a. axially moving the outlet part towards the neck;
b. pressing the pouches in order to urge the material stored in the pouches out of the neck towards the outlet part;
c. mixing the material urged out of the pouches in the outlet part; and
d. dispensing the mixed material via the outlet of the dispenser.

By such a method the dispenser described in the foregoing can be reliably used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser mounted in a housing;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispenser ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing ofFIG. 1 with the dispenser removed;

FIG. 4 is a part sectional view of an outlet part of the dispenser ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a beard and mustache dispenser;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the beard and mustache dispenser ofFIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the section indicated at the sectional lines A:A ofFIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following the same reference numerals will be used for parts having the same or equivalent function. Any statements made having regard to the direction of a component are made relative to the position shown in the drawing and can naturally vary in the actual position of application.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of adispenser10 mounted in ahousing12. Thehousing12 has first and

second halves

14,16 pivotally mounted at a joint18, such that the first and

second halves

14,16 can be moved towards one another at theirfront sides14′,16′ arranged at their respective end opposite to the joint18.

In order to guide the movement of the first and

second halves

14,16

arms

20 are arranged at theirfront sides14′,16′. The arms are mounted at asupport22 arranged between thearms20 of the respective first and

second halves

14,16. Thearms20 are connected to the respective first and

second halves

14,16 via shoulders.

Eachsupport22 comprises a respective channel configured to receive part of aplate26 of thedispenser10. Arear end30 of theplate28 is received within the joint18. In this way theplate28 and hence thedispenser10 is supported at three positions within thehousing12, namely at the joint18 and at thesupports22.

Therear end30 has a cylindrical outer shape which is formed complementary to a cylindrically shaped inner space of the joint18 of thehousing12. The cylindrically shapedrear end30 is thus received in the cylindrically shaped inner space of the joint18. The complementary shaped joint andrear end30 enable a smoother clamping of the first and

second halves

14,16 towards one another.

Thedispenser10 comprises afirst pouch32 arranged at atop side28′ of theplate28. As indicated inFIG. 2 asecond pouch34 is arranged at abottom side28″ of theplate28.

Thedispenser10 further comprises anoutlet part36 having anoutlet38 with anoutlet opening40. Theoutlet part36 further comprises anoutlet tube42 extending from within theoutlet part36 to theoutlet opening40. Theoutlet part36 can be moved along the longitudinal axis A extending in parallel to a central axis of theoutlet tube42 in the direction of asleeve44 arranged at theplate28 of the dispenser.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of thedispenser10 removed from thehousing14. Theoutlet part36 comprises aplunger48 in which theoutlet tube42 is accommodated. Theplunger48 is received in thesleeve44. Theplunger48 can be moved in the direction of thesleeve44 and into thesleeve44 along the longitudinal axis A.

Upon moving theplunger48 into the sleeve44 a connection is made between theoutlet part36 and aneck56 of the first and

second pouches

32,34. This connection permits dispensing of the respective material M stored in the first and

second pouches

32,34 from the first and second pouches via theoutlet38.

Theplunger48 comprises acylindrical body50 which expands via aconical part52 to acylindrical end portion54. Upon using the dispenser10 a user can push theplunger48 via thecylindrical end portion54 towards thesleeve44.

Each

pouch

32,34 is configured to store the same amount of material M. Also other designs are possible in which different ratios of volumes of material M are stored in the

different pouches

32,34. The dispenser is a two-component dispenser10 and the material M stored in each pouch is mixed in theoutlet part36 once this has been moved towards theneck56 adjoining thesleeve44.

The first and

second pouches

32,34 are preferably connected to theplate28, but can also be connected to the neck and be moveable relative to theplate28.

An amount of fluid that can be stored in each

pouch

32,34 can be selected to be in the range of 5 ml to 100 ml, depending on the application.

The material to be stored in thedispenser10 is a two component material M, and can be selected from the group of members comprising, a coloring agent, a bonding agent, a treating agent, a lice treating agent etc.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of thehousing12 ofFIG. 1 with thedispenser10 removed. Therecess26 of thesupports22 has an elongate shape and is configured such that on closing the two

halves

14,16, thesupports22 can slide in parallel to the longitudinal axis A in the direction of the joint18 along theplate28.

In this connection it should be noted that therecesses26 can comprise a latching mechanism which cooperates with corresponding parts at theplate28. By way of example therecess26 can comprise a projection, such as a tooth or a bulge, at its inner surface, that cooperates with an aperture or recess present at theplate28 or vice versa (both not shown).

Upon closing the first and

second halves

14,16 towards one another with the

pouches

32,34 arranged therebetween, the first and

second halves

14,16 ensure that the material M stored in the respective pouch can be dispensed via theoutlet38.

Thearms20 are of equal length and the position of eachsupport22 is symmetrical with respect to the first and

second halves

14,16, such that a uniform dispensing of the materials M is affected by a like pressure being applied at each

pouch

32,34.

It is not necessarily required to use thehousing12 on dispensing the material M from thedispenser10. However, the use of thehousing12 ensures a more uniform application of pressure on the

pouches

32,34 on dispensing and therefore leads to improved mixing results. These improved mixing results are brought about as the same amount of material M is respectively dispensed from the

pouches

32,34.

FIG. 4 shows a part sectional view of theoutlet part36 of thedispenser10 ofFIG. 1. Theoutlet part36 comprises astatic mixer58. Arear end60 of the static mixer is connectable to twoinlet passages62 of which only one is visible. Eachinlet passage62 is associated with one of the

pouches

32,34.

On moving theoutlet part36 towards theneck56, therespective inlet passages62 come into contact with thestatic mixer58, such that a fluid communication can take place between arespective outlet64 associated with the

respective pouch

32,34, thepassages62 and thestatic mixer58.

Thepassages62 can be covered with a membrane (not shown) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The membrane can be pierced on moving theoutlet part36 towards theneck56. The membrane can seal off theoutlets64 of the

pouches

32,34 and prevent a contamination and/or degradation of the material M stored in the

pouches

32,34.

Aback end66 of theoutlet tube42 is connected to aninner surface68 of theplunger48 via a disc-shaped part70. The disc-shaped part70 is connected to and extends completely around theoutlet tube42. Moreover, theinner surface68 of theplunger48 is connected to and completely surrounds the disc-shaped part70, so that the space within theoutlet tube42 is sealed off from the outside at this portion of theoutlet part36.

Aring space68′ is disposed between the between theoutlet tube42 and thecylindrical portion50 of theplunger48. Thisring space68′ is not necessarily required, in which case thecylindrical portion50 forms theoutlet tube42 housing thestatic mixer58, as is e.g. indicated inFIG. 7.

Anouter surface72 of thecylindrical portion50 of theplunger48 comprises a ring-shapedprojection74. The ring-shapedprojection74 is received in aguide channel76 present at an inner surface78 of thesleeve44. A length of theguide channel76 defines a distance theoutlet part36 can be moved relative to thesleeve44.

Aninner surface80 of thecylindrical portion50 of theplunger48 is adapted to move relative to anouter surface82 of thepassages62. Specifically, thecylindrical portion50 of theplunger48 can move in aslot84 which is present between thepassages62 and the inner surface78 of thesleeve44.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a beard andmustache dispenser10′. Adispenser10 very similar to thedispenser10 illustrated in connection with the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 4 is attached to the beard andmustache dispenser10′.

Theoutlet38 of thedispenser10 is connected to anoutlet passage86 of the beard andmustache dispenser10′. Theoutlet passage86 is configured to guide the mixed two-component material M to a dispensing outlet88′ in the form of the comb88 for distribution of the hair color at a person whose beard, mustache and/or hair is currently being treated. In order to ensure a uniform distribution via the comb88 adistributor90 is arranged between the comb88 and theoutlet passage86. The distributer90 guides approximately equal shares of the mixed two-component material M to each tooth92 of the comb88.

In this connection it should be noted that the amount of material provided at each tooth92 of the comb88 can be different, and/or that only every second or third tooth92 of the comb88 is supplied with the mixed two-component material M from thedistributor90.

A width of the comb88 can be selected in the range of 1.5 to 10 cm. A length of the teeth92 can be selected in the range of 0.5 to 2 cm. A length of thedispenser10′ can he selected in the range of 10 to 20 cm between a tip of the teeth92 and therear end30. A length of thedispenser10 between theoutlet opening40 and therear end30 can be selected in the range of 5 to 1.5 cm.

A material of the teeth92 can be identical to the material of thedispenser10, but can also be different. For example, the comb and distributor can be formed of a metal and can be releasable connected to thedispenser10 via a non-shown connection. In this case the comb88 can be cleaned following a use and re-used with adisposable dispenser10.

In this connection also other kinds of dispensing outlets88′ can be provided at thedispenser10. The dispensing outlet can for example comprise comparatively soft bristles, a long slot etc. In this connection it should be further noted that the applicator geometry provided as the dispensing outlet88′ makes available special types of treatment. By way of example, comparatively soft bristles can be used for dispensing cremes, whereas comparatively rigid bristles (e.g. in the form of the comb88) provides for an improved separation of hair and can be used for the treatment of hair or skin lying beneath the hair. In contrast to this a soft applicator with nobs can generate a massage effect etc. Thus various kinds of geometries of applicators can be used as a dispensing outlet88′ for thedispenser10 described herein on the basis of the example of the comb88.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the beard andmustache dispenser10′ ofFIG. 5. The comb88 is arranged at an angle of 25° to the longitudinal axis A. In order to prevent the mixed material M from being blocked in theoutlet passage86, this angle is achieved via anoutlet passage86 curved relative to the longitudinal axis A. The angle between the comb88 and the longitudinal axis A can be selected in the range of 0 to 45°.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of thedispenser10 installed at the beard andmustache dispenser10′ taken along the sectional lines A:A ofFIG. 6.

Theoutlet part36 does not comprise thespace68′ shown in thedispenser10 of e.g.FIG. 4. Furthermore, thecylindrical body50 transitions abruptly into thecylindrical portion54 via aplanar surface94. Theplanar surface94 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

Apre-mixing volume96 is arranged between thepassages62 and therear end60 of thestatic mixer58. The material M dispensed from the

pouches

32,34 enters thispre-mixing volume96 prior to entering thestatic mixer58.

Anend44′ of thesleeve44 is connected to theneck56 via twoprojections98 projecting into two recesses100. The recesses100 are present at anouter surface44″ of thesleeve44, whereas theprojections98 are present at aninner surface56′ of theneck56.

Theoutlets64 of the first and

second pouches

32,34 are also visible and connect the first and

second pouches

32,34 to thepassages62.

The

pouches

32,34 can be film bag pouches whose walls are formed by a single or multi-layer film. Alternatively, walls of the

pouches

32,34 can be formed from very thin injection molded plastic parts.

In this connection it should be noted that a

material

32,34 of the pouches and/or a material of at least some of the remaining parts of the dispenser can comprise a plastic polymer, such as a thermoplastic, e.g. PET (polyethylene terephthalate), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PP (polypropylene), PS (polystyrene), a thermosetting plastic or an elastomer.

In this connection it should be noted that the various parts of thedispenser10, such as theoutlet part36, themixer58, thesleeve44, theneck56, theplate28, thehousing12 and the comb88 can comprise a plastic selected from the above group. The material of the various parts being selected for its intended purpose, e.g. themixer58 can be formed from a harder plastic (e.g. HDPE) than e.g. the pouches (LDPE).