Dispensing container

Abstract

A multi-chamber container (60) includes a first chamber (2) having a side wall (3) terminating at a first chamber upper end (5). A first chamber opening (6) is disposed in the first chamber upper end (5). The first chamber side wall (3) is formed from an inner circumference portion (62) and an outer circumference portion (63). The multi-chamber container (60) includes a second chamber (10) having a side wall (11) terminating at a second chamber side wall upper end (13) which has a second chamber opening (14). A hinge (61) is disposed intermediate each chamber inner and outer side wall interface portion (66). The chambers (2) and (10) are moveable about the hinge (61) between a first position where the inner circumference side wall portions (62) and (64) are spaced apart, and a second position where the inner circumference side wall portions (62) and (64) of the chambers are adjacent.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to dispensing separate composition and, in particular, to a dispensing container that can substantially simultaneously dispense two or more separated composition that are combined after dispensing.[0002]The invention has been developed for use with stabilised chlorine dioxide based mouth rinses and will be described hereinafter with a reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and it applicable to dispensing two or more compositions that are to be kept separate until being dispensed, or that can be dispensed independently of the other compositions without cross contamination there between.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Oral rinses or mouthwashes are intended to kill bacteria in the oral cavity and their use has been widely known. The oral cavity is simply exposed to the mouth rinse and which is then expelled. The oral cavity may further be rinsed ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a dispensing container that only mixes compositions at the time of dispensing for use. This improves the shelf life of chlorine dioxide mouth rinses without compromising their effectiveness and palatability. The container allows for the control of the activation of stabilized chlorine dioxide by varying the pH and buffering in the materials. The container also has multiple chambers that can keep separate materials until they are ready to be dispensed. Additionally, the container has hinged attachment between the chambers which makes it easy to fill and assemble. The use of a circular container design without any lug and recesses retaining means allows for higher packing fractions.

Problems solved by technology

However, recent published studies indicate that alcohol based mouthwashes may increase a user's risk of developing cancer and it has been implicated as a possible cause or exacerbater of Xerostemia.

Unfortunately, since stabilised chlorine dioxide undergoes strong oxidation reactions it is difficult to stabilise the chlorine dioxide for a period sufficient for use in oral compositions.

The chemical nature of the stabilised chlorine dioxide in practice means that other agents such as flavours or other additives are degraded undesirably when packaged for use.

However, consumers desire this product and manufacturers have used it with less than optimal flavours and mouth feel agents to try to increase shelf life, or to sacrifice stability for an improved flavour and mouth feel.

Unfortunately, the use of the ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil does not sufficiently protect the flavour agents in a composition containing stabilised chlorine dioxide.

Whilst the solution of the Noville, Inc. patent provides protection to the flavouring agents, the duration of protection against the stabilised chlorine dioxide is significantly less than would be desired for the retail dispensing and storage such oral compositions.

Furthermore, products based on the use of flavours which are blended with emulsifiers such as polysorbate have had little success in providing adequate shelf life.

However, once the stabilised chlorine dioxide solution begins to destabilise, an unstoppable form of chain reaction occurs degrading the sodium chlorite solution and releasing chlorine dioxide.

Even though significant research has been conducted, there appears to be no solution that will provide long-term stability for one or two years or more for a flavoured and / or sweetened product, which can be an essential requirement for a commercially acceptable product.

Yet further, heat and light act to degrade the stabilised chlorine dioxide solution not making finding a stable composition any easier.

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