CN111587212B

CN111587212B - Dispensing container with internal access support

Info

Publication number: CN111587212B
Application number: CN201880085972.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·维尔蒙特; S·维尔蒙特
Original assignee: Vermont Ltd
Current assignee: Vermont Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-26
Filing date: 2018-12-11
Publication date: 2021-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-11
Also published as: CA3092211A1; EP3717371B1; JP7071759B2; AU2018429169A1; MA50944A; MX2020007106A; EP3717371A4; JP2021526483A; BR112020013217A2; KR20200099620A; WO2020005311A1; CN111587212A; NZ771273A; AU2018429169B2; CA3092211C; BR112020013217B1; KR102264427B1; EP3717371A1

Abstract

An interior access-enabled dispensing container for opening the interior access-enabled dispensing container through its adjoining halves for full access to its remaining contents when the dispensing container can no longer dispense a small amount of the contents within its bottom and inner walls through its normal dispensing process.

Description

Dispensing container with internal access support

Background

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to dispensing containers (dispensing containers). More particularly, the present invention relates to dispensing containers that allow their users to access all of their interior surfaces.

2. Background of the invention

Dispensing containers for solids, gels, pastes, cosmetics, condiments, viscous materials of all forms, and any non-liquid contents are typically small plastic containers that include a means for dispensing the contents within the container. Many dispensing containers use pressure applied from the user, either by gravity or by squeezing the container, to dispense the contents out of a small opening, usually at the top of the container. Some of these dispensing containers may include a spray pump or a manual pump that draws the contents through a straw-type tube and then discharges the contents into the user's hand, onto the user's food, or (in the case of any soap or cleaning contents) onto the surface being cleaned by the user. Typical dispensing containers can vary in size, but typically contain from several ounces to 20 or 30 ounces of fluid for use within the container. Common manual pumps utilize a straw-type conduit that extends down into a dispensing container, the bottom surface of which is often flat, and thus the pump dispenser may leave unused contents within the dispensing container. Due to the positioning of the tubing extending into the dispensing container, most of the unused contents cannot be pumped through the tubing. The conduit often extends down the center of the dispensing container and functions in an efficient manner until a small amount of the contents are left within the dispensing container. The inside wall of the dispensing container also leaves unused contents. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a dispensing container that: the dispensing container will allow its user access to all of its interior surfaces once its remaining contents can no longer be dispensed during its normal dispensing process.

Disclosure of Invention

Applicants' invention includes further improvements to the construction and manufacture of finished dispensing containers to provide access to all of their interior surfaces by their users. The purpose of a dispensing container that supports internal access is for situations when the dispensing container can no longer dispense a small amount of its contents in its bottom surface and interior walls through its normal dispensing process.

Applicants' dispensing container (100) supporting internal access comprises: a container (100), wherein the container (100) is configured in two halves (1/2), an upper half (1) and a lower half (2), which are adjoined by a pivoting hinge (3) to hold the two halves (1/2) together, and the following combination of a locking assembly on the lower half (2) of the dispensing container (100) that supports internal access: the following combination of front lower snap (snap) tab (8), left lower snap tab (12), right lower snap tab (11) and lower radial snap tab (5) (which act as tongues), and locking assembly on the upper half (1) of a dispensing container (100) supporting internal access: a left upper hasp (4), a front upper hasp (6), a right upper hasp (10) and an upper radial hasp edge (9) (which is used as a groove); and an additional locking and unlocking component, wherein the additional locking and unlocking component is distributed on the lower half part (2) of the dispensing container (100) supporting internal access and comprises a front lower relief impression (15), a right lower relief impression (14), a left lower relief impression (13) and a sealing component (7); wherein the lower relief impression (13/14/15) allows a finger to catch under the upper snap (4/6/10) to easily separate the lower half (2) from the upper half (1) of the dispensing container (100) that supports internal access.

Drawings

The present disclosure, in accordance with one or more embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments. These drawings are provided to assist the reader in understanding the apparatus and method and should not be taken to limit the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 a-1 c are perspective, side and rear views of a dispensing container (100) supporting internal access, the container (100) having two halves (1/2) in a closed position-an upper half (1) and a lower half (2) adjoined by an embodiment of a pivoting hinge (3) and an unlocking assembly (13/14/15) and a locking assembly (4/6/10) having an open inner rim mouth (16) and logo (17) area, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 a-2 f are perspective and side views of a dispensing container (100) supporting internal access, the container (100) having two halves (1/2) in an open position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

3 a-3 e are side views of a dispensing container (100) supporting internal access in open and closed positions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 a-4 d are perspective and side views of a dispensing container (100) supporting internal access in a locked position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments from different perspectives. Although the accompanying descriptive text may refer to such views as "side views," such references are merely descriptive and do not imply or require that all embodiments be implemented or used in a particular spatial orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise.

The drawings are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It is to be understood that various embodiments may be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Detailed Description

The embodiments described herein are exemplary. Descriptions of these embodiments are provided to allow various features to be depicted in the context of example applications. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced in different and alternative embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

Current dispensing containers on the market today lack the design and functionality to release and allow full access to their viscous contents. When the dispensing container is unable to redistribute its contents, consumers are plagued by incomplete access to the contents they purchase, and the environment is plagued by the possibility of chemical contents remaining therein and the dispensed contents being disposed of may cause contamination.

The consumer cannot obtain the full benefit of the product when the dispensing container on the current market can no longer dispense its remaining contents to the consumer. If the consumer chooses to use alternative methods to access the remaining contents that cannot be dispensed, such as heating, cutting or even placing the dispensing container upside down to end up the contents (surface), the consumer potentially experiences the risk of direct or indirect injury and is time consuming, unable to guarantee complete access to the contents, and unable to preserve the contents if the dispensing container is cut open.

Another potential risk with current dispensing containers is environmental contamination. When a consumer handles their dispensing container, the chemical content remaining in the dispensing container may have a direct or indirect impact on the overall environment.

To achieve better use, the present invention is directed to a dispensing container that improves the performance of manual pumps and squeeze dispensing containers. The dispensing container according to the present invention utilizes unique features of the container interior and exterior to ensure complete access to the contents by using a fixed opening, closing, locking and sealing system within the dispensing container.

Detailed Description

The present invention is an internal access enabled dispensing container 100 comprising two halves 1, 2-an upper half 1, a lower half 2, a pivoting hinge 3 and

locking assemblies

4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and unlocking

assemblies

13, 14, 15 that allow the internal access enabled dispensing container 100 to be opened through the center of the upper and

lower halves

1, 2 of the internal access enabled dispensing container 100 in order to internally access any remaining contents that may not be dispensed through the open inner rim mouth 16 or dispensing pump during its normal dispensing process.

Furthermore, there is a seal 7, which seal 7 prevents leakage of the contents once the upper and

lower halves

1, 2 are abutted and secured by the pivot hinge 3 and the

locking assemblies

4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

Fig. 1 a-1 c and 2 a-2 f depict a dispensing container 100 that supports internal access in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. A dispensing container 100 for supporting access to an interior includes: two halves-an upper half 1 and a lower half 2; the incorporated pivot hinge 3; a front locking assembly comprising a lower radial snap tab 5, a front lower snap tab 8 and a front upper snap tab 6, and an unlocking assembly comprising a front lower finger relief impression 15 and a plurality of snap tabs opposite the pivot hinge 3; a right lower snap tab 11 and a left lower snap tab 12, and a plurality of snaps; a left top snap 4, a right top snap 10 and a top snap rim 9, and a plurality of indentations; left and right lower

finger relief impressions

13 and 14, and an integral seal 7 feature that is functionally at a 90 degree angle to the pivot hinge 3, the pivot hinge 3 can help support the opening, closing, locking, and unlocking of the internally accessed dispensing container 100.

In one embodiment, a logo 17, indicia, logo, or other design feature may be placed, stamped, or molded onto the top half 1, bottom half 2, or both

halves

1, 2 of the interior access enabled dispensing container 100 without affecting the opening and closing of the interior access enabled dispensing container 100. Additionally and/or alternatively, the upper half 1, the lower half 2 or both

halves

1, 2 may be covered by a decorative casing made of metal, plastic, ceramic or glass.

The dispensing container 100 that supports internal access may be circular, square, octagonal, triangular, or any other geometric shape. It may contain one or more locks, one or more pivoting hinges 3, one or more seals 7, which may have one or

more snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, one or

more snap bumps

5, 8, 11, 12, and one or

more indentations

13, 14, 15.

The dispensing container 100 that supports internal access may be made of plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, or any other rigid material. In an embodiment, the upper and

lower halves

1, 2 of the dispensing container 100 supporting internal access can be disengaged by lifting the following locking components upwards from the lower radial snap tab, the front lower snap tab 8, the right lower snap tab 11 and the left lower snap tab 12 by means of the left lower finger relief impression 13, the right lower finger relief impression 14, the front lower finger relief impression 15 and the pivot hinge 3: a left top hasp 4, a front top hasp 6, a right top hasp 10 and a top radial hasp rim 9. In one embodiment, a plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, a plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, and a plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, along with a pivoting hinge 3, enable opening and closing of a dispensing container 100 supporting internal access. In another embodiment, the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, along with the pivot hinge 3 may have a particular location on the central body of the dispensing container 100 that supports internal access and be sensitive to the pressure and location on the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, along with the pivot hinge 3 at which pressure is applied or an amount of pressure is applied, i.e., how deeply the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15 may open up the dispensing container 100 that supports internal access. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, along with the pivot hinge 3, may open the interior access-supporting dispensing container 100 by sliding to the first position or the second position and close the interior access-supporting dispensing container 100. That is, the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, along with the pivot hinge 3 may slide rather than lift to open the dispensing container 100 that supports internal access. For example, and without limitation, the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, along with the pivot hinge 3, may slide, for example, to the left to unlock and open the internally accessed dispensing container 100 and to the right to close and lock the internally accessed dispensing container 100, or vice versa. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, along with the pivot hinge 3 may be activated by pressing, sliding (up/down or both), rotating, pulling and/or pushing, twisting, or a combination of these, and the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, along with the pivot hinge 3 may slide, for example, to the left to unlock and open the dispensing container 100 supporting internal access and to the right to close and lock the dispensing container 100 supporting internal access, or vice versa.

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of

snap bumps

5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, along with the pivot hinge 3 may be activated by pressing, sliding (up/down or both), rotating, pulling and/or pushing, twisting, or a combination of these.

Fig. 3 a-3 e and 4 a-4 d depict the dispensing container 100 in an unlocked and locked position to support internal access. The interior access supporting dispensing container 100 may have an upper half 1, a lower half 2, a plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, a plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12, a plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15, a seal 7, and a pivot hinge 3 coupling the upper half 1 to the lower half 2 of the interior access supporting dispensing container 100 and allowing the upper half 1 to open approximately 90 degrees. The upper half 1 may be opened to less than approximately 90 degrees or greater than approximately 90 degrees, such as to approximately 95 degrees, approximately 100 degrees, approximately 105 degrees, approximately 110 degrees, approximately 120 degrees, approximately 125 degrees, approximately 130 degrees, approximately 135 degrees, approximately 140 degrees, approximately 145 degrees, approximately 150 degrees, or greater than 150 degrees.

The upper half 1 of the dispensing container 100 supporting internal access stays in the closed position until the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10 are lifted from the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12 by means of the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15 together with the pivot hinge 3. The plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of snap bumps 5, 8, 11, 12, the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15 may be any standard type of snap locking system that engages the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10 with the plurality of snap bumps 5, 8, 11, 12. It may have a chamfered edge, a raised edge, a ramp, a detent, or any other engagement mechanism to maintain engagement with the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10 and the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12.

The seal 7 is securely integrated on the top edge of the bottom half 2 of the interior access-supporting dispensing container 100 and is configured to be of sufficient size, weight and thickness to hold the desired viscous contents such that when both the top half 1 and the bottom half 2 of the interior access-supporting dispensing container 100 are abutted and secured by means of the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of

snap tabs

5, 8, 11, 12 and the pivot hinge 3, the central body of the interior access-supporting dispensing container 100 will not leak.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and/or enhancements may be made to the present teachings. For example, although the various snap assembly implementations described above may be embodied as described, they may be arranged in different embodiments, wherein, for example, the plurality of

snaps

4, 6, 9, 10, the plurality of snap bumps 5, 8, 11, 12, and the plurality of

indentations

13, 14, 15 are arranged in opposite directions, i.e., both facing upward or one facing downward. Moreover, with regard to the implementation of the pivot hinge 3 and the seal 7, they may be arranged in different embodiments, wherein, for example, the pivot hinge 3 may be arranged on the right or left side of the dispensing container 100 supporting internal access, and the seal 7 may be arranged on the inner edge of the upper half 1, the lower half, or even fixed to the outside of the dispensing container 100 supporting internal access.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Patent citation (13)

Claims

1. A dispensing container (100) supporting access to the interior, comprising:

two container halves (1, 2), wherein the two container halves (1, 2) comprise,

an upper half (1) having an open bottom rim with an upper radial snap rim (9) and an open inner rim mouth (16) for receiving a dispensing cap,

a lower half (2) having a closed bottom and an open top edge with a radial seal (7);

a pivoting hinge (3) connecting together the upper half (1) and the lower half (2) of a dispensing container (100) that supports internal access;

the front upper hasp (6), the left upper hasp (4), the right upper hasp (10) and the upper radial hasp edge (9) are defined as concave grooves;

the front lower snap tab (8) located in the front lower relief impression (15), the left lower snap tab (12) located in the left lower relief impression (13), the right lower snap tab (11) located in the right lower relief impression (14), and the lower radial snap tab (5) are defined as protruding tongues;

in the closed container position, the front upper snap (6) is fixed to the front lower snap tab (8), the left upper snap (4) is fixed to the left lower snap tab (12), and the right upper snap (10) is fixed to the right lower snap tab (11), and the upper radial snap rim (9) is fixed to the lower radial snap tab (5), wherein with the pivot hinge (3) positioned opposite the front upper snap (6), the upper half (1) and the lower half (2) of the dispensing container (100) supporting internal access are locked and sealed in the closed position;

in the closed container position, the front lower relief impression (15), the right lower relief impression (14) and the left lower relief impression (13) create a clearance with the front upper snap (6), the right upper snap (10) and the left upper snap (4), respectively, to allow the user to separate the upper half (1) and the lower half (2); and

wherein the radial seal (7) is securely integrated on the open top rim of the lower half (2) of the internally accessed dispensing container (100) to properly seal the internally accessed dispensing container (100) when the upper half (1) and the lower half (2) are in the closed position.

2. The dispensing container (100) for internal access support of claim 1, wherein the open inner rim mouth (16) comprises a dispensing cap.

3. The interior access enabled dispensing container (100) of claim 1, wherein at least one of logos, indicia, logos, and other design features is at least disposed, stamped, and molded onto either or both of the container halves (1, 2) without affecting the opening and closing of the interior access enabled dispensing container (100).

4. Dispensing container (100) supporting internal access according to claim 1, wherein the upper half (1) and the lower half (2) are made of a rigid material.

5. The dispensing container (100) for internal access support of claim 4, wherein the rigid material is selected from at least one of plastic, metal, ceramic, glass.

6. Dispensing container (100) supporting internal access according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper half (1) and the lower half (2) is covered by a decorative casing made of rigid material.

7. The dispensing container (100) for internal access support of claim 6, wherein the rigid material is selected from at least one of plastic, metal, ceramic, glass.