Stackable spray bottle, refill pod and associated use thereof
10981697 ยท 2021-04-20
Inventors
Cpc classification
B05B1/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D21/023
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D21/0231
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B65D21/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B05B1/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A stackable spray bottle assembly includes a top stackable spray bottle and a bottom stackable spray bottle detachably engaged therewith. Each of the top stackable spray bottle and the bottom stackable spray bottle include a reservoir having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion, and an accessory removably coupled to the open top portion. Advantageously, the accessory has a first silhouette, and the bottom portion has a second silhouette conforming to the first silhouette such that, during storage, the top stackable spray bottle is maintained at a substantially stable position when stacked on top of the bottom stackable spray bottle.
Claims
1. A stackable spray bottle assembly for being vertically stacked during storage, said stackable spray bottle assembly comprising: a top stackable spray bottle and a bottom stackable spray bottle detachably engaged therewith, each of said top stackable spray bottle and said bottom stackable spray bottle including a reservoir having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion, and an accessory removably coupled to said open top portion; wherein said accessory has a first silhouette; wherein, during storage, said bottom portion has a second silhouette conforming to said first silhouette such that said top stackable spray bottle is maintained at a substantially stable position when stacked on top of said bottom stackable spray bottle; wherein said accessory has a dispensing tip disposed at an outer perimeter of said reservoir as well as subjacent to a topmost surface of said reservoir such that said dispensing tip is exposed and operable when said top stackable spray bottle is stacked on top of said bottom stackable spray bottle.
2. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein said accessory comprises: one of a power-actuated trigger mechanism and a manually-actuated trigger mechanism.
3. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 2, wherein said first silhouette of said bottom stackable spray bottle comprises: a plurality of rectilinear protrusions extended upwardly away from said accessory, said rectilinear protrusions being spaced apart and registered parallel to each other, each said rectilinear protrusions having an arcuate top surface extended along an entire longitudinal length thereof; and a handle having a dome-shaped top face intermediately positioned between said rectilinear protrusions and extended parallel to said rectilinear protrusions; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a plurality of rectilinear depressions extended upwardly away from said accessory, said rectilinear depressions being spaced apart and registered parallel to each other, each said rectilinear depressions having an arcuate top surface extended along an entire longitudinal length thereof; and a dome-shaped handle-receiving channel intermediately positioned between said rectilinear depressions and extended parallel to said rectilinear depressions; wherein, during storage, each of said rectilinear depressions and said dome-shaped handle-receiving channel of said top stackable spray bottle are removably nested directly on said rectilinear protrusions and said handle of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively.
4. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 2, wherein said first silhouette of said bottom stackable spray bottle comprises: a boomerang-shaped protrusion extended upwardly away from said accessory thereof, said boomerang-shaped protrusion covered a major surface area of a top surface of said accessory, said boomerang-shaped protrusion having a planar top surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said accessory and terminated at said planar top surface; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a boomerang-shaped depression extended upwardly towards said accessory thereof, said boomerang-shaped depression covering a major surface area of said bottom portion, said boomerang-shaped depression having a planar bottom surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said bottom portion and terminated at said planar bottom surface; wherein, during storage, said boomerang-shaped depression of said top stackable spray bottle is removably nested directly on said boomerang-shaped protrusion of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively.
5. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 2; wherein said first silhouette of said bottom stackable spray bottle comprises: a generally square-shaped protrusion extended upwardly away from said accessory thereof, said generally square-shaped protrusion covering a major surface area of a top surface of said accessory, said generally square-shaped protrusion having a planar top surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said accessory and terminated at said planar top surface; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a generally square-shaped depression extended upwardly towards said accessory thereof, said generally square-shaped depression covering a major surface area of said bottom portion, said generally square-shaped depression having a planar bottom surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said bottom portion and terminated at said planar bottom surface; wherein, during storage, said generally square-shaped depression of said top stackable spray bottle is removably nested directly on said generally square-shaped protrusion of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively.
6. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein said first silhouette of said bottom stackable spray bottle comprises: a plurality of triangular protrusions extended upwardly away from said accessory, said triangular protrusions being spaced apart and having a planar top surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said accessory and terminated at said planar top surface; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a plurality of triangular depressions extended upwardly towards said first silhouette, said triangular depressions being spaced apart and having a planar bottom surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said bottom portion and terminated at said planar bottom surface; wherein, during storage, each of said triangular depressions of said top stackable spray bottle are removably nested directly on said triangular protrusions of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively.
7. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 3, wherein said first silhouette of said end cap of said bottom stackable spray bottle has a circular-shaped protrusion extended upwardly away from said accessory thereof, said circular-shaped protrusion covering a minor surface area of a top surface of said accessory, said circular-shaped protrusion having a planar top surface and an annular circumferential edge terminated at said planar top surface; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a circular-shaped depression extended upwardly towards said accessory thereof, said circular-shaped depression covering a minor surface area of said bottom portion, said circular-shaped depression having a planar bottom surface and an annular circumferential edge terminated at said planar bottom surface, and a substantially square-shaped depression contiguously positioned with said circular-shaped depression, said substantially square-shaped depression and said circular-shaped depression covering a major surface area of said bottom portion, said substantially, square-shaped depression having a height that is lesser than a height of said circular-shaped depression; wherein, during storage, said circular-shaped depression of said top stackable spray bottle is removably nested directly on said circular-shaped protrusion of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively, such that a gap is formed between said top surface of said accessory and said substantially square-shaped depression.
8. A stackable spray bottle assembly for being vertically stacked during storage, said stackable spray bottle assembly comprising: a top stackable spray bottle and a bottom stackable spray bottle detachably engaged therewith, each of said top stackable spray bottle and said bottom stackable spray bottle including a reservoir having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion, and an accessory removably coupled to said open top portion; wherein said accessory has a first silhouette; wherein, during storage, said bottom portion has a second silhouette conforming to said first silhouette such that said top stackable spray bottle is maintained at a substantially stable position when stacked on top of said bottom stackable spray bottle; wherein said reservoir has an interior volume greater than an interior volume of said accessory; wherein said accessory includes one of a power-actuated trigger mechanism and a manually-actuated trigger mechanism; wherein said accessory has a dispensing tip disposed at an outer perimeter of said reservoir as well as subjacent to a topmost surface of said reservoir such that said dispensing tip is exposed and operable when said top stackable spray bottle is stacked on top of said bottom stackable spray bottle; wherein said dispensing tip is laterally spaced apart from said first silhouette and said second silhouette.
9. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 8, wherein said first silhouette of said bottom stackable spray bottle comprises: a plurality of triangular protrusions extended upwardly away from said accessory, said triangular protrusions being spaced apart and having a planar top surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said accessory and terminated at said planar top surface; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a plurality of triangular depressions extended upwardly towards said first silhouette, said triangular depressions being spaced apart and having a planar bottom surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said bottom portion and terminated at said planar bottom surface; wherein, during storage, each of said triangular depressions of said top stackable spray bottle are removably nested directly on said triangular protrusions of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively.
10. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 8, wherein said first silhouette of said bottom stackable spray bottle comprises: a plurality of rectilinear protrusions extended upwardly away from said accessory, said rectilinear protrusions being spaced apart and registered parallel to each other, each said rectilinear protrusions having an arcuate top surface extended along an entire longitudinal length thereof; and a handle having a dome-shaped top face intermediately positioned between said rectilinear protrusions and extended parallel to said rectilinear protrusions; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a plurality of rectilinear depressions extended upwardly away from said accessory, said rectilinear depressions being spaced apart and registered parallel to each other, each said rectilinear depressions having an arcuate top surface extended along an entire longitudinal length thereof; and a dome-shaped handle-receiving channel intermediately positioned between said rectilinear depressions and extended parallel to said rectilinear depressions; wherein, during storage, each of said rectilinear depressions and said dome-shaped handle-receiving channel of said top stackable spray bottle are removably nested directly on said rectilinear protrusions and said handle of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively.
11. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 8, wherein said first silhouette of said bottom stackable spray bottle comprises: a boomerang-shaped protrusion extended upwardly away from said accessory thereof, said boomerang-shaped protrusion covered a major surface area of a top surface of said accessory, said boomerang-shaped protrusion having a planar top surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said accessory and terminated at said planar top surface; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a boomerang-shaped depression extended upwardly towards said accessory thereof, said boomerang-shaped depression covering a major surface area of said bottom portion, said boomerang-shaped depression having a planar bottom surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said bottom portion and terminated at said planar bottom surface; wherein, during storage, said boomerang-shaped depression of said top stackable spray bottle is removably nested directly on said boomerang-shaped protrusion of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively.
12. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 8, wherein said first silhouette of said bottom stackable spray bottle comprises: a generally square-shaped protrusion extended upwardly away from said accessory thereof, said generally square-shaped protrusion coveting a major surface area of a top surface of said accessory, said generally square-shaped protrusion having a planar top surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said accessory and terminated at said planar top surface; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a generally square-shaped depression extended upwardly towards said accessory thereof, said generally square-shaped depression covering a major surface area of said bottom portion, said generally square-shaped depression having a planar bottom surface and a contoured outer perimeter edge beginning at said bottom portion and terminated at said planar bottom surface; wherein, during storage, said generally square-shaped depression of said top stackable spray bottle is removably nested directly on said generally square-shaped protrusion of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively.
13. The stackable spray bottle assembly of claim 8, wherein said first silhouette of said end cap of said bottom stackable spray bottle has a circular-shaped protrusion extended upwardly away from said accessory thereof, said circular-shaped protrusion covering a minor surface area of a top surface of said accessory, said circular-shaped protrusion having a planar top surface and an annular circumferential edge terminated at said planar top surface; wherein said second silhouette of said top stackable spray bottle comprises: a circular-shaped depression extended upwardly towards said accessory thereof, said circular-shaped depression covering a minor surface area of said bottom portion, said circular-shaped depression having a planar bottom surface and an annular circumferential edge terminated at said planar bottom surface, and a substantially square-shaped depression contiguously positioned with said circular-shaped depression, said substantially square-shaped depression and said circular-shaped depression covering a major surface area of said bottom portion, said substantially square-shaped depression having a height that is lesser than a height of said circular-shaped depression; wherein, during storage, said circular-shaped depression of said top stackable spray bottle is removably nested directly on said circular-shaped protrusion of said bottom stackable spray bottle, respectively, such that a gap is formed between said top surface of said accessory and said substantially square-shaped depression.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EXEMPLARY DRAWINGS
(1) The novel features believed to be characteristic of non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
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(42) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale; nor are the figures intended to illustrate every non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) depicted in the figures nor the shapes, relative sizes or proportions shown in the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
(43) The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure is shown. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) set forth herein. Rather, such non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the relevant art(s). Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figures.
(44) The illustrations of the non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the present disclosure. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of the structures, systems and/or methods described herein. Other non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art(s) upon reviewing the disclosure. Other non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) may be utilized and derived from the disclosure such that structural, logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
(45) One or more embodiment(s) of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the true spirit and scope of this application to any particular non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiment(s) have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment(s) shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of other embodiment(s). Combinations of the above embodiment(s), and other embodiment(s) not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the relevant art(s) upon reviewing the description.
(46) References in the specification to one embodiment(s), an embodiment(s), a preferred embodiment(s), an alternative embodiment(s) and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least an embodiment(s) of the non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s). The appearances of the phrase non-limiting exemplary embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment(s).
(47) Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiment(s) and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.
(48) If used herein, about means approximately or nearly and in the context of a numerical value or range set forth means15% of the numerical.
(49) If used herein, substantially means largely if not wholly that which is specified but so close that the difference is insignificant.
(50) Non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure are referred to generally
(51) The non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) is/are referred to generally in
(52) In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the accessory 53 includes one of a power-actuated trigger mechanism 57 and a manually-actuated trigger mechanism 58.
(53) In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the accessory 53 includes an end cap 59 having the first silhouette 54.
(54) As shown in the various embodiments of
(55) Referring to
(56) Still referring to
(57) Referring to
(58) Still referring to
(59) Referring to
(60) Still referring to
(61) Referring to
(62) Another non-limiting exemplary embodiment is illustrated wherein the complete spray bottle includes selected structural features from the embodiments shown in
(63) Referring to
(64) Still referring to
(65) Referring to
(66) When purchased for the first time, the entire spray bottle will include the accessory 53 and reservoir 50. Once the liquid in the spray bottle has been depleted, the user can remove the existing accessory 53 and refill with chemical by pouring liquid in to the original container, or the user can simply replace the reservoir 50 with a similarly designed refill pod. The terms reservoir and spray bottle body are interchangeably used throughout this disclosure. The terms accessory and spray bottle head are interchangeably used throughout this disclosure.
(67) The reservoir 50 preferably attaches to the accessory 53 in any number of fashions including but not limited to twist on, screw on, snap on, or slide on. The spray bottle may also include a manner for hanging the entire mechanism on a belt loop, pocket, shelf, cart, etc. The accessory 53 has a dispensing tip 95 disposed at an outer perimeter of the reservoir 50 as well as subjacent to a topmost surface of the reservoir 50 such that the dispensing tip 95 is exposed and operable when the top stackable spray bottle 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 is stacked on top of the bottom stackable spray bottle 120, 220, 320, 420, 520. The dispensing tip 95 is laterally spaced apart from the first silhouette 54 and the second silhouette 55.
(68) The multiple benefits of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Stackability of the entire spray mechanism where individual bottles can be stacked one on top of each other. 2. Stackability of the spray bottle body so that replacement cartridges (aka refills) can be stacked one on top of each other. 3. A shorter overall profile that results in a reduction of bottle height. 4. Reduced waste and cost because the spray mechanism will be reused while the fluid container will be replaced with refills pods. 5. Improved durability due to the protected spray mechanism. 6. The ability to add a battery powered option for dispensing chemical. 7. A unique design that is differentiated from existing spray bottles.
(69) The benefits to manufacturers include a shorter profile that requires less shelf height when displayed on retailer shelves, more efficient shipping configurations from the factory, a eco-friendlier design that reduces waste, and a new, innovative design that will pique the interest of consumers.
(70) Consumer benefits include stackability of the multiple spray units, stackability of multiple refill pods, more efficient use of shelf/cabinet space, reduced waste and cost because only the fluid container needs to be replaced while the spray mechanism will be reused, an ergonomic, robust design that will last longer than existing spray bottles due to the protected spray mechanism, and a new, exciting design that is more attuned to similar types of houseware innovations.
(71) While non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) has/have been described with respect to certain specific embodiment(s), it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art(s) without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation.
(72) The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the above Detailed Description, various features may have been grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiment(s) require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s). Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.
(73) The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiment(s) which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the above detailed description.