Dispenser assembly

The present invention generally provides a dispenser assembly which houses a disposable container of consumer product. The dispenser assembly improves an aperture that allows access to the product from the exterior of the dispenser assembly. In one embodiment, the disposable container of consumer product is configured to engage with the dispenser assembly in a manner that retains a portion of the container through which the product is dispensed in a pre-defined orientation relative to the cover of the dispenser assembly. In one embodiment, a neck of the container of consumer product through which the product may be accessed engages the aperture of the dispenser assembly to selectively retain the container and the dispenser assembly. In one embodiment, the neck is snap-fit into the aperture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a dispenser assembly, and more specifically, to a dispenser assembly for retaining a replaceable container of consumer goods, for example, wipes, facial tissue, toilet papers and napkins, among others.

2. Background of the Invention

Dispenser assemblies for consumer goods, such as wipes, facial tissue, toilet paper, napkins, and the like, are often placed on a horizontal surface where they are free to slide or mounted securely to a vertical surface. Dispenser assemblies that are placed on horizontal surfaces are often misplaced or are stored in an area not readily available for use when the product disposed inside the dispenser is needed. Dispenser assemblies mounted to vertical structures often are bulky and not aesthetically pleasing.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved dispenser assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a dispenser assembly that houses a disposable container of consumer product. The dispenser assembly includes an aperture that allows access to the product from the exterior of the dispenser assembly. In one embodiment, the disposable container of consumer product is configured to engage the dispenser assembly in a manner that retains a portion of the container in a pre-defined orientation relative to a cover of the dispenser assembly. In another embodiment, a neck of the container through which the product may be accessed, engages an aperture of the dispenser assembly to selectively secure the container to the dispenser assembly. In another embodiment, the neck is snap-fit into the aperture.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. It is also contemplated that features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments, including those not explicitly described, without a specific description of the combined embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1depicts one embodiment of a dispenser assembly100. The dispenser assembly100includes a base102and a cover104, which together define an interior volume108adapted to retain a replaceable container106having consumer product154′ disposed therein. The cover104may be selectively separated from the base102to facilitate replacement of the container106.

In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the cover104is coupled to the base102by a hinge110. Although the hinge110is shown as a separate element coupling the cover104to the base102, the hinge110may be an integral part of the cover104and base102, for example, as a living hinge in embodiments where the base102and cover104are molded as a single component. When the dispenser assembly100is closed, a latch112, or other suitable mechanism, secures the cover104to the base102. It is contemplated that the cover104may be removably secured to the base102in alternative manners, for example, by mating geometry, snap fit, a bayonette configuration, threaded engagement, removable adhesive, fasteners, clips, springs or other suitable arrangement for retaining the cover104to the base102. Embodiments having removable covers allow covers to be interchanged with the mounted base, thus allowing the cover to be changed to meet design and/or seasonal motifs.

The base102may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as plastic or metal, among others. In one embodiment, the base102includes a mounting plate114having a wall116extending from its outer portion. The distal end of the wall116generally abuts against the cover104when the dispenser assembly100is closed.

The mounting plate114is configured to facilitate attachment of the dispenser assembly100to a surface, such as a wall122of a structure. The mounting plate114may be coupled to the wall122by any suitable method. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the dispenser assembly100is coupled to the wall122by one or more fasteners120passing through respective holes118formed through the mounting plate114. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, only one fastener120is shown. It is also contemplated that the mounting plate114may include a recess or channel (not shown) to accommodate an adhesive strip (also not shown) for mounting the dispenser assembly100to a surface (e.g., the wall122) in applications where use of a fastener is undesirable.

At least one spring124is disposed in the dispenser assembly100to bias the container106of consumer product toward the cover104. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, two springs124are shown coupled to the base102. One end of each spring124is retained on a post126extending from the mounting plate114. The other end of the springs124are coupled to a plate128such that the container106and/or contents therein (e.g., the consumer product154′) may be uniformly biased toward the cover104.

The cover104may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as plastic or metal, among others. The cover104generally includes a top portion134having an aperture136formed therethrough. The aperture136facilitates access to the interior volume108of dispenser assembly100, and in one embodiment, provides an attachment point for the replaced container106.

The cover104may have any shape, such as a dome. It is also contemplated that the cover104may be fabricated in shapes, such as Christmas Trees or other motifs.

In one embodiment, the cover104fabricated from a clear or translucent material to allow the designer assembly100to incorporate a light. For example, a light172may be disposed in or coupled to the dispenser assembly100and activated by a switch174. The light172may be powered by facility electric (i.e., hard wired) or by a battery176retained by the dispenser assembly100.

The cover104and/or base102of the dispenser assembly100may additionally include one or more apertures178to allow an aerosol or fragrance to be dispensed from the dispenser assembly100. For example, an aerosol solid180may be retained in the dispenser assembly100to provide a continuous supply of scent into the room. It is also contemplated that the dispenser assembly100may include a pump or apparatus for dispensing a fragrance from a replaceable container (not shown), such as a liquid or pressurized cartridge.

The replaceable container106generally includes a housing152coupled to a neck assembly156which defines a volume that retains the consumer product154′ therein. The housing152may be fabricated from a polymer or other suitable material, and in one embodiment, is a flexible, plastic bag. The neck assembly156is configured to allow a portion of the product, as shown by reference numeral154, to pass therethrough, thereby facilitating dispense of the product154′ within the container106.

The neck assembly156is typically fabricated from a polymer or other suitable material. The neck assembly156generally includes a flange158extending radially outward from a neck162. The neck162defines a throat170through which product154is dispensed. The throat170may optionally include a baffle168or other suitable structure to position the product154in the throat170to facilitate consumer access to the product154′.

The throat170is selectively closed by a cap164. The cap164may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as a polymer or metal, among others. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the cap164is integrally molded as part of the neck assembly156, being coupled to the neck162by a living hinge166. It is also contemplated that the cap162may be a separate element from the neck assembly156, such as a screw or snap-on-cap, or retained to the dispenser assembly100by a lanyard or other device.

In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the container106is selectively retained to the dispenser assembly100by an engagement feature160. The engagement feature160retains the container106in a pre-defined position relative to the cover104to ensure ease of access to the product by consumers.

In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the engagement feature160extends outward from the neck162to retain at least a portion of the aperture136between the engagement feature160and the flange158. Thus, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the aperture136can also be considered an engagement of the dispenser assembly100. It is also contemplated that other configurations for engagement features suitable for retaining the container106to the dispenser assembly100may be utilized. For example, the engagement feature may be a spring clip (302inFIG. 3), a latch (304inFIG. 3), a bayonet arrangement, a keyed feature, a hole for a pin or a fastener, a threaded region for engagement with the cover104or other configuration suitable for retaining the container106to the dispenser assembly100. It is contemplated that the engagement features may be defined on at least one of the container106, the cover102or the base104.

FIG. 2depicts one mode of operation of the dispenser assembly100. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 2, the cap164is rotated about the hinge166to open the throat170of the neck assembly156to allow product154to be accessed and dispensed. The cap164may also include a feature such as a lip202which engages the inner wall204of the neck162to selectively retain the cap164in the closed position as shown inFIG. 1. As the product154is removed from the container106, the one or more springs124urge the remaining product154′ disposed in the container106toward the throat170. Thus, as the product154remains disposed against the neck assembly156, the product remains readily accessible to the consumer.

An audio player198may be coupled to the neck assembly106and/or cover104and/or base102. The audio player198includes a switch196which senses the open and closed position of the cap164. When the cap164is opened, the switch196activates the audio player198so that a pre-recorded message or music is played by the player198. The message or music may be contained in a replaceable memory device, such that the recorded audio file may be selectively replaced, such that the music or message played by the audio player198may be periodically changed. In one embodiment, the audio player198includes an application specific processor, memory, a battery and a speaker, all not shown.

FIG. 3depicts another mode of operation of the dispenser assembly100. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 3, the cover104of the dispenser assembly100is shown in an open position to facilitate replacement of the container106of consumer product. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 3, a portion of the neck assembly156may be disposed through the aperture136of the cover104such that the engagement feature160snaps over the side walls302of the aperture136, thus capturing the cover104between the flange158and engagement feature160. In this manner, the replaceable container106may be selectively engaged and retained to the dispenser assembly. The container106may be removed in a similar manner.

FIG. 4is a front view of the dispenser assembly100. As the cap164of the replaceable container106extends through and/or is visible through the aperture136of the cover104, a face408of the cap164may include a design410to augment the aesthetics of the dispenser assembly100. The design410may be embossed, integrally molded, screen printed or adhered to the face408or ornate the face408in another manner. It is contemplated that the design410may have a seasonal or other significance, such that the design410appearing on the replaceable container106may be selected to coincide with a holiday or other event. It is also contemplated that the design410may include text or designs of other significance. For example, the design410may include art work or characters such as comic, children's storybook and/or movie characters, and the like, which may be appealing to children or other target group. Such designs may promote the child's interest and acceptance of the dispenser100, and therefore are more apt to use the consumer product154′ stored inside.

The dispenser assembly100may include a trim band402. The trim band402may be coupled to the base102and/or the cover104. The trim band402may be a decal, or removable element, such as a plastic or metal strip. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 4, the trim band402includes a pin404configured to engage a hole406formed in the base102of the dispenser assembly100. The pin404releasably secures the band402to the dispenser assembly100, and thus, the band402may be readily replaced with other bands to selectively change the appearance of the dispenser assembly100. For example, in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 5, the trim band402includes a design502. The design502may be selected as described with reference to the design410described above. Alternatively, the trim band402may have a solid color, pattern and/or be textured.

In another embodiment, the trim band402may be imprinted or otherwise display text. The text may be anecdotal, or include instruction for use of the consumer product inside the dispenser assembly100.

As discussed above, it is also contemplated that the replaceable container of product may be releasably coupled to a dispenser assembly in any suitable manner. For example, a dispenser assembly600depicted inFIG. 6includes a cover604that has an engagement feature618extending inward therefrom. The engagement feature618mates with an engagement feature616formed on a neck assembly610of a replaceable container606disposed in the dispenser assembly600. The engagement features618and616may interlock in any manner suitable for releasably retaining the container606in the dispenser assembly600, for example, snap-fit, bayonet, quarter turn, threaded engagement or press-fit, among others. Thus, the neck612of the dispenser of the container606is selectively retained in a pre-defined orientation relative to the cover604of the dispenser assembly600to facilitate ease of access to the product. Alternatively, the engagement feature may be an elastic cord or a strap610(shown in phantom) coupled to at least one of the cover104or base102to retain the container106.

FIG. 7depicts a frontal view of one embodiment of the dispenser assembly100. The dispenser assembly100includes a plurality of adapters700which are utilized to center and/or secure the replaceable consumer product106in the base102. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 7, four adapters700are shown which are adapted to bias the sides of the consumer product106toward the center of the base102, thereby positioning the container106relative to the aperture formed through the cover102. In the embodiment shown, each adapter700is decoupled from the adjacent adapters700such that consumer product container106, having square, rectangular, circular or other geometric profile, may be centered and/or retained in the base102without modification.

In one embodiment, the adapter700includes an elongated strip702biased from the sides of the base102by at least one spring704. Spring704may be a coil or flat spring form. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 7, the elongated strap702and base102include a plurality of bosses706,708extending therefrom, which capture the respective ends of the spring704, thereby retaining the strip702to the base102.

Optionally, the adapter700may include an engagement feature710configured to retain the consumer product container106to the base102. The engagement feature710may be utilized in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, the engagement feature160. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 7, the engagement feature710is in the form of a plurality of barbs712.

FIGS. 8A-8Cdepict one embodiment of a sequence of coupling the neck assembly156to the replaceable container106. As shown inFIG. 8A, the replaceable container106typically includes an aperture804through which the consumer product154′ is accessed. The aperture804is sealed by a removable strip802. The strip802is removed from a first side814of the container106, for example, by peeling the strip from the container106as shown inFIG. 8B. The neck assembly156generally includes an adhesive810disposed on an underside of the flange158. A backing808is peeled away to expose the adhesive layer810. The neck assembly156is then pressed against the first side814of the container106over the aperture804, such that the adhesive810, exposed on the flange158, secures the neck assembly156to the replaceable container106over the aperture804. It is contemplated that the neck assembly156may be secured to the container106by other methods.

Although the dispenser assembly described above depicts a generally round dispenser assembly and oblong caps of the replaceable containers of consumer product disposed therein, it is contemplated that any geometric form may be utilized for both the container of consumer product and the dispenser assembly. It is also contemplated that features of the neck assembly may be incorporated into the cover, such that only the consumer product needs to be replenished as opposed to an entire container.

Thus, a dispenser assembly suitable for retaining a replaceable container of consumer product has been provided. The dispenser assembly advantageously facilitates dispensing of the consumer product while facilitating ease of replacement of the container within the dispenser assembly. Moreover, the design features of both the dispenser assembly and the cap of the replaceable container may include designs which enhance the aesthetic appeal of the dispenser assembly while encouraging children to use the product stored inside.

The present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment. The invention, however, is not limited to the embodiment depicted and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.