RECHARGEABLE DISPENSING SYSTEM

Abstract: A rechargeable dispensing system for dispensing a liquid product has a recharge container, a platform base, a locking mechanism, and a pump. The recharge container has a primary finish and a valve. The base has a receptacle for receiving the primary finish of the recharge container and a fluid connector located within the base and attached to the receptacle. The locking mechanism secures the recharge container to the base, wherein the valve is in a closed position when the locking mechanism is engaged and in an open position when the locking mechanism is disengaged. The pump is attached to the base in open communication with the recharge container along the fluid connector for dispensing the liquid product from the recharge container.

Description: RECHARGEABLE DISPENSING SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rechargeable dispensing system, and more particularly, to a rechargeable laundry treatment dispensing system for accurately dispensing relatively large doses of a highly viscous liquid, and more particularly, for dispensing an anhydrous thick cream-like product having at least 40% suspended solids with minimal effort and with minimal residual left within the dispensing container. Background of the Invention Traditional laundry cleaning packaging consists of a variety of configurations. For granular detergents, the most common packaging is a paperboard carton with a scoop dispenser For liquid detergents, there are several conventional packaging configurations including a bottle having a dosing cap, a squeeze bottle with top-mounted nozzle, a bottle having a top-mounted dip tube piston pump or sprayer and a refillable package. For liquid detergents, the use of a scoop is very messy, particularly for a new type of anhydrous (solvent-based) thick cream-like laundry detergent product having at least 40% suspended solids and a specific gravity of 1.2 which is too thick to pour accurately using most conventional packaging. In sizes greater than 1.5 liter, the combination of the large volume and the product's weight make a squeeze bottle non-feasible for the thick cream-like product because it is too heavy to lift and simultaneously squeeze through a nozzle. Furthermore, the highly viscous product is expensive and cannot be exposed to water prior to use. The top-mounted, dip tube piston pump dispenser is more feasible to use than squeezing or pouring different types of liquid detergent because it permits the user to accurately dispense the product without lifting the dispenser. However, the top-mounted, dip tube pump is undesirable for at least two reasons. First, the dip tube leaves product residuals at the bottom of the container, thus wasting product and enticing the user to introduce water into the container to remove the residual. Second, due to the properties of the highly viscous product, the product adheres to all conventional packaging materials For example, regarding the top-mounted, dip tube piston pump, the product will adhere to the dip tube and container causing product waste. Furthermore, this type of package requires either additional pump strokes to pπme the pump or significant force by the user to dispense the required dose of the highly viscous product due to the product's adherence to the mside of the dip tube. Furthermore, due to the cost of a piston pump dispenser, it is advantageous to have a dispenser which reuses the dispenser while the liquid filled container is replaced. Therefore, what is needed is a rechargeable dispenser capable of accurately dispensing relatively large doses of a highly viscous anhydrous product having at least 40% suspended solids with minimal effort and with minimal residual left withm the container while reducing the possibility of water contamination. Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rechargeable dispensing system. It is a further object to provide a rechargeable dispensing system for dispensing a liquid product, comprising a recharge container having a primary finish and a valve, a base having a receptacle for receiving the primary finish of the recharge container and a fluid connector located withm the base and attached to the receptacle, a locking mechanism for secuπng the recharge container to the base, wherein the valve is m a closed position when the locking mechanism is engaged and the valve is m an open position when the locking mechanism is disengaged, and a pump attached to the base in open communication with the recharge container along the fluid connector for dispensing the liquid product from the recharge container Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred rechargeable dispensing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the preferred rechargeable dispensing system having a valved base m an undocked state according to the present invention. FIGS. 3a and 3b are partial exploded perspective and side view assembly drawings, respectively, of the preferred locking mechanism according to the present invention FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the recharge finish area of the preferred rechargeable dispensing system according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate rechargeable dispensing system in a docked state according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate rechargeable dispensing system in an undocked state according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective assembly drawing of an alternate slide clip actuator with a bias to a locked position according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred piston pump assembly according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred rechargeable dispensing system 10 is shown in the docked (FIG. 1) and undocked (FIG. 2) position and includes three major sub-assemblies: a recharge container assembly 11, a base assembly 12, and a piston pump assembly 13. The rechargeable dispensing system 10 is in a docked position when the recharge container 11 is engaged with the base 12 while the system 10 is in an undocked position when the recharge container 11 is disengaged with the base 12 The preferred recharge container 11 comprises a blow molded bottle 14 having a handle 15, a primary finish 16 having an opening 16a and a finish recess 18 located at one end of the bottle 14, a secondary finish 17 located at the opposite end of the bottle 14 for venting through a venting cap 17a, a bottle cap 19 for supporting a valve post 20 which is attached to a valve 21. Alternately, the recharge container 11 may comprise a flexible bag 14a, the bag 14a in a carton, or the bag 14a the bottle 14 without deviating from the intent of the invention. The bottle 14 is designed to house a highly viscous anhydrous liquid product having at least 40%o suspended solids and is preferably blow molded. However, the bottle may contain a variety of liquids and may comprise a variety of materials formed using various methods such as a heat sealed, gusseted plastic pouch or a blow molded bag positioned withm a blow molded bottle without deviating from the present invention The handle 15 of the bottle 14 is preferably positioned at the opposite end of the primary finish 16 for transporting the dispensing system 10 when the recharge container 11 is docked or for transporting the recharge container 11 when undocked from the base 12. The handle 15 can also be used to ergonomically assist the placement of the recharge container 11 in the base 12 duπng the docking process. Alternatively, the handle 15 may be positioned adjacent the primary finish 16 or along the sides 14b of the bottle 14 without deviating from the intent of the invention The primary finish 16 secures the recharge container 11 to the base 12 and allows the contents of the bottle 14 to exit into the base 12. The bottle cap 19 provides a sealing surface 19a for a seal 26. The valve 21 is used to retain the product withm the recharge container 11 until it is docked withm the base 12. The valve 21 is preferably a spiral valve (FIG. 3) but may comprise a variety of valve configurations without deviating from the intent of the invention. The valve post 20 is used to open the spiral valve 21 by pushing against a base seal 27 of the base 12 when the recharge container 11 is pushed vertically into the docked position (FIG. 1). The preferred spiral valve 21 has a plate 21a connected to an outer ring 21b with preferably between 3-10 bands 21c having shape memory. In the preferred embodiment, the spiral valve 21 is seated against the bottle cap 19 and is opened by the valve post 20 which pushes against the plate 21a of the spiral valve 21 when docked. As the post 20 engages the plate 21a, the bands 21c flex as the plate 21a is pushed upward into an open position withm the bottle 14. As a result, the contents of the bottle 14 will pass into the receptacle 22 and to the connector 23 due to gravity. When the recharge container 11 is removed from the receptacle 22, the post 20 will disengage the plate 21a which allows the bands 21c to return to their original closed position due to their shape memory. In turn, the bands 21c pull the plate 21a back against the top surface of the bottle cap 19. In this way, the recharge container 1 lean be removed in the inverted position without the contents of the bottle leaking. In addition, the locking mechanism 25 preferably activates the spiral valve 21 by manipulating the post 20 so that the spiral valve 21 remains in its closed position when the recharge container 11 is in the docked but unlocked position. The spiral valve 21 preferably opens only when the recharge container 11 is in the docked and locked position by engaging the locking mechanism 25. The secondary finish 17 is used as an air exit for the vent cap 17a, which preferably has a one-way vent valve, as product is dispensed from the bottle 14. The vent cap 17a is preferably loosened to relieve the vacuum created withm the bottle 14 Without the vent cap 17a, the bottle 14 will collapse as the product is dispensed. This is advantageous m an alternate embodiment of the rechargeable dispensing system 10 which reduces product residuals withm the bottle 14 by pulling the bottle's flexible walls 14b together and squeezing the product out of the bottle 14. The preferred base 12 has a receptacle 22 for receiving the primary finish 16 of the recharge container 11, a fluid connector 23 for connecting the receptacle 22 to a pump mlet 24 located withm the base 12 and a locking mechanism 25 for securing the recharge container 11 to the base 12. The preferred base 12 also has the seal 26, the base seal 27, a return spring 28, a drip cup 30 and a base cover 31. The seal 26, preferably an O-πng, is attached to the receptacle 22 and provides a liquid-tight seal between the recharge container 11 and the base 12. The drip cup 30 is removably attached to an mside bottom surface 33 of the receptacle 22 for receiving any excess product which may drip from the bottle 14 prior to sealing the recharge container 11 to the base 12. Finally, the base cover 31 encloses the internal parts of the base 12 to create the appearance of a solid base. Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the preferred locking mechanism 25 comprises a clip actuator 35 and a fmger ring 36 both of which are attached to the base 12. The preferred clip actuator 35 has three camming surfaces 37 approximately 120 degrees apart. The preferred fmger πng 36 has three fingers 38 and is made of polypropylene. The clip actuator 35 snaps mside the receptacle 22 and the fmger ring 36 is then snapped mside of the clip actuator 35 as shown m FIGS. 1 and 2 The clip actuator 35 and the fmger πng 36 may have one or more camming surfaces 37, one or more fingers 38, respectively, and/or be made of a variety of materials without deviating from the intent of the invention. Referring to FIG 4, the preferred recharge container 11 has a snap-on cover 29 attached to the bottle finish 16 and a foil seal 34 attached to the bottle cap 19 which protect the spiral valve 21 from outside elements. In addition, the cover 29 and foil seal 34 prevent moisture from contaminating the product while on the shelf or in storage. The operation of the preferred rechargeable dispensing system 10 requires the removal of the snap-on cover 39 and the foil seal 40 from the recharge container 11 The primary finish 16 of the recharge container 11 is inserted vertically into the receptacle 22 of the base 12. As the recharge container 11 is inserted, the valve post 20 on the back of the spiral valve 21 pushes the base seal 27 open by compressing the return spring 28, thus creating a product flow path (i.e open communication) between the recharge container 11 and the pump 13. The O-rmg seal 26 in the receptacle 22 engages the internal diameter of the bottle cap 19 and creates a liquid tight seal between the bottle cap 19 and the base 12 before the spiral valve 21 is opened. The insertion of the recharge container 11 continues until the bottle cap 19 engages the mside bottom surface 33 of the receptacle 22 in the final docked but unlocked position. To lock the recharge container 11 to the base 12, the clip actuator 35 is rotated such that the camming surfaces 37 push the fingers 38 of the finger ring 36 into the finish recess 18 of the bottle 14 The recharge container 11 will remain locked to the base 12 as long as the camming surfaces 37 engage the fingers 38 by forcing the fingers 38 toward the primary finish 16 and into the finish recess 18. To unlock the bottle 14, the clip actuator 35 is rotated such that the camming surfaces 37 disengage the fingers 38 which allows the fingers 38 to relax away from the pπmary finish 16 and disengage the finish recess 18. The recharge container 11 is unlocked from the base 12 and capable of being removed and transported. This permits the empty recharge container 11 to be replaced with a recharged (i.e., full) container 11 The drip cup 30 is positioned mside the receptacle 22 to capture any excess product that might drip out of the recharge container 11 as it is removed from the base 12. In addition, the dπp cup 30 is snapped into the receptacle 22 for easy removal and cleaning. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternate rechargeable dispensing system 40 is shown m a docked position (FIG. 5) and an undocked position (FIG. 6). The alternate rechargeable dispensing system 40 is the same in structure and operation as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the alternate recharge container 11 does not have the valve post 20, the moveable base seal 27 or the return spring 28. Instead, the base 12 of the alternate system 40 utilizes a fixed base seal 32 to activate the valve 21. As the recharge container 11 is inserted into the receptacle 22, a base post 39 of the fixed base seal 32, which is attached to the receptacle 22, pushes the spiral valve 21 open and creates the necessary product flow path between the recharge container 11 and the pump 13. However, the rechargeable dispensing system 10 of FIGS. 1-4 with the return spring 28 and the base seal 27 is preferred because it provides a closed rechargeable dispensing system 10 which minimizes the opportunity for product contamination with water when the recharge container 11 is removed In operation, gravity will assist the movement of the product out of the alternate rechargeable dispensing system's 40 recharge container 11 and into the fluid connector 23 until a pressure equilibrium is achieved between the container 11 and the fluid connector 23. The fluid connector 23 serves as a product reservoir as well as an air tight passageway between the pump 13 and the recharge container 11. Referring to FIG. 7, an alternate docking mechanism 42 is shown in an assembly drawing and comprises a slide clip actuator 43, a bias spπng 44 , a spring post 45 for receiving the bias spring 44, a slide clip key hole 46 and a slot 47. In operation, the pπmary finish 16 of the bottle 14 is inserted m a vertical direction 46a through the slide clip key hole 46 As the slide clip actuator 43 is moved m an axial direction 46b, the slide clip actuator 43 lockmgly engages the finish recess 18. The slide clip actuator 43 is attached to the base 12 and is held m a locked position by the pressure exerted by the bias spπng 44. Referring to FIG. 8, the pump 13 can be any type of pump capable of pumping a highly viscous liquid such as laundry treatment products, particularly a new type of anhydrous (solvent- based) thick cream-like laundry detergent product having at least 40% suspended solids, a specific gravity of 1.2 and a viscosity range of between 1000 to 3500 centipoise. However, the preferred pump 13 is an injection molded fixed-nozzle piston-and-cylmder type pump made primarily for dispensing viscous liquids such as laundry treatment products by manual operation The preferred pump 13 comprises a piston 48 and a piston seal 49 having a plunger 50 which is activated manually using a handle 51. The pump 13 has an mlet 52 which receives the product and a discharge spout 53 for dispensing the product The product flow is controlled through the pump via an mlet valve 54 and an outlet valve 55. The preferred pump is a manual piston-and-cylmder pump but may comprise a variety of pumps available m the industry but preferably comprises, for example, piston and cylinder pumps manufactured by Englass Packaging and Dispensing Systems, Inc., such as FND 30, MAXI and MAJOR piston pumps. In operation, the piston 48 is drawn in an upward direction 48a by activating the handle 51 which pulls the product through the one way valve 54 into the pump cylinder. The handle 51 is then pushed in a downward direction 48b which pushes the piston down and forces the product out of the one way outlet valve 55 and through the discharge spout 53 The preferred pump 13 is an airless system in that an air vent is not provided withm the pump 13. In addition, the pump 13 can be integrated into the platform base 12 as a single piece or attached to the base. Alternately, the pump 13 may be an electric pump or a battery operated pump without deviating from the intent of the invention. While the embodiment of the invention shown and described is fully capable of achieving the results desired, it is to be understood that this embodiment has been shown and descπbed for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation. Other variations in the form and details that occur to those skilled m the art and which are withm the spirit and scope of the invention are not specifically addressed. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A rechargeable dispensing system for dispensing a liquid product, characterized by: a recharge container having a primary finish and a valve; a base having a receptacle for receiving said primary finish of said recharge container and a fluid connector located within said base and attached to said receptacle; a locking mechanism for securing said recharge container to said base, wherein said valve is m a closed position when said locking mechanism is engaged and said valve is in an open position when said locking mechanism is disengaged; and a pump attached to said base in open communication with said recharge container along said fluid connector for dispensing the liquid product from said recharge container. 2. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said recharge container comprises at least one of a bottle, a bag, a bag withm a bottle and a bag withm a carton. 3. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said recharge container further comprises a secondary finish for at least one of venting said container and refilling said container when said container is engaged with said base. 4. The system according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized by a post attached to at least one of said base and said valve, said post displacing a base seal on said base when said recharge container and said base are at least one of engaged, and engaged and locked, thereby creating a product flow path between said receptacle and said pump. 5. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said valve comprises a spiral valve having a plate attached to a ring with at least three shape memory bands, said post further displacing said plate of said valve when said recharge container and said base are at least one of engaged, and engaged and locked, thereby creating a product flow path between said recharge container and said receptacle. 6. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a clip actuator attached mside said receptacle and a f ger ring positioned mside said clip actuator which lockmgly engages said recharge container, thereby securing said recharge container to said base. 7. The system according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized by a self-sealing base seal activated by a return spring, whereby said fluid connector of said base is sealed upon removal of said recharge container. 8. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pump one of a piston-and- cylmder pump, an electric pump and a battery operated pump. 9. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pump is a manually operated, fixed-nozzle piston-and-cylmder pump. 10. The system according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized by a locking mechanism for lockmgly engaging said recharge container to said base.

Inventors: ARENT LEE MATHEW, GAW CHINTO BENJAMIN, ODER REUBEN EARL, STAHLEY ROBERT EDWARD, ARENT, LEE, MATHEW, GAW, CHINTO, BENJAMIN, ODER, REUBEN, EARL, STAHLEY, ROBERT, EDWARD
Applicants: PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B67D5
IPC codes: B65D83, B67D5