Patent Grant
9352896
The present disclosure relates to a dispensing closure for a container in which a dispensable fluid is stored, and particularly to a trigger-actuated dispensing closure. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dispensing closure for a container that includes a straw for dispensing fluid.
A fluid-dispensing unit in accordance with the present disclosure includes a fluid-storage can, a fluid-discharge controller, and a discharge unit coupled to the fluid-discharge controller. The fluid-storage can includes a container formed to include a fluid reservoir and a fluid discharger coupled to the container to communicate with the fluid reservoir in the container and allow pressurized fluid to exit the fluid-storage can in response to engagement of an actuator of the fluid-discharge controller. The discharge unit is configured to direct the exiting fluid through a spray path in response to engagement of the actuator.
In illustrative embodiments, a fluid-dispensing unit in accordance with the present disclosure includes a fluid-storage can, a fluid-discharge controller, and a dual-discharge unit coupled to the fluid-discharge controller. The fluid-storage can includes a container formed to include a fluid reservoir and a fluid discharger coupled to the container to communicate with the fluid reservoir in the container and allow pressurized fluid to exit the fluid-storage can in response to engagement of an actuator of the fluid-discharge controller. The dual-discharge unit is configured to direct such exiting fluid through either spray path or a straw path, depending on the pivoting orientation of the dual-discharge unit with respect to the fluid-discharge controller.
In illustrative embodiments, the fluid-discharge controller includes a hood. The hood is arranged to extend above and around the dual-discharge unit to provide protection to the dual-discharge unit against unintended damage from external forces.
In illustrative embodiments, the fluid-discharge controller includes a drip unit. The drip unit is arranged to extend radially inward of and below the dual-discharge unit and provides a flow path for fluid that may unintentionally leak out before it travels through the dual-discharge unit.
In illustrative embodiments, the fluid-discharge controller includes a straw retainer. The straw retainer is configured to retain a straw of the dual-discharge unit when the dual-discharge unit is configured to direct exiting fluid through the straw path.
In illustrative embodiments, the fluid-discharge controller includes one or more gripping ribs. The gripping ribs are configured to extend along a side wall of the fluid-discharge controller to provide a gripping surface for a user's fingers when using the fluid-dispensing unit.
Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
A fluid-dispensing unit 10 in accordance with the present disclosure includes a fluid-storage can 12, a fluid-discharge controller 14, and a dual-discharge unit 16 as shown, for example, in
Fluid-discharge controller 14 includes an actuator 52 that allows for discharge of the pressurized fluid through a discharge orifice 29 when the actuator 52 is actuated by a user. Dual-discharge unit 16, sometimes called a two-way spray unit, may be coupled to discharge orifice 29 to direct the flow of pressurized fluid through either a spray path 120 or a straw path 122 in the dual-discharge unit 16. Spray path 120 may be used when dual-discharge unit 16 is in a first position 40, as illustrated in
Fluid-discharge controller 14 includes a can lid 22 that provides complimentary features to dual-discharge unit 16 and for use of fluid-dispensing unit 10. A hood 50 extends above and substantially around dual-discharge unit 16 to provide protection to dual-discharge unit 16 against unintended damage from external forces F as illustrated in
Fluid-discharge controller 14 illustratively includes can lid 22 and actuator 52 as shown in
Can lid 22 of fluid-discharge controller 14 includes a shell 21, a trigger mount 23, and a drip unit 24 as illustrated in
Shell 21 includes a shell side wall 68, shell top platform 72, and hood 50 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Discharge-receiving aperture 65 is configured to receive a portion of dual-discharge unit 16 when dual-discharge unit 16 is coupled to fluid-discharge controller 14. In illustrative embodiments, left guard 62, right guard 60, and top guard 64 are configured to extend substantially around a portion of dual-discharge unit 16 when it is located within discharge-receiving aperture 65. In this way, hood 50 protects dual-discharge unit 16 from direct impact from external forces F that may be applied near hood 50, such as from accidental or unintentional dropping during manufacturing, transport, or use of fluid-dispensing unit 10.
Left guard 62 includes a first guard panel 61, a second guard panel 67, and a front guard panel 71 as illustrated in
Right guard 60 includes a first guard panel 63, a second guard panel 69, and a front guard panel 73 as illustrated in
Right guard 60 and left guard 62 are configured to be substantially mirror images of each other as they surround discharge-receiving aperture 65. In illustrative embodiments, front guard panels 71, 73 may extend from first guard panels 61, 63 to second guard panels 67, 69, respectively. First guard panel 61, front guard panel 71, and second guard panel 67 are configured to be coupled together to form left shock-absorbing gap 43 as illustrated in
First guard panel 63, front guard panel 73, and second guard panel 69 are configured to be coupled together to form right shock-absorbing gap 44. Left and right shock-absorbing gaps 43 and 44 are configured to provide additional protection to dual-discharge unit 16 from unintentional external forces F. If an external force F is large enough to cause movement of first guard panels 61, 63, this movement can occur into left and right shock-absorbing gaps 43 and 44 without affecting the shape or volume of discharge-receiving aperture 65.
As illustrated in
Left side support 74 includes a curved back edge 81a, a straight back edge 81b coupled to curved back edge 81a, and a straight front edge 83 as illustrated in
Drip shield 76 extends between left and right side supports 74, 75 at substantially a right angle to left and right side supports 74, 75. In illustrative embodiments, drip shield 76 may be shaped as an arc or a curve shaped similar to curved back edges 81a and 85a. Drip shield 76 extends from the point where curved back edge 81a couples to straight back edge 81b and curved back edge 85a couples to straight back edge 85b. Drip shield 76 may extend from this point to a point radially outward of fluid-dispensing unit 10.
As a result, drip shield 76 creates a ramp or slope for fluid to flow down if fluid is unintentionally discharged from fluid-dispensing unit 10 before it reaches dual-discharge unit 16. Drip shield 76 blocks such unintentionally-discharged fluid form pooling in a brim 92 of fluid-storage can 12 when brim 92 is located below drip shield 76. Instead, fluid exits drip shield 76 along a lower edge 79 of drip shield that extends between left and right side supports 74, 75. Lower edge 79 is substantially perpendicular to straight front edges 83 and 87 of left and right sides supports 74, 75 and defines the end of drip shield 76.
Straw retainer 78 is coupled to lower edge 79 of drip shield 76 and includes a left retention nub 124 and a right retention nub 126 as illustrated in
In illustrative embodiments, shell side wall 68 of can lid 22 may include one or more gripping ribs 48 that extend radially outward from shell side wall 68. Gripping ribs 48 may be spaced apart from each other about the circumference of side wall 68 extend radially outward from side wall 68 from parallel axes along side wall 68. Gripping ribs 48 may include a curved outer surface that is conducive to the shape of a user's finger when the user grips shell side wall 68 to utilize fluid-dispensing unit 10. In this way, gripping ribs 48 provide a contoured feature around the periphery of shell side wall 68 to allow a user to retain a grip on the can lid 22 during dispensing of pressurized fluid 33 from fluid-dispensing unit 10.
Actuator 52 includes a trigger 18 and a trigger base 54 as shown, for example, in
Dual-discharge unit 16 includes a discharge connector 140, a swivel knuckle 150, and straw 130 as illustrated in
Discharge connector 140 includes a connection port 142 and a knuckle tab receiver 144 as illustrated in
In illustrative embodiments, swivel knuckle 150 is formed to include a spray passageway 152 and a straw passageway 154. Spray passageway 152 and straw passageway 154 extend through swivel knuckle 150 but are substantially perpendicular to each other and do not intersect with each other.
When dual-discharge unit 16 is in first position 40, spray passageway 152 is aligned with and in fluid communication with flow passageway 146 of discharge connector 140 to allow pressurized fluid 33 to flow from flow passageway 146 and through spray passageway 152. A spray discharge 158 is located at the end of spray passageway 152 opposite of flow passageway 146 when dual-discharge unit 16 is in first position 40. When pressurized fluid 33 flows through spray passageway 152, it exits through spray discharge 158 and is released into the surrounding atmosphere for spray application of pressurized fluid 33. When dual-discharge unit 16 is in first position 40, spray passageway 152 makes up spray path 120.
When dual-discharge unit 16 is in second position 42, straw passageway 154 is aligned with and in fluid communication with flow passageway of discharge connector 140 to allow pressurized fluid 33 to flow from flow passageway 146 and through straw passageway 154. A straw discharge 159 is located at the end of straw passageway 154 opposite of flow passageway 146 when dual-discharge unit 16 is in second position 42. Straw discharge 159 is coupled to straw 130. When pressurized fluid 33 flows through straw passageway 154, it exits through straw discharge 159 and into straw passageway 132 of straw 130. Straw 130 includes a straw exit port 133 that is located at the end of straw passageway 132 of straw 130. Pressurized fluid 33 travels through straw passageway 132 of straw 130 and exits into the surrounding atmosphere through straw exit port 133 when straw passageway 154 of swivel knuckle 150 is aligned with straw passageway 132 of straw 130 when dual-discharge unit 16 is in second position 42. When dual-discharge unit 16 is in second position 42, straw passageway 154 and straw passageway 132 make up straw path 122.
Trigger 18 includes a grip 58 and a nozzle 56 as illustrated, for example, in
Fluid-storage can 12 includes a container 80 and a fluid discharger 82 as shown in
Container 80 of fluid-storage can 12 includes a body 88, a container brim 92, and a lid brim 95. Body 88 defines fluid reservoir 11 in which pressurized fluid 33 is stored. Body 88 includes a floor (not shown), a side wall 96, a tapered side wall 98, and a top wall 100 as illustrated in
Trigger 18 is coupled to outlet tube 84 of fluid discharger 82 by trigger base 54. Trigger base 54 of actuator 52 is formed to include a fluid conduit 27 and a tube engagement orifice 104 as shown in
Downward movement of trigger base 54 allows tube engagement orifice 104 to move downward toward top wall 100 of container 80. Tube engagement orifice 104 is configured to receive movable outlet tube 84 therein to cause movable outlet tube 84 to move with trigger base 54. Fluid conduit 27 is coupled to tube engagement orifice 104 and discharge orifice 29 to provide a path of travel for pressurized fluid 33 to travel out from fluid reservoir 11, through movable outlet tube 84, through fluid conduit 27, and into discharge orifice 29. From there, pressurized fluid 33 travels into dual-discharge unit 16 and exits through either spray path 120 if dual-discharge unit 16 is in the first position 40 or straw path 122 if dual-discharge unit 16 is in the second position 42. If dual-discharge unit 16 is between the first position 40 and the second position 42, pressurized fluid 33 abuts against an outer wall 66 of swivel knuckle 150 and is blocked from further movement.
In illustrative embodiments, a fluid-dispensing unit 10 includes a fluid-storage can 12, a fluid-discharge controller 14, and a two-way spray unit 16. Fluid-discharge controller 14 includes an integrated hood 50 that protects two-way spray unit 16 from damage when fluid-dispensing unit 10 is dropped during transport or manufacturing. Further, hood 50 may protect two-way spray unit 16 from force F that may be applied to fluid-discharge controller 14 in any direction during the manufacturing process or consumer use. Air gaps 43, 44 in hood 50 absorb the shock on impact or force application. An integrated straw support 78 is included in fluid-discharge controller 14 that retains a straw 130 in a 90 degree position 42 with respect to a can lid 22 of fluid-discharge controller 14. Straw support 78 may retain straw 130 during transport from cap supplier to filler and during the capping process. Without straw support 78, straw 130 may rotate to the spray position and clog the cap feeding or capping equipment. Integrated hand grips 48 on can lid 22 provide contoured features on both sides of the cap to allow the consumer to retain grip of the can lid 22 and fluid-dispensing unit 10 during dispensing of product. An integrated drip unit 24 coupled to fluid-discharge controller 14 captures and diverts product that may drip or leak from two-way spray unit 16 during spray away from the consumer's hand and away from the top of the storage can 12 where fluid can accumulate. In illustrative embodiments, drip unit 24 may be integrated as part of straw support 78 or vice versa.
A fluid-dispensing unit 210 in accordance with the present disclosure includes a fluid-storage can 12, a fluid-discharge controller 214, and a dual-discharge unit 216 as shown, for example, in
Fluid-discharge controller 214 includes an actuator 52 that allows for discharge of the pressurized fluid through a discharge orifice 29 when the actuator 52 is actuated by a user. Dual-discharge unit 216 may be coupled to discharge orifice to direct the flow of pressurized fluid through either a spray path or a straw path in the dual-discharge unit 216. Spray path may be used when dual-discharge unit 216 is in a first position as illustrated in
Fluid-discharge controller 214 includes a can lid 222 that provides complimentary features to dual-discharge unit 216 and for use of fluid-dispensing unit 210. A hood 250 extends above and substantially around dual-discharge unit 216 to provide protection to dual-discharge unit 216 against unintended damage from external forces F.
The present disclosure includes an injection molded, two-way spray-through overcap. The two-way spray-through overcap incorporates a hooded device into a spray-through overcap allowing product to spray as a spray and by raising the snorkel/spray as a stream. Assembly of the disclosed overcap allows flexibility for a customer using the overcap.
In the illustrative embodiment, an integrated hood protects the two-way spray assembly from damage when dropped, during transport, and during manufacturing. The integrated hood prevents damage to the spray/knuckle assembly by providing an air gap between the knuckle assembly and the exterior of the structure. The hood structure absorbs both static and impact forces that may be applied through manufacturing, shipping, and end use.
In the illustrative embodiment, an integrated straw support retains the straw in the 90 degree position during transport from cap supplier to filler and during the capping process. When not retained by the straw support, an extended straw could jam the assembly in an assembly machine or capper on the filling line.
In the illustrative embodiment, an integrated drip shield captures and diverts product that may drip during spray away from a consumer's hand and away from the top of the can. The integrated drip shield prevents consumer contact with package contents that could potentially leak from clearance in the knuckle assembly or residual product build up from the spray orifice by providing a flow channel to direct the product away from the end user's hand.
In the illustrative embodiment, a set of integrated hand grips provide contoured features on both sides of the cap to allow a consumer to retain grip of the cap and can assembly during dispensing of a product. The illustrative integrated hand grips are added to the periphery of an inner shell to provide additional grip to a consumer using the overcap as part of a package to improve the customer experience.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/781,434, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5961010 | Smith | Oct 1999 | A |
| 6796464 | Tung | Sep 2004 | B1 |
| D536970 | Shannan et al. | Feb 2007 | S |
| 7506782 | Walters et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20140263741 A1 | Sep 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61781434 | Mar 2013 | US |
