NZ244642A - Container with graduated cap for dispensing metered doses of material - Google Patents

Description

2446/12 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT. 1953 No.: 244642 Date: 7 October 1992 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "Outlet Metering Assembly" We, CARTER HOLT HARVEY PLASTIC PRODUCTS GROUP LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of Te Rapa Road, Hamilton, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- ~ 6 MAR 1995 244642 The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to containers for dispensable contents, outlet metering assemblies for such containers and related methods and means.

Various forms of closable outlet assembly have previously been proposed for controlling the out pouring of dispensable contents from a container, whether the contents be a powder, liquid or otherwise.

The present invention provides an outlet metering system for the dispensable contents from a container utilizing an outlet metering assembly which will at least provide an alternative to any existing arrangement.

In a first aspect the invention consists in a container having an outlet metering assembly engaged thereto to dispense metered amounts of a material from the container, said assembly comprising; (I) as a subassembly, first and second members or assemblies (hereinafter respectively "first member" or "second member") wherein one of said first and second members, (the "fixed member") is engaged to the container so that it is fixed relative to said container, the other of which is rotatable relative to both the fixed member and to the container, said subassembly providing manually actuable means to allow in use a user to effect such relative rotation, and wherein each of said first and second members has a port or ports (hereafter "port") capable of being brought in to and out of an open or closed relationship with the port or ports (hereafter "port") of the other respectively upon such rotation to allow or prevent, in use, a dispensing of the material from the container, and (II) a cup member capable of receiving'material dispensed via said ports when in their open condition while said cup member is screw thread engaged with, yet disengagable from, said subassembly, and wherein there is provided a scale on one of said subassembly and said cup member to indicate as a result of their relative screw engaged condition the available receiving volume of the cup member for material allowed to drop from said container via said ports when in an open condition to accumulate to a fill level rotational screwing of the cup member and thus its axial position relative to said subassembly being determinative of the quantity to be dispensed when said ports are in their open condition, and wherein the relative rotation of said first and second members bring port or ports of said first and second members to a closed condition in use allows the cup member to be removed with a metered amount of material contained therein.

Preferably said first member is a barrel within the second member.

Preferably said manually actuable means is accessible by a user's digit laterally of the rotational axis of said first member with respect to said second member.

Preferably said ports of said first and second members open and close at or adjacent to the fill level of said cup member.

Preferably said scale is on said subassembly.

Preferably said container contains a granulated or other particulate material.

Preferably said subassembly comprises: (i) as said second member, a body assembly which at least includes a portiojL^~~^, /&1 °7 r 1 i 244 6 42 generally a tubular form having at least One outlet port, (ii) as said first member, a barrel confined at least partly in said body assembly having a generally tubular form open at one end to, in use, receive and hold contents from said container yet having at least one outlet port, and wherein said cup member is screw engagable with said second member to allow said ports to be closed or opened at a range of fill levels within said cup member.

In a second aspect the invention consists in an outlet metering assembly for engagement to a container or engaged to a container to dispense metered amounts of a material from the container, said assembly comprising; (I) as a subassembly, first and second members or assemblies (hereinafter respectively "first member' or "second member") wherein one of said first and second members, (the "fixed member") is engagable to said container, or is engaged thereto, so that, in use, it is fixed relative to said container, the other of which is rotatable relative to both the fixed member and to the container, said subassembly providing manually actuable means to allow in use a user to effect such relative rotation, and wherein each of said first and second members has a port or ports (hereafter "port") capable of being brought in to and out of an open or closed relationship with the port or ports (hereafter "port") of the other respectively upon such rotation to allow or prevent, in use, a dispensing of the material, and (II) a cup member capable of receiving material dispensed via said ports when in their open condition while said cup member is screw thread engaged with yet disengagable from said subassembly, 244642 and wherein there is provided a scale on one of said subassembly and said cup member to indicate as a result of their relative screw engaged condition the available receiving volume of the cup member for material allowed to drop from said subassembly via the ports when in an open condition, to accumulate to a fill level determined by said ports, rotational screwing of the cup member and thus its axial position relative to said subassembly being determinative of the quantity to be dispensed when said ports are in their open condition, and wherein the relative rotation of said first and second members to a closed condition in use allows the cup-like member to be removed with a metered amount of material contained therein.

Preferably said first member is 3 barrel within at least part of the second member.

Preferably said manually actuable means is accessible by a user's digit laterally of the rotational axis of said first member with respect to said second member.

Preferably said subassembly includes a thread to operatively engage a said container.

Preferably said scale is on said subassembly.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of dispensing a granular material from a container into a cup member which involves the operative use of an assembly or container, said cup member being defined as previously set forth.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, 244 642 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Container in accordance with the present invention featuring the outlet metering assembly thereof and the outlet end of the container, said outlet metering assembly being shown from that side where the fixed member through the opening or openings through the skirt reveals the rotatable inner member, Figure 2 is side elevational view of the fixed member in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 showing to the left of the central axis AA the exterior appearance thereof with graduations thereon (preferably in five gram increments) and showing the nature of the threaded exterior near the top end thereof for engaging the removable cap member, Figure 2 showing to the right of the central axis AA the same in section showing at least one of the ports through the top thereof and the internal 4 6 /•2 Preferably the member defining said lateral opening includes a frangibly detachable tamper evident region preventing said relative rotating from said closed condition until removed.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in an outlet metering assembly of a component, or the components of such an assembly, which when combined operatively with an appropriate container body having an outlet will provide a container as previously set forth.

And yet a further aspect the present invention consists in the use of apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

And yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of dispensing granules or a powder from a container which involves the operative use of apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with the present invention featuring the outlet metering assembly thereof and the outlet end of the container, said outlet metering assembly being shown from that side where the fixed member through the opening or openings through the skirt reveals the rotatable inner member, Figure 2 is side elevational view of the fixed member in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 showing to the left of the central axis AA the exterior appearance thereof with graduations thereon (preferably in five gram increments) and showing the nature of the threaded exterior near the top end thereof for engaging the removable cap member, Figure 2 showing to the right of the central axis AA the same in section showing at least one of the ports through the top thereof and the internal "7" 'lLorriCG*™] ~ 6 MAR 1995 24 4 6 a 2 groove at the bottom end thereof for clip fit engagement about the neck of the outlet of the container body; Figure 3 is a plan view of the top of the fixed member of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 but this time of the inner member, Figure 4 showing to the left of the central axis BB the exterior of the fixed member while Figure 4, to the right of the central axis BB, shows the cross-section thereof and showing in the top thereof, at least one port capable of being brought into and out of an open engagement with the corresponding port or ports of the fixed member; Figure 5 is a plan view of the top of the inner member of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a similar view to that of Figures 2 and 4 but this time showing the removable cap member, Figure 6 showing to the left of the central axis CC the exterior of the cap member while Figure 6 to the right of the centred axis CC shows the cross-section of the cap member and shows the internal threaded arrangement which inter-engages with that of the fixed member shown in Figure 2; Figure 7 is a top plan view of the removable cap of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a similar view to that of Figures 2, 4 and 6 but this time of the neck and the outlet of the container body, Figure 8 to the left of the central axis DD showing the exterior of the neck region including the various shoulders on which respectively the fixed member and inner member seat and also showing between such shoulders a projecting ridge which clip fit inter-engages in the groove previously referred to in relation to Figure 2, Figure 8 to the right of the central axis DD showing the neck region in cross-section, and Figure 9 shows the assembly of Figure 1 with components as shown in Figures 2 through 8 in an inverted dispensing condition with particulate material passing through the aligned ports of the fixed and inner members into the predetermined (by reference - 6 MAR 1995 24 4 6^. to the graduation) but variable volume of the removable cap member whereupon the ports can then be closed and the dispensed volume contained within the cap member removed and held by the cap member in the form of a cup.

In the preferred form of the present invention all components are made from a plastics material by an appropriate moulding process.

The container in accordance with the present invention includes a container body 1 having a neck 2 as shown in Figure 1, preferably having a shoulder 3 on which the fixed member 4 seats and a further shoulder 5 upon which the inner member 6 seats. Interposed between the shoulders 3 and 5 is a ridge 7 having a facility to enable the clip fit engagement of the fixed member 4 thereto so as to inter-engage an internal annular groove 8 thereof (see Figure 2).

As can be seen from the assembly shown in Figure 9 the, inner member 6 is aligned with its top 10 adjacent the top 11 of the fixed member 4 and preferably with its skirt 12 adjacent the skirt 13 of the fixed member so as to prevent any tendency for a passage of any contents of the container therebetween.

As shown in Figure 9, a port 14 of the fixed member 4 has been aligned in an open condition with a port 15 of the inner member 6. This bringing into and out of alignment is by means of a digit actuated rotation of the inner member 6 by engagement with the friction enhanced surface 16 thereof through an opening 17 of the fixed member 4. This can best be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 9.

As can best be seen by reference to Figure 1 preferably a keyed anti-rotation inter-engagement 18 is provided between the fixed member 4 and the container body 1. "v: rNT OFFICE - 6 MAR 1993 J —f. ^44 6^2 The exterior of the fixed mem£>er 4 includes external engagement means 19 which preferably is a constant pitch thread for inter-engaging with the corresponding internal thread 20 of the removable cap member 21 shown in Figure 6.

The exterior of the fixed member 4 preferably carries graduations 22 (preferably in five gram increments) which by means of a physical inter-engagement with the bottom 23 of the removable cap 21 indicates the volume of powder or other contents of the container capable of being dispensed into the region 24.

The graduation 22 (see Figure 2) is on the fixed member 4 and thus is exteriorly viewable as to the volume being defined by reference to the bottom edge 23 of the skirt of the removable cap member 21. In other forms of the present invention, if the plastics member 4 is transparent the graduation could be provided on the skirt of the inner member 6 and perform much the same purpose. Conversely if, for example, the removable cap member 21 is transparent the graduation 22 could be provided thereon and it could be read by any appropriate indicator provided on the fixed member 4.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the method of operation of a dispensing assembly with its metering characteristics. The dose size is controlled by the preset volume which has been selected by an appropriate screwing or unscrewing of the removable cap member with reference to the graduation or graduations. It enables the filling of the reservoir region of the removable cap member (which preferably can be seen through the preferred transparent cap material) and then, after closure of the container, the removal of the cap member cupping the dispensed contents for, for example, addition into a washing machine or the like. Such a method has equal application to liquids as well as powders though the measure of seal may be greater in relation to less viscous liquids.

N.Z.

OFFICE - 6 MAR 1995 ZM 6 '■ 2 Irrespective of whether or not 'liquids' or powder is included the operation is as follows: "1. invert the full container with the removable cap fully fitted and the rotating inner member in the closed position; 2. rotate the removable cap member anticlockwise until the desired graduation is exposed; 3. rotate the rotatable inner member to the open position (i.e. with aligned ports with those of the fixed member) and view the contents filling the cap (if the removable cap member is transparent); 4. once filled, take the aligned ports out of alignment by rotating the inner member; and . unscrew the removable cap fully and use the metered dose contained therein." It is believed that the outlet metering assembly in accordance with the present invention and a container using the same should find widespread acceptance in the dispensing of particularly powders. 244 6 42

Claims (13)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A container having an outlet metering assembly engaged thereto to dispense metered amounts of a material from the container, said assembly comprising; (I) as a subassembly, first and second members or assemblies (hereinafter respectively "first member" or "second member") wherein one of said first and second members, (the "fixed member") is engaged to the container so that it is fixed relative to said container, the other of which is rotatable relative to both the fixed member and to the container, said subassembly providing manually actuable means to allow in use a user to effect such relative rotation, and wherein each of said first and second members has a port or ports (hereafter "port") capable of being brought in to and out of an open or closed relationship with the port or ports (hereafter "port") of the other respectively upon such rotation to allow or prevent, in use, a dispensing of the material from the container, and (II) a cup member capable of receiving material dispensed via said ports when in their open condition while said cup member is screw thread engaged with, yet disengagable from, said subassembly, and wherein there is provided a scale on one of said subassembly and said cup member to indicate as a result of their relative screw engaged condition the available receiving volume of the cup member for material allowed to drop from said container via said ports when in an open condition, rotational screwing of the cup member and thus its axial position relative to said subassembly being determinative of the quantity to be dispensed when said ports are in their open condition, it -X- 1 5 HAY 1386 2 5 4 6 42 and wherein the relative rotation of said first and second members to bring port or ports of said first and second members to a closed condition in use allows the-cup member to be removed with a metered amount of material contained therein.

2. A container of claim 1 wherein said first member is a barrel within the second member.

3. A container of claim 1 or 2 wherein said manually actuable means is accessible by a user's digit laterally of the rotational axis of said first member with respect to said second member.

4. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said ports of said first and second members open and close at or adjacent to the fill level of said cup member.

5. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said scale is on said subassembly.

6. A container of any one of the preceding claims when containing a granulated or other particulate material.

7. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said subassembly comprises (i) as said second member, a body assembly which at least includes a portion generally in a tubular form having at least one outlet port, (ii) as said first member, a barrel confined at least partly in said body assembly having a generally tubular form open at one end to in use receive and hold contents from a said container yet having at least one outlet port, and wherein said cup member is screw engagable with said second member to allow ' J | 1 5 MAY 1996 13 ■ } FCCillVCO I 244642 said ports to be closed or opened at a range of fill levels within said cup member.

8. An outlet metering assembly for engagement to a container or engaged to a container to dispense metered amounts of a material from the container, said assembly comprising; (I) as a subassembly, first and second members or assemblies (hereinafter respectively "first member" or "second member") wherein one of said first and second members, (the "fixed member") is engagable to said container, or is engaged thereto, so that, in use, it is fixed relative to said container, the other of which is rotatable relative to both the fixed member and to the container, said subassembly providing manually actuable means to allow in use a user to effect such relative rotation, and wherein each of said first and second members has a port or ports (hereafter "port") capable of being brought in to and out of an open or closed relationship with the port or ports (hereafter "port") of the other respectively upon such rotation to allow or prevent, in use, a dispensing of the material, and (II) a cup member capable of receiving material dispensed via said ports when in their open condition while said cup member is screw thread engaged with yet disengagable from said subassembly, and wherein there is provided a scale on one of said subassembly and said cup member to indicate as a result of their relative screw engaged condition the available receiving volume of the cup member for material allowed to drop from said subassembly via the ports when in an open condition to accumulate in the available receiving volume, rotational screwing of the cup member and thus its axial position relative to said subassembly being determinative of the quantity to be dispensed when said ports are in their open condition, 14 244642 and wherein the relative rotation of said first and second members to a closed condition in use allows the cup-like member to be removed with a metered amount of material contained therein.

9. An assembly of claim 8 wherein said first member is a barrel within at least part of the second member.

10. An assembly of claim 8 or 9 wherein said manually actuable means is accessible by a user's digit laterally of the rotational axis of said first member with respect to said second member.

11. An assembly of any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said subassembly includes a thread to operatively engage a said container.

12. An assembly of any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein said scale is on said subassembly.

13. A method of dispensing a granular material from a container into a cup member which involves the operative use of an assembly of any one of claims 8 to 12 or a container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, said cup member being as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12. DATED THIS DAY OF !\^\ 19% J*-