Packaging system for storing fluid substance and pump dispenser therefor

Abstract

Described herein is a packaging system (1) for storing a fluid substance, the packaging system comprising a pump dispenser (100). The pump dispenser (100) includes a pump assembly (50), a flexible bag (60), and a connecting shell (30). A flexible bag (60) containing a fluid substance to be dispensed, wherein the flexible bag has a spout (61); wherein the spout is a sleeve having an inner surface (611) and an outer surface (612). A cavity is formed in the connecting shell (30), and the connecting shell is provided with an upper part (310) and a lower part (320); the pump assembly comprises: an actuator 10 having a cavity therein; and a closure (20) connected to the actuator. The pump assembly (50) has a housing (51) having an outer surface (510) and a lower end (520). A housing (51) of the pump assembly is located at an upper portion (310) of the connecting shell. The cavity of the connecting shell and the outer surface of the shell of the pump assembly form an air chamber (330), or the cavity of the shell (51 ') forms an air chamber (513'). A housing (51) of the pump assembly includes a vent hole (511, 511 '). A housing (51) of the pump assembly has a port (56) at a lower end of the housing. A lower portion (320) of the connecting shell is removably engaged with an outer surface (612) of a spout (61) of the flexible bag. The pump assembly (50) is removably engaged with the flexible bag in a hermetically sealed manner such that when the actuator (10) is pushed downward and released by a user, air is balanced in the air chamber (330, 513 ') by means of the vent hole (511, 511') and air is unbalanced in the flexible bag (60). The flexible pouch is gas-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates generally to a packaging system for storing a fluid substance, the packaging system comprising a pump dispenser. The pump dispenser comprises a pump assembly, a flexible bag and a connection housing. Optionally, the packaging system can further comprise a housing for storing the pump dispenser and the flexible bag. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, bags are known which contain shampoo, liquid detergent, cosmetic products, etc. These bags can be manufactured cheaply and are therefore convenient as a disposable container.

[0003] Packaging systems with docking frames, pump dispensers and flexible bags are also known. The consumer typically replaces the disposable bag with a new disposable bag only and continues to re-use the housing and pump dispenser, see for example US 5,474,212 A. However, the bag change can often be cumbersome when replacing with a new flexible bag. For example, the pump dispenser including the dip tube needs to be removed from the bag to be disposed of. Product drips can occur from the dip tube or from the spout of the bag, which is undesirable for the consumer. Also, when inserting the dip tube into the new flexible bag, the previous product in the dip tube can contaminate the product in the new flexible bag.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved overall packaging dispenser which is more convenient and reliable. The overall packaging dispenser should avoid any contamination of the product in the flexible bag when replacing the flexible bag.

[0005] Product residue often remains in the flexible bag to be disposed of. Due to the length of the dip tube and the positioning within the bag, not all product can be dispensed from the flexible bag.

[0006] There is a need to provide a pump dispenser which allows to drain any remaining product residue from the flexible bag at the end of the dispensing use.

[0007] There is a need to provide a packaging system with a convenient connection solution between the pump assembly and the flexible bag. The packaging system should allow to replace the flexible bag in less steps or in a more convenient way. SUMMARY

[0008] A packaging system 1 for storing a fluid substance F is provided and comprises a pump dispenser 100, wherein the pump dispenser 100 comprises a pump assembly 50, a flexible bag 60 and a connecting housing 30; wherein the flexible bag 60 contains the fluid substance F to be dispensed, wherein the flexible bag 60 has a spout 61; wherein the spout 61 is a sleeve having an inner surface 611 and an outer surface 612; wherein the connecting housing 30 has a cavity therein, wherein the connecting housing 30 has an upper portion 310 and a lower portion 320; wherein the pump assembly 50 comprises an actuator 10 having a cavity therein; and a closure 20 connected to the actuator 10; wherein the pump assembly 50 has a housing 51 having an outer surface 510 and a lower end 520; wherein the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 is fixed at the upper portion 310 of the connecting housing 30, wherein the cavity of the connecting housing 30 and the outer surface 510 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 form an air chamber 330, or wherein the cavity of the housing 51' forms an air chamber 513'; wherein the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 comprises a vent hole (511, 511'); wherein the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 has a port 56 at the lower end 520 of the housing 51; wherein the lower portion 320 of the connecting housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60, and is characterized in that the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight sealed manner; such that when the actuator 10 is pushed down by a user and released, air is balanced in the air chamber (330, 513') by means of the vent hole (511, 511'), and air is unbalanced in the flexible bag 60, wherein the flexible bag 60 is air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

[0009] The packaging system 1 can further comprise a housing 110 for storing the pump dispenser 100 and the flexible bag 60.

[0010] A pump dispenser 100 is provided and comprises a pump assembly 50, a flexible bag 60 and a connecting housing 30; wherein the flexible bag 60 contains a fluid substance F to be dispensed, wherein the flexible bag 60 has a spout 61; wherein the spout 61 is a sleeve having an inner surface 611 and an outer surface 612; wherein the connecting housing 30 has a cavity therein, wherein the connecting housing 30 has an upper portion 310 and a lower portion 320; wherein the pump assembly 50 comprises an actuator 10 having a cavity therein; and a closure 20 connected to the actuator 10; wherein the pump assembly 50 has a housing 51 having an outer surface 510 and a lower end 520; wherein the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 is fixed at the upper portion 310 of the connecting housing 30, wherein the cavity of the connecting housing 30 and the outer surface 510 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 form an air chamber 330, or wherein the cavity of the housing 51' forms an air chamber 513'; wherein the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 comprises a vent hole (511, 511'); wherein the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 has a port 56 at the lower end 520 of the housing 51; wherein the lower portion 320 of the connecting housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60, and is characterized in that the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight sealed manner; such that when the actuator 10 is pushed down by a user and released, air is balanced in the air chamber (330, 513') by means of the vent hole (511, 511'), and air is unbalanced in the flexible bag 60, wherein the flexible bag 60 is air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

[0011] Alternatively, a packaging system 1 for storing a fluid substance F is provided and comprises a pump dispenser 100. A pump dispenser 100 is provided and comprises a pump assembly 50, a flexible bag 60 and a connection housing 30; wherein the flexible bag 60 contains a fluid substance F to be dispensed, wherein the flexible bag 60 has a spout 61; wherein the spout 61 is a sleeve having an inner surface 611 and an outer surface 612; wherein the connection housing 30 has a cavity therein, wherein the connection housing 30 has an upper portion 310 and a lower portion 320; wherein the pump assembly 50 comprises an actuator 10 having a cavity therein; and a closure 20 connected to the actuator 10; wherein the pump assembly 50 has a housing 51 having an outer surface 510 and a lower end 520; wherein the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 is fixed at the upper portion 310 of the connection housing 30, wherein the cavity of the connection housing 30 and the outer surface 510 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 form an air chamber 330, or wherein the cavity of the housing 51' forms an air chamber 513'; wherein the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 has a port 56 at the lower end 520 of the housing 51; wherein the lower portion 320 of the connection housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60, and is characterized in that the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight sealed manner; such that when the actuator 10 is pushed down by a user and released, air is unbalanced in the flexible bag 60, wherein the flexible bag 60 is air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use. In this regard, air is unbalanced in the air chamber (330, 513').

[0012] A method of dispensing a fluid substance F contained in a flexible bag 60 of a pump dispenser 100 as disclosed herein is provided and comprises the following steps, preferably in the following order:

[0013] a) providing a pump assembly 50, wherein the pump assembly 50 comprises an actuator 10 and a closure 20 connected to the actuator 10;

[0014] b) optionally providing a seal 40 and inserting the seal 40 at the port 56 of the pump assembly 50;

[0015] c) providing a connection housing 30 and engaging the connection housing 30 to the closure 20 of the pump assembly 50;

[0016] d) providing a flexible bag 60 comprising a fluid substance F;

[0017] e) fixing the flexible bag 60 to the pump assembly 50 and the connection housing 30, wherein the lower portion 320 of the connection housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60; and wherein the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight sealed manner;

[0018] f) Trigger and release the actuator 10 of the pump assembly 50 so that air does not flow back into the flexible bag 60, wherein the flexible bag 60 is airtight and / or is gradually evacuated during dispensing use, and the flexible bag 60 contracts as the fluid substance F is discharged from the pump dispenser 100. Attached Figure Description

[0019] While this specification draws conclusions by specifically pointing out and clearly claiming the rights to this invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood by reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the pump dispenser as shown and described herein is provided;

[0021] Figure 1A Provided Figure 1 An enlarged view of the area, including the connection between the nozzle of the flexible bag and the port of the pump assembly; and a cross-sectional view showing the airtight connection with the lower end of the connecting housing.

[0022] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of another pump dispenser as shown and described herein is provided;

[0023] Figure 2A Provided Figure 2 An enlarged view of the area, including a cross-sectional view showing the flexible bag nozzle engaging with the lower end of the connecting housing and engaging with the port of the pump assembly in an airtight manner.

[0024] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of another pump dispenser as shown and described herein is provided;

[0025] Figure 3A Provided Figure 3 A magnified view of the area, showing the nozzle of the flexible bag engaging with the port of the pump assembly; a cross-sectional view showing the airtight engagement with the lower end of the connecting housing.

[0026] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of another pump dispenser as shown and described herein is provided;

[0027] Figure 5 A perspective view of a packaging system, including a pump dispenser and a housing, is provided as shown and described herein;

[0028] Figure 6 Provided as shown and described herein, including a pump dispenser and a housing in which the front door opens. Figure 5 A perspective view of the packaging system;

[0029] Figure 7 A perspective view of the connecting shell, as shown and described herein, is provided;

[0030] Figure 7A A cross-sectional view of a connecting housing of a pump dispenser is provided in accordance with one or more aspects;

[0031] Figure 8 A packaging system including a connecting housing as shown and described herein is provided in a perspective view; Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system prior to any use is provided;

[0032] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator is first pressed down; Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator is released;

[0033] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator is released; Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator is released;

[0034] Figure 11 A schematic is provided depicting how the packaging system, i.e., the pump dispenser, is inserted into the connecting housing and engages with the flexible bag prior to storage inside the outer shell;

[0035] Figure 12 A perspective view of another packaging system including an alternative pump dispenser and outer shell as shown and described herein is provided;

[0036] Figure 13 A side view of the packaging system having a transparent connecting housing and a foaming pump assembly as shown and described herein is provided prior to any use; Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system prior to any use is provided;

[0037] Figure 14 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system prior to any use is provided; Figure 12 A perspective and transparent front view of another connecting housing as shown and described herein is provided;

[0038] Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the pump dispenser includes a dip tube and when the actuator is first pressed down; Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator is released and the flexible bag begins to contract; and

[0039] Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator has been pressed and released several times and the flexible bag contracts.

[0040] Figure 17 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator has been pressed and released several times and the flexible bag contracts. Figure 17 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator has been pressed and released several times and the flexible bag contracts.

[0041] Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator has been pressed and released several times and the flexible bag contracts. Figure 17 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system is provided when the actuator has been pressed and released several times and the flexible bag contracts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Definitions of Terms

[0043] In this document, unless otherwise indicated, the use of the following terms, including all embodiments of all aspects of the present application, shall be consistent with the definitions set forth below.

[0044] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," and "containing" are open-ended terms that are each specified by the recitation of elements that they introduce, but do not exclude additional, unrecited elements that are known or otherwise described herein. "Including" encompasses the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of." The pump dispensers, pump assemblies, methods, uses, and processes of the present application can comprise, consist of, and consist essentially of the elements and limitations of the present application described herein, as well as any additional or optional ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described herein. Unless otherwise specified, embodiments and aspects described herein can include elements, features or components of other embodiments and / or aspects, or can be used in combination with elements, features or components of other embodiments and / or aspects, even if not explicitly stated in the combination.

[0045] As used herein, when in the context of the claims, the articles "a" and "an" are understood to mean one or more than one of the referenced material.

[0046] As used herein, the terms "including," "containing," and "comprising" are intended to be non-limiting.

[0047] As used herein, "consumer product" means a product intended to be used or consumed in its sold form. Such products include, but are not limited to, products for treating the surface of keratin fiber, hair, skin or fabric of interest and / or uses involving the treatment of the surface of keratin fiber, hair, skin or fabric of interest. As used herein, "consumer product" means baby care, beauty care, fabric & home care, family care, feminine care, health care or device intended to be used or consumed in its sold form and not intended for subsequent commercial manufacture or modification. Such products include, but are not limited to, fine fragrances (e.g., perfumes, colognes, eau de toilettes, eau de deodorants, pre-shave preparations, moisturizing lotions, tonics, and other fragrance-containing compositions for direct application to the skin); products for treating human hair and / or methods involving the treatment of human hair, including bleaching, coloring, dyeing, conditioning, shampooing, styling; deodorants and antiperspirants; personal cleansing; cosmetics; skin care, including the application of creams, lotions and other topically applied products for consumer use; and shaving products, products (e.g., detergents) and / or methods involving the treatment of fabric, hard surface and any other surface in the area of fabric and home care, including: air care, dishwashing, fabric conditioning (including softening), laundry detergency, laundry and rinse additive and / or care, hard surface cleaning and / or treatment and other cleaning for consumer or institutional use; products and / or methods involving oral care, including toothpastes, tooth gels, tooth rinses, tooth whiteners; over-the-counter health care, including cough and cold remedies, and pain relievers.

[0048] The term "cleaning composition" as used herein includes, unless otherwise indicated, granular or powder-form all-purpose or "heavy-duty" washing agents, especially cleaning detergents; liquid, gel or paste-form all-purpose washing agents, especially the so-called heavy-duty liquid types; liquid fine-fabric detergents; hand-dishwashing agents or light duty dishwashing agents, especially those of the high-foaming type; machine dishwashing agents, including the various tablet, granular, liquid and rinse-aid types for household and institutional use; liquid cleaning and disinfecting agents, including antibacterial hand-wash types, cleaning bars, mouthwashes, denture cleaners, dentifrice, car or carpet shampoos, bathroom cleaners; hair shampoos and hair-rinses; shower gels and foam baths; and metal cleaners; as well as cleaning auxiliaries such as bleach additives and "stain-stick" or pre-treat types, substrate-laden products such as dryer added sheets, dry and wetted wipes and pads, nonwoven substrates and sponges; as well as sprays and sprays.

[0049] The term "fabric care composition" as used herein includes fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, and combinations thereof, unless otherwise indicated. Forms of such compositions include liquids, gels, beads, powders, sheets, and granules.

[0050] The term "personal cleansing composition" as used herein refers to compositions intended for topical application to the hair and skin for cleansing purposes.

[0051] The term "mixture" as used herein refers to a simple combination of substances, as well as any compounds that can result from their combination.

[0052] The term "ingredient" as used herein refers to any component, composition that needs to be kept separate from the formulation contained in the bottle. Suitable ingredients can be, but are not limited to, sensitive ingredients, active ingredients, benefit agents, or incompatible agents.

[0053] The term "surface of interest" as used herein refers to hair when the composition is a cleansing composition in the form of a hair shampoo or hair conditioner; alternatively to skin when the cleansing composition is in the form of a personal care product such as a shower or bath cream, a body wash, or a lathering body wash; alternatively to fabric, such as a liquid detergent or a fabric softener.

[0054] All percentages are by weight (w / w) of the formulation or fluid substance or pump dispenser or pump assembly, unless otherwise specified. "% wt." means weight percent. References to "parts" (e.g., a mixture of 1 part X and 3 parts Y) are ratios by weight. All ratios or percentages are weight ratios or percentages, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0055] Where ranges are given, these are to be construed as encompassing the total amount of the ingredient in the composition (ingredient, formulation or fluid substance), consumer product or packaging component (pump dispenser, pump assembly) as described, or the total amount of all ingredients in the composition, consumer product or packaging component that fall within the definition of the ingredient, in the event that more than one ingredient falls within the range.

[0056] The amount of each particular ingredient or mixture thereof described below can constitute up to 100% (or 100%) of the total amount of the ingredient in the fluid substance, or composition, consumer product or packaging component.

[0057] The term "free of" as used herein means that the fluid substance or composition is free of a particular ingredient, or that the pump dispenser or pump assembly is free of a component, e.g., the pump dispenser includes 0% of the ingredient by total weight of the particular component of the pump dispenser, and therefore no detectable amount of the stated ingredient.

[0058] As used herein, the term "substantially free of" means less than 1%, less than 0.8%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.3%, or less than a non- material amount of the stated ingredient by total weight of the fluid substance or composition or pump dispenser or pump assembly.

[0059] The term "room temperature" refers to a temperature of 25 °C.

[0060] Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements are understood to be at 25 °C and at ambient conditions, where "ambient conditions" means at a pressure of 1 atmosphere (atm) and at 65% relative humidity. "Relative humidity" refers to the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the moisture content of air compared to the saturated moisture content at the same temperature and pressure. Relative humidity can be measured using a hygrometer, specifically a probe hygrometer available from VWR ® International.

[0061] In this document, the longitudinal axis of the pump dispenser with pump assembly, connecting housing, and flexible bag, as well as the outer housing, is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the packaging system. Any longitudinal axis herein is indicated with the letter "L".

[0062] It is an object of the present application to provide a pump dispenser, pump assembly, and any method for achieving the technical effects or objects as set forth herein as described in the SUMMARY or as described hereinafter. These objects and other advantages that can be obtained by the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the application, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the application.

[0063] Pump Dispenser

[0064] A packaging system 1 for storing a fluid substance F is provided and comprises a pump dispenser 100. The pump dispenser 100 comprises a pump assembly 50, a flexible bag 60, and a connecting housing 30.

[0065] The pump dispenser 100 can have a longitudinal axis (L).

[0066] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an example of the pump dispenser 100 as shown and described herein is provided.

[0067] The flexible bag 60 contains the fluid substance F to be dispensed. The flexible bag 60 has a spout 61. The spout 61 is a sleeve having an inner surface 611 and an outer surface 612.

[0068] The connecting housing 30 has a cavity therein. The connecting housing 30 has an upper portion 310 and a lower portion 320. The connecting housing 30 has a lower end 321.

[0069] The connecting housing 30 of the pump dispenser 100 can have an open top and an open bottom. The connecting housing 30 of the pump dispenser 100 can have a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface.

[0070] The connecting housing 30 can have a generally hollow cylindrical shape.

[0071] The pump assembly 50 includes an actuator 10 having a cavity therein and a closure 20 connected to the actuator 10.

[0072] The connecting housing 30 can have a neck 31 having a neck landing zone at an upper portion 310 of the connecting housing 30. The neck 31 of the connecting housing 30 can preferably have an outer thread 311.

[0073] More particularly, the closure 20 of the pump assembly 50 can be coupled to the neck 31 of the connecting housing 30. The closure 20 of the pump assembly 50 can be threadably engaged with the neck 31 of the connecting housing 30. The closure 20 can have an inner thread 210. The inner thread 210 of the closure 20 can be engaged with the outer thread 311 of the neck 31 of the connecting housing 30 to secure the pump assembly 50 to the connecting housing 30.

[0074] The fluid substance F expelled from the pump dispenser 100 is typically expelled through the actuator outlet 15 of the actuator 10.

[0075] Optionally, the pump dispenser 100 can further include a clip to lock the actuator 10 prior to first use, wherein the clip is positioned between the actuator 10 and the closure 20.

[0076] Alternatively and optionally, the actuator 10 can be generally self-locking. In this regard, the actuator 10 can be generally unlocked by rotating the actuator 90 degrees.

[0077] The pump assembly 50 of the pump dispenser 100 has a housing 51 having an outer surface 510 and an inner surface 512. The housing 51 includes a lower end 520 and an upper end 522.

[0078] The housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 can have an open top and an open bottom. The open top of the housing 51 is at the upper end 522 of the housing 51. The open bottom of the housing 51 is at the lower end 520 of the housing 51. The housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 has a sidewall 515 having an outer surface 510 and an inner surface 512.

[0079] The housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 can have a cylindrical shape.

[0080] The housing 51 and the various portions of the connecting shell 30 are not limited to a cylindrical tube per se. The housing 51 and / or the connecting shell 30 can have any suitable external shape, including, for example, a generally cylindrical shape, a generally conical shape, a generally elliptical shape, or any combination thereof. As used herein, the terms "generally cylindrical," "generally conical," and "generally elliptical" describe shapes that are strictly cylindrical, conical, and elliptical as well as shapes that deviate from strictly cylindrical, conical, and elliptical shapes. Examples of such "generally cylindrical" and "generally conical" or "generally elliptical" can include, but are not limited to, a housing 51 and / or connecting shell 30 having a cross-sectional shape that deviates from a circular shape by elongation in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (e.g., an ellipse, an oval, etc.). Other suitable shapes can be encompassed, but are not preferred, such as, for example, a polygonal shape, a rectangular prism, a cube, etc. or a combination of generally cylindrical / conical and polygonal shapes.

[0081] The housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 can include two cylinders that are integrally formed and concentric with each other. The housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 can include an upper cylinder and a lower cylinder, wherein the diameter of the upper cylinder is greater than the diameter of the lower cylinder. The lower cylinder of the housing 51 can provide a funnel-like valve seat portion for receiving the inlet check valve 55.

[0082] The housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 is secured at the upper portion 310 of the connecting shell 30. That is, the upper end 522 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 is positioned between the neck 31 of the connecting shell 30 and the closure 20 of the pump assembly 100. As such, the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 can be located inside the connecting shell 30 of the pump dispenser 100.

[0083] In one aspect, the cavity of the connecting shell 30 and the outer surface 510 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 form the air chamber 330. The housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 includes a vent hole 511, which is preferably located at the upper portion of the housing 51. The vent hole 511 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 can help to equalize the air in the cavity of the connecting shell 30 when dispensing the fluid substance F from the pump dispenser 100.

[0084] When the actuator 10 is pressed down and released, air can enter the cavity of the housing 51 through the vent hole 511 between the actuator 10 and the closure 20 towards the air chamber 330.

[0085] The housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 has a port 56 at the lower end 520 of the housing 51.

[0086] The connecting shell 30, the pump assembly 50, and the flexible spout 60 of the pump dispenser 100 are connected as follows:

[0087] The lower portion 320 of the connection housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. The pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight seal such that when the actuator 10 is pushed down by a user and released, air is balanced in the air chamber 330 by way of the vent hole 511 and air is unbalanced in the flexible bag 60. The flexible bag 60 is air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

[0088] In particular, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can be removably engaged with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight seal such that when the actuator 10 is pushed down by a user and released, air is balanced in the air chamber 330 by way of the vent hole 511 and air is unbalanced in the flexible bag 60. The flexible bag 60 is gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

[0089] Figure 1A Provided is Figure 1 an enlarged view of the area including the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 engaged with the port 56 of the pump assembly 50; and a cross-sectional view of the lower end 321 of the connection housing 30 engaged in an air-tight manner with the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60.

[0090] In the first aspect, the lower portion 320 of the connection housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. The connection housing 30 has a lower end 321 at the lower portion 320 of the connection housing 30. In the first aspect, the lower end 321 of the connection housing 30 can be removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. That is, the lower end 321 of the connection housing 30 can interfere with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60.

[0091] In the first aspect, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight seal. As described above, the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 has a port 56 at the lower end 520 of the housing 51. In the first aspect, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can interfere with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight seal.

[0092] The connection housing 30 of the pump dispenser 100 can include a seal 40 positioned at the location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 such that the spout 61 and the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an air-tight seal.

[0093] In particular, the seal 40 can be positioned at the location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 such that the spout 61 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an air-tight seal.

[0094] As Figure 1AAs shown, the seal 40 can be positioned around the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 at the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 to provide an air-tight seal between the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the pump assembly 50, particularly for providing an air-tight seal between the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50.

[0095] Thus, when the actuator 10 is released after being pressed, the seal 40 ensures that air only flows from the vent hole 511 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 to the air chamber 330 and not back to the flexible bag 60. The air-tight sealing function enables the pump assembly 50 to gradually vacuum the flexible bag 60, i.e. by means of the seal 40. Thus, by using the seal 40 as an air-tight device, the flexible bag 60 can be air-tight and / or gradually vacuumed during dispensing use.

[0096] It is also worth noting that the seal 40 can provide an additional air-tight device between the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 that interferes with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. The seal 40 can further prevent any air contamination that can pass between the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 and the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60; although the interference between the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 and the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 is already sufficient to prevent any air contamination.

[0097] In a second aspect, the lower portion 320 of the connecting housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. The connecting housing 30 has a lower end 321 at the lower portion 320 of the connecting housing 30. In the second aspect, the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60.

[0098] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of another example of the pump dispenser 100 as shown and described herein is provided.

[0099] Figure 2A An enlarged view of the area of Figure 2 the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 engaging with the port 56 of the pump assembly 50; and a cross-sectional view of the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 engaging in an air-tight manner is provided.

[0100] For the second aspect, the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 can comprise an internal thread 322. The spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 can comprise an external thread 613 on the outer surface 612. The internal thread 322 of the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 can engage with the external thread 613 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 to removably secure the connecting housing 30 to the flexible bag 60.

[0101] In a second aspect, similar to the first aspect described above, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is also removably engaged with the inner surface 611 of the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an airtight manner. The port 56 of the pump assembly 50 may interfere with the inner surface 611 of the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an airtight manner.

[0102] The connection housing 30 of the pump dispenser 100 may also include a seal 40 positioned at a location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60, such that the nozzle 61 and the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an airtight seal.

[0103] Specifically, the seal 40 can be positioned at a location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60, such that the nozzle 61 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an airtight seal.

[0104] like Figure 2A As shown, the seal 40 can be positioned at the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60 around the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 to provide an airtight seal between the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the pump assembly 50, specifically for providing an airtight seal between the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50.

[0105] Therefore, regarding the second aspect, when the actuator 10 is released after being pressed, the seal 40 still prevents any airflow back into the flexible bag 60, but only allows air to flow from the vent 511 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 into the air chamber 330. This airtight sealing function, achieved by means of the seal 40, allows the pump assembly 50 to gradually evacuate the flexible bag 60. Thus, by using the seal 40 as an airtight device, the flexible bag 60 can be airtight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing.

[0106] Similarly, it is worth noting that the seal 40 may also provide an additional airtight device between the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30, which has an internal thread 322 that engages with the external thread 613 of the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60. The seal 40 can further prevent any air contamination that may pass between the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 and the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60; although the engagement of the internal thread 322 of the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 with the external thread 613 of the nozzle 61 is already sufficient to prevent any air contamination.

[0107] In a third aspect, the lower end 321 of the connecting shell 30 can be removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60. That is, the lower end 321 of the connecting shell 30 can interfere with the outer surface 612 of the nozzle 61 of the flexible bag 60.

[0108] Figure 3A cross-sectional view of another pump dispenser 100 as shown and described herein is provided;

[0109] In a third aspect, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight sealed manner. Unlike the first and second aspects above, the seal 40 is not necessary.

[0110] Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of another pump dispenser 100 as shown and described herein is provided; Figure 3 An enlarged view of the area of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 engaged with the port 56 of the pump assembly 50; a cross-sectional view of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 engaged with the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 in an air-tight manner.

[0111] The port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can include an outer surface 561. The port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can include external threads 562 on the outer surface 561. The spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 can include internal threads 614 on the inner surface 611. The external threads 562 of the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can engage with the internal threads 614 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 to removably secure the pump assembly 50 to the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight sealed manner.

[0112] Accordingly, the coupling of the external threads 562 of the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 with the mating internal threads 614 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 ensures that air can only flow from the vent hole 511 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 to the air chamber 330 and not back to the flexible bag 60 when the actuator 10 is released after being depressed.

[0113] Accordingly, the flexible bag 60 can also be air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use without the use of the seal 40 as an air-tight device.

[0114] In a third aspect, as an additional option, the connecting housing 30 of the pump dispenser 100 can additionally include a seal 40 positioned at the location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 such that the spout 61 and the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an air-tight sealed manner.

[0115] In particular, the seal 40 can be positioned at the location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 such that the spout 61 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an air-tight sealed manner.

[0116] The seal 40 can be positioned around the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 at the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 to provide an additional air-tight seal between the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the pump assembly 50, in particular for providing an additional air-tight seal between the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50.

[0117] The seal 40 can further provide additional air-tight means between the lower end 321 of the connecting shell 30 that interferes with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60, as explained above in relation to Figure 1A

[0118] Alternatively, the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 can not include any vent hole. In this case, when the actuator 10 is pushed down by the user and released, air is unbalanced in the flexible bag 60. Air is unbalanced in the air chamber 330. Air can only enter between the actuator 10 and the closure 20 towards the cavity of the housing 51. The flexible bag 60 is air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

[0119] In all the above aspects, the pump dispenser 100 can not include any dip tube. Preferably, the pump dispenser 100 can not include any dip tube, wherein the flexible bag 60 contains a relatively low viscosity fluid substance F, preferably wherein the fluid substance (F) has a viscosity of 1 mPa.s (1 cps) to 5 Pa.s (5000 cps) or 1 mPa.s (1 cps) to 1 Pa.s (1000 cps) as measured using a single plate Brookfield RS Rheometer with cone C75-1 at 27°C with a constant shear rate of 2 s -1

[0120] The packaging system 1 does not require any dip tube to dispense any relatively low viscosity fluid substance F from the flexible bag 60. The vacuum generated during dispensing use is sufficient to remove any product residue that can reside inside the flexible bag 60 at the end of dispensing use.

[0121] Also, by not using any dip tube, any product contamination that can come from the dip tube can be avoided when replacing the flexible bag 60 with a new flexible bag.

[0122] Generally, the pump assembly 50 can be selected from the group consisting of a liquid pump assembly and a foaming pump assembly.

[0123] Liquid Pump Assembly

[0124] The pump assembly 50 can be a liquid pump assembly. The liquid pump assembly can include a piston assembly 53 and a pump chamber 54. The piston assembly 53 can be in fluid communication with the actuator 10.

[0125] The piston assembly 53 can include a piston skirt 531, a piston sub-post 532 that is joined, i.e. attached, to the piston skirt 531, and a spring 533.

[0126] ​​The cavity of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 can form a pump chamber 54. The pump chamber 54 has a cavity therein, where the pump chamber 54 has an upper portion 541 and a lower portion 542, where the piston assembly 53 is inside the pump chamber 54 and slidably engaged with the pump chamber 54.

[0127] In this regard, the piston skirt 531 can seal the upper portion 541 of the pump chamber 54.

[0128] The piston assembly 53 and the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 can be able to move relative to each other. The piston assembly 53 can be able to move within the fixed housing 51, which is a practical approach.

[0129] The actuator 10 can be engaged with the piston assembly 53 or the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50, depending on the mechanism used to provide movement of the piston assembly 53 and the housing 51 relative to each other. The actuator 10 can be pressed to actuate movement of the piston assembly 53 and the housing 51 relative to each other. In a reasonably practical arrangement, the actuator 10 can be engaged with the piston assembly 53 to drive movement of the piston assembly 53 within the fixed housing 51. That is, the piston assembly 53 can move relative to the fixed housing 51.

[0130] The liquid pump assembly can also include a post 57 having an upper end 571 and a lower end 572, where the actuator 10 is adapted to receive the upper end 571 of the post 57, where the upper end 571 of the post 57 is rigidly connected to the actuator 10, where the post 57 is in fluid communication with the actuator 10.

[0131] The lower end 572 of the post 57 is rigidly connected to the closure 20 and engaged with the sub-post 58.

[0132] The sub-post 58 can have an upper end 581 and a lower end 582, where the lower end 572 of the post 57 is adapted to receive the upper end 581 of the sub-post 58, where both the post 57 and the sub-post 58 are in fluid communication with the actuator 10. The lower end 582 of the sub-post 58 can be rigidly connected to the piston skirt 531.

[0133] In this regard, the piston assembly 53 can be in fluid communication with the post 57, where the piston skirt 531 remains connected to the sub-post 58 of the post 57.

[0134] The spring 533 of the piston assembly 53 can be positioned between the piston sub-posts 532, or adjacent to and spaced apart from the piston skirt 531 and the inlet check valve 55 at the lower portion 542 of the pump chamber 54, or adjacent to and spaced apart from the lower portion 542 of the pump chamber 54.

[0135] Accordingly, when the actuator 10 is pushed downward by a user, the piston assembly 53 moves to push the piston sub-posts 532 downward and compress the spring 533 toward the inlet check valve 55.

[0136] Figures 1-3A cross-sectional view of a liquid pump assembly is provided with spring 533 located within the hollow interior cavity of housing 51 between piston sub-post 532 and inlet check valve 55.

[0137] In all aspects, spring 533 can comprise a design selected from the group consisting of a single coil spring, a double coil spring, a stacked double coil spring, a wave spring, and combinations thereof.

[0138] Inlet check valve 55 permits fluid substance F to flow from flexible bag 60 to actuator 10 in an upstream direction and prevents fluid substance F from flowing in a downstream direction.

[0139] Inlet Check Valve

[0140] The liquid pump assembly can comprise inlet check valve 55 such that inlet check valve 55 permits fluid to flow from flexible bag 60 towards pump chamber 54 and actuator 10 in an upstream direction to prevent fluid from flowing in a downstream direction.

[0141] Inlet check valve 55 can generally be selected from the group consisting of a free-floating ball check valve, a spring-loaded ball check valve, a diaphragm check valve, a swing check valve, a flapper valve, a clack valve, a return valve, a lift check valve, a straight-through check valve, an umbrella valve, and a duckbill valve.

[0142] Frothing Pump Assembly

[0143] Alternatively, pump assembly 50 can be a foaming pump assembly.

[0144] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of another pump dispenser is provided with an example of a foaming pump assembly 50' as shown and described herein.

[0145] Pump dispenser 100 comprises foaming pump assembly 50', flexible bag 60, and connecting housing 30'.

[0146] Flexible bag 60 contains fluid substance F to be dispensed. Flexible bag 60 has spout 61. Spout 61 is a sleeve having inner surface 611 and outer surface 612.

[0147] Connecting housing 30' has a cavity therein. Connecting housing 30' has upper portion 310' and lower portion 320'. Connecting housing 30' has lower end 321'.

[0148] Connecting housing 30' of pump dispenser 100 can have an open top and an open bottom. Connecting housing 30' of pump dispenser 100 can have a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface.

[0149] The connecting shell 30' can have a sleeve 33' at a lower portion 320' of the connecting shell 30', the sleeve having a cavity therein and protruding from a sidewall of the connecting shell 30', wherein the sleeve 33' can have an internal thread 331'.

[0150] The connecting shell 30' can have a generally hollow cylindrical shape.

[0151] The connecting shell 30' can be a two-cylinder integrally formed having a lower cylinder and an upper cylinder for receiving the foaming pump assembly 50', wherein the lower cylinder forms the sleeve 33' of the connecting shell 30'. The upper cylinder and the lower cylinder of the connecting shell 30' are formed concentrically to each other.

[0152] The foaming pump assembly 50' comprises an actuator 10 having a cavity therein and a closure 20 connected to the actuator 10.

[0153] The connecting shell 30' can have a neck 31' having a neck landing zone at an upper portion 310' of the connecting shell 30'. The neck 31' of the connecting shell 30' can preferably have an external thread 311'.

[0154] More particularly, the closure 20 of the foaming pump assembly 50' can be coupled to the neck 31' of the connecting shell 30'. The closure 20 of the foaming pump assembly 50' can be threadedly engaged with the neck 31' of the connecting shell 30'. The closure 20 can have an internal thread 210. The internal thread 210 of the closure 20 can be engaged with the external thread 311' of the neck 31' of the connecting shell 30' to secure the foaming pump assembly 50' to the connecting shell 30'.

[0155] The foaming pump assembly 50' of the pump dispenser 100 has a housing 51' having an outer surface and an inner surface. The housing 51' has a lower end 520' and an upper end 522'. The housing 51' has a cavity therein.

[0156] The housing 51' of the foaming pump assembly 50' can have an open top and an open bottom. The open top of the housing 51' is at the upper end of the housing 51'. The open bottom of the housing 51' is at the lower end of the housing 51'. The housing 51' of the foaming pump assembly 50' has a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface.

[0157] The upper end of the housing 51' can be co-extruded with the closure 20 to form one single piece. Thus, the housing 51' and the closure 20 can be integrally formed. The housing 51' of the foaming pump assembly 50' can be located inside the connecting shell 30' of the pump dispenser 100.

[0158] In an alternative aspect, the housing 51'forms an air chamber 513'. The housing 51'of the pump assembly 50' includes a vent hole 511'located preferably at an upper portion of the housing 51 '. Specifically, the housing 51'of the pump assembly 50' can include a vent hole 511'located at or near an upper end of the housing 51'in the closure 20.

[0159] The foaming pump assembly 50' can include a liquid piston 59'. The liquid piston 59' can have a generally hollow cylindrical shape. The liquid piston 59' can have a closed upper end and an open lower end, with the closed upper end receiving a spring 533'. The spring 533' can have a design as previously described. The liquid piston 59' can be press fit in the stem portion of the actuator 10 and through the housing 51 '. Thus, the actuator 10 and the liquid piston 59' can move integrally up and down.

[0160] Since the housing 51'and the closure 20 can be integrally formed, the vent hole 511'can be located at the closure 20; and at or near the liquid piston 59' located at the upper portion 310' of the connecting shell 30.

[0161] When dispensing the fluid substance F from the pump dispenser 100, the vent hole 511'of the housing 51'of the foaming pump assembly 50' can help to balance the air in the air chamber 513'.

[0162] Alternatively, the housing 51'can not include a vent hole 511 '. Since the bag 60 is flexible, the flexible bag 60 can still be gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

[0163] The housing 51'of the foaming pump assembly 50' has a port 56' at a lower end 520' of the housing 51 '. The port 56' can have a generally hollow cylindrical shape and include a downwardly converging annular seat portion at a lower end of the port 56'.

[0164] The lower cylinder of the housing 51'can provide the annular seat portion as a funnel-like valve seat portion for receiving the inlet one-way valve 55' as previously described.

[0165] The port 56' can have an open upper end with a diameter greater than a diameter of the open lower end of the liquid piston 59' such that the upper end of the port 56' closes the lower end of the liquid piston 59'. Thus, the spring 533' is positioned between the closed upper end of the liquid piston 59' and the annular seat portion of the port 56'.

[0166] The connecting shell 30' of the pump dispenser 100, the foaming pump assembly 50', and the flexible spout 60 can be connected as follows:

[0167] The lower portion 320' of the connecting shell 30' can be removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60.

[0168] The spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 can include external threads 613 on the outer surface 612. The internal threads 331' of the sleeve 33' of the connecting shell 30' at the lower portion 320' can engage with the external threads 613 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 to removably secure the connecting shell 30' to the flexible bag 60 in a gas-tight manner.

[0169] The foaming pump assembly 50' is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in a gas-tight manner. This is due to the fact that the internal threads 331' of the sleeve 33' of the connecting shell 30' at the lower portion 320' engage with the external threads 613 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. When the actuator 10 is pushed down by the user and released, air is only balanced in the air chamber 513' by means of the vent hole 511' of the housing 51', and air is unbalanced in the flexible bag 60.

[0170] When the actuator 10 is pressed down and released, air can enter between the actuator 10 and the closure 20 through the vent hole 511' located at or near the upper end of the housing 51' in the closure 20 into the cavity of the housing 51 forming the air chamber 513'. Air can only flow to the air chamber 513' of the housing 51' and not to the flexible bag 60.

[0171] Thus, the flexible bag 60 is gas-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

[0172] Flexible Bag

[0173] The spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 can be an outlet through which contents of the fluid substance F can be withdrawn from the flexible bag 60.

[0174] The spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 can have a cap 62. The port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can break the cap 62 of the flexible bag 60 when the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 engages with the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 during first use.

[0175] Alternatively, the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 can have a cap. The cap can be screwed on or snapped on the spout 61 to seal the bag in a gas-tight manner. The cap needs to be removed for opening the flexible bag 60 before use.

[0176] The flexible bag 60 can be made of a transparent or translucent material.

[0177] The flexible bag 60 can be made of a film having a sufficient thickness to allow the flexible bag to stand up by itself. The film of the flexible bag 60 can have gusset portions of a front wall and a back wall and left and right side walls, and a bottom portion as a base in which the flexible bag can reside.

[0178] The flexible bag 60 can be an elastic or soft bag which can or can not have a fixed appearance.

[0179] The flexible bag 60 can have a restoring force to return to its original shape when it is inflated or when it is inflated due to elasticity while its shape is changed by an external force.

[0180] For this aspect, the flexible bag 60 can exemplarily be formed of an elastic material, or can be formed of a ductile material, exemplarily of a silicone, natural or synthetic latex rubber or a polymeric material.

[0181] Packaging System

[0182] The packaging system 1 can further comprise a housing 110 for storing the pump dispenser 100 and the flexible bag 60.

[0183] Figure 5 A perspective view of the packaging system 1 comprising the pump dispenser 100 in a closed position and the housing 110 is provided.

[0184] The housing 110 can have a front panel 111 comprising a front opening 112 for introducing the pump dispenser 100 such that the flexible bag 60 is stored inside the housing 110. The housing 110 can have a cavity therein.

[0185] Preferably, the front panel 111 can have a front door having a window 113 to see the flexible bag 60 through the window 113.

[0186] Figure 6 A perspective view of the packaging system 1 as shown and described herein comprising the pump dispenser 100 and the housing 110 with the front door open is provided. Figure 5

[0187] Thus, the housing 100 molded from a single panel can be divided into a front door and a cavity of the housing 110. The front door is connected to the housing 110 by a hinge section at the side wall. When the front door is in a closed position, a space for accommodating the flexible bag 60 is formed.

[0188] The housing 111 can further have a top panel 114 having an opening 115 such that the pump dispenser 100 can be detachably fixed to the housing 110.

[0189] By connecting the top panel opening 115 to the connecting shell 30 of the pump dispenser 100, the pump dispenser 100 can be detachably fixed to the housing 110.

[0190] Thus, the housing 110 can have a top panel 114 forming a top wall. The top panel 114 can have an opening 115 located at the center of the top panel 114. The housing 110 can have a recess at the opening 115, wherein the recess can be fixed to the connecting shell (30, 30’).

[0191] ​The connection shell 30 can have a securing element 34 that snaps into an opening 115 of the top panel 114 of the housing 110.

[0192] Figure 7 and 7A Perspective and cross-sectional views of an example of a connection shell 30 are provided. The connection shell 30 can include a securing element 34 that snaps into an opening 115 of the top panel 114 of the housing 110.

[0193] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system 1 including a connection shell as shown and described herein is provided. Figure 7

[0194] The recess of the housing 110 can include a groove 116. The securing element 34 can include a detent that mates with the groove 116 of the housing 110 to connect the securing element 34 to the recess of the housing 110.

[0195] Actuator

[0196] Figures 9-10 A sequential cross-sectional view of the pump dispenser 1 including the pump dispenser 100, the housing 110, and the flexible bag 60 to illustrate how actuation occurs is provided.

[0197] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system 1 is provided when the actuator 10 is first pressed down. Figure 8

[0198] When the user first pushes the actuator 10 down, the piston assembly 53 moves to compress the spring 533. The piston skirt 531 and the piston sub-post 532 are pushed down and compress the spring 533 toward the inlet check valve 55.

[0199] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system 1 is provided when the actuator 10 is released. Figure 9

[0200] When the actuator 10 is pressed down and released, air can enter between the actuator 10 and the closure 20 into the cavity of the housing 51. The air can then flow to the air chamber 330 by way of the vent hole 511. Because the piston skirt 531 provides an air-tight seal between the housing 51 and the flexible bag 60, the air is unbalanced in the piston assembly 51 and cannot enter the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 via the passageway through the inlet check valve 55 and the port 56.

[0201] Because the air chamber 330 is sealed in an air-tight manner to the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60, the air is also unbalanced in the flexible bag 60. Thus, the flexible bag 60 is air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.​​​

[0202] In practice, the lower portion 320 of the connecting housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. The pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight seal.

[0203] In Figure 10 , as an example, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight seal. The housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 has the port 56 at the lower end 520 of the housing 51.

[0204] The port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can interfere with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight seal.

[0205] The connecting housing 30 of the pump dispenser 100 can include a seal 40 positioned at the location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 such that the spout 61 and the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an air-tight seal.

[0206] In particular, the seal 40 can be positioned at the location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 such that the spout 61 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an air-tight seal.

[0207] As Figure 10 shown, the seal 40 can be positioned around the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 at the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 to provide an air-tight seal between the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the pump assembly 50, in particular for providing an air-tight seal between the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50.

[0208] Thus, when the actuator 10 is released after being pressed, the seal 40 ensures that air flows from the vent hole 511 of the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 to the air chamber 330 and not back to the flexible bag 60. The air-tight seal function enables the pump assembly 50 to gradually evacuate the flexible bag 60 by means of the seal 40. Thus, by using the seal 40 as an air-tight device, the flexible bag 60 can be air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use. When the fluid substance F is expelled, the flexible bag 60 contracts so that there is no air intake inside the flexible bag 60.

[0209] The inlet one-way valve 55 permits flow in the upstream direction from the flexible bag 60 to the actuator 100 and prevents flow in the downstream direction.

[0210] Figure 11 It is shown how the different components of the packaging system 1 can be assembled and connected together.

[0211] First, a pump assembly 50 is provided and includes an actuator 10 and a closure 20 connected to the actuator 10. A seal 40, which is an example of an air-tight sealing device, can be inserted at a port 56 of the pump assembly 50.

[0212] Then, the connection housing 30 is engaged to the closure 20 of the pump assembly 50. To do so, the closure 20 of the pump assembly 50 is coupled to the neck 31 of the connection housing 30. The closure 20 of the pump assembly 50 is threadedly engaged with the neck 31 of the connection housing 30, as shown in Figure 11 The closure 20 can have an internal thread 210. The internal thread 210 of the closure 20 can be engaged with an external thread 311 of the neck 31 of the connection housing 30 to secure the pump assembly 50 to the connection housing 30.

[0213] Then, the flexible bag 60 is secured to the pump assembly 50 and the connection housing 30. To do so, as described above, the lower portion 320 of the connection housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. The connection housing 30 has a lower end 321 at the lower portion 320 of the connection housing 30. In this case, the lower end 321 of the connection housing 30 can be removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. That is, the lower end 321 of the connection housing 30 can interfere with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60.

[0214] The pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight manner. In this example, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight manner. As described above, the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 has the port 56 at the lower end 520 of the housing 51. In this example, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can interfere with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight manner.

[0215] As shown in Figure 11 The connection housing 30 of the pump dispenser 100 can include a seal 40 positioned at a location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 and the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 are removably engaged such that the spout 61 and the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an air-tight manner.

[0216] In particular, the seal 40 can be positioned at a location where the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 and the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 are removably engaged such that the spout 61 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 are engaged in an air-tight manner.

[0217] Thus, the seal 40 can be positioned around the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 at the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 to provide an air-tight seal between the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the pump assembly 50, in particular for providing an air-tight seal between the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 and the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 leading to the pump dispenser 100.

[0218] A housing 110 for storing the pump dispenser 100 and the flexible bag 60 is then provided. The housing 110 has a front panel 111 comprising a front opening 112 for introducing the pump dispenser 100 so that the flexible bag 60 is stored inside the housing 110. The housing 110 can have a cavity therein.

[0219] The housing 111 further has a top panel 114 having an opening 115 so that the pump dispenser 100 can be removably secured to the housing 110.

[0220] By connecting the top panel opening 115 to the connecting shell 30 of the pump dispenser 100, the pump dispenser 100 can be removably secured to the housing 110.

[0221] The housing 110 has a top panel 114 forming a top wall. The top panel 114 has an opening 115 located at the center of the top panel 114. The housing 110 has a recess at the opening 115, wherein the recess can be secured to the connecting shell 30.

[0222] As shown in FIG. 1 1, the connecting shell 30 has a securing element 34 that snaps into the opening 115 of the top panel 114 of the housing 110. Figure 11

[0223] The recess of the housing 110 can comprise a groove 116. The securing element 34 can comprise detents that mate with corresponding recesses (117A, 117B) of the groove 116 of the housing 110 to connect the securing element 34 to the recess of the housing 110.

[0224] The front door of the housing 110 can be closed to result in a closed version of the packaging system 1.

[0225] Thus, the packaging system 1 facilitates the insertion and replacement of the flexible bag 60 at the end of the dispensing use.

[0226] Alternative Packaging System

[0227] The packaging system 1 can further comprise a housing 110 for storing an alternative pump dispenser 100 and a flexible bag 60.

[0228] Figure 12 A perspective view of another packaging system 1 comprising an alternative pump dispenser 100 in a closed position and a housing 110 is provided.

[0229] The housing 110 can have a front panel 111 comprising a front opening 112 for introducing the pump dispenser 100 so that the flexible bag 60 is stored inside the housing 110. The housing 110 can have a cavity therein.

[0230] ​Preferably, the front panel 111 can have a front door with a window 113 to see the flexible pouch 60 through the window 113.

[0231] An alternative pump dispenser 100 can include a foaming pump assembly 50', a flexible pouch 60, and a connecting housing 30'. Such an alternative pump dispenser 100 is described above and shown in Figure 4 .

[0232] The foaming pump assembly 50' includes an actuator 10 having a cavity therein, and a closure 20 connected to the actuator 10.

[0233] Figure 13 A packaging system having a transparent connecting housing 30' and foaming pump assembly 50' as shown and described herein is provided. Figure 12 A side view of the packaging system of

[0234] Figure 14 A packaging system having a transparent connecting housing 30' and foaming pump assembly 50' as shown and described herein is provided. Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system of

[0235] The connecting housing 30' has a cavity therein. The connecting housing 30' has an upper portion 310' and a lower portion 320'. The connecting housing 30' has a lower end 321'.

[0236] The connecting housing 30' of the pump dispenser 100 can have an open top and an open bottom. The connecting housing 30' of the pump dispenser 100 can have a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface.

[0237] The connecting housing 30' can have a sleeve 33' at the lower portion 320' of the connecting housing 30' having a cavity therein and protruding from the sidewall of the connecting housing 30', wherein the sleeve 33' can have an internal thread 331'.

[0238] The connecting housing 30' can have a generally hollow cylindrical shape.

[0239] Figure 15 A perspective and transparent front view of another connecting housing 30' of the packaging system as shown and described herein is provided. Figure 13 A perspective and transparent front view of another connecting housing 30' of the packaging system as shown and described herein is provided.

[0240] The connecting housing 30' can be a two-cylinder integrally formed having a lower cylinder and an upper cylinder for receiving the foaming pump assembly, wherein the lower cylinder forms the sleeve 33' of the connecting housing 30'. The upper cylinder and the lower cylinder of the connecting housing 30' are concentrically formed with each other.

[0241] The connecting housing 30' can have a neck 31' having a neck landing zone at the upper portion 310' of the connecting housing 30'. The neck 31' of the connecting housing 30' can preferably have an external thread 311'.

[0242] More specifically, the closure 20 of the foaming pump assembly 50' can be coupled to the neck 31'of the connecting housing 30'. The closure 20 of the foaming pump assembly 50' can be threadedly engaged with the neck 31'of the connecting housing 30'. The closure 20 can have an internal thread 210. The internal thread 210 of the closure 20 can be engaged with an external thread 311'of the neck 31'of the connecting housing 30' to secure the foaming pump assembly 50' to the connecting housing 30'.

[0243] The foaming pump assembly 50' of the pump dispenser 100 has a housing 51'having an outer surface and an inner surface. The housing 51'has a lower end 520' and an upper end 522'.

[0244] The housing 51'of the foaming pump assembly 50' can have an open top and an open bottom. The open top of the housing 51'is at the upper end of the housing 51 '. The open bottom of the housing 51'is at the lower end of the housing 51 '. The housing 51'of the foaming pump assembly 50' has a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface.

[0245] The upper end of the housing 51'can be co-extruded with the closure 20 to form one single piece. Thus, the housing 51'and the closure 20 can be integrally formed. The housing 51'of the foaming pump assembly can be located inside the connecting housing 30' of the pump dispenser 100.

[0246] The foaming pump assembly 50' can include a liquid piston 59'. The liquid piston 59' can have a generally hollow cylindrical shape. The liquid piston 59' can have a closed upper end and an open lower end, wherein the closed upper end receives the spring 533'. The liquid piston 59' can be press-fit in the stem portion of the actuator 10 and through the housing 51 '. Thus, the actuator 10 and the liquid piston 59' can be integrally moved up and down.

[0247] The housing 51'of the foaming pump assembly 50' can form an air chamber 513'. The housing 51'of the foaming pump assembly can include a vent hole 511'located preferably at an upper portion of the housing 51 '.

[0248] Since the housing 51'and the closure 20 can be integrally formed, the vent hole 511'can be located at the closure 20; and at or near the liquid piston 59' located at the upper portion 310' of the connecting housing 30.

[0249] When dispensing the fluid substance F from the pump dispenser 100, the vent hole 511'of the housing 51'of the foaming pump assembly 50' can help to balance the air in the air chamber 513'.

[0250] Alternatively, the housing 51'can not include the vent hole 511 '. Since the bag 60 is flexible, the flexible bag 60 can still be gradually vacuumed during dispensing use.

[0251] The housing 51'of the foaming pump assembly 50' has a port 56' at a lower end 520 of the housing 51 '. The port 56' can have a generally hollow cylindrical shape and include a downwardly converging annular seat portion at a lower end of the port 56'.

[0252] The lower cylinder of the housing 51'can provide the annular seat portion as a funnel-like valve seat portion for receiving the inlet check valve 55'.

[0253] The port 56' can have an open upper end that is larger in diameter than an open lower end of the liquid piston 59' such that the upper end of the port 56' closes the lower end of the liquid piston 59'. Thus, the spring 533' is positioned between the closed upper end of the liquid piston 59' and the annular seat portion of the port 56'.

[0254] The connecting housing 30' of the pump dispenser 100, the foaming pump assembly 50' and the flexible spout 60 can be connected as follows:

[0255] The lower portion 320' of the connecting housing 30' can be removably engaged with an outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60.

[0256] The spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 can include external threads 613 on the outer surface 612. The internal threads 331'of the sleeve 33' of the connecting housing 30' at the lower portion 320' can engage the external threads 613 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 to removably secure the connecting housing 30' to the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight manner.

[0257] The foaming pump assembly 50' is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight manner. This is due to the fact that the internal threads 331'of the sleeve 33' of the connecting housing 30' at the lower portion 320' engage the external threads 613 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. When the actuator 10 is pushed down by the user and released, air is only balanced in the air chamber 513' by means of the vent hole 511'of the housing 51'and air is unbalanced in the flexible bag 60.

[0258] Thus, the flexible bag 60 is air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

[0259] Dip Tube

[0260] As mentioned above, the pump dispenser 100 should not include any dip tube for optimizing the sanitary properties of the pump dispenser 100. Contamination can occur when the pump dispenser 100 and the dip tube are inserted into a new flexible bag 60. Without any dip tube, any contamination that can enter the new flexible bag 60 from the dip tube can be prevented.

[0261] However, when the fluid substance F is relatively high viscosity, product residue has been observed to remain in the flexible bag 60 at the end of the dispensing use. Although the flexible bag 60 is gradually evacuated and can shrink during the dispensing use, such product residue cannot be expelled.

[0262] The pump dispenser 100 can include a dip tube 70. Preferably, the flexible bag can contain a fluid substance F that is relatively high viscosity. More preferably, the fluid substance F can have a viscosity of 6 Pa.s (6000 cps) to 200 Pa.s (200000 cps) or 12 Pa.s (12000 cps) to 70 Pa.s (70000 cps), as measured on a 2.5 mL sample within 3 minutes at 27°C with a single plate Brookfield RS Rheometer with cone C75-1 at a constant shear rate of 2 s -1

[0263] When the pump dispenser 100 includes a dip tube 70 for a fluid substance that is relatively high viscosity, it has been found that there is less product residue of the fluid substance F remaining in the flexible bag 60 at the end of the dispensing use compared to the same pump dispenser that does not include a dip tube, as shown in Table 1.

[0264]

[0265] Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of a side view of the packaging system 1 is provided when the pump dispenser 100 includes a dip tube 70 and when the actuator 10 is pressed down for the first time.

[0266] In this alternative aspect, the pump assembly 50 of the pump dispenser 100 can include a dip tube 70. The port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can be connected to the dip tube 70. For example, the dip tube 70 can be inserted into the port 56.

[0267] The dip tube 70 can provide fluid communication between the fluid substance F contained in the flexible bag 60 in the form of a liquid or a gel, for example, and the actuator 10. The dip tube 70 can have a lower end that resides in the fluid substance F in the flexible bag 60 and an upper end that is connected to the port 56 of the pump assembly 50. The dip tube 70 can be a plain flexible plastic tube.

[0268] Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of the packaging system 1 of Figure 17 is provided when the actuator 10 is released and the flexible bag 60 begins to shrink.

[0269] Figure 19 provides a cross-sectional view of the packaging system of Figure 17 when the actuator 10 has been pressed and released several times and the flexible bag 60 shrinks.

[0270] ​As the flexible bag 60 is gradually evacuated during dispensing use, the flexible bag 60 collapses and the fluid substance F is drawn and transported through the wick 70 towards the actuator 10. At the end of dispensing use, there is less product residue left over. Thus, the pump dispenser 100 including the wick 70 can help to dispense any fluid product F having a relatively high viscosity in an efficient manner by delivering much less product residue at the end of dispensing use.

[0271] Fluid Substance

[0272] The fluid substance F to be dispensed from the flexible bag 60 can be a consumer product, alternatively a cleaning composition to be applied on a surface of interest. The fluid substance F can be a liquid or a gel; and can be a cleaning composition in the form of a hair shampoo, a hair conditioner composition, a liquid detergent composition, a fabric care composition or a fabric softener, a shower or bath cream, a body wash or a foaming body wash or a hand soap or a foaming hand soap.

[0273] Preferably, the surface of interest can be hair when the composition is a cleaning composition in the form of a hair shampoo or a hair conditioner; alternatively skin when the cleaning composition is in the form of a personal care product such as a shower or bath cream, a body wash or a foaming body wash; alternatively a fabric such as a liquid detergent or a fabric softener. Most preferably, the surface of interest can be skin.

[0274] The form of product envisaged for the purposes of defining the cleaning composition is a rinse-off formulation, which means that the product is applied topically to the skin or hair and then subsequently (i.e. within a few minutes) washed off with water, or otherwise wiped off with a substrate or other suitable removal means.

[0275] Alternatively, the fluid substance F can be a leave-on product, for example like a hand sanitizer, a facial moisturizer or a body lotion.

[0276] The fluid substance F can alternatively be a body lotion. Body lotions generally have an aqueous phase and an oil phase, an emulsifier to prevent separation of the two phases, and a benefit agent. A suitable benefit agent can be niacinamide.

[0277] Alternatively, the fluid substance F can be a personal cleansing composition, wherein the personal cleansing composition is selected from the group consisting of a liquid hand soap composition, a liquid body wash composition, a liquid hair shampoo composition, and combinations thereof.

[0278] A personal cleansing composition such as a body wash, a hand soap or a hair shampoo can comprise a surfactant system and a benefit agent. For a body wash, the benefit agent can be petrolatum, mineral oil or a vegetable oil, for example soybean oil, to provide moisturization to the skin.

[0279] Alternatively, the fluid substance F can be a hair shampoo, wherein the hair shampoo comprises a cationic polymer (such as a cationic guar polymer), a conditioning agent (including a hydrocarbon oil, a fatty ester, a silicone), an anti-dandruff active, and a chelant. Additional suitable optional ingredients include, but are not limited to, a particulate, an antimicrobial agent, a foam booster, an anti-static agent, a humectant, a propellant, a self-foaming agent, a pearlescent agent, an opacifying agent, a sensate, a suspending agent, a solvent, a diluent, an antioxidant, a vitamin, and mixtures thereof.

[0280] A conditioning agent (including a hydrocarbon oil, a fatty ester, a silicone), an anti-dandruff active, or a sensitive ingredient can be included in the fluid substance F.

[0281] The cationic polymer can be selected from the group consisting of polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-10, a cationic guar, and mixtures thereof.

[0282] Alternatively, the fluid substance F can be a hair conditioner composition, wherein the hair conditioner composition comprises:

[0283] (a) a cationic surfactant, a high melting point fatty compound; a silicone compound; and

[0284] (b) a carrier.

[0285] The cationic surfactant can be those having longer alkyl groups, i.e., C 18 - C 22 alkyl groups, such as behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate, behenyltrimethylammonium ethyl sulfate, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate, or stearyltrimethylammonium ethyl sulfate.

[0286] Alternatively, the cationic surfactant can be a tertiary amidoamine having an alkyl group of 12 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 16 to 22 carbon atoms. Exemplary tertiary amidoamines include: stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, stearamidopropyl diethylamine, stearamideethyl diethylamine, stearamideethyl dimethylamine, palmitamidopropyl dimethylamine, palmitamidopropyl diethylamine, palmitamidethyl diethylamine, palmitamidethyl dimethylamine, behenamidopropyl dimethylamine, behenamidopropyl diethylamine, behenamidethyl diethylamine, behenamidethyl dimethylamine, arachidamidopropyl dimethylamine, arachidamidopropyl diethylamine, arachidamidethyl diethylamine, arachidamidethyl dimethylamine, diethylamideethyl stearamide. Useful amines are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,275,055 to Nachtigal et al.

[0287] Alternatively, the cationic surfactant can include a dialkyl cationic surfactant, for example, dialkyl (14-18) dimethyl ammonium chloride, di-n- tallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, di-hydrogenated tallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, di-stearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, or di-cetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

[0288] High melting point fatty compounds as used herein are fatty compounds having a melting point of 25°C or higher, preferably 40°C or higher, more preferably 50°C or higher. The high melting point fatty compounds can be selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty alcohol derivatives, fatty acid derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

[0289] Typical fatty alcohols can be selected from the group consisting of pure cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

[0290] Silicone compounds useful herein can also include amino-substituted materials. Preferred amino silicones can include, for example, those conforming to general formula (I):

[0291] (R1) a G 3-a -Si-(-OSiG2) n -(-OSiG b (R1) 2-b ) m -O-SiG 3-a (R1) a

[0292] wherein G is hydrogen, phenyl, hydroxyl, or C1-C8 alkyl, preferably methyl; a is 0 or an integer having a value from 1 to 3, preferably 1; b is 0, 1, or 2, preferably 1; n is a number from 0 to 1,999; m is an integer from 0 to 1,999; the sum of n and m is a number from 1 to 2,000; a and m are not both 0; R1is a monovalent radical conforming to general formula CqH 2q L, wherein q is an integer having a value from 2 to 8, and L is selected from the following radicals: -N(R2)CH2-CH2-N(R2)2; -N(R2)2; -N(R2)3A - ; -N(R2)CH2-CH2-NR2H2A - ; wherein R2is hydrogen, phenyl, benzyl, or a saturated hydrocarbon radical, preferably a C1 to C 20 alkyl radical; A - is a halide ion.

[0293] Alternatively, the fluid substance F can be a liquid detergent composition, wherein the liquid detergent composition comprises a surfactant system as set forth above and comprises at least one active substance selected from the group consisting of an amphiphilic alkoxylated polyalkylene imine, a cyclic polyamine or oligoamine, a salt, a hydrotrope, an organic solvent, and mixtures thereof.

[0294] Exemplary Packaging Material

[0295] A variety of thermoplastic or rigid and semi-rigid materials can be used for the packaging system 1, the pump dispenser 100, the pump assembly 50, the flexible pouch 60, the connecting housing 30, and other components of the packaging system 1 or pump dispenser 100 herein. For example, rigid and semi-rigid materials can include, but are not limited to, metals, including but not limited to aluminum, magnesium alloys, steel; glass; including but not limited to laminates and polymeric materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), polyethylene terephthalate copolymer, polycarbonate (PC), polyamide, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), thermoplastic elastomers, polyoxymethylene copolymer, and mixtures thereof.

[0296] Any of the foregoing polyolefins can be derived from bio-based feedstocks, such as sugar cane or other agricultural products, to produce bio-polypropylene or bio-polyethylene.

[0297] Other suitable thermoplastic materials include renewable polymers, such as non-limiting examples of polymers produced directly from living organisms, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (e.g., poly(β-hydroxyalkanoate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate, NODAX (Registered Trademark), and bacterial cellulose; polymers extracted from plants, agroforestry crops, and biomass, such as polysaccharides and derivatives thereof (e.g., gums, cellulose, cellulose esters, chitin, chitosan, starch, chemically modified starch, particles of cellulose acetate), proteins (e.g., zein, whey, gluten, collagen), lipids, lignin, and natural rubber; thermoplastic starches produced from starch or chemically modified starch, and polymers derived from naturally sourced monomers and derivatives, such as bio-polyethylene, bio-polypropylene, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, nylon 11, alkyd resins, succinic acid-based polyesters, and bio-polyethylene terephthalate.

[0298] Suitable thermoplastic materials can include one or more blends of different thermoplastic materials. For example, the blend can be a combination of materials derived from protist-derived or petroleum-derived materials, or recycled materials of bio-derived or petroleum-derived materials. One or more of the thermoplastic materials in the blend can be biodegradable. The thermoplastic material can be biodegradable.

[0299] The thermoplastic material can also be, for example, a polyester. Exemplary polyesters include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PET polymer can be derived from bio-based feedstocks, such as sugar cane or other agricultural products, to produce a partially or fully bio-PET polymer. Other suitable thermoplastic materials include copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, as well as thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, polystyrene, polycarbonate, poly(propylene-diene-styrene), poly(lactic acid), bio-based polyesters such as poly(ethylene furanoate), polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(ethylene furanoate) which is considered a replacement or direct replacement for PET, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyamides, polyacetals, ethylene-alpha olefin rubbers, and polymers and copolymers of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers. The thermoplastic material can also be a blend of various polymeric materials and non-polymeric materials. The thermoplastic material can be, for example, a blend of high, medium, and low molecular weight polymers that produces a multimodal or bimodal blend. The multimodal material can be designed in a manner that produces a thermoplastic material that has both excellent flow properties and satisfactory chemical / physical properties. The thermoplastic material can also be a blend of a polymer with one or more small molecule additives. The small molecules can be, for example, siloxanes or other lubricating molecules that improve the flow properties of the polymeric material when added to the thermoplastic material.

[0300] The polymeric material can also include various fillers known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, mica, interference pigments, wood flour; or materials capable of "blooming" to the surface of the molded part. Other additives can include inorganic fillers such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, talc, clays (e.g., nanoclays), aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicate (CaSi03), glass that forms fibers or microspheres, crystalline silica (e.g., quartz, cristobalite, crystallobite), magnesium hydroxide, mica, sodium sulfate, lithopone, magnesium carbonate, iron oxides, metal flakes; or organic fillers such as rice hulls, straw, hemp fibers, wood flour or wood, bamboo, or sugar cane fibers.

[0301] The pump dispenser 100, flexible pouch 60, and pump assembly 50, as well as other components of the packaging system 1 herein, can preferably be disposable and recyclable. The packaging system 1 or pump dispenser 100 can be made from sustainable materials selected from the group consisting of recycled materials and renewable materials.

[0302] Examples of renewable materials include biopolyethylene, biopolyethylene terephthalate, and biopolypropylene. As used herein, "polyethylene" encompasses high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE), unless otherwise specified. As used herein, "polypropylene" encompasses homopolymer polypropylene, random copolymer polypropylene, and block copolymer polypropylene, unless otherwise specified.

[0303] As used herein, “recycled” material encompasses post-consumer recycled (PCR) material, post-industrial recycled (PIR) material, and mixtures thereof. The pump dispenser 100 or pump assembly 50 can be composed of recycled high-density polyethylene, recycled polyethylene terephthalate, recycled polypropylene, recycled LLDPE, or recycled LDPE, preferably recycled high-density polyethylene, recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or recycled polypropylene, more preferably recycled high-density polyethylene or recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

[0304] Sustainable materials can comprise one or more biologically-derived polymers or plastics selected from the group consisting of biologically-derived polyethylene, biologically-derived high-density polyethylene, biologically-derived polypropylene, biologically-derived polyethylene terephthalate, and mixtures thereof, see, for example, CA 2762589 Al, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0305] However, the pump dispenser 100 or pump assembly 50 can be substantially free, preferably free, of plastic polymeric materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polyamide, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and mixtures thereof.

[0306] Method

[0307] A method of dispensing a fluid substance F contained in a flexible pouch 60 of a pump dispenser 100 as previously disclosed is provided, the method preferably comprising the following steps in the following order:

[0308] a) providing a pump assembly 50, wherein the pump assembly 50 comprises an actuator 10 and a closure 20 connected to the actuator 10;

[0309] b) optionally providing a seal 40 and inserting the seal 40 at a port 56 of the pump assembly 50;

[0310] c) providing a connection housing 30 and joining the connection housing 30 to the closure 20 of the pump assembly 50;

[0311] d) providing a flexible pouch 60 comprising a fluid substance F;

[0312] e) securing the flexible pouch 60 to the pump assembly 50 and the connection housing 30, wherein a lower portion 320 of the connection housing 30 is removably joined to an outer surface 612 of a spout 61 of the flexible pouch 60; and wherein the pump assembly 50 is removably joined to the flexible pouch 60 in a gas-tight seal;

[0313] f) triggering and releasing the actuator 10 of the pump assembly 50 so that air does not flow back to the flexible bag 60, wherein the flexible bag 60 is air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use, and the flexible bag 60 shrinks as the fluid substance F is expelled from the pump dispenser 100.

[0314] The seal 40 can ensure that air does not flow back to the flexible bag 60. Alternatively, air can flow from the vent hole (511, 511') of the housing (51, 51') of the pump assembly 50 to the air chamber (330, 513'),

[0315] The closure 20 of the pump assembly 50 can be coupled to the neck 31 of the connecting housing 30. The closure 20 of the pump assembly 50 can be threadedly engaged with the neck 31 of the connecting housing 30. The closure 20 can have an internal thread 210. The internal thread 210 of the closure 20 can be engaged with an external thread 311 of the neck 31 of the connecting housing 30 to secure the pump assembly 50 to the connecting housing 30.

[0316] The lower portion 320 of the connecting housing 30 is removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. The connecting housing 30 has a lower end 321 at the lower portion 320 of the connecting housing 30. In this case, the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 can be removably engaged with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60. That is, the lower end 321 of the connecting housing 30 can interfere with the outer surface 612 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60.

[0317] The pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight manner. In this example, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 is removably engaged with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight manner. As mentioned above, the housing 51 of the pump assembly 50 has the port 56 at the lower end 520 of the housing 51. In this example, the port 56 of the pump assembly 50 can interfere with the inner surface 611 of the spout 61 of the flexible bag 60 in an air-tight manner.

[0318] Test Method

[0319] It is to be understood that the test methods disclosed in the Test Methods section of the application apply to determine the respective parameter values of the application as described in the application and as claimed.

[0320] Viscosity Measurement

[0321] The viscosity of the fluid substance F was measured by a cone / single plate Brookfield DV12T by Brookfield Engineering Laboratories (Stoughton, MA). The cone used (spindle CPA-41z) had a diameter of 24 mm and an angle of 3°. The viscosity was determined using a steady state flow experiment at a temperature of 26.5 °C with a constant shear rate of 2 s -1 The sample size was 2.5 mL.

[0322] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

[0323] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any application disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or along with any other document, teaches, suggests or discloses any such application. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall control.

[0324] While particular embodiments of the present application have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A packaging system (1) for storing a fluid substance (F), the packaging system comprising: A pump dispenser (100), wherein the pump dispenser (100) comprises a pump assembly (50), a flexible bag (60) and a connecting housing (30); wherein the flexible bag (60) contains a fluid substance (F) to be dispensed, wherein the flexible bag (60) has a spout (61); wherein the spout (61) is a sleeve having an inner surface (611) and an outer surface (612); wherein the connecting housing (30) has a cavity therein, wherein the connecting housing (30) has an upper portion (310) and a lower portion (320); wherein the pump assembly (50) comprises an actuator (10) having a cavity therein and a closure (20) connected to the actuator (10); wherein the pump assembly (50) has a housing (51) having an outer surface (510) and a lower end (520); wherein the housing (51) of the pump assembly (50) is fixed at the upper portion (310) of the connecting housing (30), wherein the cavity of the connecting housing (30) and the outer surface (510) of the housing (51) of the pump assembly (50) form an air chamber (330), or wherein a cavity of a housing (51') forms an air chamber (513'); wherein the housing (51) of the pump assembly (50) comprises a vent hole (511, 511'); wherein the housing (51) of the pump assembly (50) has a port (56) at the lower end (520) of the housing (51); wherein the lower portion (320) of the connecting housing (30) is removably engaged with the outer surface (612) of the spout (61) of the flexible bag (60), and characterized in that the pump assembly (50) is removably engaged with the flexible bag (60) in an air-tight sealed manner; such that when the actuator (10) is pushed down by a user and released, air is balanced in the air chamber (330, 513') by means of the vent hole (511, 511') and air is unbalanced in the flexible bag (60), wherein the flexible bag (60) is air-tight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

2. The packaging system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the port (56) of the pump assembly (50) is removably engaged with the inner surface (611) of the spout (61) of the flexible bag (60) in an air-tight sealed manner; such that when the actuator (10) is pushed down by a user and released, air is balanced in the air chamber (330) by means of the vent hole (511) and air is unbalanced in the flexible bag (60), wherein the flexible bag (60) is gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

3. The packaging system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting housing (30) of the pump dispenser (100) comprises a seal (40) at a location where the port (56) of the pump assembly (50) is removably engaged with the spout (61) of the flexible bag (60), such that the spout (61) and the pump assembly (50) are engaged in the air-tight sealed manner.

4. The packaging system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the seal (40) is positioned around the port (56) of the pump assembly (50) at the spout (61) of the flexible bag to provide an air-tight seal between the spout (61) and the pump assembly (50).

5. The packaging system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower portion (320) of the connecting housing (30) has a lower end (321), wherein the lower end (321) of the connecting housing (30) comprises an inner thread (322), wherein the spout (61) of the flexible bag (60) comprises an outer thread (613) on the outer surface (612), wherein the inner thread (322) of the lower end (321) of the connecting housing (30) is engaged with the outer thread (613) of the spout (61) of the flexible bag (60) to removably secure the connecting housing (30) to the flexible bag (60).

6. The packaging system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the port (56) of the pump assembly (50) comprises an outer surface (561), wherein the port (56) of the pump assembly (50) comprises an outer thread (562) on the outer surface (561), wherein the spout (61) of the flexible bag (60) comprises an inner thread (614) on the inner surface (611), wherein the outer thread (562) of the port (56) of the pump assembly (50) is engaged with the inner thread (614) of the spout (61) of the flexible bag (60) to removably secure the pump assembly (50) to the flexible bag (60) in an air-tight sealed manner.

7. The packaging system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the packaging system (1) further comprises a housing (110) for storing the pump dispenser (100) and the flexible bag (60).

8. The packaging system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the housing (110) has a front panel (111) comprising a front opening (112) for introducing the pump dispenser (100) such that the flexible bag (60) is stored inside the housing (110), preferably wherein the front panel (111) is a front door having a window (113) to see the flexible bag (60) through the window (113).

9. The packaging system (1 ) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the outer shell (1 10) has a top panel (1 14) having an opening (1 15) such that the pump dispenser (100) is removably fixed to the outer shell (1 10), preferably wherein the pump dispenser (100) is removably fixed to the outer shell (1 10) by connecting the top panel opening (1 15) to the connection housing (30) of the pump dispenser (100).

10. The packaging system (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein the connection housing (30) has a fixing element (34) that snaps into the opening (1 15) of the top panel (1 14) of the outer shell (1 10).

11. The packaging system (1 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pump assembly (50) is selected from the group consisting of a liquid pump assembly and a foaming pump assembly.

12. The packaging system (1 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pump dispenser (100) does not comprise any dip tube, preferably wherein the flexible pouch (60) contains a relatively low viscosity fluid substance (F), preferably wherein the fluid substance (F) has a viscosity of 1 mPa.s (1 cps) to 5 Pa.s (5000 cps) or 1 mPa.s (1 cps) to 1 Pa.s (1000 cps) as measured on a 2.5 mL sample within 3 minutes at 27°C with a constant shear rate of 2 s -1 at 27°C with a single plate Brookfield RS Rheometer with Cone C75-1.

13. The packaging system (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the pump dispenser (100) comprises a dip tube (70), preferably wherein the flexible pouch (60) contains a relatively high viscosity fluid substance (F), more preferably wherein the fluid substance (F) has a viscosity of 6 Pa.s (6000 cps) to 200 Pa.s (200000 cps), or 12 Pa.s (12000 cps) to 70 Pa.s (70000 cps), as measured on a 2.5 mL sample within 3 minutes at 27°C with a constant shear rate of 2 s"1using a single plate Brookfield RS Rheometer with Cone C75-1. -1 ​ 14. The packaging system (1 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid substance (F) to be dispensed from the flexible pouch (60) is a cleaning composition to be applied on a surface of interest, preferably wherein the surface of interest is skin when the cleaning composition is in the form of a personal care product that is a shower or bath cream, a body wash or a foaming body wash; or the surface of interest is fabric when the cleaning composition is in the form of a liquid detergent or a fabric softener.

15. A pump dispenser (100) comprising: a pump assembly (50), a flexible pouch (60) and a connection housing (30); wherein the flexible pouch (60) contains a fluid substance (F) to be dispensed, wherein the flexible pouch (60) has a spout (61 ); wherein the spout (61 ) is a sleeve having an inner surface (61 1 ) and an outer surface (612); wherein the connection housing (30) has a cavity therein, wherein the connection housing (30) has an upper portion (310) and a lower portion (320); wherein the pump assembly (50) comprises: an actuator (10) having a cavity therein; and a closure (20) connected to the actuator (10); wherein the pump assembly (50) has a housing (51 ) having an outer surface (510) and a lower end (520); wherein the housing (51 ) of the pump assembly (50) is fixed at the upper portion (310) of the connection housing (30), wherein the cavity of the connection housing (30) and the outer surface (510) of the housing (51 ) of the pump assembly (50) form an air chamber (330), or wherein a cavity of housing (51 ') forms an air chamber (513'); optionally, wherein the housing (51 ) of the pump assembly (50) comprises a vent hole (51 1, 51 1 '); wherein the housing (51 ) of the pump assembly (50) has a port (56) at the lower end (520) of the housing (51 ); wherein the lower portion (320) of the connection housing (30) is removably engaged with the outer surface (612) of the spout (61 ) of the flexible pouch (60), and characterized in that the pump assembly (50) is removably engaged with the flexible bag (60) in airtight sealing manner; such that when the actuator (10) is pushed down by a user and released, air is optionally balanced in the air chamber (330, 513') by means of the vent hole (511, 511'); air is unbalanced in the flexible bag (60), wherein the flexible bag (60) is airtight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use.

16. A method of dispensing a fluid substance (F) contained in a flexible bag (60) of a pump dispenser (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the method comprising preferably the following steps in the following order: a) providing a pump assembly (50), wherein the pump assembly (50) comprises an actuator (10) and a closure (20) connected to the actuator (10); b) optionally providing a seal (40) and inserting the seal (40) at a port (56) of the pump assembly (50); c) providing a connection housing (30) and engaging the connection housing (30) to the closure (20) of the pump assembly (50); d) providing the flexible bag (60) comprising the fluid substance (F); e) fixing the flexible bag (60) to the pump assembly (50) and the connection housing (30), wherein a lower part (320) of the connection housing (30) is removably engaged with an outer surface (612) of the spout (61) of the flexible bag (60); and wherein the pump assembly (50) is removably engaged with the flexible bag (60) in airtight sealing manner; f) triggering and releasing the actuator (10) of the pump assembly (50), such that air does not flow back into the flexible bag (60), wherein the flexible bag (60) is airtight and / or gradually evacuated during dispensing use, and the flexible bag (60) contracts when the fluid substance F is expelled from the pump dispenser (100).

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