GB2457021A

GB2457021A - Bleach Dispenser with Spill Proof Closure

Info

Publication number: GB2457021A
Application number: GB0801585A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Virica
Original assignee: Jeyes Group Ltd
Current assignee: Jeyes Group Ltd
Priority date: 2008-01-29
Filing date: 2008-01-29
Publication date: 2009-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2028-01-29
Also published as: GB0801585D0; GB2457021B

Abstract

A bleach dispenser comprises a squeezable plastics bottle 4 containing bleach, the bottle having a neck 8 and an outlet member 16 in an outlet end 12 of the neck 8. A screw cap 14 closes the outlet member 16. The neck 8 and outlet member 16 have an axial direction which subtends an angle of from 10 degrees to 50 degrees with a vertical axial direction A-A of the dispenser when stood upright. The outlet member 16 has a through aperture 42 which is closed by a pressure actuated valve 32 mounted in the outlet member 16, the valve opening when pressure is applied by squeezing the bottle, thereby to dispense bleach through the outlet member 16. The bottle 4 is formed of polypropylene. The valve is a slit valve having a slit at least 0.3 inches (7.5 mm) long.

Description

Bleach Dispenser with Spill and Leak Proof Closure The invention relates to a bleach dispenser which dispenses bleach from a container.

A known bleach dispenser comprises an outlet plug for insertion in the neck of a bleach bottle. The plug has an aperture there through for dispensing bleach. Bleach is dispensed by inverting the bottle and squeezing it. A nozzle is contiguous with the aperture to form the dispensed bleach into ajet so that the bleach can be directed to the aiea to be cleaned, for example in a lavatory bowl. A safety cap screws on to the bottle neck to cover the nozzle when the dispenser is not in use.

A problem with the known bleach dispenser is that bleach may leak if the cap is not fitted properly, or be spilt if the bleach bottle is accidentally knocked over while the cap is removed or while the bottle is being inverted prior to squeezing.

In our published application GB242 1726, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, we seek to mitigate these drawbacks. In common with bleach bottles generally, the bottle in GB 2421726 was formed of high density polyethylene, with a plastic weight amounting to about 44 to 48 gm. per bottle for a 750 ml. bottle.

The present invention provides a bleach dispenser for dispensing bleach from a container, the bleach dispenser comprising an outlet incorporating a pressure actuated valve for controlling dispensing, whereby accidental leakage or spillage of bleach is inhibited or prevented, and in which the bottle is formed of polypropylene.

We have found that we can improve the performance of our bottle by forming it of polypropylene.

Preferably the bottle weight when moulded is between 40 and 50 gm of polypropylene, more preferably from about 44 to about 48 gm.

We have found that by using polypropylene, the squeezing of the bottle can be can be better controlled, providing for more uniform operation by a range of users.

The majority of grades of polypropylene which are suitable for blow moulding a bottle will give the required chemical resistance to liquid bleach, and also the level of rigidity/springiness required so that the bottle will return to its original shape after being squeezed in normal use.

A random copolymer polypropylene is preferred to give good impact strength and rigidity. An impact strength in the region of l4kJ/m2 Chirpy Notched Impact at 23°C (test method ISO 179-1/leA) is preferred.

A block copolymer polypropylene may also be preferred.

Preferably the valve is incorporated in an outlet member which is mounted in or on a neck of the container. Preferably the container neck is angled to a vertical axis of the container.

The valve may comprise a flexible membrane having at least one slit formed therein.

The membrane may comprise a self-sealing material, whereby the slit remains sealed until the pressure applied to the valve exceeds a set level, and reseals when the pressure is released. The membrane may be shaped to enhance the seal when the pressure is released.

In another aspect we provide a bleach dispenser having a slit type outlet valve, in which the valve outlet slit is greater than about 0.3 inches (7 5mm) long, and preferably is about 0.32 inches (8mm) long.

Suitable self-sealing materials include a bleach compatible silicone based material.

A nozzle may be provided down stream of the valve for directing the dispensed bleach. The nozzle is preferably greater than about 0.5 cm in length in order to provide a jet of bleach which can be directed under the rim of a lavatory, for

example.

The invention further provides a container of bleach, comprising a bleach dispenser according to the invention.

Preferably, the container contains bleach having a viscosity of less than about 1,500 centipoise (cp), measured on a Brookfield LV Viscometer, Spindle 2, spindle speed 6 at 20°. Preferably the viscosity is in the range 100 to 700 cp.

The invention will be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a bleach dispenser according to the invention; Figures 2a and 2b show an embodiment of an outlet member of the embodiment of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows another embodiment of an outlet member for use in the dispenser of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, the bleach dispenser 2 comprises a bottle 4 containing bleach (not shown) and having a vertical axis A-A when stood on the bottle base 6. A bottle neck 8 has an axis B-B at an angle 0 of between 10 and 50 degrees to the axis A-A, and preferably between about 20 and 40 degrees, and more preferably about 30 degrees. Other neck shapes are known and while we prefer an angled neck of the general shape seen in Figure 1, the present invention is not limited to the neck shape or angle shown.

The bottle body 10 is formed by blow moulding, for example. Body 10 is self-supporting but is flexible; it may be squeezed by hand pressure and will spring back when released. The neck outlet 12 is threaded on its exterior to receive a threaded cap 14. An outlet member 16 is a snap fit in the end of the neck outlet 12. It may also be glued or welded in place or a screw fit. Member 14 may also fit over the end of the neck outlet 12. Outlet member 16 includes a directional spout 18.

Bottle body 10 is 750ml capacity and height about 9 to 12 inches (230 to 300 mm.), preferably about 11 inches (280 mm) high excluding the outlet member 16.

The bottle 10 is blow moulded of polypropylene. Preferably the polypropylene is a random copolymer. The weight of the bottle moulding, i.e. the weight of polymer used, is preferably between 40 and 50 gm., more preferably between about 44 and about 48 gm. We have found that using a polypropylene polymer enables us to form a bottle which keeps its shape well and is resistant to over squeezing. Aggressive or hard squeezing of a container might cause the bottle to buckle, particularly when the bottle incorporates an outlet valve.

It can be seen that cap 14 includes two cylindrical stubs 20,22 which straddle the outlet 24 of nozzle 18 to form a seal when the cap 14 is screwed onto the neck outlet 12. It will be appreciated that a child resistant safety lock 27, 29 is provided between the outer cap shell 23 and the base of the threaded portion 25 of neck 12, to inhibit removal of the cap 14, providing a child resistant closure.

A pressure actuated valve can be incorporated in the bottle outlet, and in particular in the outlet member 16. This provides a simple and economic way of preventing accidental spillage if the bottle 4 is knocked over while the cap 14 is removed. It may also prevent leakage if the cap 14 is not fitted properly and the bottle is tipped, for example during transit.

The dispenser outlet member 16 shown in Figures 2a and 2b comprises a moulded plastics body 30, a pressure actuated silicone valve 32 and a valve retainer 34. Body has a cylindrical waIl 36 with a lip 38 which sits on the outer end of neck 12 of bottle 4. Cylindrical wall 36 has circumferential ribs 39 which form a snap fit inside neck 12, as well known in the art. Member 30 may also be screwed, welded or glued into the bottle neck 12. Member 16 may also fit over the neck outlet 12.

Body 30 has a base 40 with a central through aperture 42 defined by a cylindrical wall 44 and inward lip 46 and extending through nozzle 18. Wall 44 and lip 46 define a recess 48 for receiving valve 32. Nozzle 18 tapers upwardly from lip 46.

Valve 32 is a silicone membrane having a rim 52 which is trapped between the lip 46 and retainer 34. Retainer 34 may be glued or screwed in place or held by a snap or force fit, for example. Valve 32 may also be glued in place.

Valve 32 is cup shaped, and has a slit 54 in a concave base 56 with a cylindrical wall 58 extending up to the rim 52. Such valves are known per se and other shapes of valve are also known. Preferably the valve slit 54 is at least 0.3 inches (7.5 mm.) long, and preferably about 0.32 inches (8 mm.) long.

Valve 32 is formed of silicone which is resistant to domestic bleaches, for example chlorine bleaches of about 4.5 % available chlorine.

During manufacture, once bottle 4 is filled with a bleach, member 16 is inserted in the bottle neck 12, and cap 14 screwed on to close the outlet nozzle 18.

In use, cap 14 is removed, and the bottle inverted to direct the nozzle 18 in the required direction. Valve 32 is adapted to prevent escape of the bleach until the bottle 4 is squeezed, to apply pressure to the underside of the valve 32. Valve 32 inverts, as shown in Figure 2b, arid will open at the slit 54 to allow bleach to be ejected through nozzle 18. Slit 54 may be cross-shaped, for example. When the pressure is released, by the user relaxing the grip on the bottle, the bottle will expand to reduce pressure in the bottle and cause the valve 32 to invert back to the rest position, Figure 2a, and also sucking any bleach in the nozzle 18 back into the bottle through valve 32.

It will be appreciated by those in the art that by appropriate design of the flexibility of valve 32 and the slit shape, the pressure required to open the valve can be adjusted. It is preferable to adopt a valve configuration which will prevent accidental spillage when the bottle is knocked over, but will not require substantial pressure to open the valve. Otherwise a user may have to apply excessive pressure, causing bleach to be ejected from the bottle under too much pressure. A small amount of leakage at low pressure is to be preferred over a valve requiring a too high release pressure.

Thus a particularly preferred feature of our invention is to combine the polypropylene bottle with a valve having an outlet slit of at least 0.3 inches (7.5 mm.) preferably about 0.32 inches (8 mm) long, that is the length of the slit is 0.32 inches (8mm.). When a cross shaped slit is used, preferably the length of the slit in at least one direction is at least 0.3 inches (7.5 mm.).

Thus, the valve 32 is adapted to open under a predetermined pressure, having regard also to the viscosity of the bleach.

Other valve shapes are possible. Figure 3 shows an outlet member incorporating a flat valve membrane 32' with a slit 54'.

Typical bleach formations for use with the dispenser of the present invention have from ito 6% available chlorine, preferably 3 to 5 %, and a viscosity of from 100 to 700 cp, preferably 300 to 600cp. Example formulations are: Thin Bleach Material %wtlwt Sodium Hypochiorite to 3 % available chlorine Sodium Metaperiodate 0.004 Myristyl dimethyl amine oxide 1.7 Perfume 0.1 Soft Water to 100 Viscosity Ca. <100 cp Thickened Bleach Material %wt/wt Sodium Hypochlorite to 4.5 % available chlorine Perfume 0.0235 Softened Water 26.08 Sodium Metaperiodate 0.006 Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate 1.5 Sodium N-Lauroyl Sarcosinate 0.5 Soft Water to 100 Viscosity 350-450 cp Peroxide Bleach A typical formulation in accordance with EP 0 667 392 is: wt% Hydrogen Peroxide 5.0 Sodium Borate 0.5 Sodium Hydroxide to pH 8.5 Stabiliser (Mykon CIX) 0.1 Soft Water to 100% The viscosity of the bleach may then be adjusted to a desired value by the addition of a surfactant mix such as alkyl ether sulphate, amine oxide and alkane suiphonate surfactants.

Claims

1. A bleach dispenser comprising a squeezable plastics bottle containing bleach, the bottle having a neck and an outlet member at an outlet end of the neck, the outlet member having a nozzle which is tapered towards an outlet end thereof, and a child resistant safety cap which closes the outlet member, the neck and outlet member having an axial direction which subtends an angle of from 10 degrees to 50 degrees with a vertical axial direction of the dispenser when stood upright, and the outlet member nozzle having a through aperture and a normally closed pressure actuated valve positioned at the inner end of the outlet member and closing the through aperture, the valve opening when pressure is applied via the bleach in the bottle when the bottle is squeezed, thereby to dispense the bleach through the outlet member nozzle, wherein the bottle body is formed of polypropylene.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polypropylene is a copolymer.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the bottle capacity is about 750 ml. and is formed of from about 40 to about 50gm of polypropylene.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the valve is silicone based membrane having a slit therein.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slit is at least about 0.3 inches (7.5 mm) long.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slit is about 0.32 inches (8mm) long.

7. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, wherein the bleach is a chlorine based bleach.

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bleach has a viscosity less than 1500 cp.

9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the viscosity is from 100 to 700 cp.

10. A bleach dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the outlet member nozzle is greater than 0.5 cm in length.

11. A bleach dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve prevents or limits spillage of bleach having a viscosity of 100 to 700 cp at Brookfield LV, Spindle 2, 20°C, spindle speed 6.

12. A bleach dispenser substantially as described herein, or as shown in the drawings.

13. A container of bleach, comprising chlorine based bleach and a bleach dispenser according to any preceding claim.

14. A bleach dispenser comprising a squeezable plastics bottle containing bleach, the bottle having a neck and an outlet member at an outlet end of the neck, the outlet member having a nozzle which is tapered towards an outlet end thereof, and a child resistant safety cap which closes the outlet member, the neck and outlet member having an axial direction which subtends an angle of from 10 degrees to 50 degrees with a vertical axial direction of the dispenser when stood upright, and the outlet member nozzle having a through aperture and a normally closed pressure actuated valve positioned at the inner end of the outlet member and closing the through aperture, the valve opening when pressure is applied via the bleach in the bottle when the bottle is squeezed, thereby to dispense the bleach through the outlet member nozzle, wherein the valve is a slit valve and the slit is at least 0.3 inches long.

15. A bleach dispenser comprising a squeezable plastics bottle containing bleach, the bottle having a neck and an outlet member at an outlet end of the neck, the outlet member having a nozzle, and a child resistant safety cap which closes the outlet member, and the outlet member nozzle having a through aperture and a normally closed pressure actuated valve closing the through aperture, the valve opening when pressure is applied via the bleach in the bottle when the bottle is squeezed, thereby to dispense the bleach through the outlet member nozzle, wherein the bottle body is formed of polypropylene.

16. A bleach dispenser comprising a squeezable plastics bottle containing bleach, the bottle having a neck and an outlet member at an outlet end of the neck, the outlet member having a nozzle, and a child resistant safety cap which closes the outlet member, and the outlet member nozzle having a through aperture and a normally closed pressure actuated valve closing the through aperture, the valve opening when pressure is applied via the bleach in the bottle when the bottle is squeezed, thereby to dispense the bleach through the outlet member nozzle, wherein the valve is a slit valve and the slit is at least 0.3 inches (7.5mm) long.