placed across said discharge opening to sealably close said discharge opening.  
   
   
       17 . A multi-chamber container according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one air admission valve comprises a flexible material in the form of a lip, said lip capable of being placed across said at least one air admission opening to sealably close said air admission opening.  
   
   
       18 . A multi-chamber container according to  claim 12 , wherein said mixing element comprises a lower cover, an upper cover, and a spiral-shaped channel disposed therebetween, said lower cover having at least one opening associated with each product chamber through which the substance passes into said spiral shaped channel, said upper cover comprising one or more openings through which the substance exits said spiral-shaped channel.  
   
   
       19 . A multi-chamber container according to  claim 12 , further comprising a hinged lid having a sealing plug for sealably closing said outlet channel.