MXPA00001472A - Blow molded container having pivotal connection for an actuation lever - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a package (10) for dispensing a liquid product having a blow molded container body (20) including an aperture and a pivotal connection (24). A pump device (40) is attached to the aperture, and a unitarily formed actuation lever (60) is pivotally connected directly to the pivotal connection of the container body allowing arcuate movement of the actuation lever. The pump device has a first contact surface (48) located on a portion thereof and the actuation lever has a second contact surface (62) which cooperates with the first contact surface enabling the actuation lever to apply a substantially vertical operating force upon the pump device when rotated, thereby dispensing the liquid product. In a preferred embodiment the liquid is dispensed as an atomized spray.

Description

MOLDED BLOWER CONTAINER THAT HAS A PIVOT CONNECTION FOR A DRIVE LEVER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to molded containers for supplying liquid products; and more particularly, the present invention relates to packages that include blow molded containers and actuating levers for operating manually operated pumps for the purpose of dispensing liquid products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION _ Many types of pump devices, with vertically placed, reciprocating pistons, manually operated, have been employed to supply liquids in an automated spray. However, when attempting to atomize a relatively viscous liquid by employing such a pump device, the consumer must apply a significant downward force in order to operate the pump device. Furthermore, if the pump device is a precompressed type pump, it requires an even greater force to start an assortment cycle. This increased force to supply makes these pump devices very difficult to operate for many consumers. In order to solve this problem, several packages with various auxiliaries, attachments, and mechanical leverage mechanisms were introduced. These mechanisms typically operate as force multipliers and provide additional leverage and help the user increase the force applied to the spray head of the pump device. Such force multipliers can make the pump device easier to operate. Other pump devices have trigger-type mechanisms that act as force multipliers. The trigger-spray type pump devices provide a package that is easy to operate and control during use since a more natural pressure movement of the hand is employed. However, most trigger-type mechanisms are mounted on the container in a static manner. For example, some sprinkler triggers can be threaded onto the neck finish of a blow molded bottle, fixed on the bottle cap or bottle cap, or statically placed around the neck finish or shoulder of the bottle. bottle. Other liquid assortment mechanisms employ several complex components or parts in order to form or assist in placing a drive lever. These mechanisms tend to create numerous other problems, such as increased costs during manufacturing, complex operations during assembly, confusion during use and other difficulties for the consumer. Thus, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a package that has a force multiplication characteristic for use with a simple, economical and easy to manufacture pump device in terms of design. Another object of the present invention is to provide a package that has an actuating lever different from the traditional trigger-spray type packages. An additional concern in the case of assorted products from containers employing manually operated pumping devices having mechanical drive levers is that some of these packages are very difficult for a consumer to operate with one hand. Many of these containers are relatively large, difficult to grip, or have actuating levers that extend at an uncomfortable distance from the container. Thus, another object of the present invention is to offer a dispensing container that can be conveniently operated with one hand by a wide range of people. These and other objectives will be better understood with reference to the following presentation. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION - In one aspect of this invention, a package for dispensing a liquid product having a container body is provided. hollow that includes an opening. The container body also includes a closed bottom end and a pivot connection. A pump device is fixed on the opening of the container body and the pump device has a first contact surface located on a part thereof. A drive lever is hingedly connected to the container body in the pivot connection in order to allow an arc-shaped movement of the drive lever. Preferably, the drive lever is constructed in the form of a single unit piece. The actuating lever includes a second contact surface cooperating with the first contact surface which allows the actuating lever to apply an operating force on the pump device during the arc-shaped movement in order to supply the product liquid from the container body through the pump device. In another embodiment of the invention, a container for dispensing a liquid product in an atomized spray is provided. The package has a one-piece integrated blow molded container body that includes a neck finish having an opening. The container body also includes an integral articulated connection. A pump device including a spray nozzle and a closure is provided. The closure is engaged with the neck finish in such a way that the pump device is fixed in fluid communication on the container body through the opening in the neck finish. The pump device also includes a first contact surface located in an upper portion of the pump device. A drive lever formed in a unitary manner is connected in an articulated manner to the container body in the pivot connection. The pivot connection allows an arc-shaped movement of the actuating lever relative to the container body. The actuating lever has a second contact surface cooperating with the first contact surface during the arc-shaped movement in order to apply a substantially vertical downward operating force on the pump device when the actuating lever is actuated . The liquid product is thus dispensed from the container and through the spray nozzle into an atomized spray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims that particularly emphasize and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in combination with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numbers identify identical elements and where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the package of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial side plan view of a preferred embodiment of the container body of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the preformed device of the present invention; Figure 4 is a partial side plan view of a preferred embodiment of the package of the present invention; Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment taken along line 5-5 of the package illustrated in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a partial front plan view of a preferred embodiment of the package of the present invention; Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment taken along line 7-7 of the package illustrated in Figure 6 with the operating lever in the raised position; and, Figure 8 is a view of the package illustrated in Figure 7 with the operating lever in the downward position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a particularly preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the present invention offers a package for dispensing a liquid product, indicated generally with the number 10. The package 10 includes a container body 20 and a drive lever 60 The actuating lever 60 has an outlet 61 and is connected in the form of a pivot on the container body 20. The container body 20 of the present invention is preferably a one-piece integral bottle configured to contain a liquid product. . As used herein, the term "integral" is defined as molded, or otherwise formed, as a unitary part. A container body 20 further includes a middle portion 26 that connects an upper portion 28 and a closed bottom end 21. The upper portion 28, the bottom end 21, and the middle portion 26 collectively define a hollow internal portion of the body of the container. container 20 containing the liquid product. The middle portion 26 of the container body 20 includes a substantially rigid grip area 27 located between an upper portion 28 and a closed bottom end 21. Furthermore, the bottom end 21 of the container body 20 is preferably rigid with the object of providing stability to the container body 20 and to allow the container body 20 to remain in a vertical position when not in use, as shown in Figure 1. The expression "substantially rigid" indicates that while the grip area 27 and the bottom end 21 are flexible, a user can easily grasp a grip area 27 of the container body 30 and an arc-shaped pump device 40 without causing any appreciable deformation or noticeable distortion of the grip area 27 or bottom end 21 The grip area 27 is preferably configured to conform to a wide variety of human hand sizes.

As shown in Figure 2, an upper portion 28 of the container body 20 includes a neck finish 25. A neck finish 25 has an opening and access to the hollow interior of the container body 20 can be accessed through the opening . A unique feature of the container body 20 is a pivot connection 24 included in the upper portion 28. A pivot connection 24 can be formed integrally with the container body 20 and preferably the pivot connection is integrally blow molded with the container body 20. An advantage of the integral formation of the pivot connection 24 with the container body 20 is that a significant saving in cost can be achieved. A pivot connection 24 is preferably located above the opening in the neck finish 25 in an integral extension 22 extending upwardly from an upper portion 28 of the container body 20. A latching slot 23 cooperating with A pivot connection 24 can be provided in an integral extension 22. A container body 20 is preferably blow molded from a plastic material and can be a blow molded bottle of various shapes or sizes to contain a liquid. A container body 20 of the present invention is preferably constructed by an extrusion blow molding method using a plastic material such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride. Polyethylene is a preferred plastic material for making a container body 20 and HDPE is especially preferred. Other methods, such as injection molding or blow molding and stretching can also be used in the manufacture of the container body 20 of the present invention. Such alternative manufacturing methods may result in wall thickness distributions in the container body 20 that are slightly different from the distributions produced by extrusion blow molding. For example, the thickness of the wall of the container body 20 may be uniform or irregular. A preferred method of blow molding a thermoplastic container body 20 having a neck finish 25 and an upper portion 28 with integrated extension 22 and pivot connection 24 is by the use of the following method. A partially formed mass of thermoplastic material having an open end corresponding to the neck finish 25 is initially made. The partially formed mass is then presoplated. The partially formed dough is placed in a mold cavity having a body forming portion, a neck forming portion, a top forming portion, and an extension forming portion. The extension formation portion is located in the upper formation portion adjacent to the neck forming portion and above said portion. The extension-forming portion of the mold cavity includes a recess forming portion that comprises protrusions in the form of trunnions. The open end of the partially formed dough is placed within the neck forming portion of the mold cavity. The next step in inserting a mandrel or blow tube into the partially formed dough. The mandrel includes a blow mechanism connected to a pressure source having an air pressure of approximately 60 psi or more. The pressure is then introduced through the mandrel blowing mechanism into the internal part of the partially formed mass. The partially formed mass is expanded against the inner surfaces of the body forming portion, upper forming portion, extension forming portion including the recess forming portion. Thus, the container body 20 which includes an upper portion 28 having an integral extension 22 and a pivot connection 24 is formed integrally. A container body 20 can then be removed from the mold cavity and chuck removed from the neck finish 25 of the container body 20. The dimensional characteristics as well as the thickness of the partially formed dough can vary in accordance with various elements., including, for example, the particular thermoplastic material selected, as well as the desired size, shape and wall thicknesses of the container body 20. Extrusion-type blow molding machines can also generate particular predetermined profiles or thicknesses of the partially formed dough in order to ensure a substantially uniform wall thickness in the resulting container body 20. Such machines may also offer repetitively a partially formed dough thickness profile which secures sufficient thermoplastic material in the upper portion 28 to form an integral extension 22 and pivot connection 24 of the container body 20. Alternatively, as can be seen in Figure 3, a pivot connection 224 can be formed by the use of several other methods. Figure 3 depicts an injection molded preformed member 229 that can be used to constitute an alternative embodiment of the container body 20. For example, an integral extension 222 can be injection molded including pivot connection 224 or the entire upper portion 228 it can be injection molded as part of the preformed element 229 with pivot connection 224 located above the neck finish -225 or adjacent to said finish. In this alternative embodiment, two upper portions 228 each include pivot connection 224 located in an integral extension 222. A pivot connection 224 may be in the form of a recess in an integral extension 222 or, more preferably, may be a orifice extending through an integral extension 222. A preformed member 229 consists of a tube portion 221 integrated with an upper portion 228. The tube portion 221 also includes a neck finish 225 having an aperture 223. If If desired, the tube portion 221 can be used in the state in which it is located or it can be completed by means of blow molding in order to form a middle portion 26 and a closed bottom end 21 of the container body 20 similar to as illustrated in Figure 1. With reference now to Figure 4, a neck finish 25 is adapted to engage with a closure 42 of a pump device 40. Preferably, an end or neck 25 includes external threads for engagement with internal threads in closure 42. Alternatively, a neck finish 25 and closure 42 can be engaged using a bayonet-type connection or the like. A neck finish 25 and a closure 42 are preferably sealed in when the pump device 40 is fixed on a container body 20. Preferably, a pivot connection 24 allows an operating lever 60 to be connected in a secure manner. of pivot directly on the container body 20 and provides a pivot point around which the actuating lever 60 rotates. Thus, a pivot connection 24 allows an actuating lever 60 to move in an arc-shaped path in relation to to the container body 20. Since in a preferred embodiment the pivot connection 24 is blow molded integrally with the body of the container 20, a clear benefit is that a support structure manufactured independently or not is required. molded separately to connect a drive lever 60 on a container body 20 and, consequently, a simple container 10 is produced and easy to assemble. While the preferred pivot connection 24 comprises a recess blow molded integrally with the body of the container 20, other alternative embodiments of pivot connection 24 can be employed. For example, independently molded or separately manufactured components such as bushings, uses, bearings, or the like, may be fixed, glued, clamped or joined on an upper portion 28 in order to form a pivot connection 24. Preferably, as seen in FIG. 5, a trunnion 63 is provided on the actuating lever 60. A pivot connection 24 and a trunnion 63 cooperate, preferably in press fit, in order to press-fit an actuating lever. 60 on a container body 20. Preferably, during the installation of the actuating lever 60, a journal 63 is aligned with an engaging groove 23 in order to allow easy engagement with a pivot connection 24. A journal 63 or pivot connection 24 must be able to move relative to its cooperation member in order to allow an arc-shaped movement of the actuating lever 60 relative to the container body 20. In addition, multiple connections in the form of a pivot 24 , multiple integral extensions 22, multiple upper portions 28 as well as multiple trunnions 63 may be employed in the package 10 in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen in figures 4 and 6, a pump device 40 can be fastened on the container body 20 through a hook body finish 25. A pump device 40 is preferably a plunger-type pump placed vertically in which a substantially vertical drive force is applied in order to start an assortment cycle. Piston-type pumps placed vertically have been used for a long time to supply liquid products from bottles, jars and the like. Said pump device 40 includes an immersion tube 44 extending downwardly through an opening in the neck finish 25 and in the internal hollow art of the container body 20 by placing the pump device 40 in fluid communication with the product. liquid contained within the container body 20. The pump device 40 has a discharge orifice 46 through which the liquid product is dispensed. A discharge orifice 46 may be in the