WO2012090008A2

WO2012090008A2 - A support member with a 'squeeze to use' bottle of gel/liquid

Info

Publication number: WO2012090008A2
Application number: PCT/GB2012/000001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael John Gordon
Original assignee: Michael John Gordon
Priority date: 2011-01-01
Filing date: 2012-01-03
Publication date: 2012-07-05
Also published as: WO2012090008A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a support member and dispensing container assembly for gels or liquids. A support member (51) rigidly attaches to a support structure. A free standing, self contained, fully sealed "squeeze to use' dispensing container (1) for gels or liquids has first and second ends (2A,2B) and features a dispensing aperture (3) at the first end of the container to dispense product. Container (1) is connected to and released from the support member (51) solely by holding and manipulating the container relative to the support member. The engagement means comprises a first component at a mid section along the length of the dispensing container and a second component of the support member (51), which releasably interlocks by rotating the container at right angles to the axis of the length of the dispensing container in a first direction relative to the support member so as to provide a substantially rigid interlock between the container and support member, and the first component releasing from the support member by rotating the container relative to the support member in a second opposite direction. In use, the support member orientates the dispensing container in an inverted state with the first end (2a) facing downwards and enables the user unrestricted access to the sides of the container to enable product to be squeezed from the container. An alternative container has at least one projection or recess. A support member supports the container, and has at least one co-operating recess or projection to engage with the or each container projection or recess respectively to releasably secure the container to the support member, formed in deformable material of the container and/or support member whereby the or each container projection or recess can releasably engage with the or each support member recess or projection by deformation of the material.

Description

A Suppon Member w ith a 'Squeeze to Use' bottle of gel/liquid

The present invention relates to a support member for a dispensing container (or "squeeze to use' bottles of liquid or gd iike shampoo shower gel or even sauce bottles like tomato ketchup.

Various types of 'squeeze to use' dispensing containers are known such as shampoo bottles, and sauce bottles (e.g. tomato ketchup). Much of the time these dispensing containers can be left on a shelf or other surface when not in use, bin are then picked up manually to use them. This often requires the user 10 bend down, pick up the dispensing container, hold the dispensing container with one hand while the product is being used and then put the dispensing container back down again. Also these dispensing containers can take up surface space.

There is often not a convenient or secure means to accommodate these containers. For example if a shampoo bottle is placed on a shelf or around the bath tub, it can easily topple over, a bottle of gel attached to a shower cord by a hook mechanism or similar may swing around or fall if accidentally knocked or a sauce bottle may not be secure sitting on a surface in a ship's galley.

Examples of an improved method to enable these bottles to be used without confiscation of space around the tub is described in DE 2O20O70 I 8O22 U l . The bottle features an attachment means located on the side of the bottle which enables the bottle to attach to a support member the latter being attached to a support structure like a wall. A problem with this method is that the bottle requires an external attachment which some would see as being an extra expense or complication in the production process, or one that may detract from the aesthetics of the boilie. In another embodiment of Di£ 20 2007 018 022 U 1.. the support member engages with an indent in the bottle itself in order to provide a firm engagement lit. The engagement means is therefore inserted into the

of the bottle, rather than the bottle being, inserted into the engagement means of the support member. A problem with this method is that the indent confiscates some of the volume that the bottle provides for the gel or liquid and such an indent may detract from the aesthetics of the bottle.

Another example of an improved method to prevent dispensing containers for gels and liquids from falling that enables a user to extract product vviihoul having to hold onto the dispensing container whilst extracting product from it is described in EP 0997 384 Al. In order to ensure that the dispensing container is held firmly within the retaining support member, the dispensing container features a projection which is first inserted into the retaining member, then the locking mechanism on the retaining member is adjusted in order to ensure that the article is locked mto the retaining member. Of necessity therefore this is a two pan process, one to insert ⁽lie article into the retaining member, a second to adjust the locking means in order to lock the article within the retaining member. Similarly, when releasing the article from the retaining means, the locking means needs lo be adjusted so as to enable ihe article to be released. A problem w ith this method is that if the dispensing container is to depend under a shelf with its dispensing end facing downwards, locking the dispensing container into the retaining mechanism will require the use of both hands. One to hold the dispensing container in position whilst the other hand adjusts ihe locking means lo lock the dispensing container into ihe retaining member. Additional ly, the projection on the. bottom of the dispensing container further deters its theft by rendering ii unstable and non free standing, which is not a useful attribute for a domestic user. Also, the retaining support member may be both more complex and expensive to manufacture if it lias an ad justable locking means built into it.

US 2003/021033 and WO20O4/004529 A! disclose dispensing containers for use with a support member, or mount, to prevent theft (if ihe dispensing container. Both US 2003/02) 033 and W02004/O04529 Al disclose assembled systems which secure the container into the mount and allow the container to be rotated without causing disengagement of the container from its mount. In order to prevent theft, the body of the mount or its constituent components or its means of attachment to the support structure is invasive lo the support structure. Within a domestic dwelling, this invasiveness may cause damage to the paintwork or tiling of the support structure, and removal of the mounting may leave unsightly damage to it that will require attention. Additionally various embodiments of US 2003/02 1033 require a locking devise, like a ball indent, lo securely lock the dispensing container to its mounting. This secure locking devise then needs to be disengaged in order for the dispensing container to be removed from its mounting. Within a domestic setting, it is not required to lock the dispensing container against theft, therefore such a devise like a ball indent that performs this locking function is not an additional expense or elaboration to the support member that needs to be incurred.

Additionally, if Ihe support member is placed within the bath or shower area this could require the user to enter the bath or the shower cubicle shower in order to remove it. The facility to replace or remove the dispensing container in a single action using just one hand would be of benefit because this would allow the user to use the other arm in order to provide stability. Better therefore if the dispensing coniainer can be interlocked with and released from the support member using just one hand by manipulating the dispensing contai ner alone in relation to its support member, the latter being secured to the wall of the bath or shower cubicle.

Support members already exist which are non invasive to the host support structures. U5005439 I 93A discloses a coniainer inverting support which attaches to a vertical surface by means of suction pads. It supports the dispensing container by the neck or the portion of the container adjacent its opening. This means that the container is supported at its slimmest and thereby weakest locations, along the neck which could make it unstable. It would be more advantageous to support the container at a portion of the container with a more substantial diameter rather than the neck or the area immediately adjacent the opening of the container.

The invention seeks lo provide a solution to these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a support member and dispensing container assembly for gels or liquids comprising:

a) a support member which attaches to a support structure.

b) a free standing, self contained, fully sealed 'squeeze to use' dispensing container for gels or liquids having first and second ends and featuring a dispensing aperture at the first end of the container lo dispense product, said coniainer being connected to and released from the support member solely by holding and manipulating the container relative to the support member and c) an engagement means comprising a first component featured at a mid section along the length of the dispensing container and a second component of the support member, said first component releasably interlocking with the second component by rotating the container at right angles to the axis of the length of the dispensing container in a first direction relative to the support member, to a first position wherein the first and second components are fully interlocked with each other and the container cannot be rotated any further in the first direction and the First component releasing from the second component by rotating the container relative to the support member in a direction opposite to the first direction, to a second position in which the container is fully released from the support member, in use, the support member orientates the dispensing container in an inverted state, firsi end facing downwards.

Preferably the engagement means includes key. key way, screw thread or bayonet or any other engagements based on the principle of rotating the container relative to the support member in one direction lo interlock the two together and then rotating it in the opposite direction in order to release them.

The first component on the dispensing container may insert into the second component on the support member, or the second component on the support member may insert into the first component on the dispensing container.

Preferably the dispensing container has a surface contact means at the first end of the container allowing the container lo freely stand on a surface on the surface contact means. Alternatively (he dispensing container has a surface contact means at the second end of the container allowing the dispensing container 10 stand on a surface on the surface contact means.

The dispensing container may have a cap which when removed from the first end of the container can be fitted onto the second end of the container to form the first component.

Preferably the engagement means predetermines the orientation of the dispensing container relative to the support member. The support member may feature a shelllike projection which can be used to hold loose items.

The support member may be adapted to be mounted under a surface whereby the dispensing container can depend below the surface. The support member and the means by which the support member attaches to the support structure may be non invasive to the support structure. The support structure may be of either horizontal or vertical orientation.

The support member may feature an adhesive surface to secure the support member to a support structure.

The support member may be secured io a horizontal or vertical support structure using suction The support member may be in a fixed position whereby the dispensing container can be inserted into the second component with a single hand, whereby the dispensing container can be removed from the second component with a single hand, and whereby the dispensing container can be inserted into or removed from the second component with a single action.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container and a support member comprising:

a) a container having at least one projection or recess, and

b) a support member to support the container on a structure, said support member having at least one co-operating recess or projection to engage with the or each container projection or recess respectively to releasably secure the container to the support member, the or each container projection or recess and/or the or each support member recess or projection being formed in deformable material of the container and/or support member whereby the or each container projection or recess can releasably engage with the or each support member recess or projection by deformation of the material, the or each container projection or recess when engaged with the or each support member recess or projection preventing rotation of the container relative to the support member. Preferably the container is a "squeeze to use" container. Preferably the container wall is formed of deformable material, and preferably the projection or recess is invegrally formed in the container wall. Preferably the projeclion or recess is integrally formed in (he base of the container wall. Prelerably the container has a base adapted to releasably engage in a cavi ty in the. support member, and said container projection or recess is provided on the outer wall of the container to releasably engage with a recess or projection on the cavity inner wall . Prelerably the base allows the container to be free standing. Preferably the container has a dispensing nozzle remote from said base. The nozzle may be at an end of the container remote from the base. Preferably the sealing end of the container featuring the nozzle may form a surface to allow the container to be free standing.

Preferably the or each projections and recesses allows the container to secure to the support member in a predetermined orientation.

The container may have a cap which can be removed from a dispensing nozzle end of the container and can be fitted onto a base end of the container to form said projeclion or recess. Preferably the container can be connected to and released from the support member by holding and manipulating the container relative to the support member. Preferably in use the support member orientates the dispensing container such thai the dispensing end of the container faces downwards.

Preferably the container is a self contained container.

The support member may feature a shelf like projection which can be used to hold loose items.

The support member may adapted to be mounted under a surface whereby the dispensing container can depend below the surface.

The support member may feature an adhesive surface or suction pads or some other means to attach the support member to the support structure which is non invasive to the support structure.

The support structure may be of either horizontal or vertical orientation.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure I shows a dispensing container for liquids or gels standing on a surface.

Figure 2 shows a support member attached to a wall

Figure 3 shows a dispensing container and a support member attached to a wall

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a container prior to engagement with another embodiment of a support member, and

Figure 5 shows the container in engagement with the support member. Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a dispensing container in the form of a "squeeze to use" shampoo bottle I . The bottle forms a dispenser for shampoo and has a waisled housing 2 with a first end in the form of a projection 2A with a dispensing aperture 3 in the centre of the projection 2A to dispense shampoo. An aperture sealing cap 4 is also provided. Housing 2 has a first component in the form of threading 2B located between a closed second end 2C and the dispensing aperture 3. The threading 2B can be situated anywhere along the length of the bottle 1 between closed second end 2C and the dispensing aperture 3, but is ideally located in the region around the mid point of the bottle to towards the second end 2C, but ideally some portion of the second end 2C is left unthreaded. Bottle 1 stores shampoo, and it has an inner wall in contact with shampoo to be dispensed. Surface contact means in the form of a flat base 2D at the second end 2C of the container opposing said first end allowing the container to stand on its own on a surface on the base 2D without need for a support member. Bottle 1 may however also be used with a support member such as in Figure 2. In this respect the shampoo bottle 1 may be mounted within a support member, such as support member '5 \ " in Figure 2, with its dispensing aperture 3 facing downwards whereby shampoo can be dispensed by squeezing the bottle 1 with one hand only. Instead of storing shampoo, bottle 1 could equally store other gels or liquids such as sauces, e.g. tomato ketchup. Sealing plug 4 seals the dispensing aperture 3 to prevent spillage of the liquid or gel.

Referring to figure 2, there is shown the support member 5 1 which has a shell-like projection 52 which has a second component in the form of an internal threading 53 situated in the mid- section of the shelf, to engage with the threading of housing 2 of the dispensing container bollle 1 featured in figure I .

Referring to figure 3, there is shown a dispensing container bottle 1 within the support member. In order to engage the housing 2 of the dispensing container bottle I with the support 51. at the position of the threading 2B of the housing 2. the bottle 1 is rotated, as indicated by the horizontal circular line 61 , in a direction at right angles to the axis of the length of the bottle 62. When engaged with threading 53, the bottle 1 can depend with dispensing aperture 3 pointing down, the user being provided unrestricted access to the sides of the container to enable product to be squeezed from the container. Since the threading 2B is located on a region spaced irom the second end 2C, the second end 2C protrudes above the support member. Enough of the bottle 1 could protrude above the support to enable the user to conveniently squeeze this part of the bottle, or to be able to squeeze regions of the bottle above and below the support 51 .

The shelf-like projection 52 provides a structure that may further be utilised, for example, providing a soap dish or place to keep sponges and other shower paraphernalia. it is envisaged that a user would purchase a dispensing container (e.g. shampoo or gel ) and one or more support members. The container could first be used with the first support member in one environmenl and later transferred to a second support member in another environment, or vice versa. Alternatively the container could first be used with the first support member in one environment, and then can stand on its own on its surface contact means. The components of the dispensing coniainer sysiem having the coniainer, support member, and the engagement means, could be purchased in combination or singly. Refeiring now to figure 4, Ihere is shown a squeeze to use container 1 and a support member 10.

As in the first embodiment, container 1 is formed as a unitary moulding of deforniable material such as a blow moulded plastics. Container ] has a surface in the form of flat base 2 allowing it to free stand on a surface. In - this embodiment, adjacent base 2 are a pair of diametrically opposed projections 23A,23B integrally formed in the container wall.

Projection 23A is hemispherical and projection 23B is cube-shaped. Container 1 has a dispensing nozzle 4 with a sealing cap 5. Nozzle 4 is at a dispensing end of Ihe container remote from the base 2. Sealing cap may form a surface to allow the container to be free standing.

A support member H) is provided to suppon the container on a structure such as an L-shaped shelf 20 which can be used lo hold loose items. Shelf 20 may be secured to a wall by suction cups 21 .

Support member 10 has a cylindrical cavity 1 1 with a circular base 12 and a pair of diametrically opposed recesses I 3A, 13B on the inner wall of cavity 1 1. Support member 10 may be formed of rigid material such as plastics. Recess 13A is hemispherical and recess 13B is cube-shaped to engage with the container projections 23A, 23 B respectively to releasably secure the container I to the support member 10. Container 1 can be made to engage with the support member by pushing the container base 2 into the cavity 1 1 of the support member (see Figure 5). As the base enters the cavity, so the projections 23A.23B and/or container wall will deform inwards into the container allowing them to pass through the side walls until they can enter the recesses 13A, 13B and reform into their original shape so engaging the recesses and securing the container 1 to the support member. The engagement of the projections 23A.23B with the recesses J.3A, 13B prevent rotation of the container relative to the support member. In this position, the container 1 stays firmly engaged with the support member.

To remove the container 1 from the support member, the container is pulled in a downwards direction, either directly downwards or at an angle to the cavity. The projections and/or container will deform inwards into the container allowing them to exit the recesses 13 A, 1 3B and slide over the side walls of cavity 1 1 and reform into their original shape as the container exits the cavity 1 1 (see Figure 4). It will be seen that the different shapes of projections 23A.23B and recesses 13 A. I 3B allows the container to secure to the support member in a predetermined orientation, i .e. cube projection 23B could not tit into hemispherical recess 13A. This may be important as it can ensure for example that the sealing cap 5 opens away from the user towards the L-shaped shelf so as not to interfere with the dispensing of the contents of the container by the user.

As shown, the. support member is mounted under L-shaped shelf 20, whereby the container can depend below the surface. The support member may have an adhesive surface or suction pads or some other means to attach the support member to the L-shaped shelf (or other support structure) which is non invasive to the support structure.

The container of the invention may be a fully sealed, squeeze-to-use dispensing container. The container may typically be used for liquids or gels like shampoo or shower gel.

The invention allows the container to be removed from and inserted into the support member using one hand. The container can be connected to and released from the support member by holding and manipulating the container relative to die support member.

In use the support member may orientate the dispensing container such that the dispensing end of the container faces downwards.

The container may be a self contained container.

The inveniion may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the projections on the container could be provided on the support member and recesses could be provided on the container. The container could be of non flexible material and the support member could be of deformable material. The container 1 may have a deformable cap which can be removed from nozzle 4 end of the conlainer 1 and can be fitted onto a base end of the conlainer. The cup may support the projections 23A,23B to form said projection or recess. Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art w ithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A support member and dispensing container assembly f or gels or liquids comprising:

a) a support member which attaches to a support structure.

b) a free standing, self contained, fully sealed "squeeze to use' dispensing container for gels or liquids having first and second ends and feauiring a dispensing aperture at the first end of the container to dispense product, said container being connected to and released from the support member solely by holding and manipulating the container relative to the support member and c) an engagement means comprising a first component featured at a mid section along the length of the dispensing container and a second component of the support member, said first component releasably interlocking with the second component by rotating the container at right angles to the axis of the length of the dispensing container in a first direction relative to the support member to a first position wherein the first and second components are fully interlocked with each other and the container cannoi be rotated any further in the first direction and the first component releasing from the second component by rotating the container relative to the support member in a direction opposite to the first direction, to a second position in which the container is fully released from the support member, in use. the support member orientates the dispensing container in an inverted state, first end facing downwards.

2, A support member and dispensing container assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement means may include key, key way, screw thread or bayonet or any other engagements based on the principle of rotating the container relati ve to the support member in one direction to interlock the two together and then rotating the coniainer in the opposite direction in order to release it from the support member.

3. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any previous claim, wherein first component on the dispensing container inserts into the second component on the support member.

4. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any of claims 1 to 2 wherein the second component on the support member inserts into the first component on the dispensing container.

5. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any previous claim wherein the dispensing container has a surface contact means at the first end of the container allowing the coniainer to freely stand on a surface on the surface contact means.

6. A suppon member and dispensing container assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dispensing container has a surface contact means at the second end of the container allowing the dispensing container to stand on a surface on the surface contact means.

7. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any previous claim wherein the dispensing container may have a cap, which can be removed from the first end of the container and can be fitted onto the second end of the container to form the first component.

8. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the engagement means predetermines the orientation of the dispensing container relative to the support member.

9. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the support member features a shelf like projection which can be used to hold loose items.

10. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the support member is adapted to be mounted under a surface whereby the dispensing container can depend below the surface.

1 1 . A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the support member features an adhesive surface or suction pads or some other means to attach the support member to the support structure which is non i nvasi ve to the support structure.

12. A container and support member comprising:

a) a container having at least one projection or recess, and

b) a support member to support the container on a structure, said support member having at least one co-operating recess or projection to engage with the or each container projection or recess respectively to releasably secure the container to the support member, the or each container projection or recess and/or the or each support member recess or projection being loaned in deformable malerial of the container and/or support member whereby the or each container projection or recess can releasably engage with the or each support member recess or projection by deformation of the material, the or each container projection or recess when engaged with the or each support member recess or projection preventing rotation of the container relative to the support member.

13. A container and support member according to claim 12, wherein the container is a ''squeeze to use" container.

14. A container and support member according to claim 12 or 13. wherein the container wall is formed of deformable material.

15. A, container and support member according to claim 14, wherein the projection or recess is integrally formed in the container wall.

16. A container and support member according to claim 15. wherein the projection or recess is integrally formed in the base of the container wall.

17. A container and support member according to any preceding claim, wherein the container has a base adapted to releasably engage in a cavity in the support member, and said container project ion or recess is provided on the outer wall of the container to releasably engage with a recess or projection on the cavity inner wall.

18. A container and support: member according lo any preceding claim, wherein a surface is provided on the container which allows the container lo be free standing.

19. A container and support member according to claim 16 or 17. wherein the container has a dispensing nozzle remote from said base.

20. A container and support member according to claim 18. wherein the nozzle may be at an end of the container remote from the base.

2 1 . A container and support member according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each projections and recesses allows the container to secure to the support member in a predetermined orientation.

22. A container and support member according to any preceding claim, wherein the container can be connected to and released from the support member by holding and manipulating the container relative to the support member.

23. A container and support member according to any preceding claim, wherein the container can be connected to and released from the support member solely by holding and manipulating the container relative lo the support member.

24. A container and support member according to any preceding claim wherein in use the support member orientates the dispensing container such that the dispensing end of the container faces downwards.

25. A container and support member according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is a self contained container.

26. A support member and dispensing container assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.