Patent Application
20070012727
The present invention relates generally to a system and apparatus for dispensing flowable products. More particularly, the present invention relates to consumer-suspended, fluid product dispensing containers for dispensing consumer quantities of fluids ranging from liquid to granular solid powder.
Many consumer products such as dishwashing detergent, hand soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, toothpaste, condiments including mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, syrup, honey and viscous food fluids such as jams, jellies, peanut butter, and the like, are packaged in containers that are often recloseable and have a capacity anywhere from an individual portion to 64 fluid ounces or more. The containers are typically made from molded materials (PE, PETE, PP, ABS, polycarbonate, etc.) and generally have a structure which includes a lower end adapted to maintain them in a standing position on a flat surface and an upper end having an outlet for dispensing the fluid. Covers for outlets range in complexity from simple twist-off caps, and lift-up nozzles to compressible pumps and squeezable bottles having integrated pre-measured dose cups. Additionally, some containers are specially shaped for a specific purpose, such as sculpted or narrowed near the middle to improve grip.
The known methods and structures for dispensing such consumer-directed fluid products commonly rely on a combination of picking up the dispenser container, opening its outlet, positioning it over the dispensing area (food, sponge, hand, etc.), and either inverting and pouring, or by applying pressure directly or via some pump mechanism to the contents in the container to get the fluid through the outlet onto the intended target. One might dispense product into one's cupped hand either at the work area or at a distance from where it will be used (assuming one has two hands available) and then bringing the dispensed product to its intended destination, for example, in or over a countertop, table surface, sink or tub. The operation differs little if the container is equipped with a pump. In any case, most known dispensing containers must be opened, positioned, manipulated and restored to their former position and condition, or by applying pressure to a pump.
Many instances of dispensing operations require two free hands for any combination or permutation of the following operations to be performed either sequentially or contemporaneously: to manipulate an outlet to a dispensing position, to hold the dispenser in place while a pump is actuated, to invert rotate or otherwise change the resting position of the entire container in order to move viscous fluids to the dispensing outlet, to restore the container to a non-dispensing position or state. Frequently, fluids are dispensed directly into a user's hand, while the other hand is occupied with the manipulating the container.
With respect to cost, providing a dispensing fluid container with a pump- or siphon-action fluid outlet is relatively significantly more expensive than providing a fluid container with a gravity-dependent fluid outlet. Moreover, a pump can suffer from mechanical failure and be inefficient in that most are unable to extract some significant portion of fluid from a nearly-emptied container, especially if the fluid is very viscous.
When viscous fluids such as gels, jams, hair conditioner, mayonnaise, honey, mustard, glues and the like are sold or kept in pouring-type dispensers having a flat bottom resting area and a recloseable dispensing fluid outlet at or near the opposing top end, the time it takes to perform each successive dispensing operation increases as the distance between the surface level of the fluid and the outlet increases. Furthermore, waste of product is practically inevitable as the contents are gradually used since some product often clings to the bottom lower sides of the container interior. Related to this, between dispensing operations, gravity causes viscous fluid to accumulate at the lowest point of the fluid container, i.e. usually the end farthest away from the dispensing opening. In an effort to reduce time to pour and to reduce waste, strategies must be employed to keep the bulk of the remaining viscous fluid accumulating closer to the dispensing opening. For example, toothpaste tubes and bottles, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, ointments and a wide variety of flowable personal hygiene, cosmetics and cleaning products are supplied in dispensing bottles or tubes with flat covers over the dispensing openings so they may be stored standing on their head, so to speak, between uses. Unfortunately, that requires that the tube be rested on a flat surface, usually a kitchen, sink or bath countertop, tabletop or ledge, thus adding to clutter, increasing potential for spills and residual drips, soiling and using some of the most valuable and heavily used real estate in any home or work environment. Some containers are made squeezable to allow consumers to squeeze the product up and out, but as anyone who has ever squeezed a tube of toothpaste knows, the squeezing operation can become a chore. In the alternative, product is wasted by those not desirous of employing economizing strategies.
Work surface areas, including tabletops and countertops in most environments, domestic or commercial, are often at a premium. For example, counter-top space in the vicinity of water outlets, e.g. sink faucets, bath and shower outlets, in even the largest household kitchens and bathrooms is usually precious and domestic engineers agree that reduction of kitchen and bathroom counter clutter, and increasing counter availability, is important for achieving and maintaining efficiency and tranquility. The same is true for many culinary, commercial and industrial settings.
In situations where a fluid dispenser will get heavy use, such as in a public restroom or dining hall, the risk of passing infection increases where other people must handle the container at its dispensing point and along its outer side surfaces of the dispenser sufficiently firmly to maintain a grip and invert the dispenser. A dispenser that requires less contact to dispense its contacts is more hygienic.
References show mechanisms for hanging fluid dispensers in inverted positions from housings which are fixed to the wall. These are typically fitted with push-up valves. Unfortunately, such devices often have flow-rate control and leakage issues, resulting almost inevitably in spillage on the counter or articles below the dispenser. Additionally, users will often soil the area around a sink by dripping product or water onto the counter in the process of moving their hands from the spout end of the faucet to the dispenser and back to a position over the sink.
With reference to food service establishments, many provide condiments such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, salad dressing, and the like from pump-equipped containers. Frequently the containers can't be pumped dry as they can't get the last bit at the bottom. Furthermore, pumps are often difficult to control and users often spill condiment on the countertop instead of on the food, adding to maintenance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,594 discloses a device which comprises a soap dispenser that is attached to the end of a faucet and further comprises a valve mechanism. Unfortunately, most sinks have only one or two faucet ends, substantially limiting the potential locations and space-saving potential for the device. Additionally, placing anything at the end of the faucet affects the usage of both faucet and sink, as well as increasing likelihood of accidental discharge of soap into water used for food preparation.
Similarly, PCT Publication No. WO 00/41608, of International Application PCT/AU00/00015 discloses a device for positioning solid soap in the water stream by suspending the device from the end of the water-dispensing faucet.
The combination liquid soap dispenser and protective cover for water fixtures disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,577 similarly positions a device having a soap container directly in contact with a faucet end, therefore negatively affecting normal sink usage, access to which should be as unimpeded as possible at all times.
Exemplary embodiments of fluid dispensers for end users useful in the system of the present invention [a] make use of often-underutilized space; [b] conserve product; [c] conserve work environment space and normalcy of operation while still permitting easy use of the fixture; [d] permit pre-positioning of the dispenser directly over its intended use environment, such as the sink/tub drain, so that should normal and excess product dispensing or spillage occur, clean-up effort and time are reduced, [e] may be easily adapted to suit attachment to a wide variety of fixtures; [f] dispense viscous fluids easily, quickly and with greater efficiency, without interfering with the normal operation of the fixture where attached and its environment; and [h] permit truly one-handed operation so simple that even a toddler can use it, among other advantages.
Fluid dispenser apparatus of the exemplary embodiments also provide exceptional advertising value, by improving conspicuity of the container brand, being in daily view whether or not in use, and even adding visible surface area for advertising/marketing.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for storing and dispensing powders and viscous fluid products used by consumers in closest proximity to their area of actual use, with minimal impact on the normal use of the space, thereby reducing time, clutter, spillage, clean up, and reducing the risk of non-food chemicals accidentally dripping onto the sink, tub, food-preparation area, table surface or even food itself.
Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention overcome the difficulty of finding an attachment system which is able to engage a large number of the great variety of fixtures with respect to being able to adapt to their sometimes complex and varied cross-sectional conformation, size and space restrictions presented by the area in consideration.
Moreover exemplary embodiments of the present invention permit the marketing and use of fluid containers that are disposable/replaceable. Additionally, the fluid containers of some exemplary embodiments, by being relieved of the constraints of having to have a flat resting surface substantially opposite the dispensing end, allow for a vast new variety of design options with distinctive and attractive shapes and other physical characteristics as well as production methods which are not now possible in the case of known containers constructed to stand independently upright on a counter top.
These and other advantages and characteristics are achieved by providing a coupler that is attached or attachable to a fluid dispensing container and is also attachable to the external surface of a fixture. Either the fluid container is rotatable with respect to the coupler, the coupler is rotatable relative to the fixture, or both. By rotatable, it is meant that the height of the outlet of the fluid dispensing container relative to the fluid of the level within can be changed in small user-determined incremental movements, in at least one plane that has a vertical component. Attachment between the coupler and fluid dispensing container can be accomplished in any of a number of different ways. As an example, a coupler may be able to be incrementally rotated by hand around the longitudinal axis of fixtures having a wide range of shapes and sizes, of the kind that be attached or found adjacent to and/or overhanging a work surface, such as a countertop or tabletop, sink fixture such as a faucet or an adjacent sprayhead, suspended rod, tension rod, column, or countertop dishwashing machine vent, as examples.
