Container and combination package comprising such container and a cover

• US 6,209,756 B1
• Filed: 09/01/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Diversey Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: Diverseylever Incorporated (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Van Der Heijden, Lambertus Gerardus
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonderer, David A
• Application Number:
  US09/387,457
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 222/105, 222/107, 222/183, 222/108, 222/571, 383/904, 383/906
• US Class Current: 222/105
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/5883 connected to the package at the sealed junction of two package walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/065 Spouts, pouring necks or discharging tubes fixed to or integral with the flexible container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 383/904 Filling tube

Abstract

A container (1) for storing and dispensing fluid material, in particular liquid detergents or the like, comprises a flexible collapsible storage portion (4) for storing the fluid material, and a dispensing portion (5) in communication with the storage portion in order to dispense the fluid material from the storage portion in a controlled manner. The storage portion has a substantially rectangular rounded shape. One side (7) thereof contains the dispensing portion. The dispensing portion (5) is pivotally connected to the edge (6) of said one side (7) of the storage portion (4), which slopes away inwardly from the dispensing portion in order to accommodate the folded-in dispensing portion.

The invention also includes a combination package which comprises said container (1) and an outer cover (2, 2′). The outer cover has a rectangular shape and includes walls (14, 15) fitting around the filled container and having a portion allowing the passage of the dispensing portion when in use. The folded-in dispensing portion is accommodated between said one side (7) of the container (1) and the adjacent wall (14) of the cover (2, 2′).

Claims

1. Container (1) for storing and dispensing fluid material, comprising a flexible collapsible storage portion (4) for storing the fluid material, and a dispensing portion (5) in communication with the storage portion in order to dispense the fluid material from the storage portion in a controlled manner, the storage portion having a substantially rectangular rounded shape, one side (7) thereof containing the dispensing portion, wherein the dispensing portion (5) is pivotally connected to the edge (6) of said one side (7) of the storage portion (4), which slopes away inwardly from the dispensing portion in order to accommodate the dispensing portion, and wherein a neck 9 of the dispensing portion (5) is provided with a female connecting piece to connect with a male member incorporating a valve, and an annular ring, of absorbent material being fitted into the female connecting piece to absorb fluid when the male member is disconnected.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing portion (5) forms an extension of a side (8) of the storage portion (5) adjacent said edge (6) of said one side (7).

3. Container according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing portion (5) is funnel-shaped and has a rigid cylindrical neck (9) and closure (10), and is connectable to a part comprising a valve.

4. Container according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing portion (5) has a length from said edge which is about 75 to 100% of the length of said one side (7) from said edge (6), or 75 to 100% of the depth of the container in said direction, respectively.

5. Container according to claim 1, wherein the container (1) is formed from two parts which are connected through a seam (3) running substantially diagonally of the storage portion (4) and through the central plane of the dispensing portion (5).

6. Container according to claim 5, wherein a carrying handle (11) is provided on the side of the container (1) opposite the side (7) containing the dispensing portion (5), the seam (3) also running through the central plane of the handle.

7. Combination package for storing and dispensing fluid material, in particular liquid detergents, comprising an inner container (1) and an outer cover (2), wherein the container comprises a flexible collapsible storage portion (4) for storing the fluid material and a foldable dispensing portion (5) in communication with the storage portion in order to dispense the fluid material from the storage portion in a controlled manner, the storage portion having a substantially rectangular rounded shape, one side (7) thereof containing the dispensing portion, whereas the outer cover having a rectangular shape including walls fitting around the filled container and having opening means (13) allowing the passage of the dispensing portion when in use, in its place the opening means (13) is a tear-away part of the outer cover (2) which is positioned and dimensioned such that removal of the tear-away part is sufficient to unfold the dispensing portion (5) to the dispensing position.

8. Combination package according to claim 7, wherein the dispensing portion (5) is pivotally connected to the edge (6) of said one side (7) of the storage portion (4), and the dispensing porting forming an extension of the side (8) adjacent said edge (6), whereas the opening means (13) extend partially over said one side (7) and said adjacent side (8) to enable the use of the combination package both with the one side (7) and with the adjacent side (8) directed downwardly.