An elastomeric dispensing container for a fluid includes an elastomeric receptacle defining a chamber therein and having an integrally formed gasket extending radially from an opening formed on a lower end and a receptacle neck providing communications between the chamber and the opening, a relatively rigid sleeve disposed concentrically about the receptacle neck having a sleeve neck with a lower face adjacent to the integral gasket, a cap having a lid covering the receptacle opening and the integral gasket with a dispensing orifice formed therein and a cap neck extending from the lid disposed concentrically about the sleeve neck, and engaging means formed on the sleeve neck and the cap neck providing removable attachment therebetween wherein the engaging means secures the integral gasket in a compressed and substantially fluid-tight state between the lid and the sleeve lower face.
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1. An elastomeric dispensing container for a fluid comprising:
a flexible and resilient receptacle composed of an elastomeric material defining a chamber therein;
opposite upper and lower ends of the receptacle with the receptacle having a central, longitudinal axis extending between the opposite ends thereof and a predetermined axial length of the receptacle between the opposite ends,
an integral gasket extending radially from an opening formed at the receptacle lower end;
a receptacle neck extending up from the receptacle lower end for providing communications between the chamber and the opening, wherein the integral gasket and the receptacle are fabricated as a single piece from the elastomeric material,
a discrete sleeve composed of a substantially rigid material and having opposite upper and lower ends, with the sleeve being disposed concentrically about the receptacle neck having a sleeve neck with a lower face at the sleeve lower end and which is disposed adjacent to the integral gasket, the sleeve having a predetermined axial length between the sleeve upper and lower ends that is less than half the predetermined axial length of the receptacle to leave a majority of the receptacle exposed above the sleeve upper end,
a cap having a lid covering the receptacle opening and the integral gasket with a dispensing orifice formed therein and a cap neck extending from the lid disposed concentrically about the sleeve neck, and
engaging means formed on the sleeve neck and the cap neck providing removable attachment therebetween wherein the engaging means secures the integral gasket in a compressed and substantially fluid-tight state between the lid and the sleeve lower face.
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This application relates broadly to containers for storing and dispensing fluids, specifically to such containers of the type utilizing an elastomeric receptacle and a dispensing cap.
Elastomeric containers, particularly in the form of elastomeric receptacles with dispensing caps, are commonly used for storing and dispensing fluids. A typical example is an oil cup of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 811,801. To dispense the fluid, the receptacle is compressed to pressurize and expel the fluid through an orifice in the cap. The flexible yet resilient elastomeric receptacle provides a relatively easy to use, comfortable, precise, and powerful means to dispense the fluid, while also providing a convenient means to store the fluid. Typically manufactured through a molding process, the elastomeric receptacles can be formed in a variety of shapes and colors, and can include integrally molded features which can improve functionality without requiring additional parts.
Engagement between the receptacle and the cap is conventionally accomplished though a cylindrical neck formed on the receptacle engaged around a relatively rigid cylindrical neck on the cap. This method of attachment relies on a tight radial fit between the receptacle neck and the cap neck in order to create a substantially fluid-tight seal. However, the tight fit also often makes the cap difficult to attach and detach, which must typically be done regularly for purposes of cleaning, refilling, or the like. The receptacle neck sometimes further includes integrally formed annular beads or screw threads as means for attachment. However, these features formed on the elastomeric receptacle are often not rigid enough to provide secure attachment, and may also be prone to leakage. In an embodiment described in U.S. Pat. No. 811,801, a threaded metal extension is introduced between a threaded cap and an elastomeric receptacle to facilitate attachment and detachment of the cap. However, engagement between the extension and the sleeve still relies on the conventional method heretofore described. While cement is proposed to connect the receptacle to the extension, the use of cement is undesirable as it complicates assembly.
Accordingly, in addition to the objects and advantages described above, it is an object and advantage of the present invention to provide an elastomeric dispensing container comprising an elastomeric receptacle and a dispensing cap in secure and substantially fluid-tight engagement which also facilitates attachment and detachment of the cap. Further objects and advantages are to provide an elastomeric dispensing container that is easy and comfortable to use, convenient, and facilitates cleaning and refilling. Still further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
In accordance with the present invention an elastomeric dispensing container for a fluid comprises an elastomeric receptacle defining a chamber therein and having an integrally formed gasket extending radially from an opening formed on a lower end and a receptacle neck providing communications between the chamber and the opening, a relatively rigid sleeve disposed concentrically about the receptacle neck having a sleeve neck with a lower face adjacent to the integral gasket, a cap having a lid covering the receptacle opening and the integral gasket with a dispensing orifice formed therein and a cap neck extending from the lid disposed concentrically about the sleeve neck, and engaging means formed on the sleeve neck and the cap neck providing removable attachment therebetween wherein the engaging means secures the integral gasket in a compressed and substantially fluid-tight state between the lid and the sleeve lower face.
A preferred embodiment of an elastomeric dispensing container 100 and its components are shown in
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Thus it will be seen that the elastomeric dispensing container of the invention provides a secure, substantially fluid-tight engagement of the elastomeric receptacle 200 to the cap 400 while still facilitating attachment and detachment of the cap 400, and is also easy and comfortable to use, convenient, and facilitates cleaning and refilling.
Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and methods and that various other changes may be effected herein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, while specific materials, shapes, and indicia have been disclosed for the various parts of container 100, other materials, shapes, and indicia could be used. While a specific dispensing cap has been described, a variety of dispensing closures and nozzles could be used. Also, while an application involving a dispensing container has been described herein, the present invention may be applicable in other situations requiring fluid-tight attachment of a squeeze bulb, such as basting devices, or medical devices for extracting and discharging fluids.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
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