U.S. patent application number 12/243328 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for storage and dispensing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to WhiteWave Services, Inc.. Invention is credited to Edmund L. Farmer, Jonathan P. Paul.
Application Number | 20090101646 12/243328 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40562427 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090101646 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Paul; Jonathan P. ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
Storage and Dispensing System
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a liquid storage and dispensing
system includes a closure configured with a spout that is
releasably coupled to a body. The body has a base integrally formed
with a front region, a back region, and two side regions that form
a cavity for storage of a substance. For placement of a product
label, the front region is relatively flatter than the two side
regions and the back region, and the front region slopes inwardly
from the base such that the front region faces upwardly when the
base is placed on a horizontal surface. Each of the two side
regions includes an indentation proximate the opening and aligned
with a longitudinal axis passing through the center of body. The
indentations form a handle for grasping the body while dispensing
the substance. The front region and the indentations form a volume
in the upper portion of the body that is less than the lower
portion of the body.
Inventors: |
Paul; Jonathan P.;
(Broomfield, CO) ; Farmer; Edmund L.; (Seymour,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
2001 ROSS AVENUE, SUITE 600
DALLAS
TX
75201-2980
US
|
Assignee: |
WhiteWave Services, Inc.
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
40562427 |
Appl. No.: |
12/243328 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60982052 |
Oct 23, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.4 ;
206/459.5; 220/212; 220/288; 220/675; 220/837; 222/571 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/28 20130101; B65D
47/0809 20130101; A47F 1/12 20130101; B65D 2251/1041 20130101; B65D
47/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.4 ;
220/212; 220/288; 220/837; 222/571; 220/675; 206/459.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20060101
B65D047/08; B65D 1/14 20060101 B65D001/14; B65D 25/40 20060101
B65D025/40 |
Claims
1. A storage and dispensing system comprising: a body comprising: a
cavity for storage of a substance; and an opening for placement and
dispensing of the substance in the cavity; and a closure removably
coupled to the opening, the closure comprising: a closure base; a
spout having an inner perimeter defining an aperture in the closure
base, the spout attached to and extending above the closure base; a
cap coupled to the closure base and selectively movable from a
closed position over the spout to an open position away from the
spout such that the substance may be dispensed from the container;
a protuberance coupled to the cap and having an outer perimeter
operable to resiliently engage the inner perimeter of the spout
when in the closed position; and a drip-catching member coupled to
the cap inside of the protuberance, the drip-catching member
operable to resist leakage of residual product from protuberance
when in the open position.
2. The storage and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the spout
comprises an oblong opening with a narrow portion through which the
substance is dispensed.
3. The storage and dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the spout
comprises a rear opening region opposite the narrow portion that
flares outwardly from the closure base.
4. The storage and dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the narrow
portion flares outwardly from the closure base.
5. The storage and dispensing system of claim 3, wherein the
protuberance is formed of a resilient material that is conformed to
the shape of the inner perimeter of the spout when in the closed
position.
6. The storage and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the
closure comprises at least one tab that is operable to engage a
corresponding at least one tab stop configured on the body.
7. The storage and dispensing system of claim 5, wherein the body
comprises at least one anti back-off element that is operable to
resist a backward rotation of the closure relative to the body when
the closure is coupled to the body.
8. The storage and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the body
has a longitudinal axis passing through the center of the body, the
spout being aligned with the longitudinal axis at the center of the
closure.
9. The storage and dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the
closure base comprises a crab-claw seal integrally formed with the
closure base and operable to resiliently press against the opening
of the body when the closure is coupled to the body.
10. A storage and dispensing system comprising: a closure having a
spout for dispensing a substance; and a body having a base, a front
region, a back region, two side regions, and a cavity for storage
of the substance, the body has an opening that is selectively
closed by the closure, the front region being relatively flatter
than the two side regions and the back region for placement of a
product label, the front region sloping inwardly from the base,
each of the two side regions comprising an indentation proximate
the opening, the indentations forming a handle for grasping the
body while dispensing the substance; wherein the front region and
the indentations form an upwardly converging conical shape such
that the substance has a center-of-gravity less than half an
overall height of the storage and dispensing system.
11. The storage and dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the
substance comprises a liquid food product.
12. The storage and dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the
center-of-gravity is less than 34.1 percent of an overall height of
the storage and dispensing system.
13. The storage and dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the back
region and two side regions include at least one horizontally
extending side rib, the front region being free of the at least one
horizontally extending side rib.
14. The storage and dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the
closure comprises a side wall having a peripheral shape and size
that is essentially similar to a peripheral shape and size as an
upper edge of the body, the side wall of the closure disposed
proximate the upper edge of the body when the closure is coupled to
the body.
15. The storage and dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the
volumetric capacity of the body in the range of 16 to 32
ounces.
16. A storage and dispensing system comprising: a generally round
body having a longitudinal axis passing through the center of the
body, a cavity for storage of a substance, and an opening for
placement and dispensing of the substance from the cavity, the body
comprising: a pair of indentations formed opposite one another on a
side portion of the body, the indentations forming a handle for
grasping the body while dispensing the substance; and a closure
removably coupled to the opening, the closure comprising: a spout
attached to and extending above the closure base, the spout being
oblong in shape with a narrow portion through which the substance
is dispensed; and a cap coupled to the closure base and selectively
movable from a closed position over the spout to an open position
away from the spout such that the substance may be dispensed from
the container; and wherein the closure comprises at least one tab
that is operable to engage a corresponding at least one tab stop
configured on the body such that the narrow portion of the spout
extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis in a direction
generally parallel to the pair of indentations when the at least
one tab engages the at least one tab stop.
17. The storage and dispensing system of claim 16, wherein the
indentations are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the
body.
18. The storage and dispensing system of claim 16, wherein the
closure comprises a closure base having a crab-claw seal integrally
formed with the closure base and operable to resiliently press
against the opening of the body when the closure is coupled to the
body.
19. The storage and dispensing system of claim 16, wherein the at
least one tab stop comprises at least one anti back-off element
that is operable to resist a backward rotation of the closure
relative to the body when the closure is coupled to the body.
20. The storage and dispensing system of claim 16, wherein the at
least one tab comprises a pair of tabs and the at least one tab
stops comprise a pair of tab stops, the pair of tab stops being
integrally formed on the closure opposite one another about the
longitudinal axis.
21. The storage and dispensing system of claim 16, wherein the
volumetric capacity of the body is approximately 16 to 32 ounces.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/982,052, entitled "CONTAINER," which was
filed on Oct. 23, 2007.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to containers, and more
particularly, to a storage and dispensing system having a shape and
structure for enhanced dispensing of substances, such as food
products.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Liquid food products and solid food products distributed to
consumers are generally stored and transported in containers. These
containers are typically made of a thermoplastic material and may
be fabricated by injection molding or other manufacturing
techniques. These containers may be integrally formed in a
one-piece, thin-walled container having various capacities ranging
from a few ounces to several gallons, or more.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] According to one embodiment, a liquid storage and dispensing
system includes a closure configured with a spout that is
releasably coupled to a body. The body has a base integrally formed
with a front region, a back region, and two side regions that form
a cavity for storage of a food product. For placement of a product
label, the front region is relatively flatter than the two side
regions and the back region, and the front region slopes inwardly
from the base such that the front region faces upwardly when the
base is placed on a horizontal surface. Each of the two side
regions includes an indentation proximate the opening and aligned
with a longitudinal axis passing through the center of body. The
indentations form a handle for grasping the body while dispensing
the food product. The front region and the indentations form a
volume in the upper portion of the body that is less than the lower
portion of the body.
[0005] Some embodiments of the disclosure may provide numerous
technical advantages. For example, one embodiment of the food
product storage and dispensing system may provide enhanced display
when configured in known display racks that display containers in a
declining angle. This example storage and dispensing system
incorporates a front region with an upward facing surface that
exhibits enhanced visibility when placed on one of these display
racks. As another example, the upwardly facing front region along
with indentations formed on the two side regions also form a
volumetric capacity for the upper portion of cavity that is
relatively less than its lower portion for enhanced stability.
[0006] Another advantage that may be provided is enhanced ergonomic
directionality that may serve to reduce spillage caused by improper
dispensing of food product with the spout in an incorrect
orientation. The front region in conjunction with indentations
provide touch points that encourage grasping of the storage and
dispensing system in a consistent manner. The storage and
dispensing system includes an alignment mechanism that aligns the
indentations configured on the body with the spout such that the
spout is oriented properly when dispensing food product from the
storage and dispensing system.
[0007] Some embodiments may benefit from some, none, or all of
these advantages. Other technical advantages may be readily
ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more complete understanding of embodiments of the
disclosure will be apparent from the detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a
food product storage and dispensing system according to the
teachings of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of the body of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of the body of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 2C is a rear elevational view of the body of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of several food product
dispensing systems of FIG. 1 that are disposed on a declining
display rack;
[0014] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a closure
that may be configured on the body of FIGS. 2A through 2C;
[0015] FIG. 4B is a top view of the closure of FIG. 4A;
[0016] FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the closure of FIG. 4A; and
[0017] FIG. 4D is a partial, elevational view of the closure of
FIG. 2A in which the cap is in a relaxed orientation relative to
the closure when in the open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Although an example embodiment of the present disclosure is
illustrated and described, the present disclosure may be
implemented using any quantity and type of structural variations,
whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure,
therefore, should in no way be limited to the example embodiment
with its associated drawings illustrated below and described
herein. Additionally, the drawings may not be necessarily drawn to
scale.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a storage and dispensing
system 10 according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
Storage and dispensing system 10 includes a body 12 that is
removably coupled to a closure 14. Body 12 has a cavity for storage
of a substance that may include a liquid substance, such as water,
or a solid substance, such as flour. Although the particular
embodiment shown is directed to storage and dispensing of a food
product, the teachings of the present disclosure may be directed to
storage and dispensing of any generally amorphous substance that
may be, for example, medicine, juice, or a hygiene product, such as
mouthwash.
[0020] As will be described in detail below, storage and dispensing
system 10 may provide a system for storing and dispensing of a
substance having benefits not recognized by other food product
storage systems. Storage and dispensing system 10 includes several
features that function together in a synergistic fashion to provide
a system for storing and dispensing of a substance for reducing
spillage and/or leakage of the substance and may be relatively
ergonomic to use.
[0021] These synergistic effects may enhance consumer acceptance of
storage and dispensing system 10, and thus, the marketability of
its food product in some embodiments. For example, body 12 has
several features that provide an upwardly converging conical shape,
such that when filled with a food product, has a relatively low
center-of-gravity for enhanced stability. In some embodiments, the
relatively low center-of-gravity may provide relatively good
stability while displayed on rack designs that display containers
at a declining angle. Other examples of enhanced utility provided
by storage and dispensing system 10 are described below.
[0022] FIGS. 2A through 2C show front, side, and back elevational
views of the body 12 of FIG. 1. Body 12 has a base 16, a front
region 18, two side regions 20, a back region 22, and an upper edge
24. Body 12 also has an opening 26 for insertion and removal of
food product to and from the cavity, respectively. Although opening
26 is configured with threads 30 for removable coupling to closure
14, other embodiments may incorporate other removable coupling
mechanisms, such as a structure suitable for providing a snap-on or
a press-on fit of closure 14 to body 12.
[0023] In one embodiment, body 12 has an overall shape such that
the food product stored in body has a center-of-gravity 34 that is
maintained generally along a longitudinal axis 36. Indentations 38
provided on side regions 20 provide touch points for body 12 and
may form a portion of the generally upwardly converging conical
shape of body 12. In another embodiment, indentations 38 are
aligned along longitudinal axis 36 such that the supporting fingers
of a user may be aligned with longitudinal axis 36 when body 12 is
lifted.
[0024] Several ribs 42 may be provided for enhancing structural
rigidity of body 12. Ribs 42 generally include elongated recessed
portions that are integrally formed with body 12 during
manufacture. Ribs 42 extend horizontally over at least a portion of
its outer periphery and are generally spaced apart equally from one
another. Ribs 42 may increase the hoop strength of body 12 for
reduced buckling under vertical and/or side load compression forces
in some embodiments.
[0025] Front region 18 may extend over any portion or over the
entirety of the front side of body 12. In the particular embodiment
shown, front region 18 extends vertically from an elevational point
40 proximate the lower portion of body 12 to its upper edge 24.
Front region 18 may also be free of ribs 42 that extend
horizontally around side regions 20 and back region 22. Front
region 18 has a relatively flatter contour than side regions 20 and
back region 22 for placement of a product label. In one embodiment,
the product label may be formed on front region 18 using a
cylindrically shaped shrink-wrap material that is placed over body
12 and heated to conform to the shape of body 12. As best shown in
FIG. 2B, front region 18 slopes inwardly from the base such that
the front region faces upwardly at an angle .theta..sub.i when the
base is placed on a horizontal surface. Certain embodiments of
front region 18 and its configuration on body 12 may provide an
advantage in that, because front region 18 extends to upper edge
24, it may also provide vertical support for other items, such as
additional storage and dispensing systems 10 placed on top of
closure 14 during display and/or transport.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows several storage and dispensing systems 10 that
are disposed in a display rack 46. Display rack 46 as shown
includes a support platform 48 and one or more rails 50. As an
example, display rack 46 may be formed from a plurality of wires
that are bent to form support platform 48 and rails 50. Display
rack 46, however, may be any suitable structure for display and
support of storage and dispensing systems 10, such as those
typically found at grocery stores that sell food products. Support
platform 48 supports storage and dispensing systems 10 while rails
50 ensure that storage and dispensing systems 10 remain on support
platform 48. Support platform 48 is oriented at a declining angle
.theta..sub.d such that storage and dispensing systems 10 slide to
the front of support platform 48 when one before it is removed. In
many cases, the declining angle .theta..sub.d of most display racks
is generally in the range of 5 to 20 degrees and most commonly
around 15 degrees from horizontal. This declining angle
.theta..sub.d, however, may make product labels on known food
dispensing systems difficult to read. When disposed in display rack
46 having a declining angle .theta..sub.d of 15 degrees, the inward
sloping angle .theta..sub.i of front region 18 decreases the
viewing angle .theta..sub.v to approximately 5.59 degrees. Thus, in
one embodiment, an inward sloping angle .theta..sub.i of front
region 18 may be selected according to the declining angle
.theta..sub.d of any display rack that is adapted to support and
display storage and dispensing system 10. Thus, the inward sloping
angle .theta..sub.i of front region 18 may provide enhanced
visualization while disposed in display rack 46.
[0027] The inward sloping characteristic of front region 18 in
conjunction with indentations 38 may provide a volumetric capacity
for the upper portion of cavity that is relatively less than its
lower portion for enhanced stability. That is, indentations 38 may
reduce the volumetric capacity in the upper portion of body 12 such
that the center-of-gravity 34 of a fully filled storage and display
system 10 is in the lower portion of body 12. In one embodiment,
the center-of-gravity 34 of storage and display system 10 may be
selected according to the declining angle .theta..sub.d of most
common display racks 46 to ensure stability while disposed on a
display rack 46. In another embodiment, the center-of-gravity 34
may be selected for increased stability in a manufacturing line
that produces storage and display systems 10. A manufacturing
process used to fill storage and display systems 10 with the food
product may include various manufacturing devices, such as conveyor
belts or rollers, that move bodies 12 from one location to another.
A relatively low center-of-gravity 34 may provide increased
stability during movement over the various manufacturing
mechanisms. In a particular embodiment in which storage and
dispensing system 10 is configured to store 32 ounces of product,
the overall height of the body 12 coupled with the closure 14 may
be approximately 9.75 inches while having a center-of-gravity 34 at
approximately 3.327 inches above base 16, which is 34.1 percent of
its overall height. A center-of-gravity 34 that is approximately
34.1 percent of its overall height may provide the benefits
described above.
[0028] Front region 18, two side regions 20, and back region 22
below point 40 (FIG. 2B) generally refers to a lower portion of
body 12 that may be generally cylindrical in shape. The generally
cylindrical shape may provide enhanced stability of storage and
dispensing system 10 while disposed on display rack 46 and/or
during a manufacturing process in which numerous bodies 12 are
bundled together on a manufacturing mechanism, such as a conveyor
line that manipulates bodies 12 during a product filling process.
The generally cylindrical shape may also provide storage for an
enhanced mass of product that may in turn, provide a relatively low
center-of-gravity 34.
[0029] Body 12 may be formed of any suitable material. In one
embodiment, body 12 is formed of a thermoplastic material, such as
a high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic material, which is
generally "food safe", for storage of human consumable liquids.
However, body 12 may formed from any suitable plastic material
appropriate for the type of substance it is adapted to contain.
Body 12 may be manufactured using conventional blow molding
techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art, or
other suitable technique. The body 12 as disclosed is configured to
store approximately 16 fluid ounces of product; it will be
understood however, that a container having other capacities could
be constructed using the teachings of this disclosure.
[0030] FIGS. 4A through 4D show various views of one embodiment of
a closure 14 that may be used with the body 12 of FIGS. 2A through
2C. Closure 14 generally includes a closure base 54 having a spout
56 that is hingedly coupled to a cap 58 having a inwardly directed
protuberance 60 and a drip-catching member 74. Closure 14 is
removably coupled to body 12 using any suitable removable coupling
mechanism as described above. As best shown in the present
embodiment of FIG. 4D, closure 14 is removably coupled to body 12
using screw-type threads 62 that engage complementary threads 30
configured on body 12. Closure base 54, spout 56, cap 58, and
protuberance 60 may be integrally formed from one piece of
thermoplastic material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE)
using an injection molding process. In another embodiment, closure
base 54 and spout 56 may be fabricated independently of cap 58 and
protuberance 60 such that cap 58 may be removed from closure base
54 without a pivoting action. Closure base 54 may also include a
crab-claw seal 64 for sealing the cavity against the closure 14
when coupled to body 12. Crab-claw seal 64 generally includes an
annular ring that is integrally formed with closure base 54 and
sufficiently resilient to deform slightly when pressed against the
top of opening 26.
[0031] Cap 58 is selectively movable from a closed position over
spout 56 to an open position away from the spout 56. When in the
closed position, the food product stored in body 12 is isolated
from the environment. When in the open position, spout 56 is
exposed for dispensing of the food product from cavity. In one
embodiment, cap 58 is hingedly attached to closure base 54. In this
manner, the cap 58 may be pivoted from the closed position as shown
in FIG. 1 to the open position as shown in FIGS. 4A through 4D.
[0032] Again referring to FIG. 4D, the upper surface of cap 58 is
generally flat in shape. This generally flat shape may provide a
surface for placement of a label or other suitable indicia
describing the contents of the storage and dispensing system 10.
Labeling on the upper surface of cap 58 may incorporate embossed or
debossed indicia formed on cap 58 during manufacture.
[0033] Closure base 54 is generally cylindrical in shape having a
lower end 66 that is disposed proximate upper edge 24 when coupled
to body 12. This arrangement may operate in conjunction with the
generally flat front region 18 to maintain its shape under a
vertical top-load compression force. That is, closure base 54 and
upper edge 24 along with front region 18 are configured to transfer
downward directed forces placed on closure 14, such as the weight
of other storage and dispensing systems 10 to base 16 in a
structurally stable manner.
[0034] Closure 14 has a pair of tabs 68 that engage a corresponding
pair of tab stops 70 (FIG. 2B) when closure 14 is screwed onto body
12. When tabs 68 engage tab stops 70, the orientation of spout 56
is maintained in a consistent direction relative to the orientation
of indentations 38 configured on body 12. In one embodiment, an
anti back-off element 72 is provided proximate each tab stop 70 for
resisting a backward rotation of closure 14 relative to body 12
when closure 14 is coupled to body 12. Each anti back-off element
72 includes a sloped surface and a vertically oriented surface for
engagement of tab 68. The sloped surface of anti back-off element
72 allows relatively free movement of tab 68 when closure 14 is
rotated in a clockwise direction relative to body 12. Anti back-off
element 72 is disposed a predetermined distance from tab stop 70
such that at least a portion of tab 68 abuts the vertically
oriented surface of anti back-off element 72 when tab 68 is engaged
with tab stop 70.
[0035] The arrangement of tab 68 and the vertically oriented
surface of anti back-off element 72 may be selected to provide a
desired level of angular force necessary to rotate closure 14 in a
counter-clockwise direction. Thus, tabs 68, tab stops 70, and anti
back-off elements 72 function to ensure alignment of spout 56 with
indentations 38 when closure 14 is coupled to body 12. In one
embodiment, anti back-off elements 72 may also serve to maintain a
specified level of compression force on crab-claw seal 64 while
closure 14 is configured on body 12.
[0036] Spout 56 is integrally formed with and extends above closure
base 54 when base 16 of body 12 is placed on a generally level
surface. Spout 56 is generally oblong in shape having a front edge
76 and a rear edge 78. As best shown in FIG. 4B, front edge 76 is
generally V-shaped for directing the flow of the food product when
dispensed from body 12. Spout 56 is aligned with the longitudinal
axis 36 of body 12 when closure 14 is threadably coupled thereto.
In one embodiment, spout 56 has a height H (FIG. 4D) selected
according to an anticipated pour angle of the food product from
body 12. The pour angle generally refers to an angle in which body
12 is pivoted by a user to dispense the food product. An
insufficient pour angle may result in leakage of the food product
onto closure base 54, a condition that may decrease customer appeal
of the food product. The anticipated pour angle of storage and
display system 10 may be selected according to several factors
including the fill height of the food product in cavity and the
general viscosity of the food product. The height H of spout 56
above closure base 54 may be coordinated with the various factors
affecting the pour angle to reduce leakage of the food product onto
closure base 54 when dispensed.
[0037] Certain embodiments of spout 56 may provide synergistic
benefits when incorporated with other features of storage and
dispensing system 10. For example, alignment of spout 56 with
indentations 38 and front region 18 of body 12 may provide enhanced
control over the amount and/or rate of the food product that is
dispensed. Alignment of spout 56 with front region 18 and
indentations 38 may also provide an ergonomic directionality for
improved dispensing of the food product. The shape of body 12
provided by indentations 38 and front region 18 provide an
ergonomic design that encourages grasping of body 12 in a
consistent manner. Alignment of the V-shaped spout 56 with
indentations 38 and front region 18 may, therefore, ensure that
V-shaped spout 56 is pointed in the correct direction during a
dispensing action. The generally conical shape provided by the
inward sloping front region 18 and indentations 38 may also serve
to lower the center-of-gravity for further enhancing control over
the amount and/or rate of the food product dispensed from the
storage and dispensing system 10.
[0038] In one embodiment, the front edge 76 and/or the rear edge 78
of spout 56 is flared outwardly. The flared shape of front edge 76
may provide an advantage in that residual food product remaining on
the front edge 76 may be reduced following a dispensing action of
the food product. The upwardly extending spout 56 may serve to
direct dispensed the food product at a distance from the closure
base 54 for reducing residual build-up of the food product on
closure base 54. The relatively abrupt contour of the front edge 76
may therefore limit drips that may occur due to inherent surface
tension properties of water-based materials typical of known food
products.
[0039] Protuberance 60 may be included to engage the inner
perimeter of spout 56 when in the closed position. In one
embodiment, protuberance 60 is generally resilient such that it
deforms to the shape of spout 56 when engaged. As best shown in
FIG. 4B, protuberance 60 is generally hollow having a continuous
wall that is essentially the same shape as spout 56. The wall of
protuberance 60 has a thickness such that it is generally resilient
when integrally fabricated with the other elements of closure 14.
In one embodiment, the outer perimeter of protuberance 60
resiliently engages the inner perimeter of spout 56 when cap 58 is
moved to the closed position. In this arrangement, protuberance 60
may provide a wiping action for residual food product remaining on
the inner perimeter of spout 56 following a dispensing action of
food product from body 12. Particular embodiments incorporating a
spout 56 with its front edge 76 and rear edge 78 flared outwardly
provides a mating surface for engagement of protuberance 60 that in
turn, provides a relatively smooth closing transition of cap 58
onto closure base 54.
[0040] Drip-catching member 74 as shown has a generally
semi-annular shaped projection formed inside protuberance 60 for
trapping residual product. In other embodiments, drip-catching
member 74 may have any size or shape that is adapted to trap
residual product inside protuberance 60 when cap 58 is moved from
the closed position to the open position, or the open position to
the closed position. In the particular embodiment shown (FIG. 4D),
protuberance 60 is also configured with an additional drip-catching
member 76 for trapping residual product. Additional drip-catching
member 76 generally includes an inwardly directed, semi-annular
ring extending over a portion of the upper edge of protuberance
60.
[0041] In many cases, product may be inadvertently deposited within
protuberance 60. In a particular example, residual product may be
deposited within protuberance 58 by a shaking motion when cap 58 is
in the closed position. When opened, this residual product may be
trapped within protuberance 60. Drip-catching member 74 and/or
drip-catching member 76 may reduce leakage of residual product by
trapping it inside protuberance 60. In certain embodiments,
drip-catching member 74 or 76 may provide a contour and/or an
additional amount surface area for utilizing the surface tension
properties of product to enhance its attraction within protuberance
60. This increased attraction may serve to reduce leakage of
product from protuberance 60 while cap 58 is in the open
position.
[0042] A storage and dispensing system 10 has been described having
several features that operate together to form benefits over other
known food product dispensing systems. For example, leakage of food
product may be reduced by generally V-shaped spout 56 having a
flared front edge 76 and/or rear edge 78 that directs residual food
product back into cavity following a dispensing action. Residual
food product may be further reduced by protuberance 60 resiliently
engages the inner perimeter of spout 56 when cap 58 is moved to the
closed position. As another example, inwardly sloping front region
18 and indentations 38 form a generally upwardly converging conical
shape for providing a relatively low center-of-gravity when filled
with food product. The shape of front region 18 and indentations 38
may be selected such that the resulting center-of-gravity may
provide suitable stability when storage and display system 10 is
placed in a display rack 46 having a declining support surface.
Additionally, the inclined characteristic of front region 18 may
also provide enhanced visualization of its labeling when placed in
the declining display rack 46.
[0043] Although the present invention has been described with
several embodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations,
transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled
in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass
such changes, variations, alterations, transformation, and
modifications as they fall within the scope of the appended
claims.
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