Container and dispensing device

Abstract

A dispensing device includes first and second cylindrical portions which are detachably interconnected end-to-end. The first portion is arranged to store consumables, such as bags, for collecting pet faeces and includes a tubular side-wall 110 having an aperture formed therein through which the consumables can be dispensed. The second portion is arranged to store a fluid such as a hand sanitizer and has an outlet at one end through which the fluid can be dispensed. The dispensing device provides a convenient manner for storing consumables and associated fluids together, so that, for example, a user can sanitize their hands after picking up pet faeces using a dispensed bag.

Claims

1. A dispensing device comprising a container containing a roll of consumables and a fluid, said container comprising: a first portion and second portion each comprising a tubular side wall having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of said first portion and said second portion being closed by an end wall, and the second end of each of said first portion and said second portion being detachably for engaging the second end of said second portion and said first portion, respectively; and, said roll of consumables being contained in said first portion with an axis of said roll of consumables extending substantially coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the tubular side wall of said first portion, said tubular side wall of said first portion having an aperture through which consumables are able to be dispensed from said first portion, said second portion further comprising a vessel in which the fluid is contained, said tubular side wall of said second portion comprising a deformable region deformable in response to pressure for causing the fluid to be dispensed through an outlet in said second portion, the first end wall of said second portion forming a detachable closure for the outlet, the second end of said first portion being open for permitting said roll of consumable to be inserted axially into the said first portion when said first portion and said second portion are disengaged, said second portion further comprising an opening through which the vessel is able to be filled with the fluid to be dispensed, the detachable closure and the outlet being on a detachable member for closing the opening.

2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a sanitizing fluid.

3. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the consumable comprises a plurality of bags.

4. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said tubular side wall of each of said first portion and said second portion is cylindrical.

5. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said end wall of each of said first portion and said second portion is dome-shaped.

6. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said second end of the tubular side wall of said second portion is closed for containing the fluid in said second portion.

7. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said first portion is detachably engageable with a portion of said second portion via a snap-fit connection.

8. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said first portion is detachably engageable with a portion of said second portion via a screw-threaded connection.

Description

DESCRIPTION

(1) An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, the single FIG. of which is an exploded view of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) A container 100 as illustrated with reference to FIG. 1 comprises an upper cylindrical portion 102 and a lower cylindrical portion 104.

(3) The upper cylindrical portion 102 comprises upper 110 and lower ends 112. The upper end 110 is generally dome shaped. The lower end 112 is open and comprises a plurality of internal channels which extend circumferentially and are formed to engage a complementary external rib which extends circumferentially of an upper end 114 of the lower cylindrical portion 104 to bring the upper and lower cylindrical portions into detachable engagement using the snap-fit mechanism. The upper cylindrical portion 102 further comprises an aperture 134 formed in a side wall thereof through which a rolled consumable 116 may be dispensed. The longitiduinal axis of the rolled consumable 116 may be co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the upper cylindrical portion 102.

(4) A loop 118 may also provided on the first part for connection of the first part 102 to a belt hook 120 or carrying strap.

(5) The lower cylindrical portion 104 comprises a vessel 128 containing a sanitising fluid to be dispensed through an outlet 124 disposed on the lower end 122 thereof. The lower end 122 of the vessel 128 is attached to a dispensing portion 106 of the lower cylindrical portion 104. The vessel 128 comprises a deformable side wall 126 which may be deformed to apply a force to the sanitising fluid contained therein which causes the sanitising fluid to flow through the outlet 124.

(6) The outlet 124 also provides means by which the fluid contained inside the vessel 128 can be refilled by a user if the amount of fluid inside the vessel 128 is exhausted.

(7) The dispensing portion 106 comprises a closure 130 which can be pivoted between an open and closed position. The closure 130 is shown in FIG. 1 in its open position. The dispensing portion 106 comprises a dispensing nozzle 132 which is aligned with the outlet 124. This enables the sanitising fluid, when the side wall 126 of the vessel 128 is deformed, to flow through the outlet 124 and into the nozzle 132. If the closure 130 is in its open position then the sanitising fluid will flow through the nozzle and out of the container 100. If the closure 130 is in its closed position then a seal is formed which prevents the flow of sanitising fluid from the vessel 128 to the exterior of the container 100.

(8) The nozzle 132 is substantially narrower than the outlet 124 to enable more control to be exerted over the flow of the sanitising fluid that is flowing through the outlet into the nozzle 132.

(9) The dispensing portion 106 comprises a series of moulded channels or a thread (not shown) formed to engage a complementary formation (not shown) the lower cylindrical portion 104 to bring the dispensing portion 106 and the lower cylindrical portion 104 into detachable engagement. The detachable engagement of the dispensing portion 106 and the lower cylindrical portion 104 allows the dispensing portion 106 to be removed so that the vessel 128 can be refilled with sanitising fluid through the outlet 124. Optionally, the dispensing portion 106 may be integrally formed with the lower cylindrical portion 104 and a further closure (not shown) may be provided at an upper end of the vessel 128 through which the vessel 128 may be refilled with sanitising fluid.

(10) We will now describe the use of the container 100 considering an example where the container 100 is used to sanitise a user's hands after they clean up fecal matter deposited by their pet dog.

(11) After the fecal matter is deposited, the user can take a consumable 116, such as a plastic bag, from the plurality of plastic bags kept in the upper cylindrical portion 102 through aperture 134. The user then uses the plastic bag to pick up the fecal matter, preferably taking care not to expose themselves directly to the fecal matter. The plastic bag can then be placed into a waste disposal bin and the user then moves the closure 130 to an open position and squeezes the side wall of vessel 128 to force sanitising fluid from the vessel 128 into the hand of the user and uses the sanitising fluid to clean their hands to mitigate against the possibility of infection of any bacteria which was transferred to their hand when they used the plastic bag to dispose of the fecal matter.

(12) Following repeated usage, either the consumable 116 kept in the upper cylindrical portion 102 or the sanitising fluid stored in the lower cylindrical portion 104 may become exhausted and require replenishment.

(13) If the consumable 116 is exhausted, the upper cylindrical portion 102 may be detached from the lower cylindrical portion 104 and a new roll of rolled consumable 116 may be inserted into the upper cylindrical portion 102 to replenish the consumable 116.

(14) If the sanitising fluid is exhausted, the upper cylindrical portion 102 may be detached from the lower cylindrical portion 104 and the user may either dispose of the lower cylindrical portion 104 and fit another or refill the sanitising fluid through the outlet 124.

(15) A container in accordance with the present invention is simple and inexpensive in construction yet provides a convenient way of storing consumables and associated fluids together in a convenient manner.