Device for retaining and for inserting a flexible tube assembly into a fluid container

A device for use with a container having a container top includes a tubular retainer engaging the container top and a tube assembly. The tubular retainer has a retainer top, a retainer bottom, a longitudinal axis, and an inner passageway formed along the longitudinal axis and defined by an inner surface. The tube assembly is frictionally disposed within the inner passageway of the tubular retainer. The tube assembly comprises (i) a tube having a first end and a second end, (ii) a weight attached to the second end of the tube, and (iii) an adapter attached to the first end of the tube.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a device for retaining and for inserting a flexible tube assembly into a fluid container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many consumers use products in the form of a fluid that can be dispensed from containers by being sprayed on a variety of surfaces, such as windows, wood finishes, bathroom tiles, bathtubs, sinks, and many others. Typically, the fluid contains chemical agents used to clean, polish, disinfect, etc., such surfaces. These products often are sold as a package that includes a container, which holds the fluid, and a hand-actuated spraying device. The hand-actuated spraying device is connected to a dip tube, which is typically a straight, plastic, hollow tube (i.e., a dip tube) extending from the spraying device approximately to the bottom of the container. The hand-actuated spraying device includes a pump actuated by, for example, a trigger, so that when the trigger is pulled, the fluid is withdrawn from the bottom of the container through the tube and the hand-actuated spraying device, to be dispensed onto the surface to be cleaned.

When cleaning various places within the house with such products, a consumer often tilts the container at a severe angle to reach difficult-to-reach places, such as a shower head in a shower or around a toilet bowl. A problem with apparatuses of this type is that as the volume of fluid is dispensed and the level reaches the bottom of the container, it becomes difficult for the spraying device to withdraw the fluid from the container, especially if the container is tilted at a severe angle. The reason for this difficulty stems from the fact that the fluid is forced by gravity into the lowest bottom region of the container, which may result in, if the fluid level is low enough, the dip tube coming completely out of the fluid. If the consumer continues to actuate the trigger in this condition, the fluid remaining in the dip tube will be pumped out and the hand-actuated spraying device will begin pumping air. Often, the result is a messy foam dispensed from the spraying device. This is undesirable.

Also, there is an issue of cost, which is related to the ease of manufacturing the device. A product that always pumps fluid, but costs substantially more than products that function less well (but cost less) will not compete in the marketplace.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device that enables a consumer to withdraw fluid from a dispensing container, even when the fluid level is low and the container is tilted at an angle. Also, the device should be cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing problems in the art are addressed by a first aspect of the invention, in which a device, for use with a container having a container top, includes a tubular retainer for engaging the container top and a tube assembly. The tubular retainer has a retainer top, a retainer bottom, a longitudinal axis, and an inner passageway formed along the longitudinal axis and defined by an inner surface. The tube assembly is frictionally disposed within the inner passageway of the tubular retainer. The tube assembly comprises (i) a tube having a first end and a second end, (ii) a weight attached to the second end of the tube, and (iii) an adapter attached to the first end of the tube.

In another aspect, the container has an opening in the container top. The retainer bottom engages the container top such that the adapter is vertically movable along the inner passageway of the tubular retainer to the opening in the container top.

In yet another aspect, the container has an interior chamber and a plurality of distances from a center of the opening to points of the interior chamber, and the tube has a length substantially equal to at least the longest of the plurality of distances from the center of the opening to the points of the interior chamber. The tubular retainer has a length that is substantially equal to at least the length of the tube such that substantially all of the tube assembly can be housed within the tubular retainer.

In still another aspect of the invention, the adapter includes (i) a plurality of spokes, (ii) an outer wall shaped to frictionally engage the inner surface of the tubular retainer, and (iii) a tube receiver having a longitudinal bore formed therein. The tube receiver frictionally engages the first end of the tube.

In another aspect of the invention, a tubular retainer comprises at least two flaps hinged to and integrally formed with the tubular retainer such that the flaps are movable between a holding position close to the longitudinal axis of the tubular retainer and a releasing position away from the longitudinal axis of the tubular retainer. The tube in this aspect is coiled within the tubular retainer, and the tube and the weight are supported by the flaps when the flaps are in the holding position.

In still another aspect of the invention, the tubular retainer is frictionally disposed in the interior chamber of the container.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of engaging a tube assembly with a container having a container top. The method includes the steps of assembling a tube assembly, inserting the tube assembly into a tubular retainer, and engaging the tubular retainer with the container top. The tube assembly includes an adapter, a tube connected to the adapter, and a weight connected to the tube. The tubular retainer has a retainer bottom and an inner passageway defined by an inner surface, such that by inserting the tube assembly the adapter frictionally engages the inner surface of the tubular retainer.

In another aspect of the invention, the tubular retainer includes a flared retainer bottom shaped to fit over an opening in the container top, and the engaging step comprises placing the flared retainer bottom over the opening of the container.

In still another aspect of the invention, the container has an opening in the container top and an interior chamber defined by a container inner surface. The engaging step comprises inserting the tubular retainer into the opening and frictionally engaging the tubular retainer with the container inner surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is generally adapted for use with a container2, as shown in FIG.1. The container2is shown as having the form of a bottle, although it will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill that the container can have other shapes, such as a tub or a vase. The container2has a top4, an opening6in the top4and an interior chamber8. The opening6typically has a circular shape, but the opening6may be, for example, ovate, elliptical or rectilinear. The interior chamber8of the container2is adapted to hold a fluid, typically a household cleaner. On the exterior of the container2, at the top4, threads10are preferably provided, although the threads10are not required.

The container2defines a plurality of distances from the center of the opening6to any point on the bottom surface. As shown inFIG. 1, a longest distance D extends from the center of the opening6to an outside “corner” (i.e., the outermost point of the interior) of the bottom surface.

Referring toFIG. 2, the container2(not shown) is preferably used with a trigger assembly20, which generally includes a trigger22that actuates a pump to pull fluid through an input spout24, withdrawing fluid from the container2. The trigger assembly20preferably comprises a lock ring26having threads on its inner surface that engage the threads10on the container2to secure the trigger assembly20to the container2. The trigger assembly20is well known to consumers, and may be any suitable assembly known by those having ordinary skill in the art.

Although the trigger assembly20is preferably attached to the container2by way of the threads10, other means for attaching the trigger assembly20to the container2are contemplated. For example, the trigger assembly20may be snapped onto the container2, or permanently attached such as by ultrasonic, heat or vibration welding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT

As shown inFIG. 3, a retainer100, which is tubular, comprises a top102, a bottom104, an inner passageway106running the length of the retainer100from the top102to the bottom104, and a longitudinal axis108. The inner passageway106is defined by an inner surface110(i.e., the inner surface110is a boundary of the passageway106). As shown inFIG. 4, the shape of the inner passageway106, when viewing a cross section of the retainer100in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis108, is preferably substantially the same as the shape of the opening6in the container2. The shape of the inner passageway106shown inFIG. 4is circular, since the tubular retainer100shown inFIGS. 3 and 4is adapted for use with the container2shown inFIG. 1, which has a circular opening6. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the inner passageway106is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the opening6in the container2.

The length of the retainer100is preferably as long as the longest distance D from the center of the opening6in the container2to the furthest corner of the bottom surface. The length may of course be slightly longer or slightly shorter as desired.

As shown inFIG. 5, the inner surface110of the retainer100is preferably tapered so that as one looks down the longitudinal axis108from the top102to the bottom104, points on the inner surface110get closer and closer to the longitudinal axis108. The degree of taper a may vary, but is preferably a maximum of 1/8°. The taper has been exaggerated inFIG. 5for illustration.

As shown in FIGS.3and6A-6C, the bottom104of the retainer100is flared105, so that the bottom104can removably receive or mate with the container2.FIG. 6Ashows that the inner surface110at the bottom104may be threaded to engage the threads10of the container2. As shown inFIG. 6B, the inner surface110may be contoured so that the bottom104can snap onto the container2, in which case the container2may be provided with a ridge12or other surface to mate with the contoured inner surface110of the retainer100. As a further alternative (not shown), the bottom104of the retainer100and the container2may be engaged via a bayonet coupling. The container2and the retainer100do not need to positively mate. Rather, the flared bottom104of the retainer100may simply slip over the opening6of the container2, as shown in FIG.6C.

FIG. 7shows an alternative version of a retainer101, which is shorter than the retainer100previously described, and further comprises flaps112that are “cut” from the sides of the retainer101and folded inwardly. By “cut,” any process for forming the flaps112is intended, and not merely a cutting operation. The flaps112are hinged at a resilient, or “living” hinge114, so that if displaced they will return substantially to their original position. The retainer101of the alternative version is otherwise the same as the retainer100previously described.

The retainer100,101is preferably polypropylene, but other materials such as polyethylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) can be used.

As shown inFIG. 8, a tube assembly200comprises an elongated tube202, a weight204and an adapter250. The tube202is preferably approximately the same length as the longest distance D, discussed above, so that if a first end206is located at the center of the opening6of the container2, a second end208can reach a furthest corner on the bottom surface of the container2. Of course, the tube202may be slightly longer or slightly shorter, as one of ordinary skill will appreciate.

The tube202is preferably flexible, with a smooth external surface. However, as shown inFIG. 9, the tube202may have at least one bellows210, or corrugation. When at least one bellows210is provided, the tube202may be comprised of a more rigid material, relying on the inherent pliability of the bellows210to give the tube202flexibility. Although two discrete bellows210are shown inFIG. 9, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that one, two or more bellows may be provided, or indeed, the entire length of the tube202may consist of a bellows210.

The tube202is preferably made of silicone for its flexibility. Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) or other plastomers, also known as ultralow density polyethylene, are more preferred, however, because of their lower cost. Other materials for the tube202include plastic tubing sold under the name TYGON (trademark) by Norton Performance Plastics Corporation (Akron, Ohio).

As will be described more fully below, along with a description of the adapter250, the first end206of the tube202engages the adapter250. The second end208preferably frictionally engages the weight204. As shown inFIG. 10, the tube202preferably frictionally receives the weight204within the second end208of the tube202, and a bore212in the weight204permits a fluid to travel past the weight204into the tube202. Alternatively, the weight204may frictionally receive the tube202within its bore212. Of course, other means for attaching the weight204to the tube202are contemplated, such as hose clamps, bands, or permanent affixation.

The weight204preferably comprises a longitudinal dimension L large enough so that the weight204will not rotate about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension L when the weight204is engaged with the tube202. In this way, the centerline of the bore212will be prevented from rotating in such a way that the bore212is obstructed by the tube202and therefore unable to allow fluid to pass the weight204and enter into the tube202.

The weight204is preferably stainless steel, but other materials are contemplated. For example, the weight204may be comprised of at least one of nickel and copper, or other metals as appropriate. Nonmetals may also be used.

As shown inFIGS. 11A-11C,12and13, the adapter250comprises a tube receiver266, a flange259, an outer wall258, and a connector for connecting the tube receiver266to the outer wall258, such as a plurality of spokes253extending radially from the tube receiver266. The tube receiver266comprises a bore268. The tube202is preferably received inside the bore268, which is preferably of such a diameter that the tube202is frictionally engaged inside the bore268.

In an alternative shown inFIG. 12, the tube202slips over the tube receiver266and is frictionally engaged with the aid of at least one gripper270.FIG. 12shows the tube202distanced from the tube receiver266so that the grippers270are visible. However, the tube receiver266is preferably fully inserted in the tube202so that the bottoms of the spokes253contact the first end206of the tube202.

The portion of the tube receiver266that extends from the tops of the spokes253is adapted to engage a portion of the trigger assembly20, such as the input spout24(shown in FIG.2), which is connected to the pump inside the trigger assembly20. The tube receiver266may engage the input spout24in the same manner that the tube receiver266engages the tube202. In other words, the tube202may frictionally engage the input spout24by fitting inside a bore of the input spout24, by fitting over the input spout, or by fitting over grippers on the exterior of the input spout.

As shown inFIGS. 11A,11B and12, the outer wall258preferably comprises a plurality of resilient fingers260. Each finger260preferably comprises an annular ridge262. As shown, the ridge262spans the width of the finger260, but the ridge262may instead span only part of the width of the finger260. The annular ridge262may even be omitted altogether. The fingers260are preferably integrally formed with the remainder of the adapter250, and protrude outwardly from the center of the adapter250. As shown inFIG. 11B, the fingers260protrude such that, when the adapter250is viewed from above, the ridge262on the finger260is visible beyond the flange259.

In an alternative of the adapter250, shown inFIG. 13, the fingers260are omitted. In this alternative, the outer wall258is made resilient by providing at least one radial cut264. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the cut264may be virtually any shape, such as slits, U-shaped cutouts, triangles, rectangles, circles, ellipses, etc.

FIG. 14shows the tube assembly200as it is assembled in the retainer100, which is shown in cross section. As shown, the tube202extends approximately the entire length of the retainer100from top102to bottom104. The inner diameter of the retainer100is large enough for the flange259to fit inside the retainer100. In order for the adapter250to fit within the retainer100, the fingers260are compressed. When so compressed, the ridge262of each finger260frictionally engages the inner surface110of the retainer100, retaining the adapter250, tube202and weight204in place against gravity, and also holding the flange259and fingers260away from the inner surface110of the retainer100. If no fingers260are included with the outer wall258, it is believed the outer wall258will nevertheless retain the adapter250, tube202and weight204in place against gravity.

FIG. 15shows the tube assembly200in cross section as it is assembled in the alternative retainer101. As shown, the tube202is coiled within the retainer101, and the weight204and tube202are at least partially held in place against gravity by the flaps112. In addition, the ridge262frictionally engages the inner surface110of the retainer101to hold the adapter250and tube202in place against gravity as well as to hold the flange259and each finger260away from the inner surface110. Although the ridge262is preferably provided, the ridge262is not necessary to the invention.

FIG. 16shows the retainer100having the tube assembly200disposed therein mating with the top4of the container2. As one of ordinary skill will appreciate, the alternative retainer101may replace the retainer100shown in the figure. When the retainer100,101is mated with the container2as shown, the tube assembly200is easily inserted into the container2(that is, into the interior chamber8) by a machine, since only a simple vertical force is required to displace the adapter250(of which only the tube receiver266is visible in the figure) along the longitudinal axis108of the retainer100,101until the fingers260of the adapter250pass into the interior chamber8of the container2. Once the adapter250is pushed thus, referring now toFIG. 17A, the ridge262on each finger260frictionally engages the inner surface of the top4of the container2. Also shown inFIG. 17A, the flange259of the adapter250abuts the container2to prevent the adapter250from moving further into the interior chamber8.

One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the adapter250need not frictionally engage the top4of the container2. As shown inFIG. 17B, the annular ridge262of the adapter250may hold the adapter250in the top4of the container2by snappingly engaging a contour14formed in the inner surface of the top4of the container2. The contour14or surface in the top4of the container2may be any number of shapes, such as an indentation or a plurality of cutouts or windows, and the annular ridge262may have a different shape from that shown inFIG. 17Baccording to the best manner with which to engage the annular ridge262with the top4.

Methods of using the invention will now be described with reference toFIGS. 8-9and14-17B. The methods may be performed by machine or by hand, or by combinations thereof.

First, the tube assembly200is assembled by engaging the adapter250with the first end206of the tube202and the weight204with the second end208of the tube202, forming the tube assembly200shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. This operation may be performed entirely by hand, but preferably a machine will cut appropriate lengths of the tube202and an operator or machine will engage the adapter250and the weight204with the cut tube202.

Second, the tube assembly200is inserted into the retainer100as shown in FIG.14. As previously mentioned, the fingers260of the adapter250are compressed in order to fit the adapter250into the retainer100. Once inserted, the frictional engagement of the ridges262of the adapter250with the inner surface110of the retainer100keeps the tube assembly200from sliding down the longitudinal axis108of the retainer100. The ridges262also hold the flange259and fingers260away from the inner surface110of the retainer100. In the alternative version of the retainer101, shown inFIG. 15, the flaps112also prevent the tube assembly200from undesirably sliding down the longitudinal axis108.

Third, as shown inFIG. 16, the retainer100with the tube assembly200inserted therein is brought into a mating engagement with the top4of the container2, which contains fluid. This may be accomplished via a machine on an assembly line, whereby the machine grips the retainer100and places it on the container2using, for example, sensors or other means for determining the relative locations of the top4of the container2and the bottom104of the retainer100. This step, of course, may also be accomplished manually.

Fourth, the tube assembly200is forced through the passageway106of the retainer100, preferably using a machine element to displace the adapter250. The machine element overcomes the frictional force of the ridge262against the inner surface110of the retainer100, as well as the upward force exerted by the flaps112, if any. As the adapter250is displaced, air passes through the openings between the spokes259, thus preventing a build-up of pressure in the retainer100or container2.

As the tube assembly200is forced down the passageway106of the retainer100, in the preferred embodiment, the ridges262are forced inward by the tapered inner surface110. The ridges262in turn forces the fingers260inward. When the adapter250is near the bottom104of the retainer100, just before the fingers260enter the opening6of the container2, the tapered inner surface110has forced the ridges262inward to such an extent that the fingers260enter the opening6without contacting the inner surface of the top4of the container2. As the tube assembly200is forced yet further down the inner passageway106, the ridges262enter into the opening6, thereby contacting the inner surface of the top4of the container2. Since the opening6is only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner passageway106, a smooth transition between the retainer100and the opening6is provided. The adapter250is forced down the passageway until the flange259, which is larger in diameter than the opening6, abuts the top4of the container2.

Although the preferred method heretofore described contemplates an adapter250having an outer wall258with fingers260each having an annular ridge262, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the outer wall258need not have fingers260or ridges, as shown in FIG.13.

As described previously, the ridge262may frictionally engage the inner surface of the top4(as shown in FIG.17A), or the ridge262may snappingly engage the inner surface of the top4, whereby respective contours14,262in the inner surface of the top4of the container2and the outer wall258of the adapter250mate (as shown in FIG.17B).

In the fifth and final step, the retainer100is removed, the trigger assembly20is placed over the opening6, and the lock ring26is turned. Turning the lock ring26engages the threads on the inner surface of the lock ring26with the threads10on the top4of the container2. As the respective threads of the lock ring26and the container2engage, the trigger assembly20is displaced downward, causing the input spout24to frictionally engage the tube receiver266. As previously described, the input spout24may fit over the tube receiver266, or the input spout24may fit inside the bore268of the tube receiver266. Once the lock ring26is turned as far as the threads will allow, the trigger assembly20is completely mated with the tube assembly200. This finished product is shown in FIG.18.

When so mated, a continuous fluid path is created that extends through the bore212of the weight204into the tube202, through the tube202into the input spout24of the trigger assembly20, past the pump in the trigger assembly20, and out of the trigger assembly20. The device as shown inFIG. 18has the advantage that gravity will force the weight204(which is connected to the tube202) into the same position that gravity forces the fluid within the container2. Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the container2, fluid can be withdrawn from the interior chamber8of the container2.

The above steps may be performed using the alternative version retainer101as well. In that case, the tube assembly200is inserted so that the tube202is coiled within the retainer101, and the flaps112hold the weight204and the coiled tube202in place. This coiling is what enables the retainer101to be shorter than the retainer100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENT

The second embodiment involves a modification of the retainers100,101, the adapter250and the method of using the device described with reference to the first embodiment. A description of all other aspects is omitted.

As shown inFIG. 19, a retainer300according to the second embodiment comprises a top302, a bottom304, an inner passageway306defined by an inner surface310, and a longitudinal axis308. The retainer300also includes flaps312, which are “cut” out of the wall of the retainer300in the same manner described with respect to the flaps112according to the first embodiment. The retainer300also includes a taper, similar to the taper included in the retainer100of the first embodiment. As in the case of the device shown inFIG. 5, the taper of the retainer300shown inFIG. 19has been exaggerated for illustration.

The length of the retainer300is preferably approximately the same as the length of the alternative version of the retainer101according to the first embodiment because, as will be described later, the tube202will be coiled within the retainer300in the same manner that the tube202is coiled in the alternative version of the retainer101.

The retainer300is adapted to frictionally engage the inner surface of the top4of the container2, as shown in FIG.20. The adapter250, in turn, frictionally engages the inner surface310of the retainer300. For illustrative purposes, the retainer300is only partially inserted into the interior chamber8of the container2, but the retainer300is preferably fully inserted so that the top302of the retainer300is approximately flush with the topmost surface of the container2. Alternatively, the retainer300comprises a flange (not shown) about its top302(similar to the flange259of the adapter250), which abuts the top4of the container2upon full insertion of the retainer300into the container2.

To assemble the apparatus, the tube assembly200is first placed inside the retainer300, so that the tube202is coiled within the retainer300. The flaps312hold the weight204and the coiled tube202in place. As shown inFIG. 20, the adapter250is descended into the retainer300so that the ridges262frictionally engage the inner surface310.

Next, the retainer300having the tube assembly200placed therein is inserted into the interior chamber8of the container2, such that the retainer300frictionally engages the inner surface of the container2. As previously mentioned, the retainer300is preferably inserted totally into the interior chamber8of the container2. However, part of the retainer300may protrude outside of the interior chamber8.

The trigger assembly20is then placed onto the container2. Referring toFIG. 21, as the lock ring26on the trigger assembly20is threaded onto the threads10of the container2, the following two events occur: the input spout24frictionally engages the tube receiver266on the adapter250and the adapter250is pushed down by the trigger assembly20just enough to force the weight204past the flaps312.

The mechanism by which the weight204is pushed past the flaps312is best described with reference to FIG.21. As the lock ring26is threaded onto the threads10, the trigger assembly20descends, contacting the adapter250and causing it to frictionally slide against the inner surface310of the retainer300. As the adapter250slides, it exerts a force on the tube202that overcomes the upward force provided by the flaps312. As a result, the weight204falls past the flaps312to the bottom of the container2.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention is useful for withdrawing substantially all of the fluid from a container equipped with a trigger assembly, regardless of the angle of tilt of the container. The device of this invention may be manufactured in a cost-effective manner.

While the invention has been described with respect to what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, as exemplified above, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the following claims is intended to be accorded the broadest reasonable interpretations so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.