PH26249A

PH26249A - Squeeze fluid container

Info

Publication number: PH26249A
Application number: PH39562A
Authority: PH
Inventors: Fred L Billman; Russell B Woetley; Mark D Jamison
Original assignee: Johnson & Son Inc S C
Priority date: 1988-11-23
Filing date: 1989-11-21
Publication date: 1992-04-01
Also published as: ES2058887T3; KR970010225B1; EP0397852A4; HUT58255A; WO1990005680A1; CA2003024C; PT92385B; EP0397852A1; PT92385A; CA2003024A1; CN1017231B; BR8907198A; AU615362B2; HU900515D0; DK174290A; ATE108397T1; DK174290D0; CN1042878A; DE68916786T2; AR245063A1

Description

Thie is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/275,457 filed on November 23, 1988, now abandoned.

TECHINICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a squeezable fluid container. The present invention, : more particularly, is directed to an improvement in that type of squeezable fluid container which has flex- ible, sealed upper-edge and side-edge margins, and where- in the flexible upper-edge margin defines a fluid-dis- charge passageway. :

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .

Many modern consumers prefer flexible plastic containers over traditional inflexible containers such as glass bottles or metal containers for a variety of reasons, @lase bottles can crack, chip, break or explode- often at most inconvenient times. Metal containers can, at times, be difficult to open. Many metal containers, moreover, once open, can have sharp edges or burrs.

Certain viscous fluids, such as ketchup and cer- tain salad dressings, furthermore, can often more readi- ly be poured from flexible or plastic containers than from glass bottles or metal containers of comparable general shape. Also, many consumers are generally able

' ’ ! : i . 26249 to extract a greater percentage of fluid residue from a flexible or squeezable plastic container than would be possible were the fluid contained in certain inflexible containers of comparable > volume. In certain storage situations, moreover, flexible containers can be squeezed into relative- ly tight nooks or crannies which would not other- wise accommodate an inflexible fluid container of comparable general shape. Finally, because flexi- ble plastic containers, when empty, are generally more readily compactible than certain metal and most glass containers, relative ease of fluid container disposal can, at times, be an important consumer con-= sideration in deciding which brand of a particular fluid product to purchase.

Thus, in light of a general preference by con- : sumers for flexible plastic fluid containers, a va- riety of flexible plastic containers, designed to meet a number of specific consumer demands and to provide certain desirable features, have of late come into being.

U.S. Pat. No. Re. 24,251 to Kaplan et al., for example, discloses a fluid~dispensing container, made from two sheets of flesible plastic material, for containing desired amounts of liquid. Such a container is said to be particularly adapted for shipment in sealed condition, and is further said to be provid- ed with a tearable strip along one end thereof to facilitate opening of the container. Such a strip : when so torn, can thus be utilized for purposes of dispensing the contained liquid from its container, as desired, upon application of a predetermined fluid- dispensing pressure to the sidewalls of the container.

See also U.S. Pat. No 4,717,046 to Brogli.

However, not all flexible plastic fluid con- tainers need to made from two sheets of plastic, seal- ed together at their edge hargins, as Kaplan et al, disclose. In U.S. Fat. No. 2,517,027 to Rado, for example, there is disclosed a collapsible tube-like container for certain viscous fluids such as pastes.

Another version of a tear-away, sealing strip is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,278,085 to Brown, which patent discloses a sachet container which is said to be "re-sealable!". The sachet, also referred to as a so-called "pouch pack", is deformable and is generally utilized to contain, dispense and retain certain liquids, semi-liquids, pastes and the like.

Th U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,532 to Eisenberg, more- over, a bag-type of flexible plastic fluid container having a self-closing one-way valve is disclosed. Certain features ry which provide automatic retention of fluid contained by a flexible plastic container, after such container has been opened, are important design considerations in each of U.S. Fat. Nos. 3,815,794 and 3,878,977, both to Carlisle, U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,107 to Nishimura et al, each of U.S. Yat. Nos. 4,163,509 and 4,312,689, both to Amneus, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,257 to Herzig. )

Originally-sealed fluid-discharge passageways which are openable upon application of moderate pres- sure to the sidewalls of the flexible-plastic fluid container are important design considerations in U.S.

Pat. No. 3,913,789 to Miller and U.S. rat. No. 4,537, 308 to Hollander, Jr., and originally-sealed fluid passageways, openable other than by application of such pressure to the sidewalls of the fluid container, are important design considerations of the flexible plastic fluid containers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3, . 917,116 to Mason and v.58. Pat. No. 4,491,245 to Jamison.

Simplicity of overall design can also an important consideration, particularly when it is desirable to reduce manufacturing cost of each flexible plastic fluid container unit. Thus, while it is possible to manufactur#: fluid containers having necked-down fluid- discharge portions, as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,815, 794 and 3,878,977, both to carlisle, and U.S. Pat. No. by 163,509 to Amneus, it is in most situations desirable

’ to produce flexible-plastic fluid containers that are generally rectangular in shape. Indeed, such a shape tends to reduce material waste and product- ion cost per flexible-plastic fluid container unit.

The flexible-plastic fluid containers disclosed in

U.S. Yat. No. Re. 24,251 to Kaplan et al. and U.S.

Pat. No. 4.491,245 to Tamison disclose flexible- plastic fluid containers that are generally rectangular in shape, Unforntunately, in flexible-plastic fluid containers of this type, undesired container defomma- tion tends to interfere with desired fluid-discharge.

For example, in certain flexible plastic fluid containers-such as those having flexible sidewalls, a closed bottom, spaced-apart deformable side-edge mar- gins, and a deformable upper-edge margin which is uni- tary with each of the side-edge margins and which de- fines a fluid-discharge passageway-deformation of that portion of the upper-edge margin defining the fluid- passageway can occur upon application of pressure to ) the fluid container. Such deformation typiéally res- tricte fluid flow through the discharge passageway and thus is a matter of annoyance to the user. Moreover, and based upon the configuration of the particular fluid passageway, such deformation can at times subs- tantially reduce the effective fluid-discharge rate from the container, whereby such fluid rate reduction renders the fluid container unaaceptable for its in- tended use.

The present invention solves just this sort of a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the present invention is gene- rally directed to an improvement in certain types of flexible-plastic fluid containers. More particularly the present invention is directed to an improvement in a certain type of squeezable article of manufacture having deformable edge margins.

Such an article of manufacture defines a longi- tudinal axis and a cavity for containing a dispensable fluid. The article of manufacture has flexible side- . walls, a closed bottom, a pair of spaced-apart sealed deformable side-edge margins, and a sealed deformable apper-edge margin which is unitary with an upper- edge portion of each of the side-edge margins and which defines a fluid passageway that communicates with the fluid cavity.

The improvement comprises an indent, defined by at least one of the side-edge margins, for dividing the fluid cavity into two fluid chambers along the longitu-

dinal axis.

The two chambers are in fluid communication with each other . One of the two fluid chambers is located adjacent to, and is in fluid communication

S with, the fluid passageway. The transverse cross- sectional area of the one fluid chamber, which is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway, is greater than the transverse cross-sectional area of the fluid cavity in the vicinity of the indent.

The indent is so located relative to the upper- edge margin such that fluid communication between the fluid passageway and the one fluid chamber adjacent thereto is maintained when application of a predetermined fluid-discharging squeezing pressure on the article sdie- walls causes deformation of the article side-edge margin in the vicinity of the indent, - Additional features and advantages of the present invention are discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the fluid container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the fluid container shown in FIG. 1, illustrating side-margin de-

formation which occurs in the vicinity of the indents . when a predetermined fluid-discharging pressure is ap- plied to the sidewalls of the fluid container.

FIG. 3a is a partially-fragmented frontal view of another embodiment of the fluid container of the pre- sent invention.

FIG. 3b is a partially fragmented frontal view of yet another embodiment of the fluid container of the present invention.

FIGS. ba ‘through 4f are a series of drawings, briefly illustrating how that embodiment of the fluid container which is shown in FIGS 1 and 2 is made.

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of yet another embodiment of the fluid container of the prksent invention.

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of still another embodi- ment of the fluid container of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of yet ahother embodi- ment of the fluid container of the présent invention.

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of still another embodi- ment of the fluid container of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a frontal view, jn section, of yet another embodiment of the fluid container of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a frontal view of still another embodi- ment of the fluid container of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partially-fragmented frontal view of yet another embodiment of the fluid con- tainer of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a frontal view of still another embodiment of the fluid container of the present in- vention,

FIG. 13 is a drawing briefly illustrating how that embodiment of the fluid container which is shown in FIG. 12 is made.

FIG. 14 is a side view, taken from the plane 1h- 14, of that embodiment of the fluid container which is shown in FIG. 10.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

DETAXLED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRE-

FERRED EMBODIMENTS

’ While the invention will be described in connect- jon with the illustrated preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intention to limit the pres- ent invention to these embodiments. On the contrary,the present invention is to cover all structural and/or fune- tional alternatives or equivalents as defined by the ap- pended claims.

Referring intially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown one embodiment of the flexible-plastic fluid con-

tainer 20a of the present invention. Such container 20a, which defines a longitudinal axis X-X, comprises as upstanding sealed base or bottom 2ha, flexible side~- walls 26a, a pair of sealed spaced-apart deformable gide-edge margins 28a and 29a, and a gealed deformable upper-edge margin 30a which is unitary with an upper- edge portion of cach of the side-edge margins 28a and 29a. The upper-edge margin 30a defines a fluid passage- way 32a.

Another embodiment of the fluid container 20b of the present invention is shown in FIG. 9. This fluid container 20b is in the form of an envelope having bot- tom 2U4b which is sealed along a bottom seam 25.

The sidewalls of the fluid container of the pre-~ sent invention define a cavity 34 for containing a dis- pensable fluid F. This is best seen by referring to FIG. 9 which is presented in section along longitudinal axis ) X-X. The fluid passageway 32b, shown in FIG. 9, is a different version of that fluid passageway 328 presented in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fluid-dispensing function, however, remains the same. The fluid passageway 32b communicates with the fluid cavity 34 (FIG. 9).

The side-edge margins define indents 38a and 39a for dividing the cavity 3% into two fluid chambers 40 and 42 along the longitudinal axis X-X (FIG. ©). One of the fluid chambers 40 and 42, namely upper fluid chamber 40, is located adjacent to and is in fluid communi- cation with the fluid passageway 32b. The cross- sectional area of thé one fluid chamber 40 (such croes- sectional ares being transverse to the longitudinal axis X-X) is greater than the transverse cross-section- al area of the fluid cavity in the vicinity of the in- dents 38a and 39a.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show that the fluid container need only have one such indent! The single indent 38a can be is distal relation to the fluid passageway 32a (FIG. 3a) or the single indent 39a can be located ad- jacent to the fluid passageway 32a (FIG. 3b).

In any event, the indent is so located relative to the upper-edge margin 30a such that fluid commupi- cation between the fluid passageway 32a and the one . fluid chamber adjacent thereto is maintained when application of a predetermined fluid-dispensing squees- \ ing pressure upon the container sidewalls 26a causes de- \ formation of the container gide-edge margine in the vi- cinity of the indents. (Please refer to FIG. 2.)

The indents can take a variety of shapes, in ac- cordance with the present invention. For example, the container side-edge margins can define square-shaped - or rectangular -shaped indents 38b and 39b (FIG. 6),

triangular-shaped indents 38e and 39e (FIG. 7), etc.

Moreover, portions of the side - edge mar- gins 28c and 29c defining the indents 38¢c and 39c can project inwardly as is shown in FIG. 8.

Sti11 further, if the fluid container side-edge margins define two indents 38a and 39a, such indents 38a' and 39a' can be spaced somewhat differently from the upper-edge margin 30a, relative to each other, as is shown in FIG. 51 jn accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Ae wag briefly mentioned above, one embodiment of the fluid container 20a of the present invention has a base 24a which enables such embodiment of the fluid container to be free-standing, also referred to herein as "upstanding". (please refer to FIGS, 1 and 2.) ' Reference is next invited to EIGS. La through

Lf for purposes of briefly discussing how guch a fluid container is made Starting with an elongated strip of flexible plastic material 44 (F1G. La), oriented longitudinal, a transverse crease 46 is formed, and back-folds 48 so formed as to straddle the crease 46 and bring the opposite end portions of the elongated plastic material 44 into close proximity (FIG. Lv).

Next, one pair of lower, side-edge margins 50 between - 1h = the crease 46 and one back-fold 48 is sealed (FIG. be); then the other pair of lower, side-edge mar- gins S51 is similarly sealed (FIG. 4d), thereby clos- ing the bottom. Lower edge portions 52 of the thus- b>) sealed side-edge margins are further sealed together so as to provide a free-standing base (FIG. 1). Next, the sides are sealed, and the container is filled with a predetermined dispensable fluid. Finally, the top is sealed, forming an upper-edge margin which defines : the fluid-discharge passageway. (FIGS. Uf.) In this manner, a free-standing fluid container, generally wider at the top than at the base, can thus be formed. (Please refer to FIGS. 5 through 8.)

In certain situations, as in those cases where jt would be advantageous to have the fluid containers be as closely packable to each other as possible, it will be desirable to have a fluid container which is : generally rectangular in projected frontal view, as is shown in FIG. 12. Those skilled in the art can appre- ciate that it will accordingly be desirable to start out not with a generally rectangular elongated strip of flexible plastic material, as is shown in FIG. ba, but rather with a strip that is generally wider in the vicinity of the crease 46 and back-folds 48, as is shown in FIG. 13.

As was briefly mentioned above, the fluid container of the present invention need not have a free-standing base; but rather, can have a simple, closed bottom, as those embodiments presented in

FIGS. 9 and 10 illusteate. Indeed, for convenience, the flexible-plastic fluid container of the present invention can readily be constructed so as to rela- tively thin (FIG. 14), so as to conveniently fit in a consumer's shirt pocket or lady's purse. ; 10 One such envalbpe-1ike flegible-plastic fluid container embodiment of the present invention comp- rises two flexible -plastic sheets 56 skaled together along their bottom margin 58, side margins 284 and 29d, and upper margin 30d. (Please refer to FIGS. 10 and 14.). The side margins 284 and 29 d define the indents 38d and 39d. The upper margin 30d defines the fluid-discharge passageway 32d. The plastic sheets . 56 define =a fluid-containing cesvity. One such cavity 34 is ilkustrated in the envelope-type of fluid con- tainer embodiment that jg shown in FIG. 11.

The general shape and diameter of the fluid- discharge passageway is a matter of design choice, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

For example, the diameter of the fluid-discharge pas- sageway can be relatively small (FIG. 9), can be rela-

tively large (FIG. 11) or can be of intermediate di- ameter (FIG. 10). That end portion of the fluid- discharge passageway which communicates with the up- per fluid chamber of the fluid cavity, moreover, can be arranged generally along the longitudinal axis X-

X, as is shown in FIG. 9, or can be generally spaced therefrom (see, e.g. FIGS. 10 and 11.)

Genérally, the upper margin is formed in =a manner such that the fiuid-discharging end of the fluid-passageway ig initially ‘sealed. Referring ini- tially to FIGS. 1 and 2, For example, the fluid-dis- charging end Glia, originally sealedyis so formed as to be rupturable when pressure in the fluid-discharge passageway 32a (FIG. 2) reaches a predetermined value.

In particular, upon achieving such a pressure in the fluid-discharge passageway 32a, the fluid-diecharging end 64a opens. Such rupturable seals are well known ’ in the art. See e.g., U.S. Fat. No. 4,537,308 to

Hollander, Jr.

Still, in ¢her situations, it Js desirable to cut the upper-edge margin 30d along an indicated cut line 66 (see, e.g. FIGS. 10 and 11) to open the seal- ed fluid-discharge passageway.

Yet, in still other situations, it is decsira-~ ble to so form the upper-edge margin 30b such that the ’

margin 30b not only defines the fluid-discharge passageway 32b but also defines a so-called "tear-away" tab 68. In particular, such an edge margin 30b fur- ther preferably defines a preformed score line 70, so formed in the upper -edge margin 30b as to ena- ble the tab 68 to readily be removable from the re- mainder of the margin 30b (along the score line 70) while opening the fluid-discharging end 6h of the fluid-discharge passageway’ 52b. (Flease refer to FIG. s. ‘ 9.) o oo ” what has been Y1lustrated and described herein is an improvement in certain types of squeezable ar- ticles of manufacture such as fluid containers made of flexible-plastic material. While the improvements have been jllustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, the present invent- jon is not limited thereto. In particular, the fore- : going specification and embodiments are intended to be illustrative and are not to be taken as limiting.

Thus, alternatives, such as structurel or mechanical equivalents, and other modifications will become ap- parent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, such alternatives, changes and modificaticns are to be considered as form- ing a part of the present invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and. acope of the aprended claims,

Claims

WE QLAIM: ,

1. In a squeezable plastic pouch-like article of manufacture defining a cavity for con- taining a dispensable fluid and having flexible sidewalls, a bottom, a pair of spaced-apart out- wardly-extending deformable side-edge margins, and a deformable upper-edge margin which is unitary with the side-edge margins and which defines a fluid passageway means that is able to communicate with the fluid cavity, wherein deformation of the upper- edge margin in the vicinity of the inlet of the fluid : passageway means tends to block fluid communication between the fluid passageway means and the fluid ca- vity, wherein the improevement comprises the fluid passageway means being defined by a portion of the surface area of the deform- } able upper-edge margin, wherein the fluid discharge means is of generally serpentine configuration and has a fluid discharge ends deformation-causing means defined by at least one of the outwardly-extending side-edge margins and spaced from the upper-edge margin by a distance that is effective for causing de~ formation to occur in the side-edge margin that is in the vicinity of the deformation=-

causing means, rather than in the vici- nity of the generally serpentine fluid passageway means, upon application of a predetermined squeezing pressure to the cavity-contained fluid via the article sidewalls, for purposes of enabling fluid to be discharged from the fluid-discharge end of the fluid passageway means; whereby fluid communication between the general- Vy Y erpentine fluid passageway means and the fluid cavity js maintained upon the application of the predetermined squeezing pressure to the cavity-contained fluid via the article sidewalls.

2. The article of manufacture of claim 1 where- in the article of manufacture in a flexible-plastic fluid container and wherein the bottom of the fluid container defines a free-standing base. FRED L. BILLMAN MARK D. JAMISON RUSSELL B. WROTLEY Inventors