Patent Abstract:
A reusable concentrate cartridge adapted to be supported by a diluting and dispensing container for combining at least two separate components of a multi-component system, the concentrate cartridge having a hollow cylindrical body and a hollow tube with a closure portion. The concentrate cartridge is caused to open by the rotating engagement of a closure cap on the diluting and dispensing container to which causes the closure portion of the hollow tube to disengage to release the concentrate material.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a concentrate cartridge for a diluting and dispensing container for combining at least two separate components of a multi-component system that are combined before use and subsequently dispensed together as a solution. More particularly, the invention includes a reusable concentrate cartridge for use in a diluting and dispensing container for combining a concentrated material, typically a liquid, with a liquid diluent, such as water. The concentrated material is supplied in a separately packaged cartridge that is easily inserted into and removed from the reusable diluting and dispensing container. After the combined solution of concentrated material and diluent is used, the spent cartridge is removed and replaced by a fresh cartridge. Diluent is resupplied to the diluting and dispensing container and the two components are combined to form a fresh supply of the solution. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In many instances it is desirable to retain the components of a multi-component system separate and to combine them shortly before use. This is true of systems wherein the components are incompatible either with each other as well as when it is desired to supply the consumer with a concentrated substance which can be diluted, typically with water, to form a solution. 
     The present invention provides a dispenser and cartridge of a concentrated substance for use in conjunction with the dispenser to combine the concentrated substance with a diluent material to form a solution having particular performance characteristics. Typical of the concentrated substances useable according to the invention are detergents that can be subsequently diluted with water to form a detergent solution of the proper concentration for use as a window cleaner, spot remover, disinfectant cleanser for hard surfaces, tub and tile cleaners, wall cleaners, etc. 
     Dispensers for combining the components of a multi-component system shortly before use can be classified into three distinct groups. The first group are those employing reusable containers that can be recharged with a fresh cartridge of concentrate when the solution is expended; a second group wherein the container and cartridge of concentrate are designed for a single use and subsequent disposal; and a third group wherein the cartridge for the concentrate may be refilled with concentrate after being used to produce a diluted operative solution. In the second group, the cartridge of concentrate is typically permanently contained within the container and/or dispenser. 
     Representative of the first class of container-dispensers is the device disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,096 to Easter. The patent describes a dispensing system employing a replaceable cartridge containing a concentrated liquid material in combination with a bottle and a dispensing pump device. The cartridge has frangible upper and lower surfaces and an annular flange extending from the upper surface. The cartridge is placed in the neck of the bottle and supported by the annular flange resting on the rim of the container neck. The dip tube passes through the cartridge by puncturing both its top and bottom surfaces. The concentrate will drain into and mix with a diluent, such as water. The resulting solution is dispensed by activating the pump mechanism to upwardly draw the solution through the dip tube and to expel it from a dispensing orifice in the pump head. 
     The second class of multi-component container dispensers includes the devices disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,947 to Jeynes Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 2,653,611 to Smith and U.S. Pat. No. 3,347,410 to Schwartzman. The Jeynes Jr. patent discloses a squirt bottle of the foregoing type wherein the concentrated material is present in a ring shaped aluminum foil cartridge. The concentrate cartridge is placed on a supporting flange located within the neck of the bottle. A closure cap having a dispensing orifice, a dip tube and an annular row of teeth extending downwardly is provided in the Jeynes Jr. system. The upper surface of the concentrate cartridge is punctured by the annular row of teeth when the closure cap is pressed downwardly thereby releasing the concentrate into the diluent contained in the body of the bottle. The resulting solution is expelled through the dip tube and the dispensing orifice by squeezing pressure applied to the bottle, which has flexible plastic walls. 
     The Schwartzman and Smith patents both provide compartments disposed in the bottle neck for holding a powdered component separate from a liquid diluent in the body of the bottle. A plunger means is provided in the closure cap for combining the powdered component and the diluent in response to downward pressure on the plunger. In Schwartzman the plunger operates through a bellows and displaces the bottom wall of the powder compartment while in Smith the plunger forces the entire compartment into the body of the bottle. 
     The third class employing a reusable container for the diluting fluid and a reusable cartridge for the concentrate is typically disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,957,335 to Otto and 6,041,969 to Parise. The Otto patent discloses a concentrate cartridge comprised of a circular cylinder having one end open and the opposite end closed by a bellows-like wall. The open end is selectively opened and closed by an annular-shaped wall connected to the bellows-like wall by a hollow actuator tube. 
     The Parise patent discloses a container for a concentrate including a first hollow cylindrical element having an axial hole in its lower part. A second cylindrically symmetrical element is disposed inside the first element and is comprised of a collar in the shape of an inverted cup which is adapted to slide inside the first element in fluid-tight relationship. A third element in the shape of a ring which threads onto the end of the second element and when tightened forms a single piece with the second element. The external diameter of the ring allows it to slide within the hole in the bottom of the first element with engagement in such a way as to obtain a water-tight fit. The aforementioned collar and the ring effectively close the two opposing ends of the first hollow cylindrical element and defines a chamber for the concentrate. Axially movement of the collar of the second element and the associated ring opens the axial hole in the first element allowing the concentrate to exit the first element into an associated bottle containing a diluting fluid. 
     It is an object of the present invention is to produce a concentrate cartridge for a diluting and dispensing container which may be economically manufactured. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to produce a concentrate cartridge for a diluting and dispensing container for packaging concentrate to greatly reduce the costs in formulating a desired dilute solution. 
     Another object of the present invention is to produce a concentrate cartridge for a diluting and dispensing container which may be refilled and reused. 
     Another object of the present invention is to produce a concentrate cartridge for a diluting and dispensing container which may be easily and economically refilled. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to produce a concentrate cartridge for a diluting and dispensing container embodying structural features to capture concentrate overflow from the cartridge. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention may typically be achieved by a dispensing container comprising: a bottle, container, or other hollow vessel having a body for containing a liquid diluent and a reduced diameter neck portion having supported therein a cartridge for containing the concentrate substance. The concentrate cartridge comprises a hollow cylindrical element having a first open end forming a closure seat and a second end including a flange extending outwardly of the cylindrical element, an annular collar, and an annular web having a generally U-shaped cross-section interconnecting the collar and the flange of the first cylindrical element; and a hollow tube having a first end portion in fluid-tight sliding relation with the annular collar of the hollow cylindrical element, and a second end terminating into a radially outwardly extending closure adapted to selectively seat with the closure seat of the hollow cylindrical element to form a fluid-tight closure therebetween. 
     The radially outwardly extending closure is opened in response to a downward force applied to the first end portion of the hollow tube while the hollow cylindrical element of the cartridge is held in place in the dispensing container. 
     A closure cap including a dispensing means, typically a pump, is provided. The closure cap includes means to mate with the neck portion of the bottle to provide a tight seal between the two members. A dip tube communicating with the dispensing pump is associated with the body portion of the bottle. 
     The closure cap is joined to the neck portion of the bottle usually by screwing it onto the neck and; the dip tube passes through the central passageway of the cartridge and into the body of the bottle. Before the closure cap is fully seated on the neck of the container, an inner surface of the top of the cap contacts the upper surface of the hollow tube. The additional application of downward axial force to seat the closure cap forces the hollow tube downward until the closure is opened and the concentrate flows into the diluent contained in the body of the bottle to form the desired solution. The solution is dispensed from the bottle through the dip tube and the dispensing orifice as a spray or a steam of liquid in response to activation of a hand pump associated with the closure cap. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view partially in section of a concentrate cartridge embodying the features of the invention in combination with a diluting and dispensing container, and an associated pump; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the concentrate cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1 partially in section; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the container cap, the concentrate cartridge, the upper portion of the diluting and dispensing container including the threaded neck portion, and downwardly depending dip tube of the dispensing pump prior to assembly; and 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the diluting and dispensing container illustrated in FIG. 1 with the container cap partially applied prior to the opening of the concentrate container as illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a diluting and dispensing container  10  having a body portion  12  for containing a diluent fluid  14  such as water, for example. The diluting and dispensing container  10  includes a hollow neck portion  16  having external threads  18  formed on the outside surface thereof for engaging the cooperating internal threads  20  formed on the inner surface of an associated closure cap  22 . Other mating means may be used such as, for example, a press fit. The closure cap  22  is adapted to form a seal at the open end of the neck portion  16  of the diluting and dispensing container  10 . 
     The closure cap  22  is rotatingly coupled to dispensing means provided with a depending dip tube  26 . In the embodiment shown, the dispensing means is a hand pump  24 . 
     A concentrate cartridge  30  having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the neck portion  16 , is provided with a main hollow cylindrical body  32  having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the neck portion  16 . A lower end  34  of the body  32  is open. The opposite end is provided with an outwardly extending annular flange  36  which extends completely around the outer peripheral surface of the body  32 . The juncture of the under surface of the flange  36  and the outer surface of the body  32  may be formed on a radius. The radius terminates in a ledge  38  adapted to rest on the upper open end of the neck portion  16  of the diluting and dispensing container  10 . The adjacent outer surface of the body  32  is flared outwardly slightly as illustrated in FIG. 3 at  38 . The under surface of the flange  36  is generally flat and serves to support the concentrate cartridge  30  within the neck portion  16  of the diluting and dispensing container  10 . 
     The upper end of the concentrate cartridge  30  includes an annular collar  40 . The annular collar  40  is interconnected to the inner portion of the body  32  and in the region of the flange  36  by an annular web  42 . It will be observed that the inner surface of the upper portion of the body  32 , the annular web  42 , and the outer surface of the annular collar  40  form a trough  44  which is generally U-shaped in cross-section. 
     The inner surface  46  formed by the juncture of the annular collar  40  and the annular web  42  is inclined inwardly and upwardly from the inner surface of the body  32  to the inner surface of the annular collar  40 . 
     The concentrate cartridge  30  includes an associated closure member  50 . The closure member  50  is comprised of a hollow tube portion  52  having a radially outwardly extending closure  54  at one end thereof. The closure  54  is formed with a generally flat outer surface  56  and an opposing inner surface  58 . The outer peripheral surface of the inner surface  58  is provided with an inclined camming surface or bevel  60 . 
     The assembly of the body  32  and the closure member  50  is typically achieved by inserting the free end of the tube portion  52  into the interior of the body  32  toward the open interior of the annular collar  40 . This procedure is simplified by the existence of the inclined inner surface  46  which functions to readily guide the end of the tube portion  52  into the annular collar  40 . To effect a complete closure, the closure member  50  is caused to move axially within the body  32  until the camming surface  60  of the closure  54  cooperates with the lower end  34  of the body  32  to seal in a fluid-tight connection. The free end of the tube portion  52  extends through the annular collar  40  to protrude slightly, as clearly illustrated in FIG.  2 . As a general rule, a concentrate  62  is inserted, manually or automatically, to the interior of the concentrate cartridge  30  before the closure member  50  is closed to seal the concentrate  62  within the concentrate cartridge  30 . 
     Once filled with the concentrate  62 , the lower end  34  of the concentrate cartridge  30  is inserted into the neck portion  16  of the diluting and dispensing container  10 . The concentrate cartridge  30  is guided to seat properly within the neck portion  16  by the flared portion of the adjacent outer surface of the body  32 . Ideally, the outer surface of the body  32  of the concentrate cartridge  30  is substantially smooth which facilitates sliding and positioning of the concentrate cartridge  30  within the neck portion  16 . A material of construction such as high-density polyethylene, for example, provides such qualities. 
     When the concentrate cartridge  30  is fully inserted into the neck portion  16 , the ledge  38  abuts the upper edge of the neck portion  16  to suspend the concentrate cartridge  30  within the diluting and dispensing container  10 . The neck portion  16  of the diluting and dispensing container  10  is inserted into the closure cap  22  of the hand pump  24 . The closure cap  22  is then caused to rotate to engage the internal threads  20  and the external threads  18  to effect closure of the diluting and dispensing container  10 . As the closure cap  22  is caused to close on the diluting and dispensing container  10 , the top of the tube portion  52  is contacted by the closure cap  22  and caused to be slid downwardly within the body  32  of the concentrate cartridge  30 . The closure  54  is thereby caused to disengage from the lower end  34  of the body  32  of the concentrate cartridge  30  releasing the concentrate  62  into the diluting and dispensing container  10 . 
     Undesirable leakage from the concentrate cartridge  30  is minimized due to the tight fit between the annular collar  40  and the tube portion  52  and between the closure  54  and the lower end  34 . Should leakage occur from between the annular collar  40  and the tube portion  52 , during shipment or storage for example, the leaked concentrate  62  is contained within the trough  44  and permitted to dry. The trapping of the leaked concentrate  62  militates against damage to shipping and storage containers, for example. 
     From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1