U.S. patent application number 12/633711 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for one piece unit dose liquid dispensing closure and packaging system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.. Invention is credited to Nick C. Farside.
Application Number | 20100147903 12/633711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42040255 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100147903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Farside; Nick C. |
June 17, 2010 |
ONE PIECE UNIT DOSE LIQUID DISPENSING CLOSURE AND PACKAGING
SYSTEM
Abstract
A single-piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount
of liquid product includes a main body portion, a downwardly
depending apron that is constructed and arranged to be secured to a
container and a unit dose reservoir that has a filling window
defined therein. A pouring spout is provided that is unitary with
the unit dose reservoir. A lid member is provided that is connected
to the main body portion by a flexible hinge and that is adapted to
step on to and seal against the pouring spout. Venting structure
may also be provided for venting the unit dose reservoir.
Inventors: |
Farside; Nick C.; (East
Petersburg, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBLE, YOSHIDA & DUNLEAVY
EIGHT PENN CENTER, SUITE 1350, 1628 JOHN F KENNEDY BLVD
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY,
L.P.
York
PA
|
Family ID: |
42040255 |
Appl. No.: |
12/633711 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61121958 |
Dec 12, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/454 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01F 11/262
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/556 ;
222/566 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20060101
B65D047/08; B65D 25/42 20060101 B65D025/42 |
Claims
1. A single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount
of liquid product, comprising: a main body portion; a downwardly
depending apron that is unitary with said main body portion and is
constructed and arranged to be secured to a container; a unit dose
reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit
dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; a pouring
spout, said pouring spout being unitary with said unit dose
reservoir; a lid member, said lid member being adapted to snap on
to and seal against said pouring spout; and a flexible hinge, said
flexible hinge being unitary with both said main body portion and
said lid member.
2. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, further
comprising a flexible claw seal member that is unitary with said
main body portion, said flexible claw seal number being adapted to
engage and seal against an upper rim of a container.
3. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, wherein
said downwardly depending apron comprises a circumferential
inwardly extending snap bead for securing said closure onto a
container.
4. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, wherein
said pouring spout comprises an upper flange portion that extends
radially upwardly and outwardly.
5. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, wherein
said pouring spout is constructed and arranged to minimize
dripping.
6. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, wherein
said closure is fabricated from a plastic material.
7. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, further
comprising venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir.
8. A single piece metering closure according to claim 7, wherein
said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a
dip tube communicating an inner volume of said unit dose reservoir
with an inner space of a container to which said closure is
mounted.
9. A single piece metering closure according to claim 7, wherein
said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a
venting orifice defined in a lower surface of the unit dose
reservoir.
10. A container assembly comprising the closure of claim 1 and a
container.
11. A container assembly for dispensing a metered amount of liquid
product, comprising: a container; and a closure having a main body
portion; a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with said
main body portion and that is secured to the container; a unit dose
reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit
dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; venting
means for venting said unit dose reservoir; a pouring spout; and a
lid member.
12. A container assembly according to claim 11, further comprising
a flexible claw seal member that is unitary with said main body
portion, said flexible claw seal number being adapted to engage and
seal against an upper rim of a container.
13. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said
downwardly depending apron comprises a circumferential inwardly
extending snap bead for securing said closure onto a container.
14. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said
pouring spout comprises an upper flange portion that extends
radially upwardly and outwardly.
15. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said
pouring spout is constructed and arranged to minimize dripping.
16. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said
closure is fabricated from a plastic material.
17. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said
venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a dip
tube communicating an inner volume of said unit dose reservoir with
an inner space of a container to which said closure is mounted.
18. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said
venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a
venting orifice defined in a lower surface of the unit dose
reservoir.
19. A single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount
of liquid product, comprising: a main body portion; a downwardly
depending apron that is unitary with said main body portion and is
constructed and arranged to be secured to a container; a unit dose
reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit
dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; a pouring
spout, said pouring spout being attached to said unit dose
reservoir; and venting means for venting said unit dose
reservoir.
20. A single piece metering closure according to claim 19, wherein
said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a
dip tube communicating an inner volume of said unit dose reservoir
with an inner space of a container to which said closure is
mounted.
21. A single piece metering closure according to claim 19, wherein
said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a
venting orifice defined in a lower surface of the unit dose
reservoir.
Description
[0001] Priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) is claimed based on
U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/121,958, filed on
Dec. 12, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of packaging,
and more specifically to closure and bottle packaging systems that
are used to dispense a liquid product, such as but not limited to
liquid laundry detergent or fabric softener, by a consumer.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Technology
[0005] In the case of certain liquid products such as liquid
laundry detergent or fabric softener, it is desirable for a
consumer to be able to dispense a premeasured amount of product. A
number of containers and closures have been proposed for this
purpose. Typically, they include a reservoir of known volume that
is positioned near an upper end of the container and that is
designed to be filled by inverting the container. The consumer will
then dispense a metered amount of product from the reservoir using
a normal pouring action.
[0006] Unfortunately, existing metering closure designs tend to be
fairly complicated, relying on multiple components that are
relatively expensive to produce and that are susceptible to
leakage. In other words, they tend to be inaccurate, complicated
and expensive to produce and messy.
[0007] A need exists for an improved metering closure design that
is relatively inexpensive to produce and that exhibits superior
performance characteristics with respect to existing designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an
improved metering closure design that is relatively inexpensive to
produce and that exhibits superior performance characteristics with
respect to existing designs.
[0009] In order to achieve the above and other objects of the
invention, a single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered
amount of liquid product according to one aspect of the invention
includes a main body portion; a downwardly depending apron that is
unitary with said main body portion and is constructed and arranged
to be secured to a container; a unit dose reservoir that is unitary
with said main body portion, said unit dose reservoir having a
filling window defined therein; a pouring spout, said pouring spout
being unitary with said unit dose reservoir; a lid member, said lid
member being adapted to snap on to and seal against said pouring
spout; and a flexible hinge, said flexible hinge being unitary with
both said main body portion and said lid member.
[0010] A container assembly for dispensing a metered amount of
liquid product according to a second aspect of the invention
includes a container; and a closure having a main body portion; a
downwardly depending apron that is unitary with the main body
portion and that is secured to the container; a unit dose reservoir
that is unitary with the main body portion, the unit dose reservoir
having a filling window defined therein; venting structure for
venting the unit dose reservoir; a pouring spout; and a lid
member.
[0011] A single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered
amount of liquid product according to a third aspect of the
invention includes a main body portion; a downwardly depending
apron that is unitary with the main body portion and is constructed
and arranged to be secured to a container; a unit dose reservoir
that is unitary with the main body portion, the unit dose reservoir
having a filling window defined therein; a pouring spout, the
pouring spout being attached to the unit dose reservoir; and
venting structure for venting the unit dose reservoir.
[0012] These and various other advantages and features of novelty
that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity
in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However,
for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and
the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the
drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying
descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view depicting a
metering closure that is constructed according to a first,
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view depicting a
metering closure that is constructed according to a second
embodiment of the invention; and
[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view depicting a
metering closure that is constructed according to a third
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views,
and referring in particular to FIG. 1, a single piece metering
closure 10 that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention is preferably fabricated from a single unitary
piece of plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or a
plastic material having comparable properties.
[0017] Closure 10 is adapted to be secured onto a container 14 that
has a main body portion 16 to form a container assembly that is
adapted for storing a liquid product such as fabric softener or
liquid laundry detergent. Alternatively, container 14 could be used
to store any type of liquid product, including medicines, liquid
drinks and foodstuffs.
[0018] Container 14 has a neck portion 18 that defines an upper rim
20 having an upper surface. Neck portion 18 preferably includes
securing structure for permitting the closure 10 to be secured
thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing structure is
embodied as a single circumferential bead 22 that extends radially
outwardly, for purposes that will be described in greater detail
below. Alternatively, a conventional helical thread or threads
could be provided in lieu of the circumferential bead 22 so that
the closure 10 could be fastened to the container 18 by screwing it
on.
[0019] Closure 10 preferably includes a main body portion 12 and a
downwardly depending apron 24 that is constructed and arranged to
be secured to the neck portion 18 of the container 14. The
downwardly depending apron 24 is unitary with the main body portion
12.
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the downwardly depending
apron 24 includes an annular bead portion 26 that extends radially
inwardly. When the closure 10 is secured onto the container 14 the
annular bead portion 26 will be positioned as shown in FIG. 1 with
respect to the circumferential bead 22 that is provided on the neck
portion 18 of the container 14. In other words, the closure 10 is
designed to snap permanently on to the container 14 by sliding the
annular bead portion 26 pass the corresponding circumferential bead
22 one the neck portion 18 of the container 14. Alternatively, in
the case where the neck portion 18 of the container 14 is provided
with threading, the inner surface of the downwardly depending apron
24 of the closure 10 could be provided with mating threading to
enable the closure 10 to be screwed onto the container 14.
[0021] Closure 10 further preferably includes a flexible annular
claw seal 28 that is unitary with the main body portion 12 and that
is constructed and arranged to engage and seal against the upper
surface of the container rim 20. In this way, leakage from the
container 14 is prevented when the closure 10 is secured onto the
container 14.
[0022] Closure 10 also preferably includes a unit dose reservoir 30
that is unitary with the main body portion 12 and that defines a
predetermined volume so that a metered amount of liquid product may
be dispensed by the closure 10. Unit dose reservoir 30 includes a
cup-like member that depends downwardly from the main body portion
12 and that will extend into the container 14 when the closure 10
is secured to the container 14. At least one fill window 32 is
defined in the unit dose reservoir 30 in a location that is above
the surfaces of the unit dose reservoir 30 that define the
predetermined volume.
[0023] A pouring spout 34 is preferably constructed so as to be
unitary with the main body portion 12 of the closure 10 and
preferably includes a non-drip pouring flange 36 that is shaped so
as to extend upwardly and radially outwardly with respect to the
main body of the pouring spout 34.
[0024] A lid member 38 is constructed and arranged to be able to
securely snap on to and seal against the upper surfaces of the pour
spout 34. Lid member 38 is connected to the main body portion 12 of
the closure 10 by a flexible hinge portion 40 that is unitary with
both the main body portion 12 and the lid member 38.
[0025] Alternatively, structure could be provided on the main body
portion 12 of the closure 10 against which the lid member 38 would
be adapted to snap onto and seal against. In this case, a plug
member could be provided on the underside of the lid member 38 for
sealing against the upper rim of the pouring spout 34.
[0026] The entire closure 10 is preferably fabricated as a single,
unitary piece. This may be accomplished by using an injection
molding process, by compression molding or by any one of a number
of alternative known fabrication techniques.
[0027] The closure 10 will preferably be secured to the container
14 at the factory after the container 14 is filled. The packaged
product will then be distributed to the consumer. The consumer will
invert the container assembly so that liquid product will enter the
unit dose reservoir 30 through the fill window 32. Alternatively,
the container assembly may be stored in an upside-down position so
that the liquid product will fill the unit dose reservoir 30 before
the consumer picks it up for use.
[0028] The container assembly will then be returned to its upright
position, and excess liquid product will flow out of the fill
window 32, leaving a metered predetermined volume of liquid product
within the unit dose reservoir 30. The consumer will then snap the
lid member 38 off of the pouring spout 34 and dispense the
predetermined volume of liquid product using a normal pouring
action.
[0029] FIG. 2 depicts a closure 50 that is constructed according to
a first alternative embodiment of the invention. In this
embodiment, which is otherwise identical to the closure 10 in the
first embodiment described above, a hollow dip tube 50 is attached
to an underside of the cup-like member of the unit dose reservoir
30. Dip tube 50 has a first, proximal open end that is in
communication with a lower portion of the interior of the unit dose
reservoir 30 and a second, distal open end that is positioned in a
lower portion of the container 14.
[0030] FIG. 3 depicts a closure 60 that is constructed according to
a second alternative embodiment of the invention. In this
embodiment, which is otherwise identical to the closure 10 in the
first embodiment described above, a venting orifice 62 is defined
in a lower surface of the cup-like member of the unit dose
reservoir 30. Venting orifice 62 provides limited communication
between a lower portion of the interior of the unit dose reservoir
30 and the interior space of the container 14.
[0031] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *