CA1174650A

CA1174650A - Apparatus and method for dispensing liquid soap

Info

Publication number: CA1174650A
Application number: CA000396005A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ronald L. Whipperman; Robert R. Taylor
Original assignee: Minnetonka Inc
Current assignee: BELAE BRANDS Inc
Priority date: 1981-03-24
Filing date: 1982-02-09
Publication date: 1984-09-18
Also published as: DE3208911A1; GB2098958B; JPS57211020A; FR2502483B1; ZA821473B; GB2098958A; FR2502483A1

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The dispensing container of the invention is intended for use with viscous liquids such as liquid soap, skin care liquid or other person care or household items.
The container is primarily intended to provide convenient application of liquid soap or the like in shower compartments, where the use of traditional push-top dispensers is inconvenient.
The container can be squeezed to create internal pressure and include a valve opening in response to the squeezing of the container and the closing of the valve after pressure equalization within the bottle, when the squeezing pressure is released. The bottle is provided with a hook-shaped storage and hanger cap fitting over the valve cap and fastenable at the bottom end of the container to permit the hanging of the bottle in inverted position from a shower head pipe or the like while, in the first position, providing convenient storage means.

Description

~ 1~46~

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
DISPENSIN~ LIQUID SOAP

Background of the Invention This invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly concerns a container uniquely suited for dispensing liquid soap, skin care liquids, or other personal care or household items.
One of the principal applications envisioned for this invention is as a container and dispenser for liquid soap to be used for showers. Use of traditional bar soaps in showers tends to be both wasteful and messy. Much of the soap is lost as a result of overspray from the shower-head which reaches the dish in which the soap is stored.
This causes softening and messiness of the soap. It also results in loss of a high percentage of the soap, since the soap is eroded and washed from the bar by overspray during showering. In addition, the slipperiness of bar soaps under such conditions causes them to be frustrating-ly difficult to use. They tend to make frequent acciden-tal trips to the shower floor.
While use of liquid soap in a push-top dispenser container may alleviate some of these problems, this use tends to create a different set of problems. Such con-tainers typically will not fit in conventional shower stall soap dishes. They must be placed inconveniently on the shower floor.
The present invention is aimed at eliminating these shortcomings. The invention is a unique apparatus and method for dispensing a liquid. Although it is in-tended primarily for dispensing liquid soap in ashower-type setting, it is not believed to be limited to *
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that application. However, in that application, it pro-vides a structure and method for convenient storage of liquid soap during shipping, convenient mounting of a container and dispenser in a shower stall or other set-ting, and convenient one-handed dispensing of the liquid held by the container.
Summary of the Invention The invention includes a container in the form of a bottle. The bottle is preferably constructed of a resilient material so that the side walls of the bottle may be squeezed to create internal pressure within the bottle. The bottle is fitted with a cap which includes a valve. In some embodiments of the invention the valve may open in response to internal pressure created by squeezing the bottle, and close upon release of squeezing pressure after venting results in pressure equalization within the bottle.
The bottle is also fitted with a storage and hanger cap. In the preferred embodiment, this is a hook-shaped cap fastened over the valve cap during shipping and storage, but fastenable also at the bottom end of the bottle to permit the bottle to be hung in inverted fashion from a shower-head pipe, shower curtain rod, or any other suitable place.
Such a container permits a liquid soap product to be sold in a unitary container which incorporates the hanger as a protective cap. In use, the consumer removes the storage and hanger cap, fastens it to the bottom of the bottle or container, mounts the bottle or container in a convenient location by means of the hanger cap, and it is ready to use. It is then used by squeezing the flexi-ble or resilient side walls of the container to dispense the liquid soap or other material from the valve cap.
In some embodiments, the valve cap incorporates a valve which permits one-handed dispensing, and which both opens and closes in response to the internal bottle pressure created by squeezing action.
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~ :~ 7~650 Various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims which form a part of this application. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and objects obtained by its use, the reader is referred to the drawings which form a part of the application and accompanying descriptive matter in which certain preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described.
Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, in which like reference numer-als throughout the several views denote like elements:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of apparatus con-structed according to one embodiment of the present inven-tion, in which the hanger cap is hung from a shower cur-tain rod fragmentarily shown;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded elevational view of the structure of FIGURE 1, showing the embodiment of FIGURE 1 in a storage or shipping configuration;
FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the invention of FIGURE 1, portions broken away and shown in dotted, to illustrate liquid storage and fastening of the hanger and storage cap to the bottle in a dispensing configuration;
FIGURE 4 is a view of the structure of FIGURE 2, showing a particular type of valving structure utilizable in one embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the structure ofFIGURE 4 taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;
FIGURE ~ is a partially sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;
FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of a cap structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of an alternative valve cap structure for use with the present invention;
and ~7~5~

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the structure of FIGURE 8 taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in connection with the figures identified above. While these figures and the accompanying descrip-tion illustrate a preferred form of the present invention, they are not intended in any way to limit or circumscribe the scope of the invention. It will be apparent to per-sons of skill in the art that a number of modifications and changes might be made to the invention as defined by its claims without departing in any way from the spirit and intent of the invention. The descriptive material that follows is intended for the purposes of further ex-plaining and facilitating use of the invention, and is not intended to be read as limiting the invention to the precise structure as shown in the drawings and accom-panying description.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings, wherein like refer-ence numerals throughout the several views denote likeelements, there is shown apparatus generally designated 10 for dispensing of a liquid material, which in the typical application of this invention will probably be a container used for dispensing liquid soap in the shower. Apparatus or container 10 comprises a container or bottle generally designated 12 to which other parts of the apparatus inven-tion of this application are attached. Bottle 12 is an elongate, ovaloid cross-section bottle. It is constructed of a resilient material. In the preferred embodiment, the material is a plastic material of a polymer with a quick enough memory or reaction to cause the bottle to readily snap back or return to its orig~nal shape on release of manual squeezing pressure. The ovaloid cross-section was ; selected to facilitate the fast reaction desired. While it is possible that polethylene and other plastics might be used as a material for bottle 12, the presently pre-ferred material is extrusion blow-molded polyvinyl - .:

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chloride (PVC). In one embodiment designed the PVC used was .060 inch thick.
Apparatus or container 10 is shown in FIGURE 1 in a dispensing position with a hanger and storage cap generally designated 14 fastened to the bottom of the bottle 12. The inverted bottle 12, cap 14 combination is shown hung from a portion of a shower curtain rod designa-ted 16 in the figure. While container 10 is shown hung from a shower curtain rod, it might well be hung conveni-ently from the showerhead supply pipe, faucet valve exten-sion, wash-towel rod, or other suitable projection in a shower stall or other location.
FIGURE 2 is an exploded elevational view showing different parts of one embodiment of the present inven-tion. At the top of FIGURE 2 is hanger and storage cap14. Cap 14 is preferably of a hollow cap constructed of a resilient plastic material. It has a fastening aperture 18. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the fas-tening aperture is of an ovaloid shape sized to generally conform to the cross-sectional shape and size of bottle 12. Cap 14 is provided with an inwardly directed lip 10, which extends generally inwardly about the periphery of fastening aperture 18.
In the embodiment shown, bottle 12 has a sub-stantially uniform cross-section ovaloid side wall 22.
Ovaloid side wall 22 is broken near its top and bottom by upper and lower fastening grooves 24 and 26 respectively.
These grooves are reduced diameter portions of ovaloid side wall 22 which are also generally ovaloid in shape.
They are sized to receive lip 20 of cap 14 in a snap-fit relationship. Cap 14 snap-fits onto the top of bottle 12 by resiliently extending over and into groove 24. In this position, cap 14 covers and protects the top of bottle 12 and its associated valve cap generally designated 30.
As shown best in FIGURE 2, bottle 12 has a bottom wall 32 which extends generally transversely of ovaloid side wall 22 and is placed proximate lower cap ~ 17465~

fastening groove 26 to seal bottle 12 and create a cavity to contain liquid.
At the upper end of bottle 12 is a circularly cylindrical cap wall portion 34. Cap wall portion 34 is provided with suitable means for attachment of valve cap 30. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, cap wall portion 34 carries an external thread which mates with an internal thread on valve cap 30. Valve cap 30 fits over an aper-ture or opening 36 in bottle 12. Aperture 36 is sealed in storage by means of cap 30 and cap 14. Extending between side wall 22 and cap wall portion 34 is a tapered top wall 40. Tapered top wall 40 is generally frustoconical in shape along its major extent. It rounds into a generally circularly cylindrical portion proximate cap wall portion 34. Proximate side wall 32, it bounds one side of upper fastening groove 24.
FIGURES 4-7 show a preferred form of valve cap 30. Valve cap 30, as shown in those figures, includes a threaded base 42, a storage cap 44, a storage valve insert 46, and a diaphragm member 48. A valve of this general type is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,226,342 issued October 7, 1980. The structure shown in FIGURES 4-7 includes a storage closure feature accomplished by storage cap 44 and storage valve insert 46. Storage cap 44 is an external, rotatable cap. As shown in FIGURE 7, it has a pair o~ arcuate gripping depressions 50 on opposite sides of its periphery. This is for the purpose of facilitating turning and understanding of operation of the storage valve by a user. Storage cap 44 is provided with a pair of apertures 52, 52 positioned on a diameter of cap 44.
Mating storage valve insert 46 contains a pair of internal apertures 54, 54 positioned to register or coincide with apertures 52, 52 upon proper rotation of cap 44. As shown particularly in FIGURE 5, storage valve insert 46 has a raised center portion 56 which firmly mates against an internal surface of storage cap 44. It is expected that in operation of the apparatus of the invention, the valve .
.. ~ . , 1 17~50 formed by cap 44 and insert 46 will be opened by a user initially, and will not be reclosed during the life of the product unless the product is moved or stored.
A demand valve for dispensing of the liquid in bottle 12 during normal use is formed by the structure of diaphragm member 48 in the upper portion of threaded base 42. Diaphragm member 48 is a generally cylindrical dia-phragm with a central passage 60 formed in it. Central passage 60 is generally circularly cylindrical in shape and has a cylinder wall section 62. In a non-expanded condition, diaphragm 48 has a portion of the periphery of cylinder wall section 62 in contact with a central disk 64. Diaphragm member 48 is biased in a direction to force such contact. When squeezing of the bottle causes development of internal pressure against diaphragm member 48, diaphragm member 48 moves in a direction (downward in FIGURE 5) to move cylinder wall section 62 away from disk 64 and open the valve.
As is shown particularly in FIGURE 4, disk 64 is supported by means of three legs 66 which extend at 120 angles. Each of legs 66 extends from the periphery or rim of threaded base 42 inward to contact the disk 64. In the structure shown, venting is accomplished by means of a pinhole 70 and passage 74 which permit air to return to the bottle by means of pinhole 70 upon release of manual pressure and closing of the diaphragm. Passage 74 is formed in a portion of the top of threaded base 42.
An alternative valving structure is shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. This structure consists of a threaded base 80 which has a generally circular top wall 82. Top wall 82 closes off the aperture of the bottle on which the cap is placed with the exception of a passageway defined by tube 84. Tube 84 runs generally transversely to the extent of top wall 82. Mounted to threaded base 80 by means of a pivot 86 is a spout member 88. Spout member 88 includes a passage 90 which runs longitudinally up the spout from one end thereof to a point proximate the top of 6 5 ~

tube 84. At the end of passage 90 proximate the top of tube 85, a plug 92 is formed in the passage. Plug 92 ex-tends downward into tube 84 to seal it when spout member 88 is pivoted into a sealed position generally flush with the top of threaded base 80. To open the spout, a user presses on a tab 94. This causes spout 88 to pivot about pivot 86 and provide an open passageway through passage 90 and tube 84 into the bottle. In the embodiment of FIGURES
8 and 9, it is contemplated that, either the material dispensed will be viscous enough to prevent leakage out the passage when the bottle is in inverted condition, or the spout member will be closed after use to prevent such leakage. It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that the embodiment of FIGURES 4-7, due to its valve structure, provides an automatic closure function upon release of manual squeezing pressure on bottle 12.
Operation The container of the present invention is in-tended to be sold and shipped in the FIGURE 2 configura-tion with hanger and storage cap 14 functioning to protectvalve cap 30 and function as a protective closure for bottle 12. When use of the bottle commences, hanger and storage cap 14 is removed from its snap-fit position at one end of bottle 12 and is placed at the opposite end with lip 20 in cap fastening groove 26. The bottle is then inverted and placed on a shower curtain rod, faucet stem, or other appropriate projection. Assuming the structure of FIGURES 4-7 is used as valve cap 30, storage cap 44 is rotated to bring apertures 52, 52 into alignment with internal apertures 54, 54. The bottle is then in a position for one-handed dispensing of the liquid soap or other material in the bottle. Upon application of manual squeezing pressure to the ovaloid side wall 22, internal pressure in the bottle moves diaphragm member 48 away from disk 64. This allows fluid to pass through open central passage 60, apertures 52, 52 and 54, 54, and out of the bottle for dispensing.

1 17~50 g Upon release of pressure, diaphragm member 48 returns to a seated position and closes the valve. Vent-ing of air back into the bottle to replace material dis-pensed occurs through pinhole 70 and passage 74.
5While this portion of the application has dis-cussed details of construction and operation of the inven-tion for purposes of illustration and understanding, it will be understand that many modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such modi-fications might include alternative valving, other general shapes of hangers, differences in bottle shapes, and differences in the materials and specific pieces utilized to accomplish the functions of the various elements of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A dispensing container for viscous liquids, com-prising:
(a) a bottle with endwalls and resilient side-walls, and having an aperture in one of said endwalls;
(b) valve means mounted over said aperture to permit liquid to be selectable dispensed from the bottle;
(c) a storage cap for said bottle;
(d) means on said storage cap defining a hook-like structure for support purposes;
(e) means on said bottle and cap permitting said cap to be fastened over either endwall, whereby said cap may protect said valve and aperture against damage or leakage during storage, and may be used to mount the bottle in inverted fashion to facilitate dispensing of liquid.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said bottle has a sidewall of generally ovaloid shape.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein said storage cap has a hook-like structure formed proximate one end thereof, has an opening at its opposite end, and has a lip formed about the periphery of said opening; and said bottle has mating grooves formed proximate its endwalls to permit fastening of said cap at either end thereof.

4. The structure of claim 1 or 3 wherein said valve means is constructed to open and close in response to changes in internal pressure of said bottle.

5. The structure of claim 1 or 3 wherein said valve means is constructed to be opened and closed manually by the user, and has an aperture sized with respect to the viscosity of liquid within which it is to be used such that said valve need not be closed in usage to prevent seepage when said bottle is mounted in inverted fashion from a support.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein said bottle is constructed of polyvinyl chloride.

7. The structure of claim 6, wherein said sidewall is generally uniform in cross-section throughout its longitudinal extent, and is ovaloid in section.

8. A method of providing liquid soap for use in showers and the like, comprising:
(a) filling a valved container with a resilient body with soap to be dispensed;
(b) placing a removable storage cap on said container top;
(c) removing said cap from said container top;
(d) fastening said cap on the bottom of said container;
(e) inverting said container to a position where said valve is downwardly directed; and (f) mounting said container in a shower enclo-sure by means of said hook-shaped cap to permit dispensing of liquid soap from said inverted container.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said step of fill-ing is preceded by the step of constructing a container with a valved opening therein having a valve opening and closing in response to internal pressure created by manual squeezing of said container.

10. A dispenser for liquid soap in showers, com-prising:
(a) a hollow plastic bottle having sidewalls sufficiently resilient in nature to deform upon manual pressure, and having an apertured top and closed bottom;

(b) a valved cap mounted over said aperture to effect selectable closure of said bottle; and (c) a hook-shaped cap adapted to be fastened over either end of said top or bottom.

11. The structure of claim 10 wherein said sidewalls are of substantially identical cross-sectional shape proximate said top and bottom, and said hook-shaped cap is shaped at its open end to generally conform to the shape of said sidewalls proximate said top and bottom.

12. The structure of claim 10, wherein one of said cap and bottle carries a peripheral groove and the other carries a peripheral lip, and said lip and groove mate to cause a snap-fit connection between the bottle and cap.

13. The structure of claim 12 wherein said cap carries an inwardly directed lip and said bottle carries a pair of outwardly facing grooves, one each proximate the upper and lower ends of said sidewall.

14. The structure of claim 13 wherein said sidewall has an oval shape in cross-section.