Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Filling or refilling of dispensers – By operation of means causing or controlling dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2003-10-14
Jacyna, J. Casimer (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Filling or refilling of dispensers
By operation of means causing or controlling dispensing
C141S326000, C141S381000, C222S465100, C222S475000, C222S481000, C222S484000, C215S379000, C215S382000, C220S669000, C220S675000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06631744
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There has been a surge in popularity of the so-called “club” stores wherein consumers often purchase goods in larger quantities than has typically been the custom. The popularity of these outlets and the increased demand for larger volume units for selling consumer products has led to a need for improved packaging.
The need for updated packaging is particularly difficult to satisfy for heavy duty liquid detergents and other liquid consumer products since the weight of the enhanced volume of liquid product poses formidable challenges to the packaging engineer. For instance, despite its larger size the package must still permit convenient dispensing by consumers, who range in age from children through middle aged adults and up into the older population. In addition, with the larger volume of liquid product, the difficulties in ensuring structural integrity of the package are markedly increased. Moreover, it is desirable to provide such packaging at a low cost to consumers.
Various containers for carrying larger volumes of liquids by consumers are known.
Prior to the invention of the present invention, Chilton Products, Chilton, Wis. 53014 sold a 320 fluid ounce container (2.5 gallons) having a top wall with a centrally disposed handle, a vent opening and cap on one side of the handle and a dispensing opening and closure on the other side of the handle.
Prior to the invention of the present invention, a product called “Tide with Bleach Alternative” was sold in a 300 fluid ounce container having in a top wall, a centrally disposed handle, a vent and vent closure on one side of the handle and a spigot covered with a measuring cup on the other side of the handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventors have discovered an ergonomic, convenient-to-use container for liquids such as heavy duty detergents, fabric softeners and the like.
In a first embodiment, the container includes a dispensing opening, a closure and a plurality of walls. At least one of the walls includes a non-uniform surface structured so that the dispensing closure can be disposed on the surface when the container is in its dispensing position. In a still preferred embodiment, the non-uniform surface is etched into the wall, preferably by etching into the mold which forms the wall. In a still more preferred embodiment, the closure is a measuring cup. The non-uniform surface preferably assists in retaining the measuring cup on the wall even if the wall is comprised of a material, such as thermoplastic, which would otherwise promote sliding of the closure on the wall in the event of any movement of the container.
In another preferred embodiment, the top wall of the container includes a vent, a vent cap forming a closure for the vent, a handle, a pouring aperture and a pouring closure covering the pouring aperture. The top surfaces of the vent cap, the handle and the pouring closure are generally parallel, and the height of the top surfaces of the vent cap and the pouring closure are within an inch of the height of the top surface of the handle. The presence of generally parallel surfaces at the top of the container which are of the same or similar height promotes stacking of the shipping containers, since an uneven effective top surface of the container would tend to result in uneven stacking. Preferably, the closure for the pouring aperture includes a measuring cup.
In another preferred embodiment, the top wall of the container includes a handle extending from a handle base within the top wall. A pouring aperture is surrounded by a pouring aperture base which also extends from the top wall. In accordance with this preferred aspect of the invention, the pouring aperture base is isolated from the interior handle base by the handle base exterior. By isolating the interior handle base areas from the base of the pouring aperture, it can be expected that if any residual liquid product is present in the pouring aperture base area after the container has been used, the isolation of such area from the interior handle area will diminish the likelihood that liquid product will find its way to the handle and inconvenience the consumer.
In another preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a valve assembly which preferably includes at least two separate pieces, (i) a valve and (ii) a collar for securing the valve to the container. The invention also comprises a container comprising the valve assembly. The valve may include a base, a valve head, a valve stem and a resilient valve actuator.
In its preferred form, the container of the invention includes in its top wall, a medial handle, a pouring aperture and over-fitting measuring/closure on one side of the handle, and a vent opening and vent cap on the opposite side thereof. Preferably the container includes at least six sides, more preferably at least eight sides, to enhance structural stability while at the same time permitting use of the minimal amounts of resin and other structural components possible. The at least 8 sides are believed to provide structural strength and bulge resistance.
In another preferred embodiment, the handle is generally curved, which applicants anticipate will result in improved compressive strength. It is believed that the presence of soft radii rather than sharp radii will enhance the compressive strength of the container, particularly relative to containers in which the handle contains sharp angles.
For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1385712 (1921-07-01), Richey
patent: D140804 (1945-04-01), Windbiel
patent: D167991 (1952-10-01), Mack
patent: D200931 (1965-04-01), Josephsen et al.
patent: D202744 (1965-11-01), Greenwell
patent: 3225950 (1965-12-01), Josephsen et al.
patent: 3250434 (1966-05-01), Howlett
patent: 3315850 (1967-04-01), Gran
patent: D210569 (1968-03-01), Kelly
patent: D212350 (1968-10-01), Kelly
patent: D214995 (1969-08-01), Shutt
patent: D225101 (1972-11-01), Marchetti
patent: D227345 (1973-06-01), Bell et al.
patent: D245577 (1977-08-01), Smythe
patent: D253750 (1979-12-01), Uyeda
patent: 4308955 (1982-01-01), Schieser et al.
patent: 4345691 (1982-08-01), Burke
patent: 4452425 (1984-06-01), Lucking
patent: D277552 (1985-02-01), King
patent: 4579260 (1986-04-01), Young et al.
patent: D284641 (1986-07-01), Jones
patent: 4811870 (1989-03-01), Bianco
patent: D301689 (1989-06-01), Fick et al.
patent: D305981 (1990-02-01), Levee
patent: 4901887 (1990-02-01), Burton
patent: 5002199 (1991-03-01), Frahm
patent: 5020692 (1991-06-01), Darr
patent: 5058778 (1991-10-01), Weinstein
patent: 5114028 (1992-05-01), Ring
patent: 5139666 (1992-08-01), Charbonneau et al.
patent: D337234 (1993-07-01), McGinnis
patent: 5226562 (1993-07-01), Kirk
patent: D339022 (1993-09-01), McGinnis et al.
patent: D340640 (1993-10-01), Ferguson et al.
patent: D341514 (1993-11-01), McGinnis
patent: D346113 (1994-04-01), Ferguson et al.
patent: 5299718 (1994-04-01), Shwery
patent: D352659 (1994-11-01), Nilsson et al.
patent: D354414 (1995-01-01), Westgerdes
patent: D358330 (1995-05-01), Kahl
patent: D361037 (1995-08-01), Jonsson
patent: D363019 (1995-10-01), Arnold et al.
patent: 5499730 (1996-03-01), Harbour
patent: D370379 (1996-06-01), Klein et al.
patent: D373240 (1996-09-01), Parnell
patent: 5582329 (1996-12-01), Watson
patent: D391448 (1998-03-01), Winer et al.
patent: 5897010 (1999-04-01), Soyka, Jr. et al.
patent: D410845 (1999-06-01), Anderson
patent: 6029858 (2000-02-01), Srokose et al.
patent: D451393 (2001-12-01), Gerhart et al.
patent: D451397 (2001-12-01), Gerhart et al.
patent: 297 02 661 (1997-04-01), None
patent: 1 133 650 (1957-03-01), None
patent: 97/27113 (1997-07-01), None
Chilton Products 320 Fluid Ounce (2.5 gallon) bottle, sold by a third party prior to invention of the present invention, (photographs of cap, spout, side, bottom, top, front and rear views).
Tide with Bleach Alternative (300 fl. oz.) bottle, sol
Blanc Robert Charles
Gerhart Mark Douglas
Giblin Edward John
Haubert, III Harry Hamilton
Jacyna J. Casimer
McGowan, Jr. Gerard J.
Unilever Home & Personal Care USA , division of Conopco, Inc.
LandOfFree
Container does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Container, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Container will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3124031