AU2120499A

AU2120499A - Container incorporating dispensing means

Info

Publication number: AU2120499A
Application number: AU21204/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard Henry Bloomfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-16
Filing date: 1999-03-16
Publication date: 1999-09-30

Description

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P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD PATENT a.

a Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: RICHARD HENRY BLOOMFIELD RICHARD HENRY BLOOMFIELD WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Container Incorporating Dispensing Means" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): PP2378 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- Technical Field The present invention relates to a container incorporating means for dispensing a fluid substance stored within the container.

The invention has been devised particularly, although not solely, as a container for packaging a beverage such as water or fruit juice.

Background of the Invention Packaging of beverages in containers is well known. One common style of packaging involves a container which can be opened but which cannot be :closed after opening. Such packaging includes metal cans, and cardboard oo.ooi S• 10 cartons incorporating a sealed hole which can be perforated by a straw accompanying the carton.

Another style of packaging, which does allow resealing, usually involves bottles incorporating a neck onto which a closure cap can be screwed. The closure cap can be unscrewed from the neck to allow fluid to be dispensed and then screwed onto the neck to close the container as necessary. A difficulty with such containers is that the bottles are generally rather bulky to carry and require two-handed operation, one handfor holding the body of the bottle and the other hand for operating the cap. Consequently, such bottles are generally not particularly suitable for packaging in circumstances where a beverage is to be dispensed in a convenient manner.

Summary of the Invention The present invention seeks to provide a container incorporating a dispensing means from which fluid within the container can be dispensed in a convenient manner.

-3- The present invention provides a container incorporating dispensing means from which a fluid within the container can be dispensed, the container comprising a body defining a reservoir for holding fluid and from which the fluid or at least part thereof can be dispensed through said dispensing means, the dispensing means comprising a nozzle through which the fluid can be dispensed, the nozzle being moveable between an operative condition in which it is in fluid communication with the reservoir whereby fluid can be discharged from the reservoir through the nozzle and a sealing condition in which fluid cannot discharge through the nozzle, the nozzle being moveable from the sealing condition to the operative condition under the influence of fluid pressure within the reservoir.

The body defining the reservoir may be of flexible construction to permit the fluid contents to be subjected to pressure by squeezing on the body thereby to assist dispensing of the fluid from the container when the nozzle is in the operative condition. Conveniently, the container is constructed of a crushable material 15 such as a cardboard.

The body of the container may incorporate a fold line about which the body can be folded for the purposes of subjecting the fluid contents to pressure.

With the arrangement where the nozzle can move from the sealing condition to *the operative condition under the influence of fluid pressure in the reservoir, the user can move the nozzle from the sealing condition to the operative condition by squeezing the body of the container to generate the required fluid pressure to cause the nozzle to undergo such movement. A safety stop such as a removable restraining tab may be provided to inhibit unintentional movement of the nozzle into the operative condition. In this way, the nozzle is restrained against movement into the operative condition in circumstances where, for example, the body of the container is compressed during handling procedures.

The safety stop would be released by the user just prior to dispensing of fluid from the container.

-4- The body of the container may have a face which surrounds the nozzle and the nozzle may be moveable relative to the face between the operative and sealing conditions, with said nozzle being recessed with respect to the face when in the sealing condition. The recessing of the nozzle when in the sealing condition allows the nozzle to assume a protective position in which it does not protrude from the surface.

The nozzle may comprise a tubular stem having a first port means adapted to be opened when the nozzle is in the operative condition and closed when the nozzle is in the sealing condition. The first port means provides a flow path between the reservoir and the tubular stem.

o. The tubular stem may be accommodated within a sleeve which extends into the reservoir defined within the body. The sleeve has a second port means with which the first port means of the tubular stem moves into register when the nozzle is in the operative condition, whereby fluid within the reservoir can flow through the two port means. When the nozzle is in the sealing condition, the sleeve serves to close the first port means in the tubular stem and thereby blocks fluid flow into the tubular stem.

The tubular stem is open at the outer end to allow the dispensing of the fluid.

The outer end of the tubular stem may have a lip surrounding the opening to assist a user in positioning his or her lips in sealing engagement with the outer end of the stem while drinking directly from the stem.

The tubular stem may be closed at its inner end, with the closed end being exposed directly to fluid within the reservoir. In this way, the fluid within the reservoir can act on the closed end of the tubular stem when subject to pressure to thereby urge the tubular stem to move from the retracted position corresponding to the sealing condition of the nozzle to an extended condition corresponding to the operative condition of the nozzle.

The reservoir defined within the body may be divided into a plurality of compartments separated from each other whereby the contents of the various compartments are isolated, and means may be provided for selectively allowing mixing of the contents of the various compartments to form a fluid mixture for dispensing through the dispensing means.

The reservoir may, for example, be divided into two compartments by a membrane which separates the contents of the two compartments and which can fracture upon squeezing of the body a sufficient extent thereby to allow mixing of the contents of the two compartments.

In another arrangement, the body may be constructed with a plurality of compartments and a valve system provided to maintain contents of the compartments isolated until such time as the valve system is caused to open to allow mixing of the contents.

Brief Description of the Drawings 15 The invention also provides a container incorporating dispensing means from *which a fluid within the container can be dispensed, the container comprising a body defining a reservoir for holding the fluid and from which the fluid or at least part thereof can be dispensed through the dispensing means, the body being of flexible construction incorporating a fold line about which the body can be folded for subjecting the fluid contents within the reservoir to pressure.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container according to the embodiment with the dispensing means in an operative condition;

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-6- Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the container with the dispensing means in a sealing condition; Figure 3 is a schematic end view of the container in the condition shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the container in the condition shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a schematic fragmentary view showing the dispensing means in an operative condition; S:Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of part of the container, showing a sleeve formed in the container; Figure 7 is a schematic view of a stem adapted to be accommodated in the sleeve to form the dispensing means; Figure 8 shows the container being held in the hand of a user; and Figure 9 shows the container in use.

15 Best Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention Referring to the drawings, there is shown a container 10 incorporating a dispensing means 11 from which a beverage such as water within the container can be dispensed.

The container 10 comprises a body 13 defining a reservoir 15 for holding the beverage and from which the beverage, or at least part thereof, can be dispensed through the dispensing means 11. The body 13 is constructed of a crushable material such as cardboard. The body 13 is in the form of a box having a top wall 17, a bottom wall 19, two opposed end walls 21 and two -7opposed side walls 23. The bottom wall 19 comprises two wall sections which meet at a fold line 27. With this arrangement, the body 13 can be folded about the fold line 27 so as to subject the beverage contained within the reservoir 15 to pressure and thereby cause it to discharge through the dispensing means 11, as will be explained in more detail later.

The dispensing means 11 comprises a nozzle 30 including a sleeve 31 which is formed integrally with the top wall 17 and which extends into the reservoir The sleeve 31 opens onto the top wall 17 and incorporates a circumferential depression 33 adjacent the top wall 17. The sleeve 31 is also open at the inner end 35 thereof opposite to the depression 33. A port 37 is formed in the side of the sleeve inwardly of the depression 33. The port 37 provides for fluid communication between the exterior and interior regions of the sleeve, the purpose of which will be explained in more detail later.

The nozzle 30 further includes a tubular stem 41 which is slidably supported within the sleeve 31 for movement between an extended condition (as shown in Figures 1 and 5) and a retracted condition (as best shown in Figures 3 and 4).

The tubular stem 41 comprises a cylindrical side wall 42 having a circumferential protrusion 43 on the inner end thereof which serves as a stop to limit the extent to which the stem can move outwardly with respect to the sleeve 31, and a 20 circumferential protrusion 45 adjacent the outer end thereof for limiting the extent to which the stem can move inwardly with respect to the sleeve 31. The protrusion 45 is accommodated within the depression 33 when the tubular stem 41 is in the retracted condition, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The tubular stem 41 provides a mouth-piece through which a user may drink the fluid contents within the reservoir 15. The protrusion 45 therefore also provides a lip seal around which the user can place his or her lips while drinking from the mouth-piece to ensure comfort and proper sealing to avoid spillage.

The tubular stem 41 has an opening 46 at its outer end 47, and is closed by a bottom wall 49 at its inner end.

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-8- The cylindrical side wall 42 of the tubular stem 41 incorporates a port 53 which is closed by the sleeve 31 when the valve stem is in the retracted condition. In this retracted condition, the side wall 42 of the valve stem closes the port 37 in the sleeve 31.

It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and so in Figures 3 and 4 the port 53 in the tubular stem 41 appears to be exposed; however, it is covered (and thereby closed) by the sleeve 31. The port 53 is so positioned relative to the port 37 in the sleeve 31 that the port 53 moves into registration with the port 37 when the tubular stem 41 moves into the extended condition. With the two ports 37, 53 in registration, the beverage within the reservoir 15 can flow through the ports 37, 53 into the hollow interior of the tubular stem 41 from S: where it can then flow out through the opening 46 in end 47 thereof. The beverage cannot flow through the nozzle 30 when the tubular stem 41 is in the retracted condition owing to closure of port 53 by the sleeve 31 and also close tolerances between the sleeve 31 and the tubular stem 41.

A keyway 48 operating between the sleeve 31 and tubular stem 41 prevents .'.rotation of the stem relative to the sleeve which might otherwise move the two ports 37, 53 out of alignment.

The construction of the dispensing means 11 is such that the tubular stem 41 can be moved from the retracted condition to the extended condition under the influence of fluid pressure generated in the beverage contained within reservoir In this regard, fluid pressure generated in the beverage by, for example, folding the body 13 about fold line 27 so as to reduce the volume of the reservoir can act on the closed bottom wall 49 of the tubular stem 41 thereby urging the tubular stem to move from the retracted condition to the extended condition.

A safety stop (not shown) may be provided-to prevent unintentional movement of the tubular stem 41 from the retracted condition to the extended condition in circumstances where, for example, the body 13 of the container is compressed -9during handling procedures. The safety stop may comprise a removable tab which can be positioned across the location in the top wall 17 at which the sleeve 31 opens onto that wall.

The container to according to the embodiment provides a simple yet highly effective form of packaging, particularly for small quantities beverages. In this regard, it is believed that there is a need for a beverage package which can be conveniently carried in a discrete fashion, such as in a brief case, a handbag, or even in a pocket of clothing which is worn by the user. When the user requires a drink, he or she simply removes the safety stop and folds the body 13 about the fold line 27. The folding action causes the volume of the reservoir 15 to reduce thereby increasing the fluid pressure of the beverage contained within the reservoir. The fluid pressure acts on the bottom wall 49 of the tubular stem 41 thereby causing the tubular stem to move from the retracted condition in which beverage is blocked from dispensing from the container into the extended condition in which the two ports 37, 53 register with each other and thereby allow the beverage to flow from the reservoir into the tubular stem and out through the open end thereof. The user can consume the beverage directly from the tubular stem 41 by using it as a mouth piece or can pour the fluid ocontents from the container in conventional fashion. The user has the option of 20 consuming all the beverage at the one time or consuming a lesser amount. In the latter case, after consuming the desired quantity of beverage, the user can manually push the tubular stem 41 from the extended condition into the retracted condition and thereby close the dispensing means 11 against further fluid flow.

While the embodiment has been described in relation to dispensing of a beverage, it should be understood that the container according to the invention may have application in dispensing of any flowable substance including liquids, creams, sauces, lotions, and particulate matter (including granular substances such as sugar).

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

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Claims

1. A container incorporating dispensing means from which a fluid within the container can be dispensed, the container comprising a body defining a reservoir for holding fluid and from which the fluid or at least part thereof can be dispensed through said dispensing means, the dispensing means comprising a nozzle through which the fluid can be dispensed, the nozzle being moveable between an operative condition in which it is in fluid communication with the reservoir whereby fluid can be discharged from the reservoir through the nozzle and a sealing condition in which fluid cannot discharge through the nozzle, the nozzle being moveable from the sealing condition to the operative condition under the influence of fluid pressure within the reservoir.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the body defining the reservoir is S of flexible construction to permit the fluid contents to be subjected to pressure by squeezing on the body thereby to assist dispensing of the fluid from the container when the nozzle is in the operative condition.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein the container is constructed of a crushable material.

4. A container according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the body of the container incorporates a fold line about which the body can be folded for the purposes of subjecting the fluid contents to pressure.

A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a releasable stop is provided to inhibit movement of the nozzle from the sealing condition to the operative condition.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a face which surrounds the nozzle, and wherein the nozzle is moveable -12- relative to the face between the operative and sealing conditions, the nozzle being recessed with respect to the face when in the sealing condition.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the nozzle comprises a tubular stem having a first port means adapted to be opened when the nozzle is in the operative condition and closed when the nozzle is in the sealing condition, the first port means providing a flow path between the reservoir and the tubular stem.

8. A container according to claim 7 wherein the tubular stem is accommodated within a sleeve which extends into the reservoir defined within the body, the 10 sleeve having a second port means, the arrangement being that the first port means of the tubular stem moves into register with the second port means when the nozzle is in the operative condition whereby fluid within the reservoir can flow through the two port means, and the sleeve serves to close the first port means in the tubular stem and thereby blocks fluid flow into the tubular stem when the nozzle is in the sealing condition.

9. A container according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the outer end of the tubular stem has a lip surrounding the opening to assist a user in positioning his or h. er lips in sealing engagement with the outer end of the stem while drinking directly from the stem.

10. A container according to claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein the tubular stem is closed at its inner end, with the closed end being exposed directly to fluid within the reservoir.

11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reservoir defined within the body is divided into a plurality of compartments separated from each other whereby the contents of the various compartments are isolated, and means are provided for selectively allowing L -13- mixing of the contents of the various compartments to form a fluid mixture for dispensing through the dispensing means.

12. A container according to claim 11 wherein the reservoir is divided into two compartments by a membrane which separates the contents of the two compartments and which can fracture upon squeezing of the body a sufficient extent thereby to allow mixing of the contents of the two compartments.

13. A container according to claim 11 wherein the body has a plurality of compartments, and wherein a valve system is provided to maintain contents 10 of the compartments isolated until such time as the valve system is caused to open to allow mixing of the contents.

14. A container incorporating dispensing means from which a fluid within the o container can be dispensed, the container comprising a body defining a reservoir for holding the fluid and from which the fluid or at least part thereof can be dispensed through the dispensing means, the body being of flexible construction incorporating a fold line about which the body can be folded for subjecting the fluid contents within the reservoir to pressure. o

15. A container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this sixteenth day of March 1999. RICHARD HENRY BLOOMFIELD Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant.