CN220425656U

CN220425656U - Container and kit

Info

Publication number: CN220425656U
Application number: CN202190000839.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·J·加德纳; J·吉宾斯; G·P·兰达尔
Original assignee: Unilever IP Holdings BV
Current assignee: Unilever IP Holdings BV
Priority date: 2020-10-28
Filing date: 2021-10-19
Publication date: 2024-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-19
Also published as: ES1302486Y; WO2022089994A1; ES1302486U; DE212021000454U1

Abstract

The present utility model relates to a container and kit; and more particularly to a container that can be used with a reusable pump dispenser and a method of manufacturing such a container with liquid contents. The container (1) of the present utility model comprises a body (2); a neck (3) having an opening (4); a fitting (5) positioned in the opening and attached to the neck; wherein the fitment (5) is adapted to receive a pump dispenser (6); a dip tube (7) extending into the body (2); characterized in that the fitting (5) extends into the upper rod (8) and the lower rod (9); wherein the upper rod (8) may be connected to the pump dispenser (6) and the lower rod (9) is connected to the dip tube (7).

Description

Container and kit

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to a container and kit; and more particularly to a container that can be used with a reusable pump dispenser and a method of manufacturing such a container with liquid contents.

Background

Containers with pump dispensers are used for a variety of different products, particularly for consumer rapid products (FMCG). Pump dispensers are typically non-recyclable, and so consumers tend to reuse the pump on containers refilled with the same or different products. One disadvantage of reusing these pump dispensers is that the process of transferring the pump from one container to another is always cumbersome. This is because there is a large amount of product sticking to the dip tube of the pump. Another disadvantage of re-use pump dispensers is that, because the dip tube has a particular length, the pump cannot be used in all sizes of containers, and the dip tube attached to the pump cannot be easily separated and re-mated with a different size pump.

To overcome the above drawbacks, dispensing containers with integrated dip tubes are known. In WO2010/083419 there is one such container which discloses a substantially blow moulded dispensing container with a fitment wherein the dispensing pump may be reused with further refill dispensing containers. However, the process is not limited to the above-described process, the disclosure is not limited to providing information about the connection between the pump and the dip tube when the consumer connects the pump dispenser to the container. Loose or poor connection between the dispensing pump and the dip tube will result in increased air intake, affecting the quality of the spray or pump.

Accordingly, despite the prior art, there remains a need to provide a dispensing container having a secure fit between the dispensing pump and the dip tube, thereby minimizing air ingestion due to poor connection or loosening.

It is therefore an object of the present utility model to provide an improved and secure connection between a pump dispenser and a dip tube when the consumer connects the pump dispenser to a container.

It is a further object of the present utility model to provide a simple and secure attachment in a domestic pump dispenser system that better preserves the performance of conventional pump dispensers while minimizing investment in factory production or assembly lines.

It is a further object of the present utility model to provide a sustainable solution by easily separating the pump dispenser from the container, thus enabling recycling and reuse of the container.

It is a further object of the present utility model to reduce the overall use of plastic in containers that may be used with pump dispensers.

It is a further object of the present utility model to minimize air intake into the product and provide a high quality sprayer/pump to the user without splashing and other quality problems.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present utility model provides a container (1) comprising:

a body (2), a neck (3) with an opening (4) a fitting (5) positioned in the opening and attached to the neck; wherein the fitment (5) is adapted to receive a pump dispenser (6), a dip tube (7) extending into the body (2); characterized in that the fitting (5) extends into the upper rod (8) and the lower rod (9); wherein the upper rod (8) can be connected to the pump dispenser (6) and the lower rod (9) to the dip tube (7); wherein the upper part of the fitment (5) comprises a hole seal (16) to attach the fitment to the mouth of the neck (3), and; an outwardly extending flange (15).

In a second aspect, the present utility model provides a kit comprising a container according to the present utility model and a pump dispenser.

In a third aspect, the present utility model provides a process for manufacturing a container (1) with a liquid content, comprising the steps of: filling a container with liquid contents, providing a fitment comprising an upper stem and a lower stem, inserting a dip tube into the lower stem of the fitment to form a dip tube fitment assembly, securing the dip tube fitment assembly into a non-dispensing closure to form a closure fitment subassembly; and securing the closure fitment subassembly to the container (1).

These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the utility model may be used in any other aspect of the utility model. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including", but not necessarily "consisting of … …" or "consisting of … …". In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It should be noted that the examples given in the following description are intended to clarify the utility model and are not intended to limit the utility model to these examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about". The numerical range expressed in the form of "from x to y" is understood to include x and y. When multiple preferred ranges are described in the form of "from x to y" for a particular feature, it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are contemplated.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container (1).

FIG. 2 is a fitting (5) is a perspective view of the above-mentioned device.

Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the fitting (5).

Fig. 2B is a top view of the fitting (5).

Fig. 2C is a bottom view of the fitting (5).

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing container (20) comprising a container (1) equipped with a pump dispenser (6).

Detailed Description

In a first aspect, the utility model relates to a container (1) that can be used with a pump dispenser (6). The container of the present utility model is preferably a refill container.

The container of the utility model comprises a body (2) having a base (12) and a neck (3). The neck (3) comprises an opening (4) and a top surface (13).

The neck (3) preferably comprises connecting means (14) by means of which connecting means (14) the container (1) can be connected to a non-dispensing closure or a pump dispenser. The connection means may be a screw thread, a bayonet connector, or provide a press fit, a snap fit or an interference fit. Preferably, the method comprises the steps of, the connection means is a screw thread.

The neck (3) is substantially tubular in shape. A fitment (5) is positioned in the opening of the neck and attached to the neck, the fitment (5) being adapted to receive a pump dispenser (6). The fitment (5) is further connected to a dip tube (7). The fitting may be removably attached or permanently secured.

The fitment (5) of the utility model preferably comprises a tubular body (11) to complement the shape of the neck. Mainly, the upper part of the fitting should be kept to close tolerances to ensure a firm attachment to the neck. In order to meet this requirement, the upper part of the fitment preferably comprises a bore seal (16) for attachment to the mouth of the neck (4). The fitment preferably includes an outwardly extending flange (15) on the upper portion, the flange (15) preventing the fitment (5) from falling into the container when inserted or when the consumer connects the pump dispenser. The flange preferably has an outer diameter that is wider than the inner diameter of the neck, but preferably the outer diameter of the flange is smaller than the outer diameter of the neck. The flange is substantially perpendicular to the tubular body of the fitting. The hole seal (16) and the flange (15) together ensure a firm attachment to the neck. The use of a hole seal and flange to attach the fitment to the container simplifies the process of manufacturing the container with the liquid contents, thus making the final product inexpensive.

Alternatively, the fitment (5) may be glued to the container neck (3). This may be adhesive bonding or thermal bonding. For effective thermal bonding, the materials of the container and the fitment are preferably substantially the same. In such an embodiment, the first and second substrates, no flange (15) is required on the fitment to prevent the fitment from falling into the container.

The fitting (5) preferably comprises at least one pressure equalization hole (10). The hole is preferably located on the tubular body (11) of the fitting (5). The number of pressure balancing holes and their size depend on the volume of air that is rapidly discharged for pressure balancing.

Preferably, the fitting (5) comprises at least two pressure balancing holes, more preferably at least three pressure balancing holes.

In a preferred embodiment, the pressure equalization hole (10) extends along the entire length of the fitting (5).

The tubular body (11) of the fitting tapers down to a fitting base (21), the fitting base (21) extending into the upper (8) and lower (9) bars. The upper rod (8) may be connected to the pump dispenser (6) and the lower rod (9) to the dip tube (7). The upper (8) and lower (9) bars are preferably tubular in shape. The upper and lower rods preferably have different diameters, the inner diameter of the upper rod (8) being smaller than the inner diameter of the lower rod (9).

When the pump dispenser (6) is connected to the container (1) of the utility model, the input tube (17) of the pump dispenser at the lower end of the pump dispenser is connected to the fitment by encasing the upper stem, while the lower stem of the fitment is connected to the dip tube by encasing the dip tube (i.e. the dip tube is pushed into the lower stem of the fitment).

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that controlling the outer diameter of the dip tube to a higher tolerance, and thus the fit using the outer surface of the dip tube ensures a more secure attachment to the lower stem of the fitment, allowing the user to pump the formulation from the packaging assembly in a more consistent and higher quality spray pattern. In connection with the pump dispenser, the fitment features an upper stem that replaces the dip tube. This ensures a secure fit between the pump, fitment and dip tube, minimizing air intake due to poor or loose connection.

The tight connection between the dip tube and the fitment and between the fitment and the pump dispenser ensures that the pump provides a good quality spray to the user without splash and other quality problems.

The container (1) according to the utility model is preferably is a bottle for FMCG products. The FMCG product may be a personal care product such as a shampoo, a conditioner, a hair styling product, a liquid hand soap or body wash, a skin care lotion, or a household care product such as a hand dishwashing liquid, a household cleaning liquid. Preferably, the FMCG product is a personal care product, which is a shampoo or a conditioner. The bottle may be of any shape but is generally circular, oblong, elliptical, oval or rectangular in shape.

The container preferably comprises a non-dispensing closure. Before attaching the pump dispenser, the consumer must remove the closure from the container.

A container (1), a non-dispensing closure and a fitment (5) are preferably formed from thermoplastic. Such thermoplastics may be molded by injection molding, extrusion blow molding and injection stretch blow molding. Useful thermoplastics are polymers and copolymers of ethylene and propylene. These polymers and copolymers include low, medium and high density polyethylene and various grades of polypropylene. Additionally, the container may comprise a polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate. In addition, essentially any other useful thermoplastic may be used. The closure may be formed in whole or in part from a thermoplastic. In the case of thermoplastic laminates or monolayers, the closure may be injection molded. The same thermoplastics as discussed for the container (1) and fitment (5) can be used for the closure. As mentioned above, the closure may be metal only, or may be a double layer of plastic and metal layers. When double layered, the plastic layer is typically an inner layer and the metal is an outer decorative layer.

In a second aspect, the utility model relates to a kit comprising a container (1) according to the utility model and a pump dispenser. The kit preferably further comprises assembly instructions.

The pump dispenser (6) for dispensing the product may be any manually actuated device known in the art, such as a trigger, pump or non-aerosol self-pressurizing device.

More preferably, the pump dispenser is a manually actuated trigger pump dispenser that dispenses in the form of a mist, preferably in the form of a fine mist. The pump dispenser comprises an input pipe (17) at the lower end of the pump dispenser (6); a pump actuator (18); and a pump outlet (19) at the upper end of the pump dispenser.

The pump dispenser is preferably a reusable pump dispenser.

In a third aspect, the utility model relates to a process for manufacturing a container (1) with a liquid content.

In the manufacturing process, the container (1) is first filled with the marked liquid content. The fitment according to the utility model is then attached to the dip tube via the lower stem of the fitment. This forms a dip tube fitment assembly. The dip tube fitment assembly is then screwed or pushed into the non-dispensing closure to form a closure fitment subassembly. A flange (15) in the fitment aids in screwing or pushing the dip tube fitment assembly into the closure. The closure fitment subassembly is then secured to the container by screwing or fitting the closure fitment subassembly onto the container.

When the consumer unscrews or removes the cap, the closure fitment subassembly is separated, leaving the dip tube fitment assembly in the container, which is then ready to accept the consumer's reusable pump.

Manufacturing the container in the manner described above minimizes investment in the factory assembly line, thereby keeping the cost of the product low.

Claims

1. A container (1), the container (1) comprising:

a. a body (2);

b. -a neck (3), the neck (3) having an opening (4);

c. -a fitting (5), the fitting (5) being positioned in the opening and attached to the neck; wherein the fitment (5) is adapted to receive a pump dispenser (6);

d. -a dip tube (7), the dip tube (7) extending into the body (2);

characterized in that the fitting (5) extends into an upper rod (8) and a lower rod (9); wherein the upper rod (8) is connectable to the pump dispenser (6) and the lower rod (9) is connected to the dip tube (7); wherein the upper part of the fitment (5) comprises a bore seal (16) attaching the fitment to the mouth of the neck (3) and an outwardly extending flange (15).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the fitment (5) comprises at least one pressure balancing hole (10).

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein, the pressure equalization hole (10) extends along the length of the fitting (5).

4. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitment (5) comprises a tubular body (11).

5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper (8) and lower (9) bars are tubular in shape.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower rods have different diameters.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the upper stem is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower stem.

8. A kit, the kit comprising:

a. the container according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and

b. a pump dispenser.