Dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser includes a body having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion of the body is substantially dome-shaped. The lower portion of the body has a first density. The upper portion of the body defines an internal volume. The internal volume is configured to receive a composition that has a second density that is less than the first density.

Description

BACKGROUND

Compositions are typically stored in a dispenser. For example, toothpaste may be stored in a tube that is squeezed to eject the toothpaste therefrom. In another example, a shampoo may be stored in a bottle, and the shampoo may be poured out of the bottle. The composition may have a tendency to separate into portions of higher and lower densities in conventional dispensers. In addition, conventional dispensers do not appeal to children, and thus, provide no incentive for the children to use the composition. What is needed is an improved dispenser.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A dispenser includes a body having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion of the body is substantially dome-shaped. The lower portion of the body has a first density. The upper portion of the body defines an internal volume. The internal volume is configured to receive a composition that has a second density that is less than the first density.

In another embodiment, the dispenser includes a body having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is substantially conical with a cross-sectional width that increases proceeding away from a lowermost point. The lower portion, the upper portion, or both define an internal volume that is configured to receive a composition through an opening in the body.

A method for manufacturing a dispenser is also disclosed. The method includes forming a body having an internal volume, forming an insert having a width that increases proceeding away from a lowermost point, coupling the insert to a lower portion of the body, and introducing a composition into the internal volume of the body.

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

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a dispenser, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser showing a lid in an open position, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser wobbling, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of another dispenser, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 5 spinning, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a dispenser, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

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.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a perspective view and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of a dispenser 100, according to an embodiment. The dispenser 100 may include a body 110. The body 110 may be made of a polymer or elastomer. For example, the body 110 may be made of a blow-molded polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). The body 110 may define an internal volume. A composition 132 may be stored in the internal volume. The composition 132 may be or include a dentifrice composition (e.g., toothpaste, tooth powder, tooth soap, mouthwash). In other embodiments, the composition 132 may be or include personal care or home care compositions such as lotions, soap, shampoo, conditioner, dish detergent, laundry detergent, fabric softener, surface cleaners, etc.

The body 110 may include a lower portion 120 and an upper portion 130. The lower portion 120 and the upper portion 130 together may be substantially spheroid or egg-shaped. As shown, the lower portion 120 may be substantially dome-shaped (e.g., partially spherical). A central longitudinal axis 112 may extend through the body 110. When a cross-section is taken through the lower portion 120 and/or the upper portion 130 of the body 110 in a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 112, the cross-sectional shape of the body 110 may be substantially circular at any height along the central longitudinal axis 112. The central longitudinal axis 112 may intersect the lower portion 120 at a lowermost point 122. A width 124 of the lower portion 120 may increase proceeding upward from the lowermost point 122.

The lower portion 120 of the body 110 may contain or include a material having a first density or weight. The material may be a liquid, a gel, or a solid. In one embodiment, the material may be positioned within an internal volume of the body 110. In another embodiment, the material may be part of an insert 126 that is a separate component that is coupled to the body 110. For example, the insert 126 may screw or snap onto the lower portion 120 and/or the upper portion 130 of the body 110. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the insert 126 may have the dome-shaped outer surface.

The upper portion 130 of the body 110 may be at least partially filled with the composition 132, and the upper portion 130 of the body 110 and/or the composition 132 has/have a second density or weight. The first density or weight may be greater than the second density or weight. For example, the first density or weight may be from about 110% to about 150%, from about 150% to about 200%, from about 200% to about 400%, from about 400% to about 600%, from about 600% to about 800%, or from about 800% to about 1000% of the second density or weight. In one specific embodiment, the first density is about 300% of the second density.

The outer surface of the lower portion 120 and/or the upper portion 130 may have a convex contour. As shown, in at least one embodiment, the body 110 may also include a neck 140 that extends upward from the upper portion 130 when the body 110 is positioned on a horizontal surface. The neck 140 may be shaped substantially like a hyperboloid, as shown, where the outer surface of the neck 140 may have a concave contour. The neck 140 may define an opening (shown in FIG. 2) through which the composition 132 may be introduced into the internal volume of the body 110 or be dispensed from the internal volume of the body 110.

A lid 150 may be coupled to the body 110 (e.g., on the neck 140) proximate to the opening. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the neck 140 proximate to the opening may have a plurality of threads formed thereon that may engage a corresponding plurality of threads on the inner surface of the lid 150. In another embodiment, the outer surface of the neck 140 proximate to the opening may have one or more protrusions that be configured to be received within one or more corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the lid 150. In this embodiment, the lid 150 may “snap onto” the neck 140 in response to a predetermined downward force on the lid 150.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser 100 showing the lid 150 in an open position, according to an embodiment. The lid 150 may include a base 152 and a cap 154, which is shown in the open position in FIG. 3. The cap 154 is shown in a closed position in FIGS. 1 and 2. The base 152 of the lid 150 may be coupled to the body 110 of the dispenser 100. The base 152 may have an opening (e.g., a nozzle) 156 formed therethrough. The central longitudinal axis 112 may extend through the opening 156, or it may be offset from the central longitudinal axis 112.

The cap 154 may be coupled to the base 152 by one or more hinges. In another embodiment, the cap 154 may screw or snap onto the base 152. The cap 154 may prevent the composition 132 from flowing through the opening 156 when the cap 154 is in the closed position. The cap 154 may pivot or rotate about the hinge(s) into an open position, as shown in FIG. 3. The composition 132 may flow through the opening 156 when the cap 154 is in the open position, for example, to be applied into a user's mouth or onto a user's toothbrush.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser 100 wobbling, according to an embodiment. Due to the shape of the body 110 and the difference in densities between the material in the lower portion 120 of the body 110 (e.g., the insert 126) and the composition 132 in the upper portion 130 of the body 110, the dispenser 100 may have a single position in which it tends to achieve stable mechanical equilibrium. This position may be when the lowermost point 122 sits on a substantially horizontal surface, such as the ground or a counter top, and the central longitudinal axis 112 is perpendicular to the substantially horizontal surface (i.e., when the dispenser 100 is upright). When the dispenser 100 is tilted such that the central longitudinal axis 112 is not perpendicular to the substantially horizontal surface, the dispenser 100 may then wobble or rock back and forth under the effects of gravity until the central longitudinal axis 112 is once again perpendicular to the ground, and the dispenser 100 returns to its upright position. Thus, the dispenser 100 may function in a similar manner to roly-poly toys, round-bottomed dolls, tilting dolls, tumblers, or the like.

A surface area of the body 110 (e.g., the lower portion 120) that is in contact with the substantially horizontal surface, when the dispenser 100 is upright and/or when the dispenser 100 is wobbling/rocking, may be less than or equal to about 1 cm², less than or equal to about 0.5 cm², or less than or equal to about 0.25 cm². The surface area of the body 110 (e.g., the lower portion 120) that is in contact with the substantially horizontal surface, when the dispenser 100 is upright and/or when the dispenser 100 is wobbling/rocking may be less than or equal to about 2.5% of total a surface area of the entire body 110.

An inner surface of the upper portion 130 of the body 110 that defines the internal volume may include a coating 134 (see FIG. 2). A coefficient of friction between the composition 132 and the coating 134 may be less than a coefficient of friction between the composition 132 and an inner surface of the body 110. As a result, the coating 134 may prevent the composition 132 from sticking to the inner surface of the body 110, thereby allowing the composition 132 to slide or slosh or otherwise move around within the internal volume of the body 110 when the dispenser 100 is wobbling or rocking back and forth. In at least one embodiment, the coating 134 may be or include a liquid-impregnated surface, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,940,361. For example, the coating 134 may include a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin. In at least one embodiment, the coating 134 may be or include LiquiGlide® manufactured by LiquiGlide Inc. of Cambridge, Mass.

In operation, a user may grab the dispenser 110 and open the lid 150. The user may then rotate the dispenser 100 such that the composition 132 flows out of the dispenser 100 (e.g., through the opening 156 in the lid 150) due to gravity. In another embodiment, the user may squeeze the body 110 of the dispenser 100 to cause the composition 132 to flow out of the dispenser 110 through the opening 156 in the lid 150. The user may then close the lid 150 and set the dispenser 100 down on a horizontal surface such that the central longitudinal axis 112 is slightly offset from perpendicular to the horizontal surface, and the dispenser 100 will wobble gently to a still and upright position. In another scenario, the user may throw or toss or severely tilt the dispenser 100, rather than setting the dispenser 100 down as described above, and the dispenser 100 may wobble or rock back and forth vigorously before returning to its upright position.

Due to its ability to return to its upright position, the user need not worry about inadvertently knocking into or tipping over the dispenser 100 over while reaching for other bathroom products. In addition, the wobbling or rocking of the dispenser 100 may serve to mix the composition 132 within the internal volume of the body 110 to help the composition remain substantially uniform over time, rather than potentially separating into a higher density portion and a lower density portion. Furthermore, the wobbling/rocking of the dispenser 100 may amuse, entertain, or appeal to young children, which may encourage them to use the composition 132 (e.g., brush their teeth).

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a perspective view and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of another dispenser 500, according to an embodiment. The dispenser 500 may include a body 510. The body 510 may be made of a polymer or elastomer. For example, the body 510 may be made of a blow-molded polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). The body 510 may define an internal volume. A dentifrice (or other) composition 532 may be stored in the internal volume.

The body 510 may include a lower portion 520 and an upper portion 530. A central longitudinal axis 512 through the body 510 may intersect the lower portion 520 at a lowermost point 522. A width 524 of the lower portion 520 may increase proceeding upward from the lowermost point 522 to a widest portion 528, which is positioned between the upper and lower portions 520, 530. Thus, the lower portion 510 may be substantially conical or frustoconical in shape. The width 524 of the upper portion 530 may then decrease proceeding upward from the widest portion 528. Thus, the upper portion 530 may also be substantially conical or frustoconical in shape, with a truncated apex. When a cross-section is taken through the body 510 in a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 512, the cross-sectional shape of the body 510 may be substantially circular at any height along the central longitudinal axis 512.

In at least one embodiment, the lower portion 520 may include an insert 526 coupled thereto, and the insert 526 may include the lowermost point 522. The insert 526 may screw onto or snap onto the lower portion 520 of the body 510. The insert 526 may be made of a different (e.g., harder and/or more dense) material than the remainder of the body 510. In addition, the insert 526 may be injection molded, as opposed to blow-molded, to make the insert 526 more rigid and durable than the remainder of the body 510.

The upper portion 530 of the body 510 may define an opening (shown in FIG. 6) through which the composition 532 may be introduced into the internal volume of the body 510 or be dispensed from the internal volume of the body 510. A lid 550 may be coupled to the upper portion 530 proximate to the opening. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the upper portion 530 proximate to the opening may have a plurality of threads formed thereon that may engage a corresponding plurality of threads on the inner surface of the lid 550. In another embodiment, the outer surface of the upper portion 530 proximate to the opening may have one or more protrusions that be configured to be received within one or more corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the lid 550. In this embodiment, the lid 550 may “snap onto” the upper portion 530 when the lid 550 is subjected to a predetermined downward force.

The lid 550 may include a base 552 and a cap 554. The base 552 may be coupled to the upper portion 530 of the body 510. The base 552 may have an opening (e.g., a nozzle) formed therethrough. The central longitudinal axis 512 may extend through the opening, or the opening may be offset from the central longitudinal axis 512.

The cap 554 may be coupled to the base 552 by one or more hinges (not shown). The cap 554 may prevent the composition 532 from flowing through the opening when the cap 554 is in the closed position, as shown. The cap 554 may pivot or rotate about the hinge(s) into an open position to allow the composition 532 to flow through the opening, for example, into a user's mouth or onto a user's toothbrush.

In operation, a user may grab the dispenser 510 and open the lid 550. The user may then rotate the dispenser 500 such that the composition 532 flows out of the dispenser 500 (e.g., through the opening in the lid 550) due to gravity. In another embodiment, the user may squeeze the body 510 of the dispenser 500 to cause the composition 532 to flow out of the dispenser 510 through the opening in the lid 550. The user may then close the lid 550 and set the dispenser 500 down. When set at rest on a substantially horizontal surface, such as a counter top, the dispenser 500 will tend to sit on the lowermost point 522 and a point on the edge of the widest portion 528, such that the central longitudinal axis 512 is at an angle other than perpendicular to the substantially horizontal surface.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser 500 spinning about the central longitudinal axis 512, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the user may apply a rotational force to the upper portion 530 of the body 510. For example, the user may place the upper portion 530 of the body 510 between two fingers (e.g., the thumb and middle finger), and then move those two fingers rapidly with respect to one another (e.g., a snap-like motion), to cause the body 510 to rotate about the central longitudinal axis 512. When the body 510 is rotating, as shown in FIG. 7, only the lowermost point 512 may be in contact with (e.g., sit upon) the horizontal surface. When rotation slows, and the body 510 eventually comes back to rest (i.e., is stationary), the lowermost point 522 and a point or small part of the widest portion 528 may be in contact with the horizontal surface, similar to the position illustrated in FIG. 5. Thus, the dispenser 500 may be able to function like a “spinning top.”

The spinning of the dispenser 500 may serve to mix the composition 532 within the internal volume of the body 510 to help the composition remain substantially uniform over time, rather than potentially separating into a higher density portion and a lower density portion. In some embodiments, this may make the composition 532 easier to dispense (e.g., onto a toothbrush) than before the spinning. Furthermore, the spinning of the dispenser 500 may amuse, entertain, or appeal to young children, which may encourage them to use the composition 532 (e.g., brush their teeth).

A surface area of the body 510 that is in contact with the ground, when the dispenser 500 is stationary (FIG. 5) and/or when the dispenser 500 is spinning (FIG. 7), may be less than or equal to about 0.5 cm², less than or equal to about 0.25 cm², or less than or equal to about 0.1 cm². The surface area of the body 510 that is in contact with the ground, when the dispenser 500 is stationary and/or when the dispenser 500 is spinning may be less than or equal to about 2% of a surface area of a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 512 at the widest portion 528 of the body 510.

An inner surface of the body 510 (e.g., the lower portion 520 and/or the upper portion 530) that defines the internal volume may have a coating 534 disposed thereon (see FIG. 6). A coefficient of friction between the composition 532 and the coating 534 may be less than a coefficient of friction between the composition 532 and an inner surface of the body 510. As a result, the coating 534 may allow the composition 532 to slide or slosh or otherwise move around within the internal volume of the body 510 when the dispenser 500 is spinning. In at least one embodiment, the coating 534 may be or include LiquiGlide®.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method 800 for manufacturing a dispenser 100, 500, according to an embodiment. The method 800 may include forming a body 110, 510 having an internal volume, as at 802. Forming the body 110, 510 may include blow-molding a polymer and may include forming two parts or portions of the body, such as an upper portion 130, 530 and a lower portion 120, 520. The method 800 may also include forming an insert 126, 526, as at 804. The insert 126, 526 may have a width 124, 524 that increases proceeding away from a lowermost point 122, 522. Forming the insert 126, 526 may include injection-molding a polymer. The insert 126, 526 may be made from a different material than the body 110, 510. The method 800 may also include coupling the insert 126, 526 to a lower portion of the body 110, 510, as at 806. The method 800 may also include introducing a composition into the internal volume of the body 110, 510, as at 808.

Claims

1. A dispenser, comprising:

a body comprising: a lower portion that is substantially dome-shaped, wherein the lower portion of the body has a first density the body being configured so that, in response to being tilted, the body rocks back and forth until the body returns to an upright state; an upper portion that defines an internal volume, wherein the internal volume is configured to receive a composition that has a second density that is less than the first density; a neck that extends upward from the upper portion, the neck having a concave contour; and a lid coupled to the upper portion of the body, wherein the lid id formed with a convex contour.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a dentifrice composition.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein an area of an outer surface of the lower portion of the body, that is in contact with a surface on which the body sits, is less than or equal to 1 cm2.

4. (canceled)

5. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a coating on an inner surface of the upper portion of the body, wherein a coefficient of friction between the composition and the coating is less than a coefficient of friction between the composition and the inner surface of the upper portion of the body.

6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the body comprises an insert that is coupled to the body.

7. (canceled)

8. A dispenser, comprising:

a body comprising: a lower portion that is substantially conical with a cross-sectional width that increases proceeding away from a lowermost point; and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion, the upper portion, or both define an internal volume that is configured to receive a composition through an opening in the body.

9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the composition comprises a dentifrice composition.

10. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the upper portion of the body is substantially conical with a cross-sectional width that decreases proceeding away from the lowermost point.

11. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the body is configured to spin about a central longitudinal axis through the body, and wherein the lowermost point is the only point on the body that contacts a surface on which the body sits when the body is spinning.

12. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a coating on an inner surface of the body, wherein a coefficient of friction between the composition and the coating is less than a coefficient of friction between the composition and the inner surface of the body.

13. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the body comprises a widest portion between the lower and upper portions, and wherein the lowermost point and the widest portion contact the surface on which the body sits when the body is not spinning.

14. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the lower portion comprises an insert that is coupled thereto, wherein the insert comprises the lowermost point.

15. A method for manufacturing a dispenser, comprising:

forming a body having an internal volume;

forming an insert having a width that increases proceeding away from a lowermost point;

coupling the insert to a lower portion of the body; and

introducing a composition into the internal volume of the body.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the body comprises blow-molding a first polymer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the insert comprises injection-molding a second polymer.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the insert is made of a different material than the body.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the insert is substantially dome-shaped and has a first density, and wherein the body, the composition, or both has a second density that is less than the first density.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the insert is substantially conical.