Bag type squeeze bottle

Abstract

A high performance squeeze bottle dispenser includes an internal product-containing bag which is in fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle is airtight to prevent air from escaping back into the bag when pressurization of the bottle is released. A one-way air valve in a wall of the bottle admits air into the interior of the bottle around the outside of the product bag to provide a pumping action which pressurizes the interior of the bottle to cause product expulsion through the nozzle. An inversion collar projects into the bag so that the bag folds inwardly upon itself and up into the collar as product is expelled. The collar may also include an upper inside dome-shaped surface which matches the shape of the inside of the bottom of the bag to achieve near-complete expulsion of product to reduce waste.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a bag-in-bottle type squeeze bottle having an inner receptacle incorporating a flexible bag for containing and dispensing various types of fluid products. More specifically, it pertains to flexible bag dispensers that include product bags which invert as they empty. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Squeeze type bottle dispensers are well known for use in packaging and dispensing various types of liquid products including those which are more viscous such as toothpaste. In order to improve the product expulsion of viscous materials, bag-in-bottle type dispensers have been employed because the more viscous products are difficult to expel from regular dispensers. Some dispensers include internal means for inverting the bag in upon itself to enhance their performance. Another general type is a pump dispenser which utilizes a piston pump to create the internal air pressure necessary to dispense the product. Since the pressu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] This capability is provided by a combination of bottle valving and bag materials together with structural dimensions that are mutually compatible. A dispensing nozzle is employed which is not only substantially liquid-tight but also airtight. This prevents air from escaping back into the bag when pressure on the outside of the squeeze bottle is released. The tendency for re-admitting air into the bag is also mitigated by the use of an efficient umbrella type one-way bottle air valve with a high flow rate. These structures are utilized in combination with a highly resilient bottle that quickly snaps back to its normal shape when squeezing pressure is released. This allows the interior of the bottle to be recharged with air quickly and without producing any adverse effects on the product bag that would increase its tendency for drawing air back through the nozzle and into the bag.

[0009] The invention also uses an inversion collar to hold the bag at its midpoint so that the bag folds inwardly upon itself and up into the collar as liquid product is expelled. This enhances the performance of the bottle and prevents product from being trapped between irregular folds in the bag as it is compressed by the internal air pressure of the bottle. To ensure that the greatest amount of product is expelled to eliminate waste, both the bag and the internal surfaces of the inversion collar are tapered with the inside dimensions of the bag closely matched to the inside dimensions of the collar. This, together with the use of a bag material which has elasticity, permits the bag to readily conform to the inside shape of the inversion collar and / or the cap which holds the dispensing nozzle. The use of a resilient bag also permits it to be assembled by stretching it over the outside of the collar. This produces an extremely tight shrink fit between the bag and the outside surface of the collar so that product cannot become trapped around the outside of the collar thus further reducing waste. The collar may also include an upper inside dome-shaped surface which matches the shape of the inside surface of the bottom of the bag.

[0010] Constructed in this way, the present dispenser provides a high performance, pressurizable container which produces maximum discharge with minimum effort and little or no discharge delay. As a further attribute, the dispenser provides near complete expulsion of product to reduce waste. And finally, the dispenser does not require gravity to produce or assist flow.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, without proper valving which maintains the internal bottle air pressure, the more liquid products tend to fall to the bottom of the bag leaving an air space at the top of the bag which must be expelled each time before the liquid is discharged.

This adversely affects the performance of the dispenser.

A general problem with bag-in-bottle type squeeze dispensers of the prior art is that the discharge of dispensed product is less than complete, creating waste.

This occurs because the bags and the inside of the bottles are not dimensioned and configured to closely match, nor are the bags sufficiently resilient so that they may conform to the shape of the inside surfaces of the bottle upon full expulsion.

Many dispensers require gravity to create or assist the flow which can require an awkward position of the dispenser.

While these dispensers are suitable for viscous products, they have the limitations discussed above with respect to dispensing less viscous, highly liquid products.

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