Patent Grant
7241066
The present invention relates generally to containers and, more particular, to containers for storing liquids, creams, gels, oils, greases, adhesives, and other types of flowable and dispensable materials.
In the past, flowable materials have often been stored in individual packets that consist of two flexible foil sheets secured together about their periphery to define a cavity between the sheets. The cavity is filled with whatever material is being stored. Such packets find widespread use for storing food condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and other liquid or semi-liquid foods. When it is time to access the contents of the packet, the user simply tears off a corner portion of the foil material and squeezes out the contents. The use of such packets as storage vessels, however, has suffered from a number of disadvantages. Often times the user of such a packet ends up spilling the contents of the packet onto their fingers. Alternatively, the contents may end up dribbling down the side of the packet. This presents the user with the undesirable options of having to either scrape the contents off the packet onto the intended object, or discard the packet with a substantial amount of the contents being left unused on the packet itself.
Other disadvantages of prior art packets include the difficulty of applying the contents of the packet precisely to a desired location. For example, when a person opens up a conventional ketchup packet, it is difficult to predict exactly where the ketchup may squirt out of the packet upon compression of the packet. This, of course, can lead to ketchup being applied to undesired objects. The user of condiment packages is also problematic because there are typically no structures on the packet that define the size of the outlet that is created when the user tears off a corner of the packet. In some instances the user might only tear off a small corner, creating a very small outlet. This can cause the user to have to squeeze the container excessively to expel the contents, as well as causing the contents to squirt out of the packet a considerable distance. In other instances, an excessively large portion of the packet may be torn off, creating a large outlet orifice. This can lead to the contents immediately exiting the packet during the tearing off process, which typically causes the contents to spill onto the user's hands.
In addition to the conventional packets used to store condiments, a wide variety of other types of containers have been used in the past to store other types of flowable materials. Many of these other types of containers have suffered from other disadvantages. For example, a large number of containers for flowable material are made from molded plastic and the cost of the container can be a significant component of the overall cost of the product. In fact, in some cases, the container may cost as much as or more than the contents in the container. This not only causes increased costs to the consumer of the product, but can also lead the manufacturer to limit the marketing of their product to container sizes that may be too large for many situations in which their product is used.
As but one example, automotive brake fluid is often sold in containers that hold about eleven ounces or more of fluid. In certain situations, however, such as where brake fluid is being bled off to remove any air bubbles in the brake system, a person may only need to use about three to four ounces of brake fluid. Selling a container of three or four ounces of brake fluid, however, may not be economical to the manufacturer of the brake fluid, because the cost of the container may be so high as to not allow the manufacturer to sell the three to four ounce container for any meaningfully less amount of money than what the eleven to twelve ounce container is sold for. A consumer confronted with a three ounce container that costs pretty much the same as a twelve ounce container would undoubtedly tend to choose the large container for purchase. The smaller containers would therefore not likely be purchased, and the consumer may end up with more product than is necessary for his or her task. This can lead to wasting of the product, or messy attempts to save the unused contents in the container for later use. For some products, such as brake fluid, the contents may degrade over time if exposed to air, and an unwary consumer might end up putting degraded brake fluid into their automotive system. The economic difficulties of prior containers therefore can lead to a variety of different problems and disadvantages. The desire for a container that overcomes or alleviates such disadvantages can be seen.
Also, quick drying adhesives, such as Super Glue, Krazy® Glue or the like, which often contain ethyl (or methyl) cyanoacrylate or the like, are often moisture curing adhesives and, thus, bond rapidly in the presence of moisture, such as when dispensed from a sealed container onto an item exposed to the environment. Sometimes, anaerobic adhesives (which cure in the absence of air) or other solvents and air-curing compounds may also be used as quick setting or quick drying adhesives. Such quick drying adhesives may cure once dispensed from their sealed container and thus work almost the opposite of other types of air-curing adhesives, such as solvent-based adhesives and epoxy adhesives that involve two components to activate the curing process. Such quick drying adhesives are typically provided in containers having a screw cap at a dispensing end of the container. The containers are intended for multiples uses and the screw cap is intended to reseal the containers after each use. However, the quick drying capability of such adhesives results in various problems in providing a tube of adhesive that may be used multiple times because the screw-on cap that is typically provided with such tubes of adhesive bonds to the tube after a single use or application. Various bond-breaking devices have been developed to facilitate multiple uses of the multiple application tubes that often contain four to eight grams of adhesive.
Because the glue containers often result in only a single use, multiple containers are often sold in a package. The multiple containers are separate dispensers, each with a screw cap or the like for attempting to seal the container after the first use. It is known to make very small, single use tubes of such glue or adhesive. Some manufacturers have developed “single” use tubes in the 0.3 to 0.5 gram range so that the small tubes can be disposed of after use, without any re-capping and sealing problems. However, the single use tubes are substantially similar in design and appearance and overall structure to the multi-use tubes and each include a plastic or metal tube, a label and a cap. The dispensing end of the single use tubes may be removed to access and pierce a foil cap or end portion of the container, whereby the dispensing tip may be reattached or screwed onto the container for dispensing adhesive therefrom. After a single use, the container may be discarded or thrown away.
During manufacture of such single use tubes, each tube undergoes a separate filling operation to fill the tube with adhesive, and then several tubes are packed into a box and/or plastic bubble which is attached to a cardboard display card with a hang-up hole or the like, graphics, UPC code and any appropriate information and/or warning labels. Although the single use tubes reduce the amount of waste of the adhesive that is typically encountered with the multiple use tubes, the single use tubes individually may cost about fifty percent as much to manufacture as the multiple use tubes (because they are similar in design to the multiple use tubes) while providing only about ten percent of the adhesive content. Also, it is difficult to provide the required warning labels and product information that is typically required for the quick drying adhesives on the outer surface of the separate small tubes.
Additionally, the smaller single use tubes may require special packaging to hold two or more of the single use tubes for sale to the customer and for storage at the customer's home. For example, it is known to provide a plastic hinged box that may contain four tubes, whereby each of the tubes is snapped into corresponding projections formed in at least one side of the plastic hinged box. While such a device provides a convenient storage container, the costs associated with manufacturing such a container substantially limit the practicality of the tubes. Because the small tubes and packages may cost as much as the larger, multiple use tubes, there is little advantage to the consumer in purchasing the smaller tubes.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for product containers and dispensers which overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and device for economically packaging flowable material in a user-friendly and cost-efficient manner. The pouches of the present invention provide a variety of different features that facilitate opening the pouch and applying its contents, as well as sealing the opened pouch for later re-use, if necessary. The pouches can be manufactured at significantly reduced prices in comparison to prior art containers, thereby allowing the manufacturer greater leeway in offering different sizes of containers for sale. The packets of the present invention may provide two or more pouches of product, and may provide different products, with the same container or packet.
The present invention also provides a plurality of single use adhesive dispensers for dispensing a quick-drying type of adhesive, such as an adhesive containing ethyl or methyl cyanoacrylate or the like, or other types of adhesives of flowable materials or fluids, such as paint, grease or the like. The single use dispensers are formed on a common sheet or container, which may comprise a pair of sheets or sheet portions selectively sealed together to define multiple cavities or pockets or containers for holding or containing adhesive or other flowable material. The individual containers or dispensers may be separated from the others by a user to provide a single use adhesive dispenser for dispensing a small amount of adhesive therefrom. The sheet or sheets may include a header portion adjacent to one of the dispensers for hanging the dispensers and for providing product information and/or warning labels.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a compartmentalized container for containing at least one flowable material is formed from opposite sheet portions selectively sealed together to define a header portion and first and second dispensers. The opposite sheet portions of the header portion are substantially sealed together, and at least one side of the header portion provides information about the flowable material. The first dispenser is adjacent to the header portion, with the opposite sheet portions of the first dispenser being selectively sealed together to define a closed cavity for containing the flowable material where the sheets are not sealed together. The opposite sheet portions of the second dispenser are selectively sealed together to define a closed cavity (where the sheets are not sealed together) for containing the flowable material. The header portion and the first and second dispensers are integrally formed by the opposite sheet portions.
The flowable material may comprise a quick drying adhesive. The dispensers may be separable from one another, such as via tearing or cutting between the cavities and dispensers, such as along a perforated joint between adjacent ones of the adhesive dispensers, or along an indicating line printed on at least one of the sheets between adjacent ones of the adhesive dispensers.
The dispensers may include a dispensing tip at one end that may be defined by a narrow end portion of the cavity. The dispenser may then be opened by cutting or tearing the sheets at the dispensing tip. The dispensers may include an applicator brush or the like formed or defined on the dispensers, such as at the end of the dispenser opposite the dispensing tip or elsewhere on or around the dispenser. The applicator brush may comprise an edge of the sheets, and may comprise a roughened edge or serrated edge or otherwise raised or roughened edge or surface to facilitate spreading of the flowable material after it has been dispensed.
The header portion may include at least some printed information about the flowable material contained within the dispensers, such as product information or warning labels or bar code information or the like. The header portion may also include a means for hanging the compartmentalized container, such as a hole or hook or the like at an upper end of the header portion. The container thus provides a unitary or integral container having a header portion attached to or integral with multiple dispensers. The integral container of the present invention thus provides multiple dispensers that are readily displayed and/or hung at a store, without requiring special, costly packaging to keep the dispensers together.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a container having a plurality of single use dispensers integrally formed with the container includes providing two sheet portions and sealing a portion of the sheet portions together to define a header portion of the container. The sheet portions are selectively sealed together to define multiple cavities between the sheet portions, with each of the multiple cavities being generally surrounded by sealed portions of the sheet portions and the header portion being adjacent to at least one of the cavities. A flowable material, such as a quick drying adhesive, is injected into the multiple cavities, which define multiple adhesive dispensers. The flowable material or quick drying adhesive may be generally simultaneously injected into the multiple cavities with multiple injectors, or may be injected separately into each individual cavity.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a pouch for flowable material is provided. The pouch includes first and second flexible sheet portions that are attached to each other generally about an outer periphery. A cavity is defined between the first and second flexible sheet portions. The cavity includes a neck portion and a body portion. The neck portion has a narrower width than the body portion and is located adjacent the outer periphery of the sheets. Flowable material is hermetically stored in the cavity and the sheets are made of a tearable material adapted to allow a user to tear off a part of the sheet portions that intersect the neck portion and thereby allow the flowable material to flow out of the pouch through the neck portions. A picture of a conventional container, such as a conventional can, bottle, or tube is also printed on an external side of the first sheet portion. The container picture includes a body, a neck, and a graphic cap or seal at the end of the neck. The neck picture is positioned on top of the actual neck portion of the cavity so that the neck picture and the exit orifice of the actual neck portion are aligned with each other. The neck picture thus provides a visual aid to help direct application of the cavity contents.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a pouch is provided that includes first and second flexible sheet portions secured together generally about their periphery to define a cavity therebetween. Flowable material is hermetically stored with the cavity, and the contents of the cavity may be accessed by tearing off a portion of either or both of the first and second flexible sheet portions. A picture of a conventional container is printed on the external side of at least one of the flexible sheet portions. The picture has a size and shape that are substantially the same as the size and the shape of the cavity, and the picture is positioned to be substantially aligned with the underlying cavity. The picture preferably includes a graphic cap or seal that overlaps an actual exit spout that is in fluid communication with the cavity and that defines an exit orifice when the pouch is opened.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a pouch is provided that includes first and second flexible sheet portions secured together generally about their periphery to define a cavity therebetween. Flowable material is hermetically stored within the cavity, and the contents of the cavity may be accessed by tearing off a portion of either or both of the first and second flexible sheet portions. A score line and/or perforation is defined in at least one of the flexible sheet portions and may consist of a weakened section of material that is adapted to be severed more easily than along areas of the sheet portions. The score line is shaped to define a spout out of which the material can exit out of the cavity after the pouch has been torn along the score line.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a pouch is provided for storing a flowable material. The pouch includes first and second flexible sheet portions. The second flexible sheet portion is attached to the first sheet portion generally about the outer periphery of the first sheet portion and generally along an internal section of the first sheet portion to thereby define first and second chambers. The first and second chambers are separate and hermetically isolated from each other and ambient air. Both of the sheet portions are made of a tearable material that is adapted to allow a user to tear off a part of the sheet portions to thereby allow access to the flowable material in the chambers. The same flowable material is stored hermetically in both the first chamber and the second chamber.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a pouch is provided that includes first and second flexible sheet portions secured together generally about their periphery to define a cavity therebetween. Flowable material is hermetically stored with the cavity, and the contents of the cavity may be accessed by tearing off a portion of either or both of the first and second flexible sheet portions. The sheet portions each have a first width when they are laid flat, and a seam is defined along at least a first perimeter edge of the sheet portions. The seam connects the two sheet portions together and has a second width that is less than the first width. This reduced width of the seam allows for more space within the chamber and allows greater fill capacity of flowable material in a pouch.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a pouch for brake fluid is provided. The pouch includes a first flexible sheet portion and a second flexible sheet portion. The second flexible sheet portion is attached to the first sheet portion generally about the outer periphery of the first sheet portion. A cavity is defined between the first and second flexible sheet portions. An amount of brake fluid is hermetically stored in the cavity defined between the first and second flexible sheet portions. The sheet portions are made of a tearable material that is adapted to allow a user to tear off a part of the first and second sheet portions to thereby allows access to the brake fluid in the pouch through an exit spout or aperture.
According to other aspects of the present invention, the sheet portions may be constructed of a single sheet folded over on itself and secured together along the outer periphery and regions outside of the fold. The sheet portions may also be made of a plastic or foil material. One or more score lines may be positioned adjacent to the neck portion of the cavity to indicate where the sheet portions can be severed to gain access to the contents in the cavity. The score lines may intersect the picture of the container printed on the side of the container to thereby provide a visual indication of how to gain access to the package's contents. The score lines may preferably intersect the picture of the container near the bottom of a cap pictured on the container to thereby provide an easy, visual indication of how to gain access to the contents.
The pouches of the present invention may be used to economically package a wide range of flowable materials. The close visual similarity of the graphical prints of conventional cans, bottles, and tubes on the pouch to actual structures provides an easy indicator to the consumer (based on their pre-learned methods of removing caps or seals from actual cans, bottles, and tubes) as to how the contents of the pouch are to be accessed. The graphics on the pouch also help the user to correctly apply the flowable material onto a desired object by providing a visual indicator as to the precise location of the exit orifice out of the pouch. Further, the pouches of the present invention can be manufactured economically, thereby allowing producers to offer small amounts of product to consumers with a more significant price reduction compared to larger amounts than has been available in the past. This is partially due to the elimination of expensive plastic or metal containers with caps, seals, labels, and the attendant costs of printing on the plastic or metal containers. These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon review of the following specification and the accompanying drawings.
Therefore, the present invention provides for a plurality of single use dispensers which are formed on a single container or sheet. The single use dispensers may be removed from one another for use via tearing or cutting or otherwise removing the dispensers along a perforated or scored line or printed line or the like on the container. The container may comprise a pair of sheets or sheet portions of appropriate material sealed or joined together to define the separate cavities of the separate single use adhesive dispensers. The present invention thus provides multiple low cost, easy to use single use dispensers. The single use adhesive dispensers of the present invention not only avoid the need for costly packaging, but also do not require removable and reattachable caps or dispensing nozzles or the like. The containers or sheets may be printed in a manner to outline the cavities of the single use adhesive dispensers with a graphical printing or embossing that gives the appearance of a tube of adhesive.
The present invention thus reduces the number of components of the prior art tubes (that typically include the adhesive and a tube, cap and label and that are packaged in a box or bubble attached to a cardboard display card) to only two elements: the flat sheet stock and the adhesive (or other flowable material). The manufacturing of the multiple compartments of the container may be formed and filled generally simultaneously. As the multiple compartments are formed, the adhesive or flowable material may be simultaneously injected into the compartments with multiple injectors, whereby the product is sealed within the cavities of the container. The additional flat stock extension or header portion provides a means for hanging the container and provides a common billboard or label portion (in lieu of the bubble and cardboard card containers of the prior art) with graphics, warnings, UPC code and the like printed thereon. The savings over the separately formed and/or molded components (such as tubes, caps, labels, plastic bubbles, boxes and/or printed cardboard) may be substantial due to the simplified manufacturing and component costs, while the end product provides an effective and convenient single use container of quick drying tape adhesive.
These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a compartmentalized container 10 includes and defines a plurality of single use dispensers 12a, 12b, 12c (
Compartmentalized container 10 may comprise a pair of sheets of sheet portions 16a (
After the container 10 has been purchased by a consumer, each of the adhesive dispensers 12a, 12b, 12c may be torn or cut or otherwise separated from the others along a dividing or separating line 14 extending along at least one edge of the adhesive dispensers. The lines 14 may be perforated or scored or otherwise weakened or marked to facilitate tearing or cutting of the individual adhesive dispensers from the container 10. Optionally, the line 14 may be a printed line on one or both sides of the container, such that a user may cut along the line, such as with scissors or a knife or the like, to remove the individual adhesive dispensers from the container.
The cavity of each dispenser may be formed generally in the shape of a small typical adhesive dispenser, and may have a narrowed tip portion or dispensing tip 18a for dispensing adhesive from the dispenser. Optionally, the container may include another perforated or scored or otherwise marked or weakened line 15 along and end of the dispensing tips 18a, to facilitate tearing or cutting or ripping the tips 18a to open the single use dispensers for dispensing adhesive from the cavities.
The sheets 16a, 16b may comprise any suitable material, such as foil or plastic or polymeric material or the like, for containing and hermetically sealing the adhesive within the separate cavities of the container. The adhesive may comprise any fast drying type of adhesive, and thus does not require mixing with other materials for use. The foil sheets or the like may be sealed or joined or bonded or crimped or the like in the areas about the periphery of the cavities 18 to define the separate individual cavities or pockets for hermetically containing and sealing the adhesive therewithin. The exterior or viewable surfaces of the sheets may be printed or embossed or screened or the like, such that the cavities are positioned generally within an outline of a small adhesive tube. The printing may include a printed cap or the like at the end of the dispensing tips 18a of the dispensers 18 to provide visual aid to a user so the user can readily see where to cut or tear the dispenser to open the dispenser and dispense the adhesive from within the cavity. The individual pockets or cavities thus may be defined within the sealed or joined portions of the sheets, which may include printing or art work to facilitate separating, opening and using the individual dispensers, such as in the manner described below.
As shown in
Optionally, and as shown in
Optionally, the applicator or brush or spatula or the like may be located at another location or region of the dispenser, such as along an edge of the dispenser or protruding from the dispenser or the like. For example, and as shown in
Optionally, in order to have less surface area within the packet to limit moisture or reduce problems that may occur with the adhesives bonding to the inner surface of the packets, it is envisioned that the shape of the packet cavity may be modified or reduced in size. For example, the cavity may be formed to be substantially narrow along its length to provide a narrow tube or container for a small amount of adhesive, without affecting the scope of the present invention. This approach may also lend itself to providing multiple small packets (such as five or more) attached together and to a header portion or card, in order to provide a greater amount of packets, with each containing a small amount of adhesive therein.
Optionally, and with reference to
Similar to compartmentalized container 10, the compartmentalized container 110 may comprise a pair of sheets or sheet portions 116a (
The cavity of each dispenser may be formed generally in the shape of a small typical adhesive dispenser or tube, and may have a narrowed tip portion or dispensing tip 118a for dispensing the adhesive portion from the dispenser. Optionally, the container may include a perforated or scored or otherwise marked or weakened line 115 along an end of the dispensing tips 118a, to facilitate tearing or cutting or ripping the tips 118a to open the single use dispensers for dispensing adhesive from the cavities. Optionally, and as shown in
Compartmentalized container 110 may also include a header portion 120, such as at an upper end of the compartmentalized container 110. As described above with respect to container 10, the header portion 120 of container 110 is integral with and an extension of the sealed or joined sheets or sheet portions 116a, 116b, and may provide an advertisement or other information about the product contained within the adhesive dispensers. The header portion 120 and adhesive dispensers 112a, 112b thus may be formed as part of a unitary sheet or container or packet, whereby the adhesive dispensers may be removed from the header portion for use (such as via tearing both dispensers 112a, 112b from the header portion 120 by tearing or cutting the sheets along a tear line 114). As shown in
When it is desired to use or mix the adhesive, the dispensers 112a, 112b may be folded along a fold line 113, such that their dispensing tips are 118a are generally aligned with one another. The dispensers may then be opened by tearing the tips open along tear line 115 (which may be perforated or weakened as described above). After the dispensers are opened, they may be squeezed together to simultaneously dispense their contents together, such that the adhesive portions may be readily mixed together where they are dispensed.
As shown in
Optionally, and with reference to
Similar to compartmentalized containers 10, 110, the compartmentalized container 110′ may comprise a pair of sheets or sheet portions 116a′ (
As described above with respect to containers 10, 110, the header portion 120′ of container 110′ is integral with and an extension of the sealed or joined sheets or sheet portions 116a′, 116b′, and may provide an advertisement or other information about the product contained within the adhesive dispensers. Preferably, the header portion 120′ may include an opening therethrough 120a′ or a hook or the like formed thereon or attached thereto for hanging the compartmentalized container 110′ on a hook or post or the like at a store.
When it is desired to use or mix the adhesive, the pouch 112b′ may be squeezed to cause the respective adhesive portion within the cavity of pouch 112b′ to break the frangible seal 119′ and to flow into pouch 112a′ (which may be oversized to allow room for the additional adhesive portion to flow therein). The adhesive portions may then be readily mixed together (such as by repeatedly squeezing the container) within one or both of the cavities until the mixture is sufficiently mixed and ready for application. The pouch 112a′ may then be opened by tearing the header portion 120′ along the tear line 115′ (which may be perforated or weakened as described above). After the dispenser is opened, the container may be squeezed to dispense its mixed contents, with no further stirring or mixing required. The container of the present invention thus provides an internal mixing container for mixing different adhesive portions, whereby the mixture may be dispensed onto the desired object with no further mixing being required.
As shown in
Although shown and described as providing a compartmentalized container for containing quick drying adhesives and/or other types of adhesives and the like, it is further envisioned that the integral or unitary compartmentalized container and header portion of the present invention may be equally suitable for containing separate pockets of other flowable materials. For example, the pockets or cavities may contain a flowable material such as other types of adhesives, paints, air freshener fluid, grease, or any other flowable material that may be injected into the pockets or cavities and sealed therein, and dispensed from an opening formed in the individual separable dispenser. The flat stock sheets or sheet portions may be selectively sealed, as described above, to define the separate cavities or pockets for receiving the flowable material, and to define the header portion adjacent to one of the cavities. The flat stock sheets or sheet portions may be printed or may include graphics that outline or define the dispensers and the separation lines, and that further provide product information, UPC code, warning labels (if applicable), instructions and/or the like at the header portion of the integral container. The header portion may also include a means for hanging the container formed or defined thereon. The container of the present invention thus may provide multiple dispensers or packets that contain a flowable material and that are integrally formed with a header portion for hanging the container and/or for providing product information and the like about the flowable material contained within the dispensers.
The flowable material may be injected into the pockets such that each of the pockets contains the appropriate or desired flowable material. Optionally, a different flowable material may be injected into each of the pockets of an integral container (which includes multiple pockets/dispenser and the header portion). For example, and with reference to
The dispensers 212 may include an applicator 222 at an end thereof (or elsewhere on the dispenser such as discussed above) for spreading the paint sample on a surface after it has been dispensed from the particular dispenser. The applicator 222 may be printed on or applied to or formed on the dispenser, and may be in the form of a paint brush or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The dispensers 212 and container 210 may be otherwise substantially similar to the dispensers and containers discussed above, such that a detailed discussion of the dispensers and containers will not be repeated herein.
Also, other types or categories of flowable materials may be injected or otherwise provided in the pockets, such as related materials or products that are often used in particular circumstances or situations, without affecting the scope of the present invention. For example, a condiment container may include a pocket filled with mayonnaise, a pocket filled with ketchup, a pocket filled with mustard and a pocket filled with relish and/or the like, all integrally formed with a condiment header portion; or a home kit may include a pocket filled with an adhesive, a pocket filled with an oil or lubricant, and a pocket filled with grease and/or the like, all integrally formed with a home kit header portion; or an outdoor or camping kit may include a pocket filled with insect repellant, a pocket filled with suntan lotion, and a pocket filled with moisturizer and/or the like, all integrally formed with an outdoor or camping header portion; or a travel kit may include a pocket filled with shaving cream, a pocket filled with after shave and a pocket filled with toothpaste and/or the like, all integrally formed with a travel kit header portion; or an air freshener set with different scented air freshening pouches and/or the like, all integrally formed with an air freshener set header portion. Any other groups or categories of flowable materials or products may be provided in respective pockets or groups of pockets that may be integrally formed with the header portion, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The header portion then may provide a title or label for the kit, and may provide a description of the products or flowable materials contained within the attached or integrally formed pockets or dispensers.
The integral dispensers and header portion thus may provide small packets of different materials for use by a consumer. The selected materials may be different for each dispenser of the integral container, but may be related or typically used together or typically used during a single project or activity, such as different color paint samples or the like, such as discussed above. Because the dispensers are single use dispensers, the pockets contain generally a small amount of flowable material therein, such that the dispenser may be discarded or thrown away after a single application or use of the flowable material. Optionally, the dispensers may include graphics or may be formed to define an applicator or spreader, such as described above, if such an applicator or spreader is appropriate or desirable to use in connection with the flowable material (such as, for example, paint or the like, where the graphics may show an image of a paint brush or the like) contained within the dispenser.
Optionally, and as shown in
As shown in
Referring now to
Cavity 228 is completely surrounded by peripheral area 227 when pouch 224 is not opened. The flowable material stored inside cavity 228 is therefore completely enclosed and cut off from the ambient surroundings of pouch 224. First and second sheets 226a, 226b are preferably made of a material that allows cavity 228 to be hermetically sealed. While any suitable flexible material may be used to construct sheets 226a, 226b, plastic or foil type material that is conventionally used in condiment packets, such as ketchup or mustard may be used. The construction of pouch 224 and the filling of cavity 228 with flowable material may be carried out in the same or similar manner as the construction and filling of such condiment packets. When it is desired to gain access to the contents of cavity 228, first and second sheets 226a, 226b are torn or cut along a score line 236. Score line 236 intersects a neck portion 230. Once the score line 236 is severed through neck 230, the contents of pouch 224 can either be poured out by tipping pouch 224, or expelled out by squeezing the sheets 226a, 226b around cavity 228. As will be described in more detail below, a picture of a container having a cap may be graphically printed on one or both of sheet portions 226a, 226b. Score lines 236 may be positioned to intersect the printed cap to convey the visual image that severing the pouch along score line 236 is tantamount to removing a real cap from a real one of the pictured containers.
In the illustrated embodiment of
While the neck portion 230 of cavity 228 is depicted in
While pouch 224 is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as being made of two separate sheets 226a, 226b, it will be understood that sheets 226a, 226b could be constructed from a single sheet of material that is folded over on itself. For example, a single sheet of material could be folded along a line that defines the bottom edge 234 of pouch 224. The fold would therefore define bottom edge 234. The two sheets would then be secured together about the rest of peripheral area 227 outside of the fold. The securing of the two sheets together can be accomplished in any conventional manner, such as through the use of heat sealing or adhesives. Other methods of securing the sheets together are also possible, and the present invention contemplates using the same sealing methods as those used to secured the sheets of conventional condiment packets together.
As noted above, a score line 236 may also be included on pouch 224, such as near an upper end or top edge 238 of container or pouch 224. As illustrated in
Another pouch 224′ according to a second embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
While horizontal section 242′ of score line 236′ is depicted in
Picture 248 includes a cap 250 that is illustrated as being positioned on top of the container. The phrase “brake fluid” is shown printed on first sheet 226a″ as part of picture 248. This is an optional part of the picture and would of course be modified if other materials were stored in pouch 224″. It will be understood that picture 248 can take on any size, shape, color, or artistic embodiment that depicts a container. Preferably, although not necessarily, the picture 248 will include the depiction of a container having a neck portion which is aligned with the neck portion 230″ of the underlying cavity. By maintaining this alignment, the contents of the cavity will exit out of the cavity through an orifice that is aligned with the picture 248 printed on pouch 224″. This alignment provides a visual indicator to the user of the pouch as to where the contents will exit the pouch, thereby facilitating the application of the contents. The rest of picture 248 may or may not have its boundaries aligned with the boundaries of the underlying cavity. At least one embodiment of the present invention contemplates having all of the boundaries of the pictured container aligned with the boundaries of the underlying cavity. Preferably, although not necessarily, the picture 248 for cavity 228b′ may be printed on the exterior side of first sheet 226a″ (as shown in
Both pouch 224′ depicted in
Optionally, a paper clip 252 may be provided with the pouch 224″ depicted in
The second use for paper clip 252 is to use it as a closure device. After a cavity has been opened and only a portion of the contents expelled, paper clip 252 can be clipped over the pouch to seal the exit orifice. Paper clip 252 will thus tend to prevent leakage of the remaining contents of the cavity, as well as to provide a relatively tight seal to the cavity. Paper clip 252 may be provided with the pouch by being adhesively secured thereto, or it may be secured thereto by being clipped onto the pouch in a manner like that illustrated in
A pouch 420 according to another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
As with picture 248 of pouch 224″, the picture 448 of pouch 420 is illustrated in dashed lines. This is purely for clarity of visually distinguishing between the borders of cavity 428 and picture 448. The borders of the container depicted in picture 448 may be substantially aligned with or on top of the underlying borders of the cavity 428. A picture 448 may be included on one or both of sheets 422 and 424. If a picture 448 is included on both sheets 422 and 424, the picture on one sheet may be of the front of a container and the picture on the other sheet may be of the back of the container. The visual image presented thus conveys a similarity between the pictured container and the pouch 420. This provides a visual appeal and facilitates the use of the pouch, particularly where the container picture includes a spout that aligns with the neck portion 430 of the cavity 428. An example of one type of picture that may be included is depicted in
In addition to placing graphics on the pouch that depict a conventional container for the type of material being stored in the pouch, other types of graphics are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. If the pouch contains an oil, such as olive oil, a picture or image of an olive may be printed on the pouch. If the pouch contains another type of oil, the plant from which the oil is predominantly derived from may be depicted in the picture on the pouch. If the pouch contains a fragrance, a picture may be included of one of the main components of the fragrance. For example, if the fragrance is designed to produce an aroma of coconuts, the picture may be of a coconut. Similar depictions of items that are recognizably associated with the contents of the pouch may be depicted in the picture for other types of flowable materials. Regardless of what type of flowable material is being used and what corresponding picture is printed on the pouch, the picture or image is preferably positioned such that the score line intersects the picture. Thus, for example, if the picture depicts an olive, the visual image will be conveyed that the olive is being opened when the tear-away portion is torn off of the pouch. Ideally, only a small portion of the picture is torn away during the opening process. The edges of the picture at its intersection with the score line may preferably by substantially aligned with the edges of the neck portion of the underlying cavity so that the contents of the pouch will exit substantially where the picture was severed. The picture thus acts as a visual guide of not only what the contents of the pouch are, but also as to where the contents of the pouch will exit after the tear-away portion has been removed.
As shown in
One method of expelling the contents of pouch 520 out of neck portion 530 is to squeeze the pouch 520 by rolling the body 532 of pouch 520 from its bottom edge 534 upwardly towards its top edge 538. This rolling decreases the volume of cavity 528 as it continues towards top edge 538. As the volume of cavity 528 decreases, its content are forced outward through neck portion 530. Because of the pressure involved and the size of outlet orifice in neck portion 530, the contents may be squirted out of pouch 520. By decreasing the size of the outlet orifice, it may be possible to cause the contents to exit neck portion 530 in an aerosol, or near-aerosol fashion. After the desired amount of flowable material has been expelled from cavity 528 of pouch 520, crease 556 causes the sheets 522 and 524 in neck portion 530 to return to a state of contact with each other, thus inhibiting any further outflow of fluid in the absence of applied pressure. Crease 556 thus acts as an automatic seal-sealing device that automatically cuts off the contact of the contents of cavity 528 with ambient air after the applied pressure is terminated. It also substantially prevents any leakage of the product after the applied pressure is terminated. Thus, if not all of the contents of cavity 528 are used in a given application, pouch 520 can be easily stored after its use without taking any additional steps to prevent leakage of the contents.
While other materials and dimensions may be used with pouch 520, the neck portion of cavity 528 may have a width of approximately three millimeters. The height of crease 556 (that is, its extent in the direction from bottom edge 534 toward top edge 538) may be about four millimeters. The amount of deflection of crease 556 from the plane defined by first and second sheets 522 and 524 when they are completely flat may be about one millimeter. As noted, the invention contemplates a wide variety of different dimensions for crease 556 and neck portion 530. Each of the sheets of pouch 520 may be made out of a layer of saran-coated polyester adhered to a layer of linear, low density polyethylene, although other materials may be used as well without affecting the scope of the present invention.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
A pouch 1120 according to another aspect of the present invention is depicted in
A score line 1136 is provided on the pouch 1120. Score line 1136 intersects the picture 1148 between the bottom of the cap drawing and the top of the neck portion of the picture 1148. Thus, when pouch 1120 is torn along score line 1136, the torn away section 1146 of the pouch 1120 will include that portion on which the cap drawing is printed. Removal of the tear-away section 1146 therefore creates the visual appearance that the printed cap has been removed. The words “tear here” may be printed adjacent one or more areas of the score line 1136. This printed instruction, along with the overall visual appearance of the cap and score line 1136, provides an immediately recognizable visual indication to the user as to how to gain access to the contents of the pouch 1120. Furthermore, after tear-away section 1146 has been removed along score line 1136, the contents of the cavity of pouch 1120 will exit out of a neck portion in the cavity that is preferably aligned with the pictured neck portion. Therefore, when the user expels the contents of the pouch, it will appear that the contents are exiting out of the open end of the can picture 1148.
In order to help facilitate the tearing of pouch 1120 along score line 1136, a picture of a thumb or fingertip 1170 is also provided on the front and back of pouch 1120. The fingertip picture 1170 preferably has a size and shape that mimics an actual fingertip or a thumb tip. While other dimensions may be used, the fingertip picture 1170 may have a height of approximately fifteen millimeters. It may have a length of approximately eighteen millimeters. Other dimensions can, of course, be used without affecting the scope of the present invention. Optionally, other graphics may also be used, such as a tea cup handle, to define picture 1170. Picture 1170 provides a clear visual indication of where a user might conveniently grasp pouch 1120 while attempting to tear away section 1146. The picture 1170 may be much more detailed than that depicted in
While the cavities of the various pouch embodiments described herein can be used to store any flowable materials, they may be especially utilized to store brake fluid, greases, lubricants, adhesives, creams, food products, cleaners, fragrances, and other flowable materials. Each cavity may desirably be constructed to store a volume of flowable product of roughly about 0.25 to about 8 ounces or thereabouts, although other volumes may be used, depending on the material and its application. Because the various pouches described herein can be manufactured in a relatively economical manner, it is possible to use these pouches to sell small quantities of a material at a meaningfully reduced price with respect to larger containers, or to use as trial samples of a product.
While the present invention has been described herein in terms of a number of different embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. In addition to other changes to the specific embodiments depicted herein, the present invention contemplates mixing any of the various features of the different pouch embodiments with any of the other pouch embodiments. Thus, as but one example, the gussets 354 of pouch 320 (
Therefore, the present invention provides a compartmentalized pouch or container with a header portion and separate pockets or cavities and supporting graphics for each pocket or /. The graphics may include tear off and application guidelines and other information pertaining to the adhesive product (or other flowable material or product) contained within the cavities. The individual cavities or pockets provide a single use dispenser for dispensing the quick drying adhesive or flowable material. The compartmentalized container may also include a brush or applicator to spread out the adhesive or flowable material dispensed from the dispensers. The applicator brush provides a disposable spreader which is readily accessible when applying the adhesive from the cavity of the dispenser, and thus reduces the likelihood that a person will use their finger or other object to spread the adhesive. The applicator may be defined by supporting graphics or by a roughened edge or the like along the edge or region of the container. The applicator brush, or other icon or drawing or roughened edge indicative of such an applicator or spreader, may be placed anywhere on the dispenser, without affecting the scope of the present invention.
The header portion is integral with the separable dispensers and may provide details on the UPC code, application directions, hazard warnings, promotional/advertising information or print or the like, and may further include a hole or other means for hanging the compartmentalized container at the store. The header portion may contain essential and/or important material that may not be conveniently or legibly placed on each small, single use adhesive dispenser that is physically attached to and part of the header portion and compartmentalized container and that are detachable as separate single use dispensing units.
Because each of the individual adhesive dispensers are intended for single use and contain a small amount of quick driving adhesive or other flowable material and do not include a resealing cap or the like, the present invention avoids the resealing problems or second use problems typically associate with conventional adhesive dispensing tubes. The single use dispensers are unitary or integral with the header portion, which may provide product information and a means for readily hanging or displaying the dispensers at a store or workshop. The single use packages or dispensers of the present invention thus are very economical and do not require special packaging to contain multiple dispensers for sale as a package.
Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law.
The present application claims benefit of U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/462,836, filed Apr. 15, 2003, and Ser. No. 60/492,203, filed Aug. 1, 2003, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
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