Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a pliable package that is tear resistant, requires a greater degree of dexterity to open, and prevents accidental discharge during or after opening of the package. The package includes a flexible, liquid storage reservoir having a funnel-shaped outlet passageway leading to a opening. The package also includes a reinforced tear resistant tab portion that may prevent accidental discharge of liquid when the tab portion is bent about the score line. The funnel-shaped outlet passageway may be shaped to allow the liquid to be dispensed in a controlled manner.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present disclosure claims the right to priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/788,572 filed on Mar. 31, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    I. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to dispensary packages. More particularly, the present invention relates to veterinary packages for dispensing liquids. 
         [0004]    II. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Over the years, designers have sought to improve container designs and processes for dispensing liquids. Conventional designs, however, suffer from many drawbacks. For instance, typical container designs are not adequately childproof. They are not sufficiently tear resistant to insure that the enclosed liquids are used for their intended uses. Many containers can be opened relatively easily, such as by twisting one part of the container relative to another. Nor do conventional designs adequately prevent liquid from being accidentally discharged during the process of opening the container. In the field of dispensing, the terms “kickback,” “splashback,” and liquid “pops” have been used to describe the problem of accidental discharge that may occur when an opening in the container must be created by tearing a portion of the container along a score line. In addition, current designs are susceptible to uncontrolled discharge after opening because they typically permit liquid to freely flow through the torn opening. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a container that is tear resistant, requires a greater degree of dexterity to open, prevents accidental discharge during opening, and allows the liquid to be dispensed in a controlled manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The advantages and purposes of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Moreover, the advantages and purposes of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
         [0008]    One aspect of the invention provides a pliable package for storing liquids therein, including a plurality of flexible, liquid-impermeable superposed sheets being joined together by a liquid-tight seal along their respective peripheral edges; a liquid reservoir enclosed between the superposed sheets, including a funnel-shaped outlet passageway and a liquid discharge opening at a location along the liquid-tight seal; and a reinforced closure located along the liquid-tight seal, configured to block the liquid discharge opening; wherein the funnel-shaped outlet passageway extends across the liquid discharge opening from the flexible reservoir to the reinforced closure. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the invention provides a pliable package for storing liquids therein, including a plurality of flexible, liquid-impermeable superposed sheets being joined together by a liquid-tight seal along their respective peripheral edges; a liquid reservoir enclosed between the superposed sheets, including a funnel-shaped outlet passageway and a liquid discharge opening at a location along the liquid-tight seal; and a reinforced closure located along the liquid-tight seal and configured to block the liquid discharge opening; wherein the funnel-shaped outlet passageway is configured to allow the formation of a meniscus upon unblocking the liquid discharge opening in order to prevent liquids from exiting the pliable package. 
         [0010]    Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method of storing liquids inside a pliable package, including providing a plurality of flexible, liquid-impermeable superposed sheets; joining the superposed sheets by a liquid-tight seal along their respective peripheral edges; providing a liquid reservoir between the superposed sheets, the liquid reservoir including a funnel-shaped outlet passageway and a liquid discharge opening at a location along the liquid-tight seal; and providing a reinforced closure located along the liquid-tight seal for blocking the liquid discharge opening; wherein the pliable package prevents spillage and kickback of the liquids during unblocking of the liquid discharge opening. 
         [0011]    A further aspect of the invention that is advantageous over the conventional “twist off” style of packages is that once the package is opened there is only one piece to discard. Thus, the risk of a pet or child of swallowing a twist off device may be eliminated. 
         [0012]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detail description are only exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view depicting a liquid dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view depicting a lower section of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view depicting an upper section of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5   a  is a side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  having an upper portion bent 90 degrees; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5   b - d  are perspective views of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  having a tab portion bent away to allow liquid dispensing; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  having an upper portion twisted about a longitudinal axis; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 6  having the upper portion twisted substantially 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  having the upper portion bent away; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  depicting liquid being dispensed; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10   a  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the liquid dispenser; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10   b  illustrates the dimensions according to the dispenser of  FIG. 10   a;    
           [0026]      FIG. 10   c  illustrates the manufacturing process of the dispenser of  FIG. 10   a;    
           [0027]      FIG. 11   a  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the liquid dispenser; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11   b  illustrates the dimensions according to the dispenser of  FIG. 11   a;    
           [0029]      FIG. 11   c  illustrates the manufacturing process of the dispenser of  FIG. 11   a;    
           [0030]      FIG. 12   a  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the liquid dispenser; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12   b  illustrates the dimensions according to the dispenser of  FIG. 12   a;    
           [0032]      FIG. 12   c  illustrates the manufacturing process of the dispenser of  FIG. 12   a;    
           [0033]      FIG. 13   a  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the liquid dispenser; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13   b  illustrates the dimensions according to the dispenser of  FIG. 13   a ; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 13   c  illustrates the manufacturing process of the dispenser of  FIG. 13   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0037]    One embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , includes a tear resistant package  5  that has a bottom layer  10  and a top layer  15  adhered to the bottom layer  10 . The package shape is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis  18 . The bottom and top layers  10 ,  15  are together shaped to define a base portion  20  (alternatively referred to as an “applicator”) and a non-removable tab portion  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the tab portion  30  may remain attached to the base portion  20  after the package  5  is opened. Alternatively, the tab portion  30  could be removed from the base portion  20  by cutting with scissors or another cutting implement. Two cross-sectional perspective views of the package  5  are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The bottom layer  10  and top layer  15  may be thermoformed and stamped together resulting in a thermoformed pack. 
         [0038]    The thermoformed pack may be made from any of the thermoformable plastic flexible film materials having the adequate melt strength. These materials include the polyolefins, with polyethylene and polypropylene being preferred. Other resins that may be used include polyethylene terephalate, polyethylene terephalate glycol modified, high density polyethylene, laminates, multilayered composites comprised of olefins, and other thermoformable materials. In one embodiment, the thermoformed pack is formed of PVC-(Poly Vinyl Chloride), PVDC-(Poly Vinyl Di Chloride film), a multilayer sandwich film of LDPE+EVOH (Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol)+LDPE, OPA-(Oriented Poly Amide)-C.O.C® BAREX®, and ACLAR®. 
         [0039]    As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the top layer  15  is shaped to form a liquid reservoir  40 , a neck portion  50 , and a reinforcing portion  60 . The reservoir  40  is flexible and is configured to store a majority of a liquid  70 . The reservoir  40  and the tab portion  30  each may include a series of gripping ribs  35 ,  45 . The neck portion  50  may extend away from the reservoir  40  along the longitudinal axis  18 . The neck portion  50  may include an end portion  55 . 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the neck portion  50  may be formed as a funnel-shape to gradually restrict the flow of liquid  70  away from the reservoir  40 . When the package  5  is held in an upright orientation, this funnel-shape may cause liquid  70  to flow out of the end portion  55  and drain back into the reservoir  40 . This is referred to as a “drain back” feature. In another preferred embodiment, a desired amount of air or gas may be included within the reservoir  40  and neck portion  50  to further encourage the liquid  70  to flow out of the end portion  55  when the package  5  is held in the upright orientation. For example, in one embodiment, nitrogen may be injected into package  5  prior to its being filled with liquid  70 . 
         [0041]    In one aspect of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the reinforcing portion  60  may extend around the end portion  55  of the neck portion  50 . The reinforcing portion  60  may be configured as a general U-shape or other shapes, such as for example, a C-shape, O-shape or X-shape. In other embodiments (not shown), the reinforcing portion  60  may include two separated portions each located adjacent to the end portion  55  of the neck portion  50 . A score line  80  may extend through both the reinforcing member  60  and the neck portion  50  along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the neck portion  50 . The reinforcing portion  60  may be located to span the score line  80 . The reinforcing portion  60  may be disposed at the ends of the score line  80 , thereby making the package  5  more difficult to initiate a tear from either end of the score line  80  and therefore resistant to opening, by a child, for instance. The reinforcing portion  60  may also be configured to provide rigidity to the package  5 , and more particularly, to the neck portion  50 . 
         [0042]    During manufacture, the reinforced portion  60  may be stamped into the package  5  through the use of a roller or block stamping profile as best shown in the cross-section of  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, the reinforced portion  60  may be formed by a male plug and a female plug during the process of thermoforming the package  5  into a forming mold. 
         [0043]    In another aspect of the invention, the container  5  may be opened in a controlled fashion. As shown in  FIG. 5   a , a user may first hold the package  5  in an upright orientation. When the package  5  is held in this orientation, the liquid  70  may drain out of the end portion  55  and back toward the reservoir  40 . Since the liquid  70  is not present in the end portion  55  when the package  5  is opened, accidental spillage may be avoided. 
         [0044]    Still referring to  FIG. 5   a , the user may open the package  5  by folding the tab portion  30  about the score line  80 . The reinforcing portion  60  may form an expanded portion  67  along score line  80 , which restricts the rate at which the tab portion  30  may rotate relative to the base portion  20 . In this embodiment, the user also need not remove the tab portion  30  from the base portion  20  to dispense the liquid  70 .  FIGS. 5   b - d  illustrate the steps by which the user may fold the tab portion  30  away from the reservoir  40 . 
         [0045]    In another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the reinforcing portion  60  also may prevent the tab portion  30  from being torn along the score line  80  when it is twisted relative to the base portion  20 . Thus, the reinforcing portion  60  may require a user to have a greater degree of dexterity to open the package  5  by precisely folding the tab portion  30  about the score line  80 . 
         [0046]    In still another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 , the funnel-shape of the neck portion  50  may prevent accidental discharge of liquid  70  after the tab portion  30  has been folded back on the applicator  20 . As shown, when the package  5  is in an upside down orientation, a liquid meniscus  75  may be formed at the opening of the neck portion  50  based on the funnel-shape of the neck portion  50  and the viscosity of the liquid  70 . The dimensions of the funnel-shape, including diameter and length, may be dependent upon the viscosity of the liquid  70 . Liquid  70  may be any type of suitable liquid such as a water-based or solvent-based liquid having a viscosity in the range of about 0.5×10 −3  to 2.0×10 −3  Pa·s. Thus, package  5  of the present disclosure may be relevant to the dispensing of any suitable liquid so long as its viscosity may be accommodated via appropriate design of the neck portion  50 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  illustrates one mode of dispensing the liquid  70  in a controlled manner. To dispense the liquid  70 , a user may squeeze the reservoir  40 , and compress the top layer  15  inwardly. In one embodiment, the top layer  15  may remain collapsed after the user squeezes the reservoir. Alternatively, the top layer  15  may be biased to return to its original shape after the user squeezes the reservoir  40 . In this embodiment, when the top layer  15  moves back to its original shape, a negative pressure within the reservoir  40  may prevent the liquid  70  from flowing out of the reservoir  40 . 
         [0048]    In one illustrative embodiment, the reservoir  40  may be manufactured with an initial negative internal pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure. Once the reservoir  40  is opened, the negative internal pressure may cause the liquid  70  to flow away from the opening to prevent the liquid  70  from escaping the reservoir  40 . In another illustrative embodiment, the reservoir  40  may contain an air pocket in the neck portion  50  to prevent liquid  70  from being in the neck portion  50  before opening and prevent it from spilling during the opening process. In another aspect of the invention, the package  5  may be configured to “aspirate,” or cause an internal suction to maintain the liquid  70  within reservoir  40  after opening or until pressure is applied by a user to the reservoir  40 . 
         [0049]    In still another aspect of the invention, the package as shown in  FIGS. 10   a - b  may be configured to hold a specific volume of liquid. For example, a 2.2 ml package may be configured to have a bottom layer  10  measuring 0.5 mm in thickness. The package also may have a total package depth of 6.5 mm in cross-section. As shown in  FIG. 10   c , dual roll feeding of web materials may be used in the thermoforming and stamping manufacturing process to form the top and bottom layers  15 ,  10  of the package  5 . As illustrated, each container may be spaced apart from one another along the web of materials. 
         [0050]    In another example, as shown in  FIGS. 11   a - b , a 2.5 ml package may be configured to have a bottom layer  10  measuring about 0.5 mm in thickness. The package also may have a total package depth of about 8.5 mm in cross-section. As shown in  FIG. 11   c , dual roll feeding of web materials may be used in the thermoforming and stamping manufacturing process to form the top and bottom layers  15 ,  10  of the package  5 . As illustrated, each container may be spaced apart from one another along the web of materials. 
         [0051]    In yet another example, as shown in  FIGS. 12   a - b , a 4.9 ml package may be configured to have a bottom layer  10  measuring about 0.5 mm in thickness. The package also may have a total package depth of about 10.5 mm in cross-section. As shown in  FIG. 12   c , dual roll feeding of web materials may be used to form the top and bottom layers  15 ,  10  of the package in the thermoforming and stamping manufacturing process to form the top and bottom layers  15 ,  10  of the package  5 . As illustrated, each container may be spaced apart from one another along the web of materials. 
         [0052]    In still another example, as shown in  FIGS. 13   a - b , a 7.4 ml package may be configured to have a bottom layer  10  attached to a top layer  15 . The package also may have a total package depth of about 13.10 mm in cross-section. As shown in  FIG. 13   c , dual roll feeding of web materials may be used in the thermoforming and stamping manufacturing process to form the top and bottom layers  15 ,  10  of the package  5 . As illustrated, each container may be spaced apart from one another along the web of materials. 
         [0053]    Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrative examples in this specification. Rather, the invention is intended to cover all modifications and variations that come within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.