form of a spray nozzle or may be an opening that delivers the liquid product in various forms, including, for example, foams, dispersed sprays, streams, atomized spray streams, and the like. Typically pump devices 40 of this type are manually operated by the user when the user grasps the container 10 with one hand in a grip area 27 and applies a substantially downward force to the spray head of the pump device 40. type of plunger placed vertically. Preferably, the pump device 40 preferably delivers a predetermined amount of liquid product from a container body 20 during each assortment cycle. While a wide variety of pump devices 40 may be employed in the present invention, the particular version depicted in Figure 6 illustrates the typical operating characteristics of said pump devices 40. A more detailed description of the features and components of this device Particularly preferred pump 40 can be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,941,595 issued July 17, 1990 to Montaner et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,025,958 issued on June 25, 1991 to Montaner et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,064,105 issued on November 12, 1991 to Montaner, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Pump devices 40 of this type are commercially available and sold by Calmar Dispensing Systems, Inc. under the trade name CALMAR MARK IV ®. A pump device 40 includes a spray head 47 having a first contact surface 48 located in an upper portion of a spray head 47. An actuating lever 60 includes an alignment tab 64. The actuation lever 60 includes at least 2 alignment tabs 64 incorporated in an operating lever 60 on opposite sides of a spray head 47. The alignment tabs 64 are used to properly orient a spray head 47 and discharge orifice 46 of the pump device 40. with the outlet 61 on the drive lever 60. Thus, alignment tabs 64 provide improved directional control of the liquid product stocked by ensuring that the discharge orifice 46 is properly oriented during use. A drive lever 60 preferably comprises a trigger formed in a unitary manner of plastic material. Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, an alignment tab 64 includes a second contact surface 62 that cooperates with a first contact surface 48 allowing an actuation lever 60 to apply a substantially vertical operating force on the pump device. 40 when the actuating lever 60 is displaced in the form of an arc. The actuating lever 60 rotates or moves in the form of an arc in response to the application of a substantially horizontal force applied by the index of the user. An alignment tab 64 and a spray head 47 is arranged to minimize the distance between the pivot connection 24 and the vertical axis of the pump device 40 in order to minimize movement and friction between a first contact surface 48 and a second contact surface 62 during use. A pivot connection 24 is preferably located adjacent to the pump device 40 and above the neck finish 25. Thus, an operating lever 60 is moved in a manner that causes a second contact surface 62 to apply a substantially operating force. vertical on a first contact surface 48. Since the actuation lever 60 acts as a force multiplier, preferably the substantially vertical operating force is approximately 4 times greater than the substantially horizontal force applied on the actuation lever 60.

During use, the user typically grasps the container body 20 in a middle portion 26 around the grip area 27 with one hand. A grip area 27 is configured to provide a secure grip with one hand and the actuation of the pump device 40 while at the same time maintaining the desired positioning of the index around the drive lever 60. An average portion 26 has a size suitable to accommodate a wide range of human hand sizes. In this particular configuration, the user's hand naturally wraps an average portion 26 with the index naturally surrounding an operating lever 60 while the upper portion 28 of the container body 20 comfortably rests on the tissue of the hand between the index finger and the thumb . This arrangement helps to ensure that the 0 ° container does not slip out of the user's hand during use even when the outer surface of the container body 20 becomes wet, oily, or slippery. Thus, a grip area 27 of an average portion 26 fits comfortably, effectively and naturally into various sizes of human hands. These and other ergonomic features have been incorporated into the package 10 in order to optimize the positive functional interfaces between the package 10 and the human user. For example, while the actuating lever 20 is moved in the form of an arc by applying a substantially vertical operating force on the pump device 40, the user simply applies a substantially horizontal driving force to the actuating lever 60. This driving force substantially horizontal adapts to the natural movement of the user's index. Likewise, the lower end of the actuating lever 60 preferably has a contour that fits and wraps the container body. This wrapping around the configuration of the actuating lever 60 offers structural integrity while allowing a maximum arc-shaped displacement of the actuating lever 60 relative to the container body 20. This wrapping around the configuration also allows a lever to be used shorter and therefore avoid any excessive extension of the user's index. In addition, the wrist and the two forearm bones form a rigid and relatively inflexible bridge in the plane of the palm of the hand when the container 10 is grasped in an area , grip 27. This also forms a loose joint between the wrist and the hand in a plane perpendicular to the palm of the hand. The weight of the container 10 is therefore directly supported by a relatively inflexible bridge while the assorted liquid is directed by a loose joint arrangement. This provides an ergonomically appropriate use of the natural structures of the hand and arm. Said natural positioning of the hand is not only more comfortable but also allows the user to apply a greater driving force with the index on the operating lever 60 while the wrist is not pressed. A faster driving pass can also be achieved together with a firm grip of the container body 20 in a grip area 27 by the remaining fingers of the hand. Thus, a container 10 of the present invention is ergonomically superior insofar as the natural mechanical structure of the human arm and the hand is more effectively employed. Packs of different sizes 10, which allow several volumes of liquid product, can be made by expanding the container body 20. The distance of the upper portion 28 to the bottom end 21 can be increased without compromising the user's ability to grip and operate the container. 10. For example, a grip portion 27 can be held constant while a middle portion 26 is enlarged or an extended bottom end 21. Many liquid products can be assorted from this container 10 including, for example, hair spray, cleaning solutions, hard surface cleaners, pre-treatment agents, soaps, liquid detergents, lotions, cosmetics, perfumes, mousses, edible oils, flavor improvers, kitchen sprays, rinse for fruit and vegetables, paints, lacquers, window cleaners, lubricating oils, adhesives, and the like. A liquid product of special interest is cooking oil. Preferably, the cooking oil comprises a vegetable oil based on cooking spray having a viscosity greater than 60 cps. Such cooking oil can be a liquid based on vegetable oil used for the preparation of food, coatings for casseroles or flavor improvers. Preferably said liquid products are supplied in an atomized spray. When attempting to dispense a liquid product having a viscosity greater than about 60 cps, in an atomized spray, an operation force typically has to be applied downwardly on the spray head 47 of the larger pump device 40. Frequently this makes the start of an assortment cycle difficult for some home consumers. Thus, a clear benefit of the container 10 is that the actuating lever 60 acts as a force multiplier which helps to increase the amount of downward operating force that a user can apply on the pump device 40 for a driving force substantially horizontally applied on the actuating lever 60. As such, the use of the package 10 can increase the effectiveness of many liquid products making it easier for some typical consumers to stock these products. While particular versions and embodiments of the present invention were illustrated and described, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS _ A container for dispensing a liquid product including a integral one-piece blow molded container body, including a neck finish having an opening, a pump device including a spray nozzle and a closure, said The said neck finish is engaged in such a way that said pump device is fixed in fluid communication on said container body through said opening in said neck finish, said pump device also includes a first contact surface located in a portion higher; and said container for dispensing a liquid product is characterized in that: (a) said container body includes a pivot connection; and (b) a drive lever formed unitarily connected in the form of a pivot on said container body in said pivot connection, said pivot connection allows an arc-shaped movement of said actuating lever, said actuating lever having a second contact surface cooperating with said first contact surface during said arc-shaped movement of said actuating lever for the purpose of applying an operating force on said pump device and consequently supplying said liquid product through said spray nozzle. The container for dispensing a liquid product according to claim 1, wherein said pivot connection is located adjacent to said pump device and above said pump device. The container for dispensing a liquid product according to claim 1 or according to claim 2, wherein said first contact surface further comprises a shoulder and said second contact surface further comprises an alignment tab, said alignment tab cooperates with said shoulder for the purpose of orienting said pump device. The container for dispensing a liguid product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said arc-shaped movement of said actuating lever is in response to the application of a substantially horizontal force on said actuating lever such that said lever of drive rotates causing said second contact surface to attain a substantially vertical operating force on said first contact surface, said operating force being four times greater than said substantially horizontal force. The container for dispensing a liquid product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pivot connection comprises a recess molded integrally in said container body, and said actuating lever includes a trunnion, said recess and said trunnion cooperate to form a pressure adjustment that allows said stump to move relative to said recess. The container for dispensing a liquid product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said liquid product has a viscosity greater than 60 cps. The container for dispensing a liquid product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pivot connection comprises a separately manufactured component fixed on said container body. The container for dispensing a liquid product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said operating lever comprises a trigger formed in a unitary manner of plastic material, which travels in an arc-shaped path in response to the application of a force substantially horizontal in such a manner that said trigger causes said first contact surface of said pump device to move in a substantially downward direction. The container for dispensing a liquid product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pump device comprises a plunger-type pump device positioned vertically. The container for dispensing a liquid product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pivot connection is located above said neck finish.