Selectable, multiple chamber container having single nozzle assembly

Abstract

A container, a support cup coupled to the top of the container, a nozzle orifice from which product is dispensed is integrated with a cap. A barrel is integrated in the cap in communication with the nozzle orifice. A valve assembly is supported by the support cup, the valve assembly having an outlet, the outlet directly or indirectly coupled to and in communication with the barrel, the valve assembly further having an inlet. Three are a plurality of chambers or bags, each having a bag outlet. A plurality of valve assembly inlets allows ingress into the valve assembly. A blocking member selectively blocks the pathway from a bag outlet to a corresponding valve assembly inlet. A selection switch/lever/dial integrated in the cap is operable to open a pathway through the valve assembly to the nozzle so as to release product from a selected bag.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of products, consisting essentially of:
 a container;   at least two bags positioned within the container, each bag being configured such that when product is contained therein, such product in each bag is isolated from the product in the other bags;   a nozzle assembly attached to the container and having a single nozzle or orifice from which product is dispensed or sprayed from within one of the at least two bags;   the nozzle assembly coupled to the at least two bags, whereby each of the at least two bags has a separate conduit from the interior thereof into the nozzle assembly, wherein the nozzle assembly can be configured so that each and every conduit into the single nozzle or orifice is simultaneously, entirely closed, or only a single conduit from a selected bag is entirely open for fluid communication with the single nozzle or orifice and the conduit from the remaining bags are entirely closed;   an actuator integrated into the nozzle assembly operable to release product from the selected bag via the single nozzle or orifice;   a switch/lever/dial movably coupled to the nozzle assembly and responsively coupled to a blocking/unblocking member, operable to open a conduit to the selected at least two bags from which the product is to be dispensed or sprayed when the actuator is depressed or otherwise actuated.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two bags comprise two bags, a first bag and a second bag, in the form of bag-on-valve bags. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a first type of sunscreen and the second bag contains an after sun product. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains liquid soap and the second bag contains hand sanitizer. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains liquid soap and the second bag contains hand lotion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains hand sanitizer and the second bag contains hand lotion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a first type of sunscreen and the second bag contains a second type of sunscreen. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains foamed soap and the second bag contains hand sanitizer. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a type of olive oil and the second bag contains a type of vinegar. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a type of olive oil and the second bag contains a type of vinegar. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a first type of edible flavored sauce and the second bag contains a second type of edible flavored sauce. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a type of body wash and the second bag contains a type of hair shampoo. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a type of hair shampoo and the second bag contains a type of hair conditioner. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a first type of hair gel product and the second bag contains a second type of hair gel product. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a first type of hair mousse or gel product and the second bag contains a second type of hair mousse or gel product. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a first type of sunscreen and the second bag contains a second type of insect repellent. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a first type of topical medical product and the second bag contains a second type of topical medical product. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first type of topical medical product and the second type of topical medical product require the use of sterilized bags. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two bag-on-valve bags comprise a first bag and a second bag wherein the first bag contains a sanitizing product and the second bag contains a topical medicating product. 
     
     
         20 . A substantially cylindrical container for dispensing a plurality of products, comprising:
 at least one bag-on-valve bag having at least two isolated pouches, the at least one bag-on-valve bag being positioned within the container;   an assembly directly or indirectly coupled to the container and to the at least one bag-on-valve bag, the assembly including a dispenser from which a product is, on a mutually exclusive basis, dispensed from within one of the at least two isolated pouches, wherein each pouch is operable to isolate the contents in its pouch from the contents in the other pouch; and   a switch/lever/dial portion of the assembly, operable to open a conduit to the selected pouch from which the product is to be dispensed or sprayed when an actuator included with the assembly is depressed or otherwise actuated.