WO2006079771A1 - Gravity fuelled fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Gravity fuelled fluid dispenser Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006079771A1
WO2006079771A1 PCT/GB2005/004926 GB2005004926W WO2006079771A1 WO 2006079771 A1 WO2006079771 A1 WO 2006079771A1 GB 2005004926 W GB2005004926 W GB 2005004926W WO 2006079771 A1 WO2006079771 A1 WO 2006079771A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dispenser
fluid
container unit
unit
container
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2005/004926
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Garry Ritchie
Original Assignee
Garry Ritchie
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 Garry Ritchie filed Critical Garry Ritchie
Publication of WO2006079771A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006079771A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
    • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
    • A47K5/13—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap of invertible type
    • 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
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/249—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes the closure being specifically formed for supporting the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00128—Constructional details relating to outdoor use; movable; portable
    • B67D2210/00131—Constructional details relating to outdoor use; movable; portable wearable by a person, e.g. as a backpack or helmet

Definitions

  • This invention relates to upright fluid dispensers/containers, mostly made from a durable moulded plastic, that house standard domestic products that take a liquid or semi liquid form that need to be effectively dispensed from said container.
  • Dispensers that house particularly viscous fluids such as shampoo, ketchup and moisturising cream for example can be problematic with regards to dispensing said fluids especially when the fluid contents are at a low level, such a scenario requires drastic action by the user often resulting in storing the container in an inverted position allowing the weight of the fluid under gravity to settle at the neck of the container.
  • the current invention is an improvement on current upright containers that house and dispense fluids. Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an improved upright fluid dispenser that houses and effectively dispenses fluids of varying viscosity in a manner such that the unit as a whole can be safely stored and used in the same orientation thereby minimising any effort required to dispense the fluid.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved upright fluid dispenser that effectively dispenses fluid for varying levels of fluid in said container.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide a safe, secure means of storing and dispensing fluid.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means of dispensing fluid where the secured lid is isolated from a contact surface thereby reducing the risk of any contamination with a stored surface when kept in a stored position.
  • Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved fluid dispenser that can be safely stored without compromising the safety of any neighbouring objects.
  • a Gravity Fuelled Fluid Dispenser comprising a container unit, that is conical in shape to allow the dispenser to be stored and used in the same orientation thereby utilising the fluids weight to minimising any effort required to dispense said fluid as its contents reduces within said container unit; a dispenser base unit situated directly below and forms a secure fixture to said container unit that not only provides support for said fluid dispenser to be stored and used in the same orientation but provides a passageway to house the outlet of said container unit allowing said container unit access for dispensing fluid; the aforementioned dispenser base is formed with a recess to eliminate any contact between the outlet of said container unit and a storage surface; a secure lid that forms part of said dispenser base unit when said fluid dispenser is being stored and when released, via a hinge arrangement, allows fluid to flow from the outlet of said container unit which is secured to the passageway of said dispenser base unit; the mating part of said secure lid which engages the outlet of said container unit is housed within the recess of said dispenser base unit such that when in
  • the container unit may be connected to the dispensing unit via a screw thread fitting, snap on fitting, twist lock fitting or a push fit fitting which supports, if need be , the use of a restrictor valve to be fitted in the outlet of the container unit to handle viscous fluids and to support a secure lid hinge arrangement which allows said secure lid to undergo a release of over 120 degrees from its closed position.
  • the fluid dispenser incorporates a mechanism with the intention of effectively dispensing fluids of varying viscosity out through the container without the need for external attachments or a change in orientation of said dispenser to assist fluid flow.
  • the container unit is usually made from glass or moulded plastic and is conical in shape to allow the fluid contained to descend under its own weight to the base.
  • the base of the container unit forms a neck which represents the output through which the fluid will flow.
  • a dispenser base is situated directly under the container unit forming a secure connection to said container unit and provides a means of passage for fluid from the container unit plus provides stability when the unit as a whole is stored upright.
  • a secured lid is situated within the dispenser base which provides the means of release of fluid out through the neck of the container and through the middle of the dispenser base.
  • Fig. 1 Shows a perspective view of the Fluid Dispenser
  • Fig. 2 Shows a plan view of the side of the Fluid Dispenser
  • Fig.3 Shows a sectional view of the Dispenser base unit
  • Fig.4 Shows a detailed perspective view of the Fluid Dispenser
  • the unit 10 comprises a container unit 1 , a dispenser base unit 2, a secure lid 3 and a hinge arrangement 4 that connects the dispenser base unit 2 to the secure lid 3.
  • the container unit 1 (fig.4) is inverted thereby allowing any fluid to naturally exit the container under its own weight.
  • the container unit 1 may take a conical shape to cater for fluids of particular viscosity although this may be left to the manufacturers discretion.
  • the container unit 1 is usually made of a flexible moulded plastic that allows the user to assist fluid flow by squeezing said unit.
  • the dispenser base unit 2 satisfies the requirement of the invention to allow the unit 10 to be stored and used in the same orientation. From fig 4 the dispenser base unit 2 provides a passageway 7 that links the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 with the secure lid 3 when in the closed position. At the same time the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 forms a secure fixture with the dispenser base unit 2 within the passageway 7 which may take the form of a screw thread, snap on or push fit fixing, as is well known in the art, which is at the manufacturers discretion with regards to large scale production. Depending on the fluids viscosity the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 may well house a fluid restrictor.
  • the shape of the dispenser base unit 2 is conical to provide stability when the unit 10 is being stored and is designed with a recess for the purpose of weight reduction and allows the secure lid 3, when in a closed position, to be free from any contact with a surface when the unit 10 is being stored as is shown in fig3.
  • the dispenser base unit 2 is usually made of a durable moulded plastic.
  • the secure lid 3 is a basic lever mechanism connected via a hinge arrangement 4 to the dispenser base unit 2 such that when closed the secure lid 3 engages with the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 to form a secure fixture which may take the form of snap on or push fit connection as is well known in the art which prevents the release of fluid from the container unit 1.
  • Fluid from the container unit 1 is released by disengaging the connection between the secure lid 3 and the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 by releasing the secure lid 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in fig3.
  • the release of the secure lid 3 is facilitated by the hinge arrangement 4 which allows the secure lid to be released through an angle greater than 120 degrees so as not to allow the fluid flow to be obstructed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A Gravity fuelled fluid dispenser (10) is provided to improve the dispensing of liquids or semi liquids in upright containers by allowing the dispenser as a whole to be safely stored and used in the same orientation thereby reducing the effort required to dispense particularly viscous fluids from such containers and also reducing the amount of liquid or semi liquid that has to be discarded with the container as waste. The dispenser comprises a container unit (1), a dispenser base unit (2) and a secure lid fixture (3). The container unit (1) is situated directly above the dispenser base unit (2) and is shaped to allow the fluid to descend under its own weight. The dispenser base unit (2) forms a secure fixture with the container unit (1) to allow the passage of fluid and provides stability for the dispenser as a whole in an upright position. The dispenser base also houses a secure lid (3) which when released allows fluid to flow out through the container unit. The dispenser base unit (2) design allows the secure lid to close thereby forming part of the aforementioned dispenser base unit (2) and also isolating any contact with a surface hence reducing the risk of any surface contamination when in a stored position.

Description

Gravity Fuelled Fluid Dispenser
This invention relates to upright fluid dispensers/containers, mostly made from a durable moulded plastic, that house standard domestic products that take a liquid or semi liquid form that need to be effectively dispensed from said container.
Background of Invention
Dispensers that house particularly viscous fluids such as shampoo, ketchup and moisturising cream for example can be problematic with regards to dispensing said fluids especially when the fluid contents are at a low level, such a scenario requires drastic action by the user often resulting in storing the container in an inverted position allowing the weight of the fluid under gravity to settle at the neck of the container.
Conventional fluid containers currently take the form of upright shaped bottles made from either glass or moulded plastic comprising a screw on cap or flip-top lid with a hinge often with a flow restrictor valve hosed in the neck of the container. Such systems are initially effective due to the volume of fluid in the container which provides the necessary mass to initiate the flow of fluid out of the container. As the fluid level falls more effort is required by the user to dispense the fluid to a point where it is considered ineffective and the container is discarded.
Previous attempts at addressing the problem of dispensing viscous fluids from containers are featured in inventions US 6,481,685 The inverted bottle holder' by Cormier, 19/11/2002, US RE37566E 'Holding device for collecting residual contents in a container' by Critea and Marszalek, 05/03/2002 and CA2225031 'Ketchup Kicker' by Cremasco 02/09/1999. All these inventions depict a dedicated separate attachment that is not aimed to be manufactured or sold as part of the container hence is a stand alone item that the user has to acquire.
The current invention is an improvement on current upright containers that house and dispense fluids. Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an improved upright fluid dispenser that houses and effectively dispenses fluids of varying viscosity in a manner such that the unit as a whole can be safely stored and used in the same orientation thereby minimising any effort required to dispense the fluid.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved upright fluid dispenser that effectively dispenses fluid for varying levels of fluid in said container.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a safe, secure means of storing and dispensing fluid.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means of dispensing fluid where the secured lid is isolated from a contact surface thereby reducing the risk of any contamination with a stored surface when kept in a stored position.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved fluid dispenser that can be safely stored without compromising the safety of any neighbouring objects.
According to the present invention there is provided a Gravity Fuelled Fluid Dispenser comprising a container unit, that is conical in shape to allow the dispenser to be stored and used in the same orientation thereby utilising the fluids weight to minimising any effort required to dispense said fluid as its contents reduces within said container unit; a dispenser base unit situated directly below and forms a secure fixture to said container unit that not only provides support for said fluid dispenser to be stored and used in the same orientation but provides a passageway to house the outlet of said container unit allowing said container unit access for dispensing fluid; the aforementioned dispenser base is formed with a recess to eliminate any contact between the outlet of said container unit and a storage surface; a secure lid that forms part of said dispenser base unit when said fluid dispenser is being stored and when released, via a hinge arrangement, allows fluid to flow from the outlet of said container unit which is secured to the passageway of said dispenser base unit; the mating part of said secure lid which engages the outlet of said container unit is housed within the recess of said dispenser base unit such that when in a closed position the outlet of said container unit is free from any surface contact thereby reducing the risk of any contamination from said storage surface.
The container unit may be connected to the dispensing unit via a screw thread fitting, snap on fitting, twist lock fitting or a push fit fitting which supports, if need be , the use of a restrictor valve to be fitted in the outlet of the container unit to handle viscous fluids and to support a secure lid hinge arrangement which allows said secure lid to undergo a release of over 120 degrees from its closed position.
Brief summary of operation
In accordance with the present invention the fluid dispenser incorporates a mechanism with the intention of effectively dispensing fluids of varying viscosity out through the container without the need for external attachments or a change in orientation of said dispenser to assist fluid flow.
The container unit is usually made from glass or moulded plastic and is conical in shape to allow the fluid contained to descend under its own weight to the base. The base of the container unit forms a neck which represents the output through which the fluid will flow.
A dispenser base is situated directly under the container unit forming a secure connection to said container unit and provides a means of passage for fluid from the container unit plus provides stability when the unit as a whole is stored upright.
A secured lid is situated within the dispenser base which provides the means of release of fluid out through the neck of the container and through the middle of the dispenser base.
As the level of fluid within the container unit begins to decrease dispensing fluid effectively will still be achieved through the fluids weight acting as the force behind the flow.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 Shows a perspective view of the Fluid Dispenser
Fig. 2 Shows a plan view of the side of the Fluid Dispenser
Fig.3 Shows a sectional view of the Dispenser base unit
Fig.4 Shows a detailed perspective view of the Fluid Dispenser
Detailed Description
It is thought that the techniques that form the basis of the present invention can be applied to cater for a wide range of containers/dispensers that need to safely store and dispense fluid for household applications.
For future reference the fluid dispenser relating to the current invention shown in fig.l and fig.4 will be identified as 10.
From fig.1 the unit 10 comprises a container unit 1 , a dispenser base unit 2, a secure lid 3 and a hinge arrangement 4 that connects the dispenser base unit 2 to the secure lid 3.
In order to satisfy the main principle of the current invention the container unit 1 (fig.4) is inverted thereby allowing any fluid to naturally exit the container under its own weight. In a practical arrangement the container unit 1 may take a conical shape to cater for fluids of particular viscosity although this may be left to the manufacturers discretion. The container unit 1 is usually made of a flexible moulded plastic that allows the user to assist fluid flow by squeezing said unit.
The dispenser base unit 2 satisfies the requirement of the invention to allow the unit 10 to be stored and used in the same orientation. From fig 4 the dispenser base unit 2 provides a passageway 7 that links the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 with the secure lid 3 when in the closed position. At the same time the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 forms a secure fixture with the dispenser base unit 2 within the passageway 7 which may take the form of a screw thread, snap on or push fit fixing, as is well known in the art, which is at the manufacturers discretion with regards to large scale production. Depending on the fluids viscosity the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 may well house a fluid restrictor.
The shape of the dispenser base unit 2 is conical to provide stability when the unit 10 is being stored and is designed with a recess for the purpose of weight reduction and allows the secure lid 3, when in a closed position, to be free from any contact with a surface when the unit 10 is being stored as is shown in fig3. The dispenser base unit 2 is usually made of a durable moulded plastic.
From fig 4 the secure lid 3 is a basic lever mechanism connected via a hinge arrangement 4 to the dispenser base unit 2 such that when closed the secure lid 3 engages with the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 to form a secure fixture which may take the form of snap on or push fit connection as is well known in the art which prevents the release of fluid from the container unit 1. Fluid from the container unit 1 is released by disengaging the connection between the secure lid 3 and the outlet 6 of the container unit 1 by releasing the secure lid 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in fig3. The release of the secure lid 3 is facilitated by the hinge arrangement 4 which allows the secure lid to be released through an angle greater than 120 degrees so as not to allow the fluid flow to be obstructed.

Claims

1. A Fluid dispenser comprising: a container unit, to house the fluid, which is conical in shape to allow said fluid dispenser to be stored and used in the same orientation thereby utilising the fluids weight to minimising any effort required to dispense said fluid as its contents reduces within said container unit, a dispenser base unit situated directly below and forms a secure fixture to said container unit that not only provides support for said fluid dispenser to be stored and used in the same orientation but provides a passageway to house the outlet of said container unit allowing said container unit access for dispensing fluid; the aforementioned dispenser base is formed with a recess to eliminate any contact between the outlet of said container unit and a storage surface, a secure lid that forms part of said dispenser base unit when said fluid dispenser is being stored and when released, via a hinge arrangement, allows fluid to flow from the outlet of said container unit which is secured to the passageway of said dispenser base unit; the mating part of said secure lid which engages the outlet of said container unit is housed within the recess of said dispenser base unit such that when in a closed position the outlet of said container unit is free from any surface contact thereby reducing the risk of any contamination from said storage surface.
2. The fluid dispenser featured in claiml wherein said container unit maybe connected to said dispenser base unit via a screw thread fitting.
3. The fluid dispenser featured claiml wherein said container unit maybe connected to said dispenser base unit via a snap on fitting.
4. The fluid dispenser featured claiml wherein said container unit maybe connected to said dispenser base unit via a twist lock fitting.
5. The fluid dispenser featured claiml wherein said container unit is connected to said dispenser base unit via a push fit fitting.
6. The fluid dispenser featured claim 1 wherein the outlet of said container unit supports a flow restrictor valve for handling fluids of a particular viscosity.
7. The fluid dispenser featured claim 1 wherein the secure fixture formed between said secure lid and the outlet of said container unit comprises a snap on seal fitting.
8. The fluid dispenser featured claim 1 wherein the connection between said dispenser base unit and said secure lid is via a hinge arrangement which allows said secure lid to undergo a release of over 120 degrees from its closed position.
PCT/GB2005/004926 2005-01-29 2005-12-20 Gravity fuelled fluid dispenser WO2006079771A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0501899A GB2422372A (en) 2005-01-29 2005-01-29 Gravity dispenser for fluid
GB0501899.9 2005-01-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006079771A1 true WO2006079771A1 (en) 2006-08-03

Family

ID=34307686

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2005/004926 WO2006079771A1 (en) 2005-01-29 2005-12-20 Gravity fuelled fluid dispenser

Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB2422372A (en)
WO (1) WO2006079771A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006055435A1 (en) * 2006-11-22 2008-05-29 Henkel Kgaa Closure with overhead stand device
GB0718913D0 (en) * 2007-09-28 2007-11-07 Obrist Closures Switzerland Flip-top dispensing closure
GB201011663D0 (en) 2010-07-09 2010-08-25 Obrist Closures Switzerland A closure

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4723671A (en) * 1986-10-01 1988-02-09 Mears Gary L Bottle cap stand
JPH08282690A (en) * 1995-04-18 1996-10-29 Toppan Printing Co Ltd Tubular inverted container
US5979706A (en) * 1994-02-10 1999-11-09 Grussmark; Stephen M. Combination dental floss dispenser and stand-up toothpaste container
US6241126B1 (en) * 1999-01-08 2001-06-05 Andrew Goodman Personal desk top beverage dispenser

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6029866A (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-02-29 Aptargroup, Inc. Multiple injection, toggle-action dispensing structure
ATE263074T1 (en) * 2000-02-08 2004-04-15 Crown Cork & Seal Tech Corp ISSUE CLOSURE

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4723671A (en) * 1986-10-01 1988-02-09 Mears Gary L Bottle cap stand
US5979706A (en) * 1994-02-10 1999-11-09 Grussmark; Stephen M. Combination dental floss dispenser and stand-up toothpaste container
JPH08282690A (en) * 1995-04-18 1996-10-29 Toppan Printing Co Ltd Tubular inverted container
US6241126B1 (en) * 1999-01-08 2001-06-05 Andrew Goodman Personal desk top beverage dispenser

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1997, no. 02 28 February 1997 (1997-02-28) *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0501899D0 (en) 2005-03-09
GB2422372A (en) 2006-07-26

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