U.S. patent application number 12/522128 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for vacuum packaging container.
Invention is credited to Yaowu Ding.
Application Number | 20100038267 12/522128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39621397 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100038267 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ding; Yaowu |
February 18, 2010 |
VACUUM PACKAGING CONTAINER
Abstract
The invention provides a vacuum package container, it comprises:
a body, which includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a side
wall, and is provided with one or more vent holes; a lotion pump,
which is mounted on the top portion of the body. The vacuum package
container further comprises a pouch, an edge of the pouch is
hermetically joined to the inner wall of the body so that the pouch
is in contact with a lotion on one side thereof and in
communication with the atmosphere on the other side. The vacuum
package container further comprises a guide bar, which is shaped as
having a longitudinally opened guide channel and is connected at
one end thereof to the intake of said lotion pump. The vacuum
package container can provide a strong suction force, thereby
solving the problems that the lotion in the container is difficult
to be drawn out or drawn up thoroughly. The requirements for
precision of components of the container are not so high and so the
manufacture cost of the container is low. A guide bar provided in
the container can prevent the intake of the lotion pump from being
blocked.
Inventors: |
Ding; Yaowu; (Jiangsu
Province, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON, P.C.
P.O. BOX 2902
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0902
US
|
Family ID: |
39621397 |
Appl. No.: |
12/522128 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
April 23, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN07/01337 |
371 Date: |
August 18, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/229 ;
206/524.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 11/00412 20180801;
B05B 11/30 20130101; B05B 15/30 20180201; B65D 83/0061
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/229 ;
206/524.8 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/06 20060101
B65D077/06; B65D 81/20 20060101 B65D081/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 4, 2007 |
CN |
200710036218.2 |
Claims
1. A vacuum package container comprising: a body, which includes a
top portion, a bottom portion and a side wall, and is provided with
one or more vent holes; a lotion pump, which is mounted on the top
portion of the body, characterized in that, the vacuum package
container further comprising a pouch, an edge of the pouch is
hermetically joined to the inner wall of the body so that the pouch
is in contact with a lotion on one side and in communication with
the atmosphere on the other side.
2. The vacuum package container according to claim 1, further
comprising a guide bar, the guide bar is shaped as having at least
one longitudinally opened guide channel and is connected at one end
thereof to an intake of said lotion pump.
3. The vacuum package container according to claim 2, wherein said
guide bar is a flexible elongated bar with a cross-shaped cross
section.
4. The vacuum package container according to claim 2, wherein said
guide bar includes a guide head, which is the same as said guide
bar in configuration and is shorter than said guide bar in length
and is connected at one end thereof to an end of a conventional
suction pipe.
5. The vacuum package container according to claim 2, wherein said
guide bar includes a transversely guiding configuration.
6. The vacuum package container according to claim 1, wherein said
pouch has a first opened end and a second closed end, and an
outside surface of the first opened end is bonded to an inside
surface of the top portion of said body.
7. The vacuum package container according to claim 1, wherein said
pouch has a first opened end and a second closed end, and an
outside surface of the first opened end is bonded to an inside
surface of the bottom portion of said body.
8. The vacuum package container according to claim 1, wherein said
pouch is compressed and expanded in the longitudinal or transverse
direction of said body, and said vent hole is provided in the
bottom portion of said body.
9. The vacuum package container according to claim 1, wherein said
pouch is a bellows-shaped pouch.
10. The vacuum package container according to claim 1, wherein said
bottom portion is a component separately formed from said body.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a vacuum package container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In daily chemicals industries, it is desirable for some
daily chemicals not to be in contact with the air, and hence it is
necessary for them to be packed in a vacuum package container. The
existing vacuum package containers can be classified into two
types: "bottom piston type" and "internal pouch type".
[0003] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a vacuum package container of
the bottom piston type mainly comprises a cap 1, a lotion pump 2, a
piston 3 and a bottle or cup 4. The cap 1 covers the lotion pump 2.
The lotion pump 2 does not have any vent holes for air pressure
equilibrium, and hence the air cannot enter the inside of the
bottle 4. The piston 3 is disposed in the bottle 4 and can move up
and down. A vent hole (not shown) is provided in the bottom wall.
In operation, by pressing the lotion pump 2, lotion is pumped out
of the container. During the pumping, the air enters the lower
space of the container through the vent hole and pushes the piston
3 to move up. In this manner, the lotion in the container is
maintained not to be in contact with the air. Meanwhile, the lotion
space above the piston 3 will not be in a vacuum condition.
[0004] Although using a container of the bottom piston type can
realize a vacuum package, there are still some problems with it.
Firstly, requirements for the precision of the components are very
high, the slide fit between the piston 3 and the inner wall of the
bottle 4, if it is too loose, will result in leakage, whereas if it
is too tight, will cause the piston 3 not to move up. In the latter
case, a vacuum will occur in the lotion space above the piston 3,
which will cause a problem that it is difficult to pump out the
lotion or very hard to draw out the lotion thoroughly. Secondly,
since the suction force generated by the lotion pump 2 has to
overcome the gravity of the piston 3 and the lotion on it as well
as the friction between the piston 3 and the bottle 4, the suction
force for drawing lotion is very small. Viewing from this point, it
also trends to be difficult to pump out the lotion or very hard to
draw out the lotion thoroughly. In addition, the vacuum package
container of this type is liable to leak where it contains a
thinner liquid or it is compressed.
[0005] A vacuum package container of the internal pouch type
comprises a cap, a lotion pump, a pouch or bladder and a bottle or
cup. The cap, lotion pump and bottle are all similar to those of
the vacuum package container of the bottom piston type described
above. A large difference between a container of the bottom piston
type and a container of the internal pouch type is that the latter
has a pouch for containing lotion. The pouch is placed in the
bottle with its opening portion tightly clamped between the lotion
pump and the mouth of the bottle. In operation, by pressing the
lotion pump, lotion is pumped out of the container. During the
pumping, the air enters the inside of the bottle through a vent
hole in its bottom wall, so that the atmosphere pressure compresses
the pouch. As the lotion is pumped out more and more, the pouch
becomes smaller and smaller. In this manner, the lotion in the
pouch is maintained not to be in contact with the air. Meanwhile,
the lotion space in the pouch will not be in a vacuum
condition.
[0006] Compared with a vacuum package container of the bottom
piston type, a vacuum package container of the internal pouch type
is much easier to draw out the lotion, and the requirements for the
precision of its components are not so high. However, in the case
of a vacuum package container of the internal pouch type, it is
troublesome to put the pouch in place into its bottle. In addition,
there may be such a case that air exists in the upper space of the
pouch since the pouch is not filled with a sufficient amount of
lotion. Such a case will make difficult to pump out the lotion, and
will make the lotion be in contact with the air. Moreover, the
opening of a pouch is generally relatively smaller and hence is
inconvenient for filling. Yet another problem is that the lotion
pump may be selectively provided with a suction pipe, but the end
of the suction pipe is liable to be blocked so as to cause
difficulty to pump out the lotion or to suction out the lotion
thoroughly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] To remove the above deficiencies, the object of the
invention is to provide a vacuum package container that is powerful
in suction force, leak-proof and low-cost.
[0008] To achieve the above object, the invention provides a vacuum
package container, which comprises: a body, which includes a top
portion, a bottom portion and a side wall, and is provided with one
or more vent holes; a lotion pump, which is mounted on the top
portion of the body. The vacuum package container further comprises
a pouch, an edge of the pouch is hermetically joined to the inner
wall of the body so that the pouch is in contact with a lotion on
one side thereof and in communication to the atmosphere on the
other side.
[0009] Preferably, the container further comprises a guide bar,
which is shaped as having at least one longitudinally opened guide
channel and is connected at one end thereof to an intake of the
lotion pump.
[0010] Preferably, the guide bar is a flexible elongated bar with a
cross-shaped cross section.
[0011] Preferably, the guide bar includes a guide head, which is
the same as the guide bar in configuration and is shorter than the
guide bar in length, and is connected at one end thereof to an end
of a conventional suction pipe.
[0012] Preferably, the guide bar includes a transversely guiding
configuration.
[0013] Preferably, the pouch has a first opened end and a second
closed end, and an outside surface of the first opened end is
bonded to an inside surface of the top portion of the body.
[0014] Preferably, the pouch has a first opened end and a second
closed end, and an outside surface of the first opened end is
bonded to an inside surface of the bottom portion of said body.
[0015] Preferably, the pouch is compressed and expanded in the
longitudinal or transverse direction of the body, and the vent hole
is provided in the bottom portion of the body.
[0016] Preferably, the pouch is a bellows-shaped pouch.
[0017] Preferably, the bottom portion is a component separately
formed from the body.
[0018] In the vacuum package container of the invention, the
suction force generated by the lotion pump is substantially applied
to draw the lotion. It is unnecessary for the suction force to
compensate for the gravity of the lotion pump and the piston as
well as the friction between the piston and the body. Accordingly,
the powerful suction force of the container can solve the problems
that the lotion in the container is difficult to be drawn out or
drawn up thoroughly. The requirements for precision of components
of the container are not so high and hence the manufacture cost of
the container is low. Moreover, since the body has a large mouth
and the pouch is placed into the body prior to the filling of the
lotion, it is very easy for the container of the invention to be
filled with a lotion.
[0019] In addition, the unique guide bar provided in the container
can protect the intake of the lotion pump from being blocked in
various conditions. Furthermore, in the case that there is some air
left in the upper portion, the residual air can be suctioned out at
the junction between the lotion pump and the guide bar. Even if the
whole container including the lotion pump is put upside down, it is
still possible to draw out the lotion. The vacuum package
containers of the prior art, no matter they have a suction pipe or
not, are unable to realize the above effects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1A is a schematic sectional view of a vacuum package
container of the bottom piston type in the prior art;
[0021] FIG. 1B is an exploded sectional view of the container shown
in FIG. 1A;
[0022] FIG. 2A is a schematic assembly view of a vacuum package
container according to the first embodiment of the invention, in
which a pouch is filled with a lotion;
[0023] FIG. 2B is a schematic assembly view of a vacuum package
container according to the first embodiment of the invention, in
which the pouch has been substantially drawn to be empty;
[0024] FIG. 2C is a schematic exploded sectional view of the vacuum
package container according to the first embodiment of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 3A is a schematic assembly view of a vacuum package
container according to the second embodiment of the invention, in
which almost no air is in the pouch;
[0026] FIG. 3B is a schematic assembly view of a vacuum package
container according to the second embodiment of the invention, in
which the pouch is filled with the air;
[0027] FIG. 3C is a schematic exploded sectional view of the vacuum
package container according to the second embodiment of the
invention;
[0028] FIG. 4A is a schematic assembly view of a vacuum package
container according to the third embodiment of the invention, in
which a pouch is filled with a lotion;
[0029] FIG. 4B is a schematic assembly view of a vacuum package
container according to the third embodiment of the invention, in
which pouch has been substantially drawn to be empty;
[0030] FIG. 4C is a schematic exploded sectional view of the vacuum
package container according to the third embodiment of the
invention;
[0031] FIG. 5A is a schematic assembly view of a vacuum package
container according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, in
which almost no air is in the two pouches, but the space between
the two pouches is filled with a lotion;
[0032] FIG. 5B is a schematic assembly view of a vacuum package
container according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, in
which almost no air is in the two pouches, but the two pouches are
filled with the air and the space between them has been drawn to be
empty; and
[0033] FIG. 6 is schematic perspective view of a variant of the
guide bar used in the invention.
EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Now, the invention is described in detail by the preferred
embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which the same or similar reference numbers denote the same or
similar components.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2A-2C, there is shown a vacuum package
container 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention.
The vacuum package container 10 comprises: a body 7, which includes
an opened top portion 71 and a bottom portion 72 and is provided
with a base 73 for closing the bottom, and in the base 73 is
provided a vent hole; a lotion pump 2, which is mounted to the top
portion 71 of the body 7 and does not have a vent hole for pressure
equilibrium; a cap 1 which covers the lotion pump 2; a pouch 5,
which has a first opened end 51 and a second closed end 52, and the
first opened end 51 is hermetically joined to the top portion 71 of
the body 7; and a guide bar 6, which is connected, like a
conventional suction pipe, to an intake of the lotion pump 2.
[0036] In the first embodiment, the outside surface of the first
opened end 51 of the pouch 5 is bonded to the inner wall of the top
portion 71 of the body 7 so that the pouch 5 is hermetically joined
to the inner wall of the body 7. In this case, one side of the
pouch 5 is in contact with the lotion and the other side is in
communication with the atmosphere. The hermetical bonding between
the pouch 5 and the body 7 can prevent the lotion from leakage,
thereby protecting the lotion from being in contact with the air
and ensuring the lotion pump 2 operating well.
[0037] The guide bar 6 is a flexible elongated bar made of
plastics. In the embodiment, the guide bar 6 has a cross section of
a cross shape. In other words, the guide bar 6 has four ridges 61,
between every two adjacent ridges is formed an opened guide channel
62 so that there are four channels in all. With the guide bar 6,
the lotion A can be drawn into the guide channels 62 at any
positions in the longitudinal direction of the guide bar 6, and
then be drawn upwardly along the guide channels 62 into the lotion
pump 2. With this design, the problem of block, which may occur
with a conventional suction pipe, will not occur. In addition, in
the case that there is some air left in the upper portion of the
pouch, the residual air can be suctioned out at the junction
between the lotion pump 2 and the guide bar 6 by the guide bar 6.
Moreover, even if the whole container including the lotion pump 2
is put upside down, it is still possible to draw out the lotion.
Furthermore, even if the pouch 5 is suctioned to stick to the guide
bar 6, a passage similar to a suction pipe will be formed between
the pouch 5 and the guide bar 6, thereby ensuring the lotion pump 2
to operate well. The vacuum package containers in the prior art, no
matter they have a suction pipe or not, are unable to realize the
above effects.
[0038] Although the guide bar 6 in the first embodiment and in the
subsequent second and third embodiments is shown as having a
cross-shaped cross section, it should be understood that the shape
of the guide bar 6 is not limited to it, for example, it is also
feasible to provide three or other number of longitudinal ridges to
define the guide channels of the corresponding number, or the guide
channels can be formed by cutting longitudinal grooves in a rod. In
general, to ensure the lotion to be smoothly suctioned into the
pump, it is only necessary for the guide bar to have at least one
longitudinal opened guide channel. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6,
the guide bar can include a guide head 6a, which is the same as the
guide bar 6 in configuration but shorter than the guide bar in
length. The guide head 6a can be connected to an end of a
conventional suction pipe. The guide channels of the guide head 6a,
similar to the guide bar 6, can prevent the end of the suction pipe
from being blocked. Furthermore, on the ridges 61a of the guide
head 6a is formed a serration guide configuration 610a,
respectively, which facilitates the lotion to flow across the guide
head 6a. It should be understood that the guide configuration 610a
is also applicable to the guide bar 6.
[0039] For the vacuum package container of this embodiment, during
filling, the lotion is filled into the pouch 5 through its first
opened end 51 and then is contained therein. The lotion expands the
volume of the pouch 5 to occupy the whole internal space of the
body 7 (see FIG. 2A). In use, as the lotion is continuously drawn
out, the pouch 5 becomes smaller and smaller until its volume
becomes nearly zero (see FIG. 2B).
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3A-3C, there is shown a vacuum package
container 20 according to the second embodiment of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 3C, the vacuum package container 20 is different
from that of the first embodiment in that the first opened end 51
of the pouch 5 of the vacuum package container 20 is joined
hermetically to the bottom portion 72 of the body 7. More
particularly, the outside surface of the first opened end 51 of the
pouch 5 is bonded to the inner wall of the bottom portion 72 of the
body 7 so that the pouch 5 is bonded hermetically to the body 7. In
this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, one side of the pouch
5 is in contact with the lotion and the other side is in
communication with the atmosphere.
[0041] For the vacuum package container of this embodiment, during
filling, the lotion is filled into the pouch 5 through its second
end 52. In this case, the lotion is in contact with the inside
surface of the body 7, while the pouch 5 is compressed to be flat
(see FIG. 3A). In other words, in this case, the pouch 5 serves to
be an internal bottom of the body 7, which is in contact with the
lotion. In use, as the lotion is continuously drawn out, the pouch
5 moves up until the lotion in the body 7 is nearly drawn up (see
FIG. 3B).
[0042] Referring to FIG. 4A-4C, there is shown a vacuum package
container 30 according to the third embodiment of the invention.
The vacuum package container 30 is different from the above two
embodiments in that it incorporates a longitudinally bellows-shaped
pouch 5a. The lotion is filled in the bellows-shaped pouch 5a (see
FIG. 4A). In use, as the lotion is continuously drawn out, the
bellows-shaped pouch 5a is compressed until its volume becomes
nearly zero (see FIG. 4B).
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is shown a vacuum
package container 40 according to the fourth embodiment of the
invention. The vacuum package container 40 is different from the
other three embodiments in that it incorporates two pouches 5b.
They are longitudinally disposed inside the body 7 with their
opening edges hermetically joined to the bottom of the body 7.
There are two vent holes 74 in the bottom of the body 7.
[0044] The lotion is filled in the body 7 between the two pouches
5b. In use, as the lotion is continuously drawn out, the pouches 5b
expands until the lotion is nearly drawn up (see FIG. 5B).
[0045] While the vacuum package containers of the invention have
been described in detail by reference with the preferred
embodiments, it should be understood that those skilled person in
the art can make various changes and modifications without
departing from the above teaching and the spirit of the invention.
For example, the pouch can be of a transversely bellows shape and
thus is compressed in the transverse direction of the body; the
base 73 can be a separate part, as shown in the above, but also can
be formed integrally with the body 7; the cap 1 is not an
indispensable element but a optional one; in addition to being
bonded with an adhesive, the hermetical bonding between the pouch
and the body can be realized by hot-pressing, etc.; in addition to
using one or two pouches, it is also feasible to use more pouches
as desired; in addition to the serration configuration, the guide
bar can be made with other configurations as long as they
facilitate the lotion to flow across. Therefore, the scope of the
invention is not limited to the embodiments described but is
defined by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *