Dispenser

Details Dispenser Dispenser

1999-09-28

2001-02-27

Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)

Dispensing

Simulations

C222S131000, C222S321700, C428S013000, C040S406000, C040S410000, C446S267000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06193106

ABSTRACT:

RELATED APPLICATIONS
Reference is made to Taiwanese patent application No. 86200066, filed Jan. 15, 1997, and Chinese patent application No.97204313.X, filed on Feb. 3, 1997, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dispenser for a fluid. The dispenser is preferably for a liquid, and is a pump-type dispenser, such as a dispenser for soap, shampoo, shower gel or the like. The dispenser can be sized as desired. For example, the dispenser may be sized so it is suitable for display on a shelf or a sink (e.g., a bathroom sink), or for use in the home. For instance, it can have a diameter of about four inches and a height of about seven inches. The dispenser includes a decorative vessel and a reservoir to contain liquid to be dispensed. The decorative vessel can be hollowed and positioned above the reservoir. The reservoir can be refillable. The hollow decorative vessel can also contain a three-dimensional decorative structure or sculpture and a fluid and insoluble material capable of being in suspension for a period of time when the dispenser is shaken, such that the hollow decorative vessel can have a “snow globe” appearance. Documents cited in the following text are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dispensers for liquids are varied. A cleansing solution such as shampoo may be dispensed from an open-mouthed bottle. But, open-mouth bottles are not aesthetically pleasing, and do not allow the user to dispense only a particular amount of the cleansing solution at each use.
There are also pump-type dispensers. Conventional pump-type dispensers include a pumping means having a dispensing tube and an actuator. A user depresses the actuator which forces gas into the dispensing tube and into a stationary bottle (with respect to the actuator or pump nozzle). This creates a vacuum that forces the liquid in the bottle to rise within a tube and exit from the actuator. The actuator of a pump-type dispenser is typically positioned at the top of the bottle. Pump-type dispensers are also used to dispense liquids such as cleansing solutions (e.g., shower gel, shampoo) or lotions or hair conditioner.
There are also aerosol type dispensers which dispense a fluid under pressure from a canister or other suitable vessel.
The invention relates to a different and novel dispenser for liquids. While the dispenser of the present invention can be used to dispense any fluid or liquid or even solids in forms such as pastes, powders or creams, the inventive dispenser is used preferably for cleansing solutions such as shower gel, shampoo, lotions, conditioners, or the like. The appearance or design of a dispenser is desirably aesthetically pleasing and can be reusable.
Meeting these desires has been hampered by the functional limitation of the pump spray dispenser, namely, that the actuator must be depressed to deliver the liquid.
Presently available dispensers for shower gel or for shampoo are predominantly made from blow-molding a disposable container, with an actuator mechanism atop the container. The dispensers can have a design printed on the outer surface of the container, or animals or cartoon characters on top of the actuator, to make the dispenser attractive. There are also available clear disposable dispensers for soap that contain a polymer sheet that is within the dispenser and contains a picture imprinted on the polymer sheet.
A “snow globe” is a decorative device. A typical snow globe has a hollow, clear vessel, usually spherical or globe-shaped atop a base. The hollow, clear sphere or globe contains a fluid and insoluble material capable of being in suspension for a period of time when the snow globe is shaken. Usually, there is a miniature scene within the snow globe, such as a city skyline, so that when the snow globe is shaken, there is the appearance of snow falling. Although a snow globe is commonly available, it only provides a decorative purpose and does not serve any other function.
In the patent literature, Bankert et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,209 relates to a decorative device for displaying an ornamental object within a fluid. The device has the form of a transparent hollow bell-shaped enclosure. The interior of the enclosure contains a fluid and a plurality of small particles. A handle is attached to the crown of the enclosure. A fluid tight base is sealingly connected to the mouth of the enclosure.
Luu, U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,836, is directed to a liquid dispenser having a movable head as pump actuator, and an animal body for holding liquid.
Litton et al., U.S. Pat. No. Des. 318,794, provides an ornamental design for a combined bottle and cap; Dinand, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 365,020, relates to an ornamental design for a combined cosmetic container and cap; and Maddox, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 346,548, is directed to an ornamental design for a combined pump dispenser and cap.
Costa, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 352,234, and Kuzma, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 348,388, are each concerned with an ornamental design for a pump dispenser. Crawford, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 370,636, and Crawford, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 376,310, are each directed to an ornamental design for the body for a bottle.
Each of these patents provides either a dispenser or a fluid containing device for displaying an ornamental object within the fluid. None of these patents discloses or suggests a dispenser having a hollow decorative vessel for containing fluid and for displaying an ornamental object within the fluid that is matingly fitted to a reservoir which is capable of containing a liquid such as cleansing solution, with a dispensing apparatus that communicates between the hollow decorative vessel and the reservoir.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention may include any of: providing a novel dispenser, providing a dispenser which in certain embodiments may be refillable, providing a dispenser which permits a wide range of design possibilities not dictated by the operation of the pump nozzle, providing a dispenser which is suitable for dispensing a cleansing solution such as shampoo or shower gel or the like, providing a dispenser which is aesthetically pleasing and thus encourages the user to refill and reuse it and thereby provide an environmental benefit, and, providing a dispenser having a hollow decorative vessel capable of containing a three dimensional ornamental decoration in a liquid which resembles a snow globe with a reservoir attached wherein the reservoir contains a desired liquid to be dispensed.
The invention is a dispenser having two connected vessels. One vessel contains the liquid to be dispensed. That vessel also provides a means for dispensing the contents of the first vessel, such as an open mouth bottle or tube covered by a cap, a pump dispenser mechanism or an aerosol type dispensing mechanism. This vessel can be refillable or a replaceable part of the dispenser. The second vessel is a hollow decorative vessel that is structured to permit a user to view a sculpture within the second vessel.
Thus, the invention provides a dispenser comprising a first vessel and a second vessel, wherein the first and second vessels are connected, the first vessel comprises means for dispensing a first liquid from its interior, and the second vessel comprises a hollow decorative vessel comprising means for permitting a user to view a sculpture within its interior.
The dispensing means of the first vessel can comprise an open mouth bottle or tube and a removable cover, or a pump dispenser mechanism or an aerosol. The open mouth bottle can be dispensed from by way of pouring, and the tube can be flexible such that liquid is dispensed therefrom by way of squeezing. The removable cover can be a snap-on type cover (with a receiving portion for the cover on the open mouth bottle or tube), or a threaded cap (with mating threads on the open mouth bottle or tube). Thus, as can be understood from this description, the vessels can be any desired shape.
The second vessel can contain a second liquid, and optionally particles capable of being te

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Dispenser does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Dispenser, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dispenser will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2559103