U.S. patent application number 11/247532 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-13 for top-up container assembly comprising a dispensing cap, and a dishwashing product comprising the container assembly.
Invention is credited to Patrick Jean-Francois Etesse.
Application Number | 20060076370 11/247532 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34928561 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060076370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Etesse; Patrick
Jean-Francois |
April 13, 2006 |
Top-up container assembly comprising a dispensing cap, and a
dishwashing product comprising the container assembly
Abstract
A top-up container assembly including a bottle having a bottom
surface, and a top surface having an opening located away from the
bottom surface; and a dispensing cap attached to the top surface of
the bottle is disclosed. The dispensing cap includes a housing and
a valve. At least a portion of the housing is transparent and/or
translucent, and the valve is visually distinctive from the housing
to enable a user of the top-up container assembly to see the valve
through the housing. A method of using a dispensing cap for
dispensing a dishwashing cleaning composition is also disclosed, as
is a dishwashing cleaning product, and a method of cleaning
dishware.
Inventors: |
Etesse; Patrick Jean-Francois;
(Brussels, BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL TECHNICAL CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Family ID: |
34928561 |
Appl. No.: |
11/247532 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/00 20130101;
B65D 47/2031 20130101; C11D 17/041 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/38 20060101
B65D035/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 11, 2004 |
EP |
04 077 801.1 |
Claims
1. A top-up container assembly comprising: a container having a
bottom surface, and a top surface located away from said bottom
surface, said top surface having an opening; and a dispensing cap
attached to said top surface of said container, said dispensing cap
comprising a housing and a valve, wherein at least a portion of
said housing is transparent and/or translucent, and said valve is
visually distinctive from said housing, to enable a user of said
top-up container assembly to see the valve through the housing.
2. A top-up container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
container is selected from a bottle or a stand-up pouch.
3. The top-up container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
housing comprises a body, and a closing lid, said closing lid being
hinged along an axis to said body, wherein: at least a portion of
said closing lid is transparent and/or translucent, to enable a
user of said top-up container assembly to see the valve through
said closing lid when said closing lid is closing said dispensing
cap; and/or at least a portion of said body is transparent and/or
translucent, to enable a user of said top-up container assembly to
see the valve through said body.
4. The top-up container assembly according to claim 1, wherein 5%
to 100% of the dispensing cap material is transparent and/or
translucent.
5. The top-up container assembly according to claim 3, wherein 5%
to 100% of the closing lid material is transparent and/or
translucent; and/or 5% to 100% of the body material is transparent
and/or translucent.
6. The top-up container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
valve is a slit valve.
7. The top-up container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
valve and said housing are of a different color.
8. The top-up container assembly according to claim 3, wherein said
valve and said closing lid are of a different color.
9. The top-up container assembly according to claim 3, wherein said
valve and said body are of a different color.
10. The top-up container assembly according to claim 1, wherein
said dispensing cap further comprises a transparent and/or
translucent ring wherein the valve is positioned.
11. The top-up container assembly according to claim 3, wherein the
dispensing cap further comprises a collar around said body, said
collar being visually distinctive from said housing.
12. The top-up container assembly according to claim 11, wherein
the collar and the valve are of the same color.
13. A dishwashing cleaning product comprising: a top-up container
assembly according to claim 1, and a dishwashing cleaning
composition contained in said top-up container assembly.
14. A dishwashing cleaning product according to claim 13, wherein
said product further comprises instructions for use.
15. A method of cleaning dishware with the dishwashing cleaning
product of claim 13, said method comprising the steps of: inverting
the dishwashing cleaning product; and squeezing the bottle to open
the valve, and to dispense the dishwashing cleaning composition
from the top-up container assembly.
16. A method using a dispensing cap comprising a housing and a
valve, at least a portion of said housing being transparent and/or
translucent, and the valve being visually distinctive from said
housing, to enable a user of said dispensing cap to see the valve
through the housing, for dispensing a dishwashing cleaning
composition.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said housing
comprises a body, and a closing lid, said closing lid being hinged
along an axis to said body, wherein at least a portion of said
closing lid is transparent and/or translucent, to enable a user of
said top-up container assembly to see the valve through said
closing lid when said closing lid is closing the dispensing cap;
and/or at least a portion of said body is transparent and/or
translucent, to enable a user of said top-up container assembly to
see the valve through said body.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein 5% to 100% of the
housing material is transparent and/or translucent.
19. The method according to claim 17, wherein 5% to 100% of the
closing lid material is transparent and/or translucent; and/or 5%
to 100% of the body material is transparent and/or translucent.
20. The method according to claim 16, wherein said valve is a slit
valve.
21. The method according to claim 16, wherein said valve and said
housing are of a different color.
22. The method according to claim 17, wherein said valve and said
closing lid are of a different color.
23. The method according to claim 17, wherein said valve and said
body are of a different color.
24. The method according to claim 16, wherein said dispensing cap
further comprises a transparent and/or translucent ring wherein the
valve is positioned.
25. The method according to claim 16, wherein the dispensing cap
further comprises a collar around the body, said collar being
visually distinctive from said housing.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the collar and the
valve are of the same color.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a top-up container assembly
comprising a dispensing cap with a valve, and dishwashing cleaning
products comprising the top-up container assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Plastic bottles comprising a spout for dispensing a liquid
or a viscous composition are well known in the art, especially in
the field of dishwashing cleaning products. These bottles are
typically so-called "top-up" bottles. In order to dispense the
composition, a user typically needs to open a cap to expose the
spout, then invert and squeeze the bottle to dispense the
composition. One problem with spouts is that, because of the
spout's opening, the product flows out upon inversion of the
bottle, even when the bottle is not squeezed. Another problem is
that it is difficult to control the amount of product to be
dispensed from the bottle. Another problem is mess. Bottles with
spouts tend to leave product around the rim of the spout. As a
result, the bottle does not only looks messy, but the product also
dries and forms a crust. If the crust is allowed to build up, then
it eventually blocks the spout. All these problems lead to consumer
dissatisfaction.
[0003] The use of valves (e.g. slit valves) for improved/controlled
dispensing of a liquid or a viscous composition is also well known.
Such valves are typically used in so-called "top-down" containers
or tubes, which hold a liquid or viscous composition. Top-down
containers or tubes are products which rest on their dispensing
cap, when they are stored on a horizontal surface. One example is
Ketchup.TM. products. Recently, and only for aesthetic reasons,
colored, transparent or translucent dispensing caps comprising a
valve have been developed. One company producing such dispensing
caps is Seaquist Closures.
[0004] In the area of dishwashing, the use of valves for dispensing
the composition is also known. For example, the product marketed
under the name of Sqezy from Buck chemicals, is a "top-down"
container comprising a colored translucent cap with a slit valve
(the valve not being visible through the cap). However, when in a
certain type of "top-up" bottle which is typically marketed with a
spout (such as most dishwashing products), the spout is replaced by
a valve, a user may not readily notice the difference. A user may
even believe the bottle is defective, as with valves, there is no
visible opening. Also, squeeze-bottles equipped with a valve
require a higher squeeze pressure for dispensing the composition,
versus squeeze-bottles equipped with a spout. It is therefore
important for a user to readily notice which type of product is
being bought, or used (with spout or valve). The present invention
overcomes these problems.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide
containers with a dispensing cap comprising a valve, which are
easily distinguishable from containers with a dispensing cap
comprising a spout.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention, to provide
containers with a dispensing cap wherein the valve is always
visible, even when the dispensing cap is in a closed state.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates
to a top-up container assembly (1) comprising a container (20)
having a bottom surface (22), and a top surface (21) located away
from said bottom surface (22), said top surface (21) having an
opening (23); and a dispensing cap (30) attached to said top
surface (21) of said bottle (20), said dispensing cap (30)
comprising a housing (31) and a valve (32), wherein at least a
portion of said housing (31) is transparent and/or translucent, and
wherein said valve (32) is visually distinctive from said housing
(31), to enable a user of said top-up container assembly (1) to see
the valve (32) through the housing (31).
[0008] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates
to the use of a dispensing cap (30) for dispensing a dishwashing
cleaning composition.
[0009] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates
to a dishwashing cleaning product.
[0010] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates
to a method of cleaning dishware.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a top-up container assembly
according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a dispensing cap according to
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a another dispensing cap
according to the present invention
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a top view of a dispensing cap according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1. Top-Up Container Assembly
[0015] In a first embodiment, the present invention relates to a
top-up container assembly (1) comprising a container (20) and a
dispensing cap (30). With "top-up", it is meant that the container
assembly has a top and a bottom surface, at least a portion of said
bottom surface being in contact with a horizontal flat surface when
said container assembly is put on that horizontal flat surface. The
top surface of the container assembly is located away from said
bottom surface, and does not contact the horizontal flat surface,
when the container assembly is put on that horizontal surface.
[0016] The container (20) of the present invention may be a bottle
or a stand-up pouch where the container is a bottle it is
preferably a squeeze-bottle having flexible walls. The container
has a bottom surface (22) and a top surface (21) located away from
said bottom surface (22), and an opening (23) in said top surface
(21). At least a portion of said bottom surface (22) is in contact
with a horizontal flat surface when said container (20) is put on
that horizontal flat surface. The container (20) useful herein has
a hollow body for holding a liquid or gel composition, and is
typically formed of plastic, preferably a polymer or resin such as
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate,
polycarbonate, polystyrene, ethyl vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol,
thermoplastic elastomer, and combinations thereof, although other
materials known in the art may also be used. Such containers (20)
will typically hold from 100 mL to 2 L of liquid, preferably from
150 mL to 1.2 L of liquid, and more preferably from 200 mL to 1 L
of liquid, and are well known for holding liquid consumer products.
Such containers are widely available from many packaging
suppliers.
[0017] By stand-up pouch it is meant that the container may be
flexibly deformed, but that it is not resilient in the sense that
it recovers its original shape when the deforming pressure is
removed. Preferably such containers are formed from plastic film or
films which are sealed together at the edge in order to form a
closed container. The container is provided with an opening which
is sealed around the closure. Most preferably the plastic film is
made from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or laminate
thereof and has a thickness of from 50 to 250 micrometers.
[0018] A dispensing cap (30) is attached to the top surface (21) of
the bottle (20). The dispensing cap (30) may be formed as either
integral with, or separate from the bottle (20). If formed
separately, the dispensing cap (30) may attach to the bottle (20)
via methods known in the art such as by employing a transition
piece, corresponding threaded male and female members, pressurized
and non-pressurized seals, locking and snap-on parts, and/or other
methods known in the art. Preferably, the dispensing cap (30) is
attached to the bottle (20) via a transition piece and/or with
corresponding threaded male and female members which allow easy
refilling. The dispensing cap (30) comprises a housing (31), and a
valve (32).
[0019] The housing (31) preferably comprises a body (33), and a
closing lid (34) which is hinged along an axis (A) to said body
(33). The body (33) comprises an opening into which the valve (32)
can be fitted in a leak-tight manner. Preferably, the body (33)
further comprises a ring (36) which fits into the body's (33)
opening, wherein the valve (32) can be fitted in a leak-tight
manner. The dispensing cap (30) may further comprise a collar (35)
which surrounds the bottom (22) portion of the housing (31) or the
body (33). The housing (31), body (33), closing lid (34), ring (36)
and collar (35) are typically formed of plastic, preferably a
polymer or resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene
terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, ethyl vinyl alcohol,
polyvinyl alcohol, thermoplastic elastomer, and combinations
thereof, although other materials known in the art may also be
used. Most preferably, they are formed of polypropylene.
[0020] The preferred valve (32) is a slit valve (32) having a pair
of slits (37) intersecting at the center of the valve (32).
Although one pair of slits (37) is preferred, more slits (37) may
be present. The valve (32) is preferably formed of silicone or a
thermoplastic elastomer. When the bottle (20) is squeezed, the
valve (32) opens when the pressure differential across the valve
(32) exceeds a predetermined amount (e.g. when the container
assembly's (1) interior pressure increases to a predetermined
amount relative to standard atmospheric pressure outside the
container assembly (1)). The valve (32) may be formed as a unitary
part of the dispensing cap (30), or may be mounted in a separate
assembly (e.g. a ring (36) as described hereinabove) that is
permanently or releasably attached to the dispensing cap (30).
Suitable valves for the dispensing cap (30) of the present
invention, are readily available on the market, e.g. from Seaquist
Closures.
[0021] An essential aspect of the present invention is that at
least a portion of the housing (31) is transparent and/or
translucent, and that the valve (32) is visually distinctive from
the housing (31). With this, it is meant that the valve (32) can be
seen through at least a portion of the housing (31), either from
the side, from the top, or both. This includes that the valve (32)
may be seen either only through a portion of the closing lid (34)
(from the side, from the top, or both), or only through the side of
at least a portion of the dispensing cap's (1) body (33), or both.
This also includes that the valve (32) may be seen through the
entire housing (31) from the side and from the top. This also
includes that the valve (32) is clearly visible through the housing
(31), or that a user can see a haze of different shades and/or
colors (valve versus housing), whereby the user is able to
distinguish the valve (32) from the housing (31). This also enables
a user to easily distinguish dispensing caps having a valve (32)
from dispensing caps having a spout. Preferably at least 5%, more
preferably at least 10%, even more preferably at least 20%, and up
to 100% of the housing (31) material is transparent and/or
translucent. When the housing (31) comprises a body (33) and a
closing lid (34), preferably at least 5%, more preferably at least
10%, even more preferably at least 20%, and up to 100% of the body
(33) and/or closing lid (34) material is transparent and/or
translucent. If a ring (36), as described above, is used in the
housing (31), it is preferred that the ring (36) is entirely
transparent and/or translucent. The valve (32) is preferably not
transparent nor translucent.
[0022] In order to improve the visual distinctiveness, it is
preferred that the valve (32) is of a different color, more
preferably of a contrasting color than the housing (31), body (33)
or closing lid (34). Preferably, the valve (32) is colored while
the housing (31), body (33) or closing lid (34), are not
colored.
[0023] When the dispensing cap (30) comprises a collar (35), it is
preferred that the collar (35) is visually distinctive from the
housing (31). Preferably the collar (35) is not transparent, nor
translucent, and of a different color, preferably of a contrasting
color than the housing (31), body (33) or closing lid (34). Most
preferably, the collar (35) is in the same color as the valve
(32).
[0024] With transparent or translucent, it is meant that the
material has a light transmission of at least 35% in the visible
spectrum (from 400 nanometers in the violet to 700 nanometers in
the red end of the visible spectrum). The light transmission of a
material can be measured using commercially available hazemeters or
spectrophotometers. One test method for measuring the light
transmission of a material, is described in Standard Test Method
D-1003 (ASTM D-1003) from the American Society for Testing and
Materials. In this test method, a unidirectional perpendicular
light beam is directed onto the material, and a photo detector
measures the total light transmitted by the specimen after it
enters an integrating sphere.
2. Dishwashing Cleaning Product
[0025] In a second embodiment, the present invention relates to the
use of the dispensing cap (30) described hereinabove, for
dispensing a dishwashing cleaning composition. In a third
embodiment, the present invention relates to a dishwashing cleaning
product comprising the container assembly (1) described
hereinabove, and a dishwashing cleaning composition contained in
the top-up container assembly (1).
[0026] The dishwashing cleaning composition can be in the form of a
liquid or a gel, and typically includes also a solvent, and
preferably one or more optional ingredients known in the art of
dishwashing, such as enzymes, viscosity modifiers, diamines,
carboxylic acids, polymeric suds stabilizers, builders, magnesium
ions, chelating agents, hydrophobic block polymers, or organic and
inorganic salts. The dishwashing cleaning composition will further
preferably comprise one or more detersive adjuncts selected from
the following: soil release polymers, polymeric dispersants,
polysaccharides, abrasives, bactericides and other antimicrobials,
tarnish inhibitors, dyes or pigments, buffers, antifungal or mildew
control agents, insect repellents, perfumes, hydrotropes,
thickeners, processing aids, suds boosters, brighteners,
anti-corrosive aids, stabilizers, antioxidants, a pH controlling
agent, a reducing or oxidizing bleach, an odor control agent,
antioxidants and free radical inhibitors, and a mixture
thereof.
[0027] The dishwashing cleaning product will further preferably
comprise instructions for using the dishwashing cleaning
product.
3. Method of Cleaning Dishware
[0028] In a fourth embodiment, the present invention also relates
to a method of cleaning dishware, using the dishwashing cleaning
product described hereinabove. The method comprises at least the
steps of inverting the dishwashing cleaning product, and then
squeezing the bottle (20) such that the valve (32) opens and the
dishwashing cleaning composition is dispensed from the top-up
container assembly (1).
[0029] The composition may be applied to the dishware neat or in
dilute form. Thus the dishware may be cleaned singly by applying
the composition to the dishware and optionally but preferably
subsequently rinsing before drying. Alternatively, the composition
can be mixed with water in a suitable vessel, for example a basin,
sink or bowl and thus a number of dishes can be cleaned using the
same composition and water (dishwater). In a further alternative
process the product can be used in dilute form in a suitable vessel
as a soaking medium for, typically extremely dirty, dishware. As
before the dishware can be optionally, although preferably, rinsed
before allowing to dry. Drying may take place passively by allowing
for the natural evaporation of water or actively using any suitable
drying equipment, for example a cloth or towel.
[0030] All documents cited in the detailed description of the
invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference.
A citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
[0031] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *