DISPENSING SYSTEM INCLUDING A DISPENSING TAP AND AN INTEGRATED MEASURING CAP/CUP

[01] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[02] Embodiments of the invention relate to dispensing devices for flowable products such as liquid laundry detergent, and more particularly to a dispensing assembly including a liquid dispensing tap and an associated measuring cup which is assembled with the tap prior to installation onto a container, which stays assembled with the tap during installation onto the container at the filling line, and which can be removed and then reattached to the tap or container after an initial use by the consumer.

[03] Manufacturers and consumers continually drive the need for novel dispensing devices which provide easier assembly, more functionality and better dispensing options for a variety of products.

[04] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[05] In order to simplify the process of filling liquid containers and

assembling a tap and measuring cup/cap to the container on the filling line, the present disclosure provides for a combined dispensing tap and measuring cup where the measuring cup/cap is pre-assembled with the tap such that the combined tap/cap assembly can be installed onto the container in a single step.

[06] The present disclosure is thus directed to a dispensing assembly

comprising a combined dispensing tap and measuring cap/cup which is assembled with the tap prior to installation onto a container, which stays assembled with the tap during installation onto the container at the filling line, and which can be removed and then reattached to the tap or container after an initial use by the consumer. [07] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is in the form of a liquid laundry detergent dispensing system. Exemplary embodiments of the container include a neck or opening for connection of the tap. In some embodiments, the container neck is threaded or provided with a bayonet connection where the tap structure can be threaded or rotated into place.

[08] The dispensing tap generally includes a body having a threaded neck or skirt structure which is configured to be torqued (screwed) onto a corresponding threaded neck or into an opening on the liquid container. The tap further includes a dispensing head connected to the body by a throat. A fluid passage extends through the body, throat and dispensing head to provide a delivery path from the container to a mouth of the dispensing head. A valve assembly is guided within the dispensing head and controlled by a depressible actuator for selective dispensing of the liquid from the container. In some embodiments, the tap includes finger holds to facilitate depression of the valve actuator.

[09] The measuring cup/cap generally comprises a cup shaped structure having a bottom wall, sidewalls and an open top.

[10] In most embodiments, the open top of the measuring cup/cap is

received over the dispensing tap to enclose the tap within the interior of the cup and both the tap and cup/cap are provided with interfitting structures which hold the cup/cap to the tap during installation onto the container and then selectively after customer initial use. Additionally, the combined tap and cup structure, when assembled must also provide a structure or surface which has a sufficient gripping area to torque, i.e. grab and rotate the combined assembly onto the container.

[11] In some embodiments, the interior walls of the cup include ribs and/or walls which engage and/or are snap received onto the dispensing head, onto a feature of the dispensing head or onto the finger holds extending from the tap or dispensing head. [12] In some embodiments, the finger hold(s) may include an additional mating structure, such as a bump, ridge, shoulder cutout, which interfits with mating structures within the interior of the cup /cap.

[13] The tap body may be circular or may be any other irregular shape to provide gripping surfaces for rotation.

[14] In other exemplary embodiments, the tap and cup include

complementary structures which allow the cup to be hung from the tap beneath the mouth of the tap for both filling and longer-term storage to catch drips from the dispenser mouth.

[15] These above-described embodiments are generally gripped for

assembly on the outer surface of the cup and the cup in turn grips the tap. The cup may have a cylindrical shape or may have an irregular shape which better conforms to the exterior shape of the tap and may provide an irregular external gripping surface for rotation of the assembly. The external surface of the cup may also include texturing or other raised or embossed surface features to provide additional engagement and surface area for higher torque during assembly.

[16] In some embodiments, the cap and tap body may include

complementary bayonet structures for assembly.

[17] In some embodiments, the tap body has radially extending fingers which engage with features on the lip of the cup.

[18] In some embodiments, the cap may include tear away strips for

removal of the cup from the tap structure.

[19] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[20] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[21] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing tap/cap assembly where the skirt of the dispensing tap and the cup include interfitting snap structures;

[22] Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof;

[23] Fig. 3 is a side view thereof;

[24] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing tap and cap;

[25] Fig. 5 is a perspective view thereof from the rear;

[26] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

[27] Fig. 7 is another cross-sectional view thereof illustrating torque

transfer points;

[28] Fig. 8 is still another cross-sectional view thereof illustrating angled relief points to allow counter-rotation;

[29] Fig. 9 is a front view showing rotation of the cap to a removal position;

[30] Fig. 10 is another perspective view showing removal of the cap from the tap;

[31] Figs. 11 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment where the dispensing head of the dispensing tap and the cup include snap

structures;

[32] Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

[33] Fig. 13 is a rear perspective view of the cap;

[34] Fig. 14 is a rear view of the cap;

[35] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the entire dispensing assembly

taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 11;

[36] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary embodiment where the cap includes rib features which are snap received around a finger flange on the dispensing head;

[37] Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

[38] Fig. 18 is a front perspective view of the cap;

[39] Fig. 19 is a rear perspective view of the cap; [40] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the entire dispensing assembly taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 16;

[41] Fig. 21 is a front view of the cap and tap;

[42] Fig. 22 is a top view of the entire dispensing assembly;

[43] Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 23-23 of Fig.

22;

[44] Fig. 24 is a perspective view of still another exemplary embodiment with a snap ring that is received around the tap skirt and a tear away strip for removing the cup;

[45] Fig. 25 is an exploded perspective view thereof in a pre-assembled state;

[46] Fig. 26 is a partially assembled view thereof;

[47] Fig. 27 is another perspective view of the dispensing assembly showing rotation of the tap and cap assembly onto the container neck;

[48] Fig. 28 is another perspective view thereof showing removal of the tear strip;

[49] Fig. 29 is still another perspective view thereof showing removal of the cap;

[50] Fig. 30 is an enlarged perspective view of the cap;

[51] Fig. 31 is a partially assembled view thereof with the snap ring rotated into position inside the cap; and

[52] Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 32-32 of Fig.

27.

[53] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[54] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,

manufacture, and use of the device and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, in the present disclosure, like-numbered components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-numbered component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape.

Further, to the extent that directional terms like top, bottom, up, or down are used, they are not intended to limit the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. A person skilled in the art will recognize that these terms are merely relative to the system and device being discussed and are not universal.

[55] Referring to Figs. 1-10, the present disclosure is generally directed to a novel dispensing assembly 10 comprising a combined dispensing tap 12 and measuring cap/cup 14 which is assembled with the tap 12 prior to installation onto a container 900, which stays assembled with the tap 12 during installation onto the container 900 at the filling line, and which can be removed and then reattached to the tap 12 or container 900 after an initial use by the consumer.

[56] The exemplary embodiment of the invention is in the form of a liquid laundry detergent dispensing system. Referring to Fig. 1, an exemplary laundry detergent container 900 includes a neck 902 or opening for connection of the tap 10. In some embodiments, the container neck 902 is threaded or provided with a bayonet connection where the tap 10 can be threaded or rotated into place.

[57] The dispensing tap 12 generally includes a body 16 having an

internally threaded neck or skirt structure 18 (See Fig. 4) which is configured to be torqued (screwed) onto a corresponding threaded neck 902 or into an opening on the liquid container 900. The tap/container connection may include any suitable connecting structure sufficient to form a suitable seal for the liquid and to provide orientation of the tap 12 relative to the container 900. The tap 10 further includes a dispensing head 20 connected to the body 16 by a throat 22. A fluid passage 24 extends through the body 16, throat 22 and dispensing head 20 to provide a delivery path from the container 900 to a mouth 26 of the dispensing head 20. A valve assembly 28 is guided within the dispensing head 20 and controlled by a depressible actuator 30 for selective dispensing of the liquid from the container 900. In some

embodiments, the tap 10 includes finger holds 32 to facihtate depression of the valve actuator 30.

[58] A key issue for the present integration is that the cup/cap 14 has to attach to the tap 12 at the assembly line where the tap 12 and cap 14 are made. The tap 12 would be assembled first and the cup/cap 14 would then be assembled onto the tap 12 and the assembled combination boxed-up and sent to the customer, i.e. laundry detergent manufacturer. The customer would then fill their bottles/containers 900 and torque on the tap/cup combination 10 onto the bottle 900. The customers will want to have the cap/cup 14 stay on the tap 12 and not fall off during this process. As can be imagined, there may be significant force applied as the tap/cup combination 10 is being assembled with the filled bottle or container 900.

[59] The measuring cup/cap 14 generally comprises a cup shaped structure having a bottom wall, sidewalls and an open top. [60] In most embodiments, the open top of the measuring cup/cap 14 is received over the dispensing tap 12 to enclose the tap 12 within the interior of the cup 14 and both the tap and cup/cap are provided with interfitting structures which hold the cup/cap 14 to the tap 12 during installation (co rotation) onto the container 900 and then selectively after customer initial use. Additionally, the combined tap and cup structure 10, when assembled must also provide a structure or surface which has a sufficient gripping area to torque, i.e. grab and rotate the combined assembly 10 onto the container 900. In most cases, the torqueing surface is the outside surface of the cap.

[61] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment in Figs. 1-10, the external surface of the skirt 18 of the dispensing tap 12 and the inside surface of the cup 14 include complementary bayonet type formations. As best seen in Figs. 4-10, the skirt 18 of the dispensing tap 12 includes right and left side bayonet grooves 34 while the cup 14 includes complimentary left and right bayonet latches 36 which are snap received over latch walls 38 of the grooves 34 (See Figs. 4-5 - cup 14 pressed and snap received onto the tap 12). The forward edges of the latch walls 38 also include a ramped edge 40 to facilitate snap assembly of the bayonet latches 36. As best seen in Figs. 6-8, the cup further includes an upper cantilevered latching rib 42 at the top center and a bottom latch 43 which interact with mating upper and lower latch receptacles 44 at the top center and bottom center of the skirt 18. These latch receptacles 44 also have a forward-facing ramped edge 46 to facilitate snap assembly.

[62] The cap 14 further includes a pair of opposing, cantilevered stabilizing arms 47 which engage with the outer surface of the skirt 18.

[63] Turning to Fig. 7, the torque points 48 are created between the

engaged latching structures 34/36 and 42/44 which transfer torque from the cup 14 to the tap 12 during installation (co-rotation) of the tap 12 onto the container 900.

[64] Figs. 8-10 illustrate removal of the cup 14 from the tap 12 with Fig. 8 showing sliding movement of the bayonet latches 36 out of the grooves 34 and of the latching ribs 42 out of the receptacles 44. It can be seen in Fig. 8 that the circumferentially engaging side surfaces 50 of bayonet latches 36 and the side surfaces 52 the bayonet grooves 34 are also angled to allow

counterclockwise rotation of the cap and reduced torque movement out of the grooves 34. Likewise, it can be seen that the left circumferential sidewall 52 of the latch receptacle 44 is slightly shorter to allow easier counterclockwise rotation of the latching ribs 42 out of the groove receptacles 44. Once rotated counterclockwise (Fig. 9), the cup can be easily pulled off of the tap (Fig. 10).

[65] Figs. 11-15 and 16-23 illustrate other exemplary embodiments where the cup 14 includes internal structures for grasping the dispensing head 20 or finger holds 32. The interior walls of the cup 14 may include ribs and/or walls which engage and/or are snap received onto the dispensing head 20, onto a feature of the dispensing head 20, onto the finger holds 32 extending from the tap 12 or the dispensing head 20 or a combination of these structures.

[66] Referring now to Figs. 11-15, another exemplary embodiment of the tap/cap dispensing assembly 100 generally includes a tap 102 and a cap 104 as in the above-described embodiment. Mechanically, the tap 102 includes a similar functional attachment skirt 106, body 108, throat 110, dispensing head 112, finger hold flange 114 and a valve assembly 116 for selective dispensing of a liquid. Departing from the earlier embodiment, the present embodiment 100 includes internal structures on the bottom wall and side walls of the cap 104 which fit around the dispensing head 112 and finger holds 114 at the front and sides of the dispensing head 112. As best seen in Figs. 13-15, the bottom wall of the cap 104 includes a symmetrically contoured, inward shoulder 118 which snugly conforms to and engages the front surfaces of the dispensing head 112 over the top of the finger hold flange 114. This shoulder 118 supports the body 108 during rotation of assembly 100. A central tab 120 is spaced below the shoulder 118 and extends inwardly to engage under the front portion of the finger hold flange 114. Additionally, opposing L-shaped tab sets 122 extend inwardly to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the side portions of the finger hold flange 114.

[67] As a further feature of retention and engagement, the cap 104 further includes an inwardly extending lip 124 on the lower sidewall which snaps behind the mouth 126 of the dispensing head 112 (See the cross-section in Fig. 15). A squeezing and/or rotation of the walls of the dispensing cup 104 is sufficient to deform the shape of the cup and facilitate removal from the tap 102.

[68] Referring now to Figs. 16-23, another exemplary embodiment of the tap/cap dispensing assembly 200 also generally includes a tap 202 and a cap 204 as in the above-described embodiments. The present embodiment 200 focuses on a radial wing-shaped finger hold 214 (slightly narrower in radial extent) with an undercut mating structure 218. Mechanically, the tap 202 includes a similar functional attachment skirt 206, body 208, throat 210, dispensing head 212, and a valve assembly 216 for selective dispensing of a liquid from the container 900.

[69] Departing from the earlier embodiments, the wing 214 includes an undercut lip 218 for mating with the cap 204. The bottom wall of the cap 204 includes symmetrically contoured, inwardly extending shoulders 220 which snugly conform to and engage the upper and lower surfaces of the radial wing 214. The lower shoulder 220 includes an elongated inward snap ridge 222 which engages with the undercut lip 218 to retain the cup 204 on the tap 22 (best seen in Figs. 20 and 23).

[70] Referring now to Figs. 24-32, another exemplary embodiment of the tap/cap dispensing assembly 300 also generally includes a tap 302 and a cap 304 as in the above-described embodiments. The tap 302 includes a similar attachment skirt 306, body 308, throat 310, dispensing head 312, finger wing 314 and a valve assembly 316 for selective dispensing of a liquid from the container 900. [71] In the present embodiment 300, the cap 304 includes a separate snap ring 318 having an annular lip 320 which is snap received onto a mating groove 322 on the outer peripheral edge of the skirt 306 of the tap 302. The inner surface of the annular lip 320 and the outer surface of the peripheral edge of the skirt 306 also include mating detents 324 and slots 326 to provide torqueing points for rotation of the cup 304 and snap ring 318 with the tap 302.

[72] The snap ring 318 and cap/cup 304 may be molded as a single piece and may be joined along a reduced thickness living hinge 328 that also includes a tear strip 330 with pull tab 332 to separate the cup 304 from the snap ring 318 for removal. Figs. 25-26 illustrate mounting of the snap ring 318 onto the tap 302. Figs. 27-29 illustrate removal of the tear strip 330 for use of the cap 304.

[73] To provide torqueing co-rotation of the cup 304 and snap ring 318

during assembly with the container 900, the mating surfaces thereof are also provided with interfitting teeth structures. Figs. 30-32 illustrate internal teeth 334 on an internal cap wall 336 and external teeth structures 338 on the outside surface of the snap ring 318.

[74] In any of the above -described embodiments, the tap body may be

circular, or may be any other regular or irregular shape to provide gripping surfaces for rotation.

[75] The above-described embodiments are generally gripped, i.e. held by the assembly equipment for assembly with the container, on the outer surfaces of the cap/cup. The cap/cup in turn grips the tap. The cup may have a cylindrical shape or may have any regular or irregular shape which better conforms to the exterior shape of the tap and may provide a regular or irregular external gripping surface for rotation of the assembly. The external surface of the cup may also include texturing (not shown) or other raised or embossed surface features (now shown) to provide additional friction and surface area for higher torque during assembly. [76] It can therefore be seen that the present disclosure provides for a novel dispensing system where a liquid dispensing tap and an associated

measuring cup are assembled prior to installation onto a container. In use, the cup stays assembled with the tap during installation onto the container at the filling line, and it can be later removed and then reattached to the tap or container after an initial use by the consumer.

[77] Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the

invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only be the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the invention as described.