The present invention relates generally to small volume containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a single use container for storing and dispensing flowable materials.
The demand for single use packaging of consumer products is ubiquitous, penetrating the food, automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries in particular. Flowable products such as salt, sugar, milk, creamer, ketchup, vinegar, jam, honey, perfume, oil, lotion, soaps, sanitizers, powders, makeup, auto car cleaners, lubricants, catalytic products, hand sanitizers, and gels are all currently available in individual-size, single use packages. Generally, liquid, cream and gel products are packaged in flaccid foil wrapping to preserve freshness, while flowable solids are typically packaged for single use in a paper envelope. While these forms of packaging are inexpensive and easily manufactured, they are deemed inconvenient to the user in opening and dispensing product.
For example, a user dispensing ketchup from a foil envelope typically will require both hands to open the package. Alternatively, one-handed opening is possible with assistance from the user's teeth. In either case, dispensing ketchup from the torn foil package is messy, and the user will likely end up with ketchup on at least a few fingers of one hand. In addition, it is typical that ketchup will also leak onto the outside of the package. Placement of the sloppy package on a nearby counter or table will result in further mess to the table, providing potential for bacterial growth and cross contamination.
Paper envelopes for dispensing flowable solids are similarly inconvenient. Form example, a user attempting to add sugar to a cup of coffee will usually put the cup down on a table, or otherwise balance it, to free both hands to open the sugar package. The user tears the package, and is then found holding a shred of paper in one hand, and an open package of sugar in the other hand. The sugar is added to the coffee, and the paper in each hand is discarded. During this process, there is ample opportunity for the user or another individual to knock over the cup of coffee.
Further, safety is a major concern when handling hot, corrosive, acidic, or other hazardous materials, particularly while manipulating a container and operating a vehicle or otherwise performing a complicated task. In any of these situations, the potential exists for personal injury or property damage.
Waste is also an issue in our society. Sources of waste in small volume packages include incomplete evacuation of contents, spillage of contents, and property and environmental damage by spillage or improper dispensing of toxic materials. Discarded single use containers are also a source of visible trash worldwide.
Further, existing small volume single-use packages such as those mentioned above are generally not suited for long-term storage. For example, paper packages must be kept away from wetness, and perfume containers (typically made of glass) must be safely stored to avoid breakage.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous small volume containers.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a single use storage container, the container comprising: one or more walls operatively connected to form an elongated sleeve, and having first and second closed ends; a rupture point proximal to at least one of said closed ends, the rupture point rupturable to provide a dispensing opening upon application of a threshold force by a user against the rupture point, wherein the threshold force is less than or equivalent to that exertable by a thumb of a user; the sleeve composed of a material having sufficient rigidity to resist bending during application of the threshold force by the user. The single use container may further comprise an advertising surface along the one or more walls.
In an embodiment, the sleeve is prismatic, having a triangular, rectangular, or ellipsoid cross sectional area.
In another embodiment, the rupture point is a score line about the sleeve. In particular embodiments, the score line may be created by thermal, mechanical, ultraviolet, or laser means.
In another embodiment, the rupture point comprises adhesive.
In some embodiments, the threshold force required to break or rupture the container and release the contents may be between 1 and 100 N. In certain embodiments, the threshold force is less than 21 N. The threshold force may be applied to the walls of the container in some embodiments, or to the end of end of the container in other embodiments.
One or both ends of the container may be sealed by folding, crimping, gluing, heating, application of pressure, or application of ultrasound.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a single use container for storing flowable material, the container comprising: a sleeve having closable ends for supporting an amount of flowable material within the sleeve; and a break point along the sleeve, the break point defining a dispensing outlet through which flowable material may be released from the container upon application of a threshold force by a user against the break point; the sleeve formed from a semi-rigid material suitable to resist bending during application of the rupture force by a user.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for storing and dispensing a flowable material comprising the steps of:
In an embodiment, the step of providing a sleeve comprises folding and gluing one or more sheets of material into a prismatic form, and sealing the prismatic form at a first end to form a sleeve having a closed first end and open second end.
In another embodiment, the step of sealing the second end comprises folding, crimping, gluing, heating, application of pressure, or application of ultrasound.
In a further embodiment, the step of providing a break point comprises forming a score line along the sleeve. The score line may be created, for example, by thermal, mechanical, ultraviolet, or laser means.
The method may further comprise the step of printing an advertisement on the sleeve.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
a-e are schematic perspective views depicting steps in the formation and rupture of a cylindrical, single-use container;
a-h are schematic perspective views depicting steps in the formation and rupture of a triangular, single-use container;
a-f are schematic perspective views depicting steps in the formation and rupture of a triangular, single-use container;
a-c are side, top, and cross sectional (through X-X′) views, respectively, of a single use container crimp-sealed at both ends;
a-c are side, top, and cross sectional (through Y-Y′) views, respectively, of a flared-bottom single use container;
a-c are side, top, and cross sectional (through Z-Z′) views, respectively, of a flared-bottom single use container;
Generally, with reference to the Figures, a small-volume container is described for storage and one-time dispensing of flowable materials. The container may be inexpensively manufactured, filled, and sealed until the time of desired use by the consumer.
The container may be manufactured as a length of semi-rigid tubing having suitable cross-sectional shape and size, made from any suitable material. The tubing is sealed at one end to form a receptacle for containing flowable material. The receptacle is filled, and the open end is sealed to store the material inside. A score or other weak point in the container is created before or after filling, along or about the length of tubing. This score, or weak point, will rupture or otherwise open upon application of manual pressure to the closed tubing, forming a dispensing opening. It is intended that the shape and size of the container will fit comfortably in a user's hand, and the score will easily rupture upon application of pressure by the user's thumb and/or forefinger. That is, the angular deflection of the container wall along the score line or weak point, caused by application of opposing manual pressure to the container ends by the user, will rupture the container along the score line, creating an opening through which flowable container contents may be dispensed. Accordingly, the user may effect one handed opening and dispensing of the flowable material from the container.
Sleeve
The material used to manufacture the container may be stiff paper, polyethylene, polypropylene, plastic-backed foil, or any other suitable material. The sleeve or tubing may be recyclable, and/or formed of biodegradable or recycled materials. To date, suitable tested materials have included cardboard, flexible plastic (containing polyethylene, nylon, or polyester), rigid plastic (polypropylene).
The material should provide some flexibility to allow deformation of the ends for sealing purposes, while also providing some rigidity and resiliency to prevent premature breakage of the filled and sealed container. In addition, if scoring is desired, the material should be reliably scorable to allow consistent rupture by a typical user. The combination of material selection, container configuration, and depth/type of scoring will provide a container of sufficient rigidity to rupture the score upon application of reasonable pressure by a user.
Accordingly, criteria for use in selection of an appropriate manufacturing material should include consideration of the modulus of elasticity—ease of breaking the material, and the material's rigidity—ability to resist bending as a breaking force is applied. Generally, as failure.
Additional criteria may include toxicity, printability, and compatibility with proposed flowable material to be contained, biodegradability, cost of the material, and cost to form the container from the material.
Examples of suitable cross sectional tubing shapes are shown in the figures. It is well known that cylindrical lengths of tubing may be manufactured. Angular cross sectional shapes (such as triangular, square, rectangular, etc.) may be desirable to allow stacking of the containers, to avoid rolling of the filled or empty containers across surfaces, and for ease of manipulation by the user in opening the container. Further, in certain applications, unique cross sectional shapes may be desirable for product or supplier branding, etc. For example, it may be desirable to have a stackable container with flat panels to which a logo may be applied, such that when pluralities of such containers are stacked, the logos are clearly visible.
Manufacture of Receptacle
With reference to
Alternatively, the container may be initially produced as a length of tubing, which is later cut to appropriate length and sealed at one end to form the closed bottom 12. Such tubing may be formed as is known generally in the art, for example by helically wrapping sheets of suitable material about a central form, or by seam bonding, tab or overlap bonding, injection molding, or extrusion. Each container is cut from the length of tubing and sealed at one end to create an open container. This sealing is typically accomplished by folding, crimping, and/or bonding of one open end. The resulting closed bottom may then be flattened or flared if desired (for example, as shown in
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
The containers shown in the drawings may be economically manufactured, as each container is formed as a single unit, without need for attachment of additional closures, valves, etc.
Sealing, and Scoring of the Container
With reference to
The score about the container may be made proximal one or both ends. When the closed end is flared or flattened, the score may be placed proximal the opposite end such that tapping the flared end, or standing the container on its flared or flattened end, will cause the contents to settle within the container, below the score. This will minimize spillage when the score is broken.
Accordingly, the user may tap the container to settle the material within the container such that the material settles below the score line, and then rupture the container open at the score line by applying pressure B to the unscored portion 15, with opposing pressure C exerted at the end of the container. As shown in
Scoring a container to provide a defined opening/dispensing location may be accomplished by etching, notching, perforating, etc. using thermal, mechanical, ultraviolet, laser, or other means to weaken the container at a defined location. This weakened location provides a break point upon the application of pressure to the container walls, such that the container will split at the score to allow dispensing of material from the container.
More than one score may be made about/along the container. For example, a score could be made adjacent each end of the container. Alternatively, as shown in
The open top 12 may be sealed by any suitable method. For example, and as shown in the Figures, the top may be sealed by folding and crimping the walls together. Additional sealing may be provided by glue, heat-sealing, or ultrasonic radiation.
During sealing, the container may be pressurized to assist rupture along the score line by the user. Depending on the contents, container construction, and materials, the container may be positively or negatively pressurized with an appropriate additive (for example, an inert gas), which may serve a dual purpose in preservation or masking of odour as desired.
Opening
The filled and sealed container may be opened by applying opposing pressure to, or flexing, the container—causing it to split along the score line. The container design facilitates opening without bimanual synergy. That is, the user may open the container with one hand while holding another item (for example a cup of coffee) in the other hand.
With reference to
It has been determined through user testing that the maximum desirable threshold force to open the container should be lower than 21 N, to ensure ease of opening by any individual. That is, the container should require the user to exert no more than 21 N of force to open the container.
Emptying
Once the container has been opened, the user may simply pour the flowable material from the container. Depending on the material, the user may wish to squeeze the container, applying additional pressure to fully eject the contents, particularly when the flowable material is highly viscous—such as honey, lotion, oil, or butter.
With reference to
With reference to
As shown in
As a further example, another container 10o with triangular cross section is shown in
The sample container 100 shown in
When opening of the container is desired, a user grips the container with the palm and fingers, and applies thumb force against an upper corner 103 of the triangular prism. In testing, the mean opening force was 5.2 N, with a maximum force of 8.7 N. This is less than 50% of the desirable threshold force of 21 N. When opened in this manner, the break points along two faces of the container, with the third face (opposing the corner to which force was applied) remains intact and flexes to provide a hinge effect. Accordingly, the container can simply be tipped on end to dispense the contents.
In this embodiment, the triangular prism of SBS board provided suitable rigidity to prevent horizontal deflection failure. Given that the opening force is applied to the corner of the prism in this embodiment, and with a limited length lever arm and minimal opening force required, the bending moments are limited and the integrity of the container was maintained in all tests.
The sample container shown in
The tube 200 shown in
The container can be formed using equipment similar to that used in the straw manufacturing industry. To form the container, one end is crimp-sealed 201 and the other end bears a 10 mm fold-over flap 202. That is, once the container is filled, the flap is folded over and the tip of the flap is bonded to the center of the ellipse with a point-applied adhesive, to result in a final length of 100 mm.
Opening is effected by application of an upward force against the folded flap, causing the flap to unseal and unfold, revealing the product inside, which can then be poured out. In testing, the mean opening force was 5.5 N, with a maximum of 8.6 N required to break the adhesive bond.
The minimal force required to effect opening of the container, combined with the upward direction of force application and limited lever arm, result in minimal bending moments applied in the horizontal direction. No horizontal deflection failure was observed in testing, and the material was determined to be suitably rigid to perform appropriately.
The example container 300 shown in
The rectangular prism shown was formed from a flat sheet of sugar cane paper 1 mm thick, to which a starch-based adhesive was applied. The paper was die-cut and fed into a folding apparatus, then secured with adhesive.
During testing, a mean upward force of 4.8 N was established to open the container, with a maximum force of 8.7 N required to break the flap from the container, which remains hingedly connected to the opposing face of the prism as shown at hingepoint 304.
The minimal required opening force, and the upward direction in which it is applied, minimize bending moments applied to the container. This, combined with the appropriate material selection, resulted in successful testing with no bending or deflection failure during testing.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/093,290 which was filed on Apr. 25, 2011 and is hereby incorporated in entirety by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2227341 | Greenwood | Dec 1940 | A |
2270236 | Blakemore | Jan 1942 | A |
2369716 | Coghill | Feb 1945 | A |
2436981 | Sullivan | Mar 1948 | A |
2499313 | Hoag | Feb 1950 | A |
2932404 | Adell | Apr 1960 | A |
3067870 | Bilsky | Dec 1962 | A |
3216562 | Lockwood | Nov 1965 | A |
3473650 | Hoag | Oct 1969 | A |
3741384 | Cloud | Jun 1973 | A |
3795359 | Rausing | Mar 1974 | A |
4301927 | Carlsson et al. | Nov 1981 | A |
4358028 | Chiquiar-Arias | Nov 1982 | A |
4450581 | Hirata | May 1984 | A |
4634008 | Strole et al. | Jan 1987 | A |
4644732 | Morton | Feb 1987 | A |
4765518 | O'Meara | Aug 1988 | A |
5595340 | Skinner | Jan 1997 | A |
5601233 | Kageyama et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
6085942 | Redmond | Jul 2000 | A |
6094886 | Poignant | Aug 2000 | A |
6193416 | Kawamata et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6267507 | de Laforcade | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6446860 | Robichaud | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6638549 | Lloyd | Oct 2003 | B1 |
7073692 | Weyts | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7270239 | Ross | Sep 2007 | B1 |
8091242 | Teys et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
20080273821 | Doll | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20100116772 | Teys et al. | May 2010 | A1 |
20110259888 | Kanderka et al. | Oct 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
466947 | Jun 1937 | GB |
793729 | Apr 1958 | GB |
WO 9734816 | Sep 1997 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 13/093,290, mailed Jul. 25, 2012 6 pages Restriction Requirement. |
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 13/093,290, mailed Sep. 10, 2012 7 pages. |
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 13/093,290, mailed Mar. 5, 2013 6 pages. |
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 13/093,290, mailed Aug. 29, 2013 8 pages. |
Final Action for U.S. Appl. No. 13/093,290, mailed Apr. 15, 2014 7 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20140084004 A1 | Mar 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61328036 | Apr 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 13093290 | Apr 2011 | US |
Child | 13625937 | US |