Applicator bottle
The applicator bottle design addresses the issue of fluid waste and access by using a funnel-shaped interior to direct fluid to the bottom and an engaging lid to collect it efficiently, enhancing usability across various fluid viscosities.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024557680
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-06-10
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing applicator bottles often result in fluid waste and require maneuvering the applicator to corners to reach remaining fluid, especially when dealing with fluids of different viscosities.
The design features a container with a funnel-shaped interior that directs fluid concentrically towards the bottom when upright, and an applicator lid that collects fluid from the bottom when engaged, minimizing waste and simplifying fluid access.
This solution effectively reduces fluid waste and simplifies the process of accessing remaining fluid, regardless of viscosity, by ensuring the applicator can collect fluid efficiently from the bottom of the container.
Smart Images
Figure 2025519002000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention generally relates to an applicator bottle having fluid conservation, ease of use and / or docking features. [Background technology]
[0002] Summary of the Invention
[0003] Provided herein is a bottle comprising a container and a lid having an applicator that collects fluid from the bottom when the lid engages an opening.
[0004] In one embodiment, the applicator bottle has a fluid saving feature, where when the container is upright, the container defines an opening into the interior that funnels fluid concentrically down toward the bottom opposite the opening so that the applicator can collect fluid that has accumulated at the bottom when the lid engages the opening.
[0005] The bottle can be used for a variety of fluids of different viscosities to eliminate waste and avoid having to maneuver the applicator to a corner to reach the remaining fluid.
[0006] The base may be flat and the distal end of the applicator may be conformally flat to collect fluid evenly across the surface of the base. The applicator may include longitudinally oriented splayed bristles or daubers that define a flat surface that conforms to the flat base.
[0007] Additionally, the base may have a width that is greater than the maximum width of the applicator, but not overly large so that the distal end of the applicator can cover substantially the entire surface area of the base.
[0008] The distal end of the applicator may be configured to just reach the bottom when the lid engages the neck of the container.
[0009] The bottle may be configured to be compressed against the bottom to assist the applicator in absorbing fluid, particularly when the applicator is equipped with a dauber.
[0010] In some embodiments, the containers may be configured for side-by-side connection or vertical stacking. In some embodiments, the containers are configured for both side-by-side connection and vertical stacking.
[0011] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
[0012] Although any other form may be included within the scope of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings below.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
Figure 3b
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The applicator bottle 126 comprises a container 100 defining a neck 127 having an opening 102 to an interior 106 that causes fluid to flow concentrically and funnel-like towards a bottom 103 opposite the opening 102 when the container 100 is upright. A lid 101 having an applicator 104 collects fluid from the bottom 103 when the lid 101 engages the opening 102 of the container 100.
[0015] The bottle 126 can be used for various fluids of various viscosities to eliminate waste and avoid having to manipulate the applicator 104 to the corners to reach the remaining fluid.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the container 100 may comprise a funnel-shaped portion 105 where the interior 106 is funnel-shaped towards the bottom 103, an intermediate portion 107 where the interior 106 is cylindrical, and a shoulder portion 108 where the interior 106 tapers towards the opening 102.
[0017] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the neck portion 127 may have an outer diameter of about 44 mm and an inner diameter of about 38 mm. Further, the neck portion 127 may have a height of about 15 mm. Further, the funnel-shaped portion 105, the intermediate portion 107, and the shoulder portion 108 may have a height of about 83 mm. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the funnel-shaped portion 105 has a height greater than that of the intermediate portion 107. However, in the case of the particular type of elongated container 100 shown in FIG. 10, the intermediate portion 107 may have a height greater than that of the funnel-shaped portion 105.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the container 100 preferably has a cylindrical cross-section, and the bottom 103 and the distal end 109 of the applicator 104 are concentric when the lid 101 is engaged with the opening 102.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom 103 may be flat, and the applicator 104 may have a distal end 109 that lies in the same plane. Thus, in the method shown in FIG. 1, the distal end 109 of the applicator 104 can spread evenly over the entire flat bottom 103 and absorb fluid therefrom sufficiently.
[0020] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the applicator 104 comprises bristles 110 oriented substantially longitudinally. Further, the bristles 110 may spread to define a flat distal end 109. FIG. 9 shows another embodiment in which the applicator 104 comprises radially oriented bristles 124.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment in which the applicator 104 comprises a dauber 111 such as a sponge and foam. The distal surface of the dauber 111 may be flat, thereby conforming to the flat bottom 103.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the distal end 109 of the applicator 104 may be sized to substantially cover the entire surface area of the bottom.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the base 103 is preferably wider than the maximum width of the distal end 109 of the applicator 104, but not overly wide, preferably 25% or less wider.
[0024] If the applicator 104 comprises the spread bristles 110 shown in FIG. 1, the width of the base 103 may be greater than the maximum width of the bristles 110, but not overly so.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the bristles 110 may be oval, and may have a minimum diameter of about 10 mm and a maximum diameter of about 20 mm. According to this embodiment, the base 103 may have a width greater than the maximum diameter of the bristles 110, in which case the width is 20 mm or more, but preferably 25 mm or less.
[0026] Similarly, in the case of an embodiment where the applicator 104 comprises the dauber 111 shown in FIG. 4, the base 103 may be wider than the distal surface of the dauber 111.
[0027] As further shown in FIG. 4, the dauber 111 is substantially spherical, and the dauber 111 may have a diameter greater than the width of the base 103, but the distal surface 109 of the dauber 111 may even have a diameter smaller than the width of the base 103.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the container 100 comprises a wiping shelf 112 that partially crosses the opening 102. The applicator 104 can be wiped against the edge of the shelf 112 to remove excess fluid, and the excess fluid drips back from the shelf 112 onto the base 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the shelf 112 has a straight edge and is thus suitable for the generally oval bristles 110 shown in FIG. 3. However, in other embodiments, the edge of the shelf 112 may be curved to conform to the shape of the applicator 104.
[0029] FIG. 15 shows another embodiment where the wiper shelf 112 is annular, thereby defining a circular wiping edge 128. In other embodiments, the wiping edge 112 may be oval to match the cross-section of the bristles 110.
[0030] FIG. 16 shows another embodiment where the shelf 112 has a curved wiping edge 129, and FIG. 17 shows that the shelf 112 has a straight wiping edge 130.
[0031] In some embodiments, the wiper shelf 112 may be concave or inclined downward so that excess fluid flows down and back into the container 100 from its edge or through its opening. The angle of the concave wiper shelf 112 may be configured according to the viscosity of the fluid so that the fluid flows from the wiper shelf 112 into the interior of the container 101 without accumulating on the wiper shelf 120. In some embodiments, the wiper shelf 112 may be inclined downward at more than 20°.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the applicator may be configured to just touch the bottom 103 when the lid 101 engages the neck 127.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment where the neck 127 has an external thread 113 that screws into the internal thread 114 on the inner surface of the lid 101. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment where the neck 127 has an external rib 115 that is press-fitted into the corresponding internal rib 116 of the lid 101.
[0034] In one embodiment, the distal end 109 of the applicator 104 is configured to just touch the bottom 103 when the lid 101 first engages the neck 127. According to this embodiment, the applicator 104 can reach the bottom 103 without the user having to fully screw or push the lid 101 onto the container 100.
[0035] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the lid 101 engages with the neck portion 127, the applicator 104 may be slightly compressed against the bottom 103.
[0036] In particular, in an embodiment where the applicator 104 includes a dauber 111, slight compression of the dauber 111 may assist in fluid absorption. In other words, when the dauber 111 is pressed against the bottom 103, the sponge 103 is slightly compressed, and when the lid 101 is removed from the container 100, the compression of the dauber 111 is released, thereby absorbing fluid from the bottom 103. According to this embodiment, the distal surface of the dauber 111 may not be flat, for example, may be rounded (here the entire dauber 111 is spherical), but is compressed against the bottom 103 to become flat.
[0037] In some embodiments, the dauber 111 may have a width larger than that of the bottom 103 such that the dauber 111 is not only compressed against the bottom 103 along the longitudinal axis of the applicator 104 but also contracted against the funnel-shaped interior 106.
[0038] In other embodiments, the distal end 109 of the applicator 104 is configured to just touch the bottom 103 when the lid 101 is fully engaged with the opening, that is, when the lid 101 is fully screwed or pushed into the opening 102. According to this embodiment, the applicator 104 can absorb the fluid recovered from the bottom 103 without deformation.
[0039] Figure 6 shows one embodiment in which the applicator 104 is removable from the lid 101. Specifically, the applicator 104 may include a shaft 117 that defines a proximal end 118 that passes through the lid 101. In some embodiments, threads may engage the shaft 117 and the lid 101 so that the shaft 117 can be removed from the lid 101. The applicator 104 and the lid 101 may be fluidly sealed by an annular sealing flange 119. The flange 119 may be located either on the outside or the inside, depending on whether the applicator 104 is removed from either side of the lid 100.
[0040] In some embodiments, the flange 119 may slidably engage the shaft 117 of the applicator 114 so that the relative offset of the distal end of the applicator 104 with respect to the lid 101 can be adjusted, for example, to most appropriately position the applicator within the fluid in the container 100.
[0041] In some embodiments, in contrast to the proximal end 118 of the shaft 117 that is used as a handle, the lid 101 itself may have a structure thereon that defines a handle grip. In some embodiments, the handle grip may have a maximum diameter that substantially corresponds to the diameter of the lid 101.
[0042] The interior 106 may be funnel-shaped at an angle proportional to the viscosity of the liquid contents. In other words, the greater the viscosity, the greater the angle of the funnel-shaped interior. Generally, depending on its viscosity, the interior 106 may be funnel-shaped at an angle such that 80% of the fluid contents therein return to the bottom 103 within one minute, for example, so that the fluid contents therein return to the bottom 103 within a reasonable time.
[0043] The interior 106 may be funnel-shaped at an angle of 110° to 140° with respect to the bottom 103. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has an angle 120 of approximately 120° between the funnel-shaped interior 106 and the bottom 103.
[0044] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the outer surface 121 of the container 100 adjacent to the funnel-shaped portion 105 is cylindrical. In other words, in the funnel-shaped portion 105, the outer surface 121 spreads away from the interior 106 towards the bottom of the container 100.
[0045] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment in which the outer surface 101 coincides with the interior 106 in the funnel-shaped portion 105. According to this embodiment, the container 100 may define a base 122, and the outer surface 101 spreads outward at the base 122.
[0046] FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment in which the matching outer surface 121 is supported from the base 122 by a substantially triangular flange 123.
[0047] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the container 100 is relatively narrow and the funnel-shaped interior 106 has a steep internal angle. The container 100 may be suitable for cosmetics. Further according to this embodiment, the applicator 104 may comprise radially directed bristles 124. The interior 106 may define a constriction 125 above the funnel-shaped portion 105 that squeezes the bristles 124 to remove excess fluid therefrom.
[0048] FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment in which the container 100 is somewhat narrower than the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 - 8. According to this embodiment, the container 100 may be used for nail polish etc., and the applicator 104 may comprise widened bristles 110 directed generally longitudinally. According to this embodiment, the container 100 may be made of glass.
[0049] In some embodiments, in contrast to embodiments in which the applicator 104 comprises a brush or a dauber etc., the bottle 126 can be used as a pump spray bottle in which the distal end of its suction tube is concentrically arranged towards the bottom for collecting the pooled fluid (for nasal sprays etc.).
[0050] Figures 11 and 12 show one embodiment in which applicator bottles 126 can be connected adjacent to other applicator bottles 126.
[0051] According to this embodiment, the applicator bottle 126 comprises vertical side connection rails 131 configured to slidably and vertically connect with matching vertical side rails 131 of adjacent bottles in the manner shown in FIG. 14.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 12, the bottle 126 may comprise a female rail 131B that slidably receives a male rail 131A therein. These rails 131 may define a double-tail connection cross-section so that the rails 131 cannot be horizontally separated.
[0053] Preferably, the applicator bottles 126 have connection rails 131 spaced 180° apart on both sides of the container 100 so that the applicator bottles 126 can be connected in a horizontal row.
[0054] In other embodiments (not shown), the applicator bottles 126 can be connected at right angles, and in some embodiments, the connection rails 131 are spaced 90° apart so that four applicator bottles 126 can be connected in a quarter-circle, where each applicator bottle 126 connects with a pair of connection rails 131 of the adjacent pair of applicator bottles 126.
[0055] The male connection rail 131A may have a continuous cross-section along its entire length. However, the female connection rail 131B may be closed at its bottom end by a bottom end wall 132 to stop further downward movement of the male connection rail 131A so that adjacent connected applicator bottles 126 are vertically aligned when horizontally connected.
[0056] FIG. 11 also shows one embodiment in which the applicator bottles 126 are configured to be vertically stacked in the manner shown in FIG. 13.
[0057] According to this embodiment, the bottom portion of the container 100 defines a void 138 for receiving the lid 101 of another applicator bottle 126 therebelow.
[0058] According to this embodiment, the container 101 may include a cylindrical outer wall 135 and a frustoconical inner wall 133 that tapers towards a base panel 139 to define the bottom 103 of the container 101, and the cylindrical outer wall and the base panel define a void.
[0059] The base panel 139 may be connected to a stepped periphery 140, thereby defining an inner surface 141 that engages the lid 101.
[0060] Preferably, the inner surface 141 is sized to frictionally engage the lid 101 of another applicator bottle 126 therebelow. According to the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface 141 has a circular cross-section to formally engage the cylindrical lid 101 of another applicator bottle 126 therebelow. In other embodiments, the inner surface 141 may include an internal thread, and the outer surface of the lid 101 includes an external thread so that the lid 101 can be screwed into the inner surface 141.
[0061] The entrance 136 to the void 138 may be surrounded by an inwardly inclined edge that guides the lid 101 into the void and engages the inner surface 101 and prevents the lid 101 from disengaging from the void 138.
[0062] According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the applicator bottle 126 is configured for both adjacent connection and vertical stacking. According to this embodiment, the lower end of the connecting rail 131 may have the same extent perpendicular to the void 138.
[0063] In the foregoing description for the purpose of explanation, specific names have been used to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not necessary to practice the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. Since many modifications and variations will be apparent in light of the above teachings, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the exact form disclosed. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The following claims and their equivalents are intended to define the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A bottle comprising a container defining an opening, an interior for causing fluid to flow concentrically like a funnel towards a bottom facing the opening when the container is upright, and a lid having an applicator for recovering the fluid from the bottom when the lid engages the opening.
2. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the container has a cylindrical cross-section and the distal ends of the bottom and the applicator are concentric when the lid engages the opening.
3. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the bottom is flat and the applicator has a distal end on substantially the same plane.
4. The bottle according to claim 3, wherein the applicator comprises spreading bristles.
5. The bottle according to claim 3, wherein the applicator comprises a dauber defining a flat distal surface.
6. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the applicator is sized to cover substantially the entire surface area of the bottom.
7. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the bottom is wider than the maximum width of the distal end of the applicator.
8. The bottle according to claim 7, wherein the bottom is not excessively wider than the maximum width of the distal end of the applicator.
9. The bottle according to claim 7, wherein the bottom is not wider than the maximum width of the distal end of the applicator by more than 25% of the width of the bottom.
10. The bottle according to claim 7, wherein the distal end of the applicator is elliptical and the bottom has a width greater than the maximum width of the distal end of the applicator.
11. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the opening defines a wiping shelf that partially crosses there.
12. The bottle according to claim 11, wherein the edge of the wiping shelf is linear.
13. The bottle according to claim 12, wherein the applicator comprises spreading bristles defining an elliptical distal end.
14. The bottle according to claim 11, wherein the edge of the shelf is curved to match the cross-sectional shape of the applicator.
15. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is configured to contact the bottom when the lid engages the neck of the container.
16. The bottle according to claim 15, wherein the applicator is configured to just touch the bottom when the lid is fully engaged with the neck.
17. The bottle according to claim 15, wherein the applicator is configured to just touch the bottom when the lid first engages with the neck portion.
18. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is configured to be compressed in contact with the bottom when the lid engages with the neck portion.
19. The bottle according to claim 16, wherein the applicator is configured to be compressed in contact with the bottom when the lid is fully engaged with the neck portion.
20. The bottle according to claim 16, wherein the applicator is configured to be compressed in contact with the bottom when the lid first engages with the neck portion.
21. The bottle according to claim 16, wherein the distal end of the applicator has a width larger than the bottom, and the distal end of the applicator is contracted by the interior when the lid engages with the neck portion.
22. The bottle according to claim 16, wherein the applicator includes a dauber.
23. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the applicator includes bristles.
24. The bottle according to claim 21, wherein the bristles are oriented longitudinally and are spread out.
25. The bottle according to claim 22, wherein the bristles spread out to form an elliptical cross-section.
26. The bottle according to claim 21, wherein the bristles are oriented longitudinally and are parallel.
27. The bottle according to claim 21, wherein the bristles are oriented radially.
28. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the applicator includes a dauber.
29. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is removable from the lid.
30. The bottle according to claim 27, wherein the applicator includes a shaft defining a proximal end that penetrates the lid.
31. The bottle according to claim 28, wherein the shaft can be turned and removed from the lid.
32. The bottle according to claim 28, further comprising an annular sealing flange that fluidly seals the shaft and the lid.
33. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the interior is funnel-shaped at an angle proportional to the viscosity of the liquid content.
34. The bottle according to claim 31, wherein the interior is funnel-shaped at 110 to 140° with respect to the bottom.
35. The bottle according to claim 31, wherein the interior is funnel-shaped at approximately 120° with respect to the bottom.
36. The bottle according to claim 31, wherein the interior is funnel-shaped at approximately 130° with respect to the bottom.
37. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the container adjacent to the funnel-shaped portion of the interior is cylindrical.
38. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the container adjacent to the funnel-shaped portion of the interior is uniformly funnel-shaped.
39. The bottle according to claim 36, wherein the outer surface is connected to the base.
40. The bottle according to claim 37, further comprising a flange that supports the outer surface from the base.
41. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the interior defines a constriction on the funnel-shaped portion of the interior that squeezes the applicator as the applicator passes therethrough.
42. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the applicator bottle comprises vertical side connection rails configured to slidably and vertically connect to mating vertical side rails of adjacent bottles during use.
43. The bottle according to claim 39, wherein the applicator bottle comprises female rails that slidably receive male rails therein.
44. The bottle according to claim 40, wherein the rails define a double-tail connection cross-section.
45. The bottle according to claim 39, wherein the applicator bottle has a pair of connection rails.
46. The bottle according to claim 42, wherein the pair of connection rails has male and female connection rails.
47. The bottle according to claim 42, wherein the pair of connection rails are positioned 180° apart.
48. The bottle according to claim 42, wherein the pair of connection rails are positioned 90° apart.
49. The bottle according to claim 40, wherein the male connection rail has a continuous cross-section along its entire length.
50. The female connection rail is closed at its bottom end by a bottom wall to stop further downward movement of the male connection rail such that adjacent applicator bottles are vertically aligned when horizontally connected. The bottle according to claim 40.
51. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the container defines a void for receiving the lid of another applicator bottle thereunder.
52. The container comprises a cylindrical outer wall and a frustoconical inner wall that tapers towards a base panel to define the bottom of the container, and the cylindrical outer wall and the base panel define the void, the bottle according to claim 48.
53. The base panel defines an inner surface that tapers circumferentially and engages the lid, the bottle according to claim 49.
54. The void defines an inner surface that engages the lid, where the inner surface is sized to frictionally engage the lid of the other applicator bottle below it, the bottle according to claim 48.
55. The inner surface has a circular cross-section, the bottle according to claim 51.
56. The inner surface comprises an inner screw thread and the outer surface of the lid comprises an outer screw thread so that the lid can be screwed into the inner surface, the bottle according to claim 51.
57. The entrance to the void is surrounded by an inwardly inclined edge, the bottle according to claim 51.
58. The applicator bottle comprises a vertical side connection rail configured to slidably and vertically connect with a matching vertical side rail of an adjacent bottle during use, and the bottom portion of the container defines a void for receiving the lid of another applicator bottle below it, the bottle according to claim 1.
59. The lower end of the connection rail has the same spread perpendicular to the void, the bottle according to claim 1.
60. The opening defines an annular wiping shelf that defines a circular wiping edge, the bottle according to claim 1.
61. The opening defines a wiping shelf that partially crosses there, and the edge of the wiping shelf is curved, the bottle according to claim 1.
62. The opening defines a wiping shelf that slopes downward so that excess fluid flows from the shelf into the container, the bottle according to claim 1.
63. The angle of the concave wiper shelf is configured according to the viscosity of the fluid, the bottle according to claim 57.
64. The wiper shelf slopes downward at more than 20°, the bottle according to claim 58.