U.S. patent application number 11/506384 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-14 for conical re-sealable dispenser.
Invention is credited to Pieter Weyts.
Application Number | 20060278667 11/506384 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37523236 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060278667 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weyts; Pieter |
December 14, 2006 |
Conical re-sealable dispenser
Abstract
A container and dispenser of a conical shape is provided for
liquid or semi-liquid substances. The container features a tab
attached to the top region of the cone where a zone of weakness
exists at the dividing line between the top region and the rest of
the cone to allow the user to easily tear off the tab and remove
the top region of the cone, thereby opening a passageway in the tip
of the cone where the substance can leave the dispenser by pressing
together the collapsible walls or back of the dispenser, without
the need for a utensil. In addition, the middle region of the cone
is made in a foil-like material that makes the cone re-sealable by
pressing the walls of the middle region against each other.
Alternatively, a cap can be enclosed within the tab which allows
the user to open or close the dispenser by removing or pressing the
cap on the top region of the cone.
Inventors: |
Weyts; Pieter; (Brugge,
BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COOPER & DUNHAM, LLP
1185 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
37523236 |
Appl. No.: |
11/506384 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/US05/02405 |
Jan 25, 2005 |
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11506384 |
Aug 18, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/541.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/36 20130101;
B65D 35/56 20130101; B65D 51/249 20130101; B65D 35/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/541.9 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/10 20060101
B65D047/10 |
Claims
1. A conical-shaped container for containing one of a liquid and a
semi-liquid substance, the container comprising: a conical main
body formed of a collapsible material; and a tab attached to a top
region of the conical main body, to enable a tearing of the top
region of the conical main body from the rest of the conical main
body, thereby opening the conical main body.
2. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein all or a portion of
the rest of the conical main body that remains after being opened
is a foil-like material so that the foil-like material is
re-sealable by pressing the foil-like material.
3. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cap is enclosed
in the tab for resealing the container.
4. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tab is flexible
and lightly pasted to the sidewalls of the cone.
5. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conical main
body is formed of a layer of one of paper, plastic, tin foil,
metal, and a combination thereof.
6. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conical main
body further includes a lower region and a middle region between
said lower and top regions, and the top region of the conical main
body is made of a weaker material than the middle region of the
conical main body.
7. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conical main
body further includes a lower region and a middle region between
said lower and top regions, and the middle region of the conical
main body includes a foil-like material so that the container is
re-sealable by pressing the foil-like material together.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of International
Application No. PCT/US2005/002405, filed Jan. 25, 2005, which
claims the priority of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/782,218, filed
Feb. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,692, issued Jul. 11, 2006,
the entire contents of each of which are incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to a novel
device for holding and dispensing liquids or semi-liquids, in a
measured and precise manner, where such devices can be easily and
conveniently opened without the need for a knife, scissors or other
utensil, and easily resealed.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In numerous instances of use or consumption of liquid or
semi-liquid substances, there is a need for a dispenser that allows
the substance to be applied in a measured and precise manner. For
example, a person eating french fries may want to dispense a small
portion of ketchup on the fries; a person eating a bagel, roll or
another type of bread may want to use a small portion of
spread-able cheese, jam, or chocolate paste; a person eating a
salad may want a small portion of salad dressing; a hotel guest may
require a small portion of shampoo or soap for an overnight stay.
In all these instances, consumers want to be able to apply the
substance where they want it, and in the volume they want it.
[0004] In general, containers, like any consumer product, is
preferably easy and convenient to use, especially when containers
of relatively small portions are involved. When the portion to be
consumed is relatively small, people do not want to encounter too
many practical obstacles in opening the container and dispensing
the small portion. Consumers typically want the small portions to
be easily dispensable without spending much time opening the
container or ensuring that the content be dispensed in a proper and
accurate manner.
[0005] Many conventional containers require a tool or utensil for
opening the container or dispensing the content of the container.
For example, a container may require a knife or other device for
opening the container, or a fork or spoon to dispense the substance
of the container. The need for a tool or utensil makes the
container cumbersome to use thereby greatly diminishing its
practicality and attractiveness to consumers. Again this is
particularly true for containers and dispensers of small portions,
where the small size of the content to be dispensed may not justify
the extra burden of effort or time of using a tool or utensil. The
use of a tool or utensil to open the container or dispense its
content generally involves an investment of time and effort that
consumers generally prefer not to expend, if they had a choice.
Consumers typically prefer a container that can be opened and used
without the need for a utensil or other device.
[0006] When consumers use a dispenser, they do not necessarily want
to consume all of the contents of the dispenser. Therefore,
consumers prefer a dispenser that can be easily re-sealed which
allows them to consume the remainder of the contents of the
dispenser at a later time.
[0007] In addition, it is preferable that the dispenser be easy and
relatively cheap to manufacture.
[0008] There remains a need for a dispenser or container of fluid
or semi-fluid substances which a) allows the substance to be
applied in a measured and precise manner, b) is easy and convenient
to use, c) can be opened and used without the need for a utensil or
other device, d) can be easily resealed, and e) is simple and
economical to manufacture. The terms "container" and "dispenser"
are used herein interchangeably.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure is directed to a container and
dispenser having a conical shape and to a method of manufacturing
such a container for dispensing liquids or semi-liquids. The
container is constructed of collapsible, waterproof material, and
the liquid or semi-liquid is completely enclosed and sealed within
the dispenser. A tab is attached to the tip of the cone and the
cone can be opened by removing the tab. After the user has removed
the tab from the tip of the dispenser, an opening is created in the
tip of the cone and the user can easily dispense the substance in a
precise and measured manner by pressing the collapsible walls or
back of the dispenser without the need for a knife, scissors or
other utensil.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, there is a
zone of weakness where the tab is attached to the tip of the cone
to allow the tab to be torn off the tip of the cone with great
ease. The tip of the cone may be made of tin foil or similar
material which makes the tip of the cone easily re-sealable, after
the tab has been removed, by simply pressing together the walls of
the tip of the cone.
[0011] In another exemplary embodiment, a cap is built into the tab
and the cone can be opened by removing the cap from the tip of the
cone and can be re-sealed by pressing the cap on the tip of the
cone.
[0012] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the tab is flexible and
in certain parts lightly pasted along the sidewalls of the cone
from which it can be easily removed by pulling the tab.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The features of the subject matter of the present disclosure
can be more readily understood from the following detailed
description with reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a container and dispenser, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein there is a
zone of weakness at the location where the tab is attached to the
tip of the cone to allow the tab to be torn off the tip of the cone
with great ease;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the container and dispenser of FIG. 1 after the
tab has been removed from the tip of the cone. The tip of the cone
may be made in tin foil or similar material which makes the tip of
the cone easily re-sealable, after the tab has been removed, by
simply pressing together the walls of the tip of the cone;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a container and
dispenser, according to another embodiment, wherein a cap is
enclosed in the tab and the cone can be opened by removing the cap
from the tip of the cone and re-sealed by pressing the cap on the
tip of the cone; and
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a container and dispenser, according to another
embodiment, wherein the tab is flexible and in certain parts
lightly pasted to and along the sidewalls of the cone from which it
can be easily removed by pulling the tab.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Reference is made below to preferred embodiments of the
disclosure, examples of which are also provided in the following
description. In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the
drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity.
However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not
intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and
it is to be understood that each specific element includes all
technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner.
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, a conical-shaped dispenser according to an exemplary
embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 in a horizontal position including
the following main components: sidewalls 41 of the cone, back 42 of
the cone; and tab 46. Both the back 42 and the sidewalls 41 of the
cone can be made of collapsible, waterproof material (such as
plastic, tin foil, etc.). The tab 46 is flat and intersects with
the cone at the top region 49 of the cone and is used to open the
dispenser at the top region 49 of the cone. To start tearing off
the tab 46, a user of the dispenser may hold the dispenser by
keeping the sidewalls 41 of the cone between index and thumb of one
hand, while holding the tab between index and thumb of the other
hand, and start moving the two hands in opposite directions,
focusing the force at a region where the top region 49 joins with
the tab 46. As the force is applied, the top region 49 tears away
from the rest of the cone.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the collapsible walls 41 of the
cone can be made of a combination of three different materials
creating three separate regions in the walls of the cone. First,
the top region 49 of the cone runs from the tip 44 of the cone
until an upper dividing line 51. Second, a region 52 of the cone
runs from the upper dividing line 51 until a lower dividing line
53, which is located between the upper dividing line 51 and the
circular border 55 where the circular back 42 of the cone is
attached to the sidewalls 41 of the cone 41. Third, the lower
region 54 of the cone runs from the lower dividing line 53 to the
circular border 55.
[0021] Still referring to FIG. 1, the upper dividing line 51 is in
line with the location where the lower part of the tab 46 joins
with the top region 49 of the cone. In order to facilitate the
tearing movement by the user and the removal of the top region 49
of the cone, the dividing line 51 may be slightly indented or
perforated, creating a zone of weakness. Also, the top region 49 of
the cone may be made of a weaker material than the middle region 52
of the cone, thereby further facilitating the removal of the top
region 49 of the cone when the user makes the tearing movement
along the dividing line 51. It should be understood that in other
embodiments of the dispenser, a zone of weakness can be created at
the dividing line 51 or in which the tearing off of the top region
49 at the dividing line 51 can be facilitated in any of many other
different ways in order to optimize the functionality and
user-friendliness of the dispenser.
[0022] When the user has removed the top region 49 of the cone and
the tab 46, the user is left with the middle region 52 of the cone
and the lower region 54 of the cone, and the user has effectively
and easily opened a passageway for the substance to leave the
dispenser at the new tip of the dispenser which is the remaining
part of the dividing line 51.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows the dispenser after the top region 49 of the
cone and the tab 46 have been removed. The user can now dispense
the substance which is inside the cone in a precise manner by
pointing the new tip 51 of the dispenser to the spot where the
substance is to be dispensed. Also, the user can now dispense the
substance of the cone in a measured manner by more or less pressing
the collapsible walls of the middle region 52 or the lower region
54 or the back 42 of the cone.
[0024] Still referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, the
middle region 52 of the collapsible walls of the dispenser can be
made of a material such as tin foil, aluminum foil, etc. After the
user has opened the dispenser, in the manner described above, and
has used it to dispense some of the substance inside the cone,
there is spare space available within the dispenser. The user can
use this spare space to press the walls of the middle region 52
against each other, particularly at or near the new tip 51 of the
dispenser, where the cone is not as wide yet. By pressing together
the walls of the middle region in tin foil, the user can in effect
re-seal the dispenser as it closes off the tip of the cone
hermetically. It should be understood by those skilled in the art
that the sealing effect may also be achieved by other materials
than tin foil. Once the cone is resealed, the user can store the
cone for use at a later time while keeping the substance of the
cone in good, non-oxidated condition.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows an expanded, detailed cross-sectional view of a
container and dispenser, according to another embodiment taken
approximately along the line A-A' of FIG. 1. The container and
dispenser of FIG. 3 includes tab 86, a cap 82 which is enclosed in
the tab 86 and the walls 81 of the cone. In this embodiment, the
walls of the middle region are not collapsible and the cap 82 is
held firm between these walls. The cap 82 is flexible so that
sidewalls 84 of the cap 82 can bend to enable the lower side 85 of
the cap to be squeezed through the narrower opening 83 of the cone
when the user of the dispenser pulls the tab 86. After the user has
opened the dispenser by pulling the cap 82, the user can start
using the dispenser. After the user has used the dispenser, the
user can reseal the dispenser by pressing the tab 86 with the
enclosed cap again on the dispenser.
[0026] It should be understood that other embodiments of the cap 82
are possible such as the addition of a holder of the cap in which
the cap 82 can be held. The holder of the cap can be attached to
the walls of the middle region and obviates a requirement that the
walls not be collapsible.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a container and dispenser according to an
embodiment in which tab 96 is flexible and at least one side of the
tab 96 is lightly pasted to locations 91 and along sidewalls 92 of
the cone. The user can easily remove the tab 96 from the sidewalls
92 to which it is attached by gently pulling the tab 96. After the
user has so removed the tab 96 from the sidewalls 92, the user can
continue the movement and in the process remove the top region 49
of the cone from the rest of the cone.
[0028] It should be understood that any portion of tab 96 can be
made of any of various materials and can be replaced or reinforced
with a yarn, thread, string, etc. The string or thread may be made
of a material chosen from paper, plastic, tin foil, metal, fiber or
a combination thereof. In addition, the tab can be attached, pasted
to or wrapped around the sidewalls of the dispenser in any of many
different ways.
[0029] Methods for manufacturing and assembling a container and
dispenser such as described herein are disclosed in commonly-owned
International application no. PCT/US2005/002405, filed Jan. 25,
2005, and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/782,218, filed Feb. 19,
2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,692, issued Jul. 11, 2006 (the entire
contents of each of which are incorporated by reference
herein).
[0030] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
alternative processes and manufacturing procedures are possible for
the assembly of the dispenser as shown in the figures described
above. Further, sheets in different shapes might be used to
manufacture the dispenser in a more economical or efficient manner,
and the shape of the sheets may be slightly adjusted or cut to
facilitate or accommodate the welding, gluing or attaching of the
various components of the dispenser. In addition, any of a variety
of materials (for example, polymer or other substances) can be used
to enable the various regions and parts of the container and
dispenser to be welded, glued or otherwise attached to each other,
and that there are a variety of different methods and procedures by
which such welding, gluing or attaching may be realized. Further,
the dispenser and the tab can be manufactured in a wide range of
sizes, lengths and widths, which may contain any of the features of
the embodiments described above.
[0031] The present disclosure addresses the need for a dispenser as
described supra. The dispenser can be used for a variety of fluid
or semi-fluid substances including, but not limited to, any type of
sauce (such as ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressing, etc.)
spreadable cheese, chocolate paste, coffee cream, other prepared
foods, as well non-edible liquid or semi-liquid consumer products
such as conditioner or shampoo, hair gels, liquid soap, toothpaste
and other cosmetic products. The subject matter of this disclosure
obviates the need for a tool or utensil to open the dispenser and
is therefore suitable for instances where such a tool or utensil is
excessively burdensome or not practical. The conical shape allows
the user of the dispenser to apply the substance contained within
the dispenser in a measured and precise manner, where they want it
and in the volume they want it, in a very easy and convenient
manner. Because the dispenser is re-sealable, users of the
dispenser can dispense the substance contained within at various
times.
[0032] What has been illustrated and described herein is an
improvement in certain types of squeezable articles of manufacture
such as fluid containers made of flexible material. While the
improvements have been illustrated and described with reference to
certain preferred embodiments, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto. In particular, the foregoing specification and
embodiments are intended to be illustrative and are not to be taken
as limiting. Thus, alternatives, such as structural or mechanical
equivalents, or alternative methodologies of manufacturing the
subject matter of this disclosure, and other modifications will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the
foregoing description. Accordingly, such alternatives, changes,
methodologies and modifications are to be considered as forming a
part of the present disclosure insofar as they fall within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0033] The examples described herein are primarily provided in the
context of a conical dispenser made from flexible plastic material.
Nevertheless, it should be understood that the disclosure also
contemplates applications using other flexible waterproof material,
not made of plastic. Also, the examples provided are primarily
provided in the context of a dispenser for small portions of liquid
or semi-liquid consumer goods. Nevertheless, it should be
understood that the disclosure contemplates applications in any
size, from very big to extra-small, and applications to containers
outside the area of consumer goods, and for any substance, edible
or non-edible.
[0034] The above specific embodiments are illustrative, and many
variations can be introduced on these embodiments without departing
from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended
claims. For example, elements and/or features of different
illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or
substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and
appended claims.
* * * * *