WO2013079946A2

WO2013079946A2 - Dispensing container

Info

Publication number: WO2013079946A2
Application number: PCT/GB2012/052949
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Michael Wells
Original assignee: Andrew Michael Wells
Priority date: 2011-11-29
Filing date: 2012-11-29
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: WO2013079946A3

Abstract

A dispensing container (1000) for storing and dispensing semi-solid foods having a hollow body (3), a base (4), a piston (5) with a passage (6) therethrough and a tube (852) connected to the piston (5) for movement therewith. The tube (852) is in fluid communication with the passage (6). The container (1000) also has a lock for selectively inhibiting movement of the piston (5) relative to the body (3). The piston (5) is slidably received within the body (3) for movement therealong toward the base (4) to dispense, in use, through the tube (852) a liquid and/or semi-solid food from the container (1000).

Description

DISPENSING CONTAINER

This invention relates generally to dispensing containers and more specifically, although not exclusively, to dispensing containers, e.g. single or multi-use dispensing containers, for liquid and/or semi-solid food such as yoghurts, ice-creams (in their frozen and melting states), baby foods having a paste-like or porridge-like consistency and/or to liquidized or semi-liquidized fruits or vegetables, e.g. for the elderly or infirm.

Known single use containers for yoghurt and the like are generally in the form of a tub having a square, circular or oval shaped cross-sectional profile and a peripheral flange about its rim. They often include a plastic and/or foil closure which is glued or heat sealed to the flange. In use, the closure is removed to provide access to the contents of the container, which are usually consumed using a separate utensil such as a spoon. This arrangement is not ideal where, for example, a consumer wishes to consume the product immediately. Whilst not common, some such containers include a utensil, e.g. a collapsible utensil, associated therewith or attached thereto.

Similarly, for the elderly and infirm the use of dispensing utensils for consuming food is often difficult as their coordination may have deteriorated and/or be impaired. Mastication can also be an issue and it is common for their food to have a liquidized or porridge-like consistency.

It is therefore a first non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a dispensing container design that is applicable to both single use and multi-use applications and which overcomes or at least mitigates the aforementioned issues. It is a more general nonexclusive object of the invention to provide an improved and/or more versatile dispensing container.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a dispensing container, for example a single-use or multi-use dispensing container, for storing and dispensing liquid and/or semi-solid foods, the container comprising a hollow body, a base, a piston with a passage therethrough and a tube connected or secured or releasably secured to the piston for movement therewith and in fluid communication with the passage and an optional engaging means, lock or locking mechanism for selectively inhibiting movement of the piston relative to the body, wherein the piston is slidably received within the body and movable therealong toward the base, e.g. in response to a sucking action applied, in use, by a user or consumer to the passage and/or to dispense, in use, through the tube a liquid and/or semi-solid food from the container.

Thus, a user or consumer is able to consume the contents of the dispensing container conveniently, without the need for any separate utensils or the like, but the container may be stored without the risk of inadvertently dispensing the contents.

The engaging means or stop or lock or locking mechanism may be between the piston and the body, e.g. for preventing or inhibiting or selectively preventing or inhibiting movement of the piston relative to the body. The engaging means or stop or lock or locking mechanism may be configurable or changeable or movable or rotatable between a first or unlocked orientation or position or condition, e.g. in which movement of the piston relative to the body is uninhibited or permitted, and/or a second or locked orientation or position or condition, e.g. in which movement of the piston relative to the body is inhibited or prevented.

The engaging means or stop or lock or locking mechanism may comprise a bayonet-type fitting or mechanism, e.g. between the piston or a portion or part thereof and the body or a portion or part thereof or connected thereto. The bayonet-type fitting or mechanism may comprise a single tab or pin and slot or two or more tabs or pins and slots, for example to prevent or inhibit or selectively prevent or inhibit movement of the piston relative to the body.

In some embodiments, the container comprises a closure or lid that may be connected or secured or releasably secured to the body and/or may comprise a hole or aperture, e.g. through its thickness. The piston may comprise a spigot part or portion that may comprise one or more formations or projections, e.g. two opposed formations or projections. The hole or aperture of the closure or lid may comprise a lobed or keyhole- type or keyway-type hole or aperture, e.g. a hole or aperture with one or more extension portions, that may have a cooperating or corresponding or complementary shape to the spigot part or portion, for example to provide the engaging means or stop or lock or locking mechanism or bayonet-type fitting or mechanism.

The tube may be connected or secured or releasably secured to the piston by the spigot part or portion, such as by an interference fit. In some embodiments, the tube is received within a hole or passage of the spigot part or portion and releasably secured to the spigot part or portion by an interference fit. This arrangement is particularly suited to containers that incorporate a substantially rigid tube. Additionally or alternatively, the spigot part or portion may be received within one end of the tube and releasably secured thereto by an interference fit. This arrangement is particularly suited to containers that incorporate a substantially flexible tube. One optional feature of the invention provides a spigot part or portion having a passageway configured, e.g. tapered, to receive a first tube therein to form an interference fit therewith and/or a circumferential surface, which may comprise an undercut portion or surface, configured to be received within a second tube, e.g. that is sized and dimensioned differently to the first tube. A disk or skirt or collar or flange may be secured or fixed or connected to the tube in order to prevent a user, for example a baby or child, inserting the tube too far into their mouth. The disk or skirt or collar or flange may be releasably secured or fixed or connected to the tube to facilitate washing or cleaning the tube and disk or skirt or collar or flange. The disk or skirt or collar or flange may comprise a cylinder member through which the tube may pass. Alternatively, the tube may fit over the outside of the cylinder member. The disk or skirt or collar or flange may further comprise a hole or slot into which the tube may be fitted or pushed for storage. Alternatively the disk or skirt or collar or flange may include a central hole or aperture in which the tube is received.

The disk or skirt or collar or flange may have a central hole or aperture through which the cylinder member passes. Alternatively the cylinder member may be an integral component of the disk or skirt or collar or flange. On one face or surface, for example the lower face or surface or base, of the disk or skirt or collar or flange, the cylinder may comprise a mouthpiece. On the other face or surface, for example the upper face or surface or top, of the disk or skirt or collar or flange, the cylinder may comprise a connector for connecting the tube. The mouthpiece may be releasably connectable to the piston. This arrangement is particularly suited to containers that incorporate a substantially flexible tube.

When the container is not required the mouthpiece may be connected to the piston and the substantially flexible tube may be fitted or pushed into a hole or slot in the disk or skirt or collar or flange. In use, the mouthpiece may be removed from the piston, the disk or skirt or collar or flange inverted and the substantially flexible tube connected to the piston.

The mouthpiece may have a portion that is configured e.g. tapered, to receive a first tube, for example a piston, therein to form an interference fit therewith and/or a circumferential surface, which may comprise an undercut portion or surface, configured to be received within a second tube, e.g. that is sized and dimensioned differently to the first tube, for example a substantially flexible tube.

The container may comprise an actuator or actuator means, which may be connected, for example releasably connected, to the piston and/or to the tube, e.g. for urging, in use, the piston toward the base for example to reduce or eliminate the need for sucking action to be applied. The actuator may comprise a mouthpiece, which may comprise a fitting, e.g. a removable fitting, that is placed or located or inserted over the tube, for example the free end of the tube. The mouthpiece may comprise a flange, for example an actuator flange, by which a user or consumer may urge, in use, the piston toward the base.

The actuator or actuator means may comprise a biasing element or means, e.g. configured to bias, in use, the piston toward the base. For example, the biasing means may comprise a resilient biasing means such as an elastomeric strip or band or spring, which may interconnect or be interconnected between the piston and the body.

In some embodiments, the body includes one or more, preferably two, grips or handles to which the biasing means or element, e.g. a first end of the biasing means or element, may be connected or releasably connected. Conveniently, the tube may be configured to be secured to or fit into the or one of the handles for storage, for example by virtue of its external dimensions, e.g. its diameter, being less than the internal dimensions, e.g. diameter, of the handle or handles. The container may also include a support connected or fixed or secured to the piston and/or tube to which the biasing means or element, e.g. a second end of the biasing means or element, may be connected or releasably connected.

Additionally or alternatively, the actuator or actuator means may comprise an actuation member, for example a chin rest, e.g. that includes a soft or flexible material thereon such as a foam material. The actuator or actuator means may be secured or releasably secured to the piston and/or tube, e.g. to the support. For example, the actuator or actuator means may comprise a connecting or securing element or tab, which may comprise one or more, preferably two or more, most preferably three, elements or tabs or plates or sheets or leaves, e.g. formed of a plastics material. The or each element or tab or plate or sheet or leaf may include an aperture or hole through which the tube and/or a spigot portion of the piston, e.g. that incorporates the passage, extend. Additionally or alternatively, the connecting or securing element may comprise a clamp or clamping means configured to grip or clamp the tube or spigot or piston. The container may further comprise an anti-removal element or tab, which may comprise a sheet, e.g. formed of a plastics material, that may be folded into two leaves. Each leaf may include an aperture or hole through which the tube and/or a spigot portion of the piston, e.g. that incorporates the passage, extend.

Preferably, the tube is elongate and/or flexible and/or corrugated and/or folded or foldable and/or formed of a material with a structural memory, for example such that it expands to a circular shape when it is released, in use, e.g. for easy manipulation and/or packaging. More preferably, the tube comprises a straw.

In some embodiments, one or more protrusions or projections, such as nodules or bobbles, may be present on the base of the piston, for example in order to more effectively clear the food product from the container and/or ensure that an excessive vacuum that prevents the piston from moving within the container is not formed. The one or more protrusions or projections may be any shape and may be arranged on the base of the piston in any pattern or layout. In use, the protrusions or projections ensure that there is a small space between the piston and the bottom of the container so as to prevent a vacuum being formed.

The passage is preferably in fluid communication with a reservoir defined between the piston the body and the base. More preferably, the piston is configured and/or sized and/or dimensioned to be movable in response to the sucking action applied to the pipe or tube.

The piston is preferably configured and/or sized and/or dimensioned to cooperate with the hollow body, for example the internal surface or surfaces of the hollow body, to provide a substantially fluidic and/or airtight seal. The container or piston may comprise a sealing or scraping element associated with a peripheral or circumferential surface or sidewall thereof, for example which cooperates with the internal surface or surfaces of the hollow body, e.g. to provide a sealing engagement therewith or to scrape food residue therefrom. The sealing or scraping element may comprise a ring or flange extending from the peripheral or circumferential surface or sidewall. The sealing or scraping element may be formed integrally with the piston or may engage the piston, for example the sealing or scraping element may comprise a seal, e.g. an o-ring seal, or scraper, e.g. a scraper ring, which may be receivable within a recess or groove in the piston. The piston may be circular, rectangular, square octagonal or any other shape in plan. The piston may comprise a recess within which the flexible tube is receivable. The piston may comprise a hollow or solid plate or disc or cylinder, for example with a hole through its thickness to provide the passage, e.g. with the or a sealing or scraping element associated with its peripheral or circumferential surface or sidewalk The piston may comprise an internal container facing surface or side which may be flat, planar, convex or concave.

Additionally or alternatively, the piston may comprise a plate or disc or panel or base panel, or sheet, e.g. extending across the tubular body, which may include a hole through its thickness to provide the passage. The piston or plate or disc or panel or base panel or sheet may further include a side wall or skirt, for example extending from the plate, disc, panel or sheet, e.g. extending from a peripheral portion thereof, e.g. defining the recess and/or for sealing or scraping against the tubular body or guiding the piston therealong. The piston may further include a second plate or disc or panel or sheet, for example connected to the side wall or skirt and/or offset from and/or lying parallel to the first plate, disc, panel or sheet. The plate, disc, panel or sheet may be flat, planar, concave or convex.

The piston may comprise one or more protrusions or projections, such as nodules or bobbles, on its base, for example in order to more effectively clear the food product from the container and/or ensure that an excessive vacuum that prevents the piston from moving within the container is not formed. The protrusions or projections may be any shape and may be arranged on the base of the piston in any pattern or layout. In use, the protrusions or projections ensure that there is a small space between the piston and the bottom of the container so as to prevent a vacuum being formed.

The container may include a closure or lid, for example a foil, film or sheet, which may be connected, e.g. adhered or bonded, preferably releasably connected, adhered or bonded, to the tubular body, e.g. a rim or peripheral flange of the tubular body. The lid or foil or film or sheet is preferably formed of a plastics material and/or may include a foil. The closure may comprises a perforated line, e.g. defining a removable portion of the closure. The perforated line may be configured such that a portion of the closure remains on the tubular body, in use, for example to inhibit removal of the piston. In some embodiments, the perforated line extends about and/or adjacent and/or marginally of the periphery of the closure, for example defining a marginal portion that may provide or serve as a lip for preventing or inhibiting removal of the piston. Other embodiments may include two, or even three or more, perforated lines, for example which may be parallel to one another and/or may extend across the closure to define a removable portion, e.g. a central removable portion.

Additionally or alternatively, the closure or lid may comprise a snap-on or screw top lid or any other suitable type of closure and/or may comprise a tamper evident means or member.

The straw may comprise a mouthpiece, which mouthpiece may comprise or be located at an open end of the tube. The tube or mouthpiece may be connected to and/or extend through the closure or lid. The container or closure or lid may include a cap, e.g. for covering an open end of the tube or for covering the mouthpiece. The cap may comprise the tamper evident means or member, e.g. the cap may comprise a tamper evidence band.

The container may further comprise a clip for releasably securing the flexible tube or mouthpiece to the container or piston.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative design of piston;

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of an alternative design of piston;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the piston of Figure 15;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration of the embodiment of Figure 5.

In Figures 1 to 6 there is shown a dispensing container 1000, a single-use dispensing container 1000 in this embodiment, for storing and dispensing semi-solid foods (not shown). The container 1000 includes a hollow body 3 with a base 4 and a piston 5 with a passage 6 therethrough. The body 3 in this embodiment is an injection moulded pot with a hollow cylindrical portion 30 and a base 4 at the bottom of the cylindrical portion 30, both of which are formed integrally. It will be appreciated that the cylindrical portion 30 includes a small draft angle and rounded corners (not shown) for manufacturability.

The piston 5 includes a disc 150 with a side skirt 157 extending upwardly from the peripheral edge thereof. The disc 150 includes an aperture or hole through a spigot portion 1051 through its thickness within which the straw 852 is sealingly secured. The piston 5 is configured, i.e. sized and dimensioned, to cooperate with the internal surfaces of the body 3 to provide a substantially fluidic and/or airtight seal. The components 150, 157 of the piston 5 are formed of a plastics material, polypropylene in this embodiment.

In order to prepare the dispensing container 1000, the body 3 is filled with semi-solid food (not shown) e.g. yoghurt, and the piston 5 is inserted into the body 3 with the straw 852 extending upwardly therefrom until the bottom of the piston 5 contacts the semi-solid food.

In use and in order to consume the semi-solid food, a user (not shown) applies his or her mouth (not shown) to the mouthpiece 1010 and sucks semi-solid food (not shown) from the container 1000, which creates a pressure differential or vacuum within a reservoir defined between the internal surfaces of the body 3, the base 4 and the face 56 of the piston 5 which faces the semi-solid food. This pressure differential or vacuum causes the piston 5 to move toward the base 4, as the semi-solid food (not shown) is drawn up the straw 852, out of the mouthpiece 1010 and into the user's mouth (not shown).

It will be appreciated that this arrangement enables a user or consumer (not shown) to consume the contents (not shown) of the dispensing container 1000 immediately after it is purchased. Moreover, the consumption is carried out in a fast, clean and effective manner.

As shown in Figure 1 , the container 1000 incorporates a bayonet fitting type locking mechanism 1001 for selectively preventing movement of the piston 157 relative to the body 3 and an actuator in the form of the removable mouthpiece 1010.

The locking mechanism 1001 is provided by configuring the hole 1002 in the lid 1007 through which the straw 852 extends to have a pair of opposed extensions or lobes 1003 and configuring the spigot portion 1051 with a corresponding pair of opposed projections 1004. When the spigot portion 1051 is in a first orientation relative to the lid 1007, as shown in Figure 1 , the projections 1004 of the spigot portion 1051 are able to pass through the lobes 1003 of the hole 1002 to allow the piston 157 to move to its uppermost position. The spigot portion 1051 may then be rotated through 90 degrees from the first, or unlocked orientation to a second, locked orientation in which axial movement of the piston 157 relative to the lid 1007, and consequently the body 3 is prevented.

The mouthpiece 1010 is substantially cylindrical and incorporates a flange 101 1 by which a consumer is able to force the piston 157 downwardly. The mouthpiece 1010 is fitted over the end of the straw 852 and secured thereto by an interference fit.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative spigot portion 1 151 of the piston 157 that is configured to cooperate with both rigid and flexible straws. The spigot portion 1 151 is substantially cylindrical with a passageway 1 151 a configured to receive a first tube 1 152a therein to form an interference fit with the first tube 1 152a. The spigot portion 1 151 also includes an undercut portion 1 151 b that provides or defines a circumferential surface over which a second tube 1 152b may be placed to form an interference fit. The first tube 1 152a should be substantially rigid to provide the requisite resistance to collapse when sufficient interference is provided between the first tube 1 152a and the passageway 1 151 a. The second tube 1 152b should be sufficiently flexible to stretch over the undercut portion 1 151 b.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown the bottom 56 of a piston 5 with protrusions 1201 extending from the base of the piston 5.

Referring to Figure 5 there is shown an alternative arrangement for a dispensing container. The container 1000 according to this arrangement incorporates a flange 1301 for preventing a user, for example a baby or child inserting the tube too far into their mouth. The flange 1301 has a slot 1302 into which the straw 852 may be pushed for storage.

The arrangement of Figure 5 shows the container ready for use, with the straw 852 connected to the piston 157 and the mouthpiece 1303 facing upward.

Figure 6 illustrates the dispensing container 1000 of Figure 5 in an alternative configuration. In this arrangement the container 1000 is ready for storage; with the mouthpiece 1303 connected to the piston 157 and the straw 852 facing upward. The straw 852 of this embodiment is made of a flexible material such that it can be bent and pushed into the slot 1302 for storage. The straw 852 and mouthpiece 1303 are releasably connected to the flange 1301 and can be removed for cleaning.

In this arrangement, the mouthpiece 1303 has an undercut portion that is sized and dimensioned differently to the straw 852 in order that the mouthpiece 1303 and straw 852 are held together by an interference fit. The mouthpiece 1303 in this arrangement also has a portion that is tapered to receive the spigot portion of the piston 5.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the larger or wider the tube, more particularly the internal dimensions or diameter of the tube, the easier it is for a user or consumer to suck the contents of the dispensing container 1000. It has been observed that an internal diameter of 3 to 25 millimetres is advantageous, while an internal diameter of 5 to 20 millimetres is preferable, an internal diameter of 7 to 18 is more preferable and an internal diameter of 10 to 15 is most preferable.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the piston 5 and/or hollow body 3 may take any suitable form and need not be in the form or shape shown. The piston 5 may comprise a hollow cylinder or plate and/or it may be square, rectangular, octagonal, oval or any other suitable shape or form. The piston 5 may include sealing formations either formed integrally therewith or as initially separate members attached thereto or associated therewith. The bottom 56 of the piston 5 may be concave, e.g. to provide improved sealing wherein the vacuum or pressure differential in the reservoir may cause the bottom 56 to straightened, thereby expanding its external dimensions. Alternatively, the bottom 56 may be convex to ensure that a maximum amount of semi-solid food (not shown) is extracted from the container 1000. Alternatively, the protrusions or projections 1201 on the bottom 56 of the piston 5 may be any shape and arranged on the bottom 56 of the piston 5 in any pattern or layout. There may be any number of protrusions or projections 1201 on the bottom 56 of the piston 5.

It will also be appreciated that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1 . A dispensing container for storing and dispensing semi-solid foods, the container comprising a hollow body, a base, a piston with a passage therethrough, a tube connected to the piston for movement therewith and in fluid communication with the passage and a lock for selectively inhibiting movement of the piston relative to the body, wherein the piston is slidably received within the body for movement therealong toward the base to dispense, in use, through the tube a liquid and/or semi-solid food from the container.

2. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the lock is movable between a first, unlocked condition in which movement of the piston is movable along the body and a second, locked condition in which movement of the piston is inhibited.

3. Container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lock comprises a bayonet- type mechanism.

4. Container according to any preceding claim further comprising a closure or lid, wherein the piston comprises a spigot portion that cooperates with the closure or lid to provide the lock.

5. Container according to claim 4, wherein the spigot portion comprises one or more projections thereon and the closure or lid comprises a hole or aperture through which the tube extends in use, the hole or aperture comprising a shape that cooperates with the one or more projections to provide the lock.

6. Container according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the tube is releasably connected to the piston by the spigot portion.

7. Container according to claim 6, wherein the spigot portion comprises a passageway in fluid communication with the passage of the piston, which passageway is configured to receive the tube therein to form an interference fit therewith.

8. Container according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the spigot portion comprises an outer circumferential surface over which the or a second tube may be placed to form an interference fit therewith.

9. Container according to claim 8, wherein the outer circumferential surface is provided by an undercut of the spigot portion.

10. Container according to any preceding claim further comprising a mouthpiece.

1 1 . Container according to claim 10, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a first portion that is tapered to receive the spigot portion of the piston and to form an interference fit therewith.

12. Container according to claim 1 1 , wherein the mouthpiece further comprises a second portion comprising an outer circumferential surface over which the tube may be placed to form an interference fit therewith.

13. Container according to claim 12, the mouthpiece comprises an undercut that provides the outer circumferential surface.

14. Container according to any preceding claim, wherein the tube or mouthpiece comprises a flange to prevent a user from inserting the tube too far into their mouth.

15. Container according to claim 14, wherein the flange is releasably connected to the tube.

16. Container according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the flange comprises a slot into which the tube may be bent and pushed for storage.

17. Container according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein one face of the flange comprises a mouthpiece.

18. A dispensing container for storing and dispensing semi-solid foods, the container comprising a hollow body, a base and a piston with a passage therethrough and a spigot portion for releasably connecting a tube to the piston in fluid communication with the passage, the piston being slidably received within the body for movement therealong toward the base to dispense, in use, through the tube a liquid and/or semi-solid food from the container, wherein the spigot portion comprises a passageway in fluid communication with the passage of the piston and an undercut defining an outer circumferential surface, the passageway being configured to receive a tube therein to form an interference fit therewith and the outer circumferential surface being configured to be received within a tube to form an interference fit therewith.