GB2586015A

GB2586015A - A Fluid Dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2586015A
Application number: GB1910653.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hardman Ben; Gordi Vila Mireia
Original assignee: Beldi London Ltd
Current assignee: Beldi London Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-25
Filing date: 2019-07-25
Publication date: 2021-02-03
Also published as: GB201910653D0

Abstract

Fluid dispenser 100 comprising a cavity 310 in its housing 300 for receiving a reservoir 200. The reservoir is made from water-soluble material, which may be a thermoplastic protein substrate. The reservoir may have a neck 220 with screw thread 240, which extends through an upper hole 320 of the housing, for attaching to the dispenser 400, which may be a pump. A bottom hole 330 of the housing allows the reservoir to be removed and replaced once empty. The housing may have a transparent portion and the reservoir may be transparent. The opening 230 of the reservoir may be covered by a film, which is to be removed before inserting the reservoir into the cavity of the housing for use.

Description

A FLUID DISPENSER

The present invention relates generally to a fluid dispenser and a method of dispensing a fluid and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in providing a reusable fluid dispenser.

Cosmetics, such as make-up, are typically contained within a single-use plastic container. Single-use plastics are considered to be environmentally undesirable. Although some plastics are recyclable, pump dispensers often included with containers typically comprise various different materials, making it difficult to recycle them. It is desirable to reduce the need to recycle containers.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser comprising a housing, a blow-moulded vessel containing fluid, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the fluid, wherein the vessel comprises water-soluble material, and the housing comprises a cavity into which the vessel is removably placeable, such that the housing and dispensing mechanism are re-usable by replacing the blow-moulded vessel containing fluid in the cavity with another blow-moulded vessel containing fluid.

In this way, the vessel may be replaced once empty with a new, full vessel, without needing to provide another housing and another dispensing mechanism. The housing may be reused indefinitely. In this way, the vessel may be dissolved and disposed of via a drainage system rather than being disposed of in typical waste processing streams such as landfill or recycling. Any fluid remaining within the vessel may also be disposed of in this way. The vessel may be naturally compostable and biodegradable. It may have no significant aquatic toxicity of growth inhibitions at high concentration and it may achieve full aerobic biodegradation within 20 days.

The present invention therefore reduces the amount of plastic used, and eventually disposed of, when replenishing a fluid.

The housing and/or dispensing mechanism may alternatively be single use. The housing and/or dispensing mechanism may be disposed of without replacing the blow-moulded vessel containing fluid in the cavity with another blow-moulded vessel containing fluid.

The vessel may be soluble in water having a temperature of at least 30°C.

The vessel may comprise a thermoplastic protein substrate. the thermoplastic protein substrate may be made from milk, processed into caseinate (casein neutralised by alkaline salts). In this way, the dissolved thermoplastic protein substrate, once disposed of may be consumed by aquatic organisms.

The housing may have a first aperture and the cavity may extend from the first aperture; wherein the vessel may include an opening for the dispensing of the fluid therethrough; and wherein the dispensing mechanism may be releasably attachable to the vessel.

The fluid dispenser may further comprise an attachment mechanism configured to releasably attach the dispensing mechanism to the housing such that in use, with the vessel attached to the dispensing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism attached to the housing via the attachment mechanism, the vessel may be retained within the cavity.

In use, with the dispensing mechanism attached to the housing, the fluid dispenser may be configured to prevent water ingress into the cavity. The dispensing mechanism and the housing may cooperate to form a watertight enclosure around the cavity. In this way, the vessel, when positioned within the cavity, may be protected from water. This may be particularly beneficial when a water-soluble vessel is provided.

The fluid dispenser may be arranged such that a portion of the housing may be clampable between the vessel and the dispensing mechanism to thereby retain the vessel in the cavity.

The fluid may be a substance or preparation applied to the face, body or hair to alter or enhance its appearance. For example, the fluid may be make-up, a cream, a serum, a lotion, and/or any other known cosmetic.

The housing may be a structure suitable for protecting the vessel from damage and/or water. Accordingly, the housing may be more damage resistant than the vessel. In this way, the replaceable vessel may be formed of a thin, fragile, or otherwise vulnerable material which is protected, in use, by the housing. Accordingly, the vessel maybe formed of a thin plastic, which means that less plastic need be disposed of when the vessel is empty.

The first aperture may he substantially circular. The first aperture may he positioned at a first end of the housing.

The vessel may be a container suitable for storing a fluid therein. The vessel may be formed of an impermeable material. The vessel may be formed of an inert material, and/or a material which does not react with a fluid stored within the vessel. The vessel may comprise a coating on the inside to prevent its solubility by the fluid within it.

The dispensing mechanism may be a pump, an aerosol, an atomiser, a bulb pump, a dropper, or any other known type of dispenser. A part of the dispensing mechanism, such as a pump feed tube, may, in use, project through the first aperture and into the vessel.

The vessel may be retained entirely within the cavity. The housing may have a length which is greater than a length of the vessel. Alternatively, the vessel may protrude from the cavity. The vessel may have a length which is greater than a length of the housing. 'the vessel may be held fixed relative to the housing when retained within the cavity. Alternatively, the vessel may be moveable relative to the housing when retained within the cavity.

The fluid dispenser may be arranged such that a portion of the housing is clampable between the vessel and the dispensing mechanism to thereby retain the vessel in the cavity. Tn this way, the fluid dispenser may be assembled by attaching the vessel to the dispensing mechanism, with the housing positioned therebetween.

The portion of the housing may be a flange extending around and radially away from the first aperture. The flange may be substantially planar. The flange may be substantially annular. 'The flange may be continuous. Alternatively, the flange may be formed of a plurality of discrete flange portions.

The vessel may comprise a neck. the neck may be arranged to project through the first aperture with the vessel inserted into the cavity. the dispensing mechanism may be releasably attachable to the neck of the vessel. The neck may have a substantially circular cross-section. The neck may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the first aperture.

The vessel may further comprise a body. The body may have an external size and shape which substantially corresponds to the size and shape of the cavity. The body may be substantially cylindrical, having a substantially circular cross-section. The body may have a greater cross-sectional area than the neck and the first aperture. In this way, the neck may pass through the first aperture, but the body may not. By passing the neck through the first aperture and attaching the dispensing mechanism to the neck, the housing may he clamped between the body and the dispensing mechanism.

The attachment mechanism may comprise a male screw thread on one of the dispensing mechanism and the vessel, and a female screw thread on the other of the dispensing mechanism and the vessel. For example, the attachment mechanism may comprise a male screw thread on the vessel and a female screw thread on the dispensing mechanism. The screw threads may be configured such that the vessel is releasably attachable to the dispensing mechanism by engaging the screw threads.

The housing and the vessel may each comprise transparent portions. The transparent portion of the housing may align with the transparent portion of the vessel when the vessel in positioned in the cavity. In this way, a user may be able to see the amount of fluid remaining in the vessel through the aligned transparent portions. Alternatively, only one of the housing and the vessel may comprise transparent portions. For example, only the vessel may comprise a transparent portion. In this way, a user may be able to see the amount of fluid remaining in the vessel through the transparent portion.

The vessel may be transparent The vessel may be formed of a transparent material. Accordingly, the vessel may be entirely transparent.

The transparent portions or material may be semi-transparent or translucent. The vessel may be blow-moulded. in this way, the vessel may he a single piece, rather than two or more pieces attached together. Accordingly, the vessel comprises no weld lines, or other attachment points, which are typically weaker than the surrounding material. The vessel may therefore be more resistant to leaks and/or seepage when compared to a vessel including weld lines.

The cavity may extend from the first aperture to a second aperture positioned at an end of the housing substantially opposite the first aperture. The second aperture may have a size and shape such that the vessel is removeable from the cavity therethrough. The second aperture may be substantially circular. The second aperture may have a greater cross-sectional area than the neck and body of the vessel. The second aperture may be located in a substantially planar surface of the housing. In this way, the fluid dispenser may stand on the second end on a table or the like.

The first aperture may have a size and shape to prevent the vessel from passing therethrough. The first aperture may have a size and shape to allow the neck of the vessel to pass therethrough, and prevent the body of the vessel from passing therethrough.

The vessel may have a volume of approximately 30m1 but other volumes are contemplated.

The vessel may have a wall thickness of between 100 microns and 250 microns but other thicknesses are contemplated.

The vessel may contain an anhydrous fluid, such as a cosmetic. In this way, if a water-soluble vessel is provided, the vessel will not dissolve in the fluid contained therein.

The vessel may comprise a film covering its opening. The film may he heat sealed onto the neck of the vessel. The film may include a tab which projects away from the neck of the vessel. The tab may allow a user to more easily grasp and remove the film from the vessel. The film may be soluble in water in the same way as the vessel. in this way, the film may be dissolved and disposed of via a drainage system rather than being disposed of in typical waste processing streams, in the same way as the vessel.

The vessel may comprise a coating on an inside surface thereof. The coating may be hydrophobic. In this way, the vessel may contain a hydrous fluid without dissolving in, or being otherwise affected by, the hydrous fluid. The coating may be soluble in a solvent other than water. The coating may be soluble in an amino acid and/or peptide.

In this way, the coating may be dissolved and disposed of via a drainage system rather than being disposed of in typical waste processing streams.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of dispensing a fluid comprising the steps: providing the fluid dispenser according to the first aspect; positioning the vessel within the cavity; attaching the vessel to the dispensing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism to the housing via the attachment mechanism; and actuating the dispensing mechanism to dispense a fluid from the vessel.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of dispensing a fluid comprising the steps: providing the fluid dispenser of the first aspect, when the vessel of the fluid dispenser comprises a film over its aperture; removing the film from the vessel; positioning the vessel within the cavity; attaching the vessel to the dispensing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism to the housing via the attachment mechanism; and actuating the dispensing mechanism to dispense a fluid from the vessel.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the Following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fluid dispenser.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled fluid dispenser.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Tn the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. Likewise, method steps described or claimed in a particular sequence may be understood to operate in a different sequence.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. it is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term "comprising', used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" or "an aspect" means that a particular feature, stmcture or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or in an aspect" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any one embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner with any other particular feature, structure or characteristic of another embodiment or aspect of the invention, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art From this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to he construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term "at least one" may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The use of the term "any" may mean "all" and/or "each" in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a Fluid dispenser 100. The fluid dispenser 100 includes a vessel 200, a housing 300, a pump dispenser 400, and a cap 500.

The vessel 200 comprises a hollow body 210 which is suitable for containing a fluid therein. The body 210 has the form of a cylinder with hemispherical domes at each planar end. A neck 220 projects away from one end of the body 210 and is substantially cylindrical. The neck 220 has a diameter which is smaller than that of the body 210. A longitudinal axis of the neck 220 is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the body 210. The neck 220 includes an opening 230 in its free planar surface which allows access to an interior of the hollow body 210. Although not shown, a film cover may be positioned over the opening 230 to seal the interior of the hollow body 210. The neck 220 includes a male screw thread 240 around an exterior surface of the neck 220 which extends approximately three-quarters of the length of the neck 220. The body 210 includes a shoulder 250 proximal to the neck 220. The shoulder 250 has a substantially circular cross-section, and its cross-section is equal to that of the body 210 at one end, and is equal to that of the neck 220 at its other end. The role of the shoulder 250 will be discussed with reference to Figure 2 below. the vessel 200 is transparent and is formed of a thermoplastic protein substrate which is soluble in water.

The housing 300 is substantially cuboidal, although other shapes are contemplated, and includes a cavity 310 which has a size and shape which substantially corresponds to the exterior size and shape of the vessel 200. The cavity 310 extends between an upper aperture 320 and a lower aperture 330. The upper aperture 320 is substantially circular and has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the neck 220, and smaller than the largest diameter of the body 210 of the vessel 200. Accordingly, the neck 220 is able to pass therethrough but the body 210 is not. The diameter of the upper aperture 320 is smaller than the diameter of the body. A flange 340 is provided around the upper aperture 320 and extends around and radially outwardly from the upper aperture 320, forming the top surface of the housing 300. The lower aperture 330 is substantially circular and has a diameter which is larger than the largest diameter of the body 210 of the vessel 200. Accordingly, the vessel 200 may pass through the lower aperture 330. the housing 300 has a longitudinal length which is larger than the longitudinal length of the body 210 of the vessel 200. Therefore, with the vessel 200 positioned within the cavity 310 such that the neck 220 projects through the upper aperture 320, the entire body 210 of the vessel 200 is housed within the cavity 310. The housing includes a substantially planar lower surface 350 on which the housing 300 may stand when placed on a table or the like. The housing 300 is transparent.

The pump dispenser 400 includes a substantially cylindrical body 410 and a manually operable pump piece 420 at an upper end of the body 410. The body 410 has a diameter which is larger than that of the upper aperture 320 in the housing 300. Accordingly, the body 410 of the pump dispenser 400 is not able to pass through the upper aperture 320. The pump piece 420 includes an outlet 430 through which a fluid may be dispensed when the pump dispenser 400 is operated. The body 410 incudes a threaded socket 440 in a lower end thereof. The threaded socket 440 is configured to be co-operable with the male screw thread 240 on the neck 220 of the vessel 200 such that the pump dispenser 400 may be attached to the vessel 200. The pump dispenser 400 also includes a Feed tube 450 which extends downwardly from within the threaded socket 440.

The feed tube 450 is connected to the outlet 430 such that a fluid is pumpable through the Feed tube 450 and out of the outlet 430. The feed tube 450 has a longitudinal length which is similar to the longitudinal length of the hollow body 210 of the vessel 200 and may be positioned within the vessel 200 such that, with the pump dispenser 400 attached to the vessel 200, the feed tube 450 extends into the interior of the hollow body 210 and terminates near to a bottom of the interior of the hollow body. Therefore, all of the fluid contained within the vessel 200 may be dispensed by the pump dispenser 400.

The cap 500 is substantially cylindrical in shape and is hollow. The cap includes an opening 510 in its lower end which allows access to the hollow interior. The opening 510 is substantially the same size and shape as the cross-section of the body 410 of the dispenser pump 400 such that the cap may tit tightly over the dispenser pump 400. The hollow interior of the cap 500 is sized and shaped to allow substantially the entirety of the pump dispenser body 410 and the pump piece 420 to be housed therein when the cap 500 is positioned on the pump dispenser 400.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled fluid dispenser 100. The vessel 200 is positioned within the cavity 310 of the housing 300 such that the body 210 is retained entirely within the cavity 310 and the neck 220 protrudes out from the upper end of the housing 300. The shoulder 250 of the vessel 200 abuts against an interior surface of the housing 300 adjacent to the flange 340 to prevent the vessel from passing out through the top of the housing 300. The screw threads 240, 440 are engaged such that the pump dispenser 400 is attached to the neck 220 of the vessel 200. A lower side of the pump dispenser 400 abuts against an upper surface of the flange 340. The housing 300 is therefore clamped between the vessel 200 and the pump dispenser 400. The feed tube 450 of the pump dispenser 400 is positioned within the hollow body 210 of the vessel 200 and extends to a point adjacent to the bottom of the interior of the vessel 200.

The cap 500 is positioned on the pump dispenser 400 and covers the pump piece 420 and the outlet 430 such that accidental dispensing of the fluid is prevented.

To dispense a fluid from the fluid dispenser 100, the cap 500 is removed from the pump dispenser 400, and the pump dispenser 400 is actuated by pressing the pump piece 420 into the body 410. The fluid is thereby pumped up from the interior of the vessel 200, through the feed tube 450, and out of the outlet 430.

When the vessel 200 is empty, or the user wishes to dispense a different fluid, the vessel 200 may be replaced. To do so, the user may unscrew the pump dispenser 400 from the vessel 200, and remove the vessel 200 from the cavity 310. A second vessel (not shown) may be provided. The second vessel may have a Film covering its opening, which may be removed. The second vessel may then be positioned within the cavity 310 such that the neck projects out of the top of the housing 300. The pump dispenser 400 may then be screwed onto the second vessel in the manner described above in related to the vessel 200. Actuating the pump dispenser 400 may then dispense a fluid from the second vessel. As described above, the vessel 200 is soluble in water. Therefore, the vessel 200 may be dissolved in water and disposed of via a drainage system rather than being recycled, sent to landfill, or disposed of in any other conventional manner. The film of the second vessel may also be formed of a thermoplastic protein substrate and disposed of in the same way as the vessel 200.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fluid dispenser comprising a housing, a blow-moulded vessel containing fluid, and a dispensing mechanism For dispensing the Fluid, wherein the vessel comprises water soluble material, and the housing comprises a cavity into which the vessel is removably placeable, such that the housing and dispensing mechanism are re-usable by replacing the blow-moulded vessel containing fluid in the cavity with another blow-moulded vessel containing fluid.
2. The fluid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the vessel comprises a thermoplastic protein substrate.
3. The fluid dispenser according to either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the housing has a first aperture and the cavity extends From the first aperture; wherein the vessel includes an opening for the dispensing of the fluid therethrough; and wherein the dispensing mechanism is releasably attachable to the vessel.
4. The fluid dispenser according to claim 3, finther comprising an attachment mechanism configured to releasably attach the dispensing mechanism to the housing such that in use, with the vessel attached to the dispensing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism attached to the housing via the attachment mechanism, the vessel is retained within the cavity.
5. The fluid dispenser according to claim 4, wherein, in use, with the dispensing mechanism attached to the housing, the fluid dispenser is configured to prevent water ingress into the cavity.
6. The fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 3 to 5, arranged such that a portion of the housing is clampable between the vessel and the dispensing mechanism to thereby retain the vessel in the cavity.
7. The fluid dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the portion of the housing is a flange around the first aperture.
8. The fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel comprises a neck being arranged to project through the first aperture with the vessel inserted into the cavity, and the dispensing mechanism is releasably attachable to the neck of the vessel.
9. The fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel further comprises a body which has an external size and shape which substantially corresponds to the size and shape of the cavity.
10. The fluid dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a male screw thread on one of the dispensing mechanism and the vessel, and a female screw thread on the other of the dispensing mechanism and the vessel.
11. The fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing and the vessel each comprise transparent portions.
12. The fluid dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the vessel is transparent.
13. The fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the cavity extends from the first aperture to a second aperture positioned at an end of the housing substantially opposite the first aperture, wherein the second aperture has a size and shape such that the vessel is removeable from the cavity therethrough.
14. The fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the first aperture has a size and shape to prevent the vessel from passing therethrough.
15. The fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel has a volume of between 30m1.
16. The fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel has a wall thickness of between 100 microns and 250 microns.
17. The fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel contains an anhydrous
18. The fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel comprises a film covering its opening.
19. A method of dispensing a fluid comprising the steps: providing the fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 4 to 18, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 4; positioning the vessel within the cavity; attaching the vessel to the dispensing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism to the housing via the attachment mechanism; and actuating the dispensing mechanism to dispense a fluid from the vessel.
20. A method of dispensing a fluid comprising the steps: providing the fluid dispenser of claim 19; removing the film from the vessel; positioning the vessel within the cavity; attaching the vessel to the dispensing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism to the housing via the attachment mechanism; and actuating the dispensing mechanism to dispense a fluid from the vessel.