U.S. patent application number 13/759810 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-08 for product dispensing apparatus with sample holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to World Wide Packaging, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is World Wide Packaging, Inc.. Invention is credited to James Christopher Wightman.
Application Number | 20130200072 13/759810 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47891561 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130200072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wightman; James
Christopher |
August 8, 2013 |
Product Dispensing Apparatus with Sample Holder
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a dispensing apparatus
configured to store and dispense a product, while also providing a
storage space for an object, e.g., a sample product container, via
a recessed chamber located in the cap.
Inventors: |
Wightman; James Christopher;
(Livingston, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
World Wide Packaging, Inc.; |
Florham Park |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
World Wide Packaging, Inc.
Florham Park
NJ
|
Family ID: |
47891561 |
Appl. No.: |
13/759810 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61595387 |
Feb 6, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
B65D 51/00 20130101; B65D 51/28 20130101; B65D 35/24 20130101; B65D
2221/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00 |
Claims
1. A dispensing apparatus comprising: a body having an inner
chamber and a top end; and a cap secured to the top end of the
body, the cap having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein
the cap comprises a recessed chamber in the top surface, and
optionally an opening extending through the top surface and the
bottom surface into the inner chamber of the body.
2. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lid,
wherein at least a portion of the lid is removeably secured to the
cap.
3. (canceled)
4. The dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least a portion
of the lid is permanently affixed to the cap.
5. The dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid is a
flip-top, a screw-on lid or a snap-on lid.
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. The dispensing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flip-top
comprises at least two sections which flip independently of each
other.
9. The dispensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein one of the at least
two sections of the flip-top resides over the opening of the cap
and the other of the at least two sections of the flip-top resides
over the recessed chamber.
10. A cap comprising: a) a top surface; b) a bottom surface; c) a
recessed chamber in the top surface; and d) optionally, an opening
extending through the top surface and the bottom surface.
11. The cap of claim 10 further comprising a lid, wherein at least
a portion of the lid is removeably secured to the cap.
12. (canceled)
13. The cap of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the lid is
permanently affixed to the cap.
14. The cap of claim 11, wherein the lid is a flip-top, a screw-on
lid or a snap-on lid.
15. The cap of claim 14, wherein the lid is a flip-top.
16. The cap of claim 15, wherein the flip-top comprises at least
two sections which flip independently of each other.
17. The cap of claim 16, wherein one of the at least two sections
of the flip-top resides over the opening of the cap and the other
of the at least two sections of the flip-top resides over the
recessed chamber.
18. A method for storing an object, the method comprising: a)
providing an apparatus comprising: i. a body having an inner
chamber and a top end; and ii. a cap secured to the top end of the
body, the cap having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein
the cap comprises a recessed chamber in the top surface; and
optionally an opening extending through the top surface and the
bottom surface into the inner chamber of the body; and b) placing
an object into the recessed chamber.
19. (canceled)
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the recessed chamber is
cylindrical.
21. (canceled)
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the lid is a flip-top, a
screw-on lid or a snap-on lid.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the lid is a flip-top.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the recessed chamber of the cap
extends into the inner chamber of the body.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the flip-top comprises at least
two sections which flip independently of each other.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein one of the at least two
sections of the flip-top resides over the opening of the cap and
the other of the at least two sections of the flip-top resides over
the recessed chamber.
27. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/595,387, filed Feb. 6, 2012, the content of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a product
dispensing apparatus and, more particularly, to a product
dispensing apparatus comprising a cap with a built-in recess
capable of storing, e.g., a product sample.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Product dispensing containers are known in the art that
allow for the body and dispensing of fluid products such as
liquids, creams and ointments. Most of these containers incorporate
a body unit that stores the product and a cap for dispensing the
product and sealing the body unit when the product is not being
used. The cap may be of the flip-top or screw-on variety.
Conventional product dispensing containers can take on a variety of
shapes, sizes and colors that allow manufacturers to distinguish
their products from competing products.
[0004] Current sales and marketing trends have ushered in an
increase in "cross selling" whereby marketers include trial or
sample products along with standard sized packages. For example, a
manufacturer of sunscreen may wish to promote a new product such as
a lip balm and include a sample of the lip balm along with a
standard size tube of sun screen. Packaging standard sized products
with smaller or different shaped sample or promotional sizes has
confounded marketers who are more conscious about cost-efficient
and attractive packaging. Current methods involve shrink wrapping
the trial or promotional size product to the full size product.
This method requires additional material and manufacturing steps,
activators or two part systems, and may result in a less appealing
product presentation.
[0005] As demonstrated, the prior art lacks an apparatus that
provides a means for dispensing/preserving products while at the
same time being able to conveniently store a secondary product such
as a sample size or promotional product.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
bottle, tube, canister, etc., for a product which also has at least
one compartment to hold a product sample or the like.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
cap for a product container which has at least one compartment to
hold a product sample or the like.
[0008] These objects and others are achieved by the present
invention, which in certain embodiments is directed to a dispensing
apparatus comprising a body having an inner chamber and a top end;
and a cap secured to the top end of the body, the cap having a top
surface and a bottom surface, wherein the cap optionally comprises
an opening extending through the top surface and the bottom surface
into the inner chamber of the body; and a recessed chamber in the
top surface.
[0009] In certain other embodiments, the present invention is
directed to a cap comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; an
optional opening extending through the top surface and the bottom
surface; and a recessed chamber in the top surface.
[0010] In yet other embodiments, the present invention is directed
to a method for storing an object, the method comprising: providing
an apparatus comprising: a body having an inner chamber and a top
end; and a cap secured to the top end of the body, the cap having a
top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the cap optionally
comprises an opening extending through the top surface and the
bottom surface into the inner chamber of the body; and a recessed
chamber in the top surface; and placing an object into the recessed
chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention will be more readily understood from
the detailed description of exemplary embodiments presented below
considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, of which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a product dispensing apparatus, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a product dispensing apparatus, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a product dispensing apparatus, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a product dispensing apparatus, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a product dispensing apparatus, according
to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a product dispensing apparatus, according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The dispensing apparatus of the present invention is
configured to store and dispense a product, while providing a
storage space through a recessed chamber in the cap. The storage
space can be used to store, e.g., sample-sized product,
applicators, personal items, etc.
[0019] As used herein, the term "product" is intended to include,
but is not limited to, any fluid substance, including liquids,
gels, creams, ointments, cosmetics, medicines and food items.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, the dispensing apparatus 10 has a
body 11 which stores the product. The body can be any shape or size
suitable for dispensing the product in accordance with the present
invention capable of having a dispensing cap, such as, e.g.,
lipstick tubes, perfume bottles, cream tubes, etc. A cap 12 is
configured on an open end of the body 11 to aid in dispensing the
product. The cap 12 may also have a lid 13 to secure the contents
of the body 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lid 13 is
closed. The cap 12 may be of any suitable size and style depending
on the style, size and shape of the body 11 and the type of product
to be stored. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
lid of the cap may be a screw-on, snap-on, removable, permanently
fused to the body, or any combination thereof. The lid of the cap
may also be screw-on, snap-on, flip-top, dual flip top, rotating,
etc. In addition, the cap may also be configured to have a nozzle
inserted into the opening for use with liquid products such as
perfumes.
[0021] While the dispensing apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1 may
look like a standard capped tube, the recessed chamber 16 is
revealed when the lid 13 is opened, as shown in FIG. 2. In certain
embodiments, the cap 12 may have an opening 15 extending through
the top surface 14 through the bottom surface (not shown) of the
cap 12 for dispensing product from the body 11 through the cap 12.
The opening 15 may be any diameter sufficient to allow for the
product to flow freely from the body though the opening 15, for
example, at least about 0.5 mm, at least about 1.0 mm, at least
about 2.0 mm, at least about 3.0 mm, at least about 4.0 mm, at
least about 5.0 mm in diameter, etc. In other embodiments, the cap
may only have a recessed chamber with no opening to dispense
product, and product may simply be dispensed through the top
portion of the body. Referring back now to FIG. 2, the recessed
chamber 16 has an opening which is accessible through the top
surface 14 of the cap 12. The recessed chamber 16 is a suitable
size to fit the desired contents. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2
and 3, a product sample container 17 is inserted into the recessed
chamber. Therefore, the recessed chamber 16 will be a sufficient
size/depth to receive the product sample container 17. The recessed
chamber may also be configured in any shape, such as cylindrical,
rectangular, cone, circular, etc. There may be multiple recessed
chambers in the cap, and one having ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate the number and size of these recesses depending on the
particular application. The product sample container 17 may contain
the same product stored in the body 11 or a different product.
[0022] The embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 also show a lid 13 which is
used to cover, and preferably seal, the opening 15 and also to
cover and secure sample container 17 in the recessed chamber 16. In
this particular embodiment, the lid 13 is a flip-top, wherein a
portion of the lid 13 is affixed to the cap 12, allowing the lid 13
to open and close freely without having to be completely separated
from the cap 12.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4, the bottom portion 18 of the
recessed chamber 16 can be seen. The recessed chamber 16 is open on
one end to allow for insertion of the desired contents, but the
bottom and sides 18 are sealed so as to prevent the contents of the
body 11 from coming into contact with the contents of the recessed
chamber 16. The recessed chamber 16 extends from bottom surface of
the cap into the body 11 so that some of the volume of the body 11
is displaced by the recessed chamber 16. In the embodiment of FIG.
4, the body 11 is a wide-mouth tube used for storing the product.
However, the size and shape of the body can vary depending on the
particular application. While the neck of the body in this
embodiment is threaded for accepting a corresponding threaded cap,
other embodiments may be configured to accept snap-on caps or any
other style of cap. The lid 13 of the cap has an optional
protrusion 20 for sealing the opening 15 when the lid 13 is moved
to the closed position.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative use for the recessed
chamber 16 is shown. In this embodiment, dollar bills 19 are being
stored in the recessed chamber 16, although one skilled in the art
would recognize the multitude of objects which may be inserted into
the recessed chamber. For example, an individual wishing to conceal
something of value can use the recessed chamber to store the item.
When closed, the lid conceals the item.
[0025] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the front and back halves
of the lid 13 are configured to flip independently of one another.
This allows the lid 13 to be partially opened to dispense the
product within the body 11 while securing the contents of the
recessed chamber 16. Other similar embodiments may be configured to
secure the contents of the recessed chamber and such configurations
will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art.
[0026] The body, caps and lids of the present invention can be made
from a variety of suitable materials such, for example, polymers
such as polyethelene, polypropylene, polysterene, polycarbonate
homopolymers, copolycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
resins (ABS), styrene/acrylonitrile (SAN), polyamides,
thermoplastic polyurethane, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA Acrylics),
polysterethermoplastic urethane (TPU), Thermoplastic Elastomer
(TPE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), poly vinylidine fluoride (PVDF),
blends of polycarbonate, resins thereof, or mixtures thereof.
Current manufacturing processes such as injection molding or
extrusion molding may be used to fabricate such articles and one
having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate such
processes.
[0027] The dispensing apparatus of the present invention may also
be configured with a "tamper evident" detail so that buyers know
that the opening in the cap has not been exposed and/or the object
in the recessed chamber has not been removed prior to purchase.
Tamper evident details may include, e.g., film wrappers,
heat-shrink bands or wrappers, container mouth inner seals, tape
seals, breakable or tear away portions of caps, sealed metal tubes,
sealed plastic tubes, etc. The type of tamper evident detail may
vary depending on the application and one having ordinary skill in
the art would appreciate which cap to use for which situation.
[0028] The present invention is described above with reference to
exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that various modifications may be made and other embodiments
can be used without departing from the broader scope of the present
invention. Therefore, these and other variations upon the exemplary
embodiments are intended to be covered by the present
invention.
* * * * *