GB2488580A

GB2488580A - Dispensing container with support member

Info

Publication number: GB2488580A
Application number: GB1103575.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Gordon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-02
Filing date: 2011-03-02
Publication date: 2012-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-02
Also published as: GB2488580B; GB201103575D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a support member and dispensing container assembly for gels or liquids. A support member 51 rigidly attaches to a support structure. A free standing, self contained, fully sealed 'squeeze to use' dispensing container 1 for gels or liquids has first and second ends 2A,2B and features a dispensing aperture 3 at the first end of the container to dispense product. Container 1 is connected to and released from the support member 51 solely by holding and manipulating the container relative to the support member. The engagement means comprises a first component at a mid section along the length of the dispensing container and a second component of the support member 51. The component releasably interlocks with the second component by rotating the container at right angles to the axis of the length of the dispensing container in a first direction relative to the support member so as to provide a substantially rigid interlock between the container and support member, and the first component releasing from the support member by rotating the container relative to the support member in a second opposite direction. In use, the support member orientates the dispensing container in an inverted state with the first end 2a facing downwards and enables the user unrestricted access to the sides of the container to enable product to be squeezed from the container.

Description

Title: TidvSqueeze3. A Support Member with a Squeeze to Use' bottle of gel/liquid The present invention relates to a support member for a dispensing container for squeeze to use' bottles of liquid or gel like shampoo shower gel or even sauce bottles like tomato ketchup.

Various types of squeeze to use' dispensing containers are known such as shampoo bottles, and sauce bottles (e.g. tomato ketchup). Much of the time these dispensing containers can be left on a shelf or other surface when not in use, but are then picked up manually to use them.

This often requires the user to bend down, pick up the dispensing container, hold the dispensing container with one hand while the product is being used and then put the dispensing container back down again. Also these dispensing containers can take up surface space.

There is often not a convenient or secure means to accommodate these containers. For example if a shampoo bottle is placed on a shelf or around the bath tub, it can easily topple over, a bottle of gel attached to a shower cord by a hook mechanism or similar may swing around or fall if accidentally knocked or a sauce bottle may not be secure sitting on a surface in a ship's galley.

Examples of an improved method to enable these bottles to be used without confiscation of space around the tub is described in DE 20 2007 018 022 Ui. The bottle features an attachment means located on the side of the bottle which enables the bottle to attach to a support member the latter being attached to a support structure like a wall. A problem with this method is that the bottle requires an external attachment which some would see as being an extra expense or complication in the production process, or one that may detract from the aesthetics of the bottle. In another embodiment of DE 20 2007 018 022 Ui, the support member engages with an indent in the bottle itself in order to provide a firm engagement fit. The engagement means is therefore inserted into the cavity of the bottle, rather than the bottle being inserted into the engagement means of the support member. A problem with this method is that the indent confiscates some of the volume that the bottle provides for the gel or liquid and such an indent may detract from the aesthetics of the bottle.

Another example of an improved method to prevent dispensing containers for gels and liquids from falling that enables a user to extract product without having to hold onto the dispensing container whilst extracting product from it is described in EP 0 997 384 Al. In order to ensure that the dispensing container is held firmly within the retaining support member, the dispensing container features a projection which is first inserted into the retaining member, then the locking mechanism on the retaining member is adjusted in order to ensure that the article is locked into the retaining member. Of necessity therefore this is a two part process, one to insert the article into the retaining member, a second to adjust the locking means in order to lock the article within the retaining member. Similarly, when releasing the article from the retaining means, the locking means needs to be adjusted so as to enable the article to be released. A problem with this method is that if the dispensing container is to depend under a shelf with its dispensing end facing downwards, locking the dispensing container into the retaining mechanism will require the use of both hands. One to hold the dispensing container in position whilst the other hand adjusts the locking means to lock the dispensing container into the retaining member.

Additionally, the projection on the bottom of the dispensing container further deters its theft by rendering it unstable and non free standing, which is not a useful attribute for a domestic user.

Also, the retaining support member may be both more complex and expensive to manufacture if it has an adjustable locking means built into it.

US 2003/021033 and W02004/004529 Al disclose dispensing containers for use with a support member, or mount, to prevent theft of the dispensing container. Both US 2003/021033 and W02004/004529 Al disclose assembled systems which secure the container into the mount and allow the container to be rotated without causing disengagement of the container from its mount.

In order to prevent theft, the body of the mount or its constituent components or its means of attachment to the support structure is invasive to the support structure. Within a domestic dwelling, this invasiveness may cause damage to the paintwork or tiling of the support structure, and removal of the mounting may leave unsightly damage to it that will require attention.

Additionally various embodiments of US 2003/02 1033 require a locking devise, like a ball indent, to securely lock the dispensing container to its mounting. This secure locking devise then needs to be disengaged in order for the dispensing container to be removed from its mounting.

Within a domestic setting, it is not required to lock the dispensing container against theft, therefore such a devise like a ball indent that performs this locking function is not an additional expense or elaboration to the support member that needs to be incurred.

Additionally, if the support member is placed within the bath or shower area this could require the user to enter the bath or the shower cubicle shower in order to remove it. The facility to replace or remove the dispensing container in a single action using just one hand would be of benefit because this would allow the user to use the other arm in order to provide stability.

Better therefore if the dispensing container can be interlocked with and released from the support member using just one hand by manipulating the dispensing container alone in relation to its support member, the latter being secured to the wall of the bath or shower cubicle.

Support members already exist which are non invasive to the host support structures.

U5005439193A discloses a container inverting support which attaches to a vertical surface by means of suction pads. It supports the dispensing container by the neck or the portion of the container adjacent its opening. This means that the container is supported at its slimmest and thereby weakest locations, along the neck which could make it unstable. It would be more advantageous to support the container at a portion of the container with a more substantial diameter rather than the neck or the area immediately adj acent the opening of the container.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a support member and dispensing container assembly for gels or liquids comprising: a) a support member which attaches to a support structure, b) a free standing, self contained, fully sealed squeeze to use' dispensing container for gels or liquids having first and second ends and featuring a dispensing aperture at the first end of the container to dispense product, said container being connected to and released from the support member solely by holding and manipulating the container relative to the support member and c) an engagement means comprising a first component featured at a mid section along the length of the dispensing container and a second component of the support member, said first component releasably interlocking with the second component by rotating the container at right angles to the axis of the length of the dispensing container in a first direction relative to the support member, to a first position wherein the first and second components are fully interlocked with each other and the container cannot be rotated any further in the first direction and the first component releasing from the second component by rotating the container relative to the support member in a direction opposite to the first direction, to a second position in which the container is fully released from the support member, in use, the support member orientates the dispensing container in an inverted state, first end facing downwards.

Preferably the engagement means includes key, key way, screw thread or bayonet or any other engagements based on the principle of rotating the container relative to the support member in one direction to interlock the two together and then rotating it in the opposite direction in order to release them.

The first component on the dispensing container may insert into the second component on the support member, or the second component on the support member may insert into the first component on the dispensing container.

Preferably the dispensing container has a surface contact means at the first end of the container allowing the container to freely stand on a surface on the surface contact means. Alternatively the dispensing container has a surface contact means at the second end of the container allowing the dispensing container to stand on a surface on the surface contact means.

The dispensing container may have a cap which when removed from the first end of the container can be fitted onto the second end of the container to form the first component.

Preferably the engagement means predetermines the orientation of the dispensing container relative to the support member.

The support member may feature a shelf like projection which can be used to hold loose items.

The support member may be adapted to be mounted under a surface whereby the dispensing container can depend below the surface.

The support member and the means by which the support member attaches to the support structure may be non invasive to the support structure. The support structure may be of either horizontal or vertical orientation.

The support member may feature an adhesive surface to secure the support member to a support structure.

The support member may be secured to a horizontal or vertical support structure using suction pads.

The support member may be in a fixed position whereby the dispensing container can be inserted into the second component with a single hand, whereby the dispensing container can be removed from the second component with a single hand, and whereby the dispensing container can be inserted into or removed from the second component with a single action.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a dispensing container for liquids or gels standing on a surface, Figure 2 shows a support member attached to a wall Figure 3 shows a dispensing container and a support member attached to a wall Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a dispensing container in the form of a "squeeze to use" shampoo bottle 1. The bottle forms a dispenser for shampoo and has a waisted housing 2 with a first end in the form of a projection 2A with a dispensing aperture 3 in the centre of the projection 2A to dispense shampoo. An aperture sealing cap 4 is also provided. Housing 2 has a first component in the form of threading 2B located between a closed second end 2C and the dispensing aperture 3. Bottle 1 stores shampoo, and it has an inner wall in contact with shampoo to be dispensed. Surface contact means in the form of a flat base 2D at the second end 2C of the container opposing said first end allowing the container to stand on its own on a surface on the base 2D without need for a support member. Bottle 1 may however also be used with a support member such as in Figure 2. In this respect the shampoo bottle 1 may be mounted within a support member, such as support member 51' in Figure 2, with its dispensing aperture 3 facing downwards whereby shampoo can he dispensed by squeezing the bottle 1 with one hand only. Tnstead of storing shampoo, bottle 1 could equally store other gels or liquids such as sauces, e.g. tomato ketchup. Scaling plug 4 seals the dispensing aperture 3 to prevent spillage of the liquid or gel.

Referring to figure 2, there is shown the support member 51 which has a shelf-like projection 52 which has a second component in the form of an internal threading 53 to engage with the threading of housing 2 of the dispensing container bottle 1 featured in figure 1.

Referring to figure 3, there is shown a dispensing container bottle 1 within the support member. In order to engage the housing 2 of the dispensing container bottle 1 with the support 51, at the position of the threading 2B of the housing 2, the bottle 1 is rotated, as indicated by the horizontal circular line 61, in a direction at right angles to the axis of the length of the bottle 62. When engaged with threading 53, the bottle 1 can depend with dispensing aperture 3 pointing down, the user being provided unrestricted access to the sides of the container to enable product to be squeezed from the container.

The shelf-like projection 52 provides a structure that may further he utilised, for example, providing a soap dish or place to keep sponges and other shower paraphernalia.

It is envisaged that a user would purchase a dispensing container (e.g. shampoo or gel) and one or more support members. The container could first be used with the first support member in one environment and later transferred to a second support member in another environment, or vice versa. Alternatively the container could first be used with the first support member in one environment, and then can stand on its own on its surface contact means.

The components of the dispensing container system having the container, support member, and the engagement means, could be purchased in combination or singly.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A support member and dispensing container assembly for gels or liquids comprising: a) a support member which attaches to a support structure, b) a free standing, self contained, fully sealed squeeze to use' dispensing container for gels or liquids having first and second ends and featuring a dispensing aperture at the first end of the container to dispense product, said container being connected to and released from the support member solely by holding and manipulating the container relative to the support member and c) an engagement means comprising a first component featured at a mid section along the length of the dispensing container and a second component of the support member, said first component releasably interlocking with the second component by rotating the container at right angles to the axis of the length of the dispensing container in a first direction relative to the support member to a first position wherein the first and second components are fully interlocked with each other and the container cannot be rotated any further in the first direction and the first component releasing from the second component by rotating the container relative to the support member in a direction opposite to the first direction, to a second position in which the container is fully released from the support member, in use, the support member orientates the dispensing container in an inverted state, first end facing downwards.
2. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means may include key, key way, screw thread or bayonet or any other engagements based on the principle of rotating the container relative to the support member in one direction to interlock the two together and then rotating the container in the opposite direction in order to release it from the support member.
3. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein first component on the dispensing container inserts into the second component on the support member.
4. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second component on the support member inserts into the first component on the dispensing container.
5. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any previous claim wherein the dispensing container has a surface contact means at the first end of the container allowing the container to freely stand on a surface on the surface contact means.
6. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dispensing container has a surface contact means at the second end of the container allowing the dispensing container to stand on a surface on the surface contact means.
7. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any previous claim wherein the dispensing container may have a cap, which can be removed from the first end of the container and can be fitted onto the second end of the container to form the first component.
8. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the engagement means predetermines the orientation of the dispensing container relative to the support member.
9. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the support member features a shelf like projection which can be used to hold loose items.
10. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the support member is adapted to be mounted under a surface whereby the dispensing container can depend below the surface.
11. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the support member features an adhesive surface or suction pads or some other means to attach the support member to the support structure which is non invasive to the support structure.
12. A support member and dispensing container assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS1. A support member and dispensing container assembly for gels or liquids comprising: a) a support member which attaches to a support structure, b) a free standing, self contained, fully sealed squeeze to use' dispensing container for gels or liquids having first and second ends and featuring a dispensing aperture at the first end of the container to dispense product, said container being connected to and released from the support member solely by holding and manipulating the container relative to the support member and c) an engagement means comprising a first component featured at a mid section along the length of the dispensing container and a second component of the support member, said first component releasably interlocking with the second component by rotating the container at right r angles to the axis of the length of the dispensing container in a first direction relative to the Co C support member to a first position wherein the first and second components are fully CO interlocked with each other and the container cannot be rotated any further in the first directionCand the first component releasing from the second component by rotating the container relative to the support member in a direction opposite to the first direction, to a second position in which the container is fully released from the support member, in use, the support member orientates the dispensing container in an inverted state, first end facing downwards.2. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means may include key, key way, screw thread or bayonet or any other engagements based on the principle of rotating the container relative to the support member in one direction to interlock the two together and then rotating the container in the opposite direction in order to release it from the support member.3. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein first component on the dispensing container inserts into the second component on the support member.4. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second component on the support member inserts into the first component on the dispensing container. c\J r5. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any previous claim C wherein the dispensing container has a surface contact means at the first end of the container CO allowing the container to freely stand on a surface on the surface contact means.C6. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dispensing container has a surface contact means at the second end of the container allowing the dispensing container to stand on a surface on the surface contact means.7. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any previous claim wherein the dispensing container may have a cap, which can be removed from the first end of the container and can be fitted onto the second end of the container to form the first component.8. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the engagement means predetermines the orientation of the dispensing container relative to the support member.9. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the support member features a shelf like projection which can be used to hold loose items.10. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the second component is located at a mid section of the shelf like projection which r forms part of the support member. CoCD 11. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the support member is adapted to be mounted under a surface whereby the dispensing container can depend below the surface.12. A support member and dispensing container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the support member features an adhesive surface or suction pads or some other means to attach the support member to the support structure which is non invasive to the support structure.
13. A suppoit met and dispensing container assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 0.1 Co Co