Flexible liquid dispenser

• US 5,261,570 A
• Filed: 04/22/1991
• Issued: 11/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jon L. Stern, Keith A. Hippely
• Original Assignee: Jon L. Stern, Keith A. Hippely
• Inventors: Hippely, Keith A., Stern, Jon L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): DeRosa, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US07/689,320
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 222/23, 222/548, 222/549, 222/555, 222/39, 222/78, 222/175, 222/206, 222/212, 239/53-56, 239/36, 206/37, 206/823, 206/235, 224/148, 224/160, 224/214, 63/1.1, 63/2, 40/219, 40/312, 359/846-848
• US Class Current: 222/212
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/002 Jewellery dispersing perfume or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/00 Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. perfumes
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/06 in combination with other toiletry or cosmetic articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/002 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of a single strap passing around the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/006 comprising a suspension strap or lanyard
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 23/003 Suspension means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 23/12 Means for the attachment of smaller articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/242 moving helically

Abstract

A flexible liquid dispenser which may be used to hold and discharge suntan lotion, sunscreen lotion, perfume, insect repellent, or other liquids. In one embodiment the liquid dispenser is relatively flat, about 0.5 inch thick, fits in the palm of a person'"'"'s hand, and may be conveniently carried in a person'"'"'s pocket or hung around a person'"'"'s neck by a cord or tube attached to the dispenser. The dispenser body may be made out of molded plastic and has at least one flexible wall portion which allows the dispenser body to be compressed for the purpose of discharging the liquid from the dispenser. The liquid dispenser has a rotatable cap which may be turned to open a dispensing aperture in the cap. Liquid may then be discharged through the dispensing aperture by squeezing or compressing the dispenser body. The shape of the cap matches the outer contour of the dispenser body when the cap is unturned, providing a smooth outer surface for the dispenser that will not damage or rip a person'"'"'s pocket, and will be comfortable to carry. The liquid dispenser has a mirror, or reflective surface, and advertising label attached to the outside of the dispenser. The cap may be removed for the purpose of refilling the dispenser.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser for holding and discharging liquid, comprising:

a substantially planar hollow body portion with flexible front and rear walls and being adapted to hold liquid, said flexible front and rear walls having at least one flexible wall portion adapted so that said body portion can be compressed in order to discharge liquid from said dispenser;

a non rigid reflective surface attached to and covering a portion of the entire outside surface of one of said front and rear walls; and

said hollow body portion having a throat portion leading to a selectively sealable opening for dispensing liquid from said hollow body through the throat to the exterior;

wherein at least one of said flexible walls has a recessed area which is provided with undercuts for receiving and attaching the non rigid reflective surface thereto.

2. A liquid dispenser for holding and discharging liquid, comprising:

a thin-walled, hollow, substantially planar body portion adapted to hold liquid, said flexible front and rear walls and at least one of said flexible front and rear walls having a portion adapted so that said body portion can be compressed in order to discharge liquid from said dispenser;

a substantially flat, non-rigid mirror means mounted on one of said front and rear walls; and

a cap engaged to said body portion, said body portion and said cap providing a substantially smooth outer surface for said dispenser, said cap having an aperture through which said liquid is discharged;

wherein at least one of said flexible walls has a recessed area which is provided with undercuts for receiving and attaching the non rigid mirror-like surface thereto.

3. A liquid dispenser for holding and discharging liquid, comprising:

a thin-walled, hollow, substantially planar body portion adapted to hold liquid, said body portion having flexible front and rear walls and at least one of said flexible front and rear walls having a flexible wall portion adapted so that said body portion can be compressed in order to discharge liquid from said dispenser;

a non rigid mirror surface attached to at least one of said walls,

and a cap rotatably engaged to said body portion, said cap having outer surfaces that are (1) substantially flush with adjacent outer surfaces of said body portion when said cap is in an unturned first position so that a substantially smooth outer surface is provided for said dispenser, and (2) not flush with said adjacent outer surfaces of said body portion when said cap is turned to a second position, said cap having an aperture through which said liquid is discharged;

wherein at least one of said flexible walls has a recessed area which is provided with undercuts for receiving and attaching the non rigid mirror surface thereto.

4. A liquid dispenser for holding and discharging liquid, comprising:

a thin-walled hollow substantially planar body portion adapted to hold liquid, said body portion having flexible front, rear and side walls, and being adapted to discharge liquid from said dispenser, a flexible mirror surface attached to at least one of said walls of the body portion;

a cap engaged to said body portion having outer surfaces that are (1) substantially flush with adjacent outer surfaces of said body portion when said cap is in an unopened first position so that a substantially smooth outer surface is provided for said dispenser, and (2) not flush with said adjacent outer surface of said body portion when said cap is opened to a second position, said cap having an aperture through which said liquid is discharged;

wherein at least one of said flexible walls has a recessed area which is provided with undercuts for receiving and attaching the flexible mirror surface thereto.

5. A liquid dispenser for holding and discharging liquid, comprising:

a substantially planar hollow body portion with flexible front and rear walls and being adapted to hold liquid, said flexible front and rear walls having at least one flexible wall portion adapted so that said body portion can be compressed in order to discharge liquid from said dispenser;

a non rigid reflective surface attached to and covering a portion of the outside surface of one of said front and rear walls;

said hollow body portion having a throat portion leading to a selectively sealable opening for dispensing liquid from said hollow body through the throat to the exterior;

a cord attached to said hollow body portion;

wherein ribbed pins are attached to said substantially planar hollow body portion and said cord has annular end members attached thereto which are forced over the ribbed pins to removably attach the dispenser to the cord.