PRESSURE OPERATED DISPENSING DEVICE

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The technical field of the invention applies to packaging of a substance.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] At present there are many pouches that store and dispense a substance. However, majority of pouches require the use of both hands to tear an opening before dispensing the substance. The need to tear an opening in a pouch prior to use is inconvenient especially when the user only has one hand available. By squeezing the pouch with one hand, the substance in the pouch would be discharged in an uncontrolled burst. The need to tear is not convenient for a sportsperson consuming a liquid from a pack while on the go during a competition. It is preferable for the sportsperson to operate a packet with one hand without the contents of the packet discharging uncontrollably. There is a United States patent US 4,759,472 A that describes a container with a rupturable seal for dispensing beverage concentrates in a beverage dispenser without a need to tear. However, due to having an unsealed spout, the spout is subject to contamination prior to use. A further dispensing device is disclosed by US 4 872 556 A.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to provide a device with a simplified means of opening the device with at least one hand while providing a controlled discharge of its contents.

[0004] A device for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber with walls having a combination of at least a strong seal and at least a weak seal wherein the weak seal bridges the walls of a spout. The spout guides the substance to the at least a weak seal. The spout is defined by having at least a wall formed by the at least a strong seal extending inwardly from the at least a weak seal. The discharging end of the spout has an outermost weak seal providing a sealed spout to prevent external contamination of the spout. The device dispenses the substance when an external pressure is applied to the chamber.

[0005] When the spout has a plurality of weak seals, at least a buffer chamber is formed between the weak seals.

[0006] The buffer chamber provides a controlled flow of the substance when the substance discharges from the device upon breaking through the outermost weak seal. The strength of the inner weak seal is stronger than the strength of the outer weak seal.

[0007] The strength of the at least a weak seal can be varied by varying the width of the weak seals. The at least a weak seal prevents the substance from discharging the chamber.

[0008] The spout having a plurality of walls in a tapered configuration allows the thrust forces of the substance to be channeled progressively towards the weak seals. The spout may have a conical and/or cylindrical profile.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the spout, the outermost weak seal is shorter than an adjacent inner weak seal. In another embodiment of the spout, the outermost weak seal is longer than an adjacent inner weak seal. In yet another embodiment of the spout, the outermost weak seal and an adjacent inner weak seal have substantially equal length.

[0010] The spout having at least a weak seal or a plurality of weak seals, wherein the plurality of weak seals form at least a buffer chamber, may be adapted for use with pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch (for example: Stabilo Bag ™), resealable stand up pouch (for example: Doypack).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] 

Figure 1:

Describes an embodiment of the invention with a single weak seal.

Figure 2:

Describes an embodiment of the spout with a plurality of weak seals.

Figure 3:

Describes an embodiment of the invention with a plurality of weak seals.

Figure 4:

Describes a variation of the embodiment of the invention with a plurality of weak seals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each of the following preferred embodiments describes an example.

[0013] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a device (100) for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber (400) having at least a strong seal (102) and at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103). The at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103) bridges across the walls of a spout (200) to hold a substance within the chamber (400). The outermost weak seal (101a) may be along the perimeter of the device (100). Having the outermost weak seal (101a) along the perimeter of the device (100) prevents contamination of the stored substance from external contamination when sealed. Furthermore, the outermost weak seal (101a) prevents external contamination of the spout (200), as it seals the spout (200) at the discharging end of the spout (201). This improves hygiene especially when the substance is for animal consumption.

[0014] The at least a strong seal (102) along the perimeter of the device (100) contribute to the shape profile of the device (100). The at least a strong seal (102) prevents the substance within the chamber (400) from randomly bursting out of the device (100) when an external pressure is applied to the chamber (400). The spout (200) defined by at least a wall (105) formed by the at least a strong seal (102) extending inwardly from the at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a). The at least a wall (105) guides the substance towards the at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a).

[0015] When an external pressure is applied to the chamber (400), the substance stored in the chamber (400) consequently applies a thrust force on the at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a), thereby causing the at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a) to rupture, discharging the substance out of the chamber (400).

[0016] Referring to Figure 2, the spout (200) may have a plurality of weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a), whereby the plurality of weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a) form at least a buffer chamber (300). The at least a buffer chamber (300) cushions the initial discharge burst of the contained substance when the innermost weak seal (103a) is ruptured, thereby providing a controlled flow of the contained substance when the substance discharges from the device (100) upon breaking through the outermost weak seal (101a).

[0017] To further provide a controlled discharge of the substance, the strength of the inner weak seal (103) is stronger than the strength of the adjacent outer weak seal (101). The strength of the at least a weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a) are arranged in such a way wherein the strength of the following outer weak seal (101) is weaker than the adjacent inner weak seal (103). Hence, the strength of the innermost weak seal (103a) is the strongest, and the strength of the outermost weak seal (101a) is the weakest amongst the weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a). The strength of the at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a) may be varied by varying the width of the at least a weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a). When in storage the at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a) prevents the substance from discharging the chamber (400) when not in use. The sealing force range of the at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a) ranges from 0.6 to 3.0 Newtons.

[0018] Any sealing method may be employed for creating the strong and weak seals of the device (100), for example, ultrasonic and/or heat sealing may be employed for creating the seals of the device (100).

[0019] Figure 3 and Figure 4 describe a preferred embodiment of the device (100), wherein the at least a wall (105) of the spout (200) have a tapered configuration. The tapered walls (105) of the spout (200) allow the thrust forces of the substance to be channeled progressively towards the at least a weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a) during discharge.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the spout (200) may have a discharge aperture width range of 4mm to 13mm and an aperture angle range of 30° to 105° between the walls (105). The spout (200) may have a conical and/or cylindrical profile when the substance fills the spout during discharge.

[0021] In various embodiments of the device (100), the relative length of the outermost weak seal (101a) of the spout (200) may be varied relative to the length of an adjacent weak seal (101, 103, 103a). One configuration may have the length of the outermost weak seal (101a) may be shorter than the length of an adjacent weak seal (101, 103, 103a).

[0022] In another configuration, the length of the outermost weak seal (101a) may be longer than the length of an adjacent weak seal (101, 103, 103a). In yet another configuration, the length of the outermost weak seal (101a) may be substantially equal to the length of the innermost weak seal (101, 103, 103a).

[0023] The material used for the manufacturing of the container preferably should be flexible. A flexible material allows for any expansion and compression of the chamber (400). The shape of the device (100) is not limited to that described by the drawings. The spout (200) and the weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a) may be adapted to any flexible packaging type, such as, pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch (for example: Stabilo Bag ™), resealable stand up pouch (for example: Doypack), however the application is not limited to the mentioned.

[0024] The substance in the device (100) may be liquid, gel-like, powder, granules, but not limited to the examples.

[0025] In as much as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A device (100) for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber (400) with walls having a combination of at least a strong seal (102) and at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a) wherein said weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a) bridges the walls (105) of a spout (200);
said spout (200) guides said substance to said at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a);
said spout (200) defined by at least a wall (105) formed by said at least a strong seal (102) extending inwardly from said at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a);
having an outermost weak seal (101a) at the discharging end of said spout (201);
said device (100) dispenses said substance when an external pressure is applied to said chamber (400);
said outermost weak seal (101a) provides a sealed spout to prevent external contamination of said spout (200); characterised in that said outermost weak seal (101a) has a sealing force range of 0.6 to 3.0 Newtons.

2. A device (100) according to claims 1, wherein said spout (200) having a plurality of weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a) forming at least a buffer chamber (300).

3. A device (100) according to claim 2, wherein said buffer chamber (300) provides a controlled flow of said substance when said substance discharges from said device (100) upon breaking through the outer most weak seal (101a).

4. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the strength of the inner weak seal (103, 103a) is stronger than the strength of the outer weak seal (101, 101a).

5. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the strength of said at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a) can be varied by varying the width of said weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a).

6. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a) prevents said substance from discharging said chamber (400).

7. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said spout (200) having a plurality of walls (105) in a tapered configuration.

8. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said spout (200) having a discharge aperture width of 4mm to 13mm.

9. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said spout (200) having either a conical profile, a cylindrical profile, or a combination.

10. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said spout (200) have an aperture angle range of 30° to 105°.

11. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said outermost weak seal (101a) is shorter than an adjacent inner weak seal (103, 103a).

12. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said outermost weak seal (101a) is longer than an adjacent inner weak seal (103, 103a).

13. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said outermost weak seal (101a) and an adjacent inner weak seal (103, 103a) have substantially equal length.

14. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said spout (200) having at least a weak seal (101a, 101, 103, 103a) can be adapted for use with pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch, resealable stand up pouch.

15. A device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said spout (200) having a plurality of weak seals (101a, 101, 103, 103a) forming at least a buffer chamber (300) can be adapted for use with pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch, resealable stand up pouch.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung (100) zur Abgabe einer Substanz, umfassend eine Kammer (400) mit Wänden, die eine Kombination von mindestens einer starken Versiegelung (102) und mindestens einer schwachen Versiegelung (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) aufweist, wobei die schwache Versiegelung (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) die Wände (105) einer Tülle (200) überbrückt;
die Tülle (200) leitet die Substanz zu der mindestens einen schwachen Versiegelung (101a, 101, 103, 103a);
die Tülle (200) ist durch mindestens eine Wand (105) definiert, die durch die mindestens eine starke Versiegelung (102) gebildet wird, die von der mindestens einen schwachen Versiegelung (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) aus nach innen verläuft;
eine äußerste schwache Versiegelung (101 a) am Austrittsende der Tülle aufweisend (201);
die Vorrichtung (100) gibt die Substanz ab, wenn ein Druck von außen an die Kammer (400) angelegt wird;
die äußerste schwache Versiegelung (101 a) bietet eine versiegelte Tülle, um externe Verunreinigung der Tülle (200) zu verhindern; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die äußerste schwache Versiegelung (101 a) einen Dichtkraftbereich von 0,6 bis 3,0 Newton aufweist.

2. Vorrichtung (100) nach Ansprüchen 1, wobei die Tülle (200) eine Vielzahl von schwachen Versiegelungen (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) aufweist, die mindestens eine Pufferkammer (300) bilden.

3. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Pufferkammer (300) beim Austritt der Substanz aus der Vorrichtung (100) nach Durchbrechen der äußersten schwachen Versiegelung (101 a) einen kontrollierten Strom der Substanz bereitstellt.

4. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Festigkeit der inneren schwachen Versiegelung (103, 103a) höher ist als die Festigkeit der äußeren schwachen Versiegelung (101, 101 a).

5. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Festigkeit der mindestens einen schwachen Versiegelung (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) durch Variieren der Breite der schwachen Versiegelungen (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) variiert werden kann.

6. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die mindestens eine schwache Versiegelung (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) den Austritt der Substanz aus der Kammer (400) verhindert.

7. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die Tülle (200) eine Vielzahl von Wänden (105) in einer konischen Konfiguration aufweist.

8. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei die Tülle (200) eine Abgabeöffnungsbreite von 4 mm bis 13 mm aufweist.

9. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei die Tülle (200) entweder ein konisches Profil, ein zylindrisches Profil oder eine Kombination aufweist.

10. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei die Tülle (200) einen Austrittöffnungswinkelbereich von 30° bis 105° aufweist.

11. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei die äußerste schwache Versiegelung (101 a) kürzer ist als eine angrenzende, innere schwache Versiegelung (103, 103a).

12. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, wobei die äußerste schwache Versiegelung (101 a) länger ist als eine angrenzende, innere schwache Versiegelung (103, 103a).

13. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, wobei die äußerste schwache Versiegelung (101 a) und eine angrenzende innere schwache Versiegelung (103, 103a) im Wesentlichen dieselbe Länge aufweisen.

14. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13, wobei die Tülle (200), der mindestens eine schwache Versiegelung (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) aufweist, angepasst werden kann für den Einsatz mit Pillow-Bag-Verpackung, Stick Pack, dreiseitig versiegeltem Beutel, vierseitig versiegeltem Beutel, Beutel mit Seitenfalte, mittig versiegeltem Beutel, Standbeutel, wiederverschließbarem Standbeutel.

15. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 14, wobei die Tülle (200), der eine Vielzahl von schwachen Versiegelungen (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) aufweist, die mindestens eine Pufferkammer (300) bilden, die angepasst werden kann für den Einsatz mit Pillow-Bag-Verpackung, Stick Pack, dreiseitig versiegeltem Beutel, vierseitig versiegeltem Beutel, Beutel mit Seitenfalte, mittig versiegeltem Beutel, Standbeutel, wiederverschließbarem Standbeutel.

Revendications

1. Dispositif (100) pour distribuer une substance, comprenant une chambre (400) avec des parois comportant une combinaison d'au moins un joint fort (102) et au moins un joint faible (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) dans lequel ledit joint faible (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) enjambe les parois (105) d'un bec verseur (200) ;
ledit bec verseur (200) guide ladite substance vers ledit au moins un joint faible (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) ;
ledit bec verseur (200) défini par au moins une paroi (105) formée par ledit au moins un joint fort (102) s'étendant vers l'intérieur à partir dudit au moins un joint faible (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) ;
comportant un joint faible le plus externe (101 a) au niveau de l'extrémité de décharge dudit bec verseur (201) ;
ledit dispositif (100) distribue ladite substance lorsqu'une pression externe est appliquée à ladite chambre (400) ;
ledit joint faible le plus externe (101 a) fournit un bec verseur scellé pour empêcher une contamination externe dudit bec verseur (200) ; caractérisé en ce que ledit joint faible le plus externe (101 a) a une plage de force de scellement de 0,6 à 3,0 Newtons.

2. Dispositif (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit bec verseur (200) comporte une pluralité de joints faibles (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) formant au moins une chambre tampon (300).

3. Dispositif (100) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel ladite chambre tampon (300) fournit un écoulement régulé de ladite substance lorsque ladite substance se décharge dudit dispositif (100) lors d'une rupture à travers le joint faible le plus externe (101 a).

4. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel la résistance du joint faible interne (103, 103a) est plus forte que la résistance du joint faible externe (101, 101a).

5. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la résistance dudit au moins un joint faible (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) peut être variée en faisant varier la largeur desdits joints faibles (101 a, 101, 103, 103a).

6. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel ledit au moins un joint faible (101 a, 101, 103, 103 a) empêche ladite substance de se décharger de ladite chambre (400).

7. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel ledit bec verseur (200) comporte une pluralité de parois (105) dans une configuration effilée.

8. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel ledit bec verseur (200) comporte une largeur d'ouverture de décharge de 4 mm à 13 mm.

9. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel ledit bec verseur (200) possède soit un profil conique, soit un profil cylindrique, soit une combinaison.

10. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel ledit bec verseur (200) possède une plage angulaire d'ouverture de 30 ° à 105 °.

11. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel ledit joint faible le plus externe (101 a) est plus court qu'un joint faible interne adjacent (103, 103a).

12. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, dans lequel ledit joint faible le plus externe (101 a) est plus long qu'un joint faible interne adjacent (103, 103a).

13. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, dans lequel ledit joint faible le plus externe (101a) et un joint faible interne adjacent (103, 103a) ont une longueur essentiellement égale.

14. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13, dans lequel ledit bec verseur (200) comportant au moins un joint faible (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) peut être conçu pour une utilisation avec un emballage en sachet coussin, un sachet tubulaire, une pochette scellée sur trois côtés, une pochette scellée sur quatre côtés, une pochette à soufflets latéraux, une pochette à scellement central, une pochette à fond plat, une pochette à fond plat pouvant être refermée.

15. Dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14, dans lequel ledit bec verseur (200) comportant une pluralité de joints faibles (101 a, 101, 103, 103a) formant au moins une chambre tampon (300) peut être conçu pour une utilisation avec un emballage en sachet coussin, un sachet tubulaire, une pochette scellée sur trois côtés, une pochette scellée sur quatre côtés, une pochette à soufflets latéraux, une pochette à scellement central, une pochette à fond plat, une pochette à fond plat pouvant être refermée.

Drawing