WO2000027749A1

WO2000027749A1 - Docking system for a rechargeable dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2000027749A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/025764
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lee Mathew Arent; Chinto Benjamin Gaw; Reuben Earl Oder; Robert Edward Stahley
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 1998-11-09
Filing date: 1999-11-05
Publication date: 2000-05-18
Also published as: AU1338100A; AR014591A1

Abstract

A docking station, for a rechargeable dispensing system having a recharge container and a dispenser, comprises a receptacle and a locking mechanism. The receptacle receives the recharge container. The locking mechanism comprises a rotatable clip actuator and a finger ring. The rotatable clip actuator is positioned within the receptacle and has at least one camming surface. The finger ring is positioned within the clip actuator and has at least one finger which engages the camming surface when the clip actuator is rotated. The engagement of the camming surface and finger forces the finger into locking engagement with the recharge container which secures the recharge container to the receptacle.

Description

DOCKING SYSTEM FOR A RECHARGEABLE DISPENSER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved docking system for a rechargeable dispenser, and more particularly, to a docking system for a rechargeable dispenser that dispenses an anhydrous thick liquid having at least 40° o suspended solids.

Background of the Invention

Rechargeable dispensers for liquid detergent products and other liquid products are known in the art For example. U.S. Patent No. 5.273,186 to Widmer, December 28, 1993, discloses a rechargeable dispenser with a rack and pinion system having a handle for dispensing a liquid product. The Widmer dispenser is capable of dispensing large dosages because of the rack and pinion system: however, this type of dispenser is not desirable due to the additional cost and complexity of the rack and pinion system. Also, the Widmer dispenser has a side aperture for dispensing product to the dosing chamber which tends to leave a fair amount of product residual at the bottom of the container. Furthermore, this container aperture is not provided with an automatic shut-off valve which would allow the user to remove the container from the dispenser w ithout spilling the product.

In addition, U.S. Patent No. 4.673.109 to Cassia, June 16, 1987, discloses a liquid soap dispensing system compπsing a housing, discharge mechanism, latch means and bias means. However, the Cassia dispenser's single latch means does not provide enough axially support for a container having large volumes as desired in the present invention.

Therefore, what is needed is an improved docking mechanism for a rechargeable container capable of accurate!) dispensing relatively large doses of a highly viscous anhydrous product having at least 40% suspended solids with minimal effort and with minimal residual left withm the container while reducing the possibility of water contamination

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved docking mechanism for a rechargeable container.

It is a further object to provide a docking station for a rechargeable dispensing system having a recharge container and a dispenser, comprising a receptacle for receiving the recharge container, a locking mechanism, comprising: a rotatable clip actuator positioned withm the receptacle and having at least one camming surface, and a finger ring positioned withm the clip actuator and having at least one fmger which engages the at least one camming surface when the clip actuator is rotated, thereby forcing the at least one finger into locking engagement with the recharge container for securing the recharge container to the receptacle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred rechargeable dispensing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the preferred rechargeable dispensing system having a valved base m an undocked state according to the present invention.

FIGS. 3a and 3b are partial exploded perspective and side view assembly drawings, respectively, of the preferred locking mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the recharge finish area of the preferred rechargeable dispensing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate rechargeable dispensing system m a docked state according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate rechargeable dispensing system in an undocked state according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective assembly drawing of an alternate slide clip actuator with a bias to a locked position according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred piston pump assembly according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred rechargeable dispensing system 10 is shown in the docked (FIG. 1) and undocked (FIG. 2) position and includes three major sub-assemblies: a recharge container assembly 11, a base assembly 12, and a piston pump assembly 13. The rechargeable dispensing system 10 is in a docked position when the recharge container 11 is engaged with the base 12 while the system 10 is m an undocked position when the recharge container 11 is disengaged with the base 12.

The preferred recharge container 11 comprises a blow molded bottle 14 having a handle 15, a primary finish 16 having an opening 16a and a finish recess 18 located at one end of the bottle 14, a secondary finish 17 located at the opposite end of the bottle 14 for venting through a venting cap 17a, a bottle cap 19 for supporting a valve post 20 which is attached to a valve 21. Alternately, the recharge container 11 may comprise a flexible bag 14a, the bag 14a in a carton, or the bag 14a in the bottle 14 without deviating from the intent of the invention.

The bottle 14 is designed to house a highly viscous anhydrous liquid product having at least 40% suspended solids and is preferably blow molded. However, the bottle may contain a variety of liquids and may comprise a variety of materials formed using various methods such as a heat sealed, gusseted plastic pouch or a blow molded bag positioned withm a blow molded bottle without deviating from the present invention.

The handle 15 of the bottle 14 is preferably positioned at the opposite end of the primary finish 16 for transporting the dispensing system 10 when the recharge container 11 is docked or for transporting the recharge container 11 when undocked from the base 12. The handle 15 can also be used to ergonomically assist the placement of the recharge container 11 in the base 12 during the docking process. Alternatively, the handle 15 may be positioned adjacent the primary finish 16 or along the sides 14b of the bottle 14 without deviating from the intent of the invention. The primary finish 16 secures the recharge container 11 to the base 12 and allows the contents of the bottle 14 to exit into the base 12. The bottle cap 19 provides a sealing surface 19a for a seal 26. The valve 21 is used to retain the product within the recharge container 11 until it is docked withm the base 12. The valve 21 is preferably a spiral valve (FIG. 3) but may comprise a variety of valve configurations without deviating from the intent of the invention. The valve post 20 is used to open the valve 21 by pushing against a base seal 27 of the base 12 when the recharge container 11 is pushed vertically into the docked position (FIG. 1). The preferred spiral valve 21 has a plate 21a connected to an outer ring 21b with preferably between 3-10 bands 21c having shape memory. In the preferred embodiment, the spiral valve 21 is seated against the bottle cap 19 and is opened by the valve post 20 which pushes against the plate 21a of the spiral valve 21 when docked. As the post 20 engages the plate 21a, the bands 21c flex as the plate 21a is pushed upward into an open position withm the bottle 14. As a result, the contents of the bottle 14 will pass into the receptacle 22 and to the connector 23 due to gravity.

When the recharge container 11 is removed from the receptacle 22, the post 20 will disengage the plate 21 a which allows the bands 21 c to return to their original closed position due to their shape memory. In turn, the bands 21c pull the plate 21a back against the top surface of the bottle cap 19. In this way, the recharge container l lcan be removed m the inverted position without the contents of the bottle leaking.

In addition, the locking mechanism 25 preferably activates the spiral valve 21 by manipulating the post 20 so that the spiral valve 21 remains m its closed position when the recharge container 11 is m the docked but unlocked position. The spiral valve 21 opens only when the recharge container 11 is in the docked and locked position by engaging the locking mechanism 25.

The secondary finish 17 is used as an air exit for the vent cap 17a, which preferably has a one-way vent valve, as product is dispensed from the bottle 14. The vent cap 17a is preferably loosened to relieve the vacuum created withm the bottle 14. Without the vent cap 17a, the bottle 14 will collapse as the product is dispensed. This is advantageous in an alternate embodiment of the rechargeable dispensing system 10 which reduces product residuals withm the bottle 14 by pulling the bottle's flexible walls 14b together and squeezing the product out of the bottle 14. The preferred base 12 has a receptacle 22 for receiving the primary finish 16 of the recharge container 11, a fluid connector 23 for connecting the receptacle 22 to a pump inlet 24 located within the base 12 and a locking mechanism 25 for securing the recharge container 11 to the base 12. The preferred base 12 also has the seal 26, the base seal 27, a return spring 28, a drip cup 30 and a base cover 31. The seal 26, preferably an O-ring, is attached to the receptacle 22 and provides a liquid-tight seal between the recharge container 11 and the base 12. The drip cup 30 is removably attached to an inside bottom surface 33 of the receptacle 22 for receiving any excess product which may drip from the bottle 14 prior to sealing the recharge container 11 to the base 12. Finally, the base cover 31 encloses the internal parts of the base 12 to create the appearance of a solid base. Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the preferred locking mechanism 25 comprises a clip actuator 35 and a fmger ring 36, both of which are attached to the base 12. The preferred clip actuator 35 has three camming surfaces 37 approximately 120 degrees apart. The preferred finger ring 36 has three fingers 38 and is made of polypropylene. The clip actuator 35 snaps mside the receptacle 22 and the fmger ring 36 is then snapped mside of the clip actuator 35 as shown m FIGS. 1 and 2. The clip actuator 35 and the finger ring 36 may have one or more camming surfaces 37, one or more fingers 38, respectively, and/or be made of a variety of materials without deviating from the intent of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the preferred recharge container 11 has a snap-on cover 29 attached to the bottle finish 16 and a foil seal 34 attached to the bottle cap 19 which protect the spiral valve 21 from outside elements. In addition, the cover 29 and foil seal 34 prevent moisture from contaminating the product while on the shelf or in storage.

The operation of the preferred rechargeable dispensing system 10 requires the removal of the snap-on cover 39 and the foil seal 40 from the recharge container 11. The primary finish 16 of the recharge container 11 is inserted vertically into the receptacle 22 of the base 12. As the recharge container 11 is inserted, the valve post 20 on the back of the spiral valve 21 pushes the base seal 27 open by compressing the return spring 28, thus creating a product flow path (i.e. open communication) between the recharge container 11 and the pump 13. The O-πng seal 26 in the receptacle 22 engages the internal diameter of the bottle cap 19 and creates a liquid tight seal between the bottle cap 19 and the base 12 before the spiral valve 21 is opened. The insertion of the recharge container 11 continues until the bottle cap 19 engages the mside bottom surface 33 of the receptacle 22 in the final docked but unlocked position.

To lock the recharge container 11 to the base 12, the clip actuator 35 is rotated such that the camming surfaces 37 push the fingers 38 of the finger ring 36 into the finish recess 18 of the bottle 14. The recharge container 11 will remain locked to the base 12 as long as the camming surfaces 37 engage the fingers 38 by forcing the fingers 38 toward the primary finish 16 and into the finish recess 18. To unlock the bottle 14, the clip actuator 35 is rotated such that the camming surfaces 37 disengage the fingers 38 which allows the fingers 38 to relax away from the primary finish 16 and disengage the finish recess 18. The recharge container 11 is unlocked from the base 12 and capable of being removed and transported. This permits the empty recharge container 11 to be replaced with a full recharged container. Alternately, the fingers 38 could be spring loaded with a locked bias.

The drip cup 30 is positioned mside the receptacle 22 to capture any excess product that might drip out of the recharge container 11 as it is removed from the base 12. In addition, the drip cup 30 is snapped into the receptacle 22 for easy removal and cleaning.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternate rechargeable dispensing system 40 is shown in a docked position (FIG. 5) and an undocked position (FIG. 6). The alternate rechargeable dispensing system 40 is the same m structure and operation as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the alternate recharge container 11 does not have the valve post 20, the moveable base seal 27 or the return spring 28. Instead, the base 12 of the alternate system 40 utilizes a fixed base seal 32 to activate the valve 21.

As the recharge container 11 is inserted into the receptacle 22, a base post 39 of the fixed base seal 32, which is attached to the receptacle 22, pushes the spiral valve 21 open and creates the necessary product flow path between the recharge container 11 and the pump 13 However, the rechargeable dispensing system 10 of FIGS. 1-4 with the return spring 28 and the base seal 27 is preferred because it provides a closed rechargeable dispensing system 10 which minimizes the opportunity for product contamination with water when the recharge container 11 is removed from the base 12 In operation, gravity will assist the movement of the product out of the alternate rechargeable dispensing system's 40 recharge container 11 and into the fluid connector 23 until a pressure equilibrium is achieved between the container 11 and the fluid connector 23. The fluid connector 23 serves as a product reservoir as well as an air tight passageway between the pump 13 and the recharge container 11. Referring to FIG. 7, an alternate docking mechanism 42 is shown in an assembly drawing

(FIG. 7) and comprises a slide clip actuator 43, a bias spring 44 , a spring post 45 for receiving the bias spring 44, a slide clip key hole 46 and a slot 47.

In operation, the primary finish 16 of the bottle 14 is inserted in a vertical direction 46a through the slide clip key hole 46. As the slide clip actuator 43 is moved m an axial direction 46b, the slide clip actuator 43 lockmgly engages the finish recess 18. The slide clip actuator 43 is attached to the base 12 and is held in a locked position by the pressure exerted by the bias spπng 44.

Referring to FIG. 10, the pump 13 can be any type of pump capable of pumping a highly viscous liquid such as laundry treatment products, particularly a new type of anhydrous (solvent- based) thick cream-like laundry detergent product having at least 40% suspended solids, a specific gravity of 1.2 and a viscosity range of between 1000 to 3500 centipoise. However, the preferred pump 13 is an injection molded fixed-nozzle piston-and-cy nder type pump made primarily for dispensing viscous liquids such as laundry treatment products by manual operation.

The preferred pump 13 comprises a piston 48 and a piston seal 49 having a plunger 50 which is activated manually using a handle 51. The pump 13 has an mlet 52 which receives the product and a discharge spout 53 for dispensing the product The product flow is controlled through the pump via an mlet valve 54 and an outlet valve 55. The preferred pump is a manual piston-and-cylmder pump but may comprise a variety of pumps available in the industry but preferably comprises, for example, piston and cylinder pumps manufactured by Englass Packaging and Dispensing Systems, Inc., such as FND 30, MAXI and MAJOR piston pumps.

In operation, the piston 48 is drawn in an upward direction 48a by activating the handle 51 which pulls the product through the one way valve 54 into the pump cylinder. The handle 51 is then pushed in a downward direction 48b which pushes the piston down and forces the product out of the one way outlet valve 55 and through the discharge spout 53. The preferred pump 13 is an airless system in that an air vent is not provided with the pump 13. In addition, the pump 13 can be integrated into the platform base 12 as a single piece or attached to the base. Alternately, the pump 13 may be an electric pump or a battery operated pump without deviating from the intent of the invention.

While the embodiment of the invention shown and described is fully capable of achieving the results desired, it is to be understood that this embodiment has been shown and described for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation. Other variations m the form and details that occur to those skilled in the art and which are withm the spirit and scope of the invention are not specifically addressed. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS.

1. A docking station for a rechargeable dispensing system having a recharge container and a dispenser, comprising: a receptacle for receiving the recharge container; a locking mechanism; comprising: a rotatable clip actuator positioned withm said receptacle and having at least one camming surface; and a finger ring positioned withm said clip actuator and having at least one finger which engages said at least one camming surface when said clip actuator is rotated, thereby forcing said at least one finger into locking engagement with the recharge container for securing the recharge container to said receptacle.

2. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a valve attached to said receptacle, wherein said valve is in a closed position when said at least one camming surface engages said at least one fmger and said valve is m an open position when said at least one camming surface disengages said at least one fmger.

3. The docking station of claim 2, further comprising a post on said valve which displaces a seal on said receptacle to an open position when the recharge container engages said receptacle, thereby creating a product flow path between the recharge container and said receptacle.

4. The docking station of claim 2, further comprising a post attached to at least one of said receptacle and said valve, said post displacing a seal on said receptacle when the recharge container and said receptacle are at least one of engaged, and engaged and locked, thereby creating a product flow path between the recharge container and said receptacle.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said valve comprises a spiral valve having a plate attached to a ring with at least three shape memory bands, said post further displacing said plate of said valve when the recharge container and said receptacle are at least one of engaged, and engaged and locked, thereby creating a product flow path between the recharge container and said receptacle.

6. A docking station for a rechargeable dispensing system, comprising- a receptacle for receiving a recharge container which contains an anhydrous liquid having at least 40% suspended solids; a locking mechanism; comprising: an actuator positioned within said receptacle and having at least one actuating surface; and a fmger ring positioned withm said actuator and having at least one finger which engages said at least one actuating surface when said actuator is actuated, thereby forcing said at least one finger into locking engagement with said recharge container for securing said recharge container to said receptacle.

7. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a valve attached to said receptacle, wherein said valve is a closed position when said at least one actuating surface engages said at least one finger and said valve is in an open position when said at least one actuating surface disengages said at least one finger.

8. The docking station of claim 2, further comprising a post on said valve which displaces a seal on said receptacle to an open position when said recharge container engages said receptacle, thereby creating a product flow path between said recharge container and said receptacle.

9. The docking station of claim 2, further comprising a post attached to at least one of said receptacle and said valve, said post displacing a seal on said receptacle when said recharge container and said receptacle are at least one of engaged, and engaged and locked, thereby creating a product flow path between said recharge container and said receptacle

10 The system of claim 4, wherein said valve comprises a spiral valve having a plate attached to a ring with at least three shape memory bands, said post further displacing said plate of said valve when said recharge container and said receptacle are at least one of engaged, and engaged and locked, thereby creating a product flow path between said recharge container and said receptacle.