Patent Application
20230226564
The present application relates to a foldable nozzle for use with a fluid dispensing assembly.
A typical nozzle type dispensing bottle includes a nozzle which extends horizontally, perpendicularly from the bottle. This feature can make the bottle more difficult to package and transport, as the bottle with projected nozzle occupies a greater volume than just the bottle itself. Additionally, such nozzle-type dispensers typically do not include any child-resistant locking mechanism or may include a locking mechanism that is overly complicated and too difficult for some elderly patients to open. What is needed is an improved dispensing nozzle for a container that addresses these shortcomings in the art.
The present disclosure relates to a foldable nozzle extension and a spray bottle incorporating the same, and which spray bottle may further include a child resistant locking system which uses an automatic locking element and requires a rotation of parts from a dispense-disabled position to a dispense-enabled position after unlocking the locking means.
The unfolding extension dispenser may include: a nozzle base, a folding nozzle, a spray inserts, a child resistant actuator, a child resistant locking button, a cap, a pump, and a bottle. The folding nozzle is connected to the nozzle base, such that the nozzle can rotate between an extended position allowing dispensing a substance through the nozzle, and a folded position that is perpendicular to the extended position, where the nozzle can be folded down for packaging.
During normal operation, the top of bottle can be depressed to dispense a substance from the bottle through the nozzle. The dispenser may further include a child resistant locking mechanism that allows for the dispenser to be locked and prevented from dispensing the substance in the bottle. The actuator may include a tab or extension opposite the dispenser that, when the dispenser is unlocked, can be depressed downward to enable the spraying action, in which the nozzle base and folding nozzle are also depressed downward. The actuator can be rotated, which brings the tab into abutment with a raised wall on the cap, which prevents the tab of the actuator from being depressed. Upon this rotation, the nozzle base is also placed into abutment with a second raised wall on the cap.
The child resistant locking mechanism of the dispenser may also include a child resistant button, and when the actuator is in the in the opened position, the button is retained within the cap. When the actuator is rotated into the locked position, the button is allowed to project out of the cap, and interferes with an edge on the cap, at rest, such that the actuator cannot rotate back to the open position unless the button is manually depressed while the actuator is simultaneously being rotated.
One general, first aspect of the present application provides for a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle comprises a nozzle base having a mounting end configured to be mounted to a structure, and a nozzle body having a first end connected, at a connection joint, to a distal end of the nozzle base, the distal end being opposite the mounting end. The connection joint may include a first surface having an arcuate slot formed therein and a second surface opposing the first surface having a post projecting therefrom, the arcuate slot being configured to receive the post therein. The post is configured to pass through the arcuate slot such that the nozzle body is configured to rotate about the nozzle base. The dispensing nozzle further comprises dispenser arranged at a second end of the nozzle body, having an opening for dispensing a substance.
Implementations of this first aspect of the present application may include one or more of the following features. The nozzle body can be configured to rotate between a first position in which the nozzle body is substantially parallel to the nozzle base and a second position in which the nozzle body is substantially perpendicular to the nozzle base. The first surface may be disposed on the first end of the nozzle body and the second surface disposed on the distal end of the nozzle base. The nozzle body and nozzle base each may include a channel formed therethrough, and the distal end of the nozzle base may include a cylindrical extension formed on the second surface may include an intermediary channel formed therein configured to connect the nozzle body channel and the nozzle base channel; and wherein the first end of the nozzle body may include a cavity formed therein to receive the cylindrical extension therein. The distal end of the nozzle base, the first end of the nozzle body, the first surface, and the second surface may each be beveled. The arcuate slot can be substantially semi-circular. The nozzle body may be configured to rotate between a first position in which the nozzle body is substantially parallel to the nozzle base and a second position in which the nozzle body is substantially perpendicular to the nozzle base. The first end of the nozzle body may include a circumferential clamping member and the distal end of the nozzle base may include a circumferential edge, wherein the circumferential clamping member is configured to engage the circumferential edge. In various embodiments, the distal end of the nozzle base, the first end of the nozzle body, the first surface, and the second surface are beveled, the arcuate slot is substantially semi-circular and includes two ends, each end may include a rounded stop member, and each rounded stop member configured to retain the post.
A second general aspect of the present application provides for a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly comprises a cap body; a dispenser actuator arranged at least partly within the cap body; and a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle comprises a nozzle base having a mounting end configured to be mounted to the dispenser actuator; and a nozzle body having a first end connected, at a connection joint, to a distal end of the nozzle base, the distal end being opposite the mounting end. The connection joint may include: a first surface having an arcuate slot formed therein; and a second surface opposing the first surface, which may include a post projecting therefrom, the arcuate slot being configured to receive the post therein. The post is configured to pass through the arcuate slot such that the nozzle body is configured to rotate about the nozzle base. The nozzle further comprises a dispenser arranged at a second end of the nozzle body including an opening for dispensing a substance.
Implementations of the second general aspect of the application may include one or more of the following features. The first surface may be disposed on the first end of the nozzle body and the second surface disposed on the distal end of the nozzle base. The distal end of the nozzle base, the first end of the nozzle body, the first surface, and the second surface may each be beveled and the arcuate slot is substantially semi-circular; and the nozzle body configured to rotate between a first position in which the nozzle body is substantially parallel to the nozzle base and a second position in which the nozzle body is substantially perpendicular to the nozzle base. The dispenser actuator may be configured to be depressed into the cap body and cause a corresponding depression of the dispensing nozzle connected to the dispenser actuator and enables dispensing of a substance through the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing assembly may include a container connected to the cap body and configured to house the substance to be dispensed by the dispensing assembly. The cap body may include: an upstanding wall having: a vertical channel formed therein being disposed adjacent to the nozzle base to permit depression of the dispensing nozzle through the vertical channel upon depression of the dispenser actuator. The cap body may also include a horizontal channel formed therein adjacent and perpendicular to the vertical channel. The dispenser actuator is configured for rotational movement about a longitudinal axis of the dispensing assembly, and the dispenser actuator is configured to rotate to position the nozzle base in the horizontal channel and the horizontal channel prevents depression of the nozzle base and dispenser actuator. The cap body may include an upstanding wall having an actuation enabling clearance formed therein; and the dispenser actuator may include an actuating surface having a projecting tab extending from an edge of the actuating surface and aligned with the actuation enabling clearance, wherein the projecting tab is configured to pass through the actuation enabling clearance when the dispenser actuator is depressed. The upstanding wall may include an actuator limit stop positioned in arcuate alignment with the actuation enabling clearance; and the dispenser actuator configured for rotational movement between a first position in which the projecting tab is aligned with the actuation enabling clearance and a second position in which the projecting tab is aligned with the actuator limit stop, where in the second position, the actuator limit stop abuts the projecting tab to prevent depression of the dispenser actuator. The dispenser actuator may further include a rotation locking member configured to be biased into the actuation enabling clearance when the dispenser actuator is in the second position; and wherein the rotation locking member abuts a locking edge of the actuation enabling clearance that prevents rotation of the dispenser actuator unless the rotation locking member is depressed out of abutment with the locking edge while the dispenser actuator is rotated.
The nozzle and dispensing assembly of the present application will be described with reference to
The present application relates to a dispensing assembly 100 and a foldable nozzle 130 for use therewith. The nozzle 130 is configured to be rotatable between a horizontal position for dispensing a substance in a container 110 and a vertical position, which compacts the dispensing assembly 100 for storage and shipping. The dispensing assembly 100 may also be provided with one or more child resistant mechanisms to prevent the dispensing of a substance from the container 110 when the dispensing assembly 100 is in one or more of the child resistant locked configurations.
In various embodiments, the dispensing assembly 100 may include a container 110, such as a bottle, for housing a substance. While the embodiments discussed herein primarily identify the substance as a fluid, the dispensing assembly 100 can be used for gases, liquids, solids, foams, gels, mists, aerosols, and the like, to be dispensed from a container, without being limited to a fluid or particular fluid. The nozzle 130 may be used to dispense a spray stream, droplets, or a steady flow of the substance to be dispensed, and other variations of dispensing. The dispensing assembly 100 also comprises a cap body 120 secured to the container 110, which closes the container 110 and houses a dispensing assembly. A folding nozzle 130 is also included as part of the dispensing assembly 100, which is able to dispense the substance in the container 110 from a first, horizontal position, and can be folded into a vertical position when not being used for dispensing the substance. The dispensing assembly 100 may further comprise a dispenser actuator 140 for actuating the dispensing mechanism of the dispensing assembly 100, which can be a child resistant or non-child resistant actuator.
The nozzle 130 includes a nozzle base 131, a nozzle body 132, and a dispenser 133. The nozzle base 131 has a mounting end 139 that is mounted to the dispensing assembly 100 at a discharge port 115 arranged within the cap body 120, where it receives fluid from the container 110 into a nozzle base channel 134b. A circumferential bead 138 is provided on the nozzle base mounting end 139 to further secure the nozzle base 131 to the dispensing assembly 100 around the discharge port 115. In various embodiments of the dispensing assembly 100, the nozzle base 131 may be integrally formed with the dispenser actuator 140 as a part of the dispenser actuator 140, such as by plastic molding, rather than being a detachable element from the dispenser actuator 140. The nozzle body 132 is elongated and includes a nozzle body channel 134a therethrough for transporting the dispensing fluid to the dispenser 133. The dispenser 133 includes an opening through which the fluid is dispensed. In various embodiments of the dispensing assembly 100 and nozzle 130, an insert assembly 135 can be provided inside and/or covering the dispenser 133 opening, in order to modify the manner in which the fluid is dispensed from dispenser 133. The insert assembly 135 may comprise on the circumference a connector ring 135a configured to snap the insert assembly in place within the dispenser 133, which may have a corresponding circumferential element on the interior to engage the connector ring 135a. The insert assembly 135 may also include a locking element include a sealing element with a flat post 135b.
The nozzle body 132 includes a nozzle body connector 136 at which the nozzle body 132 is secured to the nozzle base 131. A nozzle base distal end 137 opposite the mounting end 139 connects to the nozzle body connector 136, forming a connection joint between them. The nozzle body connector 136 and nozzle base distal end 137 each comprise a beveled edge that is formed with an angle (Θ) relative to a longitudinal axis 143 of the dispensing assembly 100 that is in between the perpendicular and parallel. In the embodiments shown in the Figures, the nozzle body connector 136 and nozzle base distal end 137 are each formed at an angle (Θ) of approximately 45° in a complementary manner so that they abut each other flush as shown in the Figures. The nozzle body connector 136 includes a circumferential clamping member 136a and the nozzle base distal end 137 includes an extended circumferential edge 137a that is configured to be inserted into the circumferential clamping member 136a and snap the nozzle base distal end 137 into the nozzle body connector 136. As shown for example in
The surface of the nozzle body connector 136 that abuts the nozzle base distal end 137 comprises a semicircular or arcuate slot 136b, shown for example in
As the nozzle base 131 is mounted to the dispensing assembly 100 in a substantially fixed position, the cylindrical post 137b remains in a fixed location. The nozzle body 132 can be rotated about the nozzle base 131, as shown in
In alternate embodiments of the nozzle 130, the arrangement of elements at the connection joint comprising the nozzle body connector 136 and nozzle base distal end 137 can be inverted from that previously described, that is the nozzle body connector 136 could include one or more of elements corresponding to a circumferential edge 137a, cylindrical post 137b, and/or cylindrical extension 137c, and the nozzle base distal end 137 could include one or more of the elements corresponding to the circumferential clamping member 136a, slot 136b, cavity 136c, and/or rounded stops 136d, 136e.
The cap body 120 comprises a vertical channel 124 that is cut out of the upstanding wall 121 directly beneath the nozzle 130 when the nozzle 130 is in the unlocked position shown for example in
In various embodiments, the cap body 120 also comprises a horizontal channel 125 that is cut out of a top portion of the upstanding wall 121 perpendicular to the vertical channel 124. The horizontal channel 125 is positioned adjacent to the nozzle 130, when the nozzle 130 is in the unlocked position shown for example in
The nozzle 130 can be rotated between the vertical and horizontal position when the nozzle base 131 is in either the vertical channel 124 and the horizontal channel 125, such that the nozzle 130 can be collapsed to the vertical position to make the dispensing assembly 100 more compact for storage and packaging, while also placed in a locked position that prevents the dispensing of any substance in the container 110. Further, in certain embodiments, such as those illustrated in the Figures, the length of the nozzle 130 can be the same as or shorter than the overall height of the cap body 120. As a result, when such nozzle 130 and cap body 120 are used in combination with a container 110 having a greater diameter than the cap body 120, this arrangement also prevents the nozzle 130 from being depressed, even in an unlocked position, by abutting a surface of the container 110, as shown for example in
The dispensing assembly 100 may further includes a dispenser actuator 140 disposed within a cap body 120 and configured for operation in two directions of motion: a first, sliding motion along a longitudinal axis; and a second, rotational motion about the longitudinal axis. As a result of these motions relative to the cap body 120, a dispensing mechanism is actuated to dispense a liquid product stored within the container 110. The liquid product is dispensed from the discharge port 115 of the dispensing assembly 100 throughout the dispensing stroke of the dispenser actuator 140. The nozzle 130 mates with the discharge port 115 at the mounting end 139 of the nozzle base 131 and is in fluid communication with the discharge port 115. Dispensed fluid is provided from the discharge port 115 through the nozzle base channel 134b, then through the intermediary channel 134c, before passing through the nozzle body channel 134a and being dispensed through the dispenser 133 of the nozzle 130.
The dispensing assembly 100 may further include a pump 114 for drawing up the fluid to be dispensed. The pump 114 extends into the chamber 111 of the container 110 and may further include a straw or tube (not shown) extending from its base into the container 110 to draw up the fluid from lower in the chamber 111. The pump 114 is primarily disposed in the cap body 120. Within the cap body 120, a floor member 128a is provided proximal to the base portion upper edge 122a, and an upright cylinder 128b is situation on the floor member 128a, extending into an upper chamber 123a of the cap body 120. The pump 114 is inserted through the upright cylinder 128b, as shown for example in
The container 110 includes a neck 112 that is configured to be received in a lower chamber 123b of the cap body 120 and secured to the cap body 120 therein. In the embodiment of the dispensing assembly 100 shown in the Figures, the container neck 112 has a circumferential locking element 113 that is configured to engage a circumferential bead 129 inside the base portion 122 of the cap body 120, by snapping over the circumferential bead 129 so as to secure the container 110 to the cap body 120. A circular sealing member 128c extends from the floor member 128a within the cap in a direction opposing the upright cylinder 128b and is received within the neck 112 of the container 110 to form a seal around the opening of the neck 112 to prevent the inadvertent leakage of fluid from the container 110.
The cap body 120 may be cylindrical and includes a base portion 122 and an upstanding wall 121. The base portion 122 has a height spanning between a bottom edge of the cap body 120 and a base portion upper edge 122a. The upstanding wall 121 extends upward from the base portion upper edge 122a. The upstanding wall 121 is generally cylindrical in shape, having a thin wall and a plurality of relief cuts formed therein. The upstanding wall 121 is bounded between an upstanding wall top edge and the base portion upper edge 122a. The upstanding wall 121 includes a first relief cut that extends from the upstanding wall top edge towards the base portion upper edge 122a to thereby form a horizontally arranged actuator limit stop 127. The actuator limit stop 127 prevents downward movement of the rotating dispenser actuator 140 when the rotating dispenser actuator 140 is rotated into a locked configuration as indicated by locking rotational motion. Actuator limit stop 127 provides an actuation governing engagement edge that is configured to engage with a portion of the rotating dispenser actuator 140 when rotated into a locked state. The rotating dispenser actuator 140 includes a projecting locking feature 142 outwardly extending from an upper edge of the rotating dispenser actuator 140. The projecting locking feature 142 may project from an actuating surface of the dispenser actuator 140 is designed to engage with the actuation governing engagement edge when rotated into a locked position, as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the first relief cut recess forming the actuator limit stop 127 transcends a longitudinal distance (as aligned with longitudinal axis 143 shown in
The pump dispenser actuator 140 is disposed within the cap body 120 and is configured for two directions of motion, including a first slidable movement parallel to the longitudinal axis 143 and a second rotational motion about the longitudinal axis 143. The projecting locking feature 142 is preferably configured as a plurality of rectangular blocks that extend radially outward from rotating dispenser actuator 140. The plurality of rectangular blocks provides a gripping surface for engagement with the user's finger. In an alternate embodiment, projecting locking feature 142 may be configured as a unitary protrusion. The projecting locking feature 142 may include a textured surface to provide an increased frictional interface to aid in the rotational motion.
As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, the projecting locking feature 142 is substantially similar in arc distance to the overall arc distance of actuation enabling clearance 126. Additionally, the arc distance of projecting locking feature 142 combined with the arc distance of the rotation locking member 141 is preferably similar to the combined arc distance of the actuation enabling clearance 126 and the actuator limit stop 127. When the dispensing assembly 100 is placed into an unlocked position as illustrated in
The child resistant mechanism of the dispensing assembly 100 can be similar to that described in applicant's earlier U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,061, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The child resistant locking mechanism of the dispensing assembly 100 may additionally or alternatively be similar to those shown described in applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,654,051, 10,689,169, or 10,669,082, which each require a rotational movement simultaneous to a depression of a locking button to unlock a container, and which are also incorporated by reference in their entireties.
It is also to be understood that the folding nozzle and dispensing assembly described herein may be utilized without a child resistant mechanism.
As used herein, directional or positional terms such as “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., are used for explanatory purposes only to describe the dispensing assembly 100 as illustrated in the figures, with the dispensing side of the dispensing assembly 100 being designated the “front” for explanatory purposes.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice.
