CA2127547A1 - Squeeze bottle package - Google Patents

Abstract

A squeeze bottle package (20) for dispensing a product contained therein. The package includes a resilient outer container having a squeezable wall (24) and an opening (26a). An inner deformable wall (50) with memory is spaced from the squeezable wall (24) and supported within the outer container. The inner wall (50) has a discharge opening (38) in alignment with the opening (26a) of the outer container. A flexible bag (80) having an open top (84) is sealingly coupled to the inner wall about the open top. The flexible bag and inner wall area retain the product therein to be dispensed or discharged through the discharge opening upon squeezing of the outer container.

Description

2127~7 ~?A/O 93/14021 PClr/US93/00434 SQUEEZE BOTTLE PACKAGE-BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present inver,tion is directly generally to asqueeze bottle package and, in particular, to a squeeze bottle ; package with an improved construction which is mos~ desirable for the dispensing of viscous products such as toothpaste or the like.
While various types of dispensing containers for liquids, creams, pastes and other viscous products have been provided over the years, dispensing containers for viscous products such ~s toothpaste or the like present unique problems i due to the viscosity of the product to be dispensed thereby.
In a conventional and well-known manner, toothpaste is generally provided in collapsible tubes having a removable , screw cap. Recently, flip-top type caps have been provided for 'A such collapsible tubes. However, such collapsible tubes have ~ proven less than completely satisfactory in that they are often ~.
~i~ messy, sometimes break, through continued s~ueezing and ;~ rolling, and generally provide an unsightly appearance when left on the sink or vanity.
R ently,~ upstanding push ~utton pump dispensers for dispensing toothpa~te have been proposed and used. Due to the ~; vis~ous~nature of~the toothpaste product, however, such push J;~ butto~ pump dispensers re~uire relatively intricate piston sys~ems for causing the ejection of the toothpaste through the pump opening, and have proven expensive to ma~ufacture and less than completely satisfactory.
~ ~ Mos~recently, a squeezable container for toothpaste j; and like viscous products has been introduced. Such squeeze packages are generally oval in shape and stand upright on the countPr~ The container generally includes a screw off cap which, when removed, permits the user to squeeze toothpaste di~ectly out o~ the containe,, whereafter the co~tainer returns ~; ~to its original shape after sgueezingO No extra ~ackaging is required for such units, except for perhaps a safety seal about the cap to prevent tampering.
U.S. Patent No. 4,842,165 issued on June 27, 1989 to Van Coney and entitled Resilient Squeeze Bottle Package for .

W~93/14021 2 1 2 ~ 5 ~ 7 PCT/U~93/004.~

Dispensing Viscous Products without Belching describes and depicts such a squeeze bottle package of the type which has recently been introduced to the market. The Van Coney construction includes an outer resilient squeeze bottle having an inner flexible bag in which the toothpaste is contained.
The flexible bag is secured to the interior of the squeeze bottle at its top and approximately ~t its mid-point to facilitate emptying of the inner flexible bag and improve suckback characteristics. A suckback valve and air check valve are provided as part of the p~ckage to regulate the use and flow of air into and out of the packag~.
While such packages as those disclosed in the Van Coney patent have been gaining wide consumer acceptance, the difficulty in manufacturing such packages has increased the cost of the package itself and thereby has increased the cost of the package with toothpaste over c~nventional pa~kaging.
Accordingly, it is desired to provide a resilient squeeze bottle package for all types of products, but preferably for toothpaste and other ~iscous products, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

SU~M~RY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, ~ squeeze bottle pacXage for dispensing a product con~ained therein is provided. The packaye in~ludes a resilient outer container having a squee~able wall and an opening ~herein~ ~ deformable inner wall is spaced from the squ~ezable wall in the outer container and has a discharge opening in alignment with the opening in the outer container.
A flexible ~ag having an upper opening is supported in the ontainer by sealingly coupling the bag to the inner wall abouk the upper opening of the bay~ The flexible bag retains the product to be dispensed for discharge through the discharge opening, whereby squeezing of the outer container results in queezing of the flexible bag and inner wall thereby expelling product through the package opening for use as desired. The ..'V93/~4021 2 1 2 7 ~ ~ 7 PCT/USg3/0043~

inner wall defines an inner wall area which may retain additional product.
In one embodiment, the inner wall structure and flex.ible bag construction are removable from the outer container by a consumer to permit replacement thereof in the outer container thereby permitting refills of the package to be provided. Various types of valves for the neck of the bottle are disclosed. In some embodiments, valves are not required.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a specially located post, preferably having a cross configuration in cross-secti~n, is provided to extend from adjacent the neck of the container into the flexible inner bag. The flexible inner bag collapses about the post while the post directs the product through the dischar~e opening as the bottle is squeezed.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved squeeze bottle package.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a resilient squeeze bottle package for dispensing viscous produats such as toothpaste or the like which is relatively easy to manufacture.
A ~urther object of the present invention is to :provide a sguee~ze bottle~package adapted for dispensing viscous products, creams,,:~lotions or the like which is relatively inexpensive to:manufacture.
Another ob3ect of the present invention is to provide a squeeze bottle pac~age for the dispensing of viscous products or the~like ~hich permits refills to be used in conjunction therewith.
: ~ Yet another object of the present invention ! is to pro~id~ a squeeze bo~t~le package for viscous products such as creams, lotions, toothpaste and the like which does not require the use of suckback valves or like elements.
Still other o~iects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification~

WO93/14021 PCT/US93/004 ,' 21~7Sa57 The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the , claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanyiny drawings, in which:
Fig.~l is a perspective view of a squeeze bottle package constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
`d Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but ~howing the hand of a user squeezing the bottle to expel product;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but i~ showing the manner in which the inner flexible bag of the package is displaced as the product is emptied;
j Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 but ~, :showing the product essentially completely expelled from the i~J flexible inner b~g, ~ Fig.;6 is a~partial sectional view of the neck of the 7 botkle showing:an alternative valve construction;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig.
2 ~ut showing an alternative embodimPnt of the present invention which permits refills to be utilized;
Fig. 8 i~ an exploded sectional Yiew of the package of Fig~ 7 after the product has been emptied therefrom;
~: Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a refill package for ~1 the container depicted in Figs. 7 and 8;
`; ~ Fig. lO is an enlarged sectional view taken along line lO-lO of Fig. 9;
~ : Fig. ll is an exploded partial sectional view showing i~ a refill being inserted into the outer squeeze cvntainer, .i, , .

~093/14021 ~ P~T/U~93/00~34 Fig. 12 is a partial sectional view showing removal of the refill outer package a~ter the refill has been secured in the o~ter contain~r;
Fig. 13 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a squeeze bottle package constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of Fig. l3;
Fig. l~ is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of a packag~ having a construction in accordance with a still furthe~ embodiment of the present invention;
FigO 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 15;
Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the upper portion of the squee2e bottle package of the present invention showing an alternativ~ embodiment of the neck without a valve; and Fig. l~ is a:view similar to Fig. 17 bu~ showing yet another construction for the neck of the package without a valve therein.

D~TAILED P~SCRIPTION_QF THE PR~F~RRED_EMBODIMENTS
:.Re~erence is first made to Figs. l through 5 of the drawings which depic~ ~a ~squeeze bottle package, generally i~dica~:ed at 20,:~:constructed in accordance with a first :~ ~ embod~iment o~ the present invention. Squeeze bottle packa~e 20 incl~des a resilient outer squeezable wall 24, a base 40 to upport the pac~age :in upright condition and a re~ovable threaded cap 60~ to seal the package during nonuse. As descri~ed in detail in ~.S. Patent No. 4,842,165, ~he .
:~isclosure of whîc~ is incorporated by reference herein as though ~ully set forth, resilient outer wall 24 of package 20 preferably has an oval cross-section to facili~ate holdlng and improve appearance, although other shapes may be used. The resiliency ~f outer wall 24 is determined based on the squeezing characteristics desired. One most preferred characteristic is that outer wall 24 be readily squeezable and that it returns to its original shape after squeezing. Outer ~ . -WO93/14021 PCT/US93/004~-~
21~7 5 ~ I - 6 wall 24 is preferably made from a resilient thermoplastic material such as low density po'yethylene/ but may be formed from other materials, in any of several common methods of thermoplastic molding such as injection molding, extrusion molding, blow molding or the like.
Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, it is seen that outer wall 24 includes a shoulder portion 25, an upwardly extending neck portion 26 having an opening 26a and a flared bottom portion 28. Supported within the outer p~ckage de~ined by outer wall 24 is an inner structure 30 including a shoulder portion 32 with a central opening 34, an upwardly extending throat 36 having a discharge orifice 38 and a downwardly depending deformable ~nnular side wall or inner wall 50 having memory and defining an inner wall area 50a. As depicted, side wall 5~ extends downwardly for a finite distance along outer wall 24 and is spaced inw~rdly from outer wall 24. Side wall 50 is preferably molded from thermoplastic materials such that it will return essentially to its original shape after s~u zing.
A flexible inner bag 80 adapted to be filled with and retain a vis ous product lO0,: such~ as toothpaste~ to be dispensed includes a~sealable bottom portion ~2 and an upper open end 84 which is appropriately sealed to outer:surface 52 of inner wall 50.~: It is noted that upper open end 84 of fiexible bag 80 may be~secured to inner wall 50 at any position the~ealong, even at the lower end of inner wall 50. It i5 noted tha~ product 100 is also retained in inner wall area 50a defined by inner wall 50 as well as in flexible bag 80.
Flexible bag 80 is preferably formed from a heat sealable laminate such as Mylar or the like and is provided ! with characteristics and features necessary to retain the product therein for the required shelf life. Product can be loaded into the open bottom end of bag 80, whereafter bo~tom 82 can be heat sealed, as depicted.
UO~. Patent No. 4,842rl65 discloses ~arious materials and constructions of flexible bag material which may be utilized in the construction of flexible ba~ 80 for use In the ,~

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21275~7 ~093/1402l PCT/US93/00434 .

present invention. The kag laminate material may include required barrier materials to nrevent loss of viscosity, flavor, smell or active ingredients to retain th~ freshness and the like of the product contained therein.
It is noted that inner structure 30 is supported in neck 26 of outer container 24 through a tongue and groove arrangement such that throat 36 extends through opening 26a in neck 2~ and such that shoulder portion 32 of inner structure 30 lies adjacent to shoulder portion 25 of outer container 24.
Oth~r coupling methods and constructions can be used. The outer surface o throat 36 is threaded such that cap 60 having inner threads 62 can be threadingly engaged thereon.
Although not required as described below in detail, the first embodiment of the invention includes a suckback valve 120 in the form of a butterfly valve is supported in opening 34 of throat 36 of inner structure 3~. Butterfly valve 120 snaps in place in throat 36. Butterfly valve 120 includes opposing displaceable wings 122 and 124 secured to a support 126 through living hinges or the like. A ledge 35 is provided in opening 34 against which wings 122 and 124 rest when in the closed position. The suckback valve, while unnecessary for viscous product as explalned~below,: acts to assist in the suckba~k of product :into the :container after release of squeezing and regùl:ates air~low. back into the package as described in U.S.
Patent No. 4,842,165.
Base 40 of the package includes a bottom panel 130 which is appropriately secur~d, by snapping in place or through the:use of adhesives,:he~at sealing or the like to flared end 28 of outer container wall 24. Several openings 132 are provided in bottom panel 130 and an air intake valve 140 is prov}ded over openings ~32. This structure acts to control the flow of air on the outside of flexible bag ~0 within the pac~age and also affects the suckback characteristics of the deviceO
The Van Coney patentj U.S. Patent No. 4,842,165, requires that the inner flexible bag be secured to the inner surface of the outer container wall at the top and midpoint i ~ thereof to insure substantially complete emptying of the J~
:,~

, W093/14~1 PCT/US93/00 ~
2127 ~ 4~ 8 viscous product contained therein, and to assist in the suckback characteristics at the conclusion of each dispensing cycle. It was this seali1lg to the inner surface of the outer conkainer that proved difficult and expensive, especially sealing at the midpoint. The present inventor has determined that such sealing to the outer container is.not required if an inner structure, like that depicted and described herein, which includes a soft, deformable side wall which returns essentially to its original shape after squeezing, is provided internally of the package to which the flexible bag is attached.
Accordingly, referring to Fig. 3, it is seen that as the hand of a user squeezes the container after removal of cap 60, squeezing outer container wall 24 will cause squeezing of inner wall 50 and flexible bag 80 resulting in product lO0 being forced upwardly through butterfly val~e 120, wings 122 and 124 of which open, through throat 3~ to be discharged through discharge orifice 3g for use. Intake valve 140 shown in Fig. 2 operates in a manner similar *o the air check valve disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,842,165 such that when the package is squeezed, intake valve 140 will be closed. As the ~ package is released, air will flow through openings 13~ to ~ refill the area between flexible bag 80 and container wall 24 with air displace~ by the expe~led product. Also, in conjunction~with th;e suckback valve, ~he pressure exerted by the expanding inner wall and container wall will cause suckback 1~
of some o~ the:product in the throat back into the flexible bag. ~ ~
~ A~ the product is used up, as depicted in Fig. 4, ,~ flexible b~g 80 will begi~ to close in on itself and extend upwardly into the inner area defined by inn~r wall 50. When the product is essentially used up, the package will assume the position depictad in Fig. 5 where inner bag 80 is essentially complet~ly disposed within the area defined by inner wall 50 ` ~ thereby permitting essentially complete and total expulsion of the product.
: ~ig. 6 ~depicts an alternative embodiment of a suckback valve which may be used in the present invention~ In 21275~7 ~0g3/14021 - PCT/US93/00~34 ' g this embodiment, the suckback valve consists of a single panel 220 which is hingedly secured, preferably through a living hinge or the like, to a stationary panel 222 secured in opening .~ 34 of throat 36. A ledge 235 is provided in this construction for supporting flap 220 in its closed position. Product forced through throat 36 would cause flap 220 to open; suckback will cause it to close.
Re~erence is now made to Figs. 7 through 12 which depict an embodiment of the present invention in which the package is refillable with a refill cartridge. Package 200 depicted in Fi~. 7 is constructed somewhat similar to package . 20 depicted in Fig. 2 except for the followlng:
' l. Base panel 230 is removable from outer container 224;
,' 2. Inner structure 230 including flexible bag 280 secured thereon is removable from outer container 224 through i~ base 240:

3. A wing nut 300 removably secures inner structure 230 in the package; and 4. A refill cartridge may be used to replace the spent interval unit.
In the Van Coney construction of U.S. Patent No.
, 4,842~165, ?S aforenoted, the inner flexible bag is secured at J~ its top and mid-section to the inner side of the outer container wall. Accordingly, vnce the container is empty, it ~ can~ot be refilled ~by th~ consumer and therefore must be `.~ discarded and a new unit purchased. The present inventor has discovered that by providing the inner structure described above wherein the flexible ~ag which retains the product is not secured at any point idirectly to the outer container wall, a refillable pac~age may be provided with the concomitant benefits of reducing waste while satisfying growing environmental concerns over the unnecessary disposal of ~-~ products, especially wrapper containers.
~ As shown in Fig. 8, once th~ package is empty, cap .~ ~ 260 is removed from throat 236. Bottom panel 230, which ~ contains check valve 340, is removed from base portion 240 of ,': ~
. ~

WO93/14~21 PCT~US93/004~ ~
2127~
container 224, and wing nut 300 is un~hreaded from the lower threaded portion of throat 236. Hence, inner structure 230 can then be removed in the direction of arrow A from package 200.
A refill cartridge package in the form depicted in Figs. 9 and 10 can be provided. Refill package 170 includes an outer cover 172, preferably formed of cardboard, plastic or the liker removably secured to the refill package including inner structure 230 and flexible bag 280. Outer cover 172 supports and houses flexible bag 280 before use of the refill cartridge.
As bes~ depicted in Figs. 11 and 12, once cap 174 is removed from throat 236, refill package 170 can be inserted through open bottom 240 of outer container 224 in the direction of arrow B such that throat 236 extends through opening 227 in container 224. A tongue 301 on the inner surface of container 224 and a corresponding groove on inner structure 230 can be provided for alignment purposes. Wing nut 300 is then secured about the corresponding lower threads on throa~ 236 as best depicted in Fig. 12 to retain the refill cartridge package in outer containf2r 224. Outer disposable refill cover 172 can then be pulled dcffwnwardly in the direction of arrow C to expose the inner structure 230 and flexible bag 280, whereafter bottom panel 230 can be moved in the direction of arrows D and snapped bfac~ on to bottom portion 240 of the container. Accordingly, through the present embodiment, a refillable package i5 provided.
Reference is nsw made to Figs. 13 and 14 which depict a squeeze bottle pac~kage 400, constructed in accordance with a furt~er ~mbodiment of the present invention. Squeeze bottle package 400 includes a squeezable outer container 402 having a bottom or base portiGn 404 and an upper throat portion 406.
Throat portion 406 extends upwardly from shoulder 405 of , container 40~ and includes a downwardly extending por~ion 408 whi~h extends into the interior of outer container 402. An ;~ internal collar 420 includes an annular depending side wall 422 to which flexible bag 430 is secured.
Flexible bag 430 contains product 100 therein.
Internal collar 420 includes a central opening 424 in which a 2I 275~ 7 ~'0g3/14021 PCT/U~93/00434 - . 11 downwardly extending post 426 is supported. Post 426 i5 in the form of a cross in cross-section ~.s best depicted in Fig. 14.
Post 4~6 acts to direct product through opening 424 into throat 406 through discharge opening 440. Post 426 also acts as a device against which flexible bag 430 can collapse to prevent the bag from totally collapsing along its center so as to permit exp~ilsion of ess~ntially all of product 100 from bag 43Q, even from the bottom of the bag. Where required, an appropriate suckback valve 442 and an intake valve 444 are pr~vided in the package.
Figs.~15 and 16 depict an alternative construction of the cross p~st and supporting s~ructure. In Figs. 15 and 16, package 500 includes a squeezable outer container S02 having a separate shroud 504 with throat 506 secured to squeezable outer container 502. A first mounting structure 510 is supported in opening 512 of shroud 504. A post S20 having a cross shape in cross-section includes an upper mounting portion 522 having a U-shaped cross section which is secured to mounting bracket 510 as depicted in Fi~. 15. Gaskets 600 and 602 may also be utilized for sealing purposes.
The present invention provides a resilient squeeze bottle package which can be used for liquids, heavy creams and other viscous products such as toothpaste~ When liquids are utilized, the suckback valves descri~ed above are preferred.
However, the present inventor has discovered that heavy creams and other v scous products such as ~oothpaste do not necessarily reguire a suckback valve. Referring to Fig. 17, where heavy creams~or other viscous products are utilized, the opening 34' in throat 36' may include a reverse taper as depicted~ to set up ~the necessary resistance to backflow.
Alternatively, as d picted in Fig. 1~, opening 34'' in throat 361' may include offset projections 37 and 39 having beveled edges as depicted which overlap slightly in the longitudinal direction to set up the necessary resistanca to backflowO
Such a valveless system is most desirable and achiev~ble by the present invention. The degree and manner of the throat restri~tion, degree of f~exibility of the inner wall ,~

WO93/140~1 PCT/US93/004~ 1 21~5~ 12 and container wall, and rate of air intake through the air intake valve on the bottom of the container regulate the suckback characteristics of the valveless system. For example, the more flexible the inner wall and the stronger its tendency to return to its original position after squeezing, the greater the suckback will be. Also, the less air intake through the air intake val~e a~ter release of squeezing, the greater the suckback.
The present invention thus provides a resilient squeeze bottle package in various forms which overcomes the recognized disadvantages of the Van Coney patent. The inner flexible bag is~not sealed or otherwise joined itself to the outer container thereby reducing manufacturing costs, permitting alternative constructions, and al~owing for refillable packages and refill cartridges. In viscous product appli~ations, no suckback valve is required, also resulting in cost and manufa~.turing savings. The cost and ~ime savings involved in manu*acturing the package can be passed on to the consumer either in reduced overall price or by providing a larger package with additional toothpaste without increased cost to the consumer.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departin~ from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all~matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is a1so to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the in~ention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall ~herebetween.
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Claims (40)

13 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A squeeze bottle package for dispensing a product contained therein, comprising a resilient outer container having a squeezable wall and an opening, a deformable inner wall spaced from said squeezable wall and supported within said outer container, said inner wall having a discharge opening in alignment with said opening of said outer container, a flexible bag having an opening at a first end thereof, said flexible bag being sealingly coupled to said inner wall about said opening at the first end of said flexible bag, said flexible bag retaining said product therein to be dispensed for discharge through said discharge opening when said outer container is squeezed.

2. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said deformable inner wall has memory to return essentially to its original shape after squeezing of said outer container.

3. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 1, wherein squeezing of said outer container causes said inner wall to be releaseably deformed.

4. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 3, wherein said deformable inner wall and said squeezable wall have memory to return essentially to their original shape after squeezing of said outer container.

5. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer container includes a first shoulder portion, said inner wall having a second shoulder portion which lies adjacent said first shoulder portion.

6. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second shoulder portion includes a throat having said discharge opening therethrough, said throat extending through said opening in said outer container.

7. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said discharge opening in said inner wall includes restriction means for restricting the flow of product therethrough.

8. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 7, wherein said restriction means is a reverse tapered surface defining said discharge opening.

9. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 7, wherein said restriction means are spaced, step projections extending into said discharge opening.

10. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 1, further comprising valve means in said discharge opening.

11. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 10, wherein said valve means includes a butterfly valve supported in said discharge opening.

12. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 11, wherein said butterfly valve includes a support engaged in said discharge opening having at least a first displaceable wing hingedly secured thereto for selectively opening and closing said discharge opening.

13. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer container includes a base, said base including at least one opening therein and air intake valve means selectively covering said opening for regulating the flow of air through said opening in said base.

14. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resilient outer container includes a base, a shoulder portion and a neck portion, said neck portion having said opening therein, said squeezable wall extending intermediate said base and said neck portion, said deformable inner wall having a shoulder portion adjacent said shoulder portion of said outer container, a throat having said discharge opening therein extending through said opening in said container and a deformable sidewall spaced inwardly from said squeezable wall of said outer container, the first end of said flexible bag being sealingly secured to said sidewall, and intake valve means in said base of said outer container for ?O 93/14021 PCT/US93/00434 regulating the flow of air into and out of said outer container.

15. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 14, wherein said throat includes restriction means for restricting the discharge of product through said discharge opening.

16. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 15, wherein said restriction means includes a tapered wall in said throat.

17. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 15, wherein said restriction means includes projections on said throat extending into said discharge opening.

18. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 15, further comprising valve means in said throat for regulating the flow of product and air through said discharge opening.

19. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 1, further comprising cover means for removably covering said discharge opening.

20. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 14, further comprising cover means for removably covering said throat.

21. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner wall defines an inner wall area, said product being partially retained in said inner wall area.

22. A refillable squeeze bottle package for dispensing a product contained therein, comprising a resilient outer container having a squeezable wall, a first opening and a second opening, a mounting structure releaseably supported about said first opening in said outer container, said mounting structure having a deformable wall and a flexible bag retaining said product to be dispensed sealingly secured to said deformable wall, said mounting structure further having a discharge throat in alignment with said first opening, and coupling means for releasably supporting said mounting structure in said squeezable container.

23. The refillable squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 22, further comprising cover means for releaseably covering said second opening in said outer container.

24. The refillable squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 23, wherein said cover means includes air intake valve means for regulating the flow of air into and out of said outer container.

25. The refillable squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 24, wherein said mounting structure is removable through said second opening after said cover means has been released therefrom.

26. The refillable squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 22, wherein said discharge throat extends through said first opening, said coupling means including a coupling nut for removably holding said discharge throat in said first opening.

27. The refillable squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 26, wherein said discharge throat includes at least a first set of threads on the outer surface thereof, said coupling nut including internal threads for threadingly engaging said first set of threads.

28. The refillable squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 27, further comprising cap means for removably covering said discharge throat.

29. The refillable squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a refill cartridge having a second mounting structure and second flexible bag filled with said product, said second mounting structure replacing said mounting structure when said mounting structure is removed from said outer container.

30. The refillable squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 22, wherein said squeezable wall and deformable wall have memory to return essentially to their original shape after squeezing.

31. The refillable squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 22, wherein said deformable wall defines an inner wall area, said product being partially retained in said inner wall area.

32. A refill cartridge for a refillable squeeze bottle package for retaining product to be dispensed by said package, comprising a frame having a shoulder portion with discharge opening and a downwardly extending deformable side wall, a flexible bag sealingly secured to said side wall which retains said product, and a disposable housing removably supported on said frame to releaseably cover said flexible bag.

33. A refill cartridge for the refillable squeeze bottle package of claim 22, for retaining product to be dispensed by said package, comprising a frame having a shoulder portion with discharge opening and a downwardly extending deformable side wall, a flexible bag sealingly secured to said side wall which retains said product, and a disposable housing removably supported on said frame to releaseably cover said flexible bag.

34. The refill cartridge as claimed in claim 32, wherein said frame includes a discharge throat extending from said shoulder portion with said discharge opening therein.

35. The refill cartridge as claimed in claim 34, wherein said discharge throat includes thread means on the outer surface thereof, and cap means for removably covering said discharge opening.

36. The refill cartridge as claimed in claim 33, wherein said deformable side wall defines an inner wall area, said product being partially retained in said inner wall area.

37. A squeeze bottle package for dispensing a product contained therein, comprising a resilient outer container having a squeezable wall and a discharge opening, a collar supported about said discharge opening in said outer container having a flexible bag sealingly secured thereto, said flexible bag retaining said product therein, and a post extending from said collar into said flexible bag.

38. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 37, wherein said post has a cross shape in cross-section.

39. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 37, wherein said outer container includes a shroud coupled to said squeezable wall and having said discharge opening therein.

WO 93/14021 PCT/US93/004??

40. The squeeze bottle package as claimed in claim 39, wherein said shroud includes a first mounting structure, said collar including an upper mounting portion supported by said first mounting structure, said post extending downwardly from said upper mounting portion into said flexible bag.