US20080257909A1 - One Piece Dispensing Component - Google Patents

One Piece Dispensing Component Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080257909A1
US20080257909A1 US12/062,751 US6275108A US2008257909A1 US 20080257909 A1 US20080257909 A1 US 20080257909A1 US 6275108 A US6275108 A US 6275108A US 2008257909 A1 US2008257909 A1 US 2008257909A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
nozzle
dispensing component
flip cap
piece dispensing
hinge
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/062,751
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English (en)
Inventor
Ping Wang
Christopher Miles Miller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Priority to US12/062,751 priority Critical patent/US20080257909A1/en
Assigned to THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY reassignment THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MILLER, CHRISTOPHER MILES, WANG, PING (NMN)
Publication of US20080257909A1 publication Critical patent/US20080257909A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/02—Body construction
    • B65D35/10—Body construction made by uniting or interconnecting two or more components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/0081—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor of objects with parts connected by a thin section, e.g. hinge, tear line
    • 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
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/24—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices
    • B65D35/42—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices for preventing loss of removable closure members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2791/00—Shaping characteristics in general
    • B29C2791/001—Shaping in several steps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/0715—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration the preform having one end closed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
    • B29C49/06—Injection blow-moulding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/534—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
    • B29C66/5344—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2023/00—Tubular articles
    • B29L2023/20—Flexible squeeze tubes, e.g. for cosmetics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/56—Stoppers or lids for bottles, jars, or the like, e.g. closures
    • B29L2031/565—Stoppers or lids for bottles, jars, or the like, e.g. closures for containers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a one piece dispensing component. More particularly, the present invention relates to a one piece dispensing component that includes a body and a flip cap attached to the body with a hinge, wherein the one piece dispensing component is permanently connected to a container.
  • consumer product packaging and dispensers is one piece to this large industry. Such packages and/or dispensers are designed to hold and/or dispense the consumer product contained within the package and/or dispenser. There are a variety of consumer product packaging and dispensers commercially available.
  • the present invention is directed to a one piece dispensing component and/or package.
  • One embodiment of the present invention is a one piece dispensing component comprising a flip cap and a body, wherein the body includes a shoulder permanently connecting the body to a container and a nozzle connected to the shoulder.
  • the flip cap is connected to the body with a hinge.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention is a one piece dispensing component comprising a body, a flip cap, and a hinge.
  • the body including a nozzle and a shoulder connected to a product container, wherein a longitudinal axis of the nozzle is offset from a longitudinal axis of the body.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a product dispensing package comprising a non-injection molded container for holding a product and having an open end and a one piece dispensing component.
  • the one piece dispensing component includes a shoulder, a nozzle connected to the shoulder and having an orifice, a flip cap operable to close the orifice, and a hinge connecting the flip cap to the nozzle.
  • the shoulder permanently connecting the one piece dispensing component to the open end of the container such that the orifice is in fluid communication with the open end.
  • Still yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a process of manufacturing a one piece dispensing package that includes the steps of producing a one piece dispensing component, producing non-injection-molded tube having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end, and permanently connecting the one piece dispensing component to the open end of the tube.
  • the one piece dispensing component includes a shoulder, a nozzle, a flip cap, and a hinge attaching the flip cap to the nozzle.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematical perspective view of an exemplary one piece dispensing component according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along 1 - 1 of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary one piece dispensing component according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary one piece dispensing component according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 9 ;
  • FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 9 ;
  • FIG. 12 is a back side elevational view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 9 ;
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary one piece dispensing component according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 13 ;
  • FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 13 ;
  • FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the exemplary one piece dispensing component according to FIG. 13 .
  • Product dispensing package 10 generally includes a container 20 for holding a product 50 and one piece dispensing component 30 connected to container 20 .
  • Container 20 may include, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, a side wall 22 encompassing a product reservoir 24 , an open end 26 , and a closed end 28 to form a tube-shaped, open-ended container.
  • side wall 22 is fabricated from a flexible substrate, thus making container 20 flexible.
  • the substrate of side wall 22 may include a metalized substrate such as a foil layer to provide oxygen and vapor barrier characteristics.
  • Metalized substrate as used herein, is defined as a substrate comprising at least a thin metal layer such as, for example, a foil layer.
  • Exemplary metals that may be used in the metal layer may include, but not be limited to, aluminum, lead, tin and any combinations thereof.
  • the ‘metalized substrate’ and/or side wall 22 may further comprise additional materials to be combined with the metal layer such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), nylon, Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH), Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA), Ethylene Methyl acrylate (EMA), thermoplastic elastomer (e.g., SEBS, EP rubber, etc.), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyvinyl dichloride (PVDC), Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer, polyester (e.g., Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), PolyButylene Terephthalate (PBT), etc.), copolymers of the same, combinations thereof, or any other container materials as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • PP polypropylene
  • PE polyethylene
  • nylon Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol
  • EAA Ethylene vinyl acetate
  • Container 20 may be fabricated using a variety of molding processes as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • container 20 is fabricated using a non-injection molding process.
  • a ‘non-injection molded’ or ‘non-injection molding’ is defined as any molding process to fabricate components, but a strict injection molding process.
  • injection blow molding, compression molding, and blow molding processes are all, for the purposes of this invention, considered non-injection molding processes, as defined herein.
  • an end 27 of sidewall 22 may be overlapped upon itself and then heat-sealed or glued to oneself as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • container 20 may comprise any type of conventional container shape and configuration, including but not limited to a stand-up tube, stand-up container, pump container, squeeze container, and any other container known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • One piece dispensing component 30 includes a body generally shown as 32 and a flip cap 38 .
  • body 32 may include a shoulder generally shown as 34 , a nozzle 36 connected to shoulder 34 , an orifice 37 disposed at a distal end 41 of nozzle 36 , and a hinge 39 connecting flip cap 38 to nozzle 36 .
  • Shoulder 34 may further comprise a side wall 31 , a top wall 33 , and an angled wall 35 connecting side wall 31 and top wall 33 . It is understood that shoulder 34 may comprise a variety of shapes and configurations as known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to a smooth or continuous curvature defining shoulder 34 .
  • one piece component is defined as a single, molded unit, wherein none of the components are separable, particularly under normal use conditions.
  • one piece dispensing component 30 which includes flip cap 38 and body 32 , i.e., flip cap 38 , nozzle 36 , orifice 37 , hinge 39 , top wall 33 , angled wall 35 , and side wall 31 , are all molded as one single, integral component that is non-separable under normal use conditions. It has been discovered that the one piece flip cap and body of the present invention saves manufacturing time, money, and material over prior art flip cap closures that had to be threadingly connected to a nozzle of a container.
  • One piece dispensing component 30 may be fabricated from a variety of plastic and/or polymeric materials. Exemplary materials that may be used to fabricate dispensing component 30 include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, EVOH, EVA, EAA, EMA, thermoplastic elastomer (e.g., SEBS, EP rubber, etc.), TPU, PVDC, PVC, Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer, polyester (e.g., PET, PBT, etc.), or any other conventional materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, dispensing component 30 is molded from a single polymer or blended polymers. Alternatively, multiple materials and/or polymers may be used in the fabrication of the one piece dispensing component 30 .
  • One piece dispensing component 30 may be fabricated using an injection molding or a compression molding process.
  • the process of injection molding requires filling a part cavity with molten plastic using pressure generated via the injection molding machine. Once filled, the cavity remains closed so the molten plastic can begin cooling and solidifying. After cooling for a period of time, usually a few seconds, the mold is opened and the cooled part, i.e., dispensing component 30 , is ejected from the mold.
  • compression molding a ‘slug’ of plastic of a predetermined gram weight is placed in the mold cavity. Two halves of a mold are brought together and squeeze the slug of plastic, forcing it to flow through the cavity and creating the finished dispensing component 30 .
  • dispensing component 30 is either ejected or manually removed from the compression tool.
  • the present invention permits the manufacture of a flip cap closure for a product dispenser to only require one mold, to use less material, and to require less than time compared to conventional flip cap dispensers.
  • flip cap 38 of the exemplary embodiment has a diameter (a) that is substantially the same as a diameter (b) of nozzle 36 .
  • flip cap 38 is substantially the same size as nozzle 36 .
  • diameter (a) of flip cap 38 is less than a diameter (c) of shoulder 34 .
  • diameter (a) of flip cap 38 may substantially less than diameter (c) of shoulder 34 , yet diameter (a) is of sufficient size that flip cap 38 may still cover and/or close orifice 37 .
  • Distal end 41 of nozzle 36 and an inside surface 44 of flip cap 38 may include respective snap on mechanisms, snap fit geometry (e.g., annular ring snap geometry), interference fit mechanisms, interfering geometry, notches, and/or protrusions as known to one of ordinary skill in the art that permit flip cap 38 to be releasably attached onto distal end 41 in order to cover and/or close orifice 37 .
  • an annular ring snap bead 40 extends radially outward from distal end 41 .
  • Flip cap 38 has an interference channel 42 disposed on inside surface 44 of the flip cap.
  • Hinge 39 may comprise a flexible hinge, wherein the hinge is fabricated from a thin flexible piece of plastic material that is integral to and connected to both flip cap 38 and nozzle 36 as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • hinge 39 may be fabricated from the same material as used in the entire one piece dispensing component 30 .
  • hinge 39 may be fabricated from a one material such as, for example, polypropylene that is different from a second material such as, for example, polyethylene that may be used to fabricate the remainder of dispensing component 30 , using either a two shot injection molding process or an over molding process.
  • hinge 39 may comprise other conventional hinge strap designs such as, for example, hinge straps that are bi-stable in function or a single strap “butterfly” hinge design as known to one of ordinary skill in the art and described below herein.
  • One piece dispensing component 30 is permanently connected to container 20 at open end 26 .
  • ‘permanently connected’ is defined as a connection between two components that is not designed to be separated or disconnected under normal use conditions. For example, a threaded connection between two components would not be a permanent connection as defined and used herein.
  • side wall 22 may be sonic welded, glued, adhered, press sealed, Over molding, Insert molding, and Bi-product injection molding to side wall 31 .
  • orifice 37 is placed in fluid communication with reservoir 24 of container 20 such that product 50 may be dispensed from the reservoir through orifice 37 .
  • FIGS. 5-8 another exemplary embodiment of a one piece dispensing component 130 of the present invention is shown.
  • one piece dispensing component 130 may be connected to a variety of containers as known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to any of the exemplary containers set forth herein.
  • dispenser component 130 may be connected to open end 26 of container 20 as described above and shown in FIGS. 1-4 such that product 50 may be dispensed from reservoir 24 and through and out of dispensing component 130 .
  • One piece dispensing component 130 includes a body generally shown as 132 and a flip cap 138 .
  • body 132 may include a shoulder generally shown as 134 , a nozzle 136 connected to shoulder 134 , an orifice 137 disposed at a distal end 141 of nozzle 136 , and a hinge 145 connecting flip cap 138 to nozzle 136 .
  • Shoulder 134 may further comprise a lower side wall 131 disposed at an end of component 130 opposite nozzle 136 , a top wall 133 , and a curved wall connecting side wall 131 to top wall 133 .
  • Body 132 had a longitudinal axis A′-A, and as shown, both shoulder 134 and nozzle 136 are coaxially aligned about axis A′-A.
  • One piece dispensing component 130 may also be fabricated using a variety of materials (e.g., polymeric materials), singularly or in combination, as known to one of ordinary skill in the art and as set forth above herein with reference to one piece dispensing component 30 .
  • the present invention also permits one mold to be used to form the dispensing component 130 .
  • shoulder 134 may comprise a variety of shapes and configurations as known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to angular, discontinuous, and other geometric forms.
  • flip cap 138 of the exemplary embodiment has a diameter (a) that is substantially the same as a diameter (b) of nozzle 136 .
  • flip cap 138 is substantially the same size as nozzle 136 .
  • diameter (a) of flip cap 138 is less than a diameter (c) of shoulder 134 .
  • diameter (a) of flip cap 138 may substantially less than diameter (c) of shoulder 134 , yet diameter (a) is of sufficient size that flip cap 138 may still cover and/or close orifice 137 .
  • Distal end 141 of nozzle 136 includes an annular ring snap bead 140 that extends radially outward from distal end 141 .
  • Flip cap 138 has an interference channel 142 disposed on inside surface 144 of the flip cap. When the flip cap is moved to close orifice 137 , it is flipped over and on top of distal end 141 such that bead 140 engages interference channel 142 in an interference fit, i.e., bead 140 is ‘snapped’ into channel 142 .
  • the flip cap and the nozzle may include variety of conventional mechanisms as known to one of ordinary skill in the art to permit flip cap 138 to releasably attach to and close nozzle 136 and orifice 137 including those set forth above with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 .
  • Hinge 145 may include a hinge strap design, which comprises two outer hinge straps 146 and a center hinge 148 that hingedly connect flip cap 138 to nozzle 136 as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • Hinge 145 includes a bi-stable function.
  • the hinge straps that are bi-stable in function tend to snap flip cap 138 to either an open or closed position.
  • hinge straps 146 of this embodiment keep flip cap 138 out of the line of site and out of the way of any product being dispensed from the nozzle.
  • hinge straps 146 make closing the flip cap easier because the hinge straps snap flip cap 138 into a position directly over nozzle 136 and/or orifice 137 .
  • outer straps 146 function as the pivot point and center hinge 148 creates and provides the bi-stable characteristic.
  • the bi-stable characteristic is achieved by controlling the length of center strap(s) 148 relative to hinge pivot point.
  • the center strap(s) being slightly shorter than overall hinge length, passes through a point of tension during opening and closing of flip cap 138 .
  • the overall hinge length is the linear distance between the hinge's attachment to the Cap and the hinge's attachment to the Nozzle.
  • the hinge pivot point is a point equal distance from the center of flip cap 138 to center of nozzle 136 .
