LIQUID DISPENSING CONTAINER

Abstract

A fluid dispensing assembly for use with mop-like devices. The assembly adapts to mop-like devices and utilizes a collapsible fluid reservoir pouch preferably contained within a substantially rigid housing. The collapsible fluid reservoir pouch permits fluid dispensing without need for venting. The assembly preferably utilizes one or the other of a fluid conducting needle and a venting needle found in a fluid disbursement fitment of commercially available mop-like devices, but the needles are not used to puncture membranes in a fluid reservoir. Rather, they provide mechanical force to actuate a valve that is used to permit flow of fluid from the fluid reservoir to the fluid disbursement fitment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning devices. More particularly, the invention is directed toward a liquid dispensing assembly for use with mop-like devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many mop-like consumer/home cleaning devices utilize a liquid containing reservoir which is in fluid communication a disbursement means by way of a fitment that relies on puncturing means to pierce through a membrane of the reservoir to establish the fluid communication. The puncturing means are typically one or more sharp hollow needles. The sharp needles can cause mild to severe injury if a consumer is inadvertently pricked or stabbed thereby.

Additionally, consumer/home cleaning devices typically utilize a substantially rigid walled fluid reservoir, such as one made out of metal or plastic. This requires the use of venting to replace a volume of ambient air equal to the volume of fluid dispensed from the fluid reservoir in order to prevent the formation of a depression in the reservoir that would render fluid dispensing difficult. Venting requires additional manufacturing steps which can increase the cost of the system.

In this connection, U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,941 discloses the use of reservoir piercing means comprising two needles in a preferred embodiment. The patent acknowledges the risk of consumer injury from needle puncture and discloses a preferred embodiment that utilizes a spring loaded protecting plate to prevent access to the needles when the appliance contains no reservoir. One needle is connected to a pumping means to facilitate the flow of fluid from the reservoir and a second needle utilizing a one-way valve or venting membrane for letting air into the reservoir as liquid is dispensed from the reservoir, thereby preventing depression or collapse of the walls of the substantially rigid walled reservoir as liquid is dispensed therefrom.

A need therefore exists in the art to provide means for the initiation of fluid communication from a fluid container through a fitment of a fluid disbursement means without relying on sharp puncture means operable to puncture a membrane of the fluid container.

A further need exists in the art for a reservoir that does not require venting to facilitate the dispensing of fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations and disadvantages of prior liquid dispensing mop-like cleaning devices and similar devices.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for dispensing fluid from a reservoir by using mechanical force to actuate a check valve to facilitate fluid communication from the reservoir to a fluid disbursing means without requiring the use of needles to puncture a membrane.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a reservoir made of a flexible, collapsible, and preferably replaceable reservoir pouch held within a preferably cage-like, optionally open-topped, housing. As a further general object of the invention, fluid is dispensed from the pouch, thereby causing the pouch to collapse and equilibrate pressure caused by the loss of liquid volume and, therefore, eliminating the need for venting. It is a further general object of the invention for the housing to connect the pouch to the fluid disbursing means.

Other details, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description of the presently preferred embodiments and presently preferred methods of practicing the invention proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reservoir pouch disposed within a housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention wherein a reservoir pouch is disposed within a housing and is connected to a fluid disbursing means; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention wherein a reservoir pouch is disposed within a housing and is connected to a fluid disbursing means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like or similar references indicate like or similar elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a combined fluid dispensing assembly, generally identified by reference numeral 10, reflecting one preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 1, assembly 10 includes a housing 12 and a reservoir pouch 14. Housing 12, which is preferably substantially cage-like and optionally open-topped in construction, connects reservoir pouch 14 to a liquid dispensing portion of a mop-like cleaning device (not depicted), such as that, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,941, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto. Housing 12 can be constructed of any suitable substantially rigid material, such as metal or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, housing 12 is constructed from plastic. Reservoir pouch 14 can be fabricated from any pliant material or materials suitable for holding liquid and collapsing as a volume of liquid is dispensed, such as, for example, plastic, metalized films, rubber or latex.

As also seen in FIG. 1, housing 12 preferably includes a recessed area or notch 16 which is adapted to receive a corresponding latch or tab (not shown) of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,941 whereby the housing functions as an adaptor for releasably securing the reservoir pouch 14 to a fluid disbursing means. As described in detail below with regard to FIG. 2, assembly 10 is enclosed by a fitment interface cap 23 which defines a reservoir compartment 20 (these elements corresponding to elements 123 and 120, respectively, in FIG. 3). The reservoir compartments 20 and 120 are sealed by caps 23, 123 to prevent fluid loss.

FIG. 2 depicts assembly 10 as it would appear when situated in communication with a partially illustrated fluid disbursement means. Fluid disbursement means desirably comprises a fitment of a type exemplified in the relevant field of art, such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,941 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,392. As is known, a typical such fluid disbursement fitment is characterized by fluid reservoir membrane piercing means including a pair of hollow needles. More particularly, piercing means includes a first hollow needle 18 and a second hollow needle 24. In conventional fitments, needle 18 conveys liquid from a fluid reservoir and needle 24 is a vent needle that permits ingress of atmospheric air into the reservoir as liquid is dispensed therefrom in order to equilibrate the volume of liquid discharged with the volume of air taken in, thereby preventing collapse of the reservoir walls and maintaining effective fluid flow through the system.

Similar to conventional vented fluid dispensing systems, needle 18 is used in the present invention as a means for enabling liquid to be transferred from a fluid reservoir to a fluid disbursement means. As seen in FIG. 2, when assembly 10 is fully connected to a mop-like cleaning device fitment, needle 18 slides into a raised pocket seal 22 carried by interface cap 23. The raised pocket seal 22 does not allow or require needle 18 to puncture a membrane in order to communicate fluid from reservoir pouch 14. Instead, pocket seal 22 has an opening or hole 25, preferably located generally opposite the point of entry for needle 18, which opening permits fluid that has been dispensed from pouch 14 into chamber 20 to pass into the needle 18. A preferred manner by which fluid passes from the pouch 14 to chamber 20 is discussed below. As is known, needle 18 is connected to a fluid disbursement tube (not shown).

As noted above, in conventional constructions, second needle 24 functions as a vent. However, the reservoir pouch 14 according to the present invention does not require air venting to facilitate dispensing of fluid therefrom. Consequently, in the embodiment of the invention reflected in FIG. 2, the second needle 24 is not utilized for its ordinary venting purpose. Instead, second needle 24 is used to supply or apply mechanical force to actuate a preferably spring-biased and channeled check valve 26 which provides controlled flow of fluid from reservoir pouch 14 to reservoir compartment 20. Thus, when assembly 10 is fully connected to a mop-like cleaning device, second needle 24 enters into a sealed bellows 28 which is constructed and arranged to contact an actuator arm 29 of check valve 26. The mechanical force exerted by needle 24 impacting bellows 28 causes the bellows to push against arm 29 of the check valve 26. This, in turn, causes the check valve 26 to rise into the inner volume of reservoir pouch 14. In so doing, a fluid seal 30 of check valve 26 is elevated from sealing contact with a dividing wall 33 located between reservoir pouch 14 and reservoir compartment 20. This raised position of check valve 26 is referred to in this embodiment as the open position.

Bellows 28 does not allow or require second needle 24 to puncture the end of the bellows 28 opposite the second needle entry point. Toward that end, bellows 28 is preferably capped with a structure sufficiently strong and durable to withstand piercing by second needle 24, such as hard plastic, metal or the like.

In the open position, i.e., when second needle 24 applies force to the actuator arm 29, check valve 26 rises into the inner volume of reservoir pouch 14 whereby fluid in reservoir pouch 14 flows through channels or similar fluid communication structure (not depicted) of the check valve 26 and into the volume of reservoir compartment 20. With the check valve 26 in the open position, fluid from reservoir compartment 20 further flows into the hole 25 in raised pocket seal 22, through the fluid needle 18 and out through a disbursement tube (not depicted).

As will be appreciated, when assembly 10 is not fully connected to a mop-like cleaning device, the second needle 24 does not apply force to the actuator arm 29 of the check valve 26, whereby fluid flow from the reservoir pouch 14 to reservoir compartment 20 is prevented by fluid seal 30. This is referred to in this embodiment as the closed position. In other words, in the closed position fluid seal 30 is urged into sealing contact with the dividing wall 33 between reservoir pouch 14 and reservoir compartment 20. In the closed position, fluid in reservoir pouch 14 can no longer flow through the fluid communication structure of check valve 26, and, accordingly, the fluid flow is interrupted. In another embodiment, check valve 26 is not spring biased, but maintains a closed position by the fluid pressure within reservoir pouch 14 when assembly 10 is not fully connected to a mop-like device but that, when housing assembly 10 is fully connected to a mop-like device, opens upon movement of needle 24 against actuator arm 29.

FIG. 3 reveals another embodiment of the invention. More specifically, FIG. 3 depicts a fluid dispensing assembly 110 comprised of a housing 112 surrounding a reservoir pouch 114 (which may be of similar construction to housing 12 and reservoir pouch 14 of FIGS. 1 and 2) situated in communication with a partially illustrated fluid disbursement fitment. In this embodiment, needle 18 enters reservoir compartment 120 through an O-ring 132 carried by fitment interface cap 123 when assembly 110 is fully connected to a mop-like cleaning device (not depicted). O-ring 132 is designed to permit needle 18 to enter into reservoir compartment 120 while sealingly receiving the needle 18, i.e., it prevents fluid loss around the needle entry point. As needle 18 enters reservoir compartment 120, it applies mechanical force to actuate a preferably spring biased check valve 126 against its bias. This force causes check valve 126 to rise into the inner volume of reservoir pouch 114. In so doing, fluid seal 130 is elevated from sealing contact with a dividing wall 133 situated between reservoir pouch 114 and reservoir compartment 120. This raised position is referred to in this embodiment as the open position.

In the open position, i.e., when needle 18 applies force to the check valve 126, the check valve rises into the inner volume of reservoir pouch 114 whereby fluid in reservoir pouch 114 flows through channels or similar fluid communication structure (not depicted) of the check valve 126 and into the volume of reservoir compartment 120. With the check valve 126 in this position, fluid from reservoir pouch 114 flows into reservoir compartment 120, through needle 18 and out through a fluid disbursement tube (not depicted).

It will be appreciated that when assembly 110 is not fully connected to a mop-like cleaning device, needle 18 does not apply force to the check valve 126, whereby fluid flow from the reservoir pouch 114 to reservoir compartment 120 is prevented by fluid seal 130. This is referred to in this embodiment as the closed position. In other words, in the closed position fluid seal 130 is urged into sealing contact with the dividing wall 133 situated between reservoir pouch 114 and reservoir compartment 120.

In the closed position, fluid in reservoir pouch 114 can no longer flow through the channels or other fluid communication structure in the check valve 126, and, accordingly, the fluid flow is interrupted. In another embodiment, check valve 126 is not spring biased, but maintains a closed position by the fluid pressure within reservoir pouch 114 when the reservoir and housing assembly 110 is not fully connected to a mop-like device but that, when assembly 110 is fully connected to a mop-like device, opens upon movement of needle 24 against check valve 126.

When assembly 110 is fully connected to a mop-like cleaning device, needle 24 enters through an opening 138 in fitment interface cap 123 into a needle receiving chamber 136. Receiving chamber 136 is isolated from fluid communication with reservoir compartment 120 and does not receive fluid therefrom. Receiving chamber 136 is designed merely to accommodate needle 24 during operation of the mop-like cleaning device, but otherwise serves no purpose related to venting or fluid disbursement.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed herein.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing assembly adapted for use with a fluid disbursement fitment comprising: a collapsible reservoir pouch containing a fluid; andmeans including a check valve for conducting fluid from said reservoir pouch to a fluid disbursement fitment.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for conducting fluid utilizes a needle of a fluid disbursement fitment to apply mechanical force to displace said check valve, thereby allowing fluid to flow from said reservoir pouch into the fluid disbursement fitment.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein a needle of a fluid disbursement fitment via which mechanical force is applied to displace said check valve is operable to receive fluid from said reservoir pouch.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein a needle of a fluid disbursement fitment via which mechanical force is applied to displace said check valve is not operable to receive fluid from said reservoir pouch.

5. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fitment interface cap defining a reservoir compartment in fluid communication with said reservoir pouch and the fluid disbursement fitment.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said fitment interface cap further defines a needle receiving chamber, said needle receiving chamber being isolated from fluid communication with said reservoir compartment.

7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fitment interface cap including a bellows for receiving a needle of a fluid disbursement fitment and for contacting said check valve, wherein the needle is operable to apply force to displace said check valve.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said fitment interface cap further includes a pocket seal for receiving another needle of the fluid disbursement fitment, said pocket seal including an opening in fluid communication with the fluid disbursement fitment.

9. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fitment interface cap including an O-ring for sealingly receiving a needle of the fluid disbursement fitment whereby fluid may flow from said reservoir pouch into the needle.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the needle is operable to apply force to displace said check valve.

11. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a housing surrounding said reservoir pouch.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said housing is made of rigid material.

13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said housing is constructed substantially as a cage.

14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said housing has an open top.