Product Dispensing Apparatus with Sample Holder
The present invention is directed to a dispensing apparatus configured to store and dispense a product, while also providing a storage space for an object, e.g., a sample product container, via a recessed chamber located in the cap.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/595,387, filed Feb. 6, 2012, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a product dispensing apparatus and, more particularly, to a product dispensing apparatus comprising a cap with a built-in recess capable of storing, e.g., a product sample.
BACKGROUNDProduct dispensing containers are known in the art that allow for the body and dispensing of fluid products such as liquids, creams and ointments. Most of these containers incorporate a body unit that stores the product and a cap for dispensing the product and sealing the body unit when the product is not being used. The cap may be of the flip-top or screw-on variety. Conventional product dispensing containers can take on a variety of shapes, sizes and colors that allow manufacturers to distinguish their products from competing products.
Current sales and marketing trends have ushered in an increase in “cross selling” whereby marketers include trial or sample products along with standard sized packages. For example, a manufacturer of sunscreen may wish to promote a new product such as a lip balm and include a sample of the lip balm along with a standard size tube of sun screen. Packaging standard sized products with smaller or different shaped sample or promotional sizes has confounded marketers who are more conscious about cost-efficient and attractive packaging. Current methods involve shrink wrapping the trial or promotional size product to the full size product. This method requires additional material and manufacturing steps, activators or two part systems, and may result in a less appealing product presentation.
As demonstrated, the prior art lacks an apparatus that provides a means for dispensing/preserving products while at the same time being able to conveniently store a secondary product such as a sample size or promotional product.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARYIt is an object of the present invention to provide a bottle, tube, canister, etc., for a product which also has at least one compartment to hold a product sample or the like.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cap for a product container which has at least one compartment to hold a product sample or the like.
These objects and others are achieved by the present invention, which in certain embodiments is directed to a dispensing apparatus comprising a body having an inner chamber and a top end; and a cap secured to the top end of the body, the cap having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the cap optionally comprises an opening extending through the top surface and the bottom surface into the inner chamber of the body; and a recessed chamber in the top surface.
In certain other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a cap comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; an optional opening extending through the top surface and the bottom surface; and a recessed chamber in the top surface.
In yet other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method for storing an object, the method comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: a body having an inner chamber and a top end; and a cap secured to the top end of the body, the cap having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the cap optionally comprises an opening extending through the top surface and the bottom surface into the inner chamber of the body; and a recessed chamber in the top surface; and placing an object into the recessed chamber.
The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments presented below considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, of which:
The dispensing apparatus of the present invention is configured to store and dispense a product, while providing a storage space through a recessed chamber in the cap. The storage space can be used to store, e.g., sample-sized product, applicators, personal items, etc.
As used herein, the term “product” is intended to include, but is not limited to, any fluid substance, including liquids, gels, creams, ointments, cosmetics, medicines and food items.
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The body, caps and lids of the present invention can be made from a variety of suitable materials such, for example, polymers such as polyethelene, polypropylene, polysterene, polycarbonate homopolymers, copolycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (ABS), styrene/acrylonitrile (SAN), polyamides, thermoplastic polyurethane, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA Acrylics), polysterethermoplastic urethane (TPU), Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), poly vinylidine fluoride (PVDF), blends of polycarbonate, resins thereof, or mixtures thereof. Current manufacturing processes such as injection molding or extrusion molding may be used to fabricate such articles and one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate such processes.
The dispensing apparatus of the present invention may also be configured with a “tamper evident” detail so that buyers know that the opening in the cap has not been exposed and/or the object in the recessed chamber has not been removed prior to purchase. Tamper evident details may include, e.g., film wrappers, heat-shrink bands or wrappers, container mouth inner seals, tape seals, breakable or tear away portions of caps, sealed metal tubes, sealed plastic tubes, etc. The type of tamper evident detail may vary depending on the application and one having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate which cap to use for which situation.
The present invention is described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made and other embodiments can be used without departing from the broader scope of the present invention. Therefore, these and other variations upon the exemplary embodiments are intended to be covered by the present invention.
Claims
1. A dispensing apparatus comprising:
- a body having an inner chamber and a top end; and
- a cap secured to the top end of the body, the cap having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the cap comprises a recessed chamber in the top surface, and optionally an opening extending through the top surface and the bottom surface into the inner chamber of the body.
2. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lid, wherein at least a portion of the lid is removeably secured to the cap.
3. (canceled)
4. The dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the lid is permanently affixed to the cap.
5. The dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid is a flip-top, a screw-on lid or a snap-on lid.
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. The dispensing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flip-top comprises at least two sections which flip independently of each other.
9. The dispensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein one of the at least two sections of the flip-top resides over the opening of the cap and the other of the at least two sections of the flip-top resides over the recessed chamber.
10. A cap comprising:
- a) a top surface;
- b) a bottom surface;
- c) a recessed chamber in the top surface; and
- d) optionally, an opening extending through the top surface and the bottom surface.
11. The cap of claim 10 further comprising a lid, wherein at least a portion of the lid is removeably secured to the cap.
12. (canceled)
13. The cap of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the lid is permanently affixed to the cap.
14. The cap of claim 11, wherein the lid is a flip-top, a screw-on lid or a snap-on lid.
15. The cap of claim 14, wherein the lid is a flip-top.
16. The cap of claim 15, wherein the flip-top comprises at least two sections which flip independently of each other.
17. The cap of claim 16, wherein one of the at least two sections of the flip-top resides over the opening of the cap and the other of the at least two sections of the flip-top resides over the recessed chamber.
18. A method for storing an object, the method comprising:
- a) providing an apparatus comprising: i. a body having an inner chamber and a top end; and ii. a cap secured to the top end of the body, the cap having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the cap comprises a recessed chamber in the top surface; and optionally an opening extending through the top surface and the bottom surface into the inner chamber of the body; and
- b) placing an object into the recessed chamber.
19. (canceled)
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the recessed chamber is cylindrical.
21. (canceled)
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the lid is a flip-top, a screw-on lid or a snap-on lid.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the lid is a flip-top.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the recessed chamber of the cap extends into the inner chamber of the body.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the flip-top comprises at least two sections which flip independently of each other.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein one of the at least two sections of the flip-top resides over the opening of the cap and the other of the at least two sections of the flip-top resides over the recessed chamber.
27. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 5, 2013
Publication Date: Aug 8, 2013
Applicant: World Wide Packaging, Inc. (Florham Park, NJ)
Inventor: World Wide Packaging, Inc. (Florham Park, NJ)
Application Number: 13/759,810
International Classification: B65D 51/00 (20060101);