Patent Publication Number: US-2023136584-A1

Title: Lock device and system for pump-style bottle dispensers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 63/273,841 filed on Oct. 29, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to bottle attachment devices, and more particularly to a device for securement to a pump-style mechanism for preventing operation of the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
     Many consumer products such as lotions, creams, liquid soap, sanitizers, and the like are provided in bottles having a pump for dispensing the product. One of the most common types of dispensing pump is a saddle head dispensing pump which includes an elongated top end having an opening along one end. In operation, a user will push the head end downward which causes the internal pump to dispense a measured amount of the bottle contents through the opening at the end of the head. 
     Due to the universal adaptation of these and other types of dispensers, it is extremely common for at least one, and often times multiple such products to be taken with a user when traveling. In such situations, the bottle(s) are typically placed in a toiletry bag which is then packed within a suitcase. Although most dispensers have a built-in lock which is twist activated, the movement of the bags during travel often causes the lock to become disabled. 
     As such, it is not uncommon for a user to arrive at their destination to find that the pump mechanism was inadvertently activated during the user&#39;s trip, thus resulting in the bottle contents being dispensed into the bag. 
     Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a lock device for pump-style bottle dispensers so as to overcome the drawbacks noted above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a lock device for pump-style bottle dispensers. One embodiment of the present invention can include first and second body segments each having an inside facing wall with a semi-circular indentation. The first and second body segments can be connected together along one end by a hinge to transition between an open position and a closed position. 
     In the open position, the shaft of a pump mechanism can be positioned between the semi-circular indentations and the device can be closed to encircle the shaft. When so positioned, the top surface is positioned against the bottom surface of the pump head, and the bottom surface of the device is positioned against the pump knob. In this regard, the device prevents vertical movement of the pump head, thereby preventing the pump from inadvertently dispensing contents. 
     In one embodiment, a lip and indentation are formed along the first and second body segments, respectively. The lip and indentation forming a compression fitting when in the closed position for preventing inadvertent separation of the body segments. The first and second segments can also include connectors such as magnetic elements for securing the segments together. 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of holes is positioned along the top surface of the body segments and complementary pegs are positioned along the bottom surface of the body segments. The pegs and holes permit vertical stacking of multiple lock devices to form user-customizable heights for adapting to different sized pump dispensers. 
     This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG.  1    is a top perspective view of a lock device in the open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a bottom perspective view of the lock device in the closed position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a system comprising a plurality of lock devices that are vertically stacked, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the system in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
     Definitions 
     As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape, or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like. 
     As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated. 
     As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like. 
     As described herein, the term “connector” includes any number of different elements that work alone or together to repeatedly join two items together in a nonpermanent manner. Several nonlimiting examples of connectors include, but are not limited to, thread-to-connect, twist-to-connect, and push-to-connect type devices, opposing strips of hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), attractively oriented magnetic elements or magnetic and metallic elements, buckles such as side release buckles, clamps, sockets, clips, carabiners, and compression fittings such as T-handle rubber draw latches, hooks, snaps and buttons, for example. Each illustrated connector and complementary connector can be permanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example. 
     As described herein, the term “hingedly connected” “rotatably secured” and derivatives thereof shall be used interchangeably to describe a situation wherein two identified objects are joined together in a manner that allows one or both of the objects to pivot, move, and/or rotate about or in relation to the other object in one or both of a horizontal, diagonal or vertical manner. Several nonlimiting examples of connectors for pivotally connecting objects together include traditional single hinge mechanisms, ball joint couplers, and/or swivel flanges, for example. 
       FIGS.  1 - 4    illustrate one embodiment of a lock device for a pump-style bottle dispensers  10  that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG.  1   . 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    illustrate one embodiment of the device in an open and closed position, respectively. As shown, each device  10  can include a first body segment  11 , and a second body segment  21  that are joined together by a hinge  25 . 
     In one embodiment, the first body segment  11  can include a top surface  11   a , a bottom surface  11   b , an inside wall  11   c , an outside wall  11   d , a first end  11   e  and a second end  11   f . A semi-circular indentation  12  can be provided along the middle of the inside wall, and a protruding lip  13  can extend outward from the inside wall at a location adjacent to the first end. Likewise, the second body segment  21  can include a top surface  21   a , a bottom surface  21   b , an inside wall  21   c , an outside wall  21   d , a first end  21   e  and a second end  21   f . A semi-circular indentation  22  can be provided along the middle of the inside wall, and an indentation  23  can be provided along the inside wall at a location adjacent to the first end  21   e . The indentation including a shape and size that is complementary to the shape and size of the protruding lip  13 . 
     As described herein, each of the body segments may be formed from materials that are, for example, relatively strong and stiff for their weight. Several nonlimiting examples include but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, titanium, or alloys thereof), plastic/polymers (e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE), rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), and/or various composite materials (e.g., carbon fibers in a polymer matrix, fiberglass, etc.). 
     In the preferred embodiment, body segments  11  and  21  can be essentially mirror images of each other, so as to form a generally square shape when in the closed position. To this end, when in the closed position, the semi-circular indentations  12  and  22  form a complete circle that is positioned in the middle of the device, and the protruding lip  13  is positioned within the indentation  23 . 
     In one embodiment, the lip and indentation are designed to create a compression fitting that maintains the device in the closed position when the lip is inserted into the indentation. In one embodiment, the device can also include a plurality of connectors  24  such as the illustrated magnets, for example, which are positioned along and/or embedded within the inside walls  11   c  and  21   c . The connectors can also function to secure the inside walls together to maintain the device in the closed position. 
     As shown, the hinge  25  can be positioned along the inside walls  11   c  and  21   c  at a location adjacent to second ends  11   f  and  21   f , respectively. As described herein, the hinge can include, comprise or consist of any type of device capable of moving, rotating and/or pivoting the body segments between the open and closed positions. 
     In one embodiment, the device can be manufactured so as to be stackable, thereby forming a system for allowing a user to adjust the overall height of the stacked components. To this end, a plurality of holes  26  can be positioned along the top surfaces  11   a  and  21   a  of the body segments, and a plurality of pegs  27  can extend outward from the bottom surfaces  11   b  and  21   b  of the body segments. 
     As shown best at  FIGS.  3  and  4   , each of the holes  26  and pegs  27  can include complementary shapes, sizes and locations along the respective body segments to permit any number of individual lock devices  10   a - 10   z  to be vertically stacked such that the pins on the upper device are positioned within the holes on the subsequent lower device being stacked. As shown and described, devices  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  . . .  10   z  are each identical to locking device  10  described above. 
     To this end, a system  100  comprising a plurality of individual lock devices advantageously allows a user to stack any number of devices together with the shaft  3  of a pump located between the respective semi-circular indentations to achieve a customizable height (measured from the bottom surface of the lowest stacked device to the top surface of the top stacked device) that extends between the top wall of the pump knob  1 , and the bottom wall of the pump head  2 , so as to create a physical barrier to prevent movement of the head. 
     Although not specifically illustrated, each device  10  can be secured onto the pump mechanism by starting in the open position, such that shaft  3  of pump is located between the semicircular indentations. When so positioned, the body segments can be closed together and stacked as shown at  FIG.  4   . 
     Although described above as utilizing a plurality of individual units with a pump device, other embodiments are contemplated. To this end, each individual device  10  can be manufactured to include any number of different thicknesses (e.g., distance between bottom surfaces  11   b / 21   b  and top surfaces  11   a / 21   a , respectively) so as to allow a single device to be positioned between the top wall of the pump knob  1 , and the bottom wall of the pump head  2 , so as to create the physical barrier to prevent movement of the head. 
     Although described above as including a hinge for allowing the body segments  11  and  21  to transition between an open and closed position, other embodiments are also contemplated. To this end, one embodiment contemplates the use of two identical halves wherein the hinge is replaced with connectors such as the above-described magnets along the connecting inside walls. In such a feature, each body segment can be physically separated and joined together by the connectors to form the assembled device. Moreover, such devices can include the holes and pegs noted above to permit vertical stacking. 
     As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     As described herein, one or more elements of the device  10  can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.