Patent Publication Number: US-10781033-B1

Title: Reusable bottle package

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     This invention relates generally to bottles, and more specifically to a reusable bottle package for holding and delivering a cosmetic. 
     Related Art 
     Bottle packages for holding and delivering a cosmetic are well known. Bottle packages that include an inner container and an outer container are well known. Bottle packages that include a snap-fit joint, snap joint, or snap feature, are well known. 
     There are various types of snap features. 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified drawing of a known cantilever snap joint  100  which typically has a round snap bead and a sharp undercut. 
       FIG. 2  is a simplified drawing of a known annular snap joint  200 . 
       FIG. 3  is a simplified drawing of a known U-shaped snap joint  300 . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified drawing of a known cantilever snap joint. 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified drawing of a known annular snap joint. 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified drawing of a known U-shaped snap joint. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a reusable bottle package in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, including an inner base, an inner bottle, an outer base, an outer bottle, and a push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the reusable bottle package. 
         FIG. 6  is another exploded view of the reusable bottle package, including a pliable push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pliable button in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cut-away perspective view of the pliable push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the pliable push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 10  is a cut-away side view of the pliable push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the outer base. 
         FIG. 12  is a cut-away perspective view of the outer base. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the outer base. 
         FIG. 14  is a cut-away side view of the outer base. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective top view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective bottom view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 18  is a cut-away perspective top view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 19  is a cut-away side view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 20  is a cut-away perspective bottom view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 21  is a cut-way side view of the outer bottle, the outer base and the pliable push-to-release button in a static state. 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a cut-way side view of the inner bottle, inner base, outer bottle, the outer base and the pliable push-to-release button in the static state. 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a cut-way side view of the actuator, the outer bottle, the outer base and the pliable push-to-release button in a depressed state. 
         FIG. 26  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a cut-way side view of the actuator, the inner bottle, inner base, outer bottle, the outer base and the pliable push-to-release button in the depressed state. 
         FIG. 28  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 29  is an exploded view of the reusable bottle package in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, including an outer bottle, an outer base, an inner bottle, an inner base, a pump engine, an inner collar, an actuator and a rigid push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the rigid push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of the rigid push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 32  is a cut-away side view of the rigid push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 33  is a cut-away side perspective view of the rigid push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 34  is a cut-away side view of the outer base. 
         FIG. 35  is a side view of the outer base. 
         FIG. 36  is a cut-away perspective view of the outer base. 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective top view of the outer base. 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective top view of an inner base in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a cut-away perspective top view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 40  is a side view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 41  is a cut-away side view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective bottom view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 43  is a cut-away perspective bottom view of the inner base. 
         FIG. 44  is a cut-away side view of the outer bottle, outer base, inner bottle, inner base, pump engine, inner collar, actuator and rigid button in a static state, in accordance with the second embodiment, showing a snap feature engaged. 
         FIG. 45  is an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 44 . 
         FIG. 46  is a cut-away side view of the outer bottle, outer base, inner bottle, inner base, pump engine, inner collar, actuator and rigid button in a depressed state, in accordance with the second embodiment, showing the snap feature disengaged. 
         FIG. 47  is an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 45 . 
         FIG. 48  is an exploded view of a reusable bottle package in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, including a push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 49  is another exploded view of the reusable bottle package in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention, including the push-to-release button. 
         FIG. 50  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the reusable bottle package. 
         FIG. 51  is a cut-away side view of the third embodiment of the reusable bottle package. 
         FIG. 52  is an enlargement of a first region of  FIG. 51 . 
