Abstract:
A container comprising a body portion and a neck portion, the neck portion having a pump dispenser thereon, the pump dispenser comprising a pump mechanism, a dip tube on one end of the pump mechanism, a pump outlet on another end of the pump mechanism, the dip tube extending downwardly from the pump mechanism into the body portion, the body portion containing a first liquid, the dip tube having a central bore along which the first liquid is pumped from the body portion when the pump mechanism is actuated, and a reservoir containing a second liquid, the reservoir communicating with the dip tube and adapted to introduce the second liquid into the first liquid within the pump mechanism or dip tube under the action of first liquid flowing through the dip tube.

Description:
[0001]    This invention is directed to a dispensing container and to a method of dispensing a liquid from a container. More particularly, this invention is directed to a dispensing container where the dip tube is provided with a decorative feature which also provides an additional function. The decorative feature may optionally coordinate with a design on the front or rear of the container. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Dispensing containers with dip tubes are used to store and dispense a range of personal care products. These include hand soaps, hand and body lotions, shampoos and body cleansing gels. There is a constant need to enhance the appearance of these containers. Various prior patent specifications disclose structures intended to enhance the appearance of the container, and some exhibit a dynamic, moving feature which is operable during dispensing. A recent example is the Applicant&#39;s WO-A1-2013/019207. Furthermore, such personal care products often include fragrance. The fragrance intensity or bloom can be detrimentally reduced as a result of the personal care products being stored in the dispensing container. 
         [0003]    The present invention aims to improve the appearance of a container and its product during use. 
         [0004]    The present invention also aims to provide a simple and reliable structure which can be dynamically operated by the user during product dispensing. 
         [0005]    The present invention further aims to provide a dispensing container for a personal care product which can enhance the fragrance intensity or bloom when the product is dispensed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The invention provides a container comprising a body portion and a neck portion, the neck portion having a pump dispenser thereon, the pump dispenser comprising a pump mechanism, a dip tube on one end of the pump mechanism, a pump outlet on another end of the pump mechanism, the dip tube extending downwardly from the pump mechanism into the body portion, the body portion containing a first liquid, the dip tube having a central bore along which the first liquid is pumped from the body portion when the pump mechanism is actuated, and a reservoir containing a second liquid, the reservoir communicating with the dip tube and adapted to introduce the second liquid into the first liquid within the pump mechanism or dip tube under the action of first liquid flowing through the dip tube. 
         [0007]    The invention further provides a method of dispensing of a liquid from a container, the method comprising the steps of:
       a. providing a dispensing container including a pump mechanism and a dip tube extending downwardly from the pump mechanism into a first liquid to be dispensed from the container;   b. operating the pump mechanism to cause the first liquid to flow upwardly through the dip tube and out of an upper end of the pump mechanism; and   c. introducing a second liquid into the first liquid within the pump mechanism or dip tube under the action of first liquid flowing through the dip tube, the second liquid being contained in a reservoir communicating with the dip tube.       
 
         [0011]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a dispensing container having a dip tube with an integral dropper in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded elevation view of the dispensing mechanism of the dispensing container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged elevation view of the dropper in the dispensing mechanism of the dispensing container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of a dispensing container having a dip tube with an integral basin in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the dispensing container of  FIG. 4  after dispensing of an amount of liquid from the basin and shrinkage of the basin. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded elevation view of the dispensing mechanism of the dispensing container of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged elevation view of a dispensing mechanism for a dispensing container in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, which is a modification of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a dispensing container having a dip tube with an integral wicking mechanism in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an exploded elevation view of the dispensing mechanism of the dispensing container of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0023]    As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls. 
         [0024]    The invention will be disclosed in its preferred embodiments with reference to the Figures in the drawings. The dispensing container has an enhanced appearance before and during use by a consumer to dispense the product contained within the container. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 1, 2 and 3  show a dispensing container  10  with the enhanced appearance. The dispensing container is comprised of a body portion  12  and a neck portion  14 . The neck portion  14  has closure  16 . Mounted in the closure is a pump mechanism  18  with a dip tube  22  at one end and an actuator  20  with a dispensing channel exiting at a pump outlet  24 . The dip tube  22  extends downwardly from the pump mechanism  18  into the body portion  12  which contains a liquid L to be dispensed. The liquid may be, for example, selected from hand soaps, hand and body lotions, shampoos and body cleansing gels. When the pump mechanism  18  is activated by manual depression of the dispensing activator  20 , liquid in body portion  12  travels up a central bore  21  of the dip tube  22 , through the pump mechanism  18  and then through outlet  24 . The pump mechanism  18  is a conventional self-priming pump mechanism well known in the art. 
         [0026]    A dropper  26  is fitted to or integral with the dip tube  22  so as to be coupled to the dip tube  22 . The dropper  26  comprises a transparent vial  28  sealed at one end  30  and provided with a one-way pressure relief valve  27  to permit flow of liquid L into the end  20  of the dropper  26  to displace liquid within the drop[per 26 as that liquid is dispensed from the dropper  26 . A capillary tube  32  extends from the other end  34  of the vial  28  and the lower end  36  of the capillary tube  32  remote from the vial  28  connects with the dip tube  22  via an orifice  42 . The capillary tube  32  is transparent. The dropper  26  is downwardly oriented towards the lower end  36 . A fragrance oil  38  is disposed within the vial  28  which acts as a reservoir  40  for the fragrance oil  38 . The fragrance oil  38  is colored with a dye or pigment so that the fragrance oil  38  is visible from the exterior of the dispensing container  10 . At least a part of the body portion  12  is transparent and the liquid L is typically transparent or translucent. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , at least a portion of the dip tube  22  adjacent to the orifice  42  is transparent and is visible from an exterior of the container. 
         [0027]    In the illustrated embodiment, the dropper  26  is integral with an upper end part  44  of the dip tube  22 . The upper end part  44  of the dip tube  22  comprises a tubular portion  46  which is fitted, by bonding or a compression fitting, at its upper portion  48  to the pump mechanism  18  and at its lower portion  50  to an elongate tubular lower end part  52  of the dip tube  22 . The upper end part  44  of the dip tube  22  may be a molded section, such as being formed by injection or blow molding. The lower end part  52  of the dip tube  22  is typically flexible and may be formed by extrusion to an elongated form. 
         [0028]    The lower portion  50  may optionally be fitted with a one way valve (not shown) to prevent or inhibit siphoning of liquid fragrance oil  38  from reservoir  40  through the orifice  42  and down into the dip tube  22 . 
         [0029]    A decorative element, not shown, may be fitted to or integral with the vial  28 . The decorative element may have a visual association with the fragrance, for example illustrating a flower when the fragrance is a floral fragrance. 
         [0030]    When the pump mechanism  18  is activated by manual depression of the dispensing activator  20 , this imparts upward liquid flow through the dip tube  22  during the dispensing operation. As the liquid flows past the lower end  36  of the capillary tube  32 , drops of fragrance oil are successively introduced into the liquid flow from the orifice  42  at the lower end  36  of the capillary tube  32 . Depending on the liquid properties and the dispensing mechanism, the liquid flow may generate shear forces to pull a drop out of the capillary tube  32  and/or a reduced pressure in the liquid flow may suck a drop out of the capillary tube  32 . The fragrance oil is gravity fed from the reservoir  40  to the lower end  36  of the capillary tube  32 . This provides a constant supply of fragrance oil at the orifice  42 . 
         [0031]    The orifice  42  typically has a cross-sectional area so as not to exceed the surface tension of the fragrance oil in the liquid L so that drops of fragrance oil only enter the liquid L as a result of liquid flow past the orifice  42 . 
         [0032]    Since the fragrance oil is introduced dropwise into the liquid flow, this effect may be seen by a user. Also, over a period of time, as a result of plural successive dispensing operations, the volume of oil in the reservoir  40  is diminished. The diminishing volume of fragrance oil may also be visible to a user. Accordingly, the dropper and the visible fragrance oil therein provide a decorative effect visible from an exterior of the container  10 . 
         [0033]    Furthermore, the fragrance oil is stored in the reservoir  40  rather than in the liquid to be dispensed. Such separate storage of the fragrance oil in the reservoir  40  provides that the fragrance oil is exposed to a minimum amount or concentration of oxygen or air prior to dispensing. In turn, this provides that the fragrance intensity or bloom is maximized during product dispensing, because the fragrance oil is introduced into the liquid immediately prior to dispensing. Prior to dispensing, the fragrance oil is retained in the reservoir  40 , and the vial  28  seals the fragrance oil against contact with the liquid or air apart from at the narrow bore orifice  42  of the capillary tube  32 . 
         [0034]    The pump mechanism  18  may include a screen or air chamber, or other pump parts, as are known in the art, such as a foamer mechanism, which would function to shear the fragrance and mix together the fragrance oil  38  and the liquid L during dispensing to provide a uniform mixture exiting outlet  24 . 
         [0035]    In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the dropper  26  can be vertically oriented so that the orifice  42  is upwardly directed. When the liquid L is pumped, a reduced pressure above the orifice  42  would tend to pump fragrance oil  38  up the capillary tube  32  and into the flow of liquid L. This modification has the advantage that fragrance oil  38  is less likely to be released inadvertently into liquid L as a result of shaking the container  10  because the fragrance oil  38  is held by gravity as well as surface tension in the reservoir  40 . 
         [0036]    A second embodiment of a dispensing container is shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 . 
         [0037]    In this embodiment, the dispensing container  10  is similar to that of the first embodiment. The dispensing container is comprised of a body portion  12  and a neck portion  14 . The neck portion  14  has closure  16 . Mounted in the closure is a pump mechanism  18  with a dip tube  22  at one end and an actuator  20  with a dispensing channel exiting at a pump outlet  24 . The dip tube  22  extends downwardly from the pump mechanism  18  into the body portion  12  which contains a liquid L to be dispensed. The liquid may be, for example, selected from hand soaps, hand and body lotions, shampoos and body cleansing gels. When the pump mechanism  18  is activated by manual depression of the dispensing activator  20 , liquid in body portion  12  travels up a central bore  21  of dip tube  22 , through the pump mechanism  18  and then through outlet  24 . The pump mechanism  18  is a conventional self-priming pump mechanism well known in the art. 
         [0038]    In this embodiment, a flexible bulb  60  is fitted to the dip tube  22 . The flexible bulb  60  defines a basin  62  between the outer bulb wall  64 , which is flexible, and a central tubular element  66 . The outer bulb wall  64  comprises a transparent film, typically composed of a polymer. An upper edge  68  of the outer bulb wall  64  is fitted, by bonding or a compression fitting, to an upper end  70  of the central tubular element  66  and a lower edge  72  of the outer bulb wall  64  is fitted, by bonding or a compression fitting, to a lower end  74  of the central tubular element  66 . The upper end  70  is fitted, by bonding or a compression fitting, to the pump mechanism  18  and the lower end  74  is fitted, by bonding or a compression fitting, to the upper end  76  of an elongate tubular lower end part  78  of the dip tube  22 . The central tubular element  66  may be a molded section, such as being formed by injection or blow molding. The lower end part  78  of the dip tube  22  is typically flexible and may be formed by extrusion to an elongated form. 
         [0039]    At least one capillary orifice  80  is provided in the lower end  74  of the central tubular element  66 , which communicates the basin  62  to the central tube  82  of the central tubular element  66  and thereby connects the basin  62  with the dip tube  22 . The orifice(s)  80  again may be dimensioned so as each to have a cross-sectional area so as to provide drops of fragrance oil into the liquid L only as a result of liquid flow past the orifice(s)  80 . 
         [0040]    A fragrance oil  84  is disposed within the basin  62  which acts as a reservoir  86  for the fragrance oil  84 . As for the first embodiment, the fragrance oil  84  is colored with a dye or pigment so that the fragrance oil  84  in the basin  62  is visible from the exterior of the dispensing container  10 . At least a part of the body portion  12  is transparent and the liquid L is typically transparent or translucent. 
         [0041]    A decorative element, not shown, may be fitted to or integral with the flexible bulb  60 . The decorative element may have a visual association with the fragrance, for example illustrating a flower when the fragrance is a floral fragrance. 
         [0042]    When the pump mechanism  18  is activated by manual depression of the dispensing activator  20 , this imparts upward liquid flow through the dip tube  22  during the dispensing operation. As the liquid flows past the capillary orifice(s)  80 , drops of fragrance oil are successively introduced into the liquid flow from the orifice(s)  80  at the lower end of the basin  62  containing the fragrance oil  84 . Depending on the liquid properties and the dispensing mechanism, the liquid flow may generate shear forces to pull a drop out of the capillary orifice(s)  80  and/or a reduced pressure in the liquid flow may suck a drop out of the capillary orifice(s)  80 . The fragrance oil is gravity fed from the reservoir  86  to the capillary orifice(s)  80 . This provides a constant supply of fragrance oil at the orifice(s)  80 . 
         [0043]    Since the fragrance oil is introduced dropwise into the liquid flow, this effect may be seen by a user if at least the lower part of the central tubular element  66  is transparent. Also, over a period of time, as a result of plural successive dispensing operations, the volume of oil in the reservoir  86  is diminished.  FIG. 4  shows the flexible bulb  60  initially full of fragrance oil and  FIG. 5  shows the flexible bulb  60  after some amount of fragrance oil has been dispensed, and the corresponding reduction in the volume of the flexible bulb  60  can readily be seen. 
         [0044]    The diminishing volume of fragrance oil may also be visible to a user. Since the bulb  60  is flexible, the bulb volume also is diminished as a result of plural successive dispensing operations, which is visible to a user. Accordingly, the flexible bulb  60  and the visible fragrance oil therein provide a decorative effect visible from an exterior of the container  10 . 
         [0045]    Furthermore, as for the first embodiment, the fragrance oil is stored in the reservoir  86  rather than in the liquid to be dispensed and the fragrance oil is introduced into the liquid immediately prior to dispensing. Prior to dispensing, the fragrance oil is retained in the reservoir  86 , and the flexible bulb  60  seals the fragrance oil against contact with the liquid or air apart from at the capillary orifice(s)  80 . 
         [0046]    A further dispensing mechanism is shown in  FIG. 7 , in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, which is a modification of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The dispensing mechanism  82  is disposed in a dispensing container (not shown) which is the same container as in the other embodiments. The dispensing mechanism  82  comprises a vial  83  containing a liquid, such as a fragrance oil F, to be introduced dropwise into the liquid L in the body of the container, as discussed hereinbefore. The vial  83  is upwardly oriented and a straw-like tube  84  extends downwardly into the vial  83  through a sealed upper surface  85  of the vial  83 . The straw-like tube  84  connects to a side port  86  of a three-way connector  87  at the top of the dip tube  88  and beneath the pump  89 . A one way valve  90  may be provided in the straw-like tube  84  to prevent liquid in the dip tube  88  from flowing back into the vial  83 . The vial  83  may have flexible walls and be compressible, in a manner similar to the basin of the previous embodiment, and/or a one way valve  92  may be provided in the vial  83  to permit pressure equalization between the interior of the vial  83  and the container body. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, instead of gravity feeding the fragrance oil into the dip tube through capillary orifice(s), a straw-like tube  84  is provided which communicates between the vial  83  and the dip tube  88 . Liquid flow through the dip tube  88  sucks liquid from the vial up the straw-like tube  84  and into the three-way connector  87  where the liquids are blended together. 
         [0048]    In a further embodiment, the basin of  FIGS. 4 to 6  incorporates an upwardly oriented straw-like tube therein, similar to the straw-like tube of  FIG. 7 , rather than capillary orifices, for controllably delivering the liquid in the basin dropwise into the dip tube or the pump mechanism as a result of liquid flow through the dip tube. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in a further embodiment the dispensing container  10  is similar to that of the previous embodiments. The dispensing container is comprised of a body portion  12  and a neck portion  14 . The neck portion  14  has closure  16 . Mounted in the closure is a pump mechanism  18  with a dip tube  22  at one end and an actuator  20  with a dispensing channel exiting at a pump outlet  24 . The dip tube  22  extends downwardly from the pump mechanism  18  into the body portion  12  which contains a liquid L to be dispensed. The liquid may be, for example, selected from hand soaps, hand and body lotions, shampoos and body cleansing gels. When the pump mechanism  18  is activated by manual depression of the dispensing activator  20 , liquid in body portion  12  travels up a central bore  21  of dip tube  22 , through the pump mechanism  18  and then through outlet  24 . The pump mechanism  18  is a conventional self-priming pump mechanism well known in the art. 
         [0050]    In this embodiment, the dip tube  22  incorporates a wick element  100  which is pre-loaded with a fragrance oil  102 . The wick element  100  typically comprises a tube of transparent or translucent porous material, such as a porous polymeric open-cellular foam, which contains fragrance oil  102  infused therein. The wick element  100  is surrounded by an impermeable layer  104 , for example a transparent polymeric film, which prevents the fragrance oil  102  from leaching out of the dip tube  22  into the body portion  12  which contains the liquid L to be dispensed. The impermeable layer  104  may be provided with a one way valve at the bottom thereof, in order to equilibrate the pressure in the wick element  100  and liquid L, to prevent fragrance oil from leaching into the liquid L. The wick element  100  typically has a thickness dependent upon the desired liquid storage capacity of the wick element  100 . 
         [0051]    The wick element  100  acts as a reservoir  106  for the fragrance oil  102 . As for the previous embodiments, the fragrance oil  102  is colored with a dye or pigment so that the fragrance oil  102  in the wick element  100  is visible from the exterior of the dispensing container  10 . At least a part of the body portion  12  is transparent and the liquid L is typically transparent or translucent. 
         [0052]    A decorative element, not shown, may be fitted to or integral with the wick element  100 . The decorative element may have a visual association with the fragrance, for example illustrating a flower when the fragrance is a floral fragrance. 
         [0053]    When the pump mechanism  18  is activated by manual depression of the dispensing activator  20 , this imparts upward liquid flow through the dip tube  22  during the dispensing operation. As the liquid flows through the wick element  100 , fragrance oil  102  is introduced into the liquid flow from the pores of the wick element  100  containing the fragrance oil  102 . 
         [0054]    The wick element  100  may have a hollow core in order to allow the liquid L to pass freely up the center of the wick element  100  and control fragrance dispensing into the liquid L. 
         [0055]    Over a period of time, as a result of plural successive dispensing operations, the volume of fragrance oil in the wick element  100  is diminished. The diminishing volume of fragrance oil may also be visible to a user, as a result of reduced intensity of the color of the reduced concentration of the fragrance oil in the wick element  100 . Accordingly, the wick element  100  and the visible fragrance oil therein provide a decorative effect visible from an exterior of the container  10 . 
         [0056]    Furthermore, as for the previous embodiments, the fragrance oil is stored in the reservoir  106  rather than in the liquid to be dispensed and the fragrance oil is introduced into the liquid immediately prior to dispensing. Prior to dispensing, the fragrance oil is retained in the reservoir  106 , and the impermeable layer  104  seals the fragrance oil against contact with the liquid or air apart from in the interior tubular bore  106  of the wick element  100 . 
         [0057]    The container may be made of essentially any substantially transparent plastic. Glass may also be used. Useful plastics are polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate. The dip tube and the associated parts may be produced from any plastic that can be extruded, and optionally blow-molded, or injection molded. Such polymers include homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene and propylene, vinyl compound homopolymers and copolymers, such as polyvinyl chloride, and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. 
         [0058]    The container may be provided with a label. The label can be shaped or partially transparent to reveal at least the reservoir, for example providing a window through which the reservoir may be viewed. The label may be applied by in-mold labeling or the use of a shrink film. 
         [0059]    Front and/or rear labels may be composed of any substantially clear plastic. The preferred plastics are thermoplastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene including biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate. The front and rear labels are typically printed. In-mold labels and shrink film labels may be composed of a wide range of monolayer and laminate materials, such as thermoplastic polymers. 
         [0060]    Other modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.