FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flexible container for storing and dispensing liquids, which is operable by manually squeezing the container. In particular, the invention relates to a container acting as a dispenser wherein the liquid is dispensed as a spray. The configuration of the container of the invention is such that the maximum

dispensable dose upon one manual actuation is fixed by the geometry of the container. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Squeeze bottles or squeezable containers suitable for containing and manually dispensing liquids upon squeezing are known in the art.

A simple squeeze bottle as known from the prior art, however, generally presents several disadvantages to the user:

When using such a bottle, the dispensed dose varies depending on the amount of manual force exerted and the required force may depend on the fill level of the bottle. Moreover, since the squeezing force required to further deform the bottle generally increases smoothly upon increasing deformation, there is no clear indication to the user how much liquid is dispensed in one squeeze, so that the dispensed volume is likely to vary considerably from actuation to actuation. Thus, it is generally hard to consistently dose the liquid, when using such a bottle. Furthermore, should such a squeeze bottle of the prior art be equipped with a spraying head and a nozzle it may be hard for the user to exert the right amount of force to produce an optimal spray upon actuation: on the one hand he may not know what the optimum force to be applied is. On the other hand - especially for larger containers - the force required to generate an

overpressure in the container sufficient to expel a suitable spray, may not easily be attainable by simple manual squeezing. A possible improvement presented in the art, is provided by containers equipped with a lever or handle-operated pump, usually in combination with a spraying nozzle. Each full actuation of the pump (i.e. moving the handle over the entire range possible) dispenses a given dose of liquid or spray. Such containers are commonly used for watering plants or dispensing window-cleaning solutions and the like. However, such pump-operated dispensing containers generally have several drawbacks: their pump mechanisms often feature a complex construction involving multiple moving parts. Thus, the pump contributes to the weight of the container and to the costs of manufacture and transportation. Moreover, a complicated construction generally enhances the risk that mechanical failure limits the lifetime of the container.

An alternative solution that does not require a pump is to provide a squeezable container with actuation regions. The design of the actuation regions may yield certain benefits to the user.

For instance, GB2181 105 discloses a squeeze to use container having an indication of the pressure zones where the container walls are to be squeezed. The expelled volume is controlled by both the size of the opening of the bottle and the rigidity of the walls of this container. A drawback of this design is that the maximum expelled volume is not fixed but determined by the manual force with which the container is squeezed.

Alternatively, US2003/0075554A1 discloses a device for dispensing a fluid product with a reservoir comprising at least one actuating zone having a predetermined threshold resistance to deformation. Thus, when the pressure exerted by the user on the zone reaches the threshold pressure, the zone deforms suddenly, causing a controlled amount of liquid to be expelled as a spray. The actuation zone preferably has a substantially convex profile in an undeformed position and a substantially concave profile in a deformed position. The device is configured so that the deformation of the actuation zone persists when the exterted pressure ceases. Therefore, the actuation zones of this device are not suitable for repeated actuation.

Similarly, US2003/0010795A1 describes a device akin to that disclosed in

US2003/0075554A1. However, the deformable zone of this device may be configured to revert to its initial shape via elastic return when the pressure exerted on the deformable zone ceases. A drawback of the devices of both US2003/0075554A1 and US2003/0010795A1 is that the sudden deformation of the deformable zone results in the liquid being expelled in a single burst. The devices are therefore not adequate for dosing the liquid in smaller amounts or at another expel rate than the amount and rate predetermined by the design of the device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a container suitable for dispensing liquids that overcomes one or more of the problems observed in the prior art as described above. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing container that has a defined maximum dispensable dose, yet is not limited to dispensing the maximum dose.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing container that can be manually actuated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing container that does not rely on moving parts during actuation. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing container that is adaptable to dispense a liquid in the form of a spray.

We have found that one or more of these objects can be achieved by the container of the present invention. This invention relates to a flexible squeezable container provided with at least two deformable actuation regions that are saddle-shaped.

The user, wanting to dispense an amount of liquid from the container, may simply squeeze the deformable actuation regions by pressing or squeezing them inward. The shape of the container comprising the saddle-shaped actuation regions allows for easy squeezing. The degree to which the saddle-shaped regions can be squeezed inward is limited by the shape and overall deformation of the container upon squeezing. This limited degree of squeezability provides the user with a means to dispense a unit maximum dose, which does not normally vary between different actuations. Thus, the container is particularly useful for dispensing a liquid in the form of a spray.

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention provides a flexible squeezable container, comprising at least one opening and at least two deformable actuation regions, characterised in that the deformable actuation regions are defined by an enclosing bendable boundary curve, are saddle-shaped, and are resiliency squeezable inwardly by hand;

wherein the points of intersection of the curves of maximum outward curvature of a deformable actuation region with the boundary curve of the same region are resiliency outwardly movable, for each of the two or more regions ; and

whereby the term "saddle-shaped" means that, when in rest, the curve of maximum inward curvature of a region and the curve of maximum outward curvature of the same region are not parallel to each other.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for dispensing multiple doses of liquid from a flexible squeezable container according to the present invention, comprising the following steps:

a. manually exerting an inward force on the deformable actuation regions, thereby moving the actuation regions inward from their rest positions, reducing the interior volume of the container, and dispensing a dose of liquid through the opening;

b. reducing the manually exerted force to allow the deformable actuations

regions to resiliency move back, preferably to their rest positions; c. optionally repeating steps a and b. A third aspect of the invention is use of a flexible squeezable container according to the present invention to dispense multiple doses of a liquid, preferably a cleaning liquid.

A fourth aspect of the invention is use of a flexible squeezable container according to the present invention whereby the liquid is dosable with a maximum dispensable dose volume per actuation, of 0.05 to 50 millilitres, preferably 0.1 to 25 millilitres, more preferably 0.2 to 10 millilitres, even more preferably 0.3 to 5 millilitres and still more preferably 0.4 to 1.5 millilitres.

A fifth aspect of the invention is use of a flexible squeezable container according to the present invention for dispensing a spray or a foam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 provides a schematic side-view projection of a non-limiting example of a flexible squeezable container according to the present invention. Figure 2 provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the example of a flexible squeezable container according to Figure 1 , whereby the cross-section is in the plane as indicated by Roman numeral II in Figures 1 and 4.

Figure 3 provides a schematic illustration of the deformation of the example of a flexible squeezable container according to Figure 1 upon actuation by manual squeezing, whereby the deformation is depicted in the same plane as Figure 2 and as indicated by Roman numeral III in Figure 5. In Figure 3, the dotted contour lines depict the container in its rest position and the solid contour lines depict the container in the squeezed state, respectively.

Figure 4 provides a schematic front-view projection of the example of a flexible squeezable container according to Figure 1.

Figure 5 provides a schematic illustration of the deformation of the example of a flexible squeezable container according to Figure 1 upon actuation by manual squeezing, whereby the deformation is depicted in the cross-sectional plane as indicated by Roman numeral V in Figures 3 and 4. In Figure 5, the dotted contour lines depict the actuation zones of the container in their rest position and the solid contour lines depict the container in the squeezed state.

Figure 6 provides a schematic side-view projection of a non-limiting example of a flexible squeezable container according to the present invention, wherein the container is equipped with an optional spray cap.

Figure 7 provides a schematic perspective view of a non-limiting example of a flexible squeezable container according to the present invention.

Figure 8 provides another schematic perspective view of the example of a flexible squeezable container according to Figure 7. Figure 8 displays the side opposite to the side displayed in Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Geometric definitions

In the context of this description two directions are essentially parallel when the acute angle between the directions is smaller than 15 degrees, preferably smaller than 10 degrees. In the context of this description, two directions are essentially perpendicular when the acute angle between the directions is larger than 75 degrees, preferably larger than 80 degrees; two directions are perpendicular when the acute angle between the directions deviates at most 5 degrees from orthogonality. The angle between two planes is considered to be the angle between their normal directions. The angle between a line and a plane is considered to be 90 degrees minus the angle between the direction of the line and the direction normal to the plane. Container comprising deformable actuation regions

The Figures 1 to 5 provide an illustrative, non-limiting example of a flexible squeezable container 1 , according to the present invention, comprising at least one opening 2 and at least two deformable actuation regions 3, characterised in that the deformable actuation regions 3 are defined by an enclosing bendable boundary curve 4, are saddle-shaped, and are resiliency squeezable inwardly by hand, and wherein the points of intersection Bi, B ₂ of the curves B of maximum outward curvature of a deformable actuation region 3 with the boundary curve 4 of the same region 3 are resiliency outwardly movable, for each of the two or more regions 3;. The example/embodiment depicted in Figures 2 to 5 comprises two actuation regions. Preferably, the flexible squeezable container according to the present invention comprises two deformable actuation regions 3, but the number of actuation regions is not limited to two. The deformable actuation regions 3 are preferably distinguishable from the surrounding area of the container 1 in which they are placed. Furthermore, the actuation regions are preferably also deformable by bending in a different way than the surrounding area of the container. Therefore, the boundary curve 4 or edge surrounding an actuation region should be bendable. Thus, upon actuation, the boundary curve 4 is preferably bendable in a hinging way.

Preferably, the part of the flexible squeezable container according to the invention surrounding the deformable actuation regions 3 is convex. In that way, the surrounding part is distinguishable from the saddle shape of the deformable regions.

Saddle-shaped regions

For the purpose of this invention, the saddle shape of the actuation regions 3 refers to their basic shape disregarding local deviations from saddle shape such as tactile indications, or local intrusions/protrusions which do not substantially change the basic shape. A saddle shape is characterised by simultaneous inward and outward curvature in different directions. For the purpose of this invention, the saddle shape of an actuation region is explained in terms of the curves A and B for that particular region.

Here, the curve A of maximum inward curvature runs along the surface of the actuation region and intersects with the bending boundary curve 4 at the points Ai and A ₂ .

Preferably, the curve A lies in one plane with the straight line AiA ₂ connecting the points Ai and A ₂ . For instance, in the non-limiting example of Figures 1 to 5, the curve A lies in the plane spanned by the line AiA ₂ and the principal axis C, for both actuation regions 3a and 3b. Projections of curves A are schematically shown in figures 4 and 5. Perspective views of curves A are also schematically shown in Figures 6 and 7 for the particular embodiment depicted there. A curve A need not have inward curvature at every point between points Ai and A ₂ ; for instance small sections may have outward curvature. Preferably the curvature of curve A is inward for at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 % of the section between Ai and A ₂ . The curve B of maximum outward curvature runs along the surface of actuation region and intersects with bending boundary curve 4 at points Bi and B ₂ . Preferably, curve B lies in one plane with the straight line BiB ₂ connecting the points Bi and B ₂ . For instance, in the non-limiting example of Figures 1 to 5, the curve B lies in the cross- sectional plane depicted in Figure 2, for both actuation regions 3a and 3b. Projections of curves B are schematically shown in figures 2 and 4. Perspective views of curves B are also schematically shown in Figures 6 and 7 for the particular embodiment depicted there.

A curve B need not have outward curvature at every point between Bi and B ₂ ; for instance small sections may have inward curvature. Preferably the curvature of B is outward for at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 % of the section between Bi and B ₂ . The inward or outward curvature is preferably assessed disregarding local deviations from saddle shape such as tactile indications, or local intrusions/protrusions that are not relevant for the saddle-shape-dependent deformability upon actuation. Thus, in the context of the present application, the term "saddle-shaped" means that, when the container is in rest, the curve A of maximum inward curvature of a region 3 and the curve B of maximum outward curvature of the same region 3 are not parallel to each other. Preferably, the shape of at least two of the deformable actuation regions 3 is such that the curve A of maximum inward curvature of such a region 3 and the curve B of maximum outward curvature of the same region 3 are perpendicular.

The curves A and B are considered perpendicular when the plane spanned by curve A and line AiA ₂ and the plane spanned by curve B and line BiB ₂ are perpendicular.

Alternatively, the angle between curve A and curve B may vary, yielding more or less skewed saddle-shaped deformable regions. This flexibility in shape allows the design of the container according to the invention to be adaptable to desired taste or style without imparting functionality.

The points of intersection Bi, B ₂ of the curves B of maximum outward curvature of a deformable actuation region 3 with the boundary curve 4 of the same region 3 are resiliency outwardly movable for each of the two or more regions 3, preferably upon manual squeezing of the deformable actuation regions 3.

More preferably, the points of intersection Bi, B ₂ of the curves B of maximum inward curvature of a deformable actuation region 3 with the boundary curve 4 of the same region 3 are resiliency outwardly movable without substantial plastic deformation of the container wall.

Number and position of the actuation regions 3

The flexible squeezable container according to the present invention comprises at least two deformable actuation regions 3. Preferably, the container comprises two deformable actuation regions 3. Preferably, these two deformable actuation regions 3 are oppositely placed on the container 1. For instance, the non-limiting examples of Figures 1 to 7 feature such oppositely placed deformable actuation regions 3a and 3b.

The at least two regions 3 do not all have to have the same dimensions or shapes, as long as they are all saddle-shaped. For instance, one region may be smaller or larger, narrower or wider than another. Also, the curvatures along curves A and B,

respectively, may vary for the different regions 3.

The actuation regions 3 may be placed on the container with different orientations with respect to other features of the container. Preferably, they are placed such that the curves A of maximum inward curvature of the deformable actuation regions 3 are essentially parallel to the principal longitudinal axis C of the container 1 as shown in Figure 4. Here, curve A is considered essentially parallel to axis C if and when the plane comprising curve A is essentially parallel to axis C.

Alternatively, the actuation regions 3 may for instance also be placed such that the curves A of maximum inward curvature of the deformable actuation regions 3 are essentially perpendicular to the principal longitudinal axis C of the container 1.

Here, curve A is considered essentially perpendicular to axis C if and when the plane comprising curve A is essentially perpendicular to axis C.

The at least two actuation regions 3 may optionally be placed such that their curves B are all in one plane, as is illustrated in Figure 3. However, this placement is not an essential feature of a container according to the present invention.

Preferably, the at least two actuation regions 3 are placed on the wall of the container with a mutual orientation such that they are cooperatively deformable according to the principle of actuation described below. For instance, the placement of regions 3a and 3b in the non-limiting example of Figures 1 to 5 is such that they are cooperatively deformable by manual actuation.

Principle of actuation of the container

The principle of the actuation of a container 1 according to the present invention is now explained for the non-limiting embodiment of the invention depicted in Figures 1 to 5, comprising two saddle-shaped regions 3. Upon actuation of the container 1 by manually squeezing the actuation regions 3, thereby pushing their centre regions inward. This leads to a resilient deformation of the saddle shape. More particularly, due to the saddle shape, the inward curvature along curve A increases for both of the oppositely placed regions 3a and 3b, upon actuation of the container 1.

Simultaneously, the outward curvature along B decreases and the boundary curve 4 bends in a hinging way for both regions 3a and 3b. As a result, the distance between points Ai and A ₂ along the line AiA ₂ decreases and the distance between points Bi and B ₂ along the line BiB ₂ increases, such that the points Bi and B ₂ of both regions 3a and 3b effectively move outward. Due to this concerted deformation of the regions 3a and 3b, the centres of both regions can only be pushed inward over a given distance, leading to a limit in deformation. At this limit, the user experiences a steep increase in the force required to further deform the regions 3a and 3b since beyond this limit further deformation is believed to involve plastic deformation of part of the container wall or the regions 3a and/or 3b. Since upon squeezing of the regions 3a and 3b the internal volume of the container 1 is reduced, the aforementioned limit in deformation therefore also leads to a limit in the reduction of the internal volume. In case the container contains a dispensable liquid, this limit in the reduction of the internal volume therefore effectively leads to a maximum dispensable dose upon one full squeeze of the actuation regions 3.

Therefore, the present invention preferably relates to a flexible squeezable container 1 with a maximum dispensable volume per actuation, determined by the maximum elastic deformation of the deformable actuation regions 3. Preferably, this maximum elastic deformation is the maximum elastic deformation under manually applied pressure.

The principle of the actuation of a container 1 comprising more than two actuation regions 3 is similar to the above, as is clear to the person skilled in the art. Dispensable volume and further benefits

The maximum dispensable volume as described above is highly advantageous to the user, since it allows the user to dispense the same maximum amount of liquid during each actuation, yet the container according to the present invention also allows the user to dispense less than the unit maximum amount in a single actuation. The container according to the present invention is preferably suitable for use by the consumer for dispensing liquids, like e.g. cleaning liquids. Therefore, the flexible squeezable container according to present invention preferably has an internal volume of 10 to 1500 millilitres, more preferably 50 to 1000 millilitres, even more preferably 100 to 600 millilitres and still more preferably 150 to 500 millilitres, when in rest.

Preferably, the container is adapted to dispense a suitable amount of liquid, for instance an amount typical for household liquids such as cleaning liquids. Therefore, the container preferably has a maximum dispensable volume per actuation of 0.05 to 50 millilitres, preferably 0.1 to 25 millilitres, more preferably 0.2 to 10 millilitres, even more preferably 0.3 to 5 millilitres and still more preferably 0.4 to 1.5 millilitres.

The unit maximum dispensable dose of the container according to the present invention and the formulation of a liquid to be dispensed may beneficially be mutually adapted, such that optimum dose of the liquid matches the unit maximum dispensable dose of the container.

The design of the container may optionally be further enhanced to improve the ease of use for the consumer. For instance, the design may provide an indication to the user as to how the container is optimally used, for instance directing the user to an

economically practical way of actuating the container. To this end, the deformable actuation regions 3 are preferably equipped with tactile indications, which are preferably selected from a plurality of concentric rings or ellipses, a plurality of depressions, or a plurality of ridges.

The unit dose dispensing capability of the flexible squeezable container according to the present invention is particularly suitable for dispensing sprayable liquids. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the flexible squeezable container according to the present invention is equipped with a spray cap 6, preferably comprising a spray nozzle 7, which is preferably in communication with a dip tube 8, as exemplified by the non-limiting example in Figure 6, where the spray cap is mounted on opening 2. Preferably, the spray cap encompasses at least two passage ways: At least one fluid passage way 9 establishing the communication between the dip tube 8 and the orifice 11 and at least one gas passage way 10. Alternatively, an equivalent spray cap design known in the art may be employed. The dimensions of the parts 6, 7, and 8 may be optimised to dispense for instance a spray or a foam from the orifice 11 upon manual actuation of the container 1.

Alternatively, the opening 2 may also be closable by means of a removable lid or cap, for instance a screw cap. The opening 2 is preferably provided with a neck, which may for instance be provided with a screw thread, or a rim, or another usual means to facilitate fastening of a cap.

In another alternative embodiment, multiple sets of cooperable regions 3 may be positioned at different locations on the container. For example two or more sets of two oppositely placed cooperatively squeezable regions may be placed one above the other. Thus, the container may for instance be provided with two or more sets of regions that yield different maximum dispensable volumes, providing improved control over the dosage to the user.

Suitable materials

The container 1 is preferably manufactured from a material suitable to render the container flexible and squeezable. Preferably, the material should be elastically deformable to an extent sufficient to enable actuation of the container, and without substantial damage or crackling of the wall during the lifetime of the container. Thus, the material should allow manual actuation by squeezing, but also be sufficiently resilient such as to allow the container to revert to its shape in rest upon release of the squeezing force. Suitable materials are for instance polyethylene (e.g. high density polyethylene - HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate. Preferably, the container is manufactured from PET. Suitable materials preferably have a yield strength in the range of 10 to 100 MPa, more preferably 60 to 90 MPa. Suitable materials preferably have a Young's modulus in the range of 0.6 to 4 GPa, more preferably 2 to 3 GPa. In order to display the desired flexibility, the container 1 preferably has a wall thickness of between 0.1 and 1 mm, more preferably 0.2 to 0.5 mm, and even more preferably 0.35 to 0.45 mm. The optimal thickness depends on the materials used, as is known to the person skilled in the art. It is desirable for the user to be able to see the contents of the container 1 through the wall. Thus, he may for instance identify the contents by its colour or appearance, or gauge the amount of contents left. Therefore, the container wall is preferably translucent or, more preferably, transparent. Alternatively, the bottle may be non- transparent to protect any light-sensitive contents.

The container according to the invention may for instance be manufactured by blow moulding. More particularly, the container according to the invention may for instance be manufactured from PP or HDPE by extrusion blow moulding (EBM), or from PET by injection stretch blow moulding (ISBM).

Process for using the container

As described above, in a second aspect, the present invention relates to a process for dispensing multiple doses of liquid from a flexible squeezable container 1 according to the present invention, comprising the following steps:

a. manually exerting an inward force on the deformable actuation regions 3, thereby moving the actuation regions 3 inward from their rest positions, reducing the interior volume of the container 1 , and dispensing a dose of liquid through the opening 2;

b. reducing the manually exerted force to allow the deformable actuation regions 3 to resiliency move back, preferably to their rest positions;

c. optionally repeating steps a and b.

Preferably, the invention relates to a process wherein the liquid is dispensed in the form of a spray, because the dosing process involving container 1 with its saddle- shaped actuation regions is particularly suitable for dosing sprayable liquids. In that case, the container 1 is preferably equipped with a spray cap 7 as described hereinbefore. Similarly, the invention preferably also relates to a process wherein the liquid is dispensed in the form of a foam.

It is highly advantageous to the user if the same maximum amount of liquid can be dispensed in each actuation step a. since it provides the user an easy way of controlling the total amount of dispensed liquid. Therefore, the invention preferably relates to a process wherein the maximum dispensable volume per actuation is determined by the geometry of the container 1 , which preferably determines the maximum elastic deformation of the deformable actuation regions 3.

Preferably, this maximum elastic deformation is the maximum elastic deformation under manually applied pressure, in order for the container to be operable by hand.

Steps a. and b. are preferably performable such that the geometry of the container after the actuation regions have moved back to their rest positions is essentially the same as the initial rest position of the container. In that way, the process steps a and b may optionally be repeated to dispense a multiple number of doses, preferably unit maximum doses, of the liquid, throughout the lifetime of the container.

Use

As described above, the present invention in a third, fourth and fifth aspect also relates to use of a flexible squeezable container according to the invention. Moreover, two or more uses according to the invention may be combined.