US20060131327A9 - Hand held fluent dispensing containers - Google Patents
Hand held fluent dispensing containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060131327A9 US20060131327A9 US10/858,371 US85837104A US2006131327A9 US 20060131327 A9 US20060131327 A9 US 20060131327A9 US 85837104 A US85837104 A US 85837104A US 2006131327 A9 US2006131327 A9 US 2006131327A9
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fluent
- bottle
- dispensing
- container
- exit aperture
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- 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
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
- B65D5/74—Spouts
- B65D5/746—Spouts formed separately from the container
- B65D5/747—Spouts formed separately from the container with means for piercing or cutting the container wall or a membrane connected to said wall
- B65D5/748—Spouts formed separately from the container with means for piercing or cutting the container wall or a membrane connected to said wall a major part of the container wall or membrane being left inside the container after the opening
-
- 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
- B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
- B65D1/0223—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by shape
- B65D1/0292—Foldable bottles
-
- 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
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
- B65D21/0204—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side and joined together by interconnecting formations forming part of the container, e.g. dove-tail, snap connections, hook elements
-
- 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
- B65D47/2056—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 lift valve type
- B65D47/2062—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 lift valve type in which the deformation raises or lowers the valve stem
- B65D47/2075—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 lift valve type in which the deformation raises or lowers the valve stem in which the stem is raised by the pressure of the contents and thereby opening the valve
-
- 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
- B65D47/2093—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 slide valve type
Definitions
- the invention is in the field of hand held fluent dispensing containers.
- Hand held fluent dispensing containers are now in widespread use for dispensing edible fluent substances, for example, fruit juices, mineral water, condiments, and the like, and also non-edible fluent substances, for example, cleaning substances, cosmetics, and the like.
- a first type of hand held fluent dispensing containers are fluent dispensing containers with a tearable sealing, and a molded plastic re-sealable closure for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of a container's contents.
- Conventional fluent dispensing containers of this type are illustrated and described in inter alia U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,263 to Martensson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,138 to Andersson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,294 to Giacomelli, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,290 to Robichaud et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,034 to Robichaud et al., U.S. Pat. No.
- a second type of hand held fluent dispensing containers are hand squeezable plastic bottles with a toggle cap assembly for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of a bottle's contents.
- Conventional fluent dispensing containers of this type are illustrated and described in inter alia U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,518 to Laauwe, U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,809 to Corsette, U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,352 to Dirr, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,952 to Lucas.
- a third type of hand held fluent dispensing containers are collapsible plastic bottles for carbonated beverages to reduce their volumes to prevent the vaporization of dissolved carbonic dioxide into carbonic acid gas to the detriment of their contents' taste.
- Conventional collapsible plastic bottles are illustrated and described in inter alia U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,887 to Scarnato, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,492,313 and 5,002,193 to Touzani, U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,068 to Saghri, U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,250 to Gilbert, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,413 to Jung, U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,129 to Nagata, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,789 to Shin, et al.
- a fourth type of hand held fluent dispensing containers are dual container dispensers having a pair of separable, side-by-side interlockable, hand squeezable plastic containers each having a closure associated therewith for enabling the dispensing of its contents on its being manually squeezed.
- Conventional dual container dispensers are illustrated and described in inter alia U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,417 to Simmons, U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,808 to Pardo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,715 to Green, U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,191 to Douglas, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,159 to Douglas, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,623 to Hildebrandt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,268 to Levy, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,213 to Gerhard, et al.
- the invention is directed to hand held fluent dispensing containers for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of a container's contents.
- the invention is directed toward a molded plastic re-sealable closure for use with a fluent dispensing container having a tearable sealing.
- the closure has a rupturing member and a cover on whose initial opening to a generally upright position, the rupturing member tears the sealing to form a generally rectangular fluent exit aperture, and secures the torn away material remote from the fluent exit aperture to prevent it from blocking same during subsequent re-openings and re-sealings of the closure.
- the closure facilitates the hygienic single step opening of otherwise conventional fluent dispensing containers, and subsequent trouble free dispensing of their contents.
- the invention is also directed toward a screw cap assembly also for use with a fluent dispensing container having a tearable sealing.
- the screw cap assembly has a puncturing member and a cap on whose initial unscrewing, the puncturing member is urged axially downwards whereupon the puncturing member punctures the sealing to form a generally circular fluent exit aperture, and is fixedly secured with respect to the container to prevent it from blocking the fluent exit aperture during subsequent re-openings and re-sealings of the cap.
- the invention is further directed to a toggle cap assembly for use with a hand squeezable open topped plastic bottle, the toggle assembly including a latchable arrangement disposable from a sealing position for preventing the dispensing of a bottle's contents to a flow communication position for enabling the dispensing of a bottle's contents on squeezing the bottle thereby enabling a user to both hold the bottle and open it with the same hand, and vice versa, on applying a force against an exposed surface of the latchable arrangement in the direction of the bottle's interior.
- the invention is still further directed to a collapsible plastic bottle with one or more axially collapsible portions each capable of assuming only two possible states: either a fully axially extended state or a fully axially compacted state.
- the invention is yet still further directed to a dual container dispenser having a pair of end surfaces each having a re-sealable closure of one of the two containers for enabling the dispensing of its contents upon being squeezed.
- a dispenser's containers are intended to be separated and used independently from one another but a user may invert the dispenser to dispense the contents of one or the other of its two containers.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a molded plastic re-sealable closure for use with a fluent dispensing container for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of its contents;
- FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross section view of the closure of FIG. 1 in its initially closed state
- FIG. 2B is a longitudinal cross section view of the closure of FIG. 1 in its initially partially opened state for forming a fluent exit aperture
- FIG. 2C is a longitudinal cross section view of the closure of FIG. 1 in its fully opened state
- FIG. 2D is a close-up view of the area denoted A in FIG. 2C ;
- FIG. 2E is a longitudinal cross section view of the closure of FIG. 1 in its re-sealed state
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a molded plastic re-sealable closure in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of a screw cap assembly in accordance with the present invention for use with a fluent dispensing container for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of its contents;
- FIG. 5A is a cross section view of the screw cap assembly of FIG. 4 in its initially sealed state
- FIG. 5B is a cross section view of the screw cap assembly of FIG. 5 in its partially initially unscrewed state for forming a fluent exit aperture
- FIG. 5C is a cross section view of the screw cap assembly of FIG. 5 in its fully unscrewed state
- FIG. 5D is a cross section view of the screw cap assembly of FIG. 5 in its re-sealed state
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of a screw cap assembly in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hand squeezable plastic bottle including a first preferred embodiment of a toggle cap assembly in accordance with the present invention for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of its contents;
- FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the toggle cap assembly of FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 9A is a longitudinal cross section view of the toggle cap assembly of FIG. 7 in its sealed state for preventing the dispensing of the bottle's contents;
- FIG. 9B is a longitudinal cross section view of the toggle cap assembly of FIG. 7 in its open state for enabling the dispensing of the bottle's contents;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hand squeezable plastic bottle including a second preferred embodiment of a toggle cap assembly in accordance with the present invention for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of its contents;
- FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the toggle cap assembly of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12A is a cross section view of the toggle cap assembly of FIG. 10 in its sealed state for preventing dispensing of the bottle's contents;
- FIG. 12B is a longitudinal cross section view of the toggle cap assembly of FIG. 10 in its open state for enabling dispensing of the bottle's contents;
- FIG. 13 is a side view of a collapsible plastic bottle in accordance with the present invention with an upper collapsible portion in its fully axially compacted state and a lower collapsible portion in its fully axially extended state;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the application of a twist action for compacting the upper collapsible portion of the bottle of FIG. 13 ;
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a dual container dispenser including two separable, side-by-side interlockable, hand squeezable plastic containers in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 15 with its two containers separated from one another.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show the construction and operation of a molded plastic re-sealable closure 1 for initially forming a generally rectangular fluid exit aperture 2 in a tearable sealing 3 of a fluent dispensing container 4 , and thereafter capable of being selectively and repeatedly re-opened and re-sealed for respectively enabling and preventing the dispensing of the container's contents, for example, fruit juices, and the like.
- the fluent dispensing container 4 may be formed from a wide range of materials, for example, cardboard based laminates, plastic sheet material, metal sheet material, and the like.
- the closure 1 is adapted to be sealingly adhered to cover the sealing 3 which may be formed from the same material as the rest of the container 4 or from a different material. In certain cases, the sealing 3 can be of the same material as the rest of the container but of a thinner thickness, or may be formed with perforations, a scoreline, and the like, for facilitating the formation of the fluid exit aperture 2 .
- the closure 1 includes a frame member 6 having an upright wall 7 defining a generally rectangular aperture 8 for exposing the sealing 3 .
- the frame member 6 has a leading end 6 A formed with a pouring spout 9 for pouring the container's contents, and a trailing end 6 B.
- the frame member 6 has a pair of frangible runners 11 A and 11 B (not shown) disposed toward the frame member's leading end 6 A for floatingly supporting a substantially flat tearing member 12 initially overlying the aperture 8 .
- the tearing member 12 is formed with a scoop 13 having a leading serrated edge 14 towards the frame member's leading end 6 A, and a widthwise rib 16 with a pair of opposite lug members 17 A and 17 B towards the frame member's trailing end 6 B.
- the frame member 6 is formed with a pair of opposite rails 18 A and 18 B for guiding the rearward displacement of the tearing member 12 during an initial opening of the closure 1 .
- a cover 19 is hingedly connected to the frame member's trailing end 6 B, and is selectively disposable between a horizontal sealing position (see FIG. 2A ) for initially and repeatedly re-sealing the aperture 8 , and a generally upright open position (see FIG. 2C ) for enabling the container's contents to be dispensed via the fluent exit aperture 2 once formed.
- the cover 19 is formed with a so-called double sealing rim 21 including an outer rim 22 and an inner rim 23 for sealingly receiving the frame member's upright wall 7 therebetween.
- the inner rim's leading end 23 A is formed with cut-aways 24 A and 24 B for accommodating the opposite ends of the scoop 13 in the cover's sealing position.
- the inner rim's trailing end 23 B is formed with a pair of beveled supports 26 A and 26 B respectively having recesses 27 A and 27 B (not shown) for pivotably receiving the rib's lug members 17 A and 17 B in a snap-fit manner on assembly of the closure 1 .
- the rib 16 is formed with a central arresting projection 28 for lockingly being received in an arresting recess 29 (constituting an arresting member) formed in the cover's underside on its initial opening to its upright open position, thereby preventing the forward displacement of the tearing member 12 during subsequent re-openings of the cover 19 which may potentially obstruct the fluid exit aperture 2 (see FIGS. 2C and 2D ).
- the operation of the closure 1 is as follows:
- the tearing member 12 In its initially sealed state, the tearing member 12 overlies the sealing 3 (see FIG. 2A ), and the lug members 17 A and 17 B are pivotingly received in the supports 26 A and 26 B.
- the runners 11 A and 11 B are snapped broken, and the scoop 13 is drawn beneath the rails 18 A and 18 B. Further opening of the cover 19 causes the scoop's serrated edge 14 to tear the sealing 3 (see FIG. 2B ). Still further opening of the cover 19 causes the scoop 13 to urge the torn away sealing 3 rearwards towards the frame member's trailing end 6 B, thereby fully forming the fluid exit aperture 2 (see FIG. 2C ).
- the arresting projection 28 lockingly interengages with the arresting recess 29 (see FIG. 2D ), thereby fixing the position of the tearing member 12 with respect to the cover 19 such that on re-closing the cover 19 , the tearing member 12 is biased away from the fluid exit aperture 2 and prevents the sealing 3 from blocking the fluid exit aperture 2 (see FIG. 2E ). Thereafter, the cover 19 can be freely selectively and repeatedly re-opened and re-sealed for dispensing purposes.
- FIG. 3 shows a molded plastic closure 31 similar in construction and operation to the closure 1 but differing therefrom insofar as its tearing member 12 is hingedly connected to the cover 19 towards the frame member's trailing end 6 B. Also, the tearing member 12 is urged past an arresting protrusion 32 protruding laterally inwards from the frame member 7 on the initial opening of the cover 19 to its upright open position, thereby preventing the forward displacement of the tearing member 12 during subsequent re-openings of the cover 19 .
- FIGS. 4 and 5 show the construction and operation of a screw cap assembly 41 similar to the closure 1 but differing therefrom insofar as it is adapted to initially form a generally circular fluent exit aperture 42 in a tearable sealing 43 of a fluent dispensing container 44 , and thereafter capable of being selectively and repeatedly re-opened and re-sealed for respectively enabling and preventing the dispensing of the container's contents, for example, fruit juices, and the like.
- the screw cap assembly 41 includes a base 46 having an upright sleeve 47 with a longitudinal axis 48 (see FIG. 5A ), and an external screw thread 49 on which a cap 51 is initially and re-sealingly screw threadable thereon.
- the cap 51 On its initial unscrewing from the base 46 , the cap 51 has a downwardly spiraling abutment surface 52 for urging a tubular puncturing member 53 slidingly disposable within the sleeve 47 inwards towards the container's interior.
- the puncturing member 53 has a puncturing tip 54 co-axial with the sleeve's longitudinal axis 48 (see FIG. 5A ) and initially overlying the sealing 43 , and six cutting blades 56 radiating outwards from the puncturing tip 54 .
- the puncturing member 53 has a pair of radially protruding lugs 57 for being slidingly received in vertical grooves 58 formed in the inside surface of the upright sleeve 47 for guiding its downward displacement.
- the grooves 58 are sealed at their upper ends to stop upward displacement of the puncturing member 53 within the upright sleeve 47 .
- the puncturing member 53 is formed with an annular flange 59 for preventing its outward displacement pursuant to the formation of the fluent exit aperture 42 .
- the operation of the screw cap assembly 41 is as follows:
- the puncturing tip 54 overlies the sealing 43 (see FIG. 5A ).
- the abutment surface 52 urges the puncturing member 53 inwards towards the container's interior, thereby causing its puncturing tip 54 to puncture the sealing 43 at a point co-axial with the sleeve's longitudinal axis 48 (see FIG. 5B ).
- the puncturing member 53 is sufficiently urged inwards that the cutting blades 56 cut a generally circular fluent exit aperture 42 in the sealing 43 , and the flange 59 is urged inwards beyond the fluent exit aperture's rim (see FIG. 5C ).
- the cap 51 can be freely screwed on and off the base 46 for dispensing purposes (see FIG. 5D ).
- FIG. 6 shows a screw cap assembly 61 similar in construction and operation to the screw cap assembly 41 but differing therefrom insofar as the cap 51 and the puncturing member 53 have a reverse screw arrangement 62 for urging the puncturing member 53 inwards towards the container's interior for puncturing the sealing 43 to form the fluent exit aperture 42 on the cap's initial unscrewing.
- FIGS. 7-9 show the construction and operation of a toggle cap assembly 71 for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of the contents of a hand squeezable plastic bottle 72 .
- the toggle cap assembly 71 includes a cap 73 screw threadable onto the bottle 72 , the cap 74 tapering to a spout 74 , and formed with air vents 75 .
- An annular latchable flow control diaphragm 76 sealingly extends between the bottle's interior surface and a tubular dispensing member 77 having an open end 77 A in continuous flow communication with the bottle's interior on mounting the toggle cap assembly 71 on the bottle 72 , and a sealed end 77 B with a multitude of radially directed fluent exit apertures 78 disposed theretoward.
- the dispensing member 77 is reciprocable between a retracted position (see FIG. 9A ) and a protruding position (see FIG. 9B ) with respect to the spout's rim 74 A correspondingly preventing and enabling dispensing of the bottle's contents via the fluent exit apertures 78 .
- the flow control diaphragm 76 is selectively and repeatedly latchable between a sealing position and a flow communication position correspondingly urging the dispensing member 77 between its retracted position and its protruding position.
- the flow control diaphragm 76 In its initially sealed state, the flow control diaphragm 76 is in its sealing position and the dispensing member 77 is in its retracted position (see FIG. 9A ).
- the prevailing fluid pressure denoted by the arrows B therein increases to urge the flow control diaphragm 76 to its flow communication position which in turn urges the dispensing member 77 to its protruding position (see FIG. 9B ).
- a force denoted C is applied against the dispensing member's sealed end 77 B in the direction of the bottle's interior.
- FIGS. 10-12 show a toggle cap assembly 81 similar in construction and operation to the toggle cap assembly 71 except that in this case a spout 82 is a discrete component sealingly secured in an annular recess 83 formed in a cap 84 integrally formed with the flow control diaphragm 76 and the dispensing member 77 .
- FIGS. 13 and 14 show the construction and use of a collapsible plastic bottle 91 having an uppermost non-collapsible portion 92 , an upper collapsible portion 93 in its fully axially compacted state, a middle non-collapsible portion 94 , a lower collapsible portion 96 in its fully axially extended state, and a lowermost non-collapsible portion 97 .
- the collapsible portions 93 and 96 have six spiral ribs 98 extending between their adjacent non-collapsible portions 92 and 94 , and 94 and 97 , respectively, by virtue of which the non-collapsible portions 92 , 94 , and 97 assume fluted appearances and each collapsible portion 93 and 96 has only two possible states: a fully axially extended state and a fully axially compacted state.
- the instantaneous transformation of a collapsible portion between its two possible states is by application of a twist action thereto as shown in FIG. 14 .
- Each spiral rib 98 has a leading surface 98 A facing the bottle's opening 91 A and a trailing surface 98 B facing away therefrom, the leading surfaces 98 A have a width D 1 slightly wider than the width D 2 of the trailing surfaces 98 B, namely, D 1 >D 2 .
- This design facilitates the compaction of a collapsible portion since it requires a weaker twist action that the twist action required to extend a collapsible portion.
- FIGS. 15 and 16 show the construction and use of a dual container dispenser 101 having a substantially ellipsoidal-like shape with a longitudinal axis 102 , and a pair of flat end surfaces 103 A and 103 B on either one of which it can freely stand upright.
- the dispenser 101 is constituted by a pair of separable, side-by-side interlockable, hand squeezable plastic containers 104 A and 104 B respectively having bottom surfaces 106 A and 106 B on which they can freely stand upright, top surfaces 107 A and 107 B and inside surfaces 108 A and 108 B.
- the top surfaces 107 A and 107 B are respectively provided with selectively and repeatedly re-sealable closures 109 A and 109 B for enabling the dispensing of their contents, for example, a shampoo, a liquid soap, and the like.
- the inside surface 108 B is provided with a recess 111 A adjacent its bottom surface 106 B for snap-fittingly receiving therein a lug 111 B (not shown) formed on the inside surface 108 A adjacent the top surface 107 A.
- the inside surface 108 A is provided with a recess 112 A (not shown) adjacent its bottom surface 106 A for snap fittingly receive a lug 112 B formed on the inside surface 108 B adjacent the top surface 107 B.
- the containers 104 A and 104 B are intended to be separated and used independently from one another but a user may invert the dispenser 101 to dispense the contents of one or the other of its two containers 104 A and 104 B.
Abstract
The present invention is directed toward molded plastic re-sealable closures (1, 31) for use with a fluent dispensing container (2). The closures (1, 31) each have a rupturing member (12) and a cover (19) on whose initial opening causes the rupturing member to tear a tearable sealing to form a generally rectangular fluent exit aperture (4), and secures the torn away material remote from the fluent exit aperture to prevent it from blocking same during subsequent re-openings and re-sealings. The present invention is also directed to screw cap assemblies (41, 61) similar to the closures (1,31) but each having an axially displaceable puncturing member and a cap on whose initial unscrewing causes the puncturing member to puncture a tearable sealing to form a generally circular fluent exit aperture. The present invention is further directed to toggle cap assemblies (71, 81) for use with a hand squeezable plastic bottle, the toggle cap assemblies each including a latchable arrangement disposable from a sealing position for preventing the dispensing of a bottle's contents to a flow communication position for enabling the dispensing of a bottle's contents on squeezing the bottle, and vice versa on applying a force against an exposed surface of the latchable arrangement in the direction of the bottle's interior. The present invention is still further directed to a collapsible plastic bottle (91), and a dual container dispenser (101).
Description
- The invention is in the field of hand held fluent dispensing containers.
- Hand held fluent dispensing containers are now in widespread use for dispensing edible fluent substances, for example, fruit juices, mineral water, condiments, and the like, and also non-edible fluent substances, for example, cleaning substances, cosmetics, and the like.
- A first type of hand held fluent dispensing containers are fluent dispensing containers with a tearable sealing, and a molded plastic re-sealable closure for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of a container's contents. Conventional fluent dispensing containers of this type are illustrated and described in inter alia U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,263 to Martensson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,138 to Andersson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,294 to Giacomelli, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,290 to Robichaud et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,034 to Robichaud et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,683 to Farber, U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,590 to Robichaud et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,408 to Rausing, U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,999 to Robichaud et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,633 to Rausing, U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,983 to Reil et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,019 to Bjorck et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,101 to Hedberg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,440 to Tragardh et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,784 to Huser, U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,018 to Tokarski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,359 to Joensson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,757 to Per et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,420 to Tokarski et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,958 to Weiteder.
- A second type of hand held fluent dispensing containers are hand squeezable plastic bottles with a toggle cap assembly for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of a bottle's contents. Conventional fluent dispensing containers of this type are illustrated and described in inter alia U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,518 to Laauwe, U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,809 to Corsette, U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,352 to Dirr, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,952 to Lucas.
- A third type of hand held fluent dispensing containers are collapsible plastic bottles for carbonated beverages to reduce their volumes to prevent the vaporization of dissolved carbonic dioxide into carbonic acid gas to the detriment of their contents' taste. Conventional collapsible plastic bottles are illustrated and described in inter alia U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,887 to Scarnato, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,492,313 and 5,002,193 to Touzani, U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,068 to Saghri, U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,250 to Gilbert, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,413 to Jung, U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,129 to Nagata, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,789 to Shin, et al.
- A fourth type of hand held fluent dispensing containers are dual container dispensers having a pair of separable, side-by-side interlockable, hand squeezable plastic containers each having a closure associated therewith for enabling the dispensing of its contents on its being manually squeezed. Conventional dual container dispensers are illustrated and described in inter alia U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,417 to Simmons, U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,808 to Pardo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,715 to Green, U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,191 to Douglas, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,159 to Douglas, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,623 to Hildebrandt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,268 to Levy, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,213 to Gerhard, et al.
- The invention is directed to hand held fluent dispensing containers for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of a container's contents.
- The invention is directed toward a molded plastic re-sealable closure for use with a fluent dispensing container having a tearable sealing. The closure has a rupturing member and a cover on whose initial opening to a generally upright position, the rupturing member tears the sealing to form a generally rectangular fluent exit aperture, and secures the torn away material remote from the fluent exit aperture to prevent it from blocking same during subsequent re-openings and re-sealings of the closure. Thus, the closure facilitates the hygienic single step opening of otherwise conventional fluent dispensing containers, and subsequent trouble free dispensing of their contents.
- The invention is also directed toward a screw cap assembly also for use with a fluent dispensing container having a tearable sealing. The screw cap assembly has a puncturing member and a cap on whose initial unscrewing, the puncturing member is urged axially downwards whereupon the puncturing member punctures the sealing to form a generally circular fluent exit aperture, and is fixedly secured with respect to the container to prevent it from blocking the fluent exit aperture during subsequent re-openings and re-sealings of the cap.
- The invention is further directed to a toggle cap assembly for use with a hand squeezable open topped plastic bottle, the toggle assembly including a latchable arrangement disposable from a sealing position for preventing the dispensing of a bottle's contents to a flow communication position for enabling the dispensing of a bottle's contents on squeezing the bottle thereby enabling a user to both hold the bottle and open it with the same hand, and vice versa, on applying a force against an exposed surface of the latchable arrangement in the direction of the bottle's interior.
- The invention is still further directed to a collapsible plastic bottle with one or more axially collapsible portions each capable of assuming only two possible states: either a fully axially extended state or a fully axially compacted state.
- The invention is yet still further directed to a dual container dispenser having a pair of end surfaces each having a re-sealable closure of one of the two containers for enabling the dispensing of its contents upon being squeezed. A dispenser's containers are intended to be separated and used independently from one another but a user may invert the dispenser to dispense the contents of one or the other of its two containers.
- In order to understand the invention and to see how it can be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a molded plastic re-sealable closure for use with a fluent dispensing container for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of its contents; -
FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross section view of the closure ofFIG. 1 in its initially closed state; -
FIG. 2B is a longitudinal cross section view of the closure ofFIG. 1 in its initially partially opened state for forming a fluent exit aperture; -
FIG. 2C is a longitudinal cross section view of the closure ofFIG. 1 in its fully opened state; -
FIG. 2D is a close-up view of the area denoted A inFIG. 2C ; -
FIG. 2E is a longitudinal cross section view of the closure ofFIG. 1 in its re-sealed state; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a molded plastic re-sealable closure in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of a screw cap assembly in accordance with the present invention for use with a fluent dispensing container for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of its contents; -
FIG. 5A is a cross section view of the screw cap assembly ofFIG. 4 in its initially sealed state; -
FIG. 5B is a cross section view of the screw cap assembly ofFIG. 5 in its partially initially unscrewed state for forming a fluent exit aperture; -
FIG. 5C is a cross section view of the screw cap assembly ofFIG. 5 in its fully unscrewed state; -
FIG. 5D is a cross section view of the screw cap assembly ofFIG. 5 in its re-sealed state; -
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of a screw cap assembly in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hand squeezable plastic bottle including a first preferred embodiment of a toggle cap assembly in accordance with the present invention for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of its contents; -
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the toggle cap assembly ofFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9A is a longitudinal cross section view of the toggle cap assembly ofFIG. 7 in its sealed state for preventing the dispensing of the bottle's contents; -
FIG. 9B is a longitudinal cross section view of the toggle cap assembly ofFIG. 7 in its open state for enabling the dispensing of the bottle's contents; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hand squeezable plastic bottle including a second preferred embodiment of a toggle cap assembly in accordance with the present invention for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of its contents; -
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the toggle cap assembly ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12A is a cross section view of the toggle cap assembly ofFIG. 10 in its sealed state for preventing dispensing of the bottle's contents; -
FIG. 12B is a longitudinal cross section view of the toggle cap assembly ofFIG. 10 in its open state for enabling dispensing of the bottle's contents; -
FIG. 13 is a side view of a collapsible plastic bottle in accordance with the present invention with an upper collapsible portion in its fully axially compacted state and a lower collapsible portion in its fully axially extended state; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the application of a twist action for compacting the upper collapsible portion of the bottle ofFIG. 13 ; -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a dual container dispenser including two separable, side-by-side interlockable, hand squeezable plastic containers in accordance with the present invention; and -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the dispenser ofFIG. 15 with its two containers separated from one another. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the construction and operation of a molded plasticre-sealable closure 1 for initially forming a generally rectangularfluid exit aperture 2 in a tearable sealing 3 of afluent dispensing container 4, and thereafter capable of being selectively and repeatedly re-opened and re-sealed for respectively enabling and preventing the dispensing of the container's contents, for example, fruit juices, and the like. Thefluent dispensing container 4 may be formed from a wide range of materials, for example, cardboard based laminates, plastic sheet material, metal sheet material, and the like. Theclosure 1 is adapted to be sealingly adhered to cover the sealing 3 which may be formed from the same material as the rest of thecontainer 4 or from a different material. In certain cases, the sealing 3 can be of the same material as the rest of the container but of a thinner thickness, or may be formed with perforations, a scoreline, and the like, for facilitating the formation of thefluid exit aperture 2. - The
closure 1 includes aframe member 6 having an upright wall 7 defining a generallyrectangular aperture 8 for exposing thesealing 3. Theframe member 6 has aleading end 6A formed with a pouringspout 9 for pouring the container's contents, and a trailingend 6B. Theframe member 6 has a pair offrangible runners 11A and 11B (not shown) disposed toward the frame member'sleading end 6A for floatingly supporting a substantially flat tearingmember 12 initially overlying theaperture 8. The tearingmember 12 is formed with ascoop 13 having a leadingserrated edge 14 towards the frame member'sleading end 6A, and awidthwise rib 16 with a pair ofopposite lug members end 6B. Theframe member 6 is formed with a pair ofopposite rails member 12 during an initial opening of theclosure 1. - A
cover 19 is hingedly connected to the frame member's trailingend 6B, and is selectively disposable between a horizontal sealing position (seeFIG. 2A ) for initially and repeatedly re-sealing theaperture 8, and a generally upright open position (seeFIG. 2C ) for enabling the container's contents to be dispensed via thefluent exit aperture 2 once formed. Thecover 19 is formed with a so-calleddouble sealing rim 21 including anouter rim 22 and aninner rim 23 for sealingly receiving the frame member's upright wall 7 therebetween. The inner rim'sleading end 23A is formed with cut-aways scoop 13 in the cover's sealing position. The inner rim's trailingend 23B is formed with a pair ofbeveled supports recesses 27A and 27B (not shown) for pivotably receiving the rib'slug members closure 1. Therib 16 is formed with acentral arresting projection 28 for lockingly being received in an arresting recess 29 (constituting an arresting member) formed in the cover's underside on its initial opening to its upright open position, thereby preventing the forward displacement of the tearingmember 12 during subsequent re-openings of thecover 19 which may potentially obstruct the fluid exit aperture 2 (seeFIGS. 2C and 2D ). - The operation of the
closure 1 is as follows: - In its initially sealed state, the tearing
member 12 overlies the sealing 3 (seeFIG. 2A ), and thelug members supports cover 19, therunners 11A and 11B are snapped broken, and thescoop 13 is drawn beneath therails cover 19 causes the scoop'sserrated edge 14 to tear the sealing 3 (seeFIG. 2B ). Still further opening of thecover 19 causes thescoop 13 to urge the torn away sealing 3 rearwards towards the frame member's trailingend 6B, thereby fully forming the fluid exit aperture 2 (seeFIG. 2C ). On fully opening of the cover to its generally upright open position, the arrestingprojection 28 lockingly interengages with the arresting recess 29 (seeFIG. 2D ), thereby fixing the position of the tearingmember 12 with respect to thecover 19 such that on re-closing thecover 19, the tearingmember 12 is biased away from thefluid exit aperture 2 and prevents the sealing 3 from blocking the fluid exit aperture 2 (seeFIG. 2E ). Thereafter, thecover 19 can be freely selectively and repeatedly re-opened and re-sealed for dispensing purposes. -
FIG. 3 shows a moldedplastic closure 31 similar in construction and operation to theclosure 1 but differing therefrom insofar as its tearingmember 12 is hingedly connected to thecover 19 towards the frame member's trailingend 6B. Also, the tearingmember 12 is urged past an arrestingprotrusion 32 protruding laterally inwards from the frame member 7 on the initial opening of thecover 19 to its upright open position, thereby preventing the forward displacement of the tearingmember 12 during subsequent re-openings of thecover 19. -
FIGS. 4 and 5 show the construction and operation of ascrew cap assembly 41 similar to theclosure 1 but differing therefrom insofar as it is adapted to initially form a generally circularfluent exit aperture 42 in a tearable sealing 43 of afluent dispensing container 44, and thereafter capable of being selectively and repeatedly re-opened and re-sealed for respectively enabling and preventing the dispensing of the container's contents, for example, fruit juices, and the like. Thescrew cap assembly 41 includes a base 46 having anupright sleeve 47 with a longitudinal axis 48 (seeFIG. 5A ), and anexternal screw thread 49 on which acap 51 is initially and re-sealingly screw threadable thereon. On its initial unscrewing from thebase 46, thecap 51 has a downwardly spiralingabutment surface 52 for urging atubular puncturing member 53 slidingly disposable within thesleeve 47 inwards towards the container's interior. The puncturingmember 53 has a puncturingtip 54 co-axial with the sleeve's longitudinal axis 48 (seeFIG. 5A ) and initially overlying the sealing 43, and sixcutting blades 56 radiating outwards from the puncturingtip 54. The puncturingmember 53 has a pair of radially protruding lugs 57 for being slidingly received invertical grooves 58 formed in the inside surface of theupright sleeve 47 for guiding its downward displacement. Thegrooves 58 are sealed at their upper ends to stop upward displacement of the puncturingmember 53 within theupright sleeve 47. The puncturingmember 53 is formed with anannular flange 59 for preventing its outward displacement pursuant to the formation of thefluent exit aperture 42. - The operation of the
screw cap assembly 41 is as follows: - In its initial state, the puncturing
tip 54 overlies the sealing 43 (seeFIG. 5A ). On initially partially unscrewing thecap 51, theabutment surface 52 urges the puncturingmember 53 inwards towards the container's interior, thereby causing itspuncturing tip 54 to puncture the sealing 43 at a point co-axial with the sleeve's longitudinal axis 48 (seeFIG. 5B ). On fully unscrewing thecap 51, the puncturingmember 53 is sufficiently urged inwards that thecutting blades 56 cut a generally circularfluent exit aperture 42 in the sealing 43, and theflange 59 is urged inwards beyond the fluent exit aperture's rim (seeFIG. 5C ). Thereafter, thecap 51 can be freely screwed on and off thebase 46 for dispensing purposes (seeFIG. 5D ). -
FIG. 6 shows ascrew cap assembly 61 similar in construction and operation to thescrew cap assembly 41 but differing therefrom insofar as thecap 51 and the puncturingmember 53 have areverse screw arrangement 62 for urging the puncturingmember 53 inwards towards the container's interior for puncturing the sealing 43 to form thefluent exit aperture 42 on the cap's initial unscrewing. -
FIGS. 7-9 show the construction and operation of atoggle cap assembly 71 for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing the dispensing of the contents of a hand squeezableplastic bottle 72. Thetoggle cap assembly 71 includes acap 73 screw threadable onto thebottle 72, thecap 74 tapering to aspout 74, and formed with air vents 75. An annular latchableflow control diaphragm 76 sealingly extends between the bottle's interior surface and atubular dispensing member 77 having anopen end 77A in continuous flow communication with the bottle's interior on mounting thetoggle cap assembly 71 on thebottle 72, and asealed end 77B with a multitude of radially directedfluent exit apertures 78 disposed theretoward. The dispensingmember 77 is reciprocable between a retracted position (seeFIG. 9A ) and a protruding position (seeFIG. 9B ) with respect to the spout'srim 74A correspondingly preventing and enabling dispensing of the bottle's contents via thefluent exit apertures 78. Theflow control diaphragm 76 is selectively and repeatedly latchable between a sealing position and a flow communication position correspondingly urging the dispensingmember 77 between its retracted position and its protruding position. - The operation of the
toggle cap assembly 71 is as follows: - In its initially sealed state, the
flow control diaphragm 76 is in its sealing position and the dispensingmember 77 is in its retracted position (seeFIG. 9A ). On squeezing thebottle 72 denoted by arrows A, the prevailing fluid pressure denoted by the arrows B therein increases to urge theflow control diaphragm 76 to its flow communication position which in turn urges the dispensingmember 77 to its protruding position (seeFIG. 9B ). To re-seal thebottle 72, a force denoted C is applied against the dispensing member's sealedend 77B in the direction of the bottle's interior. -
FIGS. 10-12 show atoggle cap assembly 81 similar in construction and operation to thetoggle cap assembly 71 except that in this case aspout 82 is a discrete component sealingly secured in anannular recess 83 formed in acap 84 integrally formed with theflow control diaphragm 76 and the dispensingmember 77. -
FIGS. 13 and 14 show the construction and use of a collapsibleplastic bottle 91 having an uppermostnon-collapsible portion 92, an uppercollapsible portion 93 in its fully axially compacted state, a middlenon-collapsible portion 94, a lowercollapsible portion 96 in its fully axially extended state, and a lowermostnon-collapsible portion 97. Thecollapsible portions spiral ribs 98 extending between their adjacentnon-collapsible portions non-collapsible portions collapsible portion FIG. 14 . Eachspiral rib 98 has a leading surface 98A facing the bottle's opening 91A and a trailing surface 98B facing away therefrom, the leading surfaces 98A have a width D1 slightly wider than the width D2 of the trailing surfaces 98B, namely, D1>D2. This design facilitates the compaction of a collapsible portion since it requires a weaker twist action that the twist action required to extend a collapsible portion. -
FIGS. 15 and 16 show the construction and use of adual container dispenser 101 having a substantially ellipsoidal-like shape with alongitudinal axis 102, and a pair offlat end surfaces dispenser 101 is constituted by a pair of separable, side-by-side interlockable, hand squeezableplastic containers bottom surfaces top surfaces surfaces top surfaces re-sealable closures inside surface 108B is provided with arecess 111A adjacent itsbottom surface 106B for snap-fittingly receiving therein a lug 111B (not shown) formed on theinside surface 108A adjacent thetop surface 107A. Similarly, theinside surface 108A is provided with a recess 112A (not shown) adjacent itsbottom surface 106A for snap fittingly receive alug 112B formed on theinside surface 108B adjacent thetop surface 107B. Thecontainers dispenser 101 to dispense the contents of one or the other of its twocontainers - While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications, and other applications of the invention can be made within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (24)
1. A molded plastic re-sealable closure for initially forming a generally rectangular fluid exit aperture in a tearable sealing provided in a container, and thereafter capable of being selectively and repeatedly re-opened and re-sealed for respectively enabling and preventing the dispensing of the container's contents via the fluid exit aperture, the closure comprising:
(a) a frame member for sealingly adhesion to the container, and having an aperture for exposing the tearable sealing, said frame member having a trailing end, and a leading end for dispensing the container's contents;
(b) a cover pivotably hinged to said frame member towards said trailing end, and selectively and repeatedly disposable between a generally horizontal sealing position for initially and repeatedly sealing said aperture, and a generally upright open position for enabling the container's contents to be dispensed via the fluent exit aperture; and
(c) a substantially flat tearing member initially overlying the tearable sealing and pivotably attached to said cover also toward said trailing end on whose initial opening from its sealing position to its open position, a leading edge of said tearing member initially tears a fluent exit aperture in the tearable sealing adjacent said leading end and thereafter urges the tearable sealing away from the fluent exit aperture.
2. The closure according to claim 1 wherein said frame member has a pair of opposite rails for guiding the rearward displacement of said tearing member during said initial opening.
3. The closure according to claim 1 wherein said tearing member includes lug members adapted to snap fit into recesses formed in said cover towards said trailing end on the initial sealing of said cover on said frame member during the assembly of the closure.
4. The closure according to claim 1 wherein said tearing member is hingedly connected to said cover towards said trailing end.
5. The closure according to claim 1 wherein, on said cover being initially disposed into its upright open position, said tearing member lockingly interengages with an arresting member, thereby preventing the forward displacement of said tearing member during subsequent re-openings of said cover.
6. The closure according to said claim 5 wherein said tearing member includes an arresting projection for lockingly interengaging with an arresting recess formed in the cover's underside.
7. The closure according to said claim 5 wherein said tearing member is urged past an arresting protrusion protruding laterally inwards from said frame member.
8. A fluent dispensing container fitted with a closure according to claim 1 .
9. A screw cap assembly for initially forming a fluent exit aperture in a tearable sealing provided in a container, and thereafter capable of being selectively and repeatedly re-opened and re-sealed for respectively enabling and preventing dispensing of the container's contents via the fluid exit aperture, the screw cap assembly comprising a base for sealingly adhesion to the container, said base having an upright sleeve with an external screw thread on which a cap is initially and re-sealingly screw threadable thereon, said sleeve having a tubular puncturing member slidingly disposable therein with a puncturing tip initially overlying the tearable sealing, said puncturing member being urgable inwards towards the container's interior on an initial unscrewing of said cap from said base whereupon said puncturing tip punctures the tearable sealing for forming the fluent exit aperture.
10. The assembly according to claim 9 wherein said sleeve has a longitudinal axis and said puncturing tip lies substantially c-axial therewith.
11. The assembly according to claim 9 wherein said puncturing member has one or more outwardly radially protruding flange urged sufficiently inwards beyond the rim of the fluent exit aperture on said cap's initial unscrewing for preventing outward displacement of said puncturing member pursuant to the formation of the fluent exit aperture.
12. The assembly according to claim 9 wherein said puncturing member has a multitude of cutting blades radiating from said puncturing tip for cutting the container's exterior's surface on said cap's initial unscrewing.
13. The assembly according to claim 9 wherein said cap has a downwardly spiraling abutment surface for urging said puncturing member inwards towards the container's interior for forming the fluent exit aperture on said cap's initial unscrewing.
14. The assembly according to claim 9 wherein said cap and said puncturing member have a reverse screw arrangement for urging said puncturing member inwards towards the container's interior for forming the fluent exit aperture on said initial unscrewing.
15. A fluent dispensing container fitted with a screw cap assembly according to claim 9 .
16. For use with a hand squeezable plastic bottle, a toggle cap assembly for selectively and repeatedly enabling and preventing dispensing of the bottle's contents, the toggle cap assembly comprising:
(a) a spout fixedly mounted with respect to the bottle;
(b) a tubular dispensing member sealingly disposed within said spout, and having an open end in continuous flow communication with the bottle's interior on mounting the toggle cap assembly thereon, and a sealed end with at least one radially directed fluent exit aperture disposed theretoward, said dispensing member being reciprocable between a retracted position and a protruding position with respect to said spout's rim correspondingly preventing and enabling dispensing of the bottle's contents via said at least one fluent exit aperture; and
(c) an annular flow control diaphragm sealingly extending between said open end and the bottle's interior surface, said flow control diaphragm being selectively and repeatedly latchable between a sealing position and a flow communication position correspondingly urging said dispensing member between said retracted position and said protruding position, said flow control diaphragm being disposable from said sealing position to said flow communication position by increasing the prevailing fluid pressure in the bottle by squeezing same, and vice versa on applying a force against said sealed end in the direction of the bottle's interior.
17. The assembly according to claim 16 wherein a cap screw threadable on a bottle tapers to said spout.
18. The assembly according to claim 16 wherein said spout is a discrete component sealingly secured in an annular recess formed in a cap screw threadable on the bottle, and integrally formed with said flow control diaphragm and said dispensing member.
19. A hand squeezable plastic bottle fitted with a toggle cap assembly according to claim 16 .
20. A collapsible plastic bottle comprising at least one axially collapsible portion each capable of assuming only two possible states: a fully axially extended state or a fully axially compacted state.
21. The bottle according to claim 20 wherein a collapsible portion has a multitude of spiral ribs axially extending between a pair of non-collapsible portions, each rib having a leading surface facing the bottle's opening and a trailing surface facing away therefrom,
one of its leading surface and its trailing surface being wider than the other.
22. A dual container dispenser having a substantially ellipsoidal-like shape with a longitudinal axis and a pair of opposite flat end surfaces on each of which it can freely stand upright, the dispenser having two separable, side-by-side interlockable, hand squeezable plastic containers each having a selectively and repeatedly re-sealable closure associated therewith for enabling the dispensing of its contents upon being squeezed, each end surface of said pair of end surfaces having one of said pair of re-sealable closures.
23. The dispenser according to claim 22 wherein each container of said pair of containers extends along the full length of the dispenser whereby said pair of closures are diagonally disposed with respect to said longitudinal axis.
24. The dispenser according to claim 23 wherein each container has a bottom surface on which it can be freely stood upright.
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US20080245380A1 (en) * | 2007-04-05 | 2008-10-09 | Ecker William | Fluid applicator |
US8109236B2 (en) | 2007-04-05 | 2012-02-07 | Sumitomo Corporation Of America | Fluid delivery assembly |
US9604765B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2017-03-28 | Ahhmigo, Llc | Locking cap device and methods |
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ES1061106Y (en) * | 2005-07-12 | 2006-04-16 | Garcia Jose Manuel Garcia | PACK FOR TWO LIQUID OR PASTRY PRODUCTS |
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CN102223947A (en) * | 2008-11-20 | 2011-10-19 | 雅芳产品公司 | Packaging system for a cosmetic system |
FR2960529A1 (en) * | 2010-05-27 | 2011-12-02 | Curtil Sa | Assembly for closing container e.g. glass/plastic bottle such as oil bottle, has projection end fitting provided in central area of drilling member that is movably mounted between two positions, where one position is drilling position |
NL2010105C2 (en) * | 2013-01-10 | 2014-07-15 | Trendzpak Ltd | PACKAGING PACKAGE FOR A FLUID, AND PURCHASE FOR THAT. |
EP2913276A1 (en) * | 2014-02-27 | 2015-09-02 | Estavayer Lait SA | Plastic can and method for manufacturing same |
CN104590751A (en) * | 2014-11-07 | 2015-05-06 | 珠海中富工业集团有限公司 | Bottle cap assembly and container bottle with same |
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Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080245380A1 (en) * | 2007-04-05 | 2008-10-09 | Ecker William | Fluid applicator |
US8109236B2 (en) | 2007-04-05 | 2012-02-07 | Sumitomo Corporation Of America | Fluid delivery assembly |
US8668400B2 (en) | 2007-04-05 | 2014-03-11 | The Hartz Mountain Corporation | Fluid applicator |
US9604765B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2017-03-28 | Ahhmigo, Llc | Locking cap device and methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1461285A4 (en) | 2005-05-25 |
AU2002347585A8 (en) | 2003-06-17 |
WO2003047981A3 (en) | 2004-03-18 |
EP1461285A2 (en) | 2004-09-29 |
AU2002347585A1 (en) | 2003-06-17 |
US20050269353A1 (en) | 2005-12-08 |
WO2003047981A2 (en) | 2003-06-12 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |