U.S. patent application number 14/904043 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-09 for dispenser and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Plastek Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is PLASTEK INDUSTRIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Richard H. Seager.
Application Number | 20160159532 14/904043 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52280512 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160159532 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seager; Richard H. |
June 9, 2016 |
Dispenser and Methods
Abstract
A dosing bottle closure (24; 320) has a body (26; 326) and a lid
(27; 327). The body (26) has: a sidewall (50) extending from a
lower rim (54) to an upper rim (62); and means (58) along the
sidewall (50) for engaging a container body (22). The lid (27) is
hinged relative to the body for articulation between a closed
condition and an open condition. The body defines an internal
upwardly open chamber (25) at least partially covered by the lid in
the closed condition. The body defines a feed passageway (100)
having an outlet (110) to the chamber (25) and spaced above a
bottom (72) of the chamber.
Inventors: |
Seager; Richard H.; (North
Stonington, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PLASTEK INDUSTRIES, INC. |
Erie |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Plastek Industries, Inc.
Erie
PA
|
Family ID: |
52280512 |
Appl. No.: |
14/904043 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
July 8, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/045703 |
371 Date: |
January 8, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61844167 |
Jul 9, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/492 ;
215/235 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20130101;
G01F 11/00 20130101; B65D 1/0207 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20060101
B65D047/08; B65D 1/02 20060101 B65D001/02 |
Claims
1. A dosing bottle closure comprising: a body comprising: a
sidewall extending from a lower rim to an upper rim; means along
the sidewall for engaging a container body; and a lid hinged
relative to the body for articulation between a closed condition
and an open condition, wherein: the body defines an internal
upwardly open chamber at least partially covered by the lid in the
closed condition; the body defines a feed passageway having an
inlet and an outlet to the chamber spaced above a bottom of the
chamber, a hinge defines a rear end of the body; and the inlet
faces at least partially rearward.
2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the body and lid are unitarily
molded as a single piece.
3. The closure of claim 1 wherein: a hinge defines a rear end of
the body; and an open top second chamber is between the feed
passageway and the hinge.
4. The closure of claim 3 wherein: the lid closes the second
chamber in the closed condition
5. The closure of claim 3 wherein: lateral portions of a wall
separate the chamber from the second chamber; a central portion of
the wall having a vertically recessed upper edge separates the
chamber from the feed passageway.
6. The closure of claim 1 wherein: the inlet of the feed passageway
is spaced below the bottom of the chamber.
7. (canceled)
8. The closure of claim 1 wherein: the chamber has a volume of
15-75 ml.
9. A container comprising: a container body having an interior for
storing a flowable material; the closure of claim 1 secured to the
container body.
10. The container of claim 9 wherein: the container body is
polyethylene; and the closure body and lid are polypropylene.
11. The container of claim 9 further comprising: a flowable
material within the container body.
12. The container of claim 11 further comprising: the flowable
material is a particulate.
13. The container of claim 11 further comprising: the flowable
material is a detergent.
14. The container of claim 9 wherein: the container body interior
has a volume of 0.4-2.01.
15. A method for using the container of claim 9 comprising: tilting
the container with the lid in the closed condition to transfer a
first dose of material from the interior through the feed
passageway; uprighting the container to leave some of the material
in the chamber; opening the lid to the open condition; and tilting
the container to pour at least a portion of the charge from the
container.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: after the pouring,
reuprighting the container and closing the lid; and repeating the
tilting, uprighting, opening, and tilting.
17. A dosing bottle closure comprising: a body comprising: a
sidewall extending from a lower rim to an upper rim; means along
the sidewall for engaging a container body; and a lid hinged
relative to the body for articulation between a closed condition
and an open condition, wherein: the body defines an internal
upwardly open chamber at least partially covered by the lid in the
closed condition; the body defines a feed passageway having an
inlet and an outlet to the chamber spaced above a bottom of the
chamber; a hinge defines a rear end of the body; and the inlet is
rearwardly offset from a rear wall of the chamber.
18. A dosing bottle closure comprising: a body comprising: a
sidewall extending from a lower rim to an upper rim; means along
the sidewall for engaging a container body; and a lid hinged
relative to the body for articulation between a closed condition
and an open condition, wherein: the body defines an internal
upwardly open chamber at least partially covered by the lid in the
closed condition; and the body defines a feed passageway having: an
inlet spaced below a bottom of the chamber; and an outlet to the
chamber spaced above the bottom of the chamber.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Benefit is claimed of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.
61/844,167, filed Jul. 9, 2013, and entitled "Dispenser and
Methods", the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety as if set forth at length.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to dispensing of home and garden
granules/powders and liquids (flowable materials) such as
detergents, fabric softeners, insecticides, fertilizers and the
like. More particularly, the invention relates to dosing
bottles.
[0003] Exemplary flowable materials are laundry detergent, fabric
softener, and home and garden chemicals (e.g., fertilizers,
pesticides, insecticides).
[0004] Conventionally in such fields, dosing may be achieved via
providing a combined cap and measuring cup. Exemplary such
caps/cups have installed conditions screwed onto a spout fitment to
close/seal a bottle.
[0005] One recently-proposed dispenser is found in International
Patent Application No. PCT/US12/20471, "Dispenser and Methods",
filed Jan. 6, 2012, of inventors: Alex S. Szekely and Richard H.
Seager.
[0006] In other fields, a number of dosing bottles have been
proposed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] One aspect of the invention involves a dosing bottle closure
that has a body and a lid. The body has: a sidewall extending from
a lower rim to an upper rim; and means along the sidewall for
engaging a container body. The lid is hinged relative to the body
for articulation between a closed condition and an open condition.
The body defines an internal upwardly open chamber at least
partially covered by the lid in the closed condition. The body
defines a feed passageway having an outlet to the chamber and
spaced above a bottom of the chamber.
[0008] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a view of a container having a first closure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a central transverse vertical sectional view of
the container of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of
the container of FIG. 1 taken along 3-3.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view of the first closure in an open condition
containing a charge of material.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of
the closure of FIG. 5, taken along line 6-6.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a central vertical transverse sectional view of
the closure of FIG. 5 taken along line 7-7.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of
a second closure in a closed condition.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a central vertical longitudinal cutaway view of
the second closure in an open condition.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of
the second closure in a charging condition.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the
second closure in a drainback condition.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of
the second closure upon opening after the drainback.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of
the second closure during pouring/discharge.
[0022] Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Two embodiments of a closure are disclosed which may
otherwise operate in a similar fashion and may otherwise be
manufactured similarly. Exemplary closures may be used in identical
fashion. The first closure is a one-piece closure; whereas the
second closure is a two-piece closure. Additionally, as is
discussed further below, passageway inlet features of the two
closures may differ.
[0024] An exemplary container 20 comprises a bottle body or
container body 22 and a closure 24. The exemplary bottle body has
an interior 23 (FIG. 2) forming a reservoir containing a body 400
of flowable material. The closure defines a dosing chamber 25 which
may, in various stages of operation, receive, hold and dispense a
dose or charge 402 of the flowable material.
[0025] The closure comprises a body 26 and a lid, cap, or cover 27.
Exemplary bottle body, closure body, and closure lid materials are
molded plastics such as various polyethylenes and
polypropylenes.
[0026] The FIG. 1-7 embodiment closure lid and body are unitarily
molded as a single piece with a living hinge 150 (FIG. 3) such as a
conventional butterfly hinge (or a hinge such as in PCT/US11/53858
(the disclosure if which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety as if set forth at length), filed Sep. 29, 2011, "Living
Hinge" of inventor H Stephen Quinn). The FIG. 8 embodiment closure
320, lid 327, and body 326 are shown as separate pieces forming
respective halves of a hinge 330.
[0027] An exemplary bottle body (injection blow molded) 22 (FIG. 2)
has a neck 28 extending upward from a shoulder 29 about a central
longitudinal/vertical axis 500 to a rim 30 defining an open mouth
32. The neck has an external thread 34 (or other feature) for
mounting the closure body. The exemplary thread 34 is a double lead
thread. An exemplary closure body (injection molded) 26 screws onto
the bottle neck/mouth and may lock with a lug or detent (not shown)
thereon to prevent counter-rotation and extraction.
[0028] The exemplary closure body 26 comprises an outer wall 50
(sidewall) (FIG. 3). A lower portion 52 of the wall 50 extends
upward from an upper rim 54 and has an interior (inner diameter
(ID)) surface 56 bearing an internal thread 58 for engaging the
bottle body thread 34. An upper portion 60 of the wall 50 extends
upward to a rim 62. A transverse web 70 (FIG. 6) has a perimeter at
a junction of the wall portions 52 and 60. An upper surface 72 (or
a portion thereof) of the web 70 forms an underside of the chamber
25 containing the dose 402 of material. Laterally, the chamber 25
is partially bounded by the upper wall portion 60 and partially
bounded by a transverse wall 80. In the exemplary embodiment, a
central portion of the wall 80 extends upward from the web 70 to an
upper edge 90 to separate the chamber 25 from a feed passageway
100. Edge 90 is recessed below the rim 62 to create a gap 110 (FIG.
4). The gap 110 forms an outlet of the feed passageway 100 during
charging. In the exemplary embodiment, a partial flowback is
permitted through the gap 110 over the edge 90 (which serves as a
weir) to determine the height of the upper surface 410 (FIG. 6) of
the dose/charge 402 when the container is uprighted after
charging.
[0029] An inlet 120 (FIG. 6) to the feed passageway 100 may be
formed at a lower end of the feed passageway 100.
[0030] Exemplary dose volume is one fluid ounce (30 ml), more
broadly 5-75 ml or 15-50 ml. Exemplary bottle interior volume is
about 32 fluid ounces (one liter, more broadly, 0.4-4.0 liter or
0.4-2.0 liter) (e.g. sufficient to contain that much flowable
material). FIG. 3 also shows an exemplary bottle as having a
sidewall extending upward to the shoulder from a base or bottom
(which may support the bottle in a standing condition).
[0031] For providing a seal of the closure body to the bottle body,
the closure body and bottle body may have complementary sealing
surfaces which engage each other in the installed condition. A
first sealing surface of the bottle body is formed by the rim 30.
Its complementary first sealing surface of the closure body member
is formed by a peripheral annular portion of the underside 130
(FIG. 6) of the web 70.
[0032] FIG. 6 furthers shows the lid 27 connected to the closure
body by a living hinge 150. The exemplary lid and body have
interfitting sealing and locking features. For sealing, an
uppermost portion 160 of the sidewall upper portion 60 is received
within a sidewall portion 170 of the lid in the closed condition.
Exemplary detented locking in the closed condition may be provided
by interfitting features (e.g., projections 180 and 182 of the lid
and body).
[0033] FIG. 6 also shows a partial annular dead chamber 200
alongside of and behind the feed passageway 100 and separated
therefrom by an arcuate wall 202. The dead chamber 200 may be
separated from a head space above the dosing chamber 25 by lateral
portions 220 (FIG. 4) of the wall 80 above the central portion 90
of the upper edge (above a central portion 224 (FIG. 5) of the wall
80). The upper edge 203 of the wall 202 and the upper edges 221 of
lateral portions 220 extend upward to meet with the underside 225
of the lid in the closed condition to seal off the dead chamber in
the closed condition. The lower extreme of the dead chamber is
bounded by an annular segment of an upper surface 72 of the web
70.
[0034] In an exemplary charge/discharge sequence illustrated with
the hinged embodiment, the lid is initially closed and the bottle
upright (e.g., the FIG. 8 empty closure condition). The bottle is
then fully or partially inverted (e.g., a full inversion to the
FIG. 10 condition). Material flows from the bottle interior
downward through the inlet 120 into the passageway 100 and out the
outlet 110 into dosing chamber 25. The bottle is then uprighted
(e.g., to the FIG. 11 condition) and any excess material in the
closure will return (return flow shown in FIG. 11) through the
outlet 110 over the weir 90 and back into the bottle interior
leaving a desired volume for the charge 402 in chamber 25 (e.g.,
the first embodiment FIG. 3 condition). Thereafter, the lid may be
opened (FIG. 12) and the bottle tilted to pour (FIG. 13). To
facilitate pouring, the sidewall upper portion 60 at the front is
angled outward to form a partial spout, thereby, reducing the angle
by which the bottle the must be tilted to pour from the chamber 25.
This facilitates the prevention of any further material passing
through the feed passageway during pouring. The second embodiment
contains a baffle 350 along the forward portion of the feed
passageway below the web 70 to shift the feed passageway inlet 360
to the rear of the closure, and, thereby, relatively high during
pouring to prevent material from entering the inlet.
[0035] After pouring, the bottle is re-uprighted and the lid closed
(in any order). Thereafter, the process may be repeated by
inverting to charge.
[0036] One or more embodiments of the present invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the nature of the particular
product to be dispensed may influence details of any particular
embodiment. The bottle body may be based on the overall
configuration of an existing or yet-developed conventional bottle
for such product. Tamper-evident features may also be included.
Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *