ES2386122T3 - Spigot and vessel accessory - Google Patents

Abstract

An accessory (28) for a bottle (12) containing a detergent liquid comprising a wall (32), a registration, a floor (36) extending inwards from a lower part of said wall (32), and a spigot (42) of pouring that ascends from a portion into said floor (36), characterized in that the thermoforming accessory, transparent, and incorporates a horizontal anti-drip lip in the spigot (42) in the direction of pouring, which incorporates a notch in U shape to control spillage over spots.

Description

Spigot and vessel accessory

Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates to pouring accessories for containers of the type that includes a pouring spout. In particular, the invention relates to bottles and containers for detergent liquids that include said accessories.

Background of the invention

There are more and more consumers who prefer laundry detergents in liquid form. Thus, there is a greater need than ever for a convenient container to dispense such products, which is also still easier and less expensive to manufacture than current versions. Such containers preferably include a spout / back drain attachment combination and a closure that also serves as a measuring vessel. Numerous dispensers have been disclosed in the patent literature.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,149, of Bengtsson, discloses a device for thermoforming a spout spout.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,340, Greehow et al., discloses a spout for threaded neck containers. At least portions can be thermoformed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,603, of Malmberg, discloses a thermoformed spout spout.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,743, of Christian, discloses a cover that includes a spout. Preferably, the closures are thermoformed under vacuum.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,787 (preambles of claims 1 and 5), of Reid, discloses a plastic container for pourable liquids such as detergents having a backdrainage feature. The container is formed by two pieces, a container body and a separately formed pouring spout which is assembled to the container finish preferably by ultrasonic welding. A lip of the spout tap component is pressed and welded onto an annular top surface of the container finish. The pouring spout component includes internal threads that pair with external threads in the closure, which also serves as a measuring vessel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,877, by Reidel, is directed to a liquid dispenser that has a dispenser with a support.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,090, to Leahy, is directed to an apparatus for pouring liquids that includes a lid that has internal threads paired with external threads in the container finish, and an accessory that has a flange 39 that matches the open end of the bowl in the neck.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,862, by Haffner et al., is directed to a liquid dispensing accessory for use in a container. The container finish includes external threads that pair with internal threads in a closure. The accessory includes a peripheral flange adapted to be applied to the upper surface of the neck.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,202, by Haffner et al., discloses a liquid dispensing accessory for use in a container having a neck. The finish of the container includes external threads that pair with internal threads in a closure. The accessory includes a flange adapted to apply the outer surface. The accessory includes vertical ribs that are said to facilitate the stacking of the accessories.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,467, from Ekkert et al., discloses a spout tap configured to allow specific orientation stacking. A container having an externally threaded finish that matches an internally threaded closure is illustrated. A peripheral flange on the fitting fits high on the neck of the finish.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,306, by Reid, discloses an accessory that has internal threads and a flange that rests on the upper edge of the container finish.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,789, to Krall, discloses a self-draining vessel. Located inside an annular wall there is a spigot. A closure includes a skirt that has external threads that are applied to the internal threads of the annular wall. Extending radially outward from the skirt of the closure on the threads there is a ribbon adapted to sit against the top of the annular wall to seal the container when the threads are fully applied.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,837, from Adams et al., discloses a tamper-sensitive device comprising an accessory attached around a hole in a container and having a flange from which an internally threaded spigot extends. The spigot is closed by an externally threaded rod, initially integrally molded.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,356, of Krall, discloses a self-draining container that includes an integral dispensing tap. An integral wall extends upwards from the body and surrounds the spigot and an integral network joins the wall in the dispensing spigot to form a drainage channel. A lid that has a dependent skirt with external threads is matched with an internal thread in the container wall. The cover also includes a sealing ring that extends radially outward.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,410, by Meyer et al., discloses a closure with external threads and a flange and, in Figure 8, an internally threaded neck of a plastic bottle on which a pouring adapter insert has been mounted. It is said that the details of the pouring adapter and the internal joining means can be varied, but Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the insert of pouring adapter when it has a spring flange designed to fit into a groove of the mounting means. internal union.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,341, of Yeager, discloses a container that includes a closure that has a concentric internal skirt and external skirt, the external skirt covering and protecting the area of external circumference of the bottleneck thus protecting it from the environment outside the bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,566, from Bavegems, is directed to a package for fluid products that incorporate a filler that facilitates the spout tap structure. Internal screw threads in the pour spigot structure are matched with external screw threads in the package.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,659, of Krall, discloses a self-draining vessel. The container includes a body that has a wall that extends upwardly from a body opening. The wall surrounds a dispensing spigot. A net joins the wall in the dispensing spigot to form a drainage channel. A closure has a dispensing skirt that has external threads that match internal threads in the wall. The closure also includes a radial sealing ring that extends outward.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,827, by Segati, refers to a low profile closure that includes a coupling member that is mounted in a container dispenser opening. The coupling member includes an upper peripheral edge that defines an outward projection spigot. The cover has external threads that match internal threads in the coupling member.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,692, by Darr, discloses a container having a blow molded bottle of unit plastic having a dispensing spout that projects upwardly from a hollow body portion. In one embodiment, an annular insert surrounds the spigot and has internal retainers that secure external retainers on the lid to provide sealing. The cover also includes a round sealing surface that faces down in alignment with a round sealing surface in the annular insert.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,757, to Krall, discloses a self-draining vessel having a dispensing spout and a wall surrounding the dispensing spout. A net joins the wall in the dispensing spigot to form a drainage channel. A closure has a dependent skirt with external threads that pair with internal threads in the container wall. The closure also includes a ribbon adapted to sit against the top of the annular wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,239, of Cappel et al., is directed to a liquid container comprising a closure having external threads that mate with internal joining means in an annular skirt. The skirt includes means for attachment to the container. The lower end of fluid retention means, which includes a spigot, is fused to the container in a liquid tight relationship.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,269, by Fuchs et al., discloses a vessel having a neck with an integral dispensing spout extending upward, an integral network extending radially outwardly from the lower end of the dispensing spigot and a cylindrical wall radially spaced out of the spigot and surrounding the spigot. The cylindrical wall has an internal thread and a closure has external threads that match the internal threads. The closure includes an annular flexible sealing ring on the threads that are applied to an inner surface of the cylindrical wall and flex upwards to provide a seal. A sealing ring on the annular flexible sealing ring extends radially forward in the closure and is applied to the top of the cylindrical wall when the closure is screwed into the container.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,768, by Robinson, is directed to a self-draining vessel having a body and a spout of integral integral discharge. A ring member is attached and surrounds the spout. The ring member includes internal threads that pair with threads in a closure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,365, of Fomby, discloses a container having internal threads that pair with external threads in the closure. When the closure member is rotated to apply the threads of the container, an annular face in the container edge is applied to an annular recess configured complementary to the closure member.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,416, from Muckenfuhs et al., discloses a vessel that has a finish with external threads, a transition collar that includes a pouring spout that has internal threads to pair with the external threads of the bottle finish, including also the Transition collar internal threads to pair with external threads of a closure. The closure also includes a flange that projects outwardly and provides a sealing surface adapted to contact a sealing ring on an upper surface of the collar circumscription wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,421, of Reiber et al., discloses a plastic container having an insert placed in the finish. The insert has threads to receive a closure that has external threads. The closure also includes a peripheral flange that blindly applies the free end of the finish. The insert includes a spout spout. The insert can be placed in position while the finish is hot and, when the finish cools, retracts to a sealing application with the insert. Alternatively, the insert can be turned welded in sealing application with the finish. Another option is the use of an adhesive. In another embodiment the insert has a spout formed integrally inside.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,855, of St Clair, discloses a plastic container with an integral spigot. An inner wall of the container neck includes internal threads. Internal threads can receive a threaded closure to close the package.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,862, of Barker et al., discloses a package similar to that disclosed in the Muchenfuhs patent mentioned above.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,434, of Beckerer, Jr., discloses a construction of threaded access cover plate for ship decks.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,968, to Rausing, discloses a container having a threaded neck closed by means of an externally threaded rod.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,391,838, of Gundel, discloses a vessel that is said to have drip means. A closure has external threads that match internal threads in the container. The closure also includes a concave wall in the form of an upper umbrella provided to apply and seal the upper edge of the bottle that includes the spout spout.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,017,047, from Payson et al., discloses a combination of vacuum bottle and closure means.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,225, by Moy, is directed to a non-drip dispensing bottle cap having external threads that pair with internal threads in a bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,341,102 of Kanzaki discloses a bottle that has a cap with external threads that cooperate with internal threads in the bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,019,402, by Duffy, discloses a bottle having internal and external threads that match the internal and external threads of a lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,617,842, of Grunberg, discloses a perfume bottle having internal threads that match the external threads of a lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,415,908, by Tofting, is aimed at a boat that has internal threads that pair with external threads on the closure.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,351,496, of Spooner, is directed to boat closures that have threads that match those of the boats.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,014,427, from Warren, is directed to a bottle cap having external threads that match internal threads in the bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 328,533, by Taylor, is directed to a bottle that has internal threads that pair with external threads in a cap.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with the invention, an accessory is provided as claimed in claim 1. In a further aspect a bottle according to claim 6 is provided.

There are many advantages to the use of a thermoformed spigot, including substantially reduced costs, and a transparent spigot, which allows an unobstructed view inside the bottle so that a consumer can easily see when it is time to buy more. Additionally, thermoforming facilitates the manufacture of a horizontal anti-drip lip in the spout in the direction of discharge and offers the opportunity to widen the anti-drip lip so that the U-shaped notch can be added to control the spill in spots. In addition, the spigot can be made with a larger curved radius so that almost 100% of the liquid contents can be dispensed. Additionally, it is believed that a thermoformed spigot would prefer faster production cycles. And, its bottom weight should significantly result in a much lower part price.

Preferably, the thermoforming accessory is used in a container that includes a neck that has an inwardly extending edge and / or wall suitable for retaining the accessory and a finish that extends over the edge and that has internal fasteners. Preferably the edge extending inwards and / or wall is / are annular. The internal fasteners of the finish are adapted to cooperate with external fasteners in a closure. The closure is preferably suitable to also serve as a measuring vessel.

Some perceive that externally threaded fasteners allow a cleaner dispensing of product than internally threaded fasteners. Advantageously, the accessory includes both a pouring spout and a draining area that facilitates the drainage of unused products in the container. The use of external fasteners in the closure in conjunction with internal fasteners in the finish also facilitates drainage from the closure.

In accordance with another particularly preferred feature of the invention, an attachment retention structure in the bottle finish comprising the inwardly extending edge extends only lower and lateral to the flange, which can be expected to facilitate the insertion of the flange.

The accessory of the invention may have a height of its outer wall that is reduced when compared to that of some previous accessories.

The accessory of the invention preferably includes a peripheral flange which, when the accessory is in place in the bottle, is arranged in or on a flange on the edge extending into the neck. Preferably, the accessory is frictionally fitted within the edge that extends into the neck of the container and / or the accessory flange is frictionally embedded within the wall that extends inwards.

The accessory of the invention preferably has a circumscription wall that desirably extends downward from the accessory flange, a floor that extends inward and downward from the circumscription wall and sloping towards a product outlet opening on the ground and a spigot that extends upward from the ground. The closure includes outer threads that match the inner threads of the container finish. Preferably, on the outer threads there is a radially flexible outwardly extending horizontal flange which helps to provide a seal when the closure is screwed into the container finish. Also, the closure preferably includes a peripheral flange on the external fasteners and on the flexible flange, whose flange is imposed against an upper surface of the bottle finish when the closure is in a closed position. Alternatively, the bottle plateau could be internally chamfered and the tapered edge could seal directly at the bottom of the closure.

The bottle can be prepared by blowing on the inner wall of a bottleneck finish a continuous thread that is capable of pairing with the externally threaded closure. The internal threads could also be formed by a secondary operation immediately after blow molding. An example would be a hot "boring / forming" metal form that is screwed into the bottleneck.

The thermoformed spigot of the invention could also be used with a bottle that has external threads provided that the internal edge within the bottleneck that prevents the spigot from being pushed too far is low enough so that there is no closing contact. With the spigot.

For a complete understanding of the foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a partial side elevational view of the package of the invention showing the closure in the open position and showing the bottle in cross section.

Figure 2 is a top elevational view of the accessory of the invention.

Figure 3 is a view of an alternative finish similar to that of Figure 1 with the rest of the container omitted.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing an alternative embodiment.

Detailed description of the invention

The package 10 comprises the bottle 12 and the closure 14. The bottle 12 includes the bottle body 16 and ends at the neck 18 which includes the finish 20 at its upper end.

The first neck portion 18 includes a circumferential edge 22 extending inwardly over which the flange 24 is arranged. The flange 24 radially leads outwardly to the finished 20 extended upwards. Arranged in the interior walls of the finish 20 are threads 26 or other fasteners, which cooperate with fasteners in the closure 14 when the container is closed, as will be briefly discussed.

Fitted by friction in the mouth 30 of the bottle 12 defined by the edge 28 extending inside is the accessory

28. The accessory 28 comprises the circumferentially extending wall 32 that ends at the flange 34 extending outwardly. Extending downward from the wall 32 is the floor 36 sloping downward which includes a product outlet hole 40. Ascending upwards from the ground 36 is the spout 42. The outer surface of the pouring spout 42, the inner surface of the circumscription wall 32, the downward sloping floor 36 and the product outlet opening 40 are combined to allow the excess product retained by the fitting to flow from back to the bottle 12.

The closure 14 includes an open mouth 50 which may have a drip lip, a downward dependent skirt 52 leading to the mouth and a cylindrical body 54. The exterior of the downward dependent skirt 52 includes the thread 56 or a plurality of threads, or one or more fasteners such as pins and grooves. Located on the threads 56 there is a flexible peripheral flange 60 that serves to aid in sealing when the closure is attached to the finish of the bottle. Arranged on the flexible flange 60 is an annular flange 62 that is forced to be in contact with the upper annular top surface 64 when the closure is fastened to the bottle in its closed position. The upper surface of the finish can be beveled as seen for finish 120 in Figure 3 (bevel 164). The closure 14 doubles as a measuring vessel in which the product is poured into the opening 50. Prints such as filling lines can be etched into the mold to determine the correct amount of product, if so desired.

The accessory 28 is preferably frictionally fitted within the edge 22 which extends inwards. In addition, the peripheral accessory flange 34 may rest at the top of the flange 24 as in 70. If in fact the flange 34 actually touches the flange 24 it will depend in part on the friction engagement in the circumscription wall 32 against the edge 22 which It extends inwards. In the event that the flange 34 does not actually touch the flange 24, it still tends to prevent the attachment from being pushed through the opening 30 of the container all the way into the bottle in the event that the axial force of excess.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the bottle 312 in which the finish 320 includes a wall 325 that is lateral to the flange 334. The flange 334 is frictionally embedded within the wall 325. Preferably, the inner diameter of the wall 325 is smaller than the inside diameter of the threads. However, as can be seen in both figures 1 and 4, the retention structure is lateral and / or inferior to the flange. The retaining structure is not on the flange to block or partially block the flange when the accessory is inserted or removed. In particular, the flange is not retained in a groove in the finish.

The bottle is preferably made of high density polyethylene, but it could also be made of polypropylene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, chlorinated polyvinyl, or polyethylene terephthalate. In addition, the bottle could be made with a monolayer wall structure, but preferably the bottle would be multilayer. For example, a three-layer bottle could employ a depigmented inner layer of natural virgin resin, an outer layer of pigmented virgin resin, and a combination of 25% intermediate layer of post-consumer recycled resin, process trimming and virgin resin. Preferably, the bottle would have a handle and would be molded by extrusion insufflation where an extruded hollow tube would be captured and locked in a bottle mold and injected air pressure would blow the molten plastic against the bottle mold walls, thus forming the shape of the bottle

Preferably, the bottle is manufactured with a high density polyethylene. Other resin sold by U.S.I. Under the designation 0l-388-2 of density 0.955 is a suitable material.

The back drain accessory may be formed of a plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene or low or high density PET. Or the polyethylene can be the product of a 50:50 mixture of a high density resin or a low density resin. The high density resin can be USI LS 506 or a similar resin. The low density resin can be USI LS 208 or the like. Instead of a mixture of resins, a high density polyethylene or a low density polyethylene such as USI 241 or even a more rigid material such as polypropylene can be used to form the accessory. Advantageously, the accessories may comprise recycled plastic such as PET. A PET accessory would allow easier pouring while the liquid could be seen through the spigot. Other plastic resins that have physical and chemical properties similar to the aforementioned resins can be used to form the appropriate plastic for use in manufacturing the re-drainage accessory.

According to the invention, the spigot is thermoformed and preferably trimmed. The spigot has a "horizontal" drip lip formed naturally by the trimming operation (not shown). The spigot incorporates a U-shaped notch to control the spill on the spots. The thermoformed spigot can have a large anti-rotation / stacking pin.

The closure may be made of a harder material than the one used in the back drainage accessory. Preferably, the plastic material from which the closure is made is a polypropylene homopolymer such as that sold by Phillips Petroleum Company under the designation Phillips HLV 120-01. The closure could also be made of copolymer polypropylene.

If desired, the spigot can be made with a hollow backdraft slope and be designed to maximize drainage and minimize product retention.

The pouring spout and preferably the entire accessory of the invention are preferably thermoformed.

The thermoforming operation includes heating a sheet of plastic material to its softening point, and then dragging the material into a "female" mold by vacuum mediation, preferably using a "male" assistance tap to help push the material into the mold.

The multicavity spigot shapes would then be trimmed to provide the dispensing hole and backdraft hole and also clipped around the annular perimeter to release the spigot from the sheet. The trimmed spikes would then be collected and placed in piles for packaging and shipping.

The thermoformed spigot can be trimmed with a continuous opening from the top to the re-drainage hole or, particularly if the thermoformed spigot is clear, there may be only one upper opening to dispense the liquid and a separate lower hole to re-drain the liquid. This would simplify the trimming operation.

The thermoformed spigot and / or accessory of the invention is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET is preferred because it is transparent and clear and allows an unobstructed view. It is preferred that the accessory is sufficiently transparent so that the consumer can see the product through the accessory during pouring and measurement. In addition, the inside of the measuring vessel can be seen through the spigot and this helps to fill to the correct level. The thermoformed spigot of the invention can also be made of polystyrene, LDPE, MDPE, PP, HDPE, PVC, or recycled green dyed PET.

An important advantage of using a thermoformed spigot is that the part weight can be much lower with a thermoformed spigot as described (4.3 grams versus 14.3 grams for our current spigot). This is due not only to the finest starting foil material but to the removal of much of the outer wall in the thermoformed spigot.

Although the circumscription accessory wall illustrated here is an outer wall, it will be apparent that the circumscription wall leading to the floor does not need to be an outer wall. That is, the circumscription wall circumscribes the spigot, but it is not necessarily the outer limit of the accessory.

If desired, the neck of the bottle can be tapered (narrower towards the mouth of the container), for example by reaming or beveling to facilitate insertion of the accessory. For example, the inner surface of the edge 11 can be beveled to narrow down. Similarly, the internal diameter of the thread finish may be greater than the internal diameter of the accessory.

The spigot can be made of a material that is softer, equal or harder than the resin bottle material.

It should be understood, of course, that the specific forms of the invention illustrated and described herein are intended to be representative only, while certain changes can be made without departing from the clear teaching of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. An accessory (28) for a bottle (12) containing a detergent liquid comprising a circumscription wall (32), a floor (36) extending inwardly from a lower part of said wall (32), and a spigot (42) of pouring that ascends from a portion into said floor (36), characterized in that the accessory is thermoformed, transparent, and incorporates a horizontal anti-drip lip in the spigot (42) in the direction of pouring, which incorporates a notch U-shaped to control spillage over spots.

2.

An accessory (28) according to claim 1, comprising a flange (34) extending radially outwardly from an upper end of an outer wall of said accessory wall (32).

3.

An accessory (28) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said spigot (42) is conical.

Four.

An accessory (28) according to claims 2 or 3, wherein said outer wall is the circumscription wall.

5.

A bottle (12) for containing a detergent liquid comprising a bottle body (16), a finish

(20) extending upwardly from said body (16) and an accessory received within said body, said accessory comprising a circumscription wall (32), a floor (36) extending inwardly from a lower part of said body wall, and a pouring spout (42) ascending from a portion into said floor (36), said spigot (42) being at least partially within said finish (20), characterized in that the fitting (12) is thermoformed , transparent and incorporates a horizontal anti-drip lip in the spout (42) in the direction of pouring, which incorporates a U-shaped notch to control the spill over spots.

6.

A bottle (12) according to claim 5, wherein said finish (20) includes internal fasteners.

7.

A bottle (12) according to claim 4, wherein said fasteners are screw threads (26).

8.

A bottle (12) according to claim 7, in combination with a closure (14) having external screw threads (26) that pair with said internal screw threads (26).