Patent Application
20140151398
In various embodiments, the present invention generally relates to tools, techniques, structures, devices, and processes for effectively and efficiently dispensing fluid from fluid containers. In particular embodiments of the invention, improved fluid containers and associated structures are provided for dispensing cosmetic products.
In the world of high quality consumer products, it is important to have product designs and packages that function effectively for their intended purposes. With respect to the cosmetics industry, for example, it is especially important to provide fluid containers that can meet consumer needs by efficiently and cleanly dispensing fluids such as creams, oils, make-up, and other types of cosmetics.
However, many current package and container designs for fluid containers suffer from deficiencies in how they deliver an appropriate dosage of fluid and how they maintain a clear and open path for fluid to flow. An insufficient dosage of fluid does not provide enough product to meet the needs of the consumer. On the other hand, an excess dosage generates extra product that cannot be readily used by the consumer. This extra product creates a clean-up problem for the consumer who must decide how to dispose of the extra fluid that has been dispensed. Also, such extra product can cause undesirable clogging of the dispensing orifice of a fluid container. In certain situations, fluid product within a container dries, cracks, and leaves residue in what may have been promoted or marketed as a “premium” package that commanded a commensurately “premium” price but which has now caused consumer dissatisfaction.
In view of the issues afflicting existing product designs and packages, including within the cosmetics industry, enhanced product dispensing and dosaging technology is needed. Fluid dispensing structures, devices, and techniques are needed that can dispense fluid in an even, smooth and predictable manner, without causing significant dripping or substantial clogging of the dispensing orifice of a fluid container.
The utility of the embodiments of the invention will be readily appreciated and understood from consideration of the following description of the embodiments of the invention when viewed in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In developing the various embodiments of the invention described herein, the inventors have created structures, devices, and techniques that allow fluid and liquid products, such as cosmetics, to dispense in a more even, smoother, and more predictable manner. The inventors appreciate that reasonable consumer expectations of predictable fluid dispensing should include substantially no dripping or oozing from the dispensing orifice after a suitable amount of product has been dispensed. Also, in connection with employing different embodiments of the invention, a consumer should be able to hold a tube or other type of fluid container in an inverted position without causing substantial dripping or oozing from its dispensing orifice. The inventors have recognized the need for an accurate correlation, and in certain cases independence, between a threshold pressure applied to a fluid container (such as manual pressure applied by a user, or pressure applied by some other device) and an appropriate amount of fluid dispensed from the container. It has been appreciated that minimizing accumulation of fluid at the dispensing site of the fluid container avoids clogging the dispensing orifice and the attendant clean-up that typically must be performed by a consumer.
In developing the invention described herein, the inventors have satisfied a long-felt and long overlooked need in the cosmetics industry, among other areas, to enhance inefficient and less than optimum fluid dispensing and dosaging technology in existing cosmetic containers. Use of certain embodiments of the invention can resist unintended overdosing of fluid, can resist dripping or oozing from a container orifice after initial dispensing onto a consumer's finger or pad, and can resist dripping or oozing from the orifice even if the fluid container is shaken or agitated. In certain aspects of the invention, a tube-type fluid container can be held in an inverted position without substantial dripping or oozing, even after the container has been shaken by a consumer, for example, to collect product near the dispensing end of the container. Also, in the absence of a threshold fluid pressure, the container may be structured to not permit a bead of product to form at the orifice, even if the container is in an inverted position, for example.
Embodiments of the invention can also provide devices that allow consumer finger pressure, for example, on a fluid container body to dispense product as a substantially constant linear bead. The device may be structured so that product is dispensed from the orifice in a clean (i.e., non-splattering), substantially regular, and substantially unvarying stream. The device may also be structured to resist intermittent or sudden, unexpected flow from orifice, and to resist unwanted pooling of fluid product on the finger or pad of a consumer, for example.
It can be appreciated that consumer product companies are often concerned with excessive dispensing because of liability claims arising from damage to clothing, furniture, or other articles as a result of excess product. Consumer product companies are also sensitive to reducing the costs of packaging and dispensing technology while maximizing marketing appeal to consumers. In developing the various embodiments of the invention, the inventors have provided structures, devices, and techniques which are functionally effective and which can be manufactured economically.
In various embodiments described herein, apparatus, devices, and tools are provided that can be configured for application to standard fluid containers, such as containers for cosmetic products. For example, and by way of illustration only, a standard cosmetic fluid container may have a dispensing orifice in the range of 1 mm to 1.5 mm. Accordingly, certain embodiments of the invention may be structured to accommodate such standard sizes. However, it can be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention may be modified or structured to accommodate different orifice sizes, different fluid container materials, different fluid container shapes, and/or different types of fluids or fluid viscosities. For example, embodiments of the invention may be readily modified or structured to function with an orifice dimension which is larger or smaller than a standard size orifice of a cosmetic fluid container.
In developing the invention, the inventors have recognized the advantages of leveraging existing containers such as tubes made from plastic or similar materials which typically offer a safe and effective way to deliver product. Such tubes protect the product while providing a reasonably long shelf life. Also, there are many ways to decorate a tube in order to meet a prestige or premium consumer market. In contrast, there are other types of non-tube containers that require an external pump or similar mechanical mechanism to dispense watery or less viscous fluids.
The inventors are also aware that how a product is dispensed is an important consideration in the product packaging business. For example, consumer complaints may arise because product leaked into a purse or spilled onto a blouse, or simply because the fluid container delivered a dose that was either too little or too much. In any event, the product may not dispense correctly from the fluid container, and consequently the container can be perceived as non-functional.
Also, by taking into account the demand for lower component costs, the inventors were motivated to improve on existing fluid delivery structures, techniques, and systems. It can be seen that use of certain embodiments of the invention can create opportunities for more products to be considered for the plastic tube, for example, versus other types of containers that require external, mechanical pumps, for example. The inventors recognized the importance of identifying and designing multiple options and materials, because there are many products or fluids which require different dispensing strategies. For example, the manufacture of the plastic tube has been historically limited in mass production to a 1 mm orifice. But the inventors have recognized that, for many applications, such an orifice size is not sufficiently small to effectively control the product flow or dispensing behavior from a tube-style container of certain types of fluids. This was part of the incentive for the inventors to create structures within the nozzle head, for example, to control fluid flow prior to the fluid reaching the dispensing orifice.
In developing certain embodiments of the invention, the inventors have addressed numerous issues related to providing sufficient air flow into and out of the orifice of a fluid container or fluid dispensing apparatus. For example, certain structures described herein may function as static check valves which allow sufficient air to flow through a dispensing orifice into a fluid container, while adequately retaining the fluid contents within the container until product is desired to be dispensed. Also, in the example of a standard tube-style cosmetic container, aspects of the invention can be used to enhance dispensing precision by improving the feedback relationship between pressure applied to the container (e.g., such as by manual pressure applied by a consumer) and the pressure experienced by the container in the act of dispensing a cosmetic product.
In various embodiments, the structures, tools, and techniques described herein can be configured to be completely internal or substantially completely internal with respect to a fluid container. This permits the structure and aesthetics (e.g., color, shape, size, and other characteristics) of the container to remain unaltered in the eyes of consumers examining the container from an external point of view. In addition, aspects of the present invention can be readily retrofitted to pre-existing, standard styles of fluid containers, such as tube-type cosmetic containers, for example.
As applied herein, the term “cosmetic” may include make-up, oils, creams, and a variety of other compositions of matter capable of flowing from a fluid dispenser or a fluid container, either naturally (e.g., by force of gravity) or by application of a threshold fluid pressure.
A plug 110 may be positioned and/or supported on at least a portion of one or more of the retaining ridges 108 of the nozzle 104. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 110 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 102 to the dispensing orifice 106 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by manual pressure applied to the fluid repository 102, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force.
As applied to various embodiments described throughout the present description, a threshold fluid pressure may be defined as the amount of pressure sufficient to communicate at least a portion of fluid from a fluid repository, through a nozzle, and then through a dispensing orifice. In other embodiments, the threshold fluid pressure is the pressure sufficient to communicate a cosmetic-related compound, substance, or fluid from the fluid repository, through the nozzle, and then through the dispensing orifice. In various embodiments described herein, an apparatus may be structured to communicate fluid at a threshold fluid pressure that does not exceed a pressure applied to the fluid repository. In certain embodiments, an apparatus may be structured to communicate fluid at a threshold fluid pressure independent of a pressure applied to the fluid repository. In other words, certain embodiments of the invention provide a check valve type feature that does not permit excessive applied pressure to significantly impact the dispensing or dosaging performance of a fluid dispensing apparatus.
It can be seen that one or more of the retaining ridges 108 may be structured for supporting an outflow portion of the plug 110 at a predetermined gap distance 112 from the dispensing orifice 106. In various embodiments, the predetermined gap distance 112 may be selected for optimum performance in response to multiple variables such as fluid viscosity, size of the dispensing orifice 106, and/or type of fluid being dispensed, among many other factors. It can be appreciated that the gap distance 112 may be zero or substantially zero in certain embodiments, or may otherwise be a distance selected for optimizing desired performance characteristics based on fluid viscosity, for example, or other performance criteria. In various embodiments, the plug 110 may comprise a foam material such as an open-cell foam material, for example.
As shown,
A plug 210 may be positioned and/or supported on at least a portion of one or more of the retaining ridges 208 of the nozzle 204. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 210 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 202 to the dispensing orifice 206 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by manual pressure applied to the fluid repository 202, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force. As illustrated, the retaining ridge 208 may extend around the entire circumference of the interior of the nozzle 204 to provide support to the plug 210. In certain embodiments, the retaining ridge 208 may comprise one or more segments that extend at least partially around the circumference of the interior of the nozzle 204 to provide support and/or proper positioning to the plug 210 within the nozzle 204.
It can be seen that the retaining ridge 208 may be structured for supporting an outflow portion of the plug 210 at a predetermined gap distance 212 from the dispensing orifice 206. In various embodiments, the predetermined gap distance 212 may be selected for optimum performance in response to multiple variables such as fluid viscosity, size of the dispensing orifice 206, and/or type of fluid being dispensed, among many other factors. It can be appreciated that the gap distance 212 may be zero or substantially zero in certain embodiments, or may otherwise be a distance selected for optimizing desired performance characteristics based on fluid viscosity, for example, or other performance criteria. In various embodiments, the plug 210 may comprise a foam material such as an open-cell foam material, for example.
As shown,
A plug 310 may be positioned and/or supported within a retainer 312, which in turn may be supported on at least a portion of the retaining ridge 308 of the nozzle 304. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 310 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 302 to the dispensing orifice 306 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by applying manual pressure on the fluid repository 302, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force. As illustrated, the retaining ridge 308 may extend around the entire circumference of the interior of the nozzle 304 to provide support and/or proper placement to the combination of the plug 310 and the retainer 312. In certain embodiments, the retaining ridge 308 may comprise one or more segments that extend at least partially around the circumference of the interior of the nozzle 304 to provide support to the plug 310. The retaining ridge 308 may be structured to receive a correspondingly mating portion or segment of the retainer 312 thereon when positioned for operation within the nozzle 304.
It can be seen that the retaining ridge 308 may be structured for supporting the retainer 312 including an outflow portion of the plug 310 at a predetermined gap distance 314 from the dispensing orifice 306. In various embodiments, the predetermined gap distance 314 may be selected for optimum performance in response to multiple variables such as fluid viscosity, size of the dispensing orifice 306, type of fluid being dispensed, among many other factors. It can be appreciated that the gap distance 314 may be zero or substantially zero in certain embodiments, or may otherwise be a distance selected for optimizing desired performance characteristics based on fluid viscosity, for example, or other performance criteria. In various embodiments, the plug 310 may comprise a foam material such as an open-cell foam material, for example. It can be seen that the plug 310 may be positioned within at least a portion of the interior of the retainer 312, wherein at least a portion of the plug 310 can be shaped to conform to an interior shape of the retainer 312.
As shown,
In various embodiments, a plug 410 may be positioned and/or supported on at least a portion of the retaining ridge 408 of the nozzle 404. In operation, the plug 410 may be positioned within at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle 404. The plug may include a base 412 and a tip 414 comprising a plurality of fingers 416 (e.g., fingers 416A-416D) extending from the base 412. In certain embodiments, the fingers 416 may be structured to be resiliently biased in a closed state (as shown in
In certain embodiments, one or more of the plurality of fingers 416 may comprise one or more types of fiber bristles, such as the types of fiber that can be used in a paint brush, for example. In certain embodiments, the number of the plurality of fingers 416 may be selected to allow the plug 410 to retain fluid of a certain viscosity in the absence of exceeding a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug 410. Also, the length or other dimension of one or more of the fingers 416 may be selected to allow the plug 410 to retain fluid of a certain viscosity in the absence of exceeding a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug 410.
In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 410 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 402 to the dispensing orifice 406 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by manual pressure applied to the fluid repository 402, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force. As illustrated, the retaining ridge 408 may extend around the entire circumference of the interior of the nozzle 404 to provide support to the plug 410. In certain embodiments, the retaining ridge 408 may comprise one or more segments that extend at least partially around the circumference of the interior of the nozzle 404 to provide support and/or proper positioning to the plug 410. The retaining ridge 408 may be structured to receive a correspondingly mating portion of the base 412 of the plug 410 when positioned for operation within the nozzle 404. The plug 410 may be positioned in place within the nozzle 404 by use of a friction fit, a suitable adhesive, or another device or method known to those skilled in the art.
It can be seen that the retaining ridge 408 may be structured for supporting an outflow portion of the plug 410 at a predetermined gap distance 418 from the dispensing orifice 406. In various embodiments, the predetermined gap distance 418 may be selected for optimum performance in response to multiple variables such as fluid viscosity, size of the dispensing orifice 406, and/or type of fluid being dispensed, among many other factors. It can be appreciated that the gap distance 418 may be zero or substantially zero in certain embodiments, or may otherwise be a distance selected for optimizing desired performance characteristics based on fluid viscosity, for example, or other performance criteria.
In various embodiments, a plug 510 may be positioned and/or supported on at least a portion of the retaining ridge 508 of the nozzle 504. In operation, the plug 510 may be positioned within at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle 504. The plug may include a base 512 and a tip 514 comprising a plurality of fingers 516 (e.g., fingers 516A-516C) extending from the base 512. In certain embodiments, the fingers 516 may be structured to be resiliently biased in a closed state (as shown in
In certain embodiments, one or more of the plurality of fingers 516 may comprise a foam material. For example, the foam material may include a closed-cell or micro fiber material, among other types of foam materials.
In certain embodiments, the number of the plurality of fingers 516 may be selected to allow the plug 510 to retain fluid of a certain viscosity in the absence of exceeding a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug 510. Also, the length or other dimension of one or more of the fingers 516 may be selected to allow the plug 510 to retain fluid of a certain viscosity in the absence of exceeding a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug 510.
In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 510 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 502 to the dispensing orifice 506 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by manual pressure applied to the fluid repository 502, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force. As illustrated, the retaining ridge 508 may extend around the entire circumference of the interior of the nozzle 504 to provide support to the plug 510. In certain embodiments, the retaining ridge 508 may comprise one or more segments that extend at least partially around the circumference of the interior of the nozzle 504 to provide support and/or proper placement to the plug 510. The retaining ridge 508 may be structured to receive a correspondingly mating portion of the base 512 of the plug 510 when positioned for operation within the nozzle 504. The plug 510 may be positioned in place within the nozzle 504 by use of a friction fit, a suitable adhesive, or another device or method known to those skilled in the art.
It can be seen that the retaining ridge 508 may be structured for supporting an outflow portion of the plug 510 at a predetermined gap distance 518 from the dispensing orifice 506. In various embodiments, the predetermined gap distance 518 may be selected for optimum performance in response to multiple variables such as fluid viscosity, size of the dispensing orifice 506, and/or type of fluid being dispensed, among many other factors. It can be appreciated that the gap distance 518 may be zero or substantially zero in certain embodiments, or may otherwise be a distance selected for optimizing desired performance characteristics based on fluid viscosity, for example, or other performance criteria.
The plug 610 may include an inflow region 612 and an outflow region 614. A filter screen 616 may be positioned between the outflow region 614 of the plug 610 and the dispensing orifice 606. The filter screen 616 may be structured to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 602 to the dispensing orifice 606 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure.
In various embodiments, the filter screen 616 may be affixed to at least a portion of the outflow region 614 of the plug 610, such as by heat sealing, adhesive, or another method or device known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the filter screen 616 may be positioned to float within the space between the outflow region 614 of the plug 610 and the dispensing orifice 606. In another embodiment, the filter screen 616 may be wedged into place within a portion of an interior space of the plug 610. In the example illustrated, the filter screen 616 may include a plurality of cross-hatched openings formed therein. In certain embodiments, the cross-sectional area of one or more of the openings may be selected to sufficiently communicate therethrough a fluid having a predetermined viscosity.
In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 610 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 602 to the dispensing orifice 606 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by manual pressure applied to the fluid repository 602, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force. As illustrated, the retaining ridge 608 may extend around the entire circumference of the interior of the nozzle 604 to provide support and/or proper placement to the plug 610. In certain embodiments, the retaining ridge 608 may comprise one or more segments that extend at least partially around the circumference of the interior of the nozzle 604 to provide support to the plug 610. The retaining ridge 608 may be structured to receive a correspondingly mating portion or segment of the plug 610 when positioned for operation within the nozzle 604. The plug 610 may be positioned in place within the nozzle 604 by use of a friction fit, a suitable adhesive, or another device or method known to those skilled in the art.
It can be seen that the retaining ridge 608 may be structured for supporting the outflow region 614 of the plug 610 at a predetermined gap distance 618 from the dispensing orifice 606. In various embodiments, the predetermined gap distance 618 may be selected for optimum performance in response to multiple variables such as fluid viscosity, size of the dispensing orifice 606, type of fluid being dispensed, among many other factors. It can be appreciated that the gap distance 618 may be zero or substantially zero in certain embodiments, or may otherwise be a distance selected for optimizing desired performance characteristics based on fluid viscosity, for example, or other performance criteria.
In various embodiments, the plug 710 may include an inflow region 712, an outflow region 714, and a constriction region 716 positioned between the inflow region 712 and the outflow region 714. It can be seen that the plug 710 establishes a two-way pathway for fluid communication between the inflow region 712 and the outflow region 714. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the outflow region 714 of the plug 710 may be positioned for direct contact and fluid communication with the dispensing orifice 706. It can be appreciated that the cross-sectional area and/or volumetric space defined by all or a portion of the constriction region 716 can be configured to communicate therethrough a fluid having a predetermined viscosity and/or to provide a desired flow rate through the apparatus 701. In one embodiment, an example of the plug 710 includes a tube-shaped portion having a crimped segment formed at a location between the inflow region 712 and the outflow region 714 for establishing the constriction region 716. At least a portion of the plug 710 may comprise an elastomeric material or another type of material for forming the constriction region 716 therein. For example, the constriction region 716 may be formed by heat sealing or crimping the plug 710 between the inflow and outflow regions 712, 714 to form the constriction region 716.
In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 710 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 702 to the dispensing orifice 706 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by manual pressure applied to the fluid repository 702, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force. As illustrated, the retaining ridge 708 may extend around the entire circumference of the interior of the nozzle 704 to provide support and/or proper placement of the plug 710. In certain embodiments, the retaining ridge 708 may comprise one or more segments that extend at least partially around the circumference of the interior of the nozzle 704 to provide support to the plug 710. The retaining ridge 708 may be structured to receive a correspondingly mating portion or segment of the plug 710 when positioned for operation within the nozzle 704. The plug 710 may be positioned in place within the nozzle 704 by use of a friction fit, a suitable adhesive, or another device or method known to those skilled in the art.
It can be seen that the retaining ridge 708 may be structured for supporting the outflow region 714 of the plug 710 at a predetermined gap distance 718 from the dispensing orifice 706. In various embodiments, the predetermined gap distance 718 may be selected for optimum performance in response to multiple variables such as fluid viscosity, size of the dispensing orifice 706, and/or type of fluid being dispensed, among many other factors. It can be appreciated that the gap distance 718 may be zero or substantially zero in certain embodiments, or may otherwise be a distance selected for optimizing desired performance characteristics based on fluid viscosity, for example, or other performance criteria.
In various embodiments, the plug 810 may include a tip 812 and a base 814 having one or more longitudinal openings 816 (such as openings 816A, 816B) formed therein. Each of the longitudinal openings 816 may be structured to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 802 to the dispensing orifice 806 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure within the apparatus 801. It can be appreciated that the cross-sectional area and/or volumetric space defined by all or a portion of the openings 816 can be configured to communicate therethrough a fluid having a predetermined viscosity and/or to provide a desired flow rate through the apparatus 801.
In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 810 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 802 to the dispensing orifice 806 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by manual pressure applied to the fluid repository 802, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force. As illustrated, the retaining ridge 808 may extend around the entire circumference of the interior of the nozzle 804 to provide support and/or proper placement of the plug 810. In certain embodiments, the retaining ridge 808 may comprise one or more segments that extend at least partially around the circumference of the interior of the nozzle 804 to provide support to the plug 810. The retaining ridge 808 may be structured to receive a correspondingly mating portion or segment of the base 814 of the plug 810 when positioned for operation within the nozzle 804. The plug 810 may be positioned in place within the nozzle 804 by use of a friction fit, a suitable adhesive, or another device or method known to those skilled in the art.
It can be seen that the retaining ridge 808 may be structured for supporting an outflow region of the plug 810 at a predetermined gap distance 818 from the dispensing orifice 806. In various embodiments, the predetermined gap distance 818 may be selected for optimum performance in response to multiple variables such as fluid viscosity, size of the dispensing orifice 806, and/or type of fluid being dispensed, among many other factors. It can be appreciated that the gap distance 818 may be zero or substantially zero in certain embodiments, or may otherwise be a distance selected for optimizing desired performance characteristics based on fluid viscosity, for example, or other performance criteria.
In alternative embodiments,
In addition,
In various embodiments, the covering apparatus 901 may include a housing 912 structured for placement on the fluid dispensing apparatus 902. The housing 912 may be structured for attaching to and covering at least a portion of the nozzle 906 of the fluid dispensing apparatus 901. In addition, the covering apparatus 901 may include one or more supplemental dispensing orifices 914 formed in the housing 912. In operation, at least a portion of the supplemental dispensing orifice 914 can be structured to overlap with at least a portion of the dispensing orifice 908 of the fluid dispensing apparatus 902 when the housing 912 is positioned on the fluid dispensing apparatus 902.
In various embodiments, the housing 912 of the covering apparatus 901 may comprise a flexible material or an elastomeric material, for example. The housing 912 may also comprise a material having a color representative of contents of the fluid dispensing apparatus 902 (e.g., a certain type of cosmetic). A total area of the supplemental dispensing orifices 914 may be configured to be less than the area of the dispensing orifice 908 of the fluid dispensing apparatus 902. A ratio of an area of the supplemental dispensing orifice 914 to an area of the dispensing orifice 908 of the fluid dispensing apparatus 902 may be selected within a predetermined range subject to material viscosity, fluid material type, desired fluid flow rate, desired dosage to be dispensed, and/or many other factors.
In various embodiments, the plug 1010 may include a base portion 1012 having at least one fluid flow opening 1014 (such as openings 1014A, 1014B) formed therein. Also, the plug 1010 may include a bellows portion 1016 structured for expanding to an elongated state upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. In the elongated state, the plug 1010 can create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 1002 through the fluid flow opening 1014 to the dispensing orifice 1006 upon application of the threshold fluid pressure. Also, the bellows portion 1016 may be configured for contracting to a compressed state in which the bellows portion 1016 contacts an interior surface of the nozzle 1004 to create a substantial fluid communication seal between the fluid repository 1002 and the dispensing orifice 1006. In the compressed state, it can be seen that substantially no fluid is permitted to flow from the fluid repository 1002 to the dispensing orifice 1006.
In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 1010 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 1002 to the dispensing orifice 1006 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by manual pressure applied to the fluid repository 1002, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force. As illustrated, the retaining ridge 1008 may extend around the entire circumference of the interior of the nozzle 1004 to provide support and/or proper placement of the plug 1010. In certain embodiments, the retaining ridge 1008 may comprise one or more segments that extend at least partially around the circumference of the interior of the nozzle 1004 to provide support to the plug 1010. The retaining ridge 1008 may be structured to receive a correspondingly mating portion or segment of the plug 1010 when positioned for operation within the nozzle 1004. The plug 1010 may be positioned in place within the nozzle 1004 by use of a friction fit, a suitable adhesive, or another device or method known to those skilled in the art.
It can be seen that the retaining ridge 1008 may be structured for supporting the bellows portion 1016 of the plug 1010 at a predetermined gap distance 1018 from the dispensing orifice 1006 in the elongated state of the bellows portion 1016. In various embodiments, the predetermined gap distance 1018 may be selected for optimum performance in response to multiple variables such as fluid viscosity, size of the dispensing orifice 1006, and/or type of fluid being dispensed, among many other factors. It can be appreciated that the gap distance 1018 may be zero or substantially zero in certain embodiments, or may otherwise be a distance selected for optimizing desired performance characteristics based on fluid viscosity, for example, or other performance criteria.
In certain embodiments, a ring 1022 may be positioned between the bellows portion 1016 of the plug 1010 and the dispensing orifice 1006. For example, the ring 1022 may be structured as a crenellated ring configured to maintain a predetermined gap distance between the bellows portion 1016 and the dispensing orifice 1006 in the elongated state of the bellows portion 1016.
In various embodiments, the plug 1110 may include a base 1112 having at least one fluid flow opening 1114 formed therein. In addition, the plug 1110 may include a valve 1116 having at least one fluid flow opening 1118 formed therein. In operation, the valve 1116 may be structured for expanding to an elongated state wherein a tip 1120 of the valve 1116 extends into the fluid flow opening 1114 of the base 1112 to create a substantial fluid communication seal between the fluid repository 1102 and the dispensing orifice 1106. It can be seen that the valve 1116 may further include a ring stand 1122 which contacts an interior surface of the nozzle 1104 near the dispensing orifice 1106 in the elongated state of the valve 1116.
Also, the valve 1116 may be structured for contracting to a compressed state upon application of a threshold fluid pressure wherein the tip 1120 of the valve 1116 dissociates from the fluid flow opening 1114 of the base 1112 to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 1002 through the fluid flow opening 1114 of the base 1112, through the fluid flow opening 1118 of the valve 1116, and further to the dispensing orifice 1106. In various embodiments, the fluid flow openings 1114, 1118 may be suitably dimensioned to accommodate fluids of different viscosity, material type, desired fluid flow rate, or desired dosage to be dispensed, among many other factors.
In various embodiments, the valve 1116 may be comprised of an elastomeric material or another type of flexible material capable of expanding and contracting as described above. The base 1112 of the plug 1110 may be comprised of a material that is comparatively more rigid than a material comprising the valve 1116 of the plug 1110.
In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 1110 comprises a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository 1102 to the dispensing orifice 1106 upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. The threshold fluid pressure may be provided by manual pressure applied to the fluid repository 1102, for example, or may be provided by another type of internal or external force. As illustrated, the retaining ridge 1108 may extend around the entire circumference of the interior of the nozzle 1104 to provide support and/or proper placement of the plug 1110. In certain embodiments, the retaining ridge 1108 may comprise one or more segments that extend at least partially around the circumference of the interior of the nozzle 1104 to provide support to the plug 1110. The retaining ridge 1108 may be structured to receive a correspondingly mating portion or segment of the plug 1110 when positioned for operation within the nozzle 1104. The plug 1110 may be positioned in place within the nozzle 1104 by use of a friction fit, a suitable adhesive, or another device or method known to those skilled in the art.
Various of the structures, apparatuses, and other materials described herein may be comprised of a suitable material such as polypropylene or an elastomeric material, for example. It can be appreciated that materials that comprise the various strictures can be selected for their rigidity, flexibility, and/or suitability for use within a consumer product.
The examples presented herein are intended to illustrate potential and specific implementations of the present invention. It can be appreciated that the examples are intended primarily for purposes of illustration of the invention for those skilled in the art. No particular aspect or aspects of the examples are necessarily intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Any element expressed herein as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example, a combination of elements that performs that function. Furthermore the invention, as may be defined by such means-plus-function claims, resides in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in a manner as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, any means that can provide such functionalities may be considered equivalents to the means shown herein.
It will be appreciated that, for convenience and clarity of disclosure, terms describing relative orientation or spatial positioning such as “proximal,” “distal,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “front,” “back,” “bottom,” “upward,” or “downward” may be used at times herein with respect to the drawings and text description in association with various embodiments of the invention. However, such terms are primarily used for illustrative purposes and are not necessarily intended to be limiting in nature.
It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that these and other elements may be desirable. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. It should be appreciated that the figures are presented for illustrative purposes and not as construction drawings. Omitted details and modifications or alternative embodiments are within the purview of persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, there may be variations to these diagrams or the operations described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention.
It can be appreciated that, in certain aspects of the present invention, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to provide an element or structure or to perform a given function or functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative to practice certain embodiments of the present invention, such substitution is considered within the scope of the present invention.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it should be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are therefore intended to include all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as claimed herein.
