Product dispenser

Abstract

A product dispenser includes a body having an upper wall, a lower wall, and a side wall. A divider extends between the upper and lower walls and together with the walls of the body defines separate first and second compartments for holding associated products. The body includes first and second dispensing openings in communication with the respective first and second compartments. A valve assembly is operably connected to the body. The valve assembly has a closed state wherein the valve assembly is configured to close each of the first and second dispensing openings, a first opened state wherein the valve assembly is configured to open only the first dispensing opening, and a second opened state wherein the valve assembly is configured to open only the second dispensing opening.

1 . A product dispenser comprising:
 a body having an upper wall, a lower wall, and a side wall, wherein a divider extends between the upper and lower walls and together with the walls of the body defines separate first and second compartments for holding associated products, and the body includes first and second dispensing openings in communication with the respective first and second compartments; and   a valve assembly operably connected to the body, the valve assembly having a closed state wherein the valve assembly is configured to close each of the first and second dispensing openings, a first opened state wherein the valve assembly is configured to open only the first dispensing opening, and a second opened state wherein the valve assembly is configured to open only the second dispensing opening.   
     
     
         2 . The product dispenser of  claim 1 , further including a selector mounted to the body and operably connected to the valve assembly, the selector configured to move the valve assembly from the closed state to one of the first opened state and the second opened state. 
     
     
         3 . The product dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein movement of the selector in a first direction from the closed state moves the valve assembly toward the first opened state, and movement of the selector from the closed state in a second direction opposite the first direction moves the valve assembly toward the second opened state. 
     
     
         4 . The product dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the movement of the selector in both the first and second directions is a rotational movement about a center axis of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The product dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the valve assembly includes first and second compressible tubular members dimensioned to be received in the respective first and second dispensing openings, wherein each of the first and second tubular members in a compressed state closes the respective first and second dispensing openings. 
     
     
         6 . The product dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the valve assembly includes first and second pinch arms operably connected to the selector and configured to selectively engage and compress the respective first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         7 . The product dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second pinch arms includes a mounting portion and an engaging portion extending outwardly from the mounting portion and configured to selectively engage and compress one of the first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         8 . The product dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the selector is configured to engage distal end portions of each of the engaging portions of the first and second pinch arms. 
     
     
         9 . The product dispenser of  claim 8 , wherein the selector is ring-shaped and includes tabs extending inwardly from an inner surface, the tabs engaging the distal end portions of the engaging portions. 
     
     
         10 . The product dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the valve assembly includes a biasing member engaged to the mounting portions for biasing the engaging portions away from one another and toward the first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         11 . The product dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting portion of the second pinch arm is positioned at least partially within the mounting portion of the first pinch arm, and the biasing member is located at least partially in the mounting portion of the second pinch arm. 
     
     
         12 . The product dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein a support is secured to the upper wall and includes first and second holes aligned with the respective first and second dispensing openings and dimensioned to receive the respective first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         13 . The product dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the selector is ring-shaped and is positioned between the body and the support. 
     
     
         14 . The product dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein a separate cover is mounted to the support for covering the valve assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the lower wall includes first and second fill openings in communication with the respective first and second compartments, and further including first and second plugs removably fitted in the respective first and second fill openings. 
     
     
         16 . The product dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the first plug is configured to fit only in the first fill opening and the second plug is configured to fit only in the second fill opening. 
     
     
         17 . A method of selectively dispensing one of a first product and a second product held in separate first and second compartments defined in a body of a product dispenser, the method comprising:
 providing a valve assembly in the shaker body, the valve assembly having a closed state closing each of first and second dispensing openings in communication with the respective first and second compartments, a first opened state opening only the first dispensing opening, and a second opened state opening only the second dispensing opening;   providing a selector mounted to the body and operably connected to the valve assembly, the selector configured to move the valve assembly from the closed state toward one of the first opened state and the second opened state; and   moving the selector in one of a first direction to move the valve assembly from the closed state toward the first opened state, and a second direction opposite the first direction to move the valve assembly from the closed toward the second opened state.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the valve assembly includes first and second compressible tubular members at least partially received in the respective first and second dispensing openings, and the method includes:
 compressing each of the first and second tubular members to close off each of the first and second dispensing openings in the closed state of the valve assembly;   compressing only the second tubular member to close off the second dispensing opening in the first opened state of the valve assembly; and   compressing only the first tubular member to close off the first dispensing opening in the second opened state of the valve assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the movement of the selector in both the first and second directions is a rotational movement about a center axis of the shaker body.