         FIG. 53  is an enlargement of a second region of  FIG. 51 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The reusable bottle package  400  includes a mechanism for securing an inner bottle assembly to an outer bottle assembly and includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism includes a push-to-release button  434 . The reusable bottle package  400  is, in one application, used in the cosmetic industry in order to increase functionality and sustainability of existing products. The reusable bottle package  400  allows an airless container product to be reusable with a removable, recyclable and replaceable inner bottle assembly by securement to the outer bottle assembly via snap feature(s) and by release from the outer bottle assembly via actuation of the push-to-release button  434 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a reusable bottle package  400  in accordance with embodiments of the invention includes an actuator  402 , a threaded inner collar  406 , a pump engine  410 , a gasket  414 , an inner bottle  418 , a piston  422 , an inner base  426 , an outer bottle  430 , a push-to-release button  434  and an outer base  438 . The actuator  402  includes a nozzle (not shown). The inner bottle  418  includes a piston (not shown). The outer base  438  includes stubs for holding the push-to-release button  434 . The outer bottle  430  cooperates with the inner base  426  to form at least one snap feature. The inner bottle  418  is secured to the outer bottle  430  via the at least one snap feature. 
     The outer bottle  430  may include alignment features to ensure the proper assembly of the inner bottle  418 . The inner base  426  includes a circular protrusion that is sized to cooperate with a circular opening in the outer base  438 . The outer bottle  430  includes a plurality of ribs (not shown) that act as centering/alignment guides for the inner bottle  418  to slide into a center of the outer bottle  430 . The push-to-release button (hereinafter “button”)  434  releases an inner assembly from an outer assembly. The inner assembly consists of the inner base  426 , the piston  422 , the inner bottle  418 , the gasket  414 , the pump engine  410  and the inner collar  406 . The outer assembly consists of the outer bottle  430 , the button  434  and the outer base  438 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the reusable bottle package  400 . 
     In a first embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 6-28 , the button is a flexible, or pliable, button. The pliable button  434  comprises one of a thermoplastic elastomer material, a thermoplastic polyurethane material, a silicone material, a thermoplastic rubber material, a thermoplastic urethane material, or another type of thermoset material. Release of the inner bottle  418  from the outer bottle  430  is accomplished by direct force applied to a center of the pliable button  434 , which disengages the at least one snap feature to release the inner bottle assembly from the outer bottle assembly. In the first embodiment, the snap feature is an annular snap joint. 
       FIG. 6  is another exploded view of the reusable bottle package  400 , including a pliable button  434 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the pliable button  434 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the pliable button  434 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cut-away perspective view of the pliable button  434 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cut-away side view of the pliable button  434 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the outer base  438 . 
       FIG. 12  is a cut-away perspective view of the outer base  438 . 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the outer base  438 . 
       FIG. 14  is a cut-away side view of the outer base  438 . 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective top view of the inner base  422 . 
       FIG. 16  is a side view of the inner base  422 . 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective bottom view of the inner base  422 . 
       FIG. 18  is a cut-away perspective top view of the inner base  422 . 
       FIG. 19  is a cut-away side view of the inner base  422 . 
       FIG. 20  is a cut-away perspective bottom view of the inner base  422 . 
       FIG. 21  is a cut-way side view of the outer bottle  430 , the outer base  438  and the pliable button  434  in a static state. 
       FIG. 22  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 21 . 
       FIG. 23  is a cut-way side view of the actuator  402 , the inner bottle  418 , inner base  426 , outer bottle  430 , the outer base  438  and the pliable button  434  in the static state. 
       FIG. 24  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 23  showing details of the piston  422 . 
       FIG. 25  is a cut-way side view of the outer bottle  430 , the outer base  438  and the pliable button  434  in a depressed state. 
       FIG. 26  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 25 . 
       FIG. 27  is a cut-way side view of the actuator  402 , the inner bottle  418 , inner base  422 , outer bottle  430 , the outer base  438  and the pliable button  434  in the depressed state. 
       FIG. 28  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 27 . 
     In a second embodiment of the reusable bottle package  2900 , shown in  FIGS. 29-47 , the button is a rigid button  2934 . The rigid button  2934  comprises any thermoplastic material that that meets physical specifications required for actuating the release mechanism of the inner assembly from the outer assembly. In one embodiment, the rigid button  2934  comprises one of a polypropylene material, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene material, a nylon material, a filled material, a plastic, a moldable polymer, a resin and a glass. 
       FIG. 29  is an exploded view of the reusable bottle package  2900  in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, The reusable bottle package  2900  comprises an actuator  2902 , an inner collar  2906 , a pump engine  2910 , a gasket  2914 , an inner bottle  2918 , an inner base  2926 , a piston  2922 , an outer bottle  2930 , an outer base  2938 , and the rigid button  2934 . 
       FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the rigid button  2934 . 
       FIG. 31  is a side view of the rigid button  2934 . 
       FIG. 32  is a cut-away side view of the rigid button  2934 . 
       FIG. 33  is a cut-away side perspective view of the rigid button  2934 . 
       FIG. 34  is a cut-away side view of the outer base  2938 . 
       FIG. 35  is a side view of the outer base  2938 . 
       FIG. 36  is a cut-away perspective view of the outer base  2938 . 
       FIG. 37  is a perspective top view of the outer base  2938 . 
       FIG. 38  is a perspective top view of the inner base  2926 . 
       FIG. 39  is a cut-away perspective top view of the inner base  2926 . 
       FIG. 40  is a side view of the inner base  2926 . 
       FIG. 41  is a cut-away side view of the inner base  2926 . 
       FIG. 42  is a perspective bottom view of the inner base  2926 . 
       FIG. 43  is a cut-away perspective bottom view of the inner base  2926 . 
       FIG. 44  is a cut-away side view of the outer bottle  2930 , the outer base  2938 , the inner bottle  2918 , the piston  2922 , the inner base  2926 , the pump engine  2910 , the gasket  2914 , the inner collar  2906 , the actuator  2902  and the rigid button  2934  in a static state, in accordance with the second embodiment, and showing the snap feature engaged. 
       FIG. 45  is an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 44 . 
       FIG. 46  is a cut-away side view of the outer bottle  2930 , the outer base  2938 , the inner bottle  2918 , the piston  2922 , the inner base  2926 , the pump engine  2910 , the gasket  2914 , the inner collar  2906 , the actuator  2902  and the rigid button  2934  in a depressed state, in accordance with the second embodiment, and showing the snap feature disengaged. 
       FIG. 47  is an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 45 . 
     The reusable bottle package  100 ,  2900  is secured by snapping together the two halves of the pump which captures the inner collar. In the second embodiment of the reusable bottle package  2900 , the snap feature is a cantilever snap joint. The actuator  2902  has a friction fit to a stem of the pump engine  2910  which also keeps the pump engine  2910  from separating from the actuator  2902  as the inner bottle  2918  is replaced by the consumer. The gasket  2914  is friction fit and has a slightly greater diameter than its minor thread dimension. 
     The pump engine  2910  is removable from the inner bottle  2918  via a threaded neck finish. 
     A consumer depresses the button to eject the entire inner assembly, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Once the entire inner assembly is ejected, the consumer unscrews the depleted inner bottle  2918  from the inner collar  2906  and screws a new inner bottle on the inner collar. The following are some of the steps for replacing an empty inner bottle with a new inner bottle:
         1. Depress the pliable button until all of the at least one snap feature disengage.   2. Remove the entire inner assembly from the outer assembly.   3. Unscrew the inner bottle from the inner collar.   4. The gasket and pump do not fall to the floor because they are secured through other snap features and by a friction fit.   5. Dispose of the inner bottle.   6. Screw a new inner bottle onto the inner collar.   7. Put the entire inner assembly into the outer assembly, and move the entire inner assembly deeper into the outer assembly until all of the at least one the snap feature engage.       

     With the above method, the pump is re-used. The above method is applicable to the first embodiment which includes the pliable button  434  and to the second embodiment that includes the rigid button  2934 . 
     Alternatively, the consumer ejects the entire inner assembly including the pump engine  2910  and depleted inner bottle  2918  and drops in a new inner assembly including a new pump engine and a new full inner bottle. 
     In some embodiments, the reusable bottle package is dip-tube style product. Such a dip-tube style product may dispose a lotion. A reusable bottle package  4800  in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention is shown in shown in  FIGS. 48-53 . The reusable bottle package  4800  includes an over cap  4803 , a pump assembly that includes an actuator and a pump engine  4805 , a pump collar  4807 , an inner bottle  4809 , an outer bottle  4811 , and a push-to-release button (hereinafter “push button”)  4813 . The pump assembly includes an atmospheric pump. The pump collar  4807  cooperates with the outer bottle  4811  to form at least one snap feature. The reusable bottle package  4800  includes features making it reusable due to the removable and replaceable inner bottle  4809  via actuation of the push button  4813 . The inner bottle  4809  is secured to the outer bottle  4811  by at least one snap feature near the top of the reusable bottle package  4800 . The at least one snap feature comprises three snap beads  4820  located around the pump collar  4807 . 
       FIG. 48  is an exploded view of the reusable bottle package  4800 . 
       FIG. 49  is another exploded view of the reusable bottle package  4800 . 
       FIG. 50  is a perspective view of the reusable bottle package  4800 . 
       FIG. 51  is a cut-away side view of the reusable bottle package  4800 . 
       FIG. 52  is an enlargement of a first region of  FIG. 51 , showing details of one of the at least three snap beads. 
       FIG. 53  is an enlargement of a second region of  FIG. 51 . 
     The reusable bottle package  100 ,  2900 ,  4800  is geared towards a product in the cosmetic industry that dispenses a liquid or a liquid-like substance that has increased sustainability, user friendliness and superior functionality when compared to existing products. 
     The increase in sustainability of the reusable bottle package  100 ,  2900 ,  4800  can be attributed to the continuous reusability of the pump engine  410 ,  2910 ,  4805  and outer bottle  430 ,  2930 ,  4811  along with the incorporation of a disposable and replaceable inner bottle  418 ,  2918 ,  4809 . The outer bottle  430 ,  2930 ,  4811 , the outer base  438 ,  2938 , the piston  422 ,  2922 , the inner bottle  418 ,  2918 ,  4811  the inner collar  406 ,  2906 , the inner base  426 ,  2926 , and the actuator  402 ,  2902  of the reusable bottle package  100 ,  2900 ,  4800  is made from polypropylene with the recycle code of “5” which can be made at varying levels of post-consumer recycled polypropylene. A purpose of the reusable bottle package  100 ,  2900 ,  4800  is to increase sustainability of packages in the cosmetic industry. The material of the outer bottle  430 ,  2930 ,  4811  the outer base  438 ,  2938 , the inner bottle  418 ,  2918 ,  4809  the inner collar  406 ,  2906 , the inner base  426 ,  2926 , and the actuator  402 ,  2902  may include less than 1% of a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer improves impact properties of polypropylene. 
     The user friendliness of the reusable bottle package  100 ,  2900 ,  4800  is attributed to the ease of removal of the inner bottle  418 ,  2918 ,  4809  via button actuation by an optimal release force. The amount of release force needed to disengage the snap feature is the range of 1 to 8 inch-pounds. 
     Snap features may vary in number of snap features, shape, size and location on the reusable bottle package  100 ,  2900 ,  4800 . 
     The button  434 ,  2934 ,  4813  may vary in shape, size and location. 
     The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as “at least one” and “one or more” in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an”. The same holds true for the use of definite articles. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. 
     The Detailed Description section, and not the Abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Abstract section may set forth one or more but not all embodiments of the invention, and the Abstract section is not intended to limit the invention or the claims in any way. 
     Although the invention is described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Any benefits, advantages or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims.