Single use container with dispenser
Inventors
Kinsman, Sean Thomas • Hansen, Timothy Scott • COLANGELO, Kevin Colin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9688444-B2
Publication Date
2017-06-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
Single use containers designed to store and dispense liquid substances having a wide variation in viscosities. The container includes a container body that defines a storage compartment for storing the liquid substance and is provided with a neck including a seal positioned in the neck to seal a liquid substance in the storage compartment during storage. The container also includes a cap defining a recess and being adapted for engaging the neck and including structure for piercing the seal and a channel which passes through the structure for piercing the seal to the recess. An applicator is located in the recess such that the applicator and recess together define a chamber between an end of the channel and the applicator to allow liquid to flow from said channel into said chamber.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a single use container designed to store and dispense a liquid substance. The container body defines a storage compartment for storing the liquid substance and includes a neck with a seal positioned in the neck to seal the liquid substance in the storage compartment during storage. A cap engages the neck and defines a recess, and the cap includes structure for piercing the seal and a channel which passes through the piercing structure to the recess.
The cap and recess together with the applicator define a chamber between an end of the channel and the applicator. Liquid can flow from the channel into the chamber. The chamber has a perimeter measured in a horizontal plane when the container is upright that is larger than a perimeter of the channel, also measured in a horizontal plane when the container is upright, to allow expansion of liquid following from the channel into the chamber.
The disclosed single-use container uses a frangible seal in the neck and a cap with a piercing spike or piercing tip and an offset channel leading to a recess-defined chamber above an absorbent applicator. The container configuration is described as dispensing by piercing the seal and then allowing the liquid to be conveyed through the channel into the chamber, where the liquid expands and spreads into the applicator.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim that recites the overall single-use liquid dispensing container architecture, including the chamber-perimeter relationship that allows expansion of liquid after flowing from the channel into the chamber. The dependent claims further refine structural features of the cap, piercing structure, channel arrangement, and applicator characteristics.
Single use container with neck-sealed storage and cap-pierced channel-to-chamber expansion
A single use container with a container body defining a storage compartment and a neck including a seal to seal the liquid during storage; a cap defining a recess and adapted to engage the neck with structure for piercing the seal and a channel passing through the piercing structure to the recess; and an applicator located in the recess such that the applicator and recess together define a chamber between an end of the channel and the applicator, wherein the chamber has a perimeter larger than a perimeter of the channel, both measured in a horizontal plane when the container is upright, to allow expansion of liquid following from the channel into the chamber.
Applicator placement with channel outlet relative to the piercing tip and seal
The channel outlet is positioned relative to the piercing tip and the seal so that after the seal is pierced, the outlet is located within the seal in fluid communication with the container compartment.
Sufficiently flexible container body permitting deformation to dispense
A sufficiently flexible container body is used to deform a storage compartment by applying pressure so that a stored liquid substance can be dispensed through a channel and an applicator.
Porosity-constrained applicator
The applicator has a porosity in the range of 60–120 ppi.
Density-constrained applicator
The applicator has a density in the range of 1.6 to 2.5 lbs/ft^3.
Selected applicator material types
The applicator includes an applicator material selected from foam pads, sponge, wovens, non-wovens, or felts.
The claims coverage centers on a single-use container in which a cap-pierced channel feeds an applicator via a chamber whose horizontal-plane perimeter is larger than the channel perimeter to allow expansion of liquid. Dependent claims refine piercing and channel structure relationships and add applicator material options and quantitative applicator porosity and density constraints.
Stated Advantages
Sanitation.
Reduced spillage.
Controlled application without fingers/hands.
Documented Applications
Dispensing and application of a liquid substance using a single-use container with an applicator, including applying the liquid in a controlled manner without fingers or hands.
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