Patent Application
20050077321
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a dispenser apparatus, and more particularly a dispenser apparatus having a spout and a spigot for use in association with, for example, flexible packaging often utilized in what is commonly known as a “bag in box” arrangement for storage and dispensing of a flowable material.
2. Background Art
The use of bag in box packaging has become increasingly widespread, especially at the consumer and retail level. For example, the wine industry has increasingly stocked store shelves with wine packaged within bag in box packaging. Such packaging generally includes a flexible inner container having a dispenser (i.e., a spout and spigot), all of which are positioned within a rigid outer container. The dispenser is designed so that an end user can extend the spout and spigot through a wall of the rigid container and dispense desired amounts into, for example a glass. As the flowable material is consumed, the inner bag collapses. Certain of the dispensers rely upon a spigot that is elastically deformable so that, upon manipulation by the hand of a user, an opening is revealed, through which flowable material is directed. When released, the spigot returns to an original sealing configuration due to the resilience of the material. While many such spouts have been developed, there have been certain drawbacks.
One such drawback is that certain spigots extend around the spout to cover a large portion of same. Such a spigot, which is generally of a soft and pliable material, is fully exposed and obtrusive. As a result, any inadvertent impact imparted to the spigot during handling can dislodge the spigot from the spout resulting in the uncontrolled leaking and the loss of the flowable material contained within the container. Furthermore, an external spigot is often detracts from the otherwise clean appearance of the container.
Another such drawback of prior art containers is that the dispensing opening is generally found on the spigot. As a result the spigot incorporates a multitude of functions, i.e., the dispensing of and the directing of fluid. As the spigot performs the dispensing function (i.e., the opening extends through the spigot), and as the spigot is generally of a flexible and relatively soft material, the opening can become distorted. In particular, the size, shape and pour characteristics of the resulting opening can be adversely affected, leading to an inability for the user to properly control the dispensing of flowable material.
Further still, many of the prior art containers are difficult to actuate by the fingers of the user and difficult to control with a single hand. Indeed, the shapes and dimensions of the actuating handles and the outer surface of the spout or spigot surrounding the opening remain difficult to grasp and retain.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a spigot which is positioned within the spout.
It is another object of the invention to provide a spigot which is protected by the spout.
It is yet another object to provide a dispensing apparatus which is structurally configured for ease of handling and manipulation.
It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing apparatus wherein the dispensing opening is formed into the spout and the opening of which is controlled by the spigot.
These objects as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.
A dispensing apparatus comprising a spout and a spigot. The spout includes a tubular member. The tubular member includes a first end, a second end, an inside surface and an opening extending transversely through the tubular member between the first and second end thereof. The tubular member defines a cavity capable of receiving a flowable material therein. The spigot is attached to the inside surface of the tubular member. The spigot includes a peripheral wall, a transverse wall and a handle. The peripheral wall includes an outer surface positionable over the opening. The transverse wall is coupled to the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall and the transverse wall cooperate to substantially seal the first end of the tubular member and the opening from the cavity of the tubular member. The handle is associated with at least one of the peripheral wall and the transverse wall. The handle member is capable of elastically deforming the outer surface of the peripheral wall to, in turn, place the opening in fluid communication with the cavity, while maintaining the substantial seal of the first end of the tubular member.
In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member of the spout further comprises an outside surface. The outside surface of the tubular member further includes a finger retention surface. In one such preferred embodiment, the finger retention surface comprises a depressed region and a raised region. The raised region is positioned between the depressed region and the first end of the tubular member. In another such embodiment, the raised region comprises a substantially uniform circular configuration having a first diameter and the depressed region comprises a substantially uniform circular configuration having a second diameter. The substantially uniform circular configurations are substantially concentric and the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.
In another preferred embodiment, the tubular member comprises a substantially cylindrical cross-sectional area. In one such embodiment, a diameter of the inside surface of the tubular member proximate the first end is substantially equal to a diameter of the inside surface of the tubular member proximate the second end.
In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member further includes an outwardly extending flange positioned proximate the second end of the tubular member.
In another preferred embodiment, the spout further comprises a first mating structure and the spigot further comprises a second mating structure. In such an embodiment, the first mating structure and the second mating structure cooperate to substantially axially retain the spout relative to the spigot. In one such embodiment, at least a portion of the first mating structure is positioned between the first end of the tubular member and the opening of the tubular member. In another such embodiment, the first mating structure comprises an annular channel encircling the inside surface of the tubular member. In another such embodiment, the second mating structure comprises a annular ring encircling the outside surface of the peripheral wall. In another such embodiment, the annular channel is substantially transverse to the tubular member. Preferably, the tubular member includes an outside surface having a raised region, the annular channel substantially corresponds the raised region positioned on the outside surface of the tubular member.
In a preferred embodiment, the handle member of the spigot includes a concave arcuate configuration to facilitate the grasping of and retention by a finger of a user.
In another preferred embodiment, the peripheral wall and the transverse wall of the spigot are substantially free of any openings extending therethrough.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the peripheral wall and the transverse wall are substantially perpendicular to each other.
Preferably, the dispensing apparatus further comprises an adhesive associated with each of the spout and the spigot, the adhesive further facilitating the attachment thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member further includes a directing member associated with the opening.
In one embodiment, the spigot comprises an integrated molded component.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.
It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
Spout 12 is shown in greater detail in
Inside surface 26 extends from first end 22 to second end 24 and includes first mating structure 70. First mating structure 70 comprises a annular channel encircling the inside surface of the tubular member. The annular channel is positioned so as to pass between opening 30 and first end 22. In the embodiment shown, the first mating structure extends substantially transverse to the tubular member (i.e., at an evenly spaced distance from first end 22). The annular channel comprises a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration, while other configurations (angular, square, circular, arbitrary) are likewise contemplated. Additionally, it is contemplated that the first mating structure may comprise a flange or other inwardly directed structure. In addition, it is also contemplated that the first mating structure may comprise a plurality of surface variations disposed upon inside surface 26 (i.e., a channel between two flanges, etc.). Other than the mating surface explained below, the remainder of the inside surface is substantially planar, while other configurations are contemplated.
Outside surface 28 of tubular member 20, as is shown in
Referring again to
Flange assembly 40, as is shown in
Spigot 14 is shown in
Peripheral wall 44, as is shown in
As is shown in
Due to the relative dimensioning of the two mating surfaces, the first mating surface and the second mating surface are biased against each other (i.e., through an interference fit) to effectively form a seal that substantially precludes the passage of fluid thereacross and beyond first end 22. Optionally, an adhesive may be positioned between the mating surfaces to enhance the sealing properties of same. This seal precludes the passage of flowable material beyond the mating structures and beyond the first end of the tubular member.
Transverse wall 46 is shown in
Handle member 48 is shown in
In the embodiment shown, the lever arm and the lever base include a coextensive outer surface 81 having a concave arcuate configuration which is configured to substantially match the outer shape of a finger of a user. As such, a user can easily engage the outer surface of the engagable lever with a finger, and the shape thereof substantially cradles the finger and substantially precludes inadvertent and undesired slipping of the finger from the engagable lever during operation thereof.
To dispense flowable material from the spout and spigot, the user places his or her finger under lever arm 64 and lifts the lever arm in a generally upward direction. Lifting of the handle pulls a portion of the joined transverse wall 46 upwardly, and, in turn, pulls the joined peripheral wall (and associated peripheral bead) from contact and engagement with inside surface 28 of tubular member 20. As a result, opening 30 is in fluid communication with the cavity of the tubular member, and, flowable material is permitted to flow through the tubular member and the opening.
The cooperation of the mating structures in a biased arrangement provides a seal therebetween and, in turn, precludes the passage of flowable material beyond first end 22 of the tubular member, and maintains any dispensing of flowable material through opening 30.
Upon release, the resilience and elasticity of the spigot directs the components back into an original configuration wherein the peripheral wall overlies the opening severing communication therefrom. In turn, flow through the opening ceases. The elasticity and resilience of the material of the spigot facilitates repeated actuation of the handle and the repeated selective flow of flowable material through the opening of the tubular member of the spout.
Advantageously, with the foregoing structure, substantially the entirety of the spigot can be positioned within the spout, and it is not required that a portion of the spigot overlie and engage the outside surface of the spout. Thus, the relatively rigid spout can protect the relatively pliable spigot from inadvertent damage. Furthermore, the configuration of the handle member facilitates the grasping and retention of the handle member in a desired orientation without undue pressure and manipulation. Lastly, the placement of the opening in the spout rather than extending an opening through the spigot facilitates manufacturing of the spigot and enhances the rigidity of the spigot.
The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
