Patent Abstract:
A fluid dispenser comprises a container or fluid reservoir and a coupler. The container is adapted to be suspended from, and rotationally coupled to, a mounting point selected by a consumer. The container has at least one outlet at a first position in an outer surface thereof and further has the coupler located at a second position on the outer surface and attachable by a consumer to the selected mounting point in a repositionable relationship. The fluid dispenser further comprises position stabilization for maintaining the user-determined position of the container when not being acted upon, whereby a consumer controls fluid dispensing from the container by re-orienting the height of the outlet between any non-dispensing position and any dispensing position, without decoupling the container from the mounting point.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application claims the priority date of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/670,459, filed Apr. 11, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a system and apparatus for dispensing flowable products. More particularly, the present invention relates to consumer-suspended, fluid product dispensing containers for dispensing consumer quantities of fluids ranging from liquid to granular solid powder.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Many consumer products such as dishwashing detergent, hand soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, toothpaste, condiments including mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, syrup, honey and viscous food fluids such as jams, jellies, peanut butter, and the like, are packaged in containers that are often recloseable and have a capacity anywhere from an individual portion to 64 fluid ounces or more. The containers are typically made from molded materials (PE, PETE, PP, ABS, polycarbonate, etc.) and generally have a structure which includes a lower end adapted to maintain them in a standing position on a flat surface and an upper end having an outlet for dispensing the fluid. Covers for outlets range in complexity from simple twist-off caps, and lift-up nozzles to compressible pumps and squeezable bottles having integrated pre-measured dose cups. Additionally, some containers are specially shaped for a specific purpose, such as sculpted or narrowed near the middle to improve grip.  
         [0004]     The known methods and structures for dispensing such consumer-directed fluid products commonly rely on a combination of picking up the dispenser container, opening its outlet, positioning it over the dispensing area (food, sponge, hand, etc.), and either inverting and pouring, or by applying pressure directly or via some pump mechanism to the contents in the container to get the fluid through the outlet onto the intended target. One might dispense product into one&#39;s cupped hand either at the work area or at a distance from where it will be used (assuming one has two hands available) and then bringing the dispensed product to its intended destination, for example, in or over a countertop, table surface, sink or tub. The operation differs little if the container is equipped with a pump. In any case, most known dispensing containers must be opened, positioned, manipulated and restored to their former position and condition, or by applying pressure to a pump.  
         [0005]     Many instances of dispensing operations require two free hands for any combination or permutation of the following operations to be performed either sequentially or contemporaneously: to manipulate an outlet to a dispensing position, to hold the dispenser in place while a pump is actuated, to invert rotate or otherwise change the resting position of the entire container in order to move viscous fluids to the dispensing outlet, to restore the container to a non-dispensing position or state. Frequently, fluids are dispensed directly into a user&#39;s hand, while the other hand is occupied with the manipulating the container.  
         [0006]     With respect to cost, providing a dispensing fluid container with a pump- or siphon-action fluid outlet is relatively significantly more expensive than providing a fluid container with a gravity-dependent fluid outlet. Moreover, a pump can suffer from mechanical failure and be inefficient in that most are unable to extract some significant portion of fluid from a nearly-emptied container, especially if the fluid is very viscous.  
         [0007]     When viscous fluids such as gels, jams, hair conditioner, mayonnaise, honey, mustard, glues and the like are sold or kept in pouring-type dispensers having a flat bottom resting area and a recloseable dispensing fluid outlet at or near the opposing top end, the time it takes to perform each successive dispensing operation increases as the distance between the surface level of the fluid and the outlet increases. Furthermore, waste of product is practically inevitable as the contents are gradually used since some product often clings to the bottom lower sides of the container interior. Related to this, between dispensing operations, gravity causes viscous fluid to accumulate at the lowest point of the fluid container, i.e. usually the end farthest away from the dispensing opening. In an effort to reduce time to pour and to reduce waste, strategies must be employed to keep the bulk of the remaining viscous fluid accumulating closer to the dispensing opening. For example, toothpaste tubes and bottles, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, ointments and a wide variety of flowable personal hygiene, cosmetics and cleaning products are supplied in dispensing bottles or tubes with flat covers over the dispensing openings so they may be stored standing on their head, so to speak, between uses. Unfortunately, that requires that the tube be rested on a flat surface, usually a kitchen, sink or bath countertop, tabletop or ledge, thus adding to clutter, increasing potential for spills and residual drips, soiling and using some of the most valuable and heavily used real estate in any home or work environment. Some containers are made squeezable to allow consumers to squeeze the product up and out, but as anyone who has ever squeezed a tube of toothpaste knows, the squeezing operation can become a chore. In the alternative, product is wasted by those not desirous of employing economizing strategies.  
         [0008]     Work surface areas, including tabletops and countertops in most environments, domestic or commercial, are often at a premium. For example, counter-top space in the vicinity of water outlets, e.g. sink faucets, bath and shower outlets, in even the largest household kitchens and bathrooms is usually precious and domestic engineers agree that reduction of kitchen and bathroom counter clutter, and increasing counter availability, is important for achieving and maintaining efficiency and tranquility. The same is true for many culinary, commercial and industrial settings.  
         [0009]     In situations where a fluid dispenser will get heavy use, such as in a public restroom or dining hall, the risk of passing infection increases where other people must handle the container at its dispensing point and along its outer side surfaces of the dispenser sufficiently firmly to maintain a grip and invert the dispenser. A dispenser that requires less contact to dispense its contacts is more hygienic.  
         [0010]     References show mechanisms for hanging fluid dispensers in inverted positions from housings which are fixed to the wall. These are typically fitted with push-up valves. Unfortunately, such devices often have flow-rate control and leakage issues, resulting almost inevitably in spillage on the counter or articles below the dispenser. Additionally, users will often soil the area around a sink by dripping product or water onto the counter in the process of moving their hands from the spout end of the faucet to the dispenser and back to a position over the sink.  
         [0011]     With reference to food service establishments, many provide condiments such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, salad dressing, and the like from pump-equipped containers. Frequently the containers can&#39;t be pumped dry as they can&#39;t get the last bit at the bottom. Furthermore, pumps are often difficult to control and users often spill condiment on the countertop instead of on the food, adding to maintenance.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,594 discloses a device which comprises a soap dispenser that is attached to the end of a faucet and further comprises a valve mechanism. Unfortunately, most sinks have only one or two faucet ends, substantially limiting the potential locations and space-saving potential for the device. Additionally, placing anything at the end of the faucet affects the usage of both faucet and sink, as well as increasing likelihood of accidental discharge of soap into water used for food preparation.  
         [0013]     Similarly, PCT Publication No. WO 00/41608, of International Application PCT/AU00/00015 discloses a device for positioning solid soap in the water stream by suspending the device from the end of the water-dispensing faucet.  
         [0014]     The combination liquid soap dispenser and protective cover for water fixtures disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,577 similarly positions a device having a soap container directly in contact with a faucet end, therefore negatively affecting normal sink usage, access to which should be as unimpeded as possible at all times.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     Exemplary embodiments of fluid dispensers for end users useful in the system of the present invention [a] make use of often-underutilized space; [b] conserve product; [c] conserve work environment space and normalcy of operation while still permitting easy use of the fixture; [d] permit pre-positioning of the dispenser directly over its intended use environment, such as the sink/tub drain, so that should normal and excess product dispensing or spillage occur, clean-up effort and time are reduced, [e] may be easily adapted to suit attachment to a wide variety of fixtures; [f] dispense viscous fluids easily, quickly and with greater efficiency, without interfering with the normal operation of the fixture where attached and its environment; and [h] permit truly one-handed operation so simple that even a toddler can use it, among other advantages.  
         [0016]     Fluid dispenser apparatus of the exemplary embodiments also provide exceptional advertising value, by improving conspicuity of the container brand, being in daily view whether or not in use, and even adding visible surface area for advertising/marketing.  
         [0017]     Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for storing and dispensing powders and viscous fluid products used by consumers in closest proximity to their area of actual use, with minimal impact on the normal use of the space, thereby reducing time, clutter, spillage, clean up, and reducing the risk of non-food chemicals accidentally dripping onto the sink, tub, food-preparation area, table surface or even food itself.  
         [0018]     Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention overcome the difficulty of finding an attachment system which is able to engage a large number of the great variety of fixtures with respect to being able to adapt to their sometimes complex and varied cross-sectional conformation, size and space restrictions presented by the area in consideration.  
         [0019]     Moreover exemplary embodiments of the present invention permit the marketing and use of fluid containers that are disposable/replaceable. Additionally, the fluid containers of some exemplary embodiments, by being relieved of the constraints of having to have a flat resting surface substantially opposite the dispensing end, allow for a vast new variety of design options with distinctive and attractive shapes and other physical characteristics as well as production methods which are not now possible in the case of known containers constructed to stand independently upright on a counter top.  
         [0020]     These and other advantages and characteristics are achieved by providing a coupler that is attached or attachable to a fluid dispensing container and is also attachable to the external surface of a fixture. Either the fluid container is rotatable with respect to the coupler, the coupler is rotatable relative to the fixture, or both. By rotatable, it is meant that the height of the outlet of the fluid dispensing container relative to the fluid of the level within can be changed in small user-determined incremental movements, in at least one plane that has a vertical component. Attachment between the coupler and fluid dispensing container can be accomplished in any of a number of different ways. As an example, a coupler may be able to be incrementally rotated by hand around the longitudinal axis of fixtures having a wide range of shapes and sizes, of the kind that be attached or found adjacent to and/or overhanging a work surface, such as a countertop or tabletop, sink fixture such as a faucet or an adjacent sprayhead, suspended rod, tension rod, column, or countertop dishwashing machine vent, as examples.  
         [0021]     A rotating coupler can comprise a mechanism as mechanically simple as an elastic arranged in a harness-type arrangement on a fluid container, which is attached to a fixture, preferably suspended above or protruding out over the desired zone of use, in such a way and in such a position as to allow orientation of the fluent level with respect to the outlet as desired. Preferably, the fluid container can be rotated in a controllable, incremental manner in at least one plane having a vertical component such that the rotation elevates or lowers the fluid outlet with respect to the level of the fluid contained therein. By controllable manner, it is meant that a user can selectively and deliberately choose the vertical position the fluid dispensing outlet relative to the surface of the fluid in the container. By simply rotating the coupler or the container, or both, a user can easily control liquid flow-rate and fluid level in the container relative to the fluid outlet, i.e., such that, between dispensing operations, the fluid accumulates in the area of or directly adjacent to the fluid outlet or accumulates well away from the dispensing opening to prevent accidental discharge, or anywhere in between. This is especially advantageous when dispensing viscous fluids or controllably dispensing fluid, even with one hand unavailable.  
         [0022]     Furthermore, a user should preferably be able to choose the position of the rotating coupler along substantially the entire length of an elongated horizontal and vertical fixture and be accommodative of a broad range of widths, and cross-sectional conformations with which fixtures such as those commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms are found. Other exemplary embodiments may be suitable for attachment at an edge or on a vertical or horizontal surface.  
         [0023]     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention facilitate one-handed operation by even the youngest user with little or no training, and eliminate the need for picking up a potentially large, but slippery surfaced bottle.  
         [0024]     Exemplary embodiments of the invention include those comprising a fluid container or reservoir and a coupler adapted for rotatably coupling the fluid reservoir container to an exterior surface, an edge, or a fixture having at least some longitudinal aspect such as a closet rod, a column, a sink faucet, bath fixture, towel bar, or sprayhead.  
         [0025]     Additional exemplary embodiments of the invention include those comprising a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to an exterior surface of a sink faucet or bath fixture, wherein the coupler comprises an axle for rotation in a plane having some vertical component of the dispensing container relative to the sink faucet or bath fixture.  
         [0026]     Yet other exemplary embodiments of the invention comprise a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to a suspended rod, a vertical shaft or column, an edge or an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface might be that of a sink faucet, bath fixture, or a neck affixed to a surface at or adjacent to a target site, intended environment of use.  
         [0027]     And still other exemplary embodiments of the invention comprise a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to an exterior surface of a fixture, wherein the dispensing container holds and dispenses a fluid, which may be a liquid, particulate, gel, foam, paste, or any other flowing material normally dispensed from a bottle.  
         [0028]     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to an exterior surface of a neck, sink faucet shaft, vegetable spray head base or bath fixture, wherein the coupler is rotatable in a plane around the faucet, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck.  
         [0029]     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the rotatable dispensing container to or around an exterior surface fixture having a longitudinal portion, wherein the direction of rotation of the dispensing container is in a plane having a vertical component and preferably parallel to the longitudinal portion of the faucet.  
         [0030]     A further exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to or around an exterior surface of a fixture, wherein the coupler is selected from the group comprising a clamp, a cuff, a bracelet, an elastic band, a strap, or hook and loop strap.  
         [0031]     Still a further exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a dispensing container and coupler for coupling the dispensing container to an exterior surface of a sink faucet or bath fixture, wherein the coupler comprises an adapter, the adapter comprises a cooperative lockable mechanism further comprising cooperative locking components attached to or integrally formed on the container and the adapter.  
         [0032]     In yet a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the container and adapter are each provided with one of a pair of interlocking members.  
         [0033]     In still a further exemplary embodiment, one interlocking member has a male configuration and the other has an interlocking female configuration. The male interlocking member and female configuration interlocking member have complementary shapes and sizes designed to permit manual incremental rotation of one relative to the other, thereby translating rotational motion to the dispensing container relative to the fixture. The male interlocking member may be attached to or integrally formed on the dispensing container and the female interlocking member.  
         [0034]     An exemplary embodiment of a dispensing container and coupler according to the present invention has a coupler that comprises a faucet adapter, attached to the faucet adapter is at least one male protuberance, and the container has a female receptacle; the male protuberance and female receptacle are complementarily shaped and sized relative to one another to permit the male protuberance to be securely, yet removeably, received and retained into female receptacle.  
         [0035]     In many exemplary embodiments, the dispensing container or containers can be rotated relative to the coupler.  
         [0036]     Many of the exemplary embodiments include a dispensing container which is capped with a recloseable cap. Exemplary embodiments of the dispenser container of the present invention could have collapsible flexible walls. Some exemplary embodiments of the dispenser container may have all rigid walls.  
         [0037]     Other exemplary embodiments will have at least one shape-maintaining wall and at least one collapsible wall.  
         [0038]     A dispensing container of the present invention could have at least one surface adaptation for securely being attached to a sink fixture with an elastic coupler. The dispensing container can have grooves formed at or near each end for securely receiving an elastic coupler for attachment to a sink fixture.  
         [0039]     One exemplary embodiment of a dispensing container has at least one groove formed on an outer surface thereof, the groove having a shape and being positioned to cooperate with the outer surface of a fixture to stabilize the position of the dispensing container against the fixture outer surface.  
         [0040]     An exemplary embodiment of a coupler for rotatably attaching at least one fluid dispensing container to an external surface of a sink fixture has surfaces to provide resistance to rotational force to increase the force required to move the dispensing container and thereby reduce accidental dislocation of the dispensing container from a desired position relative to the sink or bath fixture.  
         [0041]     The coupler could comprise a hook and loop (Velcro®) strap, a spring-loaded band, a notched rubber strap or a cradle.  
         [0042]     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the fixture adapter portion of the coupler could have one or more surfaces contoured to reduce unintentional movement with respect to the fixture.  
         [0043]     As an example, the dispensing container can have guide grooves which can help container be seated against faucet in various positions.  
         [0044]     The exemplary embodiments of fluid containers of the present invention could dispense at least one fluid selected from the group consisting of liquid toiletry, dishwashing detergent, flowable cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, hair conditioner, body wash, skin creams, moisturizers, soap bubbles, bath salts and crystals, bubble bath, shaving cream/lotion, toothpaste, hair gels, hair mousse, pastes, adhesives, sealants, caulks and anything flowable that is used near/in conjunction with a kitchen, dining room, kitchen sink, bathroom/washroom sink, bathing facility, workshop or classroom.  
         [0045]     Additional exemplary embodiments of fluid containers taught by the present invention could quickly and cleanly dispense viscous fluid comestibles, such as ketchup, mustard, honey, maple syrup, chocolate topping and other condiments.  
         [0046]     Even powder fluids, such as laundry detergent powder, sugar, salt, spices, could easily be dispensed from containers embodying the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0047]      FIGS. 1-3  are perspective views of a translucent, mostly-filled dispensing device constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the teachings of the disclosure and in pre-dispensing, dispensing and post-dispensing positions, respectively;  
         [0048]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   a  are perspective views of exemplary embodiments of anchoring straps for use with exemplary embodiments of couplers such as those shown in  FIGS. 5   a - d  and  FIGS. 7   a - g , respectively;  
         [0049]      FIG. 5   a  is a partial cross-section view of a container&#39;s attachment to a coupler to form a fluid dispenser having a rotational axis in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0050]      FIG. 5   b  is an exploded partial cross-section view of the container and coupler shown in  FIG. 5   a;    
         [0051]      FIG. 5   c  is a partial detailed cross-section view showing attachment of a container-coupler combination, i.e. fluid dispenser, using a strap of the kind shown in  FIGS. 4   a - e , to a fixture in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0052]      FIG. 5   d  is a front elevation view of an exemplary female embodiment of a coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure and shown in  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   c;    
         [0053]      FIG. 6   a  is an exploded front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluid dispenser constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0054]      FIG. 6   b  is a front elevation view of the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 6   a  with the fluid dispenser having a separately formed male coupler attachment member attached in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0055]      FIG. 6   c  is a left side elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of the fluid container with attached male coupler attachment member shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b;    
         [0056]      FIG. 7   a  is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure taken from below;  
         [0057]      FIG. 7   b  is a rear perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in  FIG. 7   a , taken from above the left side;  
         [0058]      FIG. 7   c  is a top plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in  FIG. 7   a;    
         [0059]      FIG. 7   d  is a rear elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in  FIG. 7   a;    
         [0060]      FIG. 7   e  is a left side inverted elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in  FIG. 7   a;    
         [0061]      FIG. 7   f  is a detailed perspective view of a gripping portion of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in  FIG. 7   a;    
         [0062]      FIG. 7   g  is a detailed cross-section view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupler in  FIG. 7   a , installed against and anchored to a longitudinal fixture with the strap in  FIG. 4   b;    
         [0063]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a fluid container having an integrally and internally formed female coupler attachment housing and a complementary male coupler in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0064]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a fluid container constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0065]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluid container as shown in  FIG. 9  taken along line X-X and looking in the direction of the arrows, and a male coupler installed on a fixture in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0066]      FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluid container;  
         [0067]      FIGS. 12   a - b  are front and rear perspective views of an exemplary female embodiment of a coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure, open and unlatched, respectively;  
         [0068]      FIG. 12   c  is a perspective view, taken from below, of the female coupler shown in  FIGS. 12   a - b , closed and latched and constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0069]      FIG. 12   d  is a bottom plan view of the closed female coupler shown in  FIGS. 12   a - c;    
         [0070]      FIG. 12   e  is a top plan view of the female coupler shown in  FIGS. 12   a - d;    
         [0071]      FIG. 12   f  is a side elevation view of the female coupler shown in  FIGS. 1   a - e;    
         [0072]      FIG. 13   a  is an inverted top perspective view from above and behind an exemplary embodiment of a female coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0073]      FIG. 13   b  is a top plan view of the female coupler shown in  FIG. 13   a;    
         [0074]      FIG. 13   c  is a rear elevation view of the inverted female coupler shown in  FIGS. 13   a  and  b;    
         [0075]      FIG. 13   d  is a side elevation view of the female coupler shown in  FIGS. 13   a - c;    
         [0076]      FIG. 14   a  is a front elevation view of one exemplary embodiment of a female coupler for attaching a fluid container to a fixture according to teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0077]      FIG. 14   b  is a top plan view of the coupler shown in  FIG. 14   a;    
         [0078]      FIG. 14   c  is a front side elevation view of a variant of the exemplary embodiment of the female coupler shown in  FIGS. 14   a  and  b , constructed according to teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0079]      FIG. 15   a  is a cross-section view, of an exemplary embodiment of a male coupler, in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0080]      FIGS. 15   b - 15   f  are top plan views, in partial cross-section, of exemplary embodiments of couplers, in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0081]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view, in partial cross-section, of an exemplary female embodiment of coupler, in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0082]      FIG. 17  is a front elevation view of an alternate construction of a female coupler in accordance with teachings of disclosure;  
         [0083]      FIG. 18  is a front elevation view of a variant construction of a female coupler in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0084]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a coupler adapted for extending the fluid dispenser a desired distance from a fixture;  
         [0085]      FIGS. 20   a - c  are cross-sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of a partly fluid-filled dispenser and integrally formed coupler constructed and installed on a fixture, rotated to various positions, in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0086]      FIG. 21  is an exploded view of an exemplary female embodiment of a dual container coupler adapted for attachment to a vegetable sprayer fixture in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0087]      FIG. 22  is an exploded view of an exemplary female embodiment of a dual container coupler adapted for attachment to a vegetable sprayer fixture in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0088]      FIG. 23  is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a columnar female coupler mounted to a fixture comprising the upper rim of a sink;  
         [0089]      FIG. 24  is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a translucent male fluid dispensing container with female coupler mounted on a fixture comprising a countertop;  
         [0090]      FIG. 24   a  is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a translucent male fluid dispensing container with female coupler mounted on a fixture comprising a countertop;  
         [0091]      FIG. 25   a  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an elastic coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0092]      FIG. 25   b  is a side elevation view of the elastic coupler in  FIG. 25   a  connected to a fluid container in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0093]      FIG. 25   c  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an elastic coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0094]      FIG. 25   d  is a perspective view from above and in front of the elastic coupler in  FIG. 25   c  connected to a fluid container in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0095]      FIG. 26   a  is a front elevation view of a fluid dispenser constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0096]      FIG. 26   b  is a rear elevation view of the fluid dispenser in  FIG. 26   a;    
         [0097]      FIG. 26   c  is a front elevation view of the fluid dispenser in  FIGS. 26   a  and  26   b  coupled to a fixture in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0098]      FIG. 26   d  is a front elevation view of the fluid dispenser in  FIGS. 26   a - c  coupled to a fixture in shown rotated in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0099]      FIG. 26   e  is a side elevation view of the fluid dispenser in  FIGS. 26   a - d  coupled to a fixture in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0100]      FIG. 27   a  is a front elevation view of a fluid dispenser constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0101]      FIG. 27   b  is a cross-section view of the fluid dispenser in  FIG. 27   a  taken at line XXXI-XXXI and looking in the direction of the arrows;  
         [0102]      FIG. 28   a  is a top plan view of a pair of fluid containers coupled to a longitudinal fixture by a single coupler constructed in accordance with teachings of the disclosure;  
         [0103]      FIG. 28   b  is an exploded partial longitudinal cross-section view, taken from below, of the pair of containers and coupler shown in  FIG. 28   a ; and  
         [0104]      FIG. 28   c  is a partial sagittal cross-section taken from the front elevation of the pair of containers and coupler shown in  FIGS. 28   a - b.    
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0105]     The present invention comprises novel apparatus for fluid dispensers targeted at consumers or end users, and a novel system and method of merchandising that is enabled by the novel apparatus. The apparatus comprises mechanisms and methods for allowing a consumer to suspend one or more fluid dispensers in a strategic location in the vicinity where the fluid will actually be used. The suspension mechanism must be simple to make and use yet highly adaptable to enable to accommodate the range of potential fixtures from which consumers may wish to suspend the dispensers. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments comprise apparatus for adapting a fluid reservoir or container, often provided in advance with an outlet, to be attached to a fixture via a coupler. The structural relationship between either the coupler and fixture, or the coupler and coupled fluid container, is such that a user can manually, controllably and incrementally rotate the fluid container such that its outlet travels in a path having a vertical component. The outlet is thereby movable by each user between a storage position, i.e. where the fluid surface is below or at the bottom of the outlet, and a dispensing position, where the fluid surface level is above the bottom of the outlet, and vice versa.  
         [0106]     Preferably, the more the user is able to control the position of the outlet via rotation, the better. Thus, there is a corresponding need for the coupling to be securely attached to the fixture; enough to resist the torque applied by a user in repositioning the outlet. A balance needs to be struck between the mechanisms that facilitate rotation and position maintenance of the container relative to the coupler and of the coupler relative to the fixture. A satisfactory balance produces a container and coupler which in use are stable relative to the fixture and yet sufficiently sensitive to permit fine, or even infinite, degrees of adjustment of the container relative to the fixture by a user repositioning the dispenser between a dispensing and nondispensing storage position, usually by rotation.  
         [0107]     In typical use, it is contemplated that after dispensing, the user relocates the outlet, stopping rotation with the top surface of the remaining fluid just below the outlet, sufficiently to prevent dripping, yet closely enough so that when the next user has to dispense the fluid, the fluid will already be accumulated in the area immediately adjacent to or just below the outlet, by the force of gravity alone, and readily available for dispensing. Subsequent dispensing operations thus require less time and relatively little effort to get the fluid level to rise above the outlet level and pour out, a mere couple of degrees of rotation. A simple and minimal upward twist of the container stops the fluid from dripping and readies the dispenser for the next user.  
         [0108]     The containers of the exemplary embodiments described hereinbelow are preferably made from molded or cast materials commonly used in packaging fluids for resale. Useful materials include thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl, PETE, etc. as well as traditional materials such as glass, ceramic and light metals. While the invention is scalable over a wide range and containers can have a fluid storage capacity of from fractions of a fluid ounce to several gallons, most consumer applications will only require fluid storage containers having capacity of from ¼ fluid ounce to about 128 ounces. Variable factors such as size, weight, shape, volume, materials, etc. are somewhat interdependent and the degree of variation is well within the skill of the ordinary person in the art of packaging design. The combination of the factors and two relevant resultant torsional values (force to twist container and attachment force for coupler to resist twisting around fixture), will help determine how the artisan will design the overall apparatus, given the particular product&#39;s anticipated uses and target environment. For instance, gently squeezing the sides of a container which is somewhat flexible, could assist a user in the dispensing operation. If the container is expected to be fairly heavy, then the thickness of the walls will be of some importance with respect to preventing undesired shape distortion. A floppy container may be undesirable or aesthetically displeasing.  
         [0109]     The system is particularly well-suited for dispensing particulate fluids and viscous fluids, such as liquid soap, toothpaste, detergents, syrups, honey, condiments, cleaning powders, laundry powders, gels, sealants, adhesives, pastes and the like.  
         [0110]     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention further comprise a product and system adapted for attachment to a variety of fixtures. Examples of fixtures with which the fluid dispensers are adapted to be used include: kitchen and bath plumbing fixtures including faucets, spigots, taps, spray heads, shelving and cabinetry; as well as work surfaces, countertop, tabletop and wash basin rim surfaces via couplers that are specifically designed for receiving the fluid containers of the present invention, and permitting the manual rotation thereof, while resisting dislocation of the coupler after installation and during and between dispensing operations.  
         [0111]     Since the attachment site fixture can take so many shapes and sizes, to give the consumer the greatest degree of freedom, it is important to use attachment mechanisms which are easily and suitably (i.e. tightly attached or rotatable under appropriate manual force) adaptable to fit many, if not most, of the fixtures most closely associated with and proximate to the environment where the fluid would be likely dispensed. Generally the categories of fixtures can be summed by those that have some longitudinal dimension and cross-section around which a coupler can be attached, those with angled edges and those presenting flat surfaces. For example, fixtures (found in and around washing installations, e.g. a kitchen sink, a laundry room sink, a washroom sink, a bathtub, etc. as well as surrounding or adjacent work surfaces such as countertops, islands, tabletops) including faucets, spray nozzle housings, and spigots can be roughly cylindrical, rectangular, elliptical, etc., but nearly all have some portion that is somewhat elongated, though their sizes, terminal conformations and cross-sections can vary greatly. Therefore products like toothpastes, soaps, conditioners, toiletries, etc. would be suitably packaged and marketed in containers adapted for coupling to plumbing fixtures or countertops. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are thus generally adaptable for one or more of fixtures having some longitudinal conformation, an edge such as of a shelf or window sill, or a flat surface, i.e., planar or not planar.  
         [0112]     In the following exemplary embodiments, like parts in different embodiments will be designated by like reference numerals increased in increments of hundreds.  
         [0113]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of fluid dispenser  12  is rotatably coupled via coupler  22  (shown and described hereinbelow) to fixture  10 , which in this instance comprises a sink faucet spout. Fluid dispenser  12  comprises a container  14  having an outlet  16 . Container  14 , shown here as translucent for clarity of discussion, is made from any material or materials normally used for the purpose, and preferably light molded materials such as thermoplastics like PET, PVC, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, glass, ceramic, etc. Additionally, flexible pouches, for example of the disposable type, may be adapted for use in the invention as long as provision, for example an exoskeletal frame, is made for providing some rigidity to at least one wall of the pouch, preferably the wall to which a pivot button or female housing is or would be attached or formed. The outlet for a pouch or puncturable container can be created by the consumer.  
         [0114]     The present invention provides bottle designers with new degrees of freedom in designing a fluid container which can be shaped without regard to adaptations for maintaining it in a standing position when placed on a surface, for example a flattened area, legs, and dimples. Thus container  14  is shown in  FIGS. 5   a - c  as having a substantially elliptical periphery in profile, everywhere but the outlet  16 , with little or no regard to their ability to stand on a horizontal surface.  
         [0115]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , translucent container  14  contains translucent fluid  18  and has an outlet  16  on its periphery. Outlet  16  will often have an outlet cover  17 , such as a twist off or threaded on cap, a lift-up hinged flap lid, pop/pull up extending nozzle, and the like. Due to the unique character of the fluid dispenser  12 , outlet cover  17  can be replaceable, recloseable, disposable or not present at all. Due to the stable nature of the containers of the present invention, many products may be packaged and marketed in fluid containers that do not have caps at all, for example where the outlet is purchased sealed and is subsequently unsealed, punctured or cut open by the consumer. Coupler  22 , visible through fluid  18  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , has a receptacle chamber  29  which is provided on an outer surface with pivot slot  30  shaped somewhat like an inverted skeleton-key hole for receiving the pivot button  20  of container  14 .  
         [0116]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3  in sequence, one notes that container  14  is rotated, changing the height of outlet  16  from a non-dispensing position at about ten degrees from vertical to a dispensing position at roughly 250 degrees rotation (as measured clockwise, though rotation may be counterclockwise or fully bidirectional). A non-dispensing position is one where outlet  16  is above the surface of fluid  18  and a dispensing position is one where outlet  16  is below the fluid surface.  FIG. 2  shows fluid  18 , with surface level now above outlet  16 , beginning to drain due to the repositioning through open outlet  16  out of container  14  under the force of gravity alone or possibly assisted with a manual squeeze. It should be noted that full 360 degree rotation is not necessarily required. Container configurations are contemplated which may require as little as a 60 degree to 90 degree arc of rotation to move the outlet from non-dispensing when substantially full to dispensing substantially completely. For instance, a square container having the outlet at one corner merely needs a total rotation range of 90 degrees to cover at least one of each possible dispensing/non-dispensing elevation. A triangular container can be rotated through a complete range of needed elevations in as little as 120 degrees. An elliptical container could be nearly completely drained with as little declination of outlet  16  as 40 degrees below horizontal.  
         [0117]     It should be kept in mind that each dispensing operation (as well as refilling) changes the fluid level and hence the dynamics of the dispenser. For example, the center of gravity shifts ever lower, as does the point between dispensing and non-dispensing positions. In prior art pouring dispensers, the outlet position does not adjust to fluid level change as the fluid level drops. Therefore, those known containers must be manipulated more and longer in subsequent dispensing operations to allow for viscous fluids to “catch up” to the changed outlet elevation. The present invention permits easy priming of the  
         [0118]     With reference to  FIG. 2 , if left in a dispensing position, gravity causes fluid  18  to drain from container  14  as long as the fluid surface is above the edge of the opening of outlet  16  and then stops on its own once as in  FIG. 3  when the fluid surface level is below the opening  16 . In actual use, this feature helps to prevent complete loss of contents caused by, for example, a child forgetting to reposition or recap the container  14 . Furthermore, since the difference between the dispensing position and non-dispensing position can be finely controlled, a user can position the container between dispensing operations such that viscous contents can accumulate directly adjacent to but slightly below the outlet, ready for immediate dispensing upon demand by the next user. Incidentally, where a container is provided with a resealable cap, a user can choose to simply cap the container, rather than reposition it upwards, allowing fluid to accumulate right at the outlet, primed for the next use.  
         [0119]     Referring to  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   c - 4   a  and  5   a - 5   d , coupler  22  is positioned with its rear gripping surface  27  against the fixture  10 . At its upper ends, coupler  22  has strap-retaining members  28 , for example, hooks, pegs or barb slits and is maintained in place by slipping one perforation  61  of elastic strap  25  over one strap-retaining member  28 , stretching strap  25  tautly around fixture  10  and slipping another distal perforation  62 , chosen to retain the tautness, over the other strap-retaining member  28 . Container  14  is attached to fixture  10  by coupler  22  which is shown having on its front side a skeleton-keyhole shaped pivot slot  30  in the outer wall of a receiving chamber  29 . Container  14  and coupler  22  are rotatably joined by a pivot button  20  comprising a flange  26  -topped neck (or shaft)  19  extending axially from container&#39;s  14  rear wall  21  roughly perpendicular to outlet  16 . Flange  26 -topped neck  19  and face  44  are complementary in shape and dimension to pivot slot  30  and inner and outer surfaces of receiving chamber  29 . Tight tolerances between the interfacing surfaces of pivot button  20  and receiving chamber  29  permit flange  19  to be slid somewhat forcibly down into pivot slot  30  past retaining constriction  31  and or restraining beads  32  until seated in the closed circular bottom well  33  of pivot slot  30 . In another exemplary embodiment (seen for example in  FIGS. 6   a - 6   c ), flange  226  may be frusto-conical and pushed through an appropriately smaller sized hole provided in the outer wall of receiving chamber. Finally, referring to  FIGS. 27   a - b  and  28   a - c , it can be seen that the length of slot  230  may be quite extensive, and that a plug  397  may be inserted to prevent pivot button  20  from sliding out towards the slot&#39;s open end when container  10  is inverted. Both structure types result in a secure pivoting relationship established between the container and the coupler at one or more surface interfaces, for example between button neck  19  and the bottom round portion of pivot slot  30 , among others.  
         [0120]     In order to ensure that container  14  is manually and incrementally rotatable while installed in coupler  22 , at least some portion of the interfacing surfaces between container  14  and coupler  22  should be designed to have sufficient friction between contacting surface areas to be able to withstand the torsional forces exerted by a gravity on a partially filled container. Torsional forces that must be counteracted will vary depending on several factors including the position on rear wall  21  of pivot button  20  and the density of the fluid contents. Although pivot button  20  is shown centered on rear wall  21 , to reduce the friction required to keep container  14  from moving on its own, positioning it off-center may have advantages in certain applications, depending on how the shifting center of gravity of the fluid in the container affects the frictional force required to keep coupler  22  from twisting about fixture  10 . As described above, preferred balance of friction is achieved for a container having any given size and shape when the outlet  16  of the fluid container  18  can easily be vertically displaced about the axis formed by the pivot button of the container in the coupler  22  by an adult&#39;s and/or child&#39;s manual rotation, yet remains where positioned until acted upon again by the user, regardless of how filled or empty it is. Thus, once positioned with the outlet below the surface level of the fluid contained therein, the fluid should flow out until the surface drops to just below the level of outlet opening  16  or until it is repositioned to a non-dispensing position by the user, preferably just enough to be primed and ready to be used by the next user with minimal time lag.  
         [0121]     As mentioned hereinabove, coupler  22  has a structure which provides the dual functions of [1] facilitating manual repositioning of outlet  16  relative to fluid  18  in a plane having a vertical component between dispensing and non-dispensing positions and [2] attaching fluid container  14  to a fixture  10  causing it to be suspended. Thus there are two attachment sites per coupler  22  and either one, or both, of the attachment sites of an exemplary embodiment of a coupler can provide the rotational repositioning function. In other words, in one form (see  FIGS. 20   a - c ), the coupler may be stationery with respect to the container to which it is attached and the entire fluid dispenser is rotated around the fixture, or the coupler may be stationery with respect to the fixture, as in the above-described embodiments. Finally, forms of the container and coupler may be movable with respect to both the fixture and one another. Ultimately what matters is that the container is generally suspended from the fixture in a desirable place and is manually displaceable in a plane having at least some vertical component.  
         [0122]     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 7   a - g , fixture attachment mechanism  523  provides the attachment required between coupler  22  and fixture  10 . The illustrated exemplary embodiment of a fixture attachment mechanism  523  further comprises a fixture gripping surface  527  on the somewhat U- or V-shaped concave inner surface created between fixture engaging members  524 , extending outward from the side of coupler  22  opposite slot  530 . Fixture gripping surface comprises a modification of the surface provided to enhance the stability of coupler  22  on fixture  10  and may comprise surface coating, texturing, stepped profiling, dimples, ridges, grooves and could even be molded from a different, stickier material than the rest of coupler  22 , such as rubber, silicone, vinyl, etc. Fixture engaging members  524  are distanced apart to provide the fixture gripping surface  527  and are shown terminating distally in strap retaining members, here shown as slot  541  and button-receiving slot  530 . For examples of additional embodiments of fixture gripping surfaces, reference should be had to  FIGS. 4   e ,  15   a - f ,  16  and  17  showing possible different profiles.  
         [0123]     Referring to  FIG. 7   g , when positioned with fixture gripping surface  527  pressed against the surface of a fixture  10 , one or more retainer straps or bands  25  is hooked and stretched between strap retaining members  28 , passing over fixture  10 . Referring to  FIG. 4   b , fixture retaining strap  525  has an anchor  560  at one end sized so it will not pass through slot  541 , and the elongated portion having at least one and preferably more molded protuberances  561  is threaded through slot  541 , from inside of receiving chamber  529  and out and around fixture  10  and in through pivot button receiving slot  530 . When pivot button  520  is inserted into receiving chamber  529 , strap  525  is trapped between button flange  526  and fixture  10 . Generally speaking, the environment within which the product is expected to be used will have a bearing on choosing the characteristics of the fixture retaining mechanism. Many cylindrical or other longitudinal shaft-type fixtures can be accounted for by a single retaining strap which can be trimmed to size by the installer. Other exemplary embodiments of fixture attachment mechanisms are described with reference to the remaining drawings further hereinbelow.  
         [0124]     The exemplary embodiment of container  14  in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  has pivot button  20  integrally formed. Often, a 90 degree angle relationship is provided between the axis described by pivot button neck  19  and the long axis running between outlet  16  and the bottom  21  of container  14 . The angle between pivot axis and container outlet can range very widely in other exemplary embodiments. Retaining beads  32  are formed into the inner walls of the main slot  40  of receiving chamber  29  and positioned between the open top of main slot  40  and the closed bottom thereof such that when an edge of flange  26  is aligned with main slot  40  and with neck  19  traversing pivot slot  30  and neck is depressed completely into pivot slot  30 , flange  26  is pushed down and past retaining beads  32  to be firmly but rotatably seated in receiving chamber  29 . Coupler  22  is thus shown in  FIG. 5   b  cooperating with container&#39;s  14  pivot button  20  to provide an axle that rotates in a plane having a vertical component that is easily actuated, preferably incrementally, as desired. As an alternative to a relatively two-dimensional button flange  526 , a ball-shaped pivot button can be seated in a complementary semi-spherical shaped joint socket-type receiving chamber formed on a coupler. Design considerations would include clearance between outlet  16  and fixture  10 , as well as outlet  16  and intended target work area of the fluid being dispensed.  
         [0125]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6   a - 6   b , an elliptical fluid container  314  is shown having pivot button  320  as a separately formed component, attached to the outer surface of fluid container  314  and extending axially outward from the outer surface  323  thereof at approximately a 90° angle with outlet  316 . Outlet  316  should preferably be situated at or near container&#39;s  314  periphery, permitting it to be rotated to positions where it is near or at the highest and/or lowest points of the container as it is rotated, regardless of the overall shape. This design feature bears on how completely a container will drain when inverted and will also determine the real capacity of a filled container. Practically, the outlet opening&#39;s distance from the outer edge will affect the maximum volume of fluid within.  
         [0126]     It bears repeating here that in order to promote control of the rotation and positioning of container  14 , it is preferable that inner and outer surfaces of receiving chamber  29  and slot  13  and corresponding outer surfaces of pivot button  22  and the bearing surface area  44  of container  14  immediately surrounding the base of neck  19 , collectively the container-coupler interfaces, are complementarily shaped to provide a stabilizing, friction-maintained, contact interface when pivot button  20  is completely inserted into receiving chamber  29 . Interface surfaces may be further provided with textural features such as bumps, grooves, ridges, etc. or be surfaced with friction modifying materials, such as rubber, silicone rubber and nylon.  
         [0127]     Pivot button disc  320  can be formed or molded separately from the container  314  and affixed thereto by welding, adhesive, cohesion, or even suction alone given the right combination of materials, fluid product volume and taking into account the force needed to rotate the fluid dispenser  312  in normal use. Pivot button disc  320  comprises a base disc  340  having an inner surface  342  contoured to conform as much as possible with the intended attachment site on the outer surface  346  of container  314 . Pivot button disc  320  is further provided with an interface bearing plateau  344 , shown here as flat and preferably textured, on its outer surface in the area immediately surrounding the base of shaft  319 . Base disc  340  is also an example of one kind of reinforcement that may be applied to container wall  321  to resist flexing or distortion caused by its own weight and the twisting forces, as well as increasing the area of contact at the interface between base disc  340  and the outer surface of receiving chamber  29  when pivot button  420  is seated therein. The remainder of pivot button  320  is constructed according to the same principles enunciated hereinabove, i.e. with a shape intended to firmly, but rotatably engage a receiving chamber in a coupler  22 .  
         [0128]     Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , two exemplary embodiments of fluid dispensers and couplers constructed according to the principles taught by the invention are shown.  FIG. 8  shows the cross section of a fluid dispenser  612  which has a female pivot receiving chamber  629  integrally formed into an exterior side surface of container  614 . Fluid dispenser  612  is paired with a coupler  622  having a complementary male pivot button  620  formed on or attached thereto. Assembly requires insertion of the pivot button  620  into receiving chamber  629  until seated and rotatable.  
         [0129]     The exemplary embodiment of fluid dispenser  712  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  comprises a female receiving chamber  729  attached or integrally formed on the exterior surface of container  714 . Coupler  722  comprises a male pivot button  720  integrally formed or attached to an outer surface thereof. The area of surface surrounding the base of neck  719  is similarly provided with an interface plateau  744 , shown here as flat, that is complementary to the front face  743  of receiving chamber  729  and is preferably rubberized or otherwise textured to increase friction between the plateau and its complementary surfaces with which it interfaces. If desired, any of the embodiments described herein can be provided with texturing over any or all of the complementary interfacing surfaces to enhance friction. Coupler  722  has fixture attachment members  724  designed to engage cylindrical portions of fixtures, within a pre-defined size range determined by the flexibility and elasticity of the members  724  and the distance between their tips  745 . Coupler  722  is in the shape of a cuff describing a fixture receiver  747  in its interior. Manufacturing coupler  722  from a firm but flexible material, such as nylon, polyethylene, Delrin®, hard rubber, silicon, and the like permits sufficient spreading of its tips to permit a fixture  10  to be inserted into fixture receiver  747  as seen in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0130]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , flange  126  of pivot button  20  is shown having a non-circular shape, in this case an octagon. Other shapes are also contemplated as capable of providing the controlled rotation preferred by the present invention, for example, as mentioned above, a pivot button could terminate in a round or faceted ball which is received into a receiving chamber complementarily shaped like a ball socket.  
         [0131]      FIGS. 12   a - 12   f  show a coupler  222  having fixture attaching members  123  and  124  comprising flexible straps extending from opposite sides of receiving chamber housing. Strap  123  is provided with perforations  152  and strap  124  is provided with a catch  150 . Any excess strap  123  can either be trimmed or inserted into a slot  131  below and behind chamber housing  119  into the back of pivot slot  130  where it can provide additional frictional pressure to help maintain the position of a pivot flange.  
         [0132]      FIGS. 13   a - 13   d  show coupler  422  having a relatively rigid, disc-shaped receiving chamber  419  which has a keyhole shaped pivot button receiving slot  430  and the fixture attachment mechanism is an elasticized strap  424  integrally formed so that the strap may be stretched over a longitudinal fixture&#39;s terminal end (often significantly larger in diameter than the longitudinal portion or shaft) and then released into a stable tightened position around the fixture where desired, adapting itself to the fixture&#39;s cross-sectional profile.  
         [0133]     Similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 12   a - 12   f , the couplers shown in  FIGS. 14   a - 14   c  also have a disc-shaped receiving chamber  529  having a pivot slot  530  therein and having an attached (or integrally formed) retaining strap  525  extending outwardly from opposite sides the disc. The locking mechanism for tightening the strap  525 . Incorporated or attached to, or extending out from, rear edge  554  opposite rear edge  550 , a strap receiving slot  556  has an associated lock mechanism  558 . Strap  525  is provided with lock engaging features  552  comprising, for example, parallel ridges across along its length. Lock engaging features  552  are shaped to interact with lock mechanism  558  when strap  525  is inserted into strap receiving slot  556  thereby locking strap  525  in position once the end thereof is wrapped around a fixture  510 , inserted therein and pulled until a snug fit is achieved and maintained by the interaction of lock engaging features  552  and lock mechanism  558 . Examples of similar lock mechanisms and lock engaging features are commonly known for securing cable ties, watch straps (see  FIG. 4   a ), scuba goggle straps (see  FIG. 4   b ) and the like, wherein the end of a notched, ridged or perforated strap is inserted through a slot and the notches ridges or perforations-are engaged by a latch mechanism.  
