EP0412390A1 - Bottom delivery package - Google Patents
Bottom delivery package Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0412390A1 EP0412390A1 EP90114577A EP90114577A EP0412390A1 EP 0412390 A1 EP0412390 A1 EP 0412390A1 EP 90114577 A EP90114577 A EP 90114577A EP 90114577 A EP90114577 A EP 90114577A EP 0412390 A1 EP0412390 A1 EP 0412390A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- cap
- shipping
- package
- dispensing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/32—Containers adapted to be temporarily deformed by external pressure to expel contents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/20—External fittings
- B65D25/24—External fittings for spacing bases of containers from supporting surfaces, e.g. legs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
- B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
- B65D47/2031—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure
Definitions
- the present invention relates to containers for storing and dispensing fluid materials, and more particularly, to bottom delivery containers with self sealing valves.
- top delivery containers are extremely familiar to the average consumer.
- These top delivery containers stand upright and deliver their contents through dispensing orifices located in the top of the container and disposed upwardly.
- the dispensing opening is generally sealed by some sort of cap between uses. The cap prevents contaminants from falling into the container through the upwardly disposed dispensing opening. Also, the cap prevents spillage of the contents if the container is inadvertently knocked over.
- a consumer must first remove the cap, usually by unscrewing or operating a flip top. The consumer must then invert the container and wait for the fluid material to flow to the dispensing opening. The length of the wait varies depending upon the viscosity of the fluid, the distance the fluid must travel, and the amount of fluid within the container. After waiting for the fluid material to flow to the dispensing opening the consumer generally squeezes the container to dispense the desired amount of fluid material. This squeezing step is particularly necessary if a small opening, as found on most flip-top caps, is used with a relatively viscous fluid material. The consumer must then upright the container which allows the fluid material to flow back toward the container bottom. Lastly, the consumer must recap the container to avoid the above-mentioned contamination and spillage problems. All totaled, four or five steps are required.
- the structure of the package of the present invention is unequivocal. In other words, there is only one obvious way to use the package. Used correctly the package provides all its benefits to the consumer and there is disincentive to use the container in any other, incorrect, way. If the consumer were to operate the package incorrectly he would be aware that he was not using the package as intended.
- Several features of the package eliminate confusion and virtually insure that the consumer receives all the benefits provided by the container. For example, the package, when full, will not rest in the inverted position with the dispensing opening disposed upwardly. Additionally, the arrangement, presentation, indicia, and shape of the caps make it obvious that the container is not intended to be capped between uses.
- it is an object of the present invention to provide such a storage and dispensing package which: Has substantial added leakage protection during shipment to the ultimate user; Permits easy, one-handed, one-step dispensing of the fluid material from the first use to the last; Virtually dictates storage of the package between uses in the upright position, i.e., with the dispensing opening disposed downwardly; Makes it obvious that the package need not be and should not be capped between uses; Has an auxiliary travel cap which can be used to provide added leakage protection after initial use of the container if the package is to be subsequently transported; Stores the auxiliary travel cap out of the way when it is not in use, thereby preventing its loss; Can be easily refilled with product contained in a one-way cheap package so that the more sophisticated storage and dispensing package for fluid material can be reused after its original contents is used up; and Which accomplishes the aforementioned at minimal cost.
- a bottom delivery package for storing and dispensing a fluid material.
- the bottom delivery package has a shipping configuration which provides leakage resistance during shipment, a dispensing configuration which permits one step dispensing of the fluid material, and a traveling configuration which provides leakage resistance during subsequent transportation.
- the package includes a resiliently deformable container with a tubular side wall for housing the fluid material.
- the tubular side wall exhibits a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit the deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto.
- the tubular side wall also has a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when the manually applied forces are removed therefrom.
- the container also has a top wall with means for inhibiting storage of a package in the inverted position and a bottom wall.
- a tubular base section is attached to the bottom of the container.
- the base is hollow and adapted to enclose the bottom wall of the container.
- the base section also has an open lower end circumscribed by a bottom edge adapted to support the package on a resting surface.
- a valve assembly depends from the bottom wall of the container and has a self sealing valve incorporated therein.
- the self sealing valve is adapted to open in response to the manual forces applied to the tubular side wall of the container permitting the discharge of the fluid material and to automatically close, terminating the discharge after removal of the manual forces.
- a discardable shipping cap is removably affixed to the valve assembly over the self sealing valve in the shipping configuration to provide leakage resistance. The shipping cap is detachable from the valve assembly to place the package in the dispensing and traveling configurations.
- a travel cap is releasably retained on the bottom wall of the container within the base and adjacent the valve assembly in both the shipping and dispensing configurations.
- the travel cap is adapted for placement on the valve assembly over the self sealing valve providing leakage resistance when the package is in the traveling configuration.
- a refill opening with an airtight closure is provided preferably in the top wall or, optionally, in the top part of the tubular side wall or in the bottom wall of the container.
- the present invention provides for a bottom delivery package for storing and dispensing fluid materials.
- the package has three configurations.
- a shipping configuration which prohibits leakage during shipment of the filled package to the ultimate consumer, a dispensing configuration for enabling simple one step dispensing, and a travel configuration for providing added leakage resistance during transportation after initial dispensing.
- the overall structure of the package ensures its proper use in each configuration, thereby ensuring the consumer receives all its benefits.
- the present invention provides a bottom delivery package, indicated generally as 15, for storing and dispensing fluid materials.
- the package 15 consists of a container 20, a valve assembly 19, a shipping cap 18, a travel cap 17 and a base 16.
- the container 20 is preferably blow molded from polyethylene, although other flexible materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, vinyls and olefins can also be used.
- the container 20 has a resilient tubular side wall 21 of elliptical cross section, a sloped top wall 22 and a sloped bottom wall 23. The top wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 are both sloped at the same angle relative to the tubular side wall 21.
- a container neck 20′ depends from the lower portion of the sloped bottom wall 23.
- a dispensing opening is located at the end of the container neck 20′.
- a groove 28 circumscribes the neck 20′ near its distal end leaving a ridge 29 circumscribing the neck 20′ at its distal end.
- the preferred recessed area 14, seen best in Figure 8 and Figure 9, located in the higher portion of the bottom wall 23 of the container 20 has a generally cylindrical side wall 31 and a bilevel bottom wall 33.
- Each level of the bottom wall, the shallow level 33′ and the deep level 33 ⁇ is semicircular.
- the bilevel wall 33 includes the wall 33′′′ perpendicular to the two levels of the bottom wall 33′and 33 ⁇ . This perpendicular wall 33′′′ forms an outer corner 39 where it intersects the upper level 33′.
- Two tabs 45 are located on the cylindrical side wall 31 opposing each other. Each tab 45 is horizontally a slight distance away from the surface of the shallow level 33′ of the bottom wall 33.
- the tabs 45 are located such that an imaginary line drawn through the center of each tab 45, in plan view, would go through the center of the outer corner 39 and be perpendicular thereto. This imaginary line would also go through a semi-circular recessed area 48 which is part of the overall recessed area 14.
- the self sealing valve assembly 19 preferably permanently attached by a snap-fit to the neck 20′ of the container 20 surrounding the dispensing opening is the self sealing valve assembly 19.
- This assembly 19 consists of a flow restrictor 30, a self sealing valve 32, and an annular collar 34.
- the self sealing valve 32 of the preferred embodiment is identical to that disclosed in United States Patent 4,749,108 issued to Dornsbusch el al., on June 7, 1988.
- Other suitable self sealing valves 32 are disclosed in United States Patent 4,728,006 issued to Drobish et al. on March 1, 1988, and the disclosures of both these patents relative to the structure of self-sealing valves are incorporated herein by reference.
- the self sealing valve 32 of the preferred embodiment is made of silicone and has an annular flange 35 which is connected to a cylindrical wall segment which adjoins a conical wall segment.
- This conical wall segment intersects a centrally located concave wall 38 forming an annular rim 36.
- the concave wall 38 has a single linear slit 37 therein.
- the flow restrictor is injection molded of polypropylene and may also be made of other suitable materials such as, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyethylene.
- the flow restrictor 30 is also disclosed in United States Patent 4,749,108 and the disclosure thereto is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- the flow restrictor 30 consists of a circular top wall 40 which has several spokes 41 equally spaced therearound and extending therefrom in a conical orientation. Attached to the other end of the spokes 41 is a horizontal annular flange 42.
- a vertical annular projection 43 depends from the horizontal annular flange 42.
- a second vertical annular projection 44 is attached to the horizontal annular flange 42 and extends upwardly.
- the annular collar 34 is preferably injection molded integrally with the shipping cap 18 of low density polyethylene or other suitable materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, vinyls and olefins. Although the shipping cap 18 is integrally molded with the annular collar 34 (a part of the valve assembly) the shipping cap 18 is not considered part of the valve assembly 19.
- An annular line of weakness 46 as seen in conjunction with Figure 4, separates the shipping cap 18 from the collar 34.
- the exterior surface of the collar 34 is a generally cylindrical surface adjoining a generally conical surface. At the small end of the conical surface is a protruding annular ridge 47. Interiorly, the collar 34 has a series of annular ledges.
- annular ledge 49 There is an inner annular ledge 49, a middle annular ledge 50, and an outer annular ledge 51 from which four equally spaced retaining tabs 52 project inwardly.
- annular groove 54 Immediately above the outer annular ledge 51 is an annular groove 54 and immediately above the annular groove 54 is an annular ridge which is at the end of the collar 34.
- the self sealing valve 32, flow restrictor 30, and collar 34 form the self sealing valve assembly 19.
- the self sealing valve 32 is located inside the collar 34 with the concave wall 38 near the travel cap 17 when attached and with the annular flange 35 of the self sealing valve 32 resting upon the inner annular ledge 49 of the collar.
- the horizontal annular flange 42 of the flow restrictor 30 Located adjacent the annular flange 35 of the self sealing valve 32 is the horizontal annular flange 42 of the flow restrictor 30.
- the vertical annular projection 43 depending from the horizontal annular flange 42 projects into the interior of the cylindrical portion of the self sealing valve 32.
- the vertical annular upward projection 44 extends into the interior of the container neck 20′.
- the outer edge of the horizontal annular flange 42 of the flow restrictor 30 is held by the four retaining tabs 52 located on the collar 34.
- the shipping cap 18 has externally a generally tubular wall 57 with a cylindrical segment and a conical segment and closed at its distal end by an end wall 58. Attached to the tubular wall 57 is, as seen in Figure 3, a pull ring 60 which includes a linear member and an annular member. Located on the end wall 58 is indicia 62 ( Figure 3) for conveying to the consumer that the shipping cap 18 should be separated from the collar 34 prior to use of the container 20.
- the indicia 62 of the preferred embodiment includes the words "tear off”.
- the interior dimensions of the shipping cap 18 generally conform to the exterior dimensions of the self sealing valve 32.
- the shipping cap 18 when the shipping cap 18 is attached to the collar 34 it prevents the self sealing valve 32 from deforming outwardly.
- an inner annular projection 65 Depending from the end wall 58 of the shipping cap 18 is also an inner annular projection 65 whose distal end is in close proximity to wall 38 of the self sealing valve 32 when the shipping cap 18 is attached to the collar 34. In this arrangement the shipping cap 18 prevents inversion of the self sealing valve 32 and, consequently, leakage through the self sealing valve 32 during shipping.
- the travel cap 17 is generally cylindrical exteriorly with a top wall 70, half of which perpendicular to the cylindrical wall 71 and the other half sloped at an acute angle thereto.
- the top wall 70 extends slightly beyond the cylindrical wall 71 forming a lip 72.
- a semi-circular tubular protrusion 74 attached to the lip 72 on the perpendicular (or flat) portion of the top wall 70 is, a semi-circular tubular protrusion 74.
- the flat half of the top wall 70 contains indicia 75 for conveying to the consumer that this cap 17 is for use only in transporting the package 15.
- the indicia 75 of the preferred embodiment includes the words "travel cap".
- the sloped portion of the top wall 70 contains a visual pattern 76 which indicates the location where pressure should be applied to release the travel cap 17.
- at the base of the cylindrical wall 71 is an annular ridge 78.
- the travel cap 17 has an outer annular projection 82 whose interior dimension conforms to the exterior dimensions of the self sealing valve 32 depending from the top wall 70. As seen in Figure 9, when the travel cap 17 is attached to the self sealing valve assembly 19, this outer annular projection 82 prevents the self sealing valve 32 from deforming outwardly.
- An inner annular projection 83 also depends from the top wall 70 and is in close proximity to the wall 38 of the self sealing valve 32 when the travel cap 17 is attached to the collar 34. Consequently, the travel cap 17, when attached helps maintain the self sealing valve 32 in its sealed condition thereby avoiding leakage during transportation of the package 15.
- the base 16 is a hollow elliptical tubular wall 86 with no top or bottom walls.
- the tubular wall 86 of the base 16 when viewed from the front has an elevational view which has a generally trapezoidal shape.
- the bottom edge 87 of the base is perpendicular to the axis of base 16 and therefore supports the tubular wall 86 in vertical condition when resting on a horizontal surface.
- the top edge 88 of the base is sloped at an oblique angle relative to the tubular wall 86 of the base 16.
- the base 16, therefore, has a bottom edge 87 perpendicular to the tubular wall 86 and a top edge 88 sloped relative to the tubular wall 86.
- the angle of this top edge 88 is the same, relative to the tubular wall 86 of the base 16, as the top wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 of the container 20 relative to its tubular wall 21.
- At the top edge 88 of the base are four inwardly protruding tabs 89 which snap into the groove 25 of the container 20 for attachment.
- the base 16 is preferably injection molded of polypropylene, although other suitable materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene vinyls and olefins, may be used. Of course the base 16 can be integrally molded with the container 20.
- FIG. 11 the particularly preferred embodiment of Figure 1 is shown with a refill opening 90 in sloped top wall 22.
- This refill opening 90 is to be closed with closing plug 91 consisting of plug-in part 92 which is slightly tapered at its lower extremity, closing sheet 93 and lifting tab 94.
- Closing plug 91 can be made of any suitable materials like low density polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, vinyls and olefins. It is advantageous to choose the material of the closing plug of a resiliency different from that of the material of the top wall 22 of the package 15 in order to ensure perfect fitting and airtightness.
- the package 15 must be filled with fluid material and assembled into the shipping configuration, seen in Figure 3 and Figure 4.
- the container 20 is first filled through the dispensing opening and then the package 15 is assembled.
- the package 15 is completely assembled first and then the container 20 is filled through a second opening (not shown) which is later plugged. Regardless of the method, the package 15 is filled with fluid material at some point and assembled into the shipping configuration.
- the top edge 88 of the base 16 is telescoped onto the shoulder 24 of the container 20 with the four tabs 89 interlocking with the groove 25 on the container 20. Consequently, when the base 16 and container 20 of the preferred embodiment are attached to each other the tubular wall 21 of the container 20 and the tubular wall 86 of the base 16 are vertical, axial, and aligned with each other.
- the valve assembly 19, is permanently snap fit onto the neck 20′ of the container 20.
- the annular ridge 29 and groove 28 of the neck 20′ of the container 20 cooperates with the annular ridge 55 and groove 54 of the collar 34 to provide this snap fitting attachment.
- the shipping cap 18 is in place over the self sealing valve 32.
- This recessed area 14 is, seen best in Figure 8 sand Figure 9, adapted to releasably hold the auxiliary travel cap 17.
- the preferred means for releasably holding the travel cap 17 comprises the two opposing tabs 45 discussed earlier. As seen in Figure 5 and Figure 6, the opposing tabs 45 cooperate with the annular flange 78 on the travel cap 17 to releasably retain the travel cap 17.
- the travel cap 17 is oriented such that the semi-circular protrusion 74 extends into the semi-circular portion 48 of the recessed area, seen in Figure 8.
- the sloped portion ot the top wall 70 of the travel cap 17 is located over the deep level 33 ⁇ of the bilevel recessed area.
- the annular flange 78 of the travel cap 17 is adjacent the shallow level 33′ of the recessed area.
- This annular flange 78 cooperates with the retaining tabs 45 on the interior of the cylindrical wall 31 of the recessed area to retain the travel cap 17.
- the vertical distance from the shallow level 33′ or the recessed area 14 to the most extended portion of the retaining tabs 45 is slightly greater than the height of the annular flange 78 of the travel cap 18.
- the ultimate consumer receives the package 15 in the shipping configuration and converts it to the dispensing configuration, seen in Figure 5 and Figure 6.
- This conversion is a simple process as it is obvious to the consumer and merely requires the consumer to remove the shipping cap 18.
- the process is obvious because the pull-ring 60 of the shipping cap 18, as seen in Figure 3, visually overlays the travel cap 17.
- the shipping cap 18 is imprinted with the words "tear off" 62.
- the shipping cap 18 is molded as part of the collar 34 of the valve assembly 19 and differentiated, as seen in Figure 10, by a line of weakness 46.
- the consumer places the package 15 on a resting surface with the transverse bottom edge 87 of the base 16 down.
- the consumer is virtually required to place the package 15 valve 32 down since the slope and curvature of the top wall 22 prevents the package 15 from resting on the top wall 22 when the container 20 is substantially full.
- the center of gravity adjusts and the package 15 will stand "inverted".
- the consumer's tendency to place the package 15 valve up will have been overcome. Assuming the consumer elects to place the full package 15 on its side, at least the consumer will be aware that that is not the way the package 15 is intended to be stored.
- valve assembly 19 is disposed downwardly, depending from the container 20, and ready for dispensing.
- Dispensing the fluid material from this package 15 is an extremely simple one handed, one step operation.
- the consumer merely grasps and raises the package 15 with one hand while placing the other hand under the dispensing opening 27 and manually applies a force to the resilient tubular side wall 21 of the container 20 until the required amount of fluid material is dispensed. Additionally, there is no need to invert the package immediately prior to dispensing.
- the fluid material in the container 20 rests immediately adjacent the self sealing valve 32. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the fluid material to flow to the dispensing opening 27 as required with conventional containers.
- the slope of the bottom wall 23 insures the fluid material will be adjacent the self sealing valve 32 regardless of the amount of fluid material remaining in the container 20 thereby creating easy dispensing to the last ounce of fluid. There is also no need to deal with capping and uncapping the container each time the package 15 is used to dispense fluid material.
- the consumer may desire to transport the package 15 to another location (for example on a trip).
- the consumer transforms the package into its travel configuration, seen in Figure 8 and Figure 9.
- the self sealing valve 32 provides adequate resistance to leakage between uses as the package 15 rests on a surface
- the travel configuration provides added resistance to leakage for transportation.
- the consumer simply removes the travel cap 17, as seen in Figure 7, from the recessed area 14 in the bottom wall 23 of the container 20 by pressing the angled half of the top wall 70 inwardly. Since the angled half of the top wall 70 is over the deep level 33 ⁇ of the recessed area 14 the travel cap 17 pivots on the outer corner 39 of the bottom wall 33.
- the travel cap 17 pivots the annular ridge 78 moves past the tab 45 on the cylindrical side wall 31 of the recessed area. Released by the tab 45, the travel cap 17 simply falls out into the hand of the consumer. The consumer then simply press fits the travel cap 17 onto the collar 34.
- the travel cap 17 is adapted to be press fit onto the collar 34 of the self sealing valve assembly 19.
- the annular ridge 47 of the collar 34 of the valve assembly 19 rides past the annular ridge 78 of the travel cap 17 and rests in the annular groove 81 of the travel cap 17.
- the annular depending projections 82 and 83 of the travel cap 17 help prevent leakage from the self sealing valve 32 during transit.
- the travel cap 17 reinforces the self sealing valve 32 during transit providing added protection against leakage.
- the travel cap 17 Upon arrival at the destination the travel cap 17 is removed and replaced in the recessed area 14 restoring the package 15 to its dispensing configuration, seen in Figure 5 and Figure 6. Removal of the travel cap 17 is insured because, as seen in Figure 9, the angled portion of the top wall 70 of the travel cap 17 extends past the transverse edge 87 of the base 16. Therefore, the package 15 can not rest flat on its transverse edge 87 with the travel cap 17 in place over the self sealing valve 32.
- the travel cap 17 must first be removed. Although it is possible to stand the package 15 upright, partially on its transverse edge 87 with the travel cap 17 in place, the consumer will again be aware that this is not how the package 15 is intended to be used.
- the protruding travel cap 17 performs the same function between uses, encouraging the consumer not to place the travel cap 17 on the self sealing valve 32 between each use. This avoids defeating the no wait benefit of the package.
- refill opening 90 as shown in Figure 11 is provided on the sloped top wall 22, said refill opening can be equally well provided in the upper part of tubular side wall 21 or in bottom wall 23.
- closing plug 91 it will be evident to the man of the art that refill opening 90 can be closed by any conventional means like a screwcap, bayonet cap, hinged cap etc., or, if the opening device is provided in bottom wall 23, by a modification of the mounting of the self-sealing valve assembly 19 to the neck 20′ of the container 20, as long as the closure is airtight.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
An unequivocal bottom delivery package (15) with a self sealing valve (32) for storing and dispensing a fluid material. The package has a shipping configuration in which a shipping cap (18) is located over the self sealing valve (32) to provide leakage resistance during shipment. Upon receipt it is obvious that operation of the package first necessitates removal of the shipping cap (18). Removal of the shipping cap (18) transforms the package into a dispensing configuration. The dispensing configuration provides easy one step dispensing and makes it obvious that the container (20) is intended to be stored with the self sealing valve (32) disposed downwardly and without capping the self sealing valve (32) between uses. A travel cap (17) is provided for placement over the self sealing valve (32), transforming the package into a traveling configuration, which provides leakage resistance during subsequent transportation. It is obvious the package is not intended to be placed into the travelling configuration between every use. A refill opening (90) with closing means (91) can also be provided.
Description
- The present invention relates to containers for storing and dispensing fluid materials, and more particularly, to bottom delivery containers with self sealing valves.
- Traditionally, fluid materials, including laundry detergents and shampoo, have been provided to consumers in top delivery containers. Consequently, top delivery containers are extremely familiar to the average consumer. These top delivery containers stand upright and deliver their contents through dispensing orifices located in the top of the container and disposed upwardly. The dispensing opening is generally sealed by some sort of cap between uses. The cap prevents contaminants from falling into the container through the upwardly disposed dispensing opening. Also, the cap prevents spillage of the contents if the container is inadvertently knocked over.
- To dispense the fluid material from one of these traditional containers requires several steps. A consumer must first remove the cap, usually by unscrewing or operating a flip top. The consumer must then invert the container and wait for the fluid material to flow to the dispensing opening. The length of the wait varies depending upon the viscosity of the fluid, the distance the fluid must travel, and the amount of fluid within the container. After waiting for the fluid material to flow to the dispensing opening the consumer generally squeezes the container to dispense the desired amount of fluid material. This squeezing step is particularly necessary if a small opening, as found on most flip-top caps, is used with a relatively viscous fluid material. The consumer must then upright the container which allows the fluid material to flow back toward the container bottom. Lastly, the consumer must recap the container to avoid the above-mentioned contamination and spillage problems. All totaled, four or five steps are required.
- More recently, bottom delivery containers with self sealing valves have been suggested for storing and dispensing fluid materials. Such a container is disclosed in United States Patent 4,749,108 issued June 7, 1988 to Dornbusch et. al.. This patent discloses a container with a self sealing valve. The container has a hook which can be used to hang the container in the inverted position. The container also has a flip top cap to provide added resistance to fluid material leakage. United States Patent 4,728,006 issued March 1, 1988 to Drobish et. al. discloses another container with a self sealing valve which can be reinforced by a snap-on cap. The container may either be hung or stood in the inverted position.
- These self sealing containers can, if used properly, provide many benefits to a user. The user, upon receiving the container removes the cap exposing the self sealing valve. The container is then hung from the hook with the self sealing valve disposed downwardly. To dispense from these containers is a one-step process. The consumer merely grasps the container with one hand, places the other hand under the container and squeezes the container until the desired quantity of fluid material is dispensed into the second hand. Due to the bottom delivery feature of the container there is no need to invert the container immediately prior to dispensing and consequently, there is no need to wait for the fluid material to flow to the self sealing valve. This latter problem is particularly aggravating to consumers if a relatively viscous fluid material is used and the container is substantially empty.
- Unfortunately, these self sealing containers generate confusion and, therefore, do not provide their benefits to the vast majority of consumers. For example, in a consumer test utilizing a container as disclosed in the previously mentioned patent to Dornbusch et al., only 16% of the consumers operated the package correctly. It seems many consumers have an inherent belief that containers must be stored between uses with the dispensing opening capped and disposed upwardly. Apparently these consumers did not believe the self sealing valve would actually prevent leakage between usages if the container were left uncapped with the dispensing opening disposed downwardly. Others apparently did not notice the presence of a bottom dispensing benefit at all. Consequently, the container was stored with the self sealing valve disposed upwardly. Also, many consumers capped and uncapped the container between each use. The vast majority of the consumers, therefore, did not realize all the benefits provided by the container.
- The structure of the package of the present invention is unequivocal. In other words, there is only one obvious way to use the package. Used correctly the package provides all its benefits to the consumer and there is disincentive to use the container in any other, incorrect, way. If the consumer were to operate the package incorrectly he would be aware that he was not using the package as intended. Several features of the package eliminate confusion and virtually insure that the consumer receives all the benefits provided by the container. For example, the package, when full, will not rest in the inverted position with the dispensing opening disposed upwardly. Additionally, the arrangement, presentation, indicia, and shape of the caps make it obvious that the container is not intended to be capped between uses.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage and dispensing package for fluid material which insures that the advantages of the bottom delivery package with a self sealing valve are realized by the vast majority of consumers, i.e., it is unequivocal.
- More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a storage and dispensing package which:
Has substantial added leakage protection during shipment to the ultimate user;
Permits easy, one-handed, one-step dispensing of the fluid material from the first use to the last;
Virtually dictates storage of the package between uses in the upright position, i.e., with the dispensing opening disposed downwardly;
Makes it obvious that the package need not be and should not be capped between uses;
Has an auxiliary travel cap which can be used to provide added leakage protection after initial use of the container if the package is to be subsequently transported;
Stores the auxiliary travel cap out of the way when it is not in use, thereby preventing its loss;
Can be easily refilled with product contained in a one-way cheap package so that the more sophisticated storage and dispensing package for fluid material can be reused after its original contents is used up; and
Which accomplishes the aforementioned at minimal cost. - In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a bottom delivery package is provided for storing and dispensing a fluid material. The bottom delivery package has a shipping configuration which provides leakage resistance during shipment, a dispensing configuration which permits one step dispensing of the fluid material, and a traveling configuration which provides leakage resistance during subsequent transportation. The package includes a resiliently deformable container with a tubular side wall for housing the fluid material. The tubular side wall exhibits a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit the deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto. The tubular side wall also has a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when the manually applied forces are removed therefrom. The container also has a top wall with means for inhibiting storage of a package in the inverted position and a bottom wall. A tubular base section is attached to the bottom of the container. The base is hollow and adapted to enclose the bottom wall of the container. The base section also has an open lower end circumscribed by a bottom edge adapted to support the package on a resting surface. A valve assembly depends from the bottom wall of the container and has a self sealing valve incorporated therein. The self sealing valve is adapted to open in response to the manual forces applied to the tubular side wall of the container permitting the discharge of the fluid material and to automatically close, terminating the discharge after removal of the manual forces. A discardable shipping cap is removably affixed to the valve assembly over the self sealing valve in the shipping configuration to provide leakage resistance. The shipping cap is detachable from the valve assembly to place the package in the dispensing and traveling configurations. A travel cap is releasably retained on the bottom wall of the container within the base and adjacent the valve assembly in both the shipping and dispensing configurations. The travel cap is adapted for placement on the valve assembly over the self sealing valve providing leakage resistance when the package is in the traveling configuration. A refill opening with an airtight closure is provided preferably in the top wall or, optionally, in the top part of the tubular side wall or in the bottom wall of the container.
- While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the package of the preferred embodiment as the consumer receives it;
- Figure 2 is an exploded elevation view showing the constituent parts of the package of the preferred embodiment;
- Figure 3 is a plan view from the bottom of the package of the preferred embodiment showing the package as delivered to the consumer;
- Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical-section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is a plan view from the bottom of the package of the preferred embodiment showing the package as configured between uses;
- Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical-section taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5;
- Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail-section showing the travel cap being removed from the recessed area;
- Figure 8 is a plan view from the bottom of the package of the preferred embodiment showing the package as configured for travel subsequent to initial use;
- Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical-section taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8; and
- Figure 10 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical-section similar to the bottom left-hand portion of Figure 4.
- Figure 11 is a perspective view of the package of Figure 1 showing a refill opening with a closing means.
- The present invention provides for a bottom delivery package for storing and dispensing fluid materials. The package has three configurations. A shipping configuration which prohibits leakage during shipment of the filled package to the ultimate consumer, a dispensing configuration for enabling simple one step dispensing, and a travel configuration for providing added leakage resistance during transportation after initial dispensing. The overall structure of the package ensures its proper use in each configuration, thereby ensuring the consumer receives all its benefits.
- In a particularly preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the present invention provides a bottom delivery package, indicated generally as 15, for storing and dispensing fluid materials. Referring to Figure 2, the
package 15 consists of acontainer 20, a valve assembly 19, ashipping cap 18, atravel cap 17 and abase 16. Thecontainer 20 is preferably blow molded from polyethylene, although other flexible materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, vinyls and olefins can also be used. Thecontainer 20 has a resilienttubular side wall 21 of elliptical cross section, a slopedtop wall 22 and asloped bottom wall 23. Thetop wall 22 and thebottom wall 23 are both sloped at the same angle relative to thetubular side wall 21. Together thesewalls top wall 22, in addition to being sloped has a slight radius of curvature which prevents thepackage 15 from resting thereon when thecontainer 20 is substantially full. Thebottom wall 23 is circumscribed by ashoulder portion 24 and is connected to thesidewall 21 along agroove 25 which aids attachment to the base 16 section as discussed below. In addition, as seen best in Figure 8 and Figure 9, a recessedarea 14 is located in the higher portion of the slopedbottom wall 23. Referring to Figure 2, acontainer neck 20′ depends from the lower portion of the slopedbottom wall 23. In the preferred embodiment a dispensing opening is located at the end of thecontainer neck 20′. Agroove 28 circumscribes theneck 20′ near its distal end leaving aridge 29 circumscribing theneck 20′ at its distal end. - The preferred recessed
area 14, seen best in Figure 8 and Figure 9, located in the higher portion of thebottom wall 23 of thecontainer 20 has a generallycylindrical side wall 31 and abilevel bottom wall 33. Each level of the bottom wall, theshallow level 33′ and thedeep level 33˝ is semicircular. Thebilevel wall 33 includes thewall 33‴ perpendicular to the two levels of thebottom wall 33′and 33˝. Thisperpendicular wall 33‴ forms anouter corner 39 where it intersects theupper level 33′. Twotabs 45 are located on thecylindrical side wall 31 opposing each other. Eachtab 45 is horizontally a slight distance away from the surface of theshallow level 33′ of thebottom wall 33. Vertically, thetabs 45 are located such that an imaginary line drawn through the center of eachtab 45, in plan view, would go through the center of theouter corner 39 and be perpendicular thereto. This imaginary line would also go through a semi-circular recessedarea 48 which is part of the overall recessedarea 14. - Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 10, preferably permanently attached by a snap-fit to the
neck 20′ of thecontainer 20 surrounding the dispensing opening is the self sealing valve assembly 19. This assembly 19 consists of aflow restrictor 30, aself sealing valve 32, and anannular collar 34. Theself sealing valve 32 of the preferred embodiment is identical to that disclosed in United States Patent 4,749,108 issued to Dornsbusch el al., on June 7, 1988. Other suitableself sealing valves 32 are disclosed in United States Patent 4,728,006 issued to Drobish et al. on March 1, 1988, and the disclosures of both these patents relative to the structure of self-sealing valves are incorporated herein by reference. As seen in Figure 10, theself sealing valve 32 of the preferred embodiment is made of silicone and has anannular flange 35 which is connected to a cylindrical wall segment which adjoins a conical wall segment. This conical wall segment intersects a centrally locatedconcave wall 38 forming anannular rim 36. Also, as best seen in Figure 5, theconcave wall 38 has a singlelinear slit 37 therein. - With continuing reference to Figure 10, the flow restrictor is injection molded of polypropylene and may also be made of other suitable materials such as, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyethylene. The flow restrictor 30 is also disclosed in United States Patent 4,749,108 and the disclosure thereto is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The flow restrictor 30 consists of a circular
top wall 40 which has several spokes 41 equally spaced therearound and extending therefrom in a conical orientation. Attached to the other end of the spokes 41 is a horizontalannular flange 42. A verticalannular projection 43 depends from the horizontalannular flange 42. A second verticalannular projection 44 is attached to the horizontalannular flange 42 and extends upwardly. - The
annular collar 34 is preferably injection molded integrally with theshipping cap 18 of low density polyethylene or other suitable materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, vinyls and olefins. Although theshipping cap 18 is integrally molded with the annular collar 34 (a part of the valve assembly) theshipping cap 18 is not considered part of the valve assembly 19. An annular line ofweakness 46, as seen in conjunction with Figure 4, separates theshipping cap 18 from thecollar 34. The exterior surface of thecollar 34 is a generally cylindrical surface adjoining a generally conical surface. At the small end of the conical surface is a protrudingannular ridge 47. Interiorly, thecollar 34 has a series of annular ledges. There is an innerannular ledge 49, a middleannular ledge 50, and an outerannular ledge 51 from which four equally spaced retainingtabs 52 project inwardly. Immediately above the outerannular ledge 51 is anannular groove 54 and immediately above theannular groove 54 is an annular ridge which is at the end of thecollar 34. - Combined these pieces, the
self sealing valve 32,flow restrictor 30, andcollar 34 form the self sealing valve assembly 19. Theself sealing valve 32 is located inside thecollar 34 with theconcave wall 38 near thetravel cap 17 when attached and with theannular flange 35 of theself sealing valve 32 resting upon the innerannular ledge 49 of the collar. Immediately adjacent theannular flange 35 of theself sealing valve 32 is the horizontalannular flange 42 of theflow restrictor 30. The verticalannular projection 43 depending from the horizontalannular flange 42 projects into the interior of the cylindrical portion of theself sealing valve 32. The vertical annularupward projection 44 extends into the interior of thecontainer neck 20′. The outer edge of the horizontalannular flange 42 of theflow restrictor 30 is held by the four retainingtabs 52 located on thecollar 34. Combined these pieces are the valve assembly 19. - With continuing reference to Figure 10, the
shipping cap 18 has externally a generallytubular wall 57 with a cylindrical segment and a conical segment and closed at its distal end by an end wall 58. Attached to thetubular wall 57 is, as seen in Figure 3, apull ring 60 which includes a linear member and an annular member. Located on the end wall 58 is indicia 62 (Figure 3) for conveying to the consumer that theshipping cap 18 should be separated from thecollar 34 prior to use of thecontainer 20. Theindicia 62 of the preferred embodiment includes the words "tear off". The interior dimensions of theshipping cap 18 generally conform to the exterior dimensions of theself sealing valve 32. Therefore, when theshipping cap 18 is attached to thecollar 34 it prevents theself sealing valve 32 from deforming outwardly. Depending from the end wall 58 of theshipping cap 18 is also an inner annular projection 65 whose distal end is in close proximity to wall 38 of theself sealing valve 32 when theshipping cap 18 is attached to thecollar 34. In this arrangement theshipping cap 18 prevents inversion of theself sealing valve 32 and, consequently, leakage through theself sealing valve 32 during shipping. - Referring to Figure 4, the
travel cap 17 is generally cylindrical exteriorly with atop wall 70, half of which perpendicular to thecylindrical wall 71 and the other half sloped at an acute angle thereto. Thetop wall 70 extends slightly beyond thecylindrical wall 71 forming alip 72. Referring to Figure 3, attached to thelip 72 on the perpendicular (or flat) portion of thetop wall 70 is, a semi-circulartubular protrusion 74. Also, the flat half of thetop wall 70 containsindicia 75 for conveying to the consumer that thiscap 17 is for use only in transporting thepackage 15. Theindicia 75 of the preferred embodiment includes the words "travel cap". The sloped portion of thetop wall 70 contains avisual pattern 76 which indicates the location where pressure should be applied to release thetravel cap 17. As seen in Figure 4, at the base of thecylindrical wall 71 is anannular ridge 78. - Referring to Figure 6, interiorly, the
travel cap 17 has an outerannular projection 82 whose interior dimension conforms to the exterior dimensions of theself sealing valve 32 depending from thetop wall 70. As seen in Figure 9, when thetravel cap 17 is attached to the self sealing valve assembly 19, this outerannular projection 82 prevents theself sealing valve 32 from deforming outwardly. An innerannular projection 83 also depends from thetop wall 70 and is in close proximity to thewall 38 of theself sealing valve 32 when thetravel cap 17 is attached to thecollar 34. Consequently, thetravel cap 17, when attached helps maintain theself sealing valve 32 in its sealed condition thereby avoiding leakage during transportation of thepackage 15. - Referring to Figure 2 in conjunction with Figure 5, the
base 16 is a hollow ellipticaltubular wall 86 with no top or bottom walls. Thetubular wall 86 of thebase 16, when viewed from the front has an elevational view which has a generally trapezoidal shape. Thebottom edge 87 of the base is perpendicular to the axis ofbase 16 and therefore supports thetubular wall 86 in vertical condition when resting on a horizontal surface. Thetop edge 88 of the base is sloped at an oblique angle relative to thetubular wall 86 of thebase 16. Thebase 16, therefore, has abottom edge 87 perpendicular to thetubular wall 86 and atop edge 88 sloped relative to thetubular wall 86. The angle of thistop edge 88 is the same, relative to thetubular wall 86 of thebase 16, as thetop wall 22 and thebottom wall 23 of thecontainer 20 relative to itstubular wall 21. At thetop edge 88 of the base are four inwardly protrudingtabs 89 which snap into thegroove 25 of thecontainer 20 for attachment. Thebase 16 is preferably injection molded of polypropylene, although other suitable materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene vinyls and olefins, may be used. Of course the base 16 can be integrally molded with thecontainer 20. - Referring to Figure 11, the particularly preferred embodiment of Figure 1 is shown with a
refill opening 90 in slopedtop wall 22. This refill opening 90 is to be closed with closingplug 91 consisting of plug-inpart 92 which is slightly tapered at its lower extremity, closingsheet 93 andlifting tab 94. Closingplug 91 can be made of any suitable materials like low density polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, vinyls and olefins. It is advantageous to choose the material of the closing plug of a resiliency different from that of the material of thetop wall 22 of thepackage 15 in order to ensure perfect fitting and airtightness. - Initially, the
package 15 must be filled with fluid material and assembled into the shipping configuration, seen in Figure 3 and Figure 4. There are several methods possible for accomplishing this filling and assembling operation. In one example, thecontainer 20 is first filled through the dispensing opening and then thepackage 15 is assembled. In another method, thepackage 15 is completely assembled first and then thecontainer 20 is filled through a second opening (not shown) which is later plugged. Regardless of the method, thepackage 15 is filled with fluid material at some point and assembled into the shipping configuration. - Assembly into the shipping configuration is relatively simple and the order of assembly is, again, relatively unimportant. The
top edge 88 of thebase 16 is telescoped onto theshoulder 24 of thecontainer 20 with the fourtabs 89 interlocking with thegroove 25 on thecontainer 20. Consequently, when thebase 16 andcontainer 20 of the preferred embodiment are attached to each other thetubular wall 21 of thecontainer 20 and thetubular wall 86 of the base 16 are vertical, axial, and aligned with each other. The valve assembly 19, is permanently snap fit onto theneck 20′ of thecontainer 20. Theannular ridge 29 andgroove 28 of theneck 20′ of thecontainer 20 cooperates with theannular ridge 55 andgroove 54 of thecollar 34 to provide this snap fitting attachment. Theshipping cap 18 is in place over theself sealing valve 32. Lastly, thetravel cap 17 is inserted into the recessedarea 14. This recessedarea 14 is, seen best in Figure 8 sand Figure 9, adapted to releasably hold theauxiliary travel cap 17. The preferred means for releasably holding thetravel cap 17 comprises the two opposingtabs 45 discussed earlier. As seen in Figure 5 and Figure 6, the opposingtabs 45 cooperate with theannular flange 78 on thetravel cap 17 to releasably retain thetravel cap 17. Thetravel cap 17 is oriented such that thesemi-circular protrusion 74 extends into thesemi-circular portion 48 of the recessed area, seen in Figure 8. This insures that the sloped portion ot thetop wall 70 of thetravel cap 17 is located over thedeep level 33˝ of the bilevel recessed area. Once inserted theannular flange 78 of thetravel cap 17 is adjacent theshallow level 33′ of the recessed area. Thisannular flange 78 cooperates with the retainingtabs 45 on the interior of thecylindrical wall 31 of the recessed area to retain thetravel cap 17. Thus, the vertical distance from theshallow level 33′ or the recessedarea 14 to the most extended portion of the retainingtabs 45 is slightly greater than the height of theannular flange 78 of thetravel cap 18. - The ultimate consumer receives the
package 15 in the shipping configuration and converts it to the dispensing configuration, seen in Figure 5 and Figure 6. This conversion is a simple process as it is obvious to the consumer and merely requires the consumer to remove theshipping cap 18. The process is obvious because the pull-ring 60 of theshipping cap 18, as seen in Figure 3, visually overlays thetravel cap 17. Thus, the consumer realizes that theshipping cap 18 must be dealt with prior to thetravel cap 17. In addition, theshipping cap 18 is imprinted with the words "tear off" 62. As discussed above, theshipping cap 18 is molded as part of thecollar 34 of the valve assembly 19 and differentiated, as seen in Figure 10, by a line ofweakness 46. The consumer simply grasps thepull ring 60 which visually overlays thetravel cap 17 and pulls; separating theshipping cap 18 from the valve assembly 19 but leaving theannular collar 34, which holds theself sealing valve 32 and flow restrictor 30 in place. With theshipping cap 18 removed thepackage 15 is in the dispensing configuration, seen in Figure 5 and Figure 6. - Once in the dispensing configuration the consumer places the
package 15 on a resting surface with thetransverse bottom edge 87 of the base 16 down. The consumer is virtually required to place thepackage 15valve 32 down since the slope and curvature of thetop wall 22 prevents thepackage 15 from resting on thetop wall 22 when thecontainer 20 is substantially full. As the container empties the center of gravity adjusts and thepackage 15 will stand "inverted". At this point, however, the consumer's tendency to place thepackage 15 valve up will have been overcome. Assuming the consumer elects to place thefull package 15 on its side, at least the consumer will be aware that that is not the way thepackage 15 is intended to be stored. It is believed that the inability to rest thepackage 15, at least initially, on thetop wall 22 will encourage the consumer to at least try to store thepackage 15 on a resting surface with thetransverse bottom edge 87 of the base 16 down and discover the benefits. Oriented in this manner the valve assembly 19 is disposed downwardly, depending from thecontainer 20, and ready for dispensing. - Dispensing the fluid material from this
package 15 is an extremely simple one handed, one step operation. The consumer merely grasps and raises thepackage 15 with one hand while placing the other hand under the dispensing opening 27 and manually applies a force to the resilienttubular side wall 21 of thecontainer 20 until the required amount of fluid material is dispensed. Additionally, there is no need to invert the package immediately prior to dispensing. The fluid material in thecontainer 20 rests immediately adjacent theself sealing valve 32. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the fluid material to flow to the dispensing opening 27 as required with conventional containers. The slope of thebottom wall 23 insures the fluid material will be adjacent theself sealing valve 32 regardless of the amount of fluid material remaining in thecontainer 20 thereby creating easy dispensing to the last ounce of fluid. There is also no need to deal with capping and uncapping the container each time thepackage 15 is used to dispense fluid material. - At some point after the
shipping cap 18 has been removed, the consumer may desire to transport thepackage 15 to another location (for example on a trip). To transport thepackage 15 without leakage, the consumer transforms the package into its travel configuration, seen in Figure 8 and Figure 9. Although theself sealing valve 32 provides adequate resistance to leakage between uses as thepackage 15 rests on a surface, the travel configuration provides added resistance to leakage for transportation. To make the conversion the consumer simply removes thetravel cap 17, as seen in Figure 7, from the recessedarea 14 in thebottom wall 23 of thecontainer 20 by pressing the angled half of thetop wall 70 inwardly. Since the angled half of thetop wall 70 is over thedeep level 33˝ of the recessedarea 14 thetravel cap 17 pivots on theouter corner 39 of thebottom wall 33. As thetravel cap 17 pivots theannular ridge 78 moves past thetab 45 on thecylindrical side wall 31 of the recessed area. Released by thetab 45, thetravel cap 17 simply falls out into the hand of the consumer. The consumer then simply press fits thetravel cap 17 onto thecollar 34. Thetravel cap 17 is adapted to be press fit onto thecollar 34 of the self sealing valve assembly 19. Theannular ridge 47 of thecollar 34 of the valve assembly 19 rides past theannular ridge 78 of thetravel cap 17 and rests in the annular groove 81 of thetravel cap 17. Similar to theshipping cap 18, theannular depending projections travel cap 17 help prevent leakage from theself sealing valve 32 during transit. Thus, thetravel cap 17 reinforces theself sealing valve 32 during transit providing added protection against leakage. - Upon arrival at the destination the
travel cap 17 is removed and replaced in the recessedarea 14 restoring thepackage 15 to its dispensing configuration, seen in Figure 5 and Figure 6. Removal of thetravel cap 17 is insured because, as seen in Figure 9, the angled portion of thetop wall 70 of thetravel cap 17 extends past thetransverse edge 87 of thebase 16. Therefore, thepackage 15 can not rest flat on itstransverse edge 87 with thetravel cap 17 in place over theself sealing valve 32. Thetravel cap 17 must first be removed. Although it is possible to stand thepackage 15 upright, partially on itstransverse edge 87 with thetravel cap 17 in place, the consumer will again be aware that this is not how thepackage 15 is intended to be used. The protrudingtravel cap 17 performs the same function between uses, encouraging the consumer not to place thetravel cap 17 on theself sealing valve 32 between each use. This avoids defeating the no wait benefit of the package. - Although the refill opening 90 as shown in Figure 11 is provided on the sloped
top wall 22, said refill opening can be equally well provided in the upper part oftubular side wall 21 or inbottom wall 23. As for closingplug 91, it will be evident to the man of the art that refillopening 90 can be closed by any conventional means like a screwcap, bayonet cap, hinged cap etc., or, if the opening device is provided inbottom wall 23, by a modification of the mounting of the self-sealing valve assembly 19 to theneck 20′ of thecontainer 20, as long as the closure is airtight. - While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, modification may be made to the package without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention comprises all embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (13)
1. A bottom delivery package for storing and dispensing a fluid material having a shipping configuration which provides leakage resistance during shipment, a dispensing configuration which permits one step dispensing of the fluid material, and a traveling configuration which provides leakage resistance during subsequent transportation comprising:
(a) a resiliently deformable container having a tubular side wall for housing the fluid material, the tubular side wall exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when the manually applied forces are removed therefrom, the container further having a top wall with means for inhibiting storage of the package in the inverted position and a bottom wall,
(b) a tubular base attached to the bottom of the container, the base being hollow and adapted to enclose the bottom wall of the container, the base section further having an open lower end circumscribed by a bottom transverse edge adapted to support the package on a resting surface;
(c) a valve assembly depending from the bottom wall of the container having a self-sealing valve incorporated therein, the self sealing valve in the dispensing configuration being adapted to open in response to the manual forces applied to the tubular side wall of the container permitting the discharge of the fluid material and to automatically close, terminating the discharge, following removal of the manual forces;
(d) a discardable shipping cap removably affixed to the valve assembly over the self-sealing valve in the shipping configuration providing leakage resistance, the shipping cap being detachable from the valve assembly to place the package in the dispensing and the traveling configurations; and
(e) a travel cap releasably retained on the bottom wall of the container within the base and adjacent the valve assembly in both the shipping and the dispensing configurations, the travel cap being adapted for placement on the valve assembly over the self sealing valve providing leakage resistance in the traveling configuration.
2. A bottom delivery package according to Claim 1 wherein the travel cap in the travel configuration protrudes past the transverse edge of the base section preventing the container from resting on the transverse edge when the package is in the traveling configuration.
3. A bottom delivery package according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the shipping cap has a pull ring extending therefrom which visually overlays the travel cap.
4. A bottom delivery package according to any one of the Claims 1 to 3 wherein the shipping cap has indicia for conveying to the consumer that the shipping cap is to be removed and discarded; and wherein the travel cap has indicia for conveying to the consumer that the travel cap is intended for use during transportation.
5. A bottom delivery package according to any one of the Claims 1 to 4 wherein the base and the container are integrally molded.
6. A bottom delivery package according to any one of the Claims 1 to 5 wherein the container has a sloped bottom wall and the valve assembly is located on the lower portion of the bottom the travel cap is releasably retained on the upper portion of the sloped bottom wall in the shipping and the dispensing configurations.
7. A bottom delivery package according to any one of the Claims 1 to 6 wherein the container has a generally parallelogram shaped elevation view, the general parallelogram shape being formed by an axially aligned tubular sidewall and a sloped top and bottom wall, the top wall also having a slight curvature which together with the top wall's slope provides the means for inhibiting storage of the container in the inverted position when the container is substantially full.
8. A bottom delivery package according to any one of the Claims 1 to 7 wherein the valve assembly is formed from several components and wherein the shipping cap is integrally molded with at least one component of the valve assembly with a line of weakness permitting the shipping cap to be manually torn away from the valve assembly.
9. A bottom delivery package according to any one of the Claims 1 to 8 wherein the valve assembly includes a collar having an interior annular ledge and a multiplicity of equally spaced retaining tabs, a self sealing valve with an annular flange, the annular flange of the self sealing valve being adjacent the interior annular ledge of the collar, and a flow restrictor having a top wall with several equally spaced spokes therearound and extending therefrom in a conical orientation, attached to the other end of the spokes being a horizontal annular flange, the horizontal annular flange being adjacent the annular flange of the self sealing valve and retained by the retaining tabs.
10. A bottom delivery package according to any one of the Claims 1 to 9 wherein the travel cap is retained in the shipping and the dispensing configuration in a bilevel recessed area by protrusion on the container which cooperate with a ridge and valley on the travel cap such that a force applied manually to a portion of the travel cap will release the travel cap.
11. A bottom delivery package according to any of the claims 1 to 10 wherein said top wall shows a refill opening removably sealed by an airtight closing means.
12. A bottom delivery package according to any of the claims 1 to 11, wherein said side wall shows a refill opening removably sealed by an airtight closing means.
13. A bottom delivery package according to any of the claims 1 to 12, wherein said sealing valve assembly is removably attached to said neck 20′ of container 20.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/391,070 US4969581A (en) | 1989-08-08 | 1989-08-08 | Unequivocal bottom delivery container with self-sealing valve |
US391070 | 1989-08-08 | ||
GB9006212 | 1990-03-20 | ||
GB909006212A GB9006212D0 (en) | 1990-03-20 | 1990-03-20 | Unequivocal bottom delivery container with self-sealing valve |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0412390A1 true EP0412390A1 (en) | 1991-02-13 |
Family
ID=26296809
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP90114577A Ceased EP0412390A1 (en) | 1989-08-08 | 1990-07-30 | Bottom delivery package |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0412390A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1992021569A1 (en) * | 1991-06-07 | 1992-12-10 | 153981 Canada Inc. | Inverted dispenser |
EP0555623A1 (en) * | 1992-02-14 | 1993-08-18 | The Procter & Gamble Company | System comprising a container having a slit valve as a venting valve and a liquid contained in said container |
EP0762988A1 (en) * | 1994-06-10 | 1997-03-19 | AptarGroup, Inc. | Dispensing closure cartridge valve system |
US6427874B2 (en) | 1991-12-06 | 2002-08-06 | Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc. | Dispensing valve |
US6530504B2 (en) | 2001-03-02 | 2003-03-11 | Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc. | Multiple orifice valve |
WO2022175869A1 (en) * | 2021-02-19 | 2022-08-25 | Winpak Ltd. | Container for foodstuff storage and dispensing |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3342379A (en) * | 1965-10-24 | 1967-09-19 | James P Foley | Squeeze bottle and support cap |
GB1140832A (en) * | 1966-02-04 | 1969-01-22 | Thomas Paul Heckman | Self-venting dispenser |
FR2502483A1 (en) * | 1981-03-24 | 1982-10-01 | Minnetonka Inc | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING LIQUID SOAP |
US4728006A (en) * | 1984-04-27 | 1988-03-01 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible container including self-sealing dispensing valve to provide automatic shut-off and leak resistant inverted storage |
US4749108A (en) * | 1986-12-19 | 1988-06-07 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Bimodal storage and dispensing package including self-sealing dispensing valve to provide automatic shut-off and leak-resistant inverted storage |
-
1990
- 1990-07-30 EP EP90114577A patent/EP0412390A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3342379A (en) * | 1965-10-24 | 1967-09-19 | James P Foley | Squeeze bottle and support cap |
GB1140832A (en) * | 1966-02-04 | 1969-01-22 | Thomas Paul Heckman | Self-venting dispenser |
FR2502483A1 (en) * | 1981-03-24 | 1982-10-01 | Minnetonka Inc | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING LIQUID SOAP |
US4728006A (en) * | 1984-04-27 | 1988-03-01 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible container including self-sealing dispensing valve to provide automatic shut-off and leak resistant inverted storage |
US4749108A (en) * | 1986-12-19 | 1988-06-07 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Bimodal storage and dispensing package including self-sealing dispensing valve to provide automatic shut-off and leak-resistant inverted storage |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1992021569A1 (en) * | 1991-06-07 | 1992-12-10 | 153981 Canada Inc. | Inverted dispenser |
US6427874B2 (en) | 1991-12-06 | 2002-08-06 | Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc. | Dispensing valve |
EP0555623A1 (en) * | 1992-02-14 | 1993-08-18 | The Procter & Gamble Company | System comprising a container having a slit valve as a venting valve and a liquid contained in said container |
US5390805A (en) * | 1992-02-14 | 1995-02-21 | The Procter & Gamble Company | System comprising a container having a slit valve as a venting valve and a liquid contained in said container |
EP0762988A1 (en) * | 1994-06-10 | 1997-03-19 | AptarGroup, Inc. | Dispensing closure cartridge valve system |
EP0762988A4 (en) * | 1994-06-10 | 1998-07-01 | Aptargroup Inc | Dispensing closure cartridge valve system |
US6530504B2 (en) | 2001-03-02 | 2003-03-11 | Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc. | Multiple orifice valve |
WO2022175869A1 (en) * | 2021-02-19 | 2022-08-25 | Winpak Ltd. | Container for foodstuff storage and dispensing |
US11613417B2 (en) | 2021-02-19 | 2023-03-28 | Winpak Ltd. | Container for foodstuff storage and dispensing |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4969581A (en) | Unequivocal bottom delivery container with self-sealing valve | |
CN109937182B (en) | Tamper evident drop dispensing closure | |
EP0479938B1 (en) | A device for dispensing flowing substances | |
CN110114283B (en) | Packaging piece | |
US3172577A (en) | Pump bottle | |
FI72941C (en) | Closing device for a container. | |
US3610484A (en) | Frangible container closure made of elastomeric plastics material | |
US5819984A (en) | Package with storage and plug retention features | |
IL97444A (en) | Squeezable dispenser apparatus | |
US4491219A (en) | Container for two-component systems | |
US4817832A (en) | Telescoping nozzle assembly | |
US3434637A (en) | Fitting for containers | |
US20210309408A1 (en) | Container for liquids | |
US4925063A (en) | Container having a dual purpose cap and a dripless spout | |
US3717289A (en) | Vented pouring spout | |
EP0412390A1 (en) | Bottom delivery package | |
EP0654417A1 (en) | Refillable package | |
US2760683A (en) | Pouring spout | |
WO1987001677A1 (en) | Liquid dispenser | |
US3368721A (en) | Liquid dispensing container | |
US7000808B2 (en) | Spout design | |
WO1989003353A1 (en) | Improvements to liquid containers | |
US20070017940A1 (en) | Container with a non-drip pouring lip | |
JPH068254U (en) | Liquid dispensing container | |
KR900009111Y1 (en) | An outflow in cap of liquid bottle |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19910802 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19930426 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED |
|
18R | Application refused |
Effective date: 19940704 |