  • hinge 145 may be fabricated from either the same material as the remainder of dispensing component 130 or a second material different from the material used to fabricate the remainder of component 130 , using a two shot injection molding process or an over molding process as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. While this alternative embodiment includes 3 straps, the same function can be achieved using either two straps without a center hinge (e.g., without center hinge 148 ) or a hinge with a conventional single strap “butterfly” hinge design as also known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • FIGS. 9-12 another exemplary embodiment of a one piece dispensing component 230 of the present invention is shown.
  • one piece dispensing component 230 may be connected to a variety of containers as known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to any of the exemplary containers set forth herein.
  • dispenser component 230 may be connected to open end 26 of container 20 as described above and shown in FIGS. 1-4 such that product 50 may be dispensed from reservoir 24 and through and out of dispensing component 230 .
  • One piece dispensing component 230 includes a body generally shown as 232 and a flip cap 238 .
  • body 232 may include a shoulder generally shown as 234 , a nozzle 236 connected to shoulder 234 , an orifice 237 disposed at a distal end 241 of nozzle 236 , and a hinge 245 connecting flip cap 238 to nozzle 236 .
  • Shoulder 234 may further comprise a lower side wall 231 disposed at an end of component 230 opposite nozzle 236 , and a curved top wall 233 and a substantially vertical wall 229 connecting the side wall 231 to the nozzle.
  • Curved top wall 233 comprises a smooth and/or continuous curve-shape.
  • Body 232 has a longitudinal axis B′-B and nozzle 236 has a longitudinal axis A′-A separate from longitudinal axis B′-B that is offset a distance (X) from the body's longitudinal axis B′-B. Offset distance (X) may be greater than about 0.5 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, offset distance (X) is from about 7 mm to about 15 mm. Due to nozzle longitudinal axis A′-A being offset a distance (X) from body longitudinal axis B′-B, shoulder 234 , and particularly top wall 233 has an asymmetrical shape about longitudinal axis B′-B as shown in FIGS. 9-12 . It is understood that shoulder 234 may comprise a variety of shapes and configurations as known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to angular, discontinuous, and other geometric forms.
  • One piece dispensing component 230 may also be fabricated using a variety of materials (e.g., polymeric materials), singularly or in combination, as known to one of ordinary skill in the art and as set forth above herein with reference to one piece dispensing component 30 .
  • the present invention also permits one mold to be used to form the dispensing component 230 .
  • This offset nozzle design of the present invention permits the mold to be pulled straight apart when removing the mold from the dispensing component 230 , which simplifies and eases the removal of the component from the mold.
  • a coaxially nozzle dispensing component design such as shown in FIGS.
  • the mold must be slid to the side when opening the mold and then pulled up and away from the dispensing component 30 , making the removal of the component from the mold much more difficult and cumbersome.
  • the offset nozzle configuration of this exemplary embodiment provides a design that simplifies and improves the efficiency of the removal of the component from the mold.
  • flip cap 238 of the exemplary embodiment has a diameter (a) that is substantially the same as a diameter (b) of nozzle 136 .
  • flip cap 238 is substantially the same size as nozzle 236 .
  • diameter (a) of flip cap 238 is less than a diameter (c) of shoulder 234 .
  • diameter (a) of flip cap 238 may substantially less than diameter (c) of shoulder 234 , yet diameter (a) is of sufficient size that flip cap 238 may still cover and/or close orifice 237 .
  • Distal end 241 of nozzle 236 includes an annular ring snap bead 240 that extends radially outward from distal end 241 .
  • Flip cap 238 has an interference channel 242 disposed on inside surface 244 of the flip cap. When the flip cap is moved to close orifice 237 , it is flipped over and on top of distal end 241 such that bead 240 engages interference channel 242 in an interference fit, i.e., bead 240 is ‘snapped’ into channel 242 .
  • the flip cap and the nozzle may include variety of conventional mechanisms as known to one of ordinary skill in the art to permit flip cap 238 to releasably attach to and close nozzle 236 and orifice 237 including those set forth above with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8 .
  • Hinge 245 may include a hinge strap design, which comprises two outer hinge straps 146 and a center hinge 248 that hingedly connect flip cap 238 to nozzle 236 as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • flip cap 238 and hinge 245 are disposed and connected to nozzle 236 on the same side as curved top wall 233 , which is opposite substantially vertical wall 229 .
  • dispensing component 230 includes flip cap 238 and hinge 245 disposed and connected to nozzle 236 on the same side as substantially vertical wall 229 , opposite curved top wall 233 .
  • the dispensing component in the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 13-16 is the same as the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 9-12 .
  • hinge 245 includes a bi-stable function as set forth above herein.
  • hinge 245 includes two outer straps 246 that function as the pivot point and a center hinge 248 creating the bi-stable characteristic as described above herein.
  • hinge 245 may comprise other conventional hinge designs such as, for example, a single strap hinge, a single strap “butterfly” hinge, or two hinge straps without a center hinge as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • Hinge 245 may be fabricated from either the same material as the remainder of dispensing component 230 or a second material different from the material used to fabricate the remainder of component 230 , using a two shot injection molding process or an over molding process as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Tubes (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
US12/062,751 2007-04-05 2008-04-04 One Piece Dispensing Component Abandoned US20080257909A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/062,751 US20080257909A1 (en) 2007-04-05 2008-04-04 One Piece Dispensing Component

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US92219507P 2007-04-05 2007-04-05
US12/062,751 US20080257909A1 (en) 2007-04-05 2008-04-04 One Piece Dispensing Component

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080257909A1 true US20080257909A1 (en) 2008-10-23

Family

ID=39758841

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/062,751 Abandoned US20080257909A1 (en) 2007-04-05 2008-04-04 One Piece Dispensing Component

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20080257909A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP2129590A2 (ja)
JP (1) JP2010522674A (ja)
CN (1) CN101646606A (ja)
AU (1) AU2008236374A1 (ja)
BR (1) BRPI0810106A2 (ja)
CA (1) CA2682248A1 (ja)
MX (1) MX2009010730A (ja)
RU (1) RU2009136477A (ja)
WO (1) WO2008122953A2 (ja)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090065528A1 (en) * 2007-09-07 2009-03-12 Ithink Packaging Solutions, Llc Tube package system
US20100065148A1 (en) * 2008-09-18 2010-03-18 Tracia Williams Multi-colored adhesive with opalescent and metallic colored particles and method of making same
US20130299512A1 (en) * 2012-05-14 2013-11-14 Naira Gevorkian Collapsible dispensing tube with internal press-to-close sealers to prevent reverse flow of the content towards the closed end
US9242767B2 (en) 2009-05-26 2016-01-26 Hoffmann Neopac Ag Polyfoil tube made from semi-rigid or rigid foil materials

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
MY160320A (en) * 2010-12-06 2017-02-28 Colgate Palmolive Co Laminate tube having enhanced resiliency by a block copolymer
CN102582924A (zh) * 2012-02-17 2012-07-18 上海万汇塑料包装容器有限公司 一种新型软管及其生产工艺
CN106536365A (zh) * 2014-08-14 2017-03-22 李东勋 盖‑身一体型软管容器及其制作装置和制作方法
CN105242083A (zh) * 2015-10-21 2016-01-13 宁波三星医疗电气股份有限公司 翻盖式电能表罩壳及其装配方法
FR3070303B1 (fr) * 2017-08-22 2019-09-13 Cep Tubes Tube equipe d'une capsule a charniere sans embase.
CN212739078U (zh) * 2019-09-19 2021-03-19 宝洁公司 用于口腔护理组合物的分配器

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US4265948A (en) * 1977-11-07 1981-05-05 Ethyl Corporation Collapsible dispensing tube
US4551371A (en) * 1982-11-23 1985-11-05 American Can Company Multiple layer flexible sheet structure
US4685591A (en) * 1984-12-28 1987-08-11 American Can Company Dispensing tube package
US4733800A (en) * 1984-10-02 1988-03-29 Ab Akerlund & Rausing Tube and a method and a device for manufacturing of the tube
US5386918A (en) * 1993-04-22 1995-02-07 Colgate-Palmolive Co. Closure with tamper evidence structure
US5702033A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-12-30 Continental Plastic Containers, Inc. Adjoined dual-tube dispenser
US5779110A (en) * 1993-05-10 1998-07-14 Courtaulds Packaging, Inc. Package having closure assembly with concealed hinge
US6557728B1 (en) * 2000-04-05 2003-05-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Musical toothpaste tube closure
US6691394B1 (en) * 2001-02-12 2004-02-17 Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc. Disk-top fluid dispensing package
US20050242132A1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2005-11-03 Emilio Morini Plastic single-piece tube
US7374053B2 (en) * 2004-07-16 2008-05-20 Closure Systems International, Inc. Tamper-indicating dispensing closure
US7644843B1 (en) * 2006-12-14 2010-01-12 Rexam Closures And Containers Inc. Reverse taper dispensing orifice seal

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JP2670216B2 (ja) * 1992-08-26 1997-10-29 株式会社クラレ チューブ状容器およびその口頭部
US6270867B1 (en) * 1993-06-24 2001-08-07 Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc. Structures of polymers made from single site catalysts
US5913449A (en) * 1996-09-16 1999-06-22 Courtaulds Packaging Limited Flexible tubular containers
FR2764230A1 (fr) * 1997-06-06 1998-12-11 Carnaudmetalbox Sante Beaute Procede de fabrication d'un tube souple et tube obtenu selon ce procede
DE19916141A1 (de) * 1999-04-09 2000-10-26 Ticona Gmbh Mehrschichtbehälter mit verbesserter Haftung zwischen den Polymerschichten und hervorragenden Barriereeigenschaften
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3933271A (en) * 1974-02-14 1976-01-20 Colgate-Palmolive Company Captive cap
US4265948A (en) * 1977-11-07 1981-05-05 Ethyl Corporation Collapsible dispensing tube
US4551371A (en) * 1982-11-23 1985-11-05 American Can Company Multiple layer flexible sheet structure
US4733800A (en) * 1984-10-02 1988-03-29 Ab Akerlund & Rausing Tube and a method and a device for manufacturing of the tube
US4685591A (en) * 1984-12-28 1987-08-11 American Can Company Dispensing tube package
US5386918A (en) * 1993-04-22 1995-02-07 Colgate-Palmolive Co. Closure with tamper evidence structure
US5779110A (en) * 1993-05-10 1998-07-14 Courtaulds Packaging, Inc. Package having closure assembly with concealed hinge
US5702033A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-12-30 Continental Plastic Containers, Inc. Adjoined dual-tube dispenser
US6557728B1 (en) * 2000-04-05 2003-05-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Musical toothpaste tube closure
US6691394B1 (en) * 2001-02-12 2004-02-17 Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc. Disk-top fluid dispensing package
US20050242132A1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2005-11-03 Emilio Morini Plastic single-piece tube
US7374053B2 (en) * 2004-07-16 2008-05-20 Closure Systems International, Inc. Tamper-indicating dispensing closure
US7644843B1 (en) * 2006-12-14 2010-01-12 Rexam Closures And Containers Inc. Reverse taper dispensing orifice seal

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090065528A1 (en) * 2007-09-07 2009-03-12 Ithink Packaging Solutions, Llc Tube package system
US20100065148A1 (en) * 2008-09-18 2010-03-18 Tracia Williams Multi-colored adhesive with opalescent and metallic colored particles and method of making same
US8360113B2 (en) * 2008-09-18 2013-01-29 Advantus, Corp. Multi-colored adhesive with opalescent and metallic colored particles and method of making same
US9242767B2 (en) 2009-05-26 2016-01-26 Hoffmann Neopac Ag Polyfoil tube made from semi-rigid or rigid foil materials
US20130299512A1 (en) * 2012-05-14 2013-11-14 Naira Gevorkian Collapsible dispensing tube with internal press-to-close sealers to prevent reverse flow of the content towards the closed end

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101646606A (zh) 2010-02-10
EP2129590A2 (en) 2009-12-09
RU2009136477A (ru) 2011-05-10
WO2008122953A2 (en) 2008-10-16
JP2010522674A (ja) 2010-07-08
WO2008122953A3 (en) 2008-12-04
CA2682248A1 (en) 2008-10-16
AU2008236374A1 (en) 2008-10-16
BRPI0810106A2 (pt) 2014-10-21
MX2009010730A (es) 2009-10-26

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