U.S. patent application number 11/025463 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for container with measuring cap.
This patent application is currently assigned to Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.. Invention is credited to Edward John Giblin, May Shana'a.
Application Number | 20060138180 11/025463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36610226 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060138180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giblin; Edward John ; et
al. |
June 29, 2006 |
Container with measuring cap
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a container comprising a
dispensing opening, a dispensing tap for dispensing product through
the dispensing opening, a measuring cap having an internal volume,
wherein the dispensing cap is releasably secured to the container,
and wherein the measuring cap has an aperture which defines a
measuring cap opening and wherein at least a portion of the
measuring cap internal volume is below the lowest point of the
measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the
container when the container is in a dispensing position.
Inventors: |
Giblin; Edward John;
(Hopatcong, NJ) ; Shana'a; May; (Trumbull,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
UNILEVER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
700 SYLVAN AVENUE,
BLDG C2 SOUTH
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS
NJ
07632-3100
US
|
Assignee: |
Unilever Home & Personal Care
USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36610226 |
Appl. No.: |
11/025463 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/570 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/40 20060101
B65D025/40 |
Claims
1. A container comprising a dispensing opening, a dispensing tap
for dispensing product through the dispensing opening, a measuring
cap having an internal volume, wherein the dispensing cap is
releasably secured to the container, and wherein the measuring cap
has an aperture which defines a measuring cap opening and wherein
at least a portion of the measuring cap internal volume is below
the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring
cap is secured to the container when the container is in a
dispensing position.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the
measuring cap internal volume that is below the lowest point of the
measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the
container when the container is in a dispensing position is greater
than 1%.
3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the
measuring cap internal volume that is below the lowest point of the
measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the
container when the container is in a dispensing position is greater
than 5%.
4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the
measuring cap internal volume that is below the lowest point of the
measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the
container when the container is in a dispensing position is greater
than 10%.
5. A container according to claim 1 wherein the measuring cup is
circular in shape excluding the measuring cap opening.
6. A container according to claim 1, wherein the measuring cap
opening has a pouring beak.
7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the measuring cap
opening has internal threads that cooperate with external threading
on the container such that the measuring cap can be screwed onto
the container.
8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the measuring cap is
fastened to the container by snap fittings.
9. A container comprising a dispensing opening, dispensing tap, a
top wall, a side wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall and
a measuring cap wherein the cap has an aperture which defines a
measuring cap opening and wherein the measuring cap is releasably
secured to a part of the container, dispensing tap or other part
thereof and wherein at least a portion of the measuring cap is
below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the
measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in
a dispensing position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a container having a
measuring cap. More particularly, the invention is directed to a
container having a dispensing tap on a sidewall and a measuring cap
that fits over the dispensing tap.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] With the surge in popularity of purchasing products, such as
heavy duty liquid laundry detergent, in bulk in retail outlets such
as grocery stores, drug stores and especially so-called "club"
stores, packaging for bulk items has become highly desired. One
such type of package that has become popular is a container for
heavy duty laundry detergent such as that shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.
D470,054 and 6,631,744 to Gerhart et al, the disclosures of which
are incorporated by reference. That package is a 300 fl. oz. size
container which includes a spigot for dispensing product, and a
measuring cap which encloses the spigot.
[0003] While this package has been well received by the industry
including manufacturers, retailers and consumers, it has been
susceptible to messiness resulting from residual product in the
measuring cap. Such mess occurs when the user replaces the
measuring cap over the dispensing tap even though this is not the
intended storage position for the measuring cap. The measuring cap
in the Gerhart et al. package is not intended to be replaced over
the dispensing tap, but rather placed separately aside or on a
surface of the package such as on portion 60 of wall 36 in FIG. 14
of Gerhart et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,744. However, it has been
found that in use customers tend to replace the measuring cap over
the dispensing tap. In this type of package where the cap is fitted
onto the container with its opening in a horizontal position,
residual product in the cap can drain out when the cap is replaced
on the container thereby causing a mess.
[0004] With the user tendencies to replace the measuring cap, it is
preferable to have a package with a measuring cap that can be
replaced onto the container or dispensing tap without any residual
product spilling out of the measuring cap once it is replaced onto
the dispensing tap.
[0005] Accordingly, for such types of containers with a dispensing
tap on a sidewall and wherein a measuring cap is placed over the
dispensing tap in a horizontal position, there exist a need for a
measuring cap that is not susceptible to leakage of residual
product when replaced on the dispensing tap.
[0006] An object of the present invention to provide a package with
a measuring cap that can replaced over the dispensing tap without
being susceptible to leakage.
[0007] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent
to those skilled in the art by reference to the specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present inventors have discovered a container with a
dispensing tap having a measuring cap that can be replaced over the
dispensing tap without being susceptible to leakage of residual
product in the measuring cap.
[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a
container comprising a dispensing opening, a dispensing tap for
dispensing product through the dispensing opening, a measuring cap
having an internal volume, wherein the dispensing cap is releasably
secured to the container, and wherein the measuring cap has an
aperture which defines a measuring cap opening and wherein at least
a portion of the measuring cap is below the lowest point of the
measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the
container when the container is in a dispensing position.
[0010] In another preferred embodiment, the measuring cap opening
has a pouring beak that can be used to pretreat clothing
stains.
[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the measuring cap opening
has internal threads that cooperate with external threading on the
container such that the measuring cap can be screwed onto the
container.
[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the invention is used in
conjunction with a large volume heavy duty liquid detergent
container. The container comprises a dispensing opening, dispensing
tap, a top wall, a side wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back
wall and a dispensing closure wherein the closure has an
opening/aperture which defines a dispensing closure aperture and
wherein the dispensing cap is releasably secured to a part of the
container, dispensing tap or other part thereof and wherein at
least a portion of the dispensing closure is below the lowest
dispensing closure connection point when the container is in a
dispensing position. In a more preferred embodiment, the container
has venting opening in at least one of the top, back and side
walls, and a venting closure.
[0013] As used herein, the term "during use" means when the
container of the invention is placed in its intended position for
product to be dispensed. For example, with the package shown in the
figures herein, the container is ready for use and dispensing of
product when the container is placed on its front side such that
the dispensing tap is ready to be operated to dispense product. As
the container in the invention may take different forms, "during
use" is intended to mean the intended dispensing position for
use.
[0014] As used herein, the term "comprising" means that a specified
material or element is present, optionally together a further
material or element, and includes including, made up of, composed
of, consisting and/or consisting essentially of.
[0015] For a more complete understanding of the above and other
features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made
to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and
to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a container as positioned during
use on its front wall with a measuring cap according to the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a measuring cap according to
the invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of a measuring cap according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now particularly to the drawings, a container of
the invention will be described with respect to a specific
embodiment.
[0020] Container 10 includes top wall 22, front wall 24, back wall
26 and side walls 28. Bottom wall 30 supports the container.
[0021] Top wall 22 includes an area 40 in which is disposed a
dispensing tap 42 and measuring cap 44 covering the tap 42. Handle
46 is integral with top wall 22.
[0022] Located on an opposite side of top wall 22 from dispensing
tap 42 is vent 50.
[0023] As can be seen, especially in FIG. 1, the top surfaces of
measuring cap 44, handle 46, and vent 50 are generally parallel.
Moreover, the heights of the top surfaces of the measuring cup 44
and the vent 50 are independently within one inch of the top
surface of handle 46, especially within 3/4 of an inch of the top
surface of handle 46, and most preferably within 1/2 inch of the
top surface of the handle 46. Keeping the top surfaces parallel and
at approximately the same height facilitates the even distribution
of top load of containers in that the effective top surface of the
container seen by a container stacked on top of it will be more or
less even whereby to prevent uneven stacking load of the containers
which can lead to rupture of the container.
[0024] In order to dispense product, the user rests the container
10 on front wall 24. The dispensing tap 42 is then operated by the
consumer to dispense product.
[0025] To facilitate dispensing of product, the container includes
a vent 50. A vent cap may be used to close the vent during shipping
and times of non-use. To activate the vent the vent cap is
loosened. Once the vent cap is loosened, air is free to flow
inwardly through the vent opening 54 thereby replacing the volume
of product lost when product is dispensed through dispensing tap 42
with air. This helps the product flow more freely upon being
dispensed.
[0026] As previously stated, in the type of container shown in the
figures herein, the container is rested on its front surface 24
during use. The contents of the container will naturally flow
towards the front surface during use leaving any headspace in the
container towards the back surface 26 (which is the upward most
surface when the container is placed in position for use).
[0027] The measuring cap 44 serves the dual function of measuring
cup and closure for the dispensing tap. The terms "cap" and "cup"
should be understood herein to be interchangeable. The measuring
cap has aperture 100 which defines a measuring cap opening 102. The
measuring cap 44 is releasably secured to the container, dispensing
tap or other part of the container assembly by being snap fit over
equi-spaced ribs or lugs, which mate with bead(s) at the mouth of
the measuring cap opening. Alternatively, the measuring cap can be
secured to the bottle base finish by use of a continuous thread to
screw on the bottle base finish or by other means. The connection
of the mouth of the dispensing closure aperture to the container
defines a continuous series of connection points of the dispensing
closure.
[0028] The measuring cap has an internal volume defined by the size
and configuration of the meauring cap. The measuring cap also has
an aperture which defines a measuring cap opening and wherein at
least a portion of the measuring cap 110 is below the lowest point
of the measuring cap opening 112 when the measuring cap is secured
to the container when the container is in a dispensing position.
The internal volume is the volume of liquid that would fill the
measuring cup when the cap is placed with the measuring cap opening
upward. Preferably at least 1% of the closure is below the lowest
point of the measuring cap opening. More preferably, at least 5% of
the closure is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening
and even more preferably at least 10% of the closure is below the
lowest point of the measuring cap opening. With a portion of the
measuring cup below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening
when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the
container is in a dispensing position, any residual product
remaining in the measuring cap will form a pool in the bottom
portion of the cap. As such, the pool of product will remain in the
measuring cap and not leak out of the measuring cap as long as a
portion of the measuring cap is below the lowest point of the
measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the
container when the container is in a dispensing position.
[0029] Preferably, the measuring cap is in the shape of a ball with
a side cut off defining the measuring cap opening. Other shapes may
be used as well as long as at least a portion of the measuring cap
is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the
measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in
a dispensing position.
[0030] Preferably, the measuring cap has textured fill line bands
etched into the interior of the closure to aid the consumer
visually in filling to the proper dose. The measuring cap may have
a v-groove channel or similar type groove on the exterior of the
mouth, similar to a laboratory beaker, to aid in pretreating
strains with precise pouring. This channel could have an anti-drip
lip. Alternatively, there may be "V" or "U" notches in the top side
wall for a controlled pour.
[0031] The container and measuring cap may be mono-layer or
multi-layer and may be made of, without limitation, HDPE, PP, PVC,
PET, POLYCARBONATE or acrylic or nitrite base resins, and
preferably contains a minimum of 25% PCR.
[0032] It should be understood of course that the specific forms of
the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be
representative only as certain changes may be made therein without
departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly,
reference should be made to the following appended claims in
determining the full scope of the invention.
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