Abstract:
Containers for distributing products are disclosed. The containers comprise a bottle having at least one sidewall and defining a cavity therein. The bottle has at least one opening. The containers also include an actuator comprising at least one sidewall defining a cavity therein. The bottle also includes a tip including an orifice. The orifice is configured to dispense product therethrough. The actuator is positioned between the bottle and the tip.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/044,655, filed Sep. 2, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNOLOGY FIELD 
       [0002]    The present application relates generally to a container with dispensing tip. In some embodiments, the dispensing tip is adapted for delivering product from the container in a stream or dropwise fashion. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Often, fluids, such as liquids, semi-liquids and the like, are desired to be held in a container until dispensing is desired. There are a multitude of ways to accomplish storage and dispensing, and a continuing need to refine and redefine these ways, particularly in the competitive world of cosmetics. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device, comprises: a stent including a plurality of longitudinally extending filaments, the stent having an inner surface and an outer surface; a plurality of tubular members extending along the stent; wherein each of the plurality of tubular members is coupled with one or more of the plurality of longitudinally extending filaments; and wherein each of the plurality of tubular members is configured to accept a radioactive element, a spacer or both. 
         [0005]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the actuator includes a compressible sleeve, and wherein the amount of compression applied to the sleeve controls the amount of the product dispensed through the tip. 
         [0006]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the tip includes a first flange and wherein the actuator includes a second flange, and wherein the first flange and the second flange are designed to mate. 
         [0007]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the bottle includes a third flange and wherein the second flange and the third flange are designed to mate. 
         [0008]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the mating connection of the first flange and the second flange includes a snap fit connection, and wherein the mating connection of the second flange and the third flange includes a snap fit connection. 
         [0009]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the snap fit connections are configured such that the tip, the bottle, or both the tip and the bottle are replaceable. 
         [0010]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further comprising an upper collar, wherein the upper collar is positioned around the circumference of the tip, and wherein the upper collar is configured to prevent the actuator from moving longitudinally with respect to the tip. 
         [0011]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further comprising an annular collar, wherein the annular collar includes a first flange, and wherein the bottle includes a second flange, and wherein first flange is designed to mate with the second flange. 
         [0012]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the annual collar is coupled to the actuator, the bottle, or both the actuator and the bottle. 
         [0013]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the container includes an end cap coupled to an end region positioned opposite the tip. 
         [0014]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the container further comprises a dip tube coupled to the tip, wherein the dip tube extends from the tip toward the end cap. 
         [0015]    Another example container for dispensing a cosmetic product, comprises a rigid bottle having at least one sidewall and at least one opening; a flexible actuator configured to receive a product from the rigid bottle; a tip including an orifice, the tip configured to receive a product from the flexible actuator; and wherein the orifice is configured to dispense product therethrough; wherein the tip, the bottle or both the tip and the bottle are replaceable. 
         [0016]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the actuator is positioned between the bottle and the tip such that the actuator is designed to control the amount of product dispensed through the tip orifice. 
         [0017]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the flexible actuator is capable of being compressed, and wherein the amount of compression applied to the actuator corresponds to the amount of product dispensed through the tip. 
         [0018]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the bottle is coupled to the actuator via a snap connection and wherein the tip is coupled to the actuator via a snap connection. 
         [0019]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further comprising an upper collar positioned adjacent the tip, wherein the upper collar is configured to prevent the actuator from moving longitudinally with respect to the tip. 
         [0020]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the bottle includes a first flange and the actuator includes a second flange, and wherein the first flange is designed to mate with the second flange. 
         [0021]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the first flange includes at least one outwardly extending portion, and wherein the second flange includes at least one inwardly extending portion, and wherein the inwardly extending portion is designed to mate with the outwardly extending portion. 
         [0022]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further comprising an annual collar coupled to the actuator, the bottle or both the actuator and the bottle, wherein the annual collar is designed to prevent longitudinal movement of the bottle with respect to the actuator. 
         [0023]    Another example container comprises a bottle having at least one rigid sidewall and defining a cavity therein and defining an open end; a dispensing actuator comprising at least one flexible sidewall defining a cavity therein; and a dispensing tip defining a dispensing orifice permitting the flow of a product therethrough upon application of external pressure upon the dispensing actuator; wherein the dispensing actuator fluidly connects the bottle and the dispensing tip at opposite ends thereof. 
         [0024]    The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The foregoing and other aspects of the container with quick release base and lid assembly are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. There are shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of an example container. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 1A , with the cap removed. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional side view of the container of  FIG. 1A , with the cap removed. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a container in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a container in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a container in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a container in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a container in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a container in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a container in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a container in accordance with some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The container and dispensing tip described herein is suitable in a wide-variety of commercial areas, such as cosmetics, medicinal, pharmaceutical, arts, painting, cooking, etc. In short, in any application where a relatively controlled output of product is required. The description herein will focus on the use of the container in the cosmetics industry, but is not meant to so limit the use of the container to that field. 
         [0038]    The product to be dispensed can be any desired product which is fluid or flowable. Such products may range from fully liquid to semi-liquid or even a powder. It is contemplated that a wide range of materials and viscosities may be used. An opening in the dispenser can be sized appropriately to facilitate dispensing thicker fluids or to hold back thinner fluids until dispensing is desired. 
         [0039]    As shown throughout the figures and described in more detail with respect to various embodiments below, the container comprises a multi-part system including a bottle defining a product reservoir, a dispensing actuator (or squeeze area), and a dispensing tip, such that the dispensing actuator is disposed between the bottle and the dispensing tip, whereby pressure applied to the dispensing actuator, rather than the bottle, forces product out through the dispensing tip. The dispensing tip, dispensing actuator, and bottle can be made of any suitable material and may be fluidly connected to one another via any suitable means. The Figures represent a variety of examples and the descriptions below are meant to be illustrative in nature. Those of skill in the art will appreciate variations in shape, size, configuration, material choice, and other characteristics without deviating from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the container  100  comprises a multi-part system, including a bottle  200  for containing the product, a dispensing actuator  300 , a dispensing tip  400  (here a nozzle), and at least one collar to connect the various pieces. It will be appreciated that the various parts can be formed in any manner and interconnected with one another in a variety of ways. 
         [0041]    A separate cap  700  may also be provided. 
         [0042]    The bottle  200  may be a rigid bottle, made of glass, polypropylene, PET, PETG, PETE, PCTG, SAN, clarified ABS, acrylic (PMMA), or other material suitable for housing the product. The term “rigid,” as used herein, means that the bottle&#39;s sidewalls may not flex under normal hand pressures. The dimensions of the bottle  200  may remain substantially constant regardless of environment or manual manipulations. In some instances small amounts of expansion and contraction due to environmental forces may occur, however, such changes may occur in all materials and are not expected to alter the performance of the bottle  200 . The bottle  200  generally will have at least one sidewall  210  as in the case of a generally cylindrical bottle  200  as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C . The bottle  200  may also have a bottom wall  220 . In some instances, the at least one sidewall  210  may come together to form a closed bottom, without having a bottom wall, per se. The at least one sidewall  210  also defines an opening  230  at the end opposite the closed bottom. 
         [0043]    The opening  230  in the bottle  200  is designed to allow for substantially free-flow of the product contained in the bottle. “Substantially free-flow,” as used herein, means that the product moves from the bottle  200  out of the opening  230  by simple inversion of the bottle  200 . That is, upon completely or partially inverting the bottle  200 , the product contained therein will flow through the opening. It will be appreciated that the viscosity of the product will determine the speed with which such flow is accomplished. In some embodiments, the bottle  200  may have an inner shoulder  250 , as seen in  FIGS. 1A-1C . In other instances, the bottle may be free of projections (e.g. shoulders) to facilitate more free-flow of product, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0044]    At the open end of the bottle  200 , the container is provided with a dispensing actuator  300 . In the case of  FIGS. 1A-1C , the dispensing actuator  300  may be a soft sleeve. As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the soft sleeve is affixed to the open end of the bottle  200  such that product may flow from the bottle  200  to a void defined by the soft sleeve. As used herein, “soft” may indicate that the soft sleeve is compressible under hand, or more particularly finger, pressure. The dispensing actuator  300  is adapted to provide the proper balance of resistance and compressibility to allow for the user to apply pressure to control the amount and/or speed of the product dispensed. 
         [0045]    As shown in the cross-section of  FIG. 1C , the dispensing actuator may be generally cylindrical, defined by a sidewall, which, in turn defines a cavity between. The sidewall defines two opposed open ends. At one end, the dispensing actuator  300  is affixed to the dispensing tip  400 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , the dispensing tip  400  and the dispensing actuator  300  may be coupled to one another via a pair of mated annular flanges  402  and  302 , respectively. An upper collar  404  may also be provided. In addition to being decorative, the upper collar  404  can be used to secure the dispensing actuator  300  to prevent axial movement with respect to the dispensing tip  400 . Other arrangements for securing the pieces may also be employed, including overmolding, snap fit, frictional fit, threading, etc., some of which are shown in the remaining figures and discussed below. In some instances (as shown, for example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1C ), the dispensing actuator  300  may be overmolded with an annular collar  406 . Although the figure depicts a clear demarcation between the dispensing actuator  300  and the annular collar  406 , due to the over molding process, the two are substantially joined by the melting of materials at the interface. The annular collar  406  is generally more rigid than the dispensing actuator  300  to facilitate its connection with the bottle  200 . As depicted, the annular collar  406  is coupled to the bottle  200  via a pair of mated flanges,  408  and  208 , on the annular collar  406  and bottle  200 , respectively. This arrangement permits a snap fit type connection.  FIG. 1C  also shows an optional decorative collar  410  around the annular collar  406 . 
         [0046]    Suitable materials for the dispensing actuator  300  include but are not limited to TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), polyethylene, Surlyn®, rubber, silicone, polypropylene, and the like. As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the soft sleeve is a cylindrical shape defined by a sidewall defining two open ends. One end is affixed to and in fluid communication with the bottle  200 , and the cavity containing product therein. The opposite end is connected to a dispensing tip  400  (e.g., a nozzle). 
         [0047]    The dispensing tip  400  can be any suitable dispensing tip, or possibly a combination of tips, depending upon the desired application. For example, the tip  400  may be a nozzle (as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C ) and may include a brush, bristles, a foam applicator, a doefoot, etc. In  FIGS. 1A-1C , it is contemplated that the nozzle is well-suited for single drop application, or upon exertion of additional pressure on the soft sleeve, a stream of product. As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the nozzle  400  is provided with a dispensing orifice  412 . The dispensing orifice  412  is sized and configured relative to the product to be dispensed. In sizing the orifice  412 , the design must keep in mind the competing goals of keeping product within the nozzle  400  until desired and the need for relative ease of achieving the desired pressure for proper dispensing. 
         [0048]    As mentioned above, the container is adaptable to a wide variety of industries and products within those industries. In the cosmetics industry, the product may range from serum, lipgloss, liquid foundation, cream, liquid eyeliner, liquid blush, nail varnish, liquid concealer, etc. More broadly speaking, the product is any material that is flowable. For example, the product may have a viscosity of about 1 (water) to about 100,000 (sour cream). In some embodiments, the viscosity of the product is about 1 (water) to about 1,000 (motor oil). In some embodiments, the product viscosity is about 50,000 (ketchup) to about 100,000 (sour cream). In some embodiments, the viscosity of the product may be about 1, about 1,000, about 10,000, about 20,000, about 30,000, about 40,000, about 50,000, about 60,000, about 70,000, about 80,000, about 90,000, about 100,000, or any value or range of values between any two of these values. 
         [0049]    The dispensing tip  400 , dispensing actuator  300 , and bottle  200  can be affixed to one another either permanently or removably, and by any suitable means. As shown, one or more of the pieces is provided with mating connectors which are held in place by the upper and lower collars  404 / 406 , which may also provide an aesthetic function. In some embodiments, the bottle  200  is removable from the dispensing actuator  300  and/or tip  400 . In this manner, either the dispensing actuator  300  and/or tip  400  can be replaced without losing contents remaining in the bottle  200 . 
         [0050]    Alternatively, when the container nears empty, the container could be inverted, allowing product to flow from the bottle  200  into the dispensing actuator  300 . The bottle  200  could then be removed, and a refill bottle attached. In this manner, minimal product is lost, and the consumer does not need to squeeze the tube to get the final bit of product from the container. 
         [0051]    In another alternative, the dispensing tip  400  could be removed and replaced in the event of a clog, or if there is a need to use a different type of applicator. The ability to change dispensing tips gives tremendous flexibility to the single bottle of product. 
         [0052]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1C , a cap  700  may also be provided such that it seals the dispensing orifice  412  in the dispensing tip  400 , to prevent accidental leakage or dispensing. 
         [0053]    In use, the bottle  200  may be filled with product and sold to consumers, or in some embodiments, may be fillable by consumers. In use, the user may shake the bottle  200  to redistribute any settling of product that may have occurred (if necessary depending on the product type). The container may then be fully or partially inverted and, depending on factors such as the product viscosity, any remaining amount left in the bottle  200  may flow into the actuator  300 . The user then applies appropriate pressure/compression (e.g. squeezing the actuator) to the dispensing actuator  300 . The combination of the applied pressure and the resistance provided by one or more of the dispensing actuator  300 , the dispensing tip  400  (and orifice  412 ), and/or the product viscosity results in product flowing (e.g., dispensing) from the cavity defined by the dispensing actuator  300  into the dispensing tip  400  and out the dispensing nozzle  412 . The flow (e.g. dispensing) of product can be controlled by the manual pressure applied by the user. 
         [0054]    The remaining figures illustrate various embodiments, particularly with respect to how the various pieces are interconnected. 
         [0055]      FIG. 2  depicts an alternative embodiment, wherein the dispensing actuator  300  may be a silicone sleeve fitted over a neck  260  on the bottle  200  at one end and a neck  460  on the dispensing tip at the other. The sleeve  310  is secured in place at either end by a collar  800 . The flexible sleeve  310  then defines a cavity for housing product for dispensing and a flexible sidewall  312  to allow for movement of product through the dispensing actuator  300  upon exertion of physical pressure upon the flexible sidewall  310 . Annular collar  800  may be used to secure the sleeve  310  to each of the neck  460  and neck  260 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 3-5  depict various embodiments employing snap fit connections as well as overmolding techniques described above in relation to  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  depict an arrangement similar to that of  FIG. 1  for connecting the dispensing tip  400  to the dispensing actuator  300 . In each case, the dispensing tip  400  and the dispensing actuator  300  are coupled to one another via a pair of mated annular flanges  402  and  302 , respectively. An upper collar  404  is also provided. In addition to being decorative, the upper collar  404  can be used to secure the dispensing actuator  300  to prevent axial movement with respect to the dispensing tip  400 .  FIG. 5  depicts a similar arrangement, except that the upper collar  404  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , is integrally formed with the dispensing tip  400 , and forms shoulder  414  which permits the snap fit closure between flanges  402  and  302 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 3-5  also depict variations on the connection between the dispensing actuator  300  and the bottle  200 . As discussed with regard to  FIGS. 1A-1C ,  FIGS. 3-5  depict the dispensing actuator  300 , affixed to a lower collar  306 . The overmolding process makes the dispensing actuator  300  and the lower collar  306  a unitary piece, with intermingling of materials at the interface which will be well known to those in the art. As with the embodiment described in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the lower collar  306  is coupled to the bottle  200  via a pair of mated flanges,  408  and  208 , on the lower collar  306  and bottle  200 , respectively.  FIGS. 1A-1C ,  3 , and  5  each depict an optional decorative collar  410 .  FIG. 4  does not show the decorative collar, rather, lower collar  306  is thicker (e.g., the approximate thickness of the lower collar  306  combined with decorative collar  410 ). 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  depicts another embodiment showing connection of the dispenser actuator  300  to the dispensing tip  400  at one end, and the bottle  200  at the other via a snap fit arrangement employing a series of mated flanges as described in the various embodiments above. In FIG.  6 , an annular collar  600  is provided with mated annular flange or barb  602  to mate with flanges  314  provided on the dispenser actuator  300 , and also with mated annular flange or barb  608 , to mate with flange  208  on the bottle  200 . 
         [0059]    It should be appreciated from the above description that any suitable arrangement or combination of arrangements may be used to secure the various parts of the multi-part system. 
         [0060]      FIG. 7  depicts another embodiment which employs overmolding techniques to join the various parts. In this instance, a lower collar  506  is overmolded with and becomes part of the dispenser actuator section  508 , so as to have a uniform outward appearance. As with other designs, a combination of annular ribs, barbs, or other projections are employed in a mated fashion to hold the various parts together. 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  illustrates another example container  100  including dispensing tip  400  and bottle  200 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , in some instances bottle  200  may include an opening  822 . Opening  822  may be positioned at an end of bottle  200  opposite dispensing tip  400  (e.g., which may be the “bottom” of bottle  200 ). For example, in some instances opening  822  may be defined as an aperture (e.g., absence of a bottom portion) of bottle  200 . In other words, opening  822  may considered an extension of lumen  826  extending within bottle  200 . 
         [0062]    In some instances, bottle  200  may be coupled to an end cap  820 . It is contemplated for purposes of this disclosure that the embodiments disclosed herein may include a bottom opening  822  and corresponding end cap  820 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , end cap  820  may be configured to mate with the end portion  824  of bottle  820 . End cap  820  may be coupled to bottle  200  via a variety of connections. For example, end cap  820  may be coupled to bottle  200  via a snap-fit, threads, friction fit, overmolding, or the like. In some instances, end cap  820  may be releasably (e.g., removably) secured to bottle  200 . For example, end cap  820  may be removed to facilitate the refilling of bottle  200 . After bottle  200  has been refilled, end cap  820  may be reattached to bottle  200 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 9  illustrates another example container  100  including dispensing tip  400  and bottle  200 .  FIG. 9  shows container  100  including tube member  900  coupled to dispensing tip  400 . Tube member  900  may be referred to as a “dip tube” in some examples. As shown in  FIG. 9 , tube member  900  may extend from dispensing tip  400  to end portion  824  of bottle  200 . In some examples, tube member  900  may extend through lumen  826  of bottle  200 . Further, tube member  900  may extend from dispensing tip  400  to a position adjacent end cap  820 . 
         [0064]    Tube member  900  may be configured to draw, pull, convey, channel, transfer and/or move material from the end portion  824  (e.g., adjacent end cap  820 ) to the dispensing tip  400 . For example, in some examples a vacuum pressure may be created within bottle  200  that draws material through tube member  900 . While generally shown as a cylinder (e.g., having a circular cross section) in  FIG. 9 , it is contemplated that tube member  900  may be any shape and/or size. For example, the cross section of tube  900  may be ovular, triangular, square, or the like. Further, while the discussion herein has described tube member  900  as extending through bottle  200  to a position adjacent the bottom of bottle  200 , it is further contemplated that tube  900  may extend from dispensing tip  400  to any location within container  100  and/or bottle  200 . 
         [0065]    Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be construed to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.