US20140197202A1

US20140197202A1 - Pressure operated dispensing device

Info

Publication number: US20140197202A1
Application number: US13/997,919
Authority: US
Inventors: Gordon Hock Seng Soh; Cyrille Durand; Xavier Caro; Tommy See Tho
Original assignee: Nestec SA
Current assignee: Nestec SA
Priority date: 2010-12-30
Filing date: 2010-12-30
Publication date: 2014-07-17
Also published as: WO2012091674A1; SG190932A1; CN103282286A; AU2010366642B2; JP2014501674A; EP2658793B1; BR112013016448A2; MX2013007536A; CN103282286B; RU2013135501A; AU2010366642A1; MY185003A; UA108290C2; EP2658793A1; CA2819227A1; ZA201305723B

Abstract

A device (100) for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber (400) with walls having a combination of at least a strong seal (102) and at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) wherein the weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) bridges the walls (105) of a spout (200). The spout (200) guides the substance to the at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a). The spout (200) is defined by having at least a wall (105) formed by the at least a strong seal (102) extending inwardly from the at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a). When the spout (200) has a plurality of weak seals (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a), at least a buffer chamber (300) is formed between the weak seals (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a). The discharging end of the spout (201) has an outermost weak seal (101 a). The device (100) dispenses the substance when an external pressure is applied to the chamber (400).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of the invention applies to packaging of a substance.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

At present there are many pouches that store and dispense a substance. However, majority of pouches require the use of both hands to tear an opening before dispensing the substance. The need to tear an opening in a pouch prior to use is inconvenient especially when the user only has one hand available. By squeezing the pouch with one hand, the substance in the pouch would be discharged in an uncontrolled burst.
The need to tear is not convenient for a sportsperson consuming a liquid from a pack while on the go during a competition. It is preferable for the sportsperson to operate a packet with one hand without the contents of the packet discharging uncontrollably.
There is a United States patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,472 A that describes a container with a rupturable seal for dispensing beverage concentrates in a beverage dispenser without a need to tear. However, due to having an unsealed spout, the spout is subject to contamination prior to use.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a device with a simplified means of opening the device with at least one hand while providing a controlled discharge of its contents.
A device for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber with walls having a combination of at least a strong seal and at least a weak seal wherein the weak seal bridges the walls of a spout. The spout guides the substance to the at least a weak seal. The spout is defined by having at least a wall formed by the at least a strong seal extending inwardly from the at least a weak seal. The discharging end of the spout has an outermost weak seal providing a sealed spout to prevent external contamination of the spout. The device dispenses the substance when an external pressure is applied to the chamber.
When the spout has a plurality of weak seals, at least a buffer chamber is formed between the weak seals.
The buffer chamber provides a controlled flow of the substance when the substance discharges from the device upon breaking through the outermost weak seal. The strength of the inner weak seal is stronger than the strength of the outer weak seal.
The strength of the at least a weak seal can be varied by varying the width of the weak seals. The at least a weak seal prevents the substance from discharging the chamber.
The spout having a plurality of walls in a tapered configuration allows the thrust forces of the substance to be channeled progressively towards the weak seals. The spout may have a conical and/or cylindrical profile.
In a preferred embodiment of the spout, the outermost weak seal is shorter than an adjacent inner weak seal. In another embodiment of the spout, the outermost weak seal is longer than an adjacent inner weak seal. In yet another embodiment of the spout, the outermost weak seal and an adjacent inner weak seal have substantially equal length.
The spout having at least a weak seal or a plurality of weak seals, wherein the plurality of weak seals form at least a buffer chamber, may be adapted for use with pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch (for example: Stabilo Bag™), resealable stand up pouch (for example: Doypack).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Describes an embodiment of the invention with a single weak seal.

FIG. 2: Describes an embodiment of the spout with a plurality of weak seals.

FIG. 3: Describes an embodiment of the invention with a plurality of weak seals.

FIG. 4: Describes a variation of the embodiment of the invention with a plurality of weak seals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each of the following preferred embodiments describes an example.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a device (100) for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber (400) having at least a strong seal (102) and at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103). The at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103) bridges across the walls of a spout (200) to hold a substance within the chamber (400). The outermost weak seal (101 a) may be along the perimeter of the device (100). Having the outermost weak seal (101 a) along the perimeter of the device (100) prevents contamination of the stored substance from external contamination when sealed. Furthermore, the outermost weak seal (101 a) prevents external contamination of the spout (200), as it seals the spout (200) at the discharging end of the spout (201). This improves hygiene especially when the substance is for animal consumption.
The at least a strong seal (102) along the perimeter of the device (100) contribute to the shape profile of the device (100). The at least a strong seal (102) prevents the substance within the chamber (400) from randomly bursting out of the device (100) when an external pressure is applied to the chamber (400). The spout (200) defined by at least a wall (105) form by the at least a strong seal (102) extending inwardly from the at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a). The at least a wall (105) guides the substance towards the at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a).
When an external pressure is applied to the chamber (400), the substance stored in the chamber (400) consequently applies a thrust force on the at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a), thereby causing the at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) to rupture, discharging the substance out of the chamber (400).
Referring to FIG. 2, the spout (200) may have a plurality of weak seals (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a), whereby the plurality of weak seals (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) form at least a buffer chamber (300). The at least a buffer chamber (300) cushions the initial discharge burst of the contained substance when the innermost weak seal (103 a) is ruptured, thereby providing a controlled flow of the contained substance when the substance discharges from the device (100) upon breaking through the outermost weak seal (101 a).
To further provide a controlled discharge of the substance, the strength of the inner weak seal (103) is stronger than the strength of the adjacent outer weak seal (101). The strength of the at least a weak seals (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) are arranged in such a way wherein the strength of the following outer weak seal (101) is weaker than the adjacent inner weak seal (103). Hence, the strength of the innermost weak seal (103 a) is the strongest, and the strength of the outermost weak seal (101 a) is the weakest amongst the weak seals (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a). The strength of the at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) may be varied by varying the width of the at least a weak seals (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a). When in storage the at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) prevents the substance from discharging the chamber (400) when not in use. The sealing force range of the at least a weak seal (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) ranges from 0.6 to 3.0 Newtons.
Any sealing method may be employed for creating the strong and weak seals of the device (100), for example, ultrasonic and/or heat sealing may be employed for creating the seals of the device (100).
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 describe a preferred embodiment of the device (100), wherein the at least a wall (105) of the spout (200) have a tapered configuration. The tapered walls (105) of the spout (200) allow the thrust forces of the substance to be channeled progressively towards the at least a weak seals (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) during discharge.
In a preferred embodiment, the spout (200) may have a discharge aperture width range of 4 mm to 13 mm and an aperture angle range of 30° to 105° between the walls (105). The spout (200) may have a conical and/or cylindrical profile when the substance fills the spout during discharge.
In various embodiments of the device (100), the relative length of the outermost weak seal (101 a) of the spout (200) may be varied relative to the length of an adjacent weak seal (101, 103, 103 a). One configuration may have the length of the outermost weak seal (101 a) may be shorter than the length of an adjacent weak seal (101, 103, 103 a).
In another configuration, the length of the outermost weak seal (101 a) may be longer than the length of an adjacent weak seal (101, 103, 103 a). In yet another configuration, the length of the outermost weak seal (101 a) may be substantially equal to the length of the innermost weak seal (101, 103, 103 a).
The material used for the manufacturing of the container preferably should be flexible. A flexible material allows for any expansion and compression of the chamber (400). The shape of the device (100) is not limited to that described by the drawings. The spout (200) and the weak seals (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) may be adapted to any flexible packaging type, such as, pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch (for example: Stabilo Bag™), resealable stand up pouch (for example: Doypack), however the application is not limited to the mentioned.
The substance in the device (100) may be liquid, gel-like, powder, granules, but not limited to the examples. In as much as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber with walls having a combination of a strong seal and a weak seal wherein the weak seal bridges the walls of a spout;

the spout guides the substance to the weak seal;

the spout defined by at least a wall formed by the strong seal extending inwardly from the weak seal;

having an outermost weak seal at the discharging end of the spout; and

the device dispenses the substance when an external pressure is applied to the chamber.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outermost weak seal provides a sealed spout to prevent external contamination of the spout.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the spout has a plurality of weak seals forming at least a buffer chamber.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the buffer chamber provides a controlled flow of the substance when the substance discharges from the device upon breaking through the outer most weak seal.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the strength of the inner weak seal is greater than the strength of the outer weak seal.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the weak seal has a sealing force range of 0.6 to 3.0 Newtons.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the strength of the weak seal can be varied by varying the width of the weak seals.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the weak seal prevents the substance from discharging from the chamber.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the spout has a plurality of in a tapered configuration.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tapered configuration of the spout allows thrust forces of the substance to be channeled progressively towards the weak seals.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the spout has a discharge aperture width of 4 mm to 13 mm.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the spout has either a conical profile, a cylindrical profile, or a combination.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the spout has an aperture angle of 30° to 105°.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outermost weak seal is shorter than an adjacent inner weak seal.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outermost weak seal is longer than an adjacent inner weak seal.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outermost weak seal and an adjacent inner weak seal have substantially equal length.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the spout having at least a weak seal can be adapted for use with a product selected from the group consisting of a pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch, and resealable stand up pouch.

18. A device according to claim 2, wherein the spout having a plurality of weak seals forming at least a buffer chamber can be adapted for use with a product selected from the group consisting of a pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch, and resealable stand up pouch.

19. A device for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber with walls having a combination of a strong seal and a weak seal wherein the weak seal bridges the walls of a spout;

the spout guides the substance to the weak seal;

the spout defined by a wall formed by the strong seal extending inwardly from the weak seal; and

having an outermost weak seal at the discharging end of the spout.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the outermost weak seal provides a sealed spout to prevent external contamination of the spout.

21. A device according to claim 19, wherein the spout having a plurality of weak seals forming at least a buffer chamber.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the buffer chamber provides a controlled flow of the substance when the substance discharges from the device upon breaking through the outer most weak seal.