Abstract:
A method and apparatus for heating a product dispensed from a handheld container having a nozzle for discharging the product from the container utilizes a discharge assembly having a discharge housing that defines a reservoir and is in fluid communication with the nozzle when the discharge assembly is coupled to the container. The reservoir receives the discharged product from the nozzle and collectes the discharged product within the reservoir and allows the introduction of a warm liquid into the reservoir. A strainer allows the warm liquid introduced into the reservoir of the discharge housing to be separated from the discharged product by pouring the warm liquid from the discharge housing through the strainer. The strainer is configured so that at least a majority of the discharged product is retained within the reservoir after pouring out the liquid. A product access port allows the discharged product to be removed from the reservoir through the product access port of the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates to methods and apparatus for heating products dispensed from a handheld container, such as shaving gel and the like. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which: 
           [0003]      FIG. 1  is an elevational side view of a device for dispensing and warming a product dispensed from the device; 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is an elevational side view of another embodiment of device for dispensing and warming a product dispensed form the device; 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is an elevational side view of a third embodiment of a device for dispensing and warming a product dispensed form the device, shown with a housing of a discharge assembly of the device in a closed position; 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is an elevational side view of the device of  FIG. 5 , shown with the housing of the discharge assembly in an open position; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 6 , shown with the housing of the discharge assembly in the open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a device  10  is shown for dispensing a product. The device  10  includes a discharge assembly  12  and a container  14  for holding and storing the product to be dispensed. The container  14  may be dimensioned to be generally held in one hand as the product is being dispensed, although other dimensions and configurations may be used for the container  14 . The container  14  of  FIG. 1  is shown as a cylindrical pressurized or aerosol canister containing a compressed gas used as a propellant to facilitate discharging the product. The compressed gas may be those typically used with such aerosol canisters, such as light end hydrocarbons (e.g. propane, butane, etc.), nitrogen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, air, etc. that are contained under pressure within the container  14 . Such aerosol canisters are typically constructed of metal, although other suitable materials, such as plastic, may be used as well. Such aerosol canisters may include those that utilize a piston or other mechanism for isolating the pressurized gas propellant from the product being discharged, examples of which are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,703,875; 4,913,323 and 5,127,556, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the pressurized propellant gas may be non-isolated from the product so that it is discharged along with the product being dispensed. 
         [0011]    Although the device  10  and the other embodiments shown and described herein are configured and make use of pressurized gas propellants, the invention has application to liquid product dispensing devices wherein the product is discharged from a container through a nozzle or opening through other means, such as through a pump or reciprocating plunger mechanism that may be manually operated. Such devices are commonly used in dispensing liquid soap and other liquids. Examples of such devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,062,416; 3,391,647; 4,410,107 and 5,255,823, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. The container containing the product could also constitute a squeeze bottle, wherein the container is deformable and functions as a pump when the container is squeezed to increase the pressure within the container to thereby discharge the product through a nozzle or opening of the container. Other means of discharging the product from a container may also be used and are intended to be encompassed by the invention unless indicated otherwise. 
         [0012]    The product dispensed from the container  14  may be a liquid product and in particular may be a liquid health, cosmetic or grooming product that is applied to the skin or hair. The dispensed product typically has a fluid viscosity that is substantially greater than that of water or the warming liquid that is used to warm the product, as described herein. In particular the product may be a liquid shaving gel or lotion. Such products may be quite cool, particularly when they are dispensed from a pressurized canister, such as an aerosol canister, wherein the expansion of compressed gases used in propelling the product from the canister results in significantly lowering of the product temperature. When such products are dispensed and immediately applied to the skin they can be very cool and uncomfortable. Even when such products are not dispensed from such pressurized containers or canisters, the temperature of liquid products maintained and dispensed at room temperatures can still be somewhat cool and uncomfortable when applied to the skin. Although the dispensed product is typically a liquid, it may also include solid particulates that have fluid-like characteristics and may include particulates incorporated in a binder material, which may be a liquid. The particulates may be in the form of small capsules or beads that contain a liquid. 
         [0013]    The device  10  facilitates heating or warming of the product once discharged from the container  14  so that it may be comfortably applied to the skin. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the discharge assembly  12  includes a container engagement portion  16  that is configured to secure and engage the upper end of the container  14 . The engagement portion  16  may be configured as a collar or sleeve that engages the upper end of the container  14 . This may include an inwardly projecting annular lip  18  that engages an outwardly projecting rim or seam  20  of the container  14  in a snap-fit or friction-type engagement. Other engagement mechanisms or methods may also be employed, however. 
         [0014]    The discharge assembly  12  also includes a discharge housing  22 . The discharge housing  22  may be pivotally coupled to the engagement portion  16 , such as through a hinge  23 . The hinge  23  may be any suitable hinge, which be a mechanical hinge or may be provided by the flexibility of the materials forming the assembly  12 . The discharge housing  22  is configured to define a reservoir  24  for collecting and holding a warming liquid. In the embodiment shown, the reservoir  24  is defined by a floor  26  and sidewalls  28  of the housing  22 , the sidewalls extending upwardly from the floor  26  and terminating at an upper end to define an upper open end  29  of the housing  22 . 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the floor  26  of the housing  22  has a nozzle receptacle  30  in the form of an opening or aperture that receives a nozzle  32  of the container  14 . The nozzle  32  may be coupled to a valve or valve stem (not shown) or other device that is biased or spring loaded so that the valve remains closed until the nozzle  32  is depressed or actuated. Such valve assemblies for use with pressurized or aerosol canisters are well known to those skilled in the art. A head piece  34  may be formed in the floor  26  and extend upward from the floor  26 . In such cases the head piece  34  may be molded with or otherwise be integral with the floor  26  or housing  22 . In other embodiments, the head piece  34  may be provided separately with and/or formed as part of or provided with the nozzle  32  of the container  14 . The head piece  34  includes a channel and orifice  36  for discharging product from the nozzle  32  into the reservoir  24 . A seal or seals (not shown), which may be formed from a rubber or elastomeric material, may be used to seal any gap between the nozzle receptacle  30  and the nozzle  32  to prevent leakage of liquid through or from the nozzle receptacle  30  out of the reservoir  24 . 
         [0016]    As shown, the area of the floor  26  surrounding the nozzle receptacle  30  may define a collar that engages or rests on a shoulder  38  of the nozzle  32 . This allows the nozzle  32  to be depressed by depressing the housing  22 , which pivots about hinge  23 , to open the valve (not shown) of the container  14  to discharge the pressurized contents of the container  14 . A finger or thumb rest  40  may also be formed with or be provided with the housing  22  to facilitate depressing the housing  22  to open the valve of the container  14 . The finger rest  40  is located exterior to the reservoir  24 , as shown, and may have a recessed and knurled or textured surface to provide non-slip engagement. 
         [0017]    A strainer  42  is provided with the discharge assembly  12 . The strainer  42  is formed by wall  44  that extends across the open end  29  of the housing  22  defined by the terminating upward extending sidewalls  28 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the wall  44  only extends across a portion of the opening defined by the sidewalls  28  and is coupled or joined along its outer perimeter to the sidewalls  28 . As shown, the wall  44  may be generally semi-circular in shape, although other shapes and configurations may be used as well. The wall  44  is provided with one or more apertures  46  that extend through the thickness of the wall  44 . In the embodiment shown, a plurality of spaced apart apertures  46  are provided in the wall  44  so that the apertured wall  44  essentially forms a screen or sieve. As is discussed more fully later on, the apertures  46  are sized and configured to prevent the passage of the discharged product through the aperture  46 . The apertures  46  may be of any transverse cross-sectional shape, such as circular, oval, rectangular, square, polygonal, etc. They may be formed as elongated slots or slits, which may be straight or arcuate, zigzagged or undulated. In the embodiment shown, the apertures  46  are generally circular in transverse cross section. A suitable diameter may be from about 1 mm to 2 mm or more. The wall  44  forming the strainer  42  may be integrally formed or permanently fixed to the housing  22 . In other embodiments, the strainer wall  44  may be releasable from the housing  22  or may be pivotally mounted to the housing so that the wall  44  may be removed or pivoted out of the way from the open end of the housing  22 . This may facilitate cleaning of or access to the reservoir  24 . 
         [0018]    A dam or retaining wall  48  may optionally be provided along the innermost edge of the strainer  42  that projects inward into the reservoir and extends across the open end  29  of the housing  22  to facilitate retaining of the discharged product within the reservoir  24  during separation of the warming liquid, as will be described later on. 
         [0019]    An access port  50  is provided with the housing  22 . The access port  50  is formed by the open end  29  of the housing  22  that is not covered by the strainer  42 . The access port  50  may be any size that allows the removal of the discharged product from the reservoir. In certain embodiments the access port  50  may be from about 0.5 in 2  to about 1 in 2  or about 1.5 in 2  greater in area to facilitate removal of the discharged product therethrough. In other embodiments, the access port  50  may be less than about 0.5 in 2  In still other embodiments, the strainer  42  may cover the entire open end  29  of the housing  22 , so that the access port  50  is only provided upon removal or pivoting of the strainer  42  out of the way, thus allowing the discharged product to be accessed and removed from the reservoir  24 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sidewalls  28  surrounding semi-circular strainer wall  44  are generally upright and semi-cylindrical in shape. The sidewalls  28  surrounding the outer perimeter of the access port  50 , however, are configured so that they expand radially outward towards the upper end. This also provides an undercut area that accommodates the finger rest  40 , as shown. Additionally, the sidewalls  28  surrounding the access port  50  may be curved and converge together to form a lip or mouth  52  of the access port  50  to facilitate pouring and removal of the discharged product from the reservoir. In certain embodiments the access port may be configured as a tubular or enclosed spout (not shown) sized to facilitate pouring of the product out of the reservoir  24 . 
         [0021]    An optional cover or cap  54  may also be provided with the device  10 . The cap  54  may be generally cylindrical in shape with a generally flat upper surface  56  and is configured for positioning over and covering the discharge assembly  12 . The cap  54  may secure to the discharge assembly  12  or to the container  14 , such as through a friction or snap-fit. This protects the discharge assembly  12 , such as during storage and transportation, and also provides an appearance to the device  10  that is similar to conventional canisters of shaving cream or gel. The flat upper surface  56  also allows the devices  10  to be stacked on one another, such as during storage, transportation or display. 
         [0022]    In use, the cap  54  is removed to access the discharge assembly  12  and dispense a product. In an exemplary method, the container  14  contains a shaving gel or lotion product used in shaving. With the cap  54  removed, a user then depresses the finger rest  40  of the housing  22  so that the nozzle  32  is depressed to actuate the container valve and discharge the contents of the container  14  through the orifice  36  of the nozzle head piece  34 . The nozzle  32  and/or the head piece  34  may be configured to provide a thin stream of product or gel that is discharged into the reservoir. Such a stream of product may have a width or diameter of from less than about 1.5 mm to about 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm or more. A regulator, which may include a stop that engages the housing  22  so that it can only be depressed a certain amount, may also be provided with the discharge assembly  12  or device  10  so that the amount of product discharged is controlled so that it is only discharged in a thin stream. Providing the discharged product in a thin stream facilitates increased and rapid warming of the discharged product than occurs when the product is discharged in a larger stream or mass. As will be discussed later on with respect to the other embodiments, a small tube or conduit may also be provided for directing the product into the reservoir and to facilitate the forming of a thin product stream. It should be noted, however, that sufficient warming of the product may still occur even when the product is discharged in larger streams or masses. 
         [0023]    A warming liquid is introduced into the reservoir  24 . The warming liquid is typically warm water from a household faucet or tap, such as the faucet of a bathroom sink. Other liquids may also be used that are aqueous or non-aqueous. The typical hot water temperature from such household faucets may be from less than about 100° F. (37.8° C.) to about 130° F. (54.4° C.) or more, depending upon the temperature of water from the water heater and the amount of heat transfer that occurs during the flow of water from the water heater to the faucet. The warm water or liquid is introduced through the open end  29 , either through the strainer portion  42  or access port  50  or both. The warming water or liquid may be introduce into the reservoir prior to, during and/or after the product has been discharged into the reservoir  24 . 
         [0024]    Upon warming of the discharged product or gel, the warming water or liquid is separated from the product. This is accomplished by tilting the device  10  so that a majority to substantially all of the water or liquid in the reservoir  24  is poured out of the reservoir  24  from the open end  23  of the discharge housing  22 . The strainer  42  facilitates retaining the gel or discharged product within the reservoir  24 , with the apertures  46  being sized to prevent the passage of the gel or discharged product therethrough. The gel or discharged product is typically substantially more viscous than the water or warming liquid such that the product does not readily pass through the apertures  46 . Additionally, the gel or product is of a consistency such that the product does not substantially degrade immediately upon contact with the warm liquid or water. As used herein, the term “degrade” with respect to the discharged product is meant to encompass the dissolving or dispersing of the product within the water or warming liquid such that a substantial portion of the product is capable of being poured through the apertures  46  along with the warming liquid during its separation. 
         [0025]    When the warming water or liquid is separated, the gel or product is removed from the reservoir  24  through the access port  50 . This may be accomplished by tilting the device  10  in the opposite direction from the strainer  42  so that the product is poured out of the access port  50 . Additionally, the port  50  may also be sized to permit the user to insert one or more fingers into the reservoir  24  so that the warmed product or gel may be removed manually with the user&#39;s fingers. The product may then be applied to the user&#39;s skin or areas where the warmed product is desired. 
         [0026]    If desired, the reservoir  24  may be rinsed or cleaned after use by introducing water or a cleansing fluid or liquid into the reservoir in the same manner that the warming liquid is introduced and then poured out of the reservoir through the access port and/or strainer. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show another embodiment of a device  60  for dispensing and warming a product. The device  60  is similar to the device  10  previously described, with the same reference numerals designating similar components. The products dispensed from the device  60  may be the same or similar to those described for the device  10 . The device  60  includes a discharge assembly  62  that is includes a container engagement portion  64  similar to the engagement portion  16  that is configured to secure and engage the upper end of the container  14 . 
         [0028]    The discharge assembly  62  also includes a discharge housing  66 . The discharge housing  66  is fixedly coupled to the engagement portion  64  but is otherwise similar to the housing  22  of the device  10 , previously described, and may be molded or formed as a single unitary piece or as separate components. 
         [0029]    The floor  26  of the housing  66  is provided with an aperture  68  to receive a length of tubing  70 . The tubing  70  is connected at one end to the nozzle  32  of the container  14  and facilitates directing the discharged product from the nozzle  32  to the reservoir  24  of the housing  66 . The tubing may be of a rubber or elastomeric material that provides a seal between the perimeter of the aperture  68  and the exterior of the tubing so that no leakage out of the reservoir  24  occurs through the floor  26 . If necessary, additional seals or other mechanisms may be provided to seal the floor  26  of the housing  66  to prevent leakage. The tubing  70  may be sized and configured to provide a thin stream of the discharge product, as previously described. Additionally, the tubing  70  may be generally rigid or it may have a degree of flexibility. If the tubing  70  is provided with a degree of flexibility the free end may move or oscillate within the reservoir  24  to a degree when the product is being discharged through the tubing  70 . This may allow the discharged product to be further dispersed within the reservoir  24 , which may also facilitate more effective heat transfer. The length of the tubing  70  may be from less than 0.5 inch to 1.5 inch or more. The tubing may also be molded or integral with the housing  66  or configured as a channel or flow path formed in the housing  66 . 
         [0030]    A lever  72  is provided with the discharge assembly  62 . The lever member  72  locates below the floor  26  of the housing  66  and is pivotally coupled to the housing  66  at one end through a hinge  74 , which may be a mechanical hinge or may be provided through flexibility of materials. The midsection of the lever  72  is provided with an aperture  76  ( FIG. 4 ) that receives and may allow the tubing  70  from the nozzle  32  to movably pass therethrough without binding. In other embodiments, the tubing  70  may be secured within the aperture  76  with a sufficient amount of length or flexibility to provide an amount of play to accommodate movement when the lever  72  is moved. The midsection of the lever  72  is provided with a nozzle engagement portion or receptacle  78  that contacts or otherwise engages the nozzle  32  so that the nozzle  32  is depressed upon depressing the lever  72  to discharge the product within the container  14 . A thumb or finger rest  80  is provided at the opposite end of the lever  72 , the surface of which may be slightly recessed and textured or knurled to provide a non-slip surface. 
         [0031]    The operation of the device  60  is similar to the device  10 . Gel or product is discharged into the reservoir  24  by depressing the lever  72  so that the nozzle  32  is opened and the product passes through the tubing  70  into the reservoir  24 . Warm water or liquid is introduced into the open upper end  29  of the housing  66  and separated through strainer  42  after the gel or product is warmed. The gel or product is then removed through access port  50  for use. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5-7  show still another embodiment of a device  90  for dispensing and warming a product. The device  90  may employ the same container  14  as previously described. The device  90  includes a discharge assembly  92  that is coupled to the container through a container engagement portion  94 , which may be similar to those previously described. A housing  96  is coupled to the engagement portion  94  and is pivotally attached to the engagement portion  94  through hinge  98 . The hinge  98  may be a mechanical hinge or may be formed from flexibility of materials of the portion  94  and housing  96 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , which shows the housing  96  in an open position, the housing  96  is similar in configuration to the housing bodies previously described and includes sidewalls  100  that are joined together by a floor  102  to form a reservoir  104 . A strainer  106  and an access port  108 , which may be similar to those previously described, are provided in the open upper end of the housing  96 . 
         [0034]    The container  14  is provided with a nozzle assembly  110  that includes a nozzle  32 , a headpiece or nozzle actuator button  112  for depressing the nozzle to actuate the valve of the container  14 , and a length of tubing  114  that is coupled to the nozzle  32  for directing product into the reservoir  104  of the housing  96 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the tubing may be attached, such as through adhesive, spot welding, or other fastening means, at the opposite end to the inner sidewall  100 . A lateral shelf or step  116  may be formed into the hinged sidewall  100  with the end of the tubing  114  terminating immediately above the shelf  116 . In this way product discharged tubing will contact the shelf  116  and be directed laterally into the interior of the reservoir  104 . This may facilitate dispersion of the product into the reservoir  104  to thereby increase heat transfer to the discharged product. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the housing  96  is in the closed position, the housing  96  is inverted and encloses the top of the container  14  and the nozzle assembly  110 . This protects the nozzle assembly  110  so that the nozzle cannot be unintentionally actuated. This also facilitates storage and shipment of the device  90 . In certain embodiments, the outer surface of the floor  102  may be a generally flat surface that provides a generally level surface in the device  90  is closed and in an upright position to facilitate stacking and storing of the devices  90 . When in the closed position, the strainer may be positioned above the nozzle assembly  110  or at a position where sufficient clearance of the nozzle assembly  110  is provided. 
         [0036]    In use, the housing  96  is moved from the closed position of  FIG. 5  to the open position, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , by pivoting the housing  96  about the hinge  98 . The nozzle actuator button  112  is then depressed so that gel or product is discharged from the container  14  through the tubing  114  and into the reservoir  104 . Warm water or liquid is introduced into the open end of the housing  96  to warm the gel or product within the reservoir  104 . After a length of time, the warm water or liquid is separated from the discharged product by tilting the device  90  so that the water or liquid drains from the reservoir  104  through the strainer  106  while the warmed, discharged product remains in the reservoir  104 . The warmed product is then removed through the access port  108 . 
         [0037]    It should be noted that the discharge assemblies described herein may be provided preassembled with the containers for which they are used. In other embodiments the discharge assembly may be secured and used with a conventional preexisting container of shaving gel or other product, wherein the end user removes the preexisting end cap and/or nozzle actuator and couples the discharge assembly to the nozzle of container. In other embodiments, the discharge assembly may not couple to the container or canister, but may be configured for use as a separate component, wherein the product is dispensed from the container into the discharge assembly, which may be free standing, held in the hand or otherwise used without being coupled to the container. In such instances, the discharge assembly may be configured similarly to the discharge assembly  92 , but without being coupled to the container  14 . Other configurations may be used as well, however. 
         [0038]    While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.