         [0134]      FIGS. 15   a - f  show exemplary embodiments of male couplers  722  and female couplers  822  all having fixture engaging surfaces  727  shaped or otherwise enhanced to reduce unintended movement of couplers  722  and  822  when installed around a fixture  10  having angular cross-section features (corners and other abrupt changes). In one exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 15   a ), fixture surface engagement enhancement is provided by texturing with ridges. Fixture engagement surfaces  727  having one of the profiles with multiple or compound curves such as those shown in  FIGS. 15   b - 15   f , could be particularly useful. Other surface adaptations may be used to modify the characteristics of fixture engaging surfaces depending on the desired effect. For example, if the fluid dispenser design requires that the coupler remain immobile even when wet yet still be controllably rotatable around the fixture, then the fixture engaging surface may benefit from having a hydrophobic coating layer or, as seen in  FIG. 7   g , a piece of such material between the surface and fixture  10 . Providing a coupler that has regions with different properties may prove desirable, different materials can be used and either formed separately and attached to one another, or methods such as co-extrusion could be used. It is anticipated that flexible or elastic and rigid combinations of materials such as rubber, nylon, silicone, PETE, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate and ABS can be used, and the selection thereof is well within ability of one of ordinary skill in the art to select based on the properties desired, within the parameters of the teachings herein.  
         [0135]      FIG. 16  shows a coupler having slender fixture retaining members  424  that are inclined towards one another at an acute angle to change how it grips fixtures.  FIG. 17  shows a coupler having contact adhesive pads  453  on the fixture engaging surface  427  to permit positioning and installing a coupler independent of any retaining straps or bands. This exemplary embodiment may be particularly suitable for installation on fixtures such as shelf edges, counter top edges, table edges or window sills.  FIG. 18  shows a coupler having fixture retaining members  524  that are wider than the receiving chamber housing  419  to better resist the torsional stress caused by rotating the fluid dispenser  412 .  
         [0136]     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , a coupler  922  is shown having fixture retaining members  924  which are elongated, parallel and have parallel opposing fixture gripping zones shaped, textured or otherwise adapted to grip a fixture at varying distances from the receiving chamber  929 . This feature addresses situations where the fixture may be somewhat farther from the target area than in others.  
         [0137]     Referring to  FIGS. 20   a  to  20   c , a fluid dispenser  712  comprises a container  714  having coupler  722  attached in an immobile manner on an outer surface thereof. In this case, changing the elevation of outlet  716  requires rotating the entire assembly of fluid dispenser  712  in either direction around (perpendicular to) a horizontal portion of a fixture  10 .  
         [0138]     A coupler may be adapted to couple more than one container to a fixture. Referring to  FIGS. 21, 22 , and  28   a - c , two containers each  614  and  814  are rotatably attached to coupler  822 , which straddles, or encircles, a fixture  10 . Actually, in the case of  FIG. 22 , two single couplers, are designed to mate and interlock when brought back-to-back. Further, they are each provided with a fixture engaging surface  627  between which a spray hose passes. An outer fixture engaging surface  527  is designed to be inserted into the grommet surrounding the spray house at the level of a counter top. The coupler  622  is one example of a columnar coupler. Additional examples are illustrated in  FIGS. 23 and 24   a - b .  FIG. 23  shows a coupler comprising a column adapted on a lower portion thereof to be attached along the upper vertical side wall of a basin. Attachment of the coupler can be accomplished by a number of methods, including for example suction cups, magnets or adhesive pads located between attachment member  326  and a surface of fixture  10 .  FIGS. 24   a - b  shows a suspended fluid dispenser  520  attached to a horizontal work surface, in this instance a countertop surrounding a wash basin, and example of a planar surface.  
         [0139]     With reference to  FIGS. 25   a  through  25   d  and  26   a - 26   e , there are shown exemplary embodiments of fluid containers which are adapted to be coupled to a faucet whereby as few as one or more elastic band  622  functions as the coupler and the band/s and fixture serve as an axle for the rotation of the fluid container  620 . Fluid container  620  is provided on its outer surface with a strap end button  621  and strap  622  is adapted to have at least one outlet engaging member, in this case a loop  623 , and one or more end button holes  624  for receiving strap end button  621 . The zone between loop  623  and end button holes  624  is elastic and stretched taut as it is wrapped about a longitudinal fixture  10 , thereby rotatably coupling container  614  to the fixture. The exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 26   a - e  comprise containers sculpted on one side with attachment or retention channels  650 , then one or more elastic straps  628 , such as rubber bands, can serve as a coupler to attach the fluid container to a faucet neck and provide elasticity to permit rotation of the fluid container in relation to the faucet. The rotation in that case might be made incremental by molding stop depressions or guide channels  652  in an outer surface of the fluid container, opposite retention sites  650 , into which the faucet surface  29  could seat sufficiently to resist the memory or elastic response of the bands  628  and to prevent lateral displacement along the faucet neck. Together, the grooves and band cooperate to satisfy some of the most basic requirements of a suitable coupler.  
         [0140]     Referring to  FIGS. 27   a - b , a container  314  is provided with a long receiving chamber having a slot which runs about half the length of the container. Referring to  FIGS. 28   a - c , the containers  314  and  14  are coupled to the straddling coupler previously described hereinabove. A retention plug is inserted to prevent receiving chamber  919  from slipping along pivot button. Although pivot buttons  820  are shown as engaging substantially the center of containers&#39;  814  outer surface, thus forming an axle, it should be noted that eccentric arrangements of pivot buttons and complementary receiving chambers can be used for making containers  814  rotatable relative to coupler  822 .  
         [0141]     A fluid container suitable for use in exemplary embodiments of the present invention can hold anywhere from less than a cubic centimeter of fluid to several liters. More commonly, the fluid container will hold between about 2 mls and 4 liters of fluid.  
         [0142]     Exceptional advertising value is provided by the fluid containers of the exemplary embodiments, by improving conspicuity of the container brand, for example, spending more time in open view whether or not in use, and even adding visible surface area for advertising/marketing over the whole outside surface of the container and coupler, rather than just the container sides. For example,  FIG. 4   c  shows a strap marked with indicia and making the strap broader serves the double purpose of increasing advertising space as well as increasing stability of the installed coupler&#39;s position.  
         [0143]     It should be noted that exemplary embodiments of the present invention could be automated or semi-automated with the addition of appropriate circuitry including proximity and fluid level sensors, power supply, motor and controller. For example, the proximity sensor could sense when a user&#39;s hand is near the outlet, activating a motor integrated into the coupler which repositions the container, lowering the height of the outlet to below the sensed level of the fluid. After fluid has been dispensed, the motor can be reversed until the outlet is just above the sensed new surface level of the fluid and then deactivated. This arrangement results in a completely hands-free dispensing operation.  
         [0144]     The above exemplary embodiments should be taken as non-limiting examples intended to demonstrate many of the capabilities, but not necessarily the boundaries, of what applicants consider the invention. Alterations, modifications and additions may be made to the examples and the claimed invention by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0