Rechargeable containers and dispensers

• US 5,836,479 A
• Filed: 07/21/1997
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sunpat, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sprayex LLC
• Inventors: Klima, William L, Klima, Walter F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Douglas, Lisa Ann
• Application Number:
  US08/897,838
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 222/80, 222/82, 222/129, 222/130, 222/136, 222/325, 222/383.1, 222/83.5, 239/304, 239/305, 239/309, 239/333
• US Class Current: 222/83.5
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0056 with an additional opening for filling or refilling
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0081 and for mixing the components in a common container as a mixture ready for use before discharging the latter
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0083 one of the components being in powder form
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0086 Arrangements for allowing spraying and pouring
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0097 Means for filling or refilling the sprayer through additional openings in the container B05B11/0056
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1081 Arrangements for pumping several liquids or other fluent materials from several containers, e.g. for mixing them at the moment of pumping
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/30 Dip tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/5837 Plural independent blowing means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/009 after shaping
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0715 the preform having one end closed
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/04 Extrusion blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/04108 extruding several parisons parallel to each other at the same time
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/06 Injection blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7158 Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/023 Neck construction
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/20 characterised by location or arrangement of filling or discharge apertures

Abstract

Rechargeable containers and dispensers, in particular spray bottle dispensers including at least one chemical reservoir for recharging the spray bottle dispenser. Preferably, a plurality of separate chemical reservoirs containing chemical concentrate are provide within the spray bottle dispenser to fully contain any inadvertent spillage of chemicals, and to insure a high degree of safety against accidental spills, and/or accidental ingestion by children.

Claims

1. A rechargeable liquid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a bottle having at least one neck portion;

a cartridge receiver disposed in said neck portion, said cartridge receiver, including, an upper outwardly extending flange portion, a bottom wall portion having a through hole extending therethrough, and a bayonet extending upwardly from said bottom wall portion;

a cartridge configured to be removably inserted within said cartridge receiver, said cartridge containing one or more separate charges of concentrated product, said cartridge, including, an upper outwardly extending flange, an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, at least one of said upper wall portion and said lower wall portion being configured to be frangible by said bayonet of said cartridge receiver when said cartridge is inserted into said cartridge receiver; and

a closure connected to said neck portion to seal said bottle.

2. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge is provided with multiple separate chambers.

3. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cartridge is configured so that said multiple separate chambers can be selectively accessed.

4. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said cartridge is partitioned by at least one inner wall extending along a length of said cartridge.

5. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said cartridge is provided with a through hole extending along its length.

6. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said cartridge is cylindrical-shaped and said upper wall portion and lower wall portion are substantially planar, and said cartridge is partitioned by at least one inner wall extending along a length of said cartridge to provide multiple secant shaped separate chambers.

7. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, including a same concentrated product stored inside each of said multiple separate chambers.

8. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, including different concentrated products stored in at least two of said multiple separate chambers.

9. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said different concentrated products are chemically reactive when mixed together.

10. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, including concentrated product stored inside said cartridge.

11. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge receiver and said cartridge are configured so that said cartridge nests within said cartridge receiver.

12. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said cartridge receiver and said cartridge are cylindrical-shaped.

13. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said upper wall portion and lower wall portion are substantially planar.

14. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge is provided with a through hole extending along its length.

15. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bottle is a spray bottle, and said closure is a spray head including a downtube extending into said spray bottle.

16. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said spray bottle is provided with another neck portion including another closure for sealing said second neck portion.

17. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bottle is a water or beverage type bottle, and said closure is configured to be opened and closed.

18. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said closure is a push-pull type closure.

19. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, including an adapter including a lower internally threaded collar connected to said neck of said bottle, and an upper externally threaded collar connected to said closure.

20. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said bottle is a spray bottle, and said closure is a spray head including a downtube extending into said spray bottle.

21. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said spray bottle is provided with another neck portion including another closure for sealing said second neck portion.

22. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said upper wall portion and said lower wall portion of said cartridge are provided by a frangible sealing membrane.

23. A rechargeable liquid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a bottle having at least one neck portion;

a bayonet stored within said bottle;

a cylindrical-shaped cartridge configured to be removably inserted within said neck portion of said bottle, said cartridge containing one or more separate charges of concentrated product, said cartridge, including, an upper outwardly extending flange, a substantially planar upper wall portion, a substantially planar lower wall portion, said upper wall portion and said lower wall portion being configured to be selectively frangible by said bayonet; and

a closure connected to said neck portion to seal said bottle.

24. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said cartridge is provided with multiple separate chambers.

25. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 24, including concentrated product stored within said cartridge.

26. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, including concentrated product stored within said cartridge.

27. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said bayonet is connected to said closure.

28. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said bayonet is connected to said closure in a manner to allow rotation relative thereto.

29. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein one of said upper wall portion and said lower wall portion are provided by a frangible sealing membrane.

30. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said cartridge is provided with a removable cap that can be removed prior to being inserted within said neck portion of said bottle providing a second seal for said frangible sealing membrane.

31. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said cartridge is provided with a through hole along its length.

32. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said through hole is configured for accommodating said bayonet.

33. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said cartridge is partitioned by at least one inner wall extending along a length of said cartridge.

34. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said bottle is a spray bottle, and said closure is a spray head including a downtube extending into said spray bottle.

35. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said spray bottle is provided with another neck portion including another closure for sealing said second neck portion.

36. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said bottle is a water or beverage type bottle, and said closure is configured to be opened and closed.

37. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said closure is a push-pull type closure.

38. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, including an adapter including a lower internally threaded collar connected to said neck of said bottle, and an upper externally threaded collar connected to said closure.

39. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said bottle is a spray bottle, and said closure is a spray head including a downtube extending into said spray bottle.

40. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said spray bottle is provided with another neck portion including another closure for sealing said second neck portion.

41. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein at least one of said upper wall portion and said lower wall portion of said cartridge are provided by a frangible sealing membrane.