WO2014116099A1

WO2014116099A1 - Squeezable and refillable container for dispensing liquid soap or other cleansing liquids and a scrubber

Info

Publication number: WO2014116099A1
Application number: PCT/MY2013/000011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sharahwanaun MUTHUSAMY
Original assignee: Muthusamy Sharahwanaun
Priority date: 2013-01-23
Filing date: 2013-01-23
Publication date: 2014-07-31
Also published as: MY182115A

Abstract

The invention discloses a liquid dispensing device comprising of a container for holding liquid and pockets of air, and a scrubbing surface element enveloping the container and wherein the container includes at least two foam generating pumps to generate foam. The scrubbing surface element is either a plastic material with a rough surface or a fabric sheet. The container is in at least two sections, a first section holds liquid and air pocket and the second section houses the foam generating pumps. Fluid passage conduit draws air from the air pockets in the container and introduces the air into a foam generating pump where the first section of the container is squeezed.

Description

SQUEEZABLE AND REFILLABLE CONTAINER FOR DISPENSING LIQUID SOAP OR

OTHER CLEANSING LIQUIDS AND A SCRUBBER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a squeezable and refillable container to dispense liquids such as liquid soap, body cleansing liquids, combined with a scrubbing element. It also relates to a squeezable and refillable container with a scrubbing element to clean crockery, kitchen utensils, or any surface body parts such as motor vehicle bodies, windows, etc.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Containers for dispensing liquid soap are known in prior art US 2008/0156830 A1 discloses a squeezable container having at least one squeezable wall having a plurality of slits or holes therein for dispensing liquid soap. The container is not capable of producing foam, which is a desired feature. US 2004/0068812 A1 disclose a wall mounted back scrubbing and washing device. This container is not capable of producing foam nor is it capable of being held in the palm of the user.

US 6,887,007 B2 discloses a hand-held body washing device. The device is not capable of producing foam. US 6,095,709 discloses a liquid soap dispenser and scrub brush. This device does not produce foam and does not include a scrubbing element on device. The prior art devices disclosed above are not capable of producing foam nor are they capable of being held comfortably in the palm of the hand of the user. It is an objective of the invention to provide a squeezable and refillable container to hold and dispense foam or liquid for cleaning purpose and to provide a scrubbing surface area onto which the liquid contained in the container is spreadable as a liquid or as a foam. The liquid contained in the container should be able to be squeezed out with the application of finger and palm pressure alone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention discloses a liquid dispensing device comprising of a container for holding liquid and pockets of air, and a scrubbing surface element enveloping the container and wherein the container includes at least two foam generating pumps to generate foam. The scrubbing surface element is malleable. The container is in at least two sections, a first section holds liquid and air pocket and the second section houses the foam generating pumps. Fluid passage conduit draws air from the air pockets in the container and introduces the air into a foam generating pump where the first section of the container is squeezed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the device showing a scrubbing surface.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the principal internal components of the device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the components shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the component shown in FIG. 3 with the liquid container removed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end portion of a pump.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the liquid extrusion nipple and the docking component of a container containing a ref (liable liquid.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the dispensing device with a transparent window on the container.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing device without pumps and fluid passage conduits.

FIG. 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 9(d) are diagrammatic views of the orientation in space of the device showing the position of liquid and the air pockets in the device when the container is positioned at different orientations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1 , there is a dispensing device (1 0) with a scrubbing surface element (12) for dispensing liquid soap moulded in a plastic material. The dispensing device (10) is of a size of and shape that is convenient to be held between the fingers and palm of a hand of the user of the device. The plastic material selected is of soft malleable plastics such as elastic rubbery material.

The scrubbing surface element (12) can be an integral part of the device or alternatively it could be sheet material with a mild rubbery surface enveloping an underlying container shown in FIG. 8. Such sheet material could include elastic plastics material. The scrubbing surface can be populated with convex mounds above the general surface, or the scrubbing surface element could be a ribbed surface to provide a rough surface for scrubbing purposes. The texture of the rough surface would depend on the ultimate use of the dispensing device (10). For use as a scrubbing element on the human body, the scrubbing surface would generally be gentle, similar to the feeling of use of a bath towel on the human body. Whereas the scrubbing surface used for cleansing crockery would be similar to that of a crockery scrubbing pad generally used in a kitchen.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 and FIG. 8. The dispensing device (10) generally comprises of two sections. The first section denoted by the numeral (1 a) and a second section denoted by the numeral (1 b). The first section (1 a) holds liquid and air pockets. The second section (1 b) houses the pumps (3). In the description, the term pump refers to pumps that are capable of discharging fluids, such as liquids, mixture of liquid and air as the foam of foam. It will be clear later that in operating the device its user applies squeezing force on the section (1 a). The dispensing device (10) is generally made of plastic material. The first section (1 a) consists of an assembly of plastic material of different rigidness and elasticity. Base (20) of the first section (1 a) is of hard or rigid plastic material (refer FIG. 8). Inner side of the base (20) is covered by an elastic rubbery material. The entire dispensing device comprising of the first section (1 a) and the second section (1 b) is enveloped by a layer of elastic rubbery material. At the basal portion of the dispensing device (10) is a layer (16) of soft gel type material sandwiched between the base (20) and the outer layer of elastic rubbery material. The use of elastic rubbery material and soft gel type material provides a soft comfortable feel and touch to the user of the device. It will be appreciated that other plastic or rubber material can be used either alone or in combination to provide a soft feel to a user, the second section (1 b) of the device (10) comprises of a hollow body enclosed by hard plastic material where external surface is enveloped by elastic rubbery material (refer FIG. 8). Section 1 (a) is secured to section 1 (b) by any suitable means known to the art. In a preferred embodiment, section 1 (a) is heat sealed to section 1 (b), alternatively section 1 (a) can be snap fastened to section 1 (b). If the dispensing device is cylindrical in shape, the section 1 (a) can be connected to section 1 (b) by thread connection during the manufacturing process.

The working of the device and the other components not previously described will be described now. Liquid soap or other liquid is introduced into the container (1 ) at its refill nozzle (5). A container holding a refillable liquid soap or other liquid is squeezable and has a liquid extrusion nipple positioned within a docking component (21 ) (refer to FIG. 6). The docking component is placed in a docking position over the refill nozzle (5) and the container squeezed whereby liquid from the container is forced into the container (1 ) through the nipple (1 1 ). The refill nozzle (5) could include an open mouth at the edge of the container (1 ) or alternatively the nozzle could include a slit (15) in a rubbery material, such that after the nipple is disengaged from the refill nozzle, the slit returns to its resting position whereby the liquid contents in the container cannot be discharged outside, that is, the slit acts substantially as a one way valve (see FIG. 8).

When squeeze pressure is applied on the container (1 ) at section (1 a), air trapped in the air pocket (22) in the container is forced into the fluid passage (7) and into the pump (3). Liquid soap in the container (1 ) is simultaneously forced onto the pump (3) via aperture (13) whereby air from the fluid passage (7) and the liquid soap is mixed in the pump to produce foam and which foam is extruded via a dispensing passage (4) into the foam outlet (6). Each pump (3) includes at least one aperture (13) preferably several apertures (reference is made to FIG. 5) to draw in liquid soap from the container (1 ) when container (1 ) is squeezed. The squeezing of the container forces air already in the fluid passage (7) and the liquid soap already in the pump to be forced into the dispensing passage conduit (4) and to be discharged as foam at the foam outlet (6). On release of the pressure on the container, the container returns to its original position due to the elasticity of the container.

To produce foam in the dispensing device (1 ), it is necessary that the container (1 ) is not completely filled with liquid soap but only partially filled leaving an air pocket (22) into which space, at the end of the of the fluid passage tube (7) terminates (see FIG. 4).

To facilitate ease and convenience in refilling the container (1 ), refill liquid soap is contained in a separate squeezable container which has a docking component (21 ) and a discharge nipple (1 1 ) which are configured to be matingly connected to the refill nozzle of the dispensing device (10) during the process of refilling the container (1 ).

It will be appreciated that the present embodiment described above describe two pumps (3) used to generate foam. It would be apparent to a person skilled in the art to include additional pumps if it is desired to produce more foam within a given time. The use of more than one pump (3) is desirable in order to avoid or minimize liquid traps when the dispensing device in used in various spatial orientations by a person.

The pumps (3) used in this invention are as described in US patent application no. US 2010/0001024 A1 which is totally incorporated herein by reference. The pump is obtainable from Rexam Airspray N. V. Alkmar (NL).

Each pump receives at least one fluid passage conduit (7). The fluid passage conduit (7) is contained within the container (1 ).

At a position where the air pockets (22) are top most position as shown in FIG. 9(a), when section (1 a) is squeezed, air from the air pocket (22) is forced into the pump (3) via fluid passage (7) and liquid from section (1 a) is forced into the pump via aperture (13). When the dispensing device is held in position shown in FIG. 9(b), the squeezing of section 1 (a) will result in the liquid in the section (1 a) to be forced into the pump (3) whilst air in the air pockets (22) will be forced by pressure via aperture (13) into the pump (3).

When the dispensing device is held in position as shown in FIG. 9(d) and section 1 (a) if squeezed will result in liquid in section 1 (a) being forced into the pump (3) via the fluid passage 7(a) and air in the air pocket (22) is forced into the pump via the aperture (13).

However if section (1 a) is filled completely with liquid as shown in FIG. 9(c) then the squeezing of section (1 a) will not result in any air being introduced into the pump in which instance, no foam will be discharged, only liquid is discharged at the discharge outlet (6).

In use of the dispensing device, user will be instructed not to fill the dispenser completely full with liquid. However, squeezing section (1 a) repeatedly will result in liquid in section (1 a) being forced into the pump thus creating a void in section (1 a). As explained earlier, the slit (15) acts as a one-way valve permitting entry of liquid or air from the outside into the container and not permitting any discharge of air or liquid from the container to the outside.

Such an arrangement as described above permits the use of the dispensing device in any orientations as desired to produce foam, except when the section (1a) in completely filled with liquid at which instance only liquid is discharged at the outlet port (6).

The container (1 ) includes a transparent window to indicate the level of liquid soap inside the container (1 ) when the dispensing device is held in an upright position as indicated in FIG. 7.

The transparent window (21 ) may optionally include visual marking to indicate the maximum and the minimum level of liquid soap to be introduced into the container during the refilling process. It will be appreciated that the shape of the dispensing device can be designed incorporating aesthetic patterns, provided the surface provides a non-slip surface and a scrubbing surface either for a human body or for cleaning objects as disclosed earlier in the description.

The term liquid soap as used in the description can include a variety of liquids, such as but not limited to liquid soap, shampoo, body lotion, skin care liquids, for use on the human or animal body, or liquid detergent, shampoo, liquid soap for use for cleaning crockery, kitchen utensils or body work of motor vehicles, or surfaces such as windows.

Claims

1 . A fluid dispensing device (10) comprising of

a. a container wherein a first section of the container holds liquid and air pockets and a second section of the container of the container houses at least two foam generating pumps (3) and

b. a scrubbing element (12) enveloping the container and wherein fluid and air is introducible into the foam generating pumps (3) by the application of finger pressure on the first section of the container (1 a).

2. A fluid dispensing device (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one fluid conduit passage is in communication between the air pocket and the foam generating pump into a foam outlet (6).

3. A fluid dispensing device (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein in a first condition when air pocket and fluid is present in the first section of the container, are is drawn from the air pocket and introduced into the pump (3) and fluid from the first section of the container is forced into the pump (3) when the first section is subjected to finger pressure, wherein air and the fluid is air and the fluid is mixable in the pump yielding foam into the dispensing passage conduit which foam is dischargeable at the foam outlet (6).

4. A fluid dispensing device or claimed in claim 1 wherein in a second condition when inlet mouth of the fluid conduit passage is immersed in the fluid of the first section of the container fluid is forced into the pump when the first section of the container is subjected to finger pressure yielding fluid into the dispensing passage conduit, which fluid is dischargeable at the foam outlet (6).

5. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the scrubbing surface element (12) is malleable.

6. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dispensing device (10) includes a refill nozzle which is adapted to receive a nipple and a docking component of a refill container for liquid to be transferred from the refill container into the container (1 ) of the dispensing device.

7. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the container (1 ) is of a size that can be held between the finger and palm of a human.

8. A dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the container (1 ) comprises of a first section and a second section, the said sections being sealingly connected to each other.

9. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container (1 ) includes a window on a visible part of the container to indicate the fluid levels within the container.

10. A refill container used in association with the dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the container includes a docking component and a nipple to be matingly engageable on the refill nozzle in the dispensing device.

1 1 . A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the peripheral wall of the half of the container is of elastic rubbery material and the peripheral wall of the other half of the container is of rigid material.

12. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the rigid material is selected from plastics, metals or metallic alloys.

13. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the entire peripheral wall of the container is made of elastic rubbery material.