Liquid Dispenser with Anti-Retraction Feature
An improved nozzle assembly with an anti-retraction feature which is useful in conjunction with a container, such as a bottle, for the dispensing of a liquid, and particularly for the targeted delivery of a thickened liquid. The nozzle assembly is advantageously provided as an element of a combination package and delivery article useful for both storing and dispensing a liquid treatment composition which package and delivery article comprises the improved nozzle assembly. The improved nozzle assembly, especially when part of a combination package and delivery article is especially useful for the targeted delivery of a drain treatment composition used to treat slow running but especially clogged drains.
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The present invention relates to an improved liquid dispenser for the delivery of a liquid composition from a bottle to a specific locus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved liquid dispenser for the delivery of a liquid composition, preferably a thickened composition, which liquid dispenser comprises an anti-retraction feature.
The prior art is replete with containers and devices which are useful for the storage of, and for the later dispensing of liquids therefrom. Such include those for the storage of a liquid, such as a thickened liquid, and for the delivery from such liquids, e.g., compressible vessels such as squeezable bottles. Where the end of the bottle is not merely an open end, a nozzle can be used to meter the amount of liquid being dispensed, and/or alternately direct the dispensed liquid exiting the bottle in a particular direction. Such nozzles are typically single piece bottle inserts which provide for a short, restricted passage of the liquid to pass therethrough from within the interior of the bottle. Although such combinations of a bottles and nozzles are widely known, there nonetheless exists a real and pressing need in the relevant art for still further improvements to bottle and nozzle assemblies, and in particular nozzles and nozzle assemblies which can be used to control and dispense specific types of liquids, and in particular thickened liquids through a medium such as standing water. Accordingly, it is to such an object that the present invention is directed.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an improved nozzle assembly with an anti-retraction feature which is useful in conjunction with a container, such as a bottle, for the dispensing of a liquid, and particularly for the targeted delivery of a thickened liquid.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a process for the dispensing of a liquid from a bottle having an improved nozzle assembly as described herein.
According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided an improved liquid dispenser which comprises an improved nozzle assembly with an anti-retraction feature as described herein.
According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a combination package and delivery article useful for both storing and dispensing a liquid treatment composition which package and delivery article comprises an improved nozzle assembly with an anti-retraction feature as described herein.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an improved nozzle assembly as described herein which is advantageously used for the targeted delivery of a drain treatment composition used to treat slow running but especially clogged drains.
These and other aspects of the invention will become more apparent from the reading of the following specification
The features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The operating characteristics of the improved nozzle assembly 10 will be described with further particularity on following
Turning first to
Turning now to
The foregoing features of the improved nozzle assembly 10 and the anti-retraction benefit provided thereby is particularly advantageous for the targeted delivery of a liquid composition through the spout portion 12 particularly when the spout portion 12 is downwardly directed, that is to say when a combination package and delivery article, which may be in its simplest form a bottle or other container having mounted thereon and improved nozzle assembly 10, is inferred it is such that the bottle or other container is directed vertically upwardly and above the improved nozzle assembly 10 and the open tip end 22 is directed downwardly with respect thereto. Such is particularly advantageous when the combination package and delivery article is used to provide for the targeted delivery of a composition through a second that liquid, such as standing water such as may be present in a sink or other base and having a drain at the bottom thereof.
In use, the improved nozzle assemblies and the combination package and delivery article are a particularly advantageously employed in the delivery of a thickened liquid, e.g., a drain treatment composition, such as a thickened bleach containing liquid and/or alternately a thickened alkaline liquid, and/or alternately a thickened acidic liquid to a desired position or locus. Such a thickened liquid generally has a viscosity of at least about 50 cps, preferably at least about 100 cps, yet more preferably at least about 200 cps. Concurrently, such any thickened liquid has a viscosity of not more than about 1500 cps, preferably not more than about 700 cps, and still more preferably not more than about 500 cps. The foregoing viscosities can be easily measured by routine analytical methods at room temperature, such as by the use of Brookfield viscometer using an appropriate spindle and rotational speed.
Advantageously, the improved nozzle assemblies are useful in providing for the targeted delivery of a thickened composition, e.g., drain treatment composition, especially a thickened bleach composition having and alkaline pH (a pH of greater than 7, preferably a pH of 10 or greater) to a specific location through a different standing liquid. For example, the improved nozzle assemblies are particularly useful in providing directly to a sink drain or a sink trap a liquid composition particularly a thickened alkaline compositions such as a thickened bleach composition which may provide a useful benefit in clearing a drain clog. Using the improved nozzle assemblies of the invention, a consumer can conveniently open up a container such as any compressible or squeezable thermoplastic bottle containing a quantity of a drain treatment composition, including but not limited to a thickened bleach composition, invert the bottle such that the tip is pointed downwardly and extends through standing water such as may be found in a clogged kitchen or bathroom sink, insert the tip has far down in the drain or drain opening as possible, and then squeeze the bottle thereby forcing the composition contained therein down through the nozzle assembly and the directly in the proximity of the drain or drain opening. Such minimizes the dilution of the treatment composition and may accelerate the loosening of the blockage within the drain. When the compressed bottle is withdrawn from the standing liquid and released, the anti-retraction feature of the nozzle assembly ensures that none of the standing liquid enters into the interior of the container on which the nozzle assembly is mounted. The nozzle assembly also permits for the venting of the contents of the bottle in a safe manner by permitting for the exit of any gas which may be generated by the composition through the nozzle, while at the same time resisting the egress of the liquid composition. Such reduces the incidence of bloating and undesired expansion of the container when stored or between dispensing operations.
Although described primarily as providing a useful benefit in the targeted delivery of a drain treatment composition, it is clear that the present invention can be used for the targeted delivery of other compositions in a similar manner as that described above.
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While the nozzle assembly of the invention may be formed of any of a variety of materials, advantageously the use of a synthetic polymers including thermosettable or thermoformable synthetic polymers such as are widely used in casting or injection molding. Exemplary synthetic polymers such as polyamides, polyolefins (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene) as well as polyalkyleneterephalates (i.e., polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate), polystyrenes, polysulfones, polycarbonates as well as copolymers formed from monomers of one or more of the foregoing being several nonlimiting examples of useful synthetic polymers. Desirably the material or materials of construction of the nozzle assembly is selected also as to not be deleteriously affected by the contents of the container which are to be used with the nozzle assembly. In the case where such contents are chemical compositions, e.g., aqueous or non-aqueous liquid compositions which comprise one or more surfactants, solvents, etc., the use of a synthetic polymer which is essentially chemically inert to such compositions is preferably used. In certain preferred embodiments all of the elements of the nozzle are formed from non-porous materials, preferably non-porous thermoplastic synthetic polymers such as synthetic polymers based on one or more polyolefins.
The flexible valve of the nozzle assembly of the invention may be formed of any flexible or elastomer material in his most desirably formed of a material which has a “shape memory” and which will return to an unstressed configuration upon the release or removal of any stresses or other pressures causing deformation of the same. Many synthetic elastomer scum as well as naturally occurring may be used including without limitation natural and synthetic rubbers, neoprene, polyisoprene, silicone based materials and the like. Preferably, the material of construction for the flexible valve is one which also exhibits an acceptable degree of chemical resistance to any composition which may be dispensed via an improved nozzle assembly as described herein. Where such a composition as a liquid, which can be alkaline or alternately maybe acidic, silicone based materials are advantageously used as a being relatively simple to form, such as by molding into a desired configuration of the flexible valve means, provide a good degree of chemical resistance and at the same time exhibit a good “shape memory”.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An improved nozzle assembly with an anti-retraction feature which is useful in conjunction with a container, such as a bottle, for the dispensing of a liquid thereform, the nozzle assembly which includes as the anti-retraction feature a flexible valve which includes a hollow barrel portion which is continuously open at one end and at the other end is provided as a check-valve a matched pair of flaps which, when the flexible valve is unstressed, are biased into a sealing position, and further wherein the flexible valve also comprises extending radially outwardly from the hollow barrel portion a circumferential flap which functions as a second check-valve, which when the flexible valve is unstressed, are biased into a further sealing position abutting against lateral plate and sealing one or more air passages.
2. A combination package and delivery article useful for both storing and dispensing a liquid treatment composition which package and delivery article comprises an improved nozzle assembly with an anti-retraction feature as described in claim 1.
3. A combination package and delivery article according to claim 2, which contains a thickened liquid having a viscosity of at least 50 cps.
4. A combination package and delivery article according to claim 3, which contains a thickened liquid having a viscosity of at least 100 cps.
5. A combination package and delivery article according to claim 2 which contains a thickened alkaline liquid.
6. A combination package and delivery article according to claim 2 which contains a thickened acidic liquid.
7. A combination package and delivery article according to claim 2 which contains a thickened bleach containing liquid.
8. A combination package and delivery article according to claim 2 which contains a drain treatment composition.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 1, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 10, 2009
Applicant: Reckitt Benckiser Inc. (Parsippany, NJ)
Inventor: Deirdre McKEOWN (Winchester, MA)
Application Number: 12/475,753
International Classification: B65D 25/40 (20060101); B65D 35/38 (20060101); B65D 5/72 (20060101);