A DISPENSER FOR A FLOWABLE SUBSTANCE

Abstract

A dispenser has a bottle (2) and a closure (3) for the bottle (2). The closure (3) has abase (4) forming a dispensing outlet (6) and a flip-cap for openably closing the dispensing outlet (6). The base (4) is attached on the bottle (2). The dispenser (1) further having a hinge (7) which interconnects the flip-cap and the base (4) for swiveling the flip-cap relative to the base (4) between a closed position, in which the flip-cap closes the outlet (6), and an open position in which the outlet (6) is open. The hinge (7) forms a swivel axis. The closure (3) forms a first end (18, 19) in a direction toward the flip-cap and a second end (18, 19) in a direction toward the base (4). The closure (3) in an area between the hinge-level plane and the second end (18, 19) forms an outer surface circumferentially around the longitudinal axis which is at least partly provided by an outer surface of the base (4) and an outer surface of the flip-cap.

Claims

1. A dispenser for a flowable substance extending along a longitudinal axis, the dispenser comprising: a bottle and a closure for the bottle; the closure comprising a base forming a dispensing outlet and a flip-cap for openably closing the dispensing outlet; the base being attached on the bottle; the dispenser further comprising a hinge which interconnects the flip-cap and the base for swiveling the flip-cap relative to the base between a closed position, in which the flip-cap closes the outlet, and an open position in which the outlet is open; the hinge forming a swivel axis in a hinge-level plane that is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; wherein the closure forms a first end in a direction toward the flip-cap and a second end in a direction toward the base; wherein the closure in an area between the hinge-level plane and the second end forms an outer surface circumferentially around the longitudinal axis which is at least partly provided by an outer surface of the base and an outer surface of the flip-cap; wherein in the closed position a first label is attached on said outer closure surface, with the first label covering at least a portion of the outer base surface and at least a portion of the outer flip-cap surface and thereby retaining the flip-cap against swiveling toward the open position; wherein the flip-cap and the base in combination form a parting line in the closed position of the dispenser, and wherein the parting line extends at least in part offset from the hinge-level plane, and wherein the offset is in a direction from the hinge toward the second end of the closure, and wherein the parting line is defined on a parting-level plane that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flip-cap is formed by a cup-shaped shell having a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall extending from the bottom wall.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the hinge is connected to the side wall of the flip-cap.

4. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein a first retention structure is provided in or at the side wall for cooperation with a second retention structure provided on the base.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first label extends at least partially circumferentially around the longitudinal axis.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the first label forms a pull-strap for facilitating the first label to be removed by a user.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising hag a second label bonded on the bottle.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the second label is additionally bonded to the base.

9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the first and second label are connected via a predetermined breaking zone allowing for the first label to be removed from the dispenser without removing the second label.

10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the closure between the hinge-level plane and the second end of the closure forms a cylindrical surface.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, comprising the flowable substance, wherein the flowable substance is a dental bonding dental material.

12. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hinge is configured to urge the flip-cap in either a pre-closed or an open position, wherein the pre-closed position is between the closed and the open position and closer to the closed position, and wherein in the pre-closed position the flip-cap and the remainder of the dispenser are visibly misaligned.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in a closed position;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in an open position;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a dispenser 1 for a flowable substance. The dispenser 1 has a bottle 2 and a closure 3. The closure 3 has a base 4 and a flip-cap 5 that are interconnected by a hinge 7 so that the flip-cap 5 and the base 4 can be swiveled relative to each other between a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) and an open position (shown in FIG. 2). In the example, the flip-cap 5, the base 4 and the hinge 7 are injection-molded in one piece (monolithically formed). The hinge 7 particularly forms a living hinge. The living hinge provides for the swiveling based on a deformation of a thin band of plastic material (and not on two parts that move relative to each other by a sliding fitting). In the example, the hinge 7 further is a bistable hinge that urges the flip-cap 5 and the base 4 toward either of the closed or the open position, and prevents the flip-cap 5 and the base 4 from positioning in an intermediate position between the open and the closed position.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2 the base 4 forms a dispensing outlet 6 for the flowable substance stored in the bottle. For dispensing the flowable substance the dispenser 1 is typically held with the outlet down (and the bottle up) so that the substance flows toward the base 4. The bottle 2, so held in place, can be (slightly) squeezed for dispensing the substance. The outlet 6 is formed by a dropper nose 8 (which is described in further detail below).

[0032] The base 4 has a shoulder 9 for sealing with the flip-cap 5. In particular, a side wall 10 formed by the flip-cap 5 and the shoulder are dimensioned to snugly and sealingly fit with one another in the closed position of the dispenser 1.

[0033] Further, the side wall 10 has a first retention structure 12 and the base 4 (in particular the shoulder 9) has a second retention structure 11. In the example the first retention structure 12 is a recess and the second retention structure 11 is a bulge. The first and second retention structure 11, 12 are positioned and configured such that they engage with each other in the closed position of the dispenser 1. Thus, the first and second retention structure 11, 12 retain the flip-cap 5 and the base 4 in the closed position by means of a snap-retention. The skilled person is aware that the first retention structure may likewise be a bulge or other positive structure and the second retention structure may be a recess or other negative structure. Other retention structures are possible.

[0034] The dispenser 1 extends along a longitudinal axis A. Further, the dispenser 1 has an overall cylindrical shape (as visible in FIG. 1) except for an actuator portion 14. The actuator portion 14 is shaped to allow a user to push the flip-cap 5 toward the open position, for example with a thumb. For pushing the flip-cap 5 toward the open position the user may place the dispenser 1 in one hand, holding the dispenser at the bottle 2 with the fingers of that hand and using the thumb of the same hand to push the flip-cap 5 toward the open position. Accordingly, the dispenser 1 enables a single-handed operation. The actuator portion 14 particularly forms a protrusion that protrudes in a dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis A. Further the actuator portion 14 forms an indentation 17. The indentation 17 helps positioning and retaining a user's thumb or finger at a desired position for reliably pushing the flip-cap 5 toward the open position.

[0035] The hinge 7 forms a swivel axis B that is arranged offset from the longitudinal axis A and oriented transverse, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The swivel axis B is defined within a virtual hinge-level plane 15 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. It is noted that the skilled person appreciates that the swivel axis B formed by the hinge may in some embodiments undergo a slight parallel or generally parallel displacement during swiveling. This shall however be covered by the present invention.

[0036] The closure 3 has a first end 18 and a second end 19. In the example the hinge-level plane 15 is arranged between the first end 18 and the second end 19. In an area between the hinge-level plane 15 and the second end 19 the closure forms an outer surface circumferentially around the longitudinal axis. This outer surface of the closure is at least partly provided by an outer surface of the base 4 and further is at least partly provided by an outer surface of the flip-cap 5. In the example, the outer surface of the closure 3 is cylindrical, composed of a partial cylindrical surface of the base 4 and a partial cylindrical surface of the flip-cap 5.

[0037] As indicated in FIG. 1 the flip-cap 5 and the base 4 in combination form a parting line 13. The parting line 13 is formed in an area in which the flip-cap 5 and the base 4 abut on each other. In the closed position of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1 the parting line 13 extends at least in part offset from the hinge-level plane. In particular, the parting line at the outer surface of the closure opposite of the hinge 7 is offset from the hinge-level plane toward the second end 19 of the closure.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows the dispenser 1 in a cross-sectional view. The bottle 2 in the example has a neck 20 having an outer thread 21 which is mounted in a receptacle 22 of the base 4. The receptacle 22 has an inner thread 23 which is a corresponding counter thread of the outer thread 21 of the bottle 2. Although a thread connection between the bottle 2 and the closure 3 is preferred, the skilled person is aware of other connections that may likewise be used with the present invention. Other examples comprise a snap or plug connection, a welded connection an adhesive connection and other appropriate connections. In the example the dispenser 1 has a plug connection in combination with the thread connection. In particular, the bottle has a sealing rim that forms a free end of the bottle 2.

[0039] The bottle 2 has an opening 24 (which is the only opening of the bottle 2). The opening 24 of the bottle 2 is in fluid communication with an outlet channel 25 provided within the dropper nose 8. In the example the outlet channel 25 has a first portion 25a. The first portion 25a tapers from approximately the opening 24 of the bottle 2 in a direction toward the outlet 6. Further, the outlet channel 25 has a second portion 25b and a third portion 25c. The third portion 25c starts at the second portion 25b and widens toward the outlet 6. In particular, the third portion 25c forms an inner funnel-shaped surface that forms the outlet 6 at an end of the third portion 25c. The inner funnel-shaped surface in combination with the outlet 6 and the physical properties of the flowable substance provide for forming droplets of a reliably reproducible drop size during dispensing.

[0040] The dispenser 1 in FIG. 3 is shown in the closed position. In the closed position the flip-cap 5 closes the outlet 6. In particular, in the closed position the flip-cap 5 seals the outlet 6. Thus, the flowable substance is prevented from leaking out of the outlet 6. The flip-cap 5 therefore has a seal 26 which in the example is a flat elastic pad that is pressed on the end of the dropper nose 8 in the closed position. The flip-cap 5 can be swiveled to the open position (as shown in FIG. 2) so that the outlet 6 is open.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows the dispenser 1 with a first label 30 attached to it. In particular the first label 30 is wrapped around the outer surface of the closure in the area between the hinge-level plane 15 and the second end 19 of the closure 3. The first label 30 extends therefore circumferentially around the longitudinal axis A. Due to the fact that the outer surface of the closure in the area between the hinge-level plane 15 and the second end 19 of the closure 3 is provided by a portion of the outer surface of the base 4 as well as by a portion of the outer surface of the flip-cap 5, the first label 30 covers both, the portion of the outer surface of the base 4 and the portion of the outer surface of the flip cap 5. Therefore the first label 30 holds the flip-cap 5 and the base 4 in the closed position and retains the flip-cap 5 and the base 4 against swiveling toward the open position. The first label 30 in the example is further adhesive coated. Thus, the first label 30 is bonded to both, the portion of the outer surface of the base 4 and the portion of the outer surface of the flip cap 5. The holding and retention effect provided by the first label 30 against swiveling the flip-cap and the base toward the open position is therefore maximized.

[0042] The first label 30 further has a pull-strap 31. The pull-strap 31 in the example is not sticky. Therefore the pull-strap 31 may protrude away from the dispenser or may at least be easily detachable from the dispenser 1. The pull-strap 31 allows the first label to be grasped by a user who then can pull the first label away from the dispenser 1. The pull-strap 31 in the example further is configured as a tamper-evident label. This means that the first label after removal or partial removal cannot be reattached or rebonded.

[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a tamper tamper-evident label 33 which comprises the first label 31 and a second label 32. The first and second label 31, 32 in the example are interconnected via a pre-determined breaking zone 34. The first and second label 31, 32 may for example be part of one contiguous label and the pre-determined breaking zone 34 may be provided by a weakened (a partial cut through the label) line or a perforation arranged between the first and second label 31, 32. It is noted that in another example the first and second label may be separate (not interconnected). In that case the first label is provided with tamper evident properties. For example, a layer of the first layer may irreversibly split from another layer of the first label upon the first label is pulled off the dispenser 1. The second label 32 is sized to also extend over a part of the bottle. A third label (not shown) may be arranged on the dispenser 1, in particular on the bottle 2. The third label 35 may comprise a product identification and further information, like for example contents and expiration date.

[0044] The second label 32 in covers a portion of an outer surface of the base 4 as well as a portion of an outer surface of the bottle 2, but does not cover any surface portion of the flip-cap 5. The second label 32 is provided with an adhesive and bonded on the dispenser 1 by the adhesive. Thus, the second label 32 secures the bottle 2 and the base 4 (and thus the closure 3) from moving relative each other. In particular the second label 32 prevents the bottle 2 and the base 4 from being screwed off from each other. The second label 32 further is wrapped around the entire circumference of the dispenser (preferably with ends of the second label overlapping each other). Thus, any gap between the base 4 and the bottle 2 is closed or covered by the second label. This helps maximizing the hygiene in that undesired substances (like dirt and bacteria) are hindered from gathering in the gap.