U.S. patent application number 14/779107 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-25 for improvements in or relating to dispensing.
The applicant listed for this patent is OBRIST CLOSURES SWITZERLAND GMBH. Invention is credited to Peter Goshorn, Rene Lawell, Paul Noble.
Application Number | 20160052695 14/779107 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48326698 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160052695 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lawell; Rene ; et
al. |
February 25, 2016 |
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DISPENSING
Abstract
A dispensing closure for a container is provided. The closure
includes docking means for allowing coupling of the closure with a
further container.
Inventors: |
Lawell; Rene; (Ingleside,
IL) ; Goshorn; Peter; (Vernon Hills, IL) ;
Noble; Paul; (Crystal Lake, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OBRIST CLOSURES SWITZERLAND GMBH |
Reinach |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
48326698 |
Appl. No.: |
14/779107 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
March 25, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/056002 |
371 Date: |
September 22, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20130101;
B65D 47/2018 20130101; B65D 1/32 20130101; B65D 81/3211
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/32 20060101
B65D081/32; B65D 47/08 20060101 B65D047/08; B65D 47/20 20060101
B65D047/20; B65D 1/32 20060101 B65D001/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 26, 2013 |
GB |
1305529.8 |
Claims
1. A dispensing pack comprising a closure and a donor container,
the closure comprising a base and a lid connected by a hinge, the
base comprising a dispensing orifice, the closure further
comprising a self-closing valve for controlling flow of product
from the container through the orifice, the donor container having
a flexible sidewall and being squeezable, the closure base
comprising a docking arrangement for releasably coupling the pack
to a recipient container into which product from the donor
container is to be dispensed, whereby the pack can be upended and
docked with the recipient container without product being released
and thereafter the donor container can be squeezed to cause
dispensing of product through the orifice via the self-closing
valve.
2-5. (canceled)
6. The pack as claimed in claim 1, in which the docking arrangement
is engageable into a container neck.
7. The pack as claimed in claim 1, in which the docking arrangement
is engageable around a container neck.
8. The pack as claimed in claim 1, in which the docking arrangement
is adapted to couple with a standard container neck.
9. The pack as claimed in claim 1, in which the docking arrangement
comprises an upstanding wall for fitting around a container
neck.
10. The pack as claimed in claim 9, in which the upstanding wall
comprises two or more wall sections.
11. The pack as claimed in claim 1, in which the docking
arrangement comprises an annual wall defining the orifice and
suitable for fitting into a container neck.
12-15. (canceled)
16. The pack as claimed in claim 1, in which at least part of the
coupling of the pack to the recipient container via the docking
arrangement has a loose fit.
17. The pack as claimed in claim 1, in which at least part of the
coupling of the pack to the recipient container via the docking
arrangement has a tight fit.
18. The pack as claimed in claim 1, in which the docking
arrangement is adapted to couple with a spout.
19. The pack as claimed in claim 1, in which the docking
arrangement is adapted to couple with a sportscap.
20-23. (canceled)
24. The pack as claimed in claim 10, in which the wall sections are
arcuate.
25. A beverage enhancer dispensing pack comprising a closure and a
donor container, the closure comprising a dispensing orifice and a
self-closing valve for controlling flow of product from the donor
container through the orifice, the donor container holding beverage
enhancing product and being squeezable, the closure being
releasably couplable with a recipient container into which product
from the donor container is to be dispensed, whereby the pack can
be upended and docked with the recipient container without product
being released and thereafter the donor container can be squeezed
to cause dispensing of product through the orifice via the
self-closing valve.
26. A dispensing closure comprising a base and a lid connected by a
hinge arrangement, the base comprising a base top plate which
includes an upstanding annular wall defining a dispensing passage,
a pair of arcuate wall sections upstanding from the base top plate,
the base top plate comprising a recess between the arcuate wall
sections into which the lid fits when in a closed position, the lid
including a lid top plate and a depending sidewall, the sidewall
including arcuate wall sections corresponding to the base arcuate
wall sections.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates generally to dispensing and
particularly, although not exclusively, to situations in which
dispensing from one container into another and/or between
containers is required.
[0002] It is well known to provide containers with dispensing
closures which allow release of a flowable product. In some cases
the flowable product may be suitable for addition to the contents
of another container. In these situations transfer of product from
a donor container to a recipient container may be required.
[0003] The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or
relating to dispensing packs which may include containers, closures
and the like.
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a dispensing closure for a container, the closure
including docking means for allowing stable coupling of the closure
with a further container.
[0005] The closure may be formed integrally with a container.
Alternatively the closure may be formed separately from and be
attachable to a container. The docking means facilitates coupling
which is stable so that product can be dispensed from the container
into a further container.
[0006] According to a further aspect there is provided a dispensing
pack including docking means for locating the pack with respect to
a container to allow transfer of material therebetween.
[0007] The pack may comprise a closure and a container. For example
a closure and a separate container may be provided and the closure
and/or container are provided with docking means.
[0008] According to a further aspect there is provided a beverage
enhancer pack comprising docking means for providing a stable
couple with a recipient container whereby to allow introduction of
beverage enhancing material from the pack into the recipient
container.
[0009] It is known to provide so-called "beverage enhancers" which
may, for example, be a concentrated material which in use is
dispensed into a larger volume. For example a concentrated fruit
juice may be dispensed into a larger volume of water. A beverage
enhancer pack may comprise a container which holds beverage
enhancing product, and a closure. The pack comprises the docking
means so that the pack can be stably coupled with a recipient
container, for example a water bottle, so that the beverage
enhancing material can be dispensed into such a recipient container
whilst the two containers are held stably together. This means, for
example, that the pack cannot easily be dislodged from the
recipient container and will not accidentally fall off during the
transfer of material. A more stable dispensing process is thereby
provided, for example for dispensing a water enhancer into bottled
water.
[0010] The docking means may be engageable into a container neck.
For example, at least part of the docking means may be formed to
fit within the bore of a container neck finish.
[0011] The docking means may be engageable around a container neck.
The docking means may, for example, be formed as a collar or the
like.
[0012] In some embodiments docking means which is engageable both
into and around a container neck is provided.
[0013] The docking means may be adapted to couple with a standard
container neck. Alternatively bespoke docking means may be formed
for specific container neck and finish configurations.
[0014] The docking means may comprise an upstanding wall for
fitting around a container neck. The upstanding wall may comprise
two or more wall sections which may, for example, be at least
partly curved.
[0015] The docking means may comprise an insertion member for
fitting into a container neck. For example, a cylindrical plug-like
member may be provided. The insertion member may comprise a
dispensing passage. In other words, the insertion member fits into
the container neck and thereafter allows product to be dispensed
therethrough.
[0016] In some embodiments a valve is provided for dispensing
flowable material. For example a self-closing valve may be
provided.
[0017] The coupling provided by aspects and embodiments of the
present invention may be releasable. However, it is also
conceivable that a more permanent interconnection may be provided
if required.
[0018] At least part of the couple may be a loose fit.
Alternatively or additionally at least part of the couple may be a
clearance, sliding, interference, tight or transition fit.
[0019] Closure and/or containers of the present invention may
comprise, for example, docking means, coupling means, stabilising
means, holding means, steadying means, locating means and the
like.
[0020] The docking means may in some embodiments be adapted to
couple with a spout. For example in some embodiments the docking
means may be adapted to couple with a sports cap, such as a
flip-top closure with a base hinge attached to a lid and including
a dispensing spout.
[0021] According to a further aspect there is provided a locating
adaptor for a closure and/or a container providing docking means
attached or attachable to a closure and/or a container and operable
to locate the closure and/or container with respect to a container
to allow docking there between.
[0022] This aspect of the present invention therefore gives the
potential for retro-fitting of a docking system.
[0023] Different aspects of the invention may be used separately or
together.
[0024] Further particular and preferred aspects of the present
invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent
claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the
features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in
combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims.
[0025] The present invention will now be more particularly
described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a closure formed
according to the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the closure of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a section of the closure of FIG. 4 taken along
Line A-A;
[0031] FIG. 6 is an underplan view of the closure of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the closure of FIG.
6;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1
shown in an open position;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 8;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the closure of FIG. 8;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a section of the closure of FIG. 10 taken along
Line B-B;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 8;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a section of the closure of FIG. 12 taken along
Line C-C;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a side elevation of a closure of the type shown
in FIGS. 1 to 13 together with further components making up a
dispensing pack and shown in an exploded view;
[0040] FIG. 15 is a front elevation of the component shown in FIG.
14 assembled into a dispensing pack;
[0041] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the pack of FIG.
15;
[0042] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the pack of FIG.
15;
[0043] FIG. 18 is a side view of the pack of FIGS. 14 to 17 in use
coupled with a recipient container;
[0044] FIG. 19 is a schismatic perspective illustration of the
interface between the pack and container of FIG. 18;
[0045] FIG. 20 is a side elevation of an alternative aspect in
which a dispensing pack is adapted to couple with a sports cap;
[0046] FIG. 21 is a section of the dispensing pack and sportscap of
FIG. 20 shown coupled; and
[0047] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a range of dispensing packs
formed in accordance with aspects and embodiments of the present
invention.
[0048] Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 13 there is shown a closure
generally indicated 10.
[0049] The closure 10 comprises a generally frusto-conical body 15
and a lid 20. The base 15 and lid 20 are connected by a hinge
arrangement 25. The hinge arrangement 25 is shown schematically and
in practice could be any suitable articulation mechanism such as a
film hinge, butterfly hinge, snap hinge, straps and the like. The
hinge arrangement 25 allows the lid 20 to be flipped between the
closed position shown in FIGS. 1-7 and the open position shown in
FIGS. 8-13.
[0050] The base 15 comprises a generally oval side skirt 16 which
is inclined, with a radius, inwardly from a free end to the end
adjacent the lid 20, which gives a generally frusto-conical
profile. The end of the skirt 16 opposite the free end is partially
closed by a top plate 17. At the centre of the top plate 17 an
upstanding angular wall 18 is provided. The end of the wall 18
opposite the plate 17 extends radially inward to define a central
orifice 18a. From the underside of the top plates an annular
ceiling projection 19 depends with a slightly larger circumference
than the wall 18.
[0051] The top plate 18 is also provided with a pair of lateral,
arcuate walls 30, 32 with exterior surfaces which are continuous
with the skirt 16 and arcuate inner surfaces 31, 33. The walls 30,
32 are shaped so as to form a recess for the lid 20 to sit in the
closed position.
[0052] The lid 20 comprises a top plate 21 with a front section 22,
a middle section 23, and a rear section 24. A lid sidewall extends
continuously around the underside of the lid top plate 21 with wall
sections 22a, 23a, 24a corresponding to the front, middle and rear
lid sections.
[0053] Referring now also to FIG. 14 a closure 110 of the type
described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 13 is shown. The closure 110 is
suitable for connection to a container 140 which comprises a hollow
body defined by a base 142 a sidewall 144 and a neck finish 146.
Together the arrangement forms a dispensing pack.
[0054] In this embodiment a self-closing valve 150 is provided and
fits into the interior of the annular wall (corresponding to the
wall 18 shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 10 to 13).
[0055] In order to secure the closure 110 onto the container 140 a
snap bead or the like (now shown) is provided on the interior of
the skirt 116, for example to engage the neck finish transfer bead
147. In this embodiment the neck finish 146 also includes an
orientating lug 148 for co-operating with corresponding formations
on the interior of the skirt 116 (not shown) to position the
closure as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17.
[0056] Use of the dispensing pack of FIGS. 14 to 17 is illustrated
in FIGS. 18 and 19.
[0057] The lid 120 is first flipped to the open position shown in
FIG. 14. Subsequently the pack can be upended as shown in FIG. 18.
Product from the container 140 will not be released at this time
because of the self-closing valve 150.
[0058] The pack can now be releasably coupled with a recipient
container 160, which in this embodiment is a standard bottle with a
standard neck finish 165.
[0059] The closure 110 is docked onto the neck finish 165. The neck
165 is received into the recess defined by the walls 130, 132. The
walls 130, 132 are shaped and dimensioned so that the exterior
surface 167 of the neck 165 fits against the inner wall surfaces
131, 133. The wall 118 of the closure is dimensioned so that added
fits into the bore of the neck 165 with the exterior of the wall
118 adjacent the interior surface 169 of the neck 165, as shown
best in FIG. 19.
[0060] With the closure 110 stably coupled to the open container
neck 165 the flexible container sidewall 144 can now be squeezed to
cause dispensing of product through the orifice 118a via the
self-closing valve 150 and into the bottle 160. When the sidewall
144 is released the negative pressure created inside will cause
product flow to be shut off by the valve 150. The pack 170 can now
be lifted off the bottle 160.
[0061] In this embodiment one possible application is in beverage
enhancing material. Accordingly the donor container 142 would
contain concentrated beverage enhancing product for dispensing into
a bottle which could, for example, contain water to be
flavoured/coloured by the beverage enhancing material.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21 there is shown a dispensing
pack 270 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The pack
270 comprises a squeezable container 240 with a dispensing closure
210 of the same general type to those discussed in relation to
FIGS. 1 to 19.
[0063] In this embodiment the closure 210 comprises docking
features (in this embodiment guide walls 231, 232 corresponding to
the walls 31, 32 and an insertion member 218 corresponding to the
wall 18). In this embodiment the docking/coupling features are
adapted to locate the closure 210 with respect to a spout 280,
which in this embodiment forms part of a sports cap-style closure
285 connected to a bottle neck 290.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 22 there is shown four difference
dispensing packs 370a, 370b, 370c, 370d. In each case the closure
is generally the same but shown connected to different donor
containers.
[0065] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been
disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the
precise embodiments shown and that various changes and
modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *