DILUTING DISPENSER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A diluting dispenser assembly, including: a housing; a water input conduit; a high-flow output conduit; a low-flow output conduit; a high-flow dispensing actuator; a low-flow dispensing actuator; a container interface, wherein the container interface is adapted to releasably engage a container disclosed herein, and wherein the container interface includes a chemical input nozzle; and a container release member.

Claims

1. A diluting dispenser assembly, comprising: a housing; a water input conduit; a high-flow output conduit; a low-flow output conduit; a high-flow dispensing actuator; a low-flow dispensing actuator; a container interface, wherein the container interface is adapted to releasably engage a container having a neck with at least four sides, and wherein the container interface includes a chemical input nozzle; and a container release member.

2. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a chemical selector switch.

3. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a container support plate.

4. A diluting dispenser assembly that is adapted to releasably engage a container, wherein the container comprises: a front wall; a first left side wall and a second left side wall having a transitional step positioned therebetween; a first right side wall and a second right side wall having a transitional step positioned therebetween; a back wall; a first top wall wherein the first top wall includes a neck and a radial grove positioned below the neck for releasably engaging the diluting dispenser; a second top wall having a handle associated therewith; and a bottom wall.

5. A diluting dispenser assembly that is adapted to releasably engage a container, wherein the container comprises: a front wall, wherein the front wall comprises an upper end and a lower end; a first left side wall and a second left side wall having a transitional step positioned therebetween, wherein the first and second left side walls each comprise an upper end and a lower end; a first right side wall and a second right side wall having a transitional step positioned therebetween, wherein the first and second right side walls each comprise an upper end and a lower end; a back wall, wherein the back wall comprises an upper end and a lower end; a first top wall; a neck positioned at least partially above the first top wall; a radial groove positioned below the neck for releasably engaging the diluting dispenser, wherein the peripheral geometry of the radial groove is less than the peripheral geometry of the neck; a spout having an aperture, wherein the spout is positioned above the neck; a second top wall; a handle positioned in a spaced apart relationship from the second top wall to form an aperture therebetween, wherein the aperture is adapted to contain one or more fingers of a user, and wherein the handle is angled relative to the front wall; and a bottom wall.

6. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 5, wherein the front wall is generally planar.

7. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 6, wherein the transitional step positioned between the first left side wall and the second left side wall is concave.

8. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 5, wherein the second left side wall is generally planar.

9. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 6, wherein the transitional step positioned between the first right side wall and the second right side wall is concave.

10. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 9, wherein the second right side wall is generally planar.

11. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 10, wherein the back wall is generally planar.

12. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first top wall is generally convex.

13. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 12, wherein the neck is octagonal.

14. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 13, wherein the neck comprises at least one arcuate side wall.

15. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 14, wherein the neck comprises eight arcuate side walls.

16. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 15, wherein the container assembly comprises one-piece and is self-standing.

17. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 16, wherein the container assembly is fabricated from a thermoplastic resin.

18. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 16, wherein the container assembly is fabricated from at least one of an aliphatic polyamide and a semi-aromatic polyamide.

19. The diluting dispenser assembly according to claim 16, wherein the container assembly is fabricated from at least one of a polyethylene, a high-density polyethylene, a polycarbonate, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a copolyester, a polystyrene, a high impact polystyrene, and a polyphenylene oxide.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted.

[0040] It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

[0041] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0042] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a diluting dispenser assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a fragmented isometric view of the diluting dispenser assembly of FIG. 1 showing the container interface;

[0044] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the diluting dispenser assembly of FIG. 1 associated with a container;

[0045] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a container assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the container assembly of FIG. 4. It will be understood that a right side view is a mirror image of the left side view;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a front end view of the container assembly of FIG. 4;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a rear end view of the container assembly of FIG. 4;

[0049] FIG. 8A is a top plan view of the container assembly of FIG. 4;

[0050] FIG. 8B is a magnified top plan view of the container assembly of FIG. 4 showing details of the neck and the spout; and

[0051] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the container assembly of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is disclosed and described herein in detail specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0053] It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodiments of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

[0054] In accordance with the present invention, the diluting dispenser assemblies are adapted to releasably engage containers disclosed herein in a unique manner, wherein the front wall of the container is flush or substantially flush with an adjacent vertical wall and/or a vertically disposed wall of the diluting dispenser when the neck and radial groove of the container assembly are mounted/connected to the diluting dispenser.

[0055] Referring now to the drawings and collectively to FIGS. 1-3, diluting dispenser assembly 100 is shown, which generally comprises, housing 102, water input conduit 104, high-flow output conduit 106, low-flow output conduit 108, high-flow dispensing actuator 110, low-flow dispensing actuator 112, container interface 114, wherein the container interface is adapted to releasably engage container 10, chemical input nozzle 116, container release member 118, optional chemical selector switch 120, and optional container support plate 122.

[0056] In accordance with the present invention, diluting dispenser assembly 100 functions in conjunction with container 10 disclosed herein below.

[0057] Referring once again to the drawings and collectively to FIGS. 4-9, container assembly 10 is shown, which generally comprises front wall 12, first left side wall 14, second left side wall 16, first right side wall 18, second right side wall 20, back wall 22, first top wall 24, neck 26, radial groove 28, spout 30, second top wall 32, handle 34, bottom wall 36, and aperture 38. It will be understood that collectively the bottom wall, front wall, back wall, side walls, and top walls are spaced apart from one another to define a containment region for containing product (e.g., a liquid, a semi-solid, a solid) such as, but not limited to, consumable products, residential, commercial, and/or industrial cleaning products, etcetera.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 6, front wall 12 is preferably generally planar and comprises upper end 40 and lower end 42. As is shown in FIG. 3, container assembly 10 exhibits symmetry along axis (Y) which generally corresponds to the vertical mid-point of front wall 12.

[0059] As is best shown in FIGS. 5-6 first left side wall 14 and second left side wall 16 include concave transitional step 44 positioned therebetween. The first and second left side walls comprise upper ends 14A and 16A, respectively, and lower ends 14B and 16B, respectively. In one embodiment, second left side wall 16 is generally planar.

[0060] Referring once again to FIG. 4, first right side wall 18 and second right side wall 20 include concave transitional step 46 positioned therebetween. The first and second right side walls comprise upper ends 18A and 20A, respectively, and lower ends 18B and 20B, respectively. In one embodiment, second right side wall 20 is generally planar.

[0061] As is best shown in FIG. 7, back wall 22 includes upper end 22A and lower end 22B. Back wall 22 is preferably generally planar. A first portion of handle 34 originates proximate upper end 22A of back wall 22.

[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 8A, first top wall 24 is preferably generally flat and/or generally convex. A second portion of handle 34 originates proximate a rear end of top wall 24. As is shown in FIG. 8A, container assembly 10 exhibits symmetry along axis (X) which generally corresponds to the horizontal mid-point of top wall 24 and handle 34. As is further shown in FIGS. 4 and 8A, spout 30 (as well as neck 26 and radial groove 28) are offset from axis (Z) as well as front wall 12 so that front wall 12 of container assembly 10 is flush or substantially flush with an adjacent vertical wall and/or a vertically disposed wall of the diluting dispenser when the neck and radial groove of the container assembly are mounted/connected to the diluting dispenser.

[0063] Referring once again to FIGS. 4-9 collectively, neck 26 is preferably octagonal and is positioned at least partially above first top wall 24. In one embodiment of the present invention, neck 26 includes eight arcuate side walls 27 (See FIG. 8B).

[0064] Radial groove 28 is positioned below neck 26 for releasably engaging a diluting dispenser. In one embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral geometry of the radial groove is less than the peripheral geometry of the neck.

[0065] Spout 30 is positioned above neck 26 and includes product aperture 48. During storage, spout 30 can be associated with a cap to prevent product from being contaminated and/or prevent product from spilling out of the container.

[0066] Referring now to FIGS. 4, 7, and 8A, second top wall 32 includes a generally planar surface. Second top wall 32 preferably forms an obtuse angle with back wall 22 (See FIG. 5).

[0067] Handle 34 is positioned in a spaced apart relationship from second top wall 32 to form aperture 38 therebetween. Aperture 38 is adapted to contain one or more fingers of a user. In one embodiment, handle 34 is angled relative to back wall 22 so that the user can ergonomically use and/or transport container assembly 10.

[0068] Bottom wall 36 enables container assembly 10 to be self-standing. Bottom wall 36 also preferably includes recessed region 50. It will be understood that, although not shown, bottom wall 36 and/or recessed region 50 can also include one more ground engaging feet.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, container assembly 10 is fabricated from a thermoplastic resin.

[0070] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, container assembly 10 is fabricated from an aliphatic polyamide and/or a semi-aromatic polyamide.

[0071] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, container assembly 10 is fabricated from one or more of a polyethylene, a high-density polyethylene, a polycarbonate, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a copolyester, a polystyrene, a high impact polystyrene, and a polyphenylene oxide.

[0072] The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0073] While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

[0074] The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etcetera shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology. Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understood to include those elements specifically recited and those additional elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of” excludes any element not specified.

[0075] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0076] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

[0077] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etcetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etcetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

[0078] All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

[0079] Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.