Container refilling system
A refilling system for reducing messiness during use includes a container and a refilling container. The container includes a hollow bottle, a pouring spout, and a cap which covers the pouring spout. The pouring spout has an interior surface. The refilling container includes a hollow body a refilling spout and contains a composition therein. The refilling spout has an exterior surface. In the refilling system, the interior surface and the exterior surface are coordinated such that the exterior surface may fit within the interior surface during use.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/487,366, filed Jul. 15, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to containers and refill packages for compositions. More specifically, the present invention relates to containers and refill packages for liquid and granular compositions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONContainers for holding and dispensing granular and/or liquid compositions, such as laundry detergents fabric softeners, etc., are well known in the art. Containers for granular compositions are often paperboard boxes, but can also be bottle-type containers such as are typically used for liquid compositions. These bottle-type containers typically contain a hollow bottle, a pouring spout, and a cap to prevent spillage. These containers, or parts thereof are usually formed from plastics, polymers, resins, paper, and/or laminates. While such containers are typically disposable and/or recyclable, some consumers and companies prefer that these containers be refillable, so as to reduce product cost, generation of garbage waste, etc. Accordingly, light weight disposable and/or recyclable refilling containers such as refill pouches have been developed. Once the container is empty, the composition in the refill pouch are then typically poured into the container to refill it. Typically, the cap and/or the pouring spout are removed to facilitate such refilling.
This refilling experience has now been found to cause frustration with many consumers, as the process is time consuming, especially for viscous compositions which do not pour very quickly. In addition, the refilling process can be messy as the composition drips or overflows part of the pouring spout and/or container. Finally, due to the above difficulties, refilling can be inconvenient as the process requires continuous concentration and attention, as the user tries to minimize messiness and keep the product flowing into the container.
Accordingly, the need exists for a refilling system which is less messy, which is easier and more convenient to use, relatively stress-free, which refills quickly, and/or which refills faster. The need also exists for a refilling system for liquid compositions which meets the above objectives, in a cost-effective manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a refilling system for reducing messiness during use includes a container and a refilling container. The container includes a hollow bottle, a pouring spout, and a cap which covers the pouring spout. The pouring spout has an interior surface. The refilling container includes a hollow body a refilling spout and contains a composition therein. The refilling spout has an exterior surface. In the refilling system, the interior surface and the exterior surface are coordinated such that the exterior surface may fit within the interior surface during use.
It has now been found that by carefully coordinating the size and/or shape of the exterior surface of the refilling spout with the interior surface of the pouring spout, the overall refilling experience can be significantly enhanced. Moreover, messiness and dripping can be minimized or even eliminated, while speed of refilling can be significantly enhanced. As less time is spent in the refilling process, the overall consumer experience is made more satisfying and less stressful. Also significantly less consumer concentration is required when using the refilling system herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSWhile the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description of the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
The figures herein are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAll temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise specified.
As used herein, the term “comprising” means that other steps, ingredients, elements, etc. which do not affect the end result can be added. This term encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.
As used herein, the term “during use” means during refilling of the hollow bottle with the refilling container.
Preferred examples of the container, and/or portions thereof useful herein include GB Design Patent Application No. 3010528 and 3010529, both to Isono, filed on Jan. 30, 2003. Textured surfaces may also be employed so as to enhance gripping, if desired. Preferred production processes include blow molding, injection molding, injection blow molding, vacuum forming, thermoforming, pulp molding and combinations thereof. For a pulp paper container, preferred processes include those described in JP Patent No. 3072088 B1 to Kumamoto, and JP Patent No. 3072104 B1 to Tsura, both published on Jul. 31, 2000.
The refilling system, 10, also includes a refilling container, 20, which has a hollow body, 22, containing a refilling spout, 24, and a composition, 26, inside of the hollow body, 22. The refilling spout, 24, has an exterior surface, 28, which is coordinated with an interior surface, 30, of the pouring spout, 16. The exterior surface, 28, is coordinated with the interior surface, 30, in a manner such that the exterior surface, 28, fits into the interior surface, 30, preferably, the exterior surface, 28, removably attaches to the interior surface, 30, for example by securing, locking and/or fitting together so as to reduce spillage and messiness. Therefore, it is highly preferred that either at least a portion of the interior surface, 30, be formed of a flexible, collapsible, and/or bendable material, and/or that at least a portion of the interior surface, 30, have a greater circumference than at least a portion of the exterior surface, 28, so that the exterior surface, 28, may be fitted into the interior surface, 30. A preferred refilling container is formed of a material which includes a film, a laminate, a plastic, a polymer, a resin, a metal, and/or paper, more preferably polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, nylon, aluminum and a combination thereof. Such refilling containers may also be coextruded, or formed via other methods known in the art, such as described above.
In
The refilling container, 20, is typically selected from a pouch, a bag, a pocket, and/or a box, bottle, preferably a pouch. The refilling container, 20, is usually formed of a bendable material, and in
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As suggested by the name, the hand-tear line, 42, may be easily torn from the refilling container so as to open the refilling container for use. However, alternative methods for opening the refilling container are also useful herein, such as having a reclosable seal and/or cap on the refilling spout, having an indication that the refilling spout should be cut with a knife and/or scissors, etc.
If during use the refilling container is to be flattened, rolled, folded, etc., this process should begin at the bottom end, 46, which is distal from the refilling spout, 24, and proceed towards the refilling spout, 24.
In a preferred embodiment, the refilling system allows hands-free, stable refilling of the hollow bottle as the refilling container drains. Such a preferred refilling system may be provided by designing the refilling container, the container, and/or parts thereof such as the pouring spout and the refilling spout such that they stably and removably lock, screw, and/or snap together. Alternatively, the refilling container, container, and/or parts thereof may be designed such that during use, the refilling container stably rests upon the pouring spout in a balanced manner. By designing the refilling container to stably rest upon the pouring spout, and to remain balanced thereupon as the composition therein drains, the consumer refilling experience is remarkably improved. This preferred embodiment allows such hands-free, stable refilling without requiring that the consumer actually hold the refilling container during the entire draining process. As it may take 5 minutes or more for a truly viscous composition in the refilling container to completely drain into the container, such freeing up of the consumer's hands and concentration is especially desirable. Such a preferred embodiment may also allow a consumer to simply start the refilling process by opening the refilling container and the container, affixing the refilling spout of the refilling container to the pouring spout of the container, placing the refilling system on a stable, flat surface, and then leaving the refilling system until draining is complete. This will ensure almost total emptying of the composition from the refilling container into the container's hollow bottle. This in turn reduces that amount of composition wasted due to the impatience of certain consumers during the refilling process.
In a preferred embodiment, the tube and or the refilling spout is flexible and/or extendable so as to more easily allow for refilling of the hollow bottle. Such an embodiment may also make the refilling container more stable during use.
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
EXAMPLE 1 A refilling system as in
The refilling spout has an exterior surface which is generally an oval having a minimum diameter of about 9 mm and a maximum diameter of about 12 mm. The interior surface of the pouring spout is also generally an oval having a minimum diameter of about 12 mm, and a maximum diameter of about 18 mm. Thus, the refilling spout and even the seal edges of the refilling spout fit easily into the pouring spout during use of the refilling system to pour the composition into the container, and the hollow bottle.
An instruction set is provided on the back of the refilling bottle which provides written and graphical step-by-step instructions to tear off the tear-off portion in order to open the refilling container, to insert the refilling spout into the pouring spout of a relatively empty container, to invert the refilling container while keeping the refilling spout inserted in the pouring spout, to begin flattening, squeezing, rolling and/or folding refilling container from the bottom end towards the pouring spout, and then to tape the flattened/squeezed/rolled/folded container closed when the refilling process is complete. When used as instructed, the refilling system provides quick and easy refilling of the container while also minimizing dripping and waste.
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A refilling system for reducing messiness during use comprising:
- A. a container comprising a hollow bottle, a pouring spout and a cap which covers the pouring spout, the pouring spout having an interior surface; and
- B. a refilling container comprising a hollow body, a refilling spout and a composition therein, the refilling spout having an exterior surface,
- wherein the interior surface and the exterior surface are coordinated such that the exterior surface may fit within the interior surface during use.
2. The refilling system of claim 1, wherein when the exterior surface is fit within the interior surface, the refilling container stably rests upon the pouring spout.
3. The refilling system of claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a securing mechanism.
4. The refilling system of claim 1, wherein the refilling spout further comprises a tube therein.
5. The refilling system of claim 1, wherein the refilling container comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a film, a laminate, a plastic, a polymer, a resin, paper, a metal, and a mixture thereof
6. The refilling system of claim 1, wherein the refilling container is selected from the group consisting of a pouch, a bag, a pocket, a box, a bottle and a combination thereof.
7. The refilling system of claim 1, wherein, when ready to use for refilling, the refilling spout is cut at an acute angle.
8. The refilling system of claim 1, wherein the refilling spout comprises a hand-tear line.
9. The refilling system of claim 1, further comprising an instruction set comprising a recommendation to insert the exterior surface into the interior surface during the refilling process.
10. A refilling system for reducing messiness during use comprising:
- A. a container comprising a hollow bottle, a pouring spout and a cap which covers the pouring spout, the pouring spout having an interior surface; and
- B. a refilling container comprising a hollow body, a refilling spout comprising a tube and a composition therein, the refilling spout having an exterior surface and a hand-tear portion,
- wherein the refilling container is a pouch, wherein, when ready to use for refilling, the refilling spout is cut at an acute angle, wherein the interior surface and the exterior surface are coordinated such that the exterior surface may fit within the interior surface during use, and wherein when the exterior surface is fit within the interior surface, the refilling container stably rests upon the pouring spout.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 15, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 31, 2005
Applicant:
Inventors: Shizuka Furukawa (Nishinomiya), Nobuo Mimura (Takatsuki), Rie Murakami (Nada-Ku Kobe), Ryoichi Tomishima (Nishinomiya), Michael Lin (Ashiya)
Application Number: 10/891,541