AU2006100921B4 - Liquid Dispensing Interlocking Container - Google Patents

Description

27-ct, 2006 19:22 Wal inston-Dummer Sydney N o- 72 87 P P/00/009

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION for an Innovation Patent Invention Title: LIQUID DISPENSING INTERLOCKING CONTAINER The invention is described in the following statement together with the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 036012 COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27.Oct. 2006 19:22 Walli ngton-Dummer Sydney No.7287 P. 6 2 0 o LIQUID DISPENSING INTERLOCKING CONTAINER ci SThe present invention relates to containers provided with dispensing means and, more particularly to containers for low viscosity liquids adapted to interlocked stacking.

ci 0' BACKGROUND Containers for liquids come in a multitude of

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Sconfigurations and sizes and for a multitude of purposes.

The growth in the use of "natural" and "spring" waters has for example seen the development of a range of containers ranging from small bottles for personal use to large containers intended for use with dispensing equipment.

The transport of the larger sizes of containers, their manipulation for use and the means of accessing their contents are all associated with problems. Large round necked containers generally require transport in specially equipped vehicles for example and are inefficient in their use of space. The need for special dispensing equipment is a disincentive to their use, adding costs and complication.

In addition, low viscosity liquids such as water do not readily lend themselves to simple dispensing attachments.

It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate -at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27.Oct. 2006 19:22 Wa llington-Dummer Sydney No.7287 P. 7 3 0 ci BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, ci there is provided a container for the storage, transport and dispensing of liquids; said container provided with Sat least one projecting feature on a first surface and at least one corresponding indented feature on a second

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Sopposite surface of said container; said at least one ci projecting feature and said at least one corresponding indented feature arranged on said container such that a said projecting feature of one container interlocks with a said corresponding indented feature of an abutting container when said two or more containers are arranged one atop of the other in a stack; said container having a liquid dispensing side extending downwardly from an upper surface of said container; said side comprising an upper portion extending beyond a lower portion so as to define a recessed lower portion; said container further provided with an attached outwardly projecting liquid dispenser; said liquid dispenser projecting from said recessed lower portion; and wherein the depth of said recessed lower portion and extent of said attached outwardly projecting liquid dispenser, are arranged so that said liquid dispenser does not project beyond said upper portion.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27.Oct. 2006 19:22 Wa llington-Dummer Sydney No.7287 P. 8 4 S Preferably, said at least one projecting feature (Ci projects upwardly from said uppermost surface of said Scontainer and wherein said at least one corresponding indented feature is indented into a lowermost surface of ci said container.

Preferably, said at least one projecting feature 0 includes an upwardly projecting ridge and wherein said at least one corresponding indented feature includes an I0 Sindented groove.

ci Preferably, a said at least one projecting feature is adapted to engage with a said at least one corresponding indented feature as a light press fit such that said uppermost surface of a lower said container is in abutment with said lowermost surface of superposed said container in said stack.

Preferably, said uppermost surface is interrupted by a centrally located depressed section extending across the width of said container; said centrally located depressed section bridged by a bridging portion; said bridging portion forming a carrying handle for carrying said container.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27-Cet. 2006 19:23 27CMW 200 19:2 W Hn gt o n- Du m mr S Yd ne Y N.27 P No, 7 2 87 P 9 NO BRIEF DESCRIPTION Or DRAWINGS (N Embodiments of the present invention will flQw be U described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

oFigure 2 is a further perspective view of the INO embodiment of figure 1.

o Figure 3 is a sectioned part side elevation view of the embodiment of figure 1 showing an outlet spigot.

Figure 3A is an enlarged sectioned view of the outlet spigot of figure 3 with a liguicd dispenser according to a preferred embodiment located on the spigot.

Figure 4 is a side elevation and front elevation view of the liquid dispenser of figure 3A.

Figure 5 is a front view of two of the containers of figures 1 and 2 stacked one on the other.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a pallet stacked with a number of the containers of figures 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to figure I. a first preferred embodiment of a container 10 is of generally rectangular prismatic form. Container 10 may be made of any suitable polymer adapted for blow mouldinig processes such as for example high density polyethylene.

COMS ID No: SSMI-05182627 Received by P1 Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27.0ct. 2006 19:23 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No.7287 P. 6- \O Formed into the central portion of upper surface 11 of ci container 10 is depressed section 12 extending O approximately a third of the length of container 11 and fully across its width. Raised above the upper surface 11 ci is ridge structure 13 running the full length of container and positioned at the mid point of the width of o container 10. Ridge portion 13 forms a bridge across depressed section 12 leaving an opening 14 between the Sbridging portion and the surface 15 of depressed section 12 ci so as to effectively provide a handle 16 for the carrying of container As may best be seen in figure 2 the base 17 of container 10 is provided with a groove 18 running the full length of the base 17 and positioned at the midpoint of the width of container 10. The depth of groove 18 relative to the surface 19 of the base, that is the depth of intrusion of the groove into the body of the container, is at least equal to the height of the ridge 16 above upper surface 11.

The width of groove 18 is such as to form a light press fit with the width of ridge 16 when one container is stacked upon another and groove 18 is aligned with ridge 16 as can be seen in figure Dispenser end 20 of container 10 is provided with a recess 20 extending upwardly from the base 17 approximately halfway of the height of container 10 and across the width of container 10. The depth of recess 20, that is its COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27.0ct. 2006 19:23 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No.7287 P. 11 7 0D intrusion into the body of the container is sufficient to 0i prevent the projection of liquid dispenser 32 (see figures O 3 and 3A) mounted on spigot 21 beyond the projected surface 0 of the upper portion 22 of the dispenser end 29 of ci container In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, O container 10 is provided with a number of strengthening elements 23. Thus by way of illustrative example in figures o 1 and 2 vertical grooves 24 intruding into the body of ci container 10 act as vertical strengthening ribs. Similarly grooves 25 across the base 17 of container 10 provide strengthening ribs for the base, and the grooves 23 across the upper surface 11 extending from each side of container and ending at central ridge 16, assist in strengthening upper surface portions 27 and 28.

It will be seen that the only feature of container to project beyond its generally rectangular prismatic form is that of ridge 16. By this means, as shown in figures and 6, horizontal and vertical arrays of containers may be arranged within a minimum volume of space. Furthermore the stability of multiple layers of side by side rows of containers will be greatly increased by the interlocking of ridges 16 and grooves 18. This compactness of stacking and interlocking greatly facilitates the handling and transportation of containers on a palet 30 for example by requiring little if any restraining means during transport.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27-Oct. 2006 19:23 WallIington-Dummer Sydney No-7287 P. 12 8 INO Turning again to figures 1 and 2, lower portion 29 of 0 dispenser end 20 of container 10 is provided with a spigot O 21- As may be seen in the sectioned view of figure 3, in a C0 first preferred embodiment, spigot 21 is provided with a first annular projection 31 adjacent to the outer end of spigot 21. Spigot 21 and first annular projection 31 are C,.'adapted to accept as a snap-fit the body 35 of liquid dispenser 32 as shown in figure 3A. In at least one o preferred embodiment of the invention liquid dispenser is covered by a security cap (not shown) which attaches as a snap-fit to second annular projection 30 to prevent inadvertent opening of liquid dispenser 32. A tamper indicating sealing wrap around the end of the security cap may further be provided.

Still with reference to figure 3A the inner surface 36 of outer shell portion 33 is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting lugs 34. Spigot 21 is sufficiently deformable to allow these lugs to snap over annular projection 31.

In at least one alternative preferred embodiment spigot 21 is provided with an external thread adapted to accept a matching internal thread on the inner surface of outer shell portion 33. To ensure that liquid dispenser 32 attains and remains in the correct orientation when screwed onto spigot 21, the thread on spigot 21 is provided with a stop and recess at the thread run-out with a mating COMB ID Na:SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27-Oct. 2006 19:23 27.Oct 200619:23 Wallinglon-Dummer Sydney N.27 P1 N o 7 2 8 7 P 13 INO projection provided at the appropriate position on the 0 thread run-out of liquid dispenser 32. The recess and U projection are adapted to snap together so as to secure dispenser 32 in the correct position when screwed onto the Spigot.

The body 35 of liquid dispenser 32 is divided into a o forward outlet end 37 and a rearward inlet end 38 by dividing wall member 39. Projecting rearwardly from o dividing wall member 39 is annular sealing ring 40. As can be seen in figure 3A, sealing ring 40 is tapered in section so that its outer diameter increases towards dividing wall member 39. The taper of sealing ring 40 is so arranged that the taper forms an interference fit with the opening of spigot 21 when projecting lugs 34 snap into position behind annular projection 31, thus forming a seal between spigot 21 and dispenser body Dividing wall member 39 is pierced by outlet opening 41 communicating with outlet spout 42. a dispenser lid member 43 is shown in figure 3A in its closed, sealing position. Dispenser lid member 43 is in the form of a disc portion 53 provided at its periphery with a rearwardly projecting rim 54. Disc portion 53 and rim 54 are adapted to fit inside outer shell portion 33 as a close sliding fit. Projecting from the inside surface 44 of lid member 43 is sealing ring structure 45 which, when lid member 43 is in its closed position, provides a press-fit insert into COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27.Oot. 2606 19:24 WallIinglon-Dummer Sydney No.7297 P. 14 outlet spout 42 thereby sealing the end of outlet spout 42.

(NAs may be seen in figure 4, lid member 43 is provided with o hinge bosses 46 diametrically opposed on either side of the disc and projecting from rim 54. Hinge bosses 46 are held captive in apertures 48 in the rim 49 of dispenser body Apertures 48 are formed with tapering openings 46 o communicating with the outer edge of rim 49 and of dimension at the intersection with apertures 48, where o "D"I is significantly smaller than the diameter of bosses 47. The diameter of bosses 47 and the size of the openings 46 are adapted to allow for the bosses to be snapfitted into apertures 48 yet provide sufficient retaining force of the bosses to withstand the considerablehydrostatic pressure at the outlet spout 42. Lid member 43 is further prevented from inadvertent opening by catch projection 50 at the top of lid member 43 which abuts against a rim recess 51. To open liquid dispenser 32 pressure is exerted by a user in the upper area of lid member 42 (in the area marked "PRESS"' in the illustrative example of figure This overcomes the resistance of catch projection 50 against rim recess 51 and causes lid member 43 to assume the tilted position as indicated by dashed lines in figure 4- Sealing structure 45 is thereby disengaged from outlet spout 42 allowing liquid to flow from the spout and ccontainer through an aperture 52 in the COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: lime 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27-ct. 2006 19:24 Wal inston-Dummer Sydney N o .7 2 81 P 11 D0 lower rim of lid member 43 as indicated by the arrows in figure 4.

O Turning again to figures 5 and 6, figure 5 shows two containers 10 stacked one on top of another and interlocked ci by means of the raised ridge feature 16 and the indented groove feature 18. Figure 6 shows a pallet 30 stacked with O containers 10. Because the liquid dispensers 32, which project from the recessed lower portion 29, do not project o passed upper portion 22 of the containers, containers may ci be stacked with an upper portions 22 abutting the rear end of an adjoining container.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27

Claims (1)

1. 27.0ct. 2006 19:24 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.7287 P. 16 12 NO CLAIMS 0 0 1. A container for the storage, transport and dispensing 0 o of liquids; said container provided with at least one ciq projecting feature on a first surface and at least one corresponding indented feature on a second (C opposite surface of said container; said at least one Sprojecting feature and said at least one SN corresponding indented feature arranged on said C container such that a said projecting feature of one container interlocks with a said corresponding indented feature of an abutting container when said two or more containers are arranged one atop of the other in a stack; said container having a liquid dispensing side extending downwardly from an upper surface of said container; said side comprising an upper portion extending beyond a lower portion so as to define a recessed lower portion; said container further provided with an attached outwardly projecting liquid dispenser; said liquid dispenser projecting from said recessed lower portion; and wherein the depth of said recessed lower portion and extent of said attached outwardly projecting liquid dispenser, are arranged so that said liquid dispenser does not project beyond said upper portion. COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27 27.0ct. 2006 19:24 Wal I ing on-Dummer Sydney No.7287 P. 17 13 \O 2. The container of claim I wherein said at least one projecting 0 o feature projects upwardly from said uppermost surface of said container and wherein said at least one corresponding indented 0 Q feature is indented into a lowermost surface of said container. 3. The container of claim 1 wherein said at. least one projecting CA feature includes an upwardly projecting ridge and wherein said -at least one corresponding indented feature includes an indented 0 groove. 0 S4. The container of claim 2 or 3 wherein a said at least one IC 10 projecting feature is adapted to engage with a said at least one O corresponding, indented feature as a light press fit such Lhat said uppermosL surface of a lower said container is in abutment with said lowermost surface of superposed said container in said stack. 5. The container of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said uppermost surface is interrupted by a centrally located depressed section extending across the width of said container; said centrally located depressed section bridged by a bridging portion; said bridging portion forming a carrying handle for carrying said container. DATED: 23 October 2006 ZAMPLAS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD by its Patent Attorneys: WALLINGTON-DUMMER COMS ID No: SBMI-05182627 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:27 Date 2006-10-27