A rotating coupler can comprise a mechanism as mechanically simple as an elastic arranged in a harness-type arrangement on a fluid container, which is attached to a fixture, preferably suspended above or protruding out over the desired zone of use, in such a way and in such a position as to allow orientation of the fluent level with respect to the outlet as desired. Preferably, the fluid container can be rotated in a controllable, incremental manner in at least one plane having a vertical component such that the rotation elevates or lowers the fluid outlet with respect to the level of the fluid contained therein. By controllable manner, it is meant that a user can selectively and deliberately choose the vertical position the fluid dispensing outlet relative to the surface of the fluid in the container. By simply rotating the coupler or the container, or both, a user can easily control liquid flow-rate and fluid level in the container relative to the fluid outlet, i.e., such that, between dispensing operations, the fluid accumulates in the area of or directly adjacent to the fluid outlet or accumulates well away from the dispensing opening to prevent accidental discharge, or anywhere in between. This is especially advantageous when dispensing viscous fluids or controllably dispensing fluid, even with one hand unavailable.
Furthermore, a user should preferably be able to choose the position of the rotating coupler along substantially the entire length of an elongated horizontal and vertical fixture and be accommodative of a broad range of widths, and cross-sectional conformations with which fixtures such as those commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms are found. Other exemplary embodiments may be suitable for attachment at an edge or on a vertical or horizontal surface.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention facilitate one-handed operation by even the youngest user with little or no training, and eliminate the need for picking up a potentially large, but slippery surfaced bottle.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention include those comprising a fluid container or reservoir and a coupler adapted for rotatably coupling the fluid reservoir container to an exterior surface, an edge, or a fixture having at least some longitudinal aspect such as a closet rod, a column, a sink faucet, bath fixture, towel bar, or sprayhead.
Additional exemplary embodiments of the invention include those comprising a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to an exterior surface of a sink faucet or bath fixture, wherein the coupler comprises an axle for rotation in a plane having some vertical component of the dispensing container relative to the sink faucet or bath fixture.
Yet other exemplary embodiments of the invention comprise a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to a suspended rod, a vertical shaft or column, an edge or an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface might be that of a sink faucet, bath fixture, or a neck affixed to a surface at or adjacent to a target site, intended environment of use.
And still other exemplary embodiments of the invention comprise a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to an exterior surface of a fixture, wherein the dispensing container holds and dispenses a fluid, which may be a liquid, particulate, gel, foam, paste, or any other flowing material normally dispensed from a bottle.
Another exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to an exterior surface of a neck, sink faucet shaft, vegetable spray head base or bath fixture, wherein the coupler is rotatable in a plane around the faucet, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck.
Another exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the rotatable dispensing container to or around an exterior surface fixture having a longitudinal portion, wherein the direction of rotation of the dispensing container is in a plane having a vertical component and preferably parallel to the longitudinal portion of the faucet.
A further exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to or around an exterior surface of a fixture, wherein the coupler is selected from the group comprising a clamp, a cuff, a bracelet, an elastic band, a strap, or hook and loop strap.
Still a further exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to an exterior surface of a sink faucet or bath fixture, wherein the coupler comprises an adapter, the adapter comprises a cooperative lockable mechanism further comprising cooperative locking components attached to or integrally formed on the container and the adapter.
In yet a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the container and adapter are each provided with one of a pair of interlocking members.
In still a further exemplary embodiment, one interlocking member has a male configuration and the other has an interlocking female configuration. The male interlocking member and female configuration interlocking member have complementary shapes and sizes designed to permit manual incremental rotation of one relative to the other, thereby translating rotational motion to the dispensing container relative to the fixture. The male interlocking member may be attached to or integrally formed on the dispensing container and the female interlocking member.
An exemplary embodiment of a dispensing container and coupler according to the present invention has a coupler that comprises a faucet adapter, attached to the faucet adapter is at least one male protuberance, and the container has a female receptacle; the male protuberance and female receptacle are complementarily shaped and sized relative to one another to permit the male protuberance to be securely, yet removeably, received and retained into female receptacle.
In many exemplary embodiments, the dispensing container or containers can be rotated relative to the coupler.
Many of the exemplary embodiments include a dispensing container which is capped with a recloseable cap. Exemplary embodiments of the dispenser container of the present invention could have collapsible flexible walls. Some exemplary embodiments of the dispenser container may have all rigid walls.
Other exemplary embodiments will have at least one shape-maintaining wall and at least one collapsible wall.
A dispensing container of the present invention could have at least one surface adaptation for securely being attached to a sink fixture with an elastic coupler. The dispensing container can have grooves formed at or near each end for securely receiving an elastic coupler for attachment to a sink fixture.
One exemplary embodiment of a dispensing container has at least one groove formed on an outer surface thereof, the groove having a shape and being positioned to cooperate with the outer surface of a fixture to stabilize the position of the dispensing container against the fixture outer surface.
An exemplary embodiment of a coupler for rotatably attaching at least one fluid dispensing container to an external surface of a sink fixture has surfaces to provide resistance to rotational force to increase the force required to move the dispensing container and thereby reduce accidental dislocation of the dispensing container from a desired position relative to the sink or bath fixture.
The coupler could comprise a hook and loop (Velcro®) strap, a spring-loaded band, a notched rubber strap or a cradle.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the fixture adapter portion of the coupler could have one or more surfaces contoured to reduce unintentional movement with respect to the fixture.
As an example, the dispensing container can have guide grooves which can help container be seated against faucet in various positions.
The exemplary embodiments of fluid containers of the present invention could dispense at least one fluid selected from the group consisting of liquid toiletry, dishwashing detergent, flowable cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, hair conditioner, body wash, skin creams, moisturizers, soap bubbles, bath salts and crystals, bubble bath, shaving cream/lotion, toothpaste, hair gels, hair mousse, pastes, adhesives, sealants, caulks and anything flowable that is used near/in conjunction with a kitchen, dining room, kitchen sink, bathroom/washroom sink, bathing facility, workshop or classroom.
Additional exemplary embodiments of fluid containers taught by the present invention could quickly and cleanly dispense viscous fluid comestibles, such as ketchup, mustard, honey, maple syrup, chocolate topping and other condiments.
Even powder fluids, such as laundry detergent powder, sugar, salt, spices, could easily be dispensed from containers embodying the present invention.
a-4a are perspective views of exemplary embodiments of anchoring straps for use with exemplary embodiments of couplers such as those shown in
a is a partial cross-section view of a container's attachment to a coupler to form a fluid dispenser having a rotational axis in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
b is an exploded partial cross-section view of the container and coupler shown in
c is a partial detailed cross-section view showing attachment of a container-coupler combination, i.e. fluid dispenser, using a strap of the kind shown in
d is a front elevation view of an exemplary female embodiment of a coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure and shown in
a is an exploded front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluid dispenser constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
b is a front elevation view of the exemplary embodiment in
c is a left side elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of the fluid container with attached male coupler attachment member shown in
a is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure taken from below;
b is a rear perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in
c is a top plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in
d is a rear elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in
e is a left side inverted elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in
f is a detailed perspective view of a gripping portion of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in
g is a detailed cross-section view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in
a-b are front and rear perspective views of an exemplary female embodiment of a coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure, open and unlatched, respectively;
c is a perspective view, taken from below, of the female coupler shown in
d is a bottom plan view of the closed female coupler shown in
e is a top plan view of the female coupler shown in
f is a side elevation view of the female coupler shown in
a is an inverted top perspective view from above and behind an exemplary embodiment of a female coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
b is a top plan view of the female coupler shown in
c is a rear elevation view of the inverted female coupler shown in
d is a side elevation view of the female coupler shown in
a is a front elevation view of one exemplary embodiment of a female coupler for attaching a fluid container to a fixture according to teachings of the disclosure;
b is a top plan view of the coupler shown in
c is a front side elevation view of a variant of the exemplary embodiment of the female coupler shown in
a is a cross-section view, of an exemplary embodiment of a male coupler, in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
b-15f are top plan views, in partial cross-section, of exemplary embodiments of couplers, in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
a-c are cross-sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of a partly fluid-filled dispenser and integrally formed coupler constructed and installed on a fixture, rotated to various positions, in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
a is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a translucent male fluid dispensing container with female coupler mounted on a fixture comprising a countertop;
a is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an elastic coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
b is a side elevation view of the elastic coupler in
c is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an elastic coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
d is a perspective view from above and in front of the elastic coupler in
a is a front elevation view of a fluid dispenser constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
b is a rear elevation view of the fluid dispenser in
c is a front elevation view of the fluid dispenser in
d is a front elevation view of the fluid dispenser in
e is a side elevation view of the fluid dispenser in
a is a front elevation view of a fluid dispenser constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
b is a cross-section view of the fluid dispenser in
a is a top plan view of a pair of fluid containers coupled to a longitudinal fixture by a single coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;
b is an exploded partial longitudinal cross-section view, taken from below, of the pair of containers and coupler shown in
c is a partial sagittal cross-section taken from the front elevation of the pair of containers and coupler shown in
The present invention comprises novel apparatus for fluid dispensers targeted at consumers or end users, and a novel system and method of merchandising that is enabled by the novel apparatus. The apparatus comprises mechanisms and methods for allowing a consumer to suspend one or more fluid dispensers in a strategic location in the vicinity where the fluid will actually be used. The suspension mechanism must be simple to make and use yet highly adaptable to enable to accommodate the range of potential fixtures from which consumers may wish to suspend the dispensers. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments comprise apparatus for adapting a fluid reservoir or container, often provided in advance with an outlet, to be attached to a fixture via a coupler. The structural relationship between either the coupler and fixture, or the coupler and coupled fluid container, is such that a user can manually, controllably and incrementally rotate the fluid container such that its outlet travels in a path having a vertical component. The outlet is thereby movable by each user between a storage position, i.e. where the fluid surface is below or at the bottom of the outlet, and a dispensing position, where the fluid surface level is above the bottom of the outlet, and vice versa.
Preferably, the more the user is able to control the position of the outlet via rotation, the better. Thus, there is a corresponding need for the coupling to be securely attached to the fixture; enough to resist the torque applied by a user in repositioning the outlet. A balance needs to be struck between the mechanisms that facilitate rotation and position maintenance of the container relative to the coupler and of the coupler relative to the fixture. A satisfactory balance produces a container and coupler which in use are stable relative to the fixture and yet sufficiently sensitive to permit fine, or even infinite, degrees of adjustment of the container relative to the fixture by a user repositioning the dispenser between a dispensing and nondispensing storage position, usually by rotation.
In typical use, it is contemplated that after dispensing, the user relocates the outlet, stopping rotation with the top surface of the remaining fluid just below the outlet, sufficiently to prevent dripping, yet closely enough so that when the next user has to dispense the fluid, the fluid will already be accumulated in the area immediately adjacent to or just below the outlet, by the force of gravity alone, and readily available for dispensing. Subsequent dispensing operations thus require less time and relatively little effort to get the fluid level to rise above the outlet level and pour out, a mere couple of degrees of rotation. A simple and minimal upward twist of the container stops the fluid from dripping and readies the dispenser for the next user.
The containers of the exemplary embodiments described hereinbelow are preferably made from molded or cast materials commonly used in packaging fluids for resale. Useful materials include thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl, PETE, etc. as well as traditional materials such as glass, ceramic and light metals. While the invention is scalable over a wide range and containers can have a fluid storage capacity of from fractions of a fluid ounce to several gallons, most consumer applications will only require fluid storage containers having capacity of from ¼ fluid ounce to about 128 ounces. Variable factors such as size, weight, shape, volume, materials, etc. are somewhat interdependent and the degree of variation is well within the skill of the ordinary person in the art of packaging design. The combination of the factors and two relevant resultant torsional values (force to twist container and attachment force for coupler to resist twisting around fixture), will help determine how the artisan will design the overall apparatus, given the particular product's anticipated uses and target environment. For instance, gently squeezing the sides of a container which is somewhat flexible, could assist a user in the dispensing operation. If the container is expected to be fairly heavy, then the thickness of the walls will be of some importance with respect to preventing undesired shape distortion. A floppy container may be undesirable or aesthetically displeasing.
The system is particularly well-suited for dispensing particulate fluids and viscous fluids, such as liquid soap, toothpaste, detergents, syrups, honey, condiments, cleaning powders, laundry powders, gels, sealants, adhesives, pastes and the like.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention further comprise a product and system adapted for attachment to a variety of fixtures. Examples of fixtures with which the fluid dispensers are adapted to be used include: kitchen and bath plumbing fixtures including faucets, spigots, taps, spray heads, shelving and cabinetry; as well as work surfaces, countertop, tabletop and wash basin rim surfaces via couplers that are specifically designed for receiving the fluid containers of the present invention, and permitting the manual rotation thereof, while resisting dislocation of the coupler after installation and during and between dispensing operations.
Since the attachment site fixture can take so many shapes and sizes, to give the consumer the greatest degree of freedom, it is important to use attachment mechanisms which are easily and suitably (i.e. tightly attached or rotatable under appropriate manual force) adaptable to fit many, if not most, of the fixtures most closely associated with and proximate to the environment where the fluid would be likely dispensed. Generally the categories of fixtures can be summed by those that have some longitudinal dimension and cross-section around which a coupler can be attached, those with angled edges and those presenting flat surfaces. For example, fixtures (found in and around washing installations, e.g. a kitchen sink, a laundry room sink, a washroom sink, a bathtub, etc. as well as surrounding or adjacent work surfaces such as countertops, islands, tabletops) including faucets, spray nozzle housings, and spigots can be roughly cylindrical, rectangular, elliptical, etc., but nearly all have some portion that is somewhat elongated, though their sizes, terminal conformations and cross-sections can vary greatly. Therefore products like toothpastes, soaps, conditioners, toiletries, etc. would be suitably packaged and marketed in containers adapted for coupling to plumbing fixtures or countertops. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are thus generally adaptable for one or more of fixtures having some longitudinal conformation, an edge such as of a shelf or window sill, or a flat surface, i.e., planar or not planar.
In the following exemplary embodiments, like parts in different embodiments will be designated by like reference numerals increased in increments of hundreds.
With reference to
The present invention provides bottle designers with new degrees of freedom in designing a fluid container which can be shaped without regard to adaptations for maintaining it in a standing position when placed on a surface, for example a flattened area, legs, and dimples. Thus container 14 is shown in
Referring again to
Referring to
It should be kept in mind that each dispensing operation (as well as refilling) changes the fluid level and hence the dynamics of the dispenser. For example, the center of gravity shifts ever lower, as does the point between dispensing and non-dispensing positions. In prior art pouring dispensers, the outlet position does not adjust to fluid level change as the fluid level drops. Therefore, those known containers must be manipulated more and longer in subsequent dispensing operations to allow for viscous fluids to “catch up” to the changed outlet elevation. The present invention permits easy priming of the
With reference to
Referring to
In order to ensure that container 14 is manually and incrementally rotatable while installed in coupler 22, at least some portion of the interfacing surfaces between container 14 and coupler 22 should be designed to have sufficient friction between contacting surface areas to be able to withstand the torsional forces exerted by a gravity on a partially filled container. Torsional forces that must be counteracted will vary depending on several factors including the position on rear wall 21 of pivot button 20 and the density of the fluid contents. Although pivot button 20 is shown centered on rear wall 21, to reduce the friction required to keep container 14 from moving on its own, positioning it off-center may have advantages in certain applications, depending on how the shifting center of gravity of the fluid in the container affects the frictional force required to keep coupler 22 from twisting about fixture 10. As described above, preferred balance of friction is achieved for a container having any given size and shape when the outlet 16 of the fluid container 18 can easily be vertically displaced about the axis formed by the pivot button of the container in the coupler 22 by an adult's and/or child's manual rotation, yet remains where positioned until acted upon again by the user, regardless of how filled or empty it is. Thus, once positioned with the outlet below the surface level of the fluid contained therein, the fluid should flow out until the surface drops to just below the level of outlet opening 16 or until it is repositioned to a non-dispensing position by the user, preferably just enough to be primed and ready to be used by the next user with minimal time lag.
As mentioned hereinabove, coupler 22 has a structure which provides the dual functions of [1] facilitating manual repositioning of outlet 16 relative to fluid 18 in a plane having a vertical component between dispensing and non-dispensing positions and [2] attaching fluid container 14 to a fixture 10 causing it to be suspended. Thus there are two attachment sites per coupler 22 and either one, or both, of the attachment sites of an exemplary embodiment of a coupler can provide the rotational repositioning function. In other words, in one form (see
Referring particularly to
Referring to
The exemplary embodiment of container 14 in
Referring now to
It bears repeating here that in order to promote control of the rotation and positioning of container 14, it is preferable that inner and outer surfaces of receiving chamber 29 and slot 13 and corresponding outer surfaces of pivot button 22 and the bearing surface area 44 of container 14 immediately surrounding the base of neck 19, collectively the container-coupler interfaces, are complementarily shaped to provide a stabilizing, friction-maintained, contact interface when pivot button 20 is completely inserted into receiving chamber 29. Interface surfaces may be further provided with textural features such as bumps, grooves, ridges, etc. or be surfaced with friction modifying materials, such as rubber, silicone rubber and nylon.
Pivot button disc 320 can be formed or molded separately from the container 314 and affixed thereto by welding, adhesive, cohesion, or even suction alone given the right combination of materials, fluid product volume and taking into account the force needed to rotate the fluid dispenser 312 in normal use. Pivot button disc 320 comprises a base disc 340 having an inner surface 342 contoured to conform as much as possible with the intended attachment site on the outer surface 346 of container 314. Pivot button disc 320 is further provided with an interface bearing plateau 344, shown here as flat and preferably textured, on its outer surface in the area immediately surrounding the base of shaft 319. Base disc 340 is also an example of one kind of reinforcement that may be applied to container wall 321 to resist flexing or distortion caused by its own weight and the twisting forces, as well as increasing the area of contact at the interface between base disc 340 and the outer surface of receiving chamber 29 when pivot button 420 is seated therein. The remainder of pivot button 320 is constructed according to the same principles enunciated hereinabove, i.e. with a shape intended to firmly, but rotatably engage a receiving chamber in a coupler 22.
Referring to
The exemplary embodiment of fluid dispenser 712 shown in
Referring to
a-12f show a coupler 222 having fixture attaching members 123 and 124 comprising flexible straps extending from opposite sides of receiving chamber housing. Strap 123 is provided with perforations 152 and strap 124 is provided with a catch 150. Any excess strap 123 can either be trimmed or inserted into a slot 131 below and behind chamber housing 119 into the back of pivot slot 130 where it can provide additional frictional pressure to help maintain the position of a pivot flange.
a-13d show coupler 422 having a relatively rigid, disc-shaped receiving chamber 419 which has a keyhole shaped pivot button receiving slot 430 and the fixture attachment mechanism is an elasticized strap 424 integrally formed so that the strap may be stretched over a longitudinal fixture's terminal end (often significantly larger in diameter than the longitudinal portion or shaft) and then released into a stable tightened position around the fixture where desired, adapting itself to the fixture's cross-sectional profile.
Similar to the embodiment of
a-f show exemplary embodiments of male couplers 722 and female couplers 822 all having fixture engaging surfaces 727 shaped or otherwise enhanced to reduce unintended movement of couplers 722 and 822 when installed around a fixture 10 having angular cross-section features (corners and other abrupt changes). In one exemplary embodiment (
Referring now to
Referring to
A coupler may be adapted to couple more than one container to a fixture. Referring to
With reference to
Referring to
A fluid container suitable for use in exemplary embodiments of the present invention can hold anywhere from less than a cubic centimeter of fluid to several liters. More commonly, the fluid container will hold between about 2 mls and 4 liters of fluid.
Exceptional advertising value is provided by the fluid containers of the exemplary embodiments, by improving conspicuity of the container brand, for example, spending more time in open view whether or not in use, and even adding visible surface area for advertising/marketing over the whole outside surface of the container and coupler, rather than just the container sides. For example,
It should be noted that exemplary embodiments of the present invention could be automated or semi-automated with the addition of appropriate circuitry including proximity and fluid level sensors, power supply, motor and controller. For example, the proximity sensor could sense when a user's hand is near the outlet, activating a motor integrated into the coupler which repositions the container, lowering the height of the outlet to below the sensed level of the fluid. After fluid has been dispensed, the motor can be reversed until the outlet is just above the sensed new surface level of the fluid and then deactivated. This arrangement results in a completely hands-free dispensing operation.
The above exemplary embodiments should be taken as non-limiting examples intended to demonstrate many of the capabilities, but not necessarily the boundaries, of what applicants consider the invention. Alterations, modifications and additions may be made to the examples and the claimed invention by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
The present application claims the priority date of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/670,459, filed Apr. 11, 2005.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60670459 | Apr 2005 | US |
