Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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REFILLABLE DISPENSING SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates to fluid dispensing systems and components
thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hand washing is important in many industries, including hospitality
(hotels,
restaurants, etc.) and healthcare (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.). To
facilitate hand
washing, fluid dispensers that dispense hand cleansing products may be placed
near sinks
of a kitchen or washroom for the washing of hands by employees or patrons of
an
establishment, employees, patients, or visitors to a healthcare facility, or
other persons.
Such fluid dispensers house a disposable or refillable product container, such
as a
cartridge or flexible bag, containing a supply of the desired fluid product.
The fluid may
include, for example, foams, liquids, and/or gels. The dispensers are
generally wall
mounted and include a hinged cover which permits opening and closing of the
dispenser
housing so that the supply of fluid product may be refilled or replaced. Some
fluid
dispensers are manually actuated by pushing or pulling a handle, bar, or
button on the
dispenser. Others dispense automatically by sensing presence of a user or the
user's hands
near the dispenser.
SUMMARY
[0003] In general, the disclosure relates to refillable dispensing systems and
components
thereof.
[0004] In one example, the disclosure is directed to a refillable dispensing
system
comprising a filling station including a docking connector, the filling
station configured to
dispense a chemical product solution from a chemical product concentrate, a
product
package configured to contain a quantity of the chemical product concentrate,
and a
fitment insert fitted within a neck of the product package, the fitment insert
configured to
mate with the docking connector and form a sealed connection therewith, the
fitment
insert further comprising a fitment insert body including a first bore
defining a fluid
passage from a first side of the fitment insert body to a second side of the
fitment insert
body, the fitment insert body further including an interior wall forming a
circumferential
ridge around the interior of the fluid passage, a tubular barb member having a
first end and
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a second end and configured to fit within the fluid passage of the fitment
insert body with
the first end disposed toward the first side of the fluid passage, the barb
member having a
second bore extending from the first end to the second end, a check ball seal
disposed
between the first end of the barb member and the circumferential ridge, and a
check ball
that is biased to a closed position with respect to the check ball seal within
the fluid
passage, the check ball further disposed to slide within the second bore
between the closed
position and an open position, the docking connector further comprising a
docking
connector body, and a fill probe configured to depress the check ball from the
first side of
the fitment insert body and move the check ball from the closed position to
the open
position when the fitment insert is mated with the docking connector.
[0005] The fitment insert body may further include a vent bore defining a
venting passage
from the first side of the fitment insert body to the second side of the
fitment insert body, a
vent probe seal disposed around an circumferential interior ridge within the
venting
passage, and a tubular vent probe configured to fit within the venting
passage, the vent
probe biased to a closed position with respect to the vent probe seal, the
vent probe further
disposed to slide within the venting passage between the closed position and
an open
position.
[0006] In another example, the disclosure is directed to a fitment insert that
forms a sealed
port through which a product package may be filled with a fluid chemical
product,
comprising a fitment insert body including a first bore defining a fluid
passage from a first
side of the fitment insert body to a second side of the fitment insert body,
the fitment insert
body further including an interior wall foliating a circumferential ridge
around the interior
of the fluid passage, a tubular barb member having a first end and a second
end and
configured to fit within the fluid passage of the fitment insert body with the
first end
disposed toward the first side of the fluid passage, the barb member having a
second bore
extending from the first end to the second end, a seal disposed between the
first end of the
barb member and the circumferential ridge, and a check ball that is spring-
biased to a
closed position with respect to the seal within the fluid passage, the check
ball further
disposed to slide within the second bore between the closed position and an
open position.
The fitment insert body may further include a circumferential rim disposed
around the first
side of the fitment insert body; and a plurality of circumferential fitment
tabs disposed
around a sidewall of the fitment insert body, the fitment tabs and
circumferential rim
configured to receive a neck of the product package.
2
[0007] In another example, the disclosure is directed to a refillable product
package
comprising a fitment insert. The refillable product package may further
include a product
bottle having a neck, wherein the fitment insert body is fitted within the
neck of the
product bottle.
[0008] In another example, the disclosure is directed to a refillable product
package
comprising a product package having a one or more sidewalls and a neck, and a
fitment
insert that forms a sealed port through which a product package may be filled
with a fluid
chemical product, the fitment insert comprising a fitment insert body
configured to
sealably fit within the neck of the product package, the fitment insert body
including a first
bore defining a fluid passage from a first side of the fitment insert body to
a second side of
the fitment insert body, the fitment insert body further including an interior
wall forming a
circumferential ridge around the interior of the fluid passage, a tubular barb
member
having a first end and a second end and configured to fit within the fluid
passage of the
fitment insert body with the first end disposed toward the first side of the
fluid passage, the
barb member having a second bore extending from the first end to the second
end, a seal
disposed between the first end of the barb member and the circumferential
ridge, and a
check ball that is spring-biased to a closed position with respect to the seal
within the fluid
passage, the check ball further disposed to slide within the second bore
between the closed
position and an open position.
[0009] The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying
disclosure.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example refillable dispensing system.
[0011] FIG. 1B shows the example filling station housing of FIG. lA with a
door open,
and FIG. 1C shows the example filling station housing of FIG. 1A with a
different door
open.
[0012] FIGS. 2A and 2B shows an example dispenser which may be used to
dispense
chemical product from a product package such as that shown in FIG. 1A.
[0013] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional diagram of an example fitment insert mated
with a
docking connector, and showing the check ball in the open position.
[0014] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional diagram of an example fitment insert
showing the
check ball in the closed position.
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[0015] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of an example check ball sealing ring.
[0016] FIG. 3D is a magnified cross-sectional diagram of an example fitment
insert
showing the check ball in the closed position.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fitment insert barb.
[0018] FIGS. 5A is an exploded view of an example barb, spring, ball and ball
seal of an
example fitment insert.
[0019] FIG. 5B is a diagram showing of an example barb, spring, ball, and ball
seal as
they would be assembled within an example fitment insert.
[0020] FIGS. 6A-6C are cross-sectional diagrams illustrating an example
fitment insert in
a closed position, an open position, and a vacuum relief position,
respectively.
[0021] FIGS. 7 and 8 are top perspective and bottom perspective views,
respectively, of
an example fitment insert body docked with an example docking connector.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view of an example fitment insert.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an example fitment insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In general, the disclosure is directed to refillable dispensing systems
and
components thereof. The system may include one or more reusable or refillable
product
packages configured to dock with an automated refilling station. The automated
filling
station automatically mixes concentrated chemical product with a diluent and
dispenses
the resulting chemical product solution. The product package may include a
fitment insert
configured to mate with a docking connector at the automated refilling
station. When the
product package is docked with the filling station, cooperation of the docking
connector
and the fitment insert may allow air to exit the interior of the product
package as the
chemical product is dispensed into the product package. When chemical product
is
dispensed from the product package, the fitment insert may further allow air
to enter the
interior of the product package to prevent collapse of the product package
walls. Fitment
insert and docking connection may be further configured to eliminate residual
product
build-up after dispensing of the diluted chemical product solution into
product package,
thus enabling the product package to achieve a dry break from the filling
station. Once
removed from the docking connection, the example fitment insert provides a
positive,
closed seal for the product package that does not leak in any orientation
under normal
conditions.
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[0025] FIG. lA is a shows an example refillable dispensing system 100.
Refillable
dispensing system 100 includes a filling station 110 and at least one product
package 152.
In the examples described herein, product package 152 may be reusable or
refillable.
Filling station 110 automatically mixes concentrated chemical product with a
diluent and
dispenses the resulting chemical product solution to product package 152. A
concentrate
container 118 (see FIG. 1B) located within filling station 110 stores the
chemical product
concentrate. Filling station 110 is further connected to receive the diluent
(such as water).
A mixing pump within the filling station (not shown) automatically draws an
appropriate
amount of chemical product concentrate from concentrate container 118 and
mixes it with
an appropriate amount of diluent to create a chemical product solution having
a target
concentration. In the case of hand soap concentrates, for example, the
dilution ratio may
be 5:1 (5 parts diluent to 1 part concentrate) or 10:1. However, it shall be
understood that
any dilution ratio may be used and that the disclosure is not limited in this
respect.
[0026] Example refillable dispensing system 100 may be used with any type of
concentrated chemical product, including but not limited to hand cleansers,
liquid soaps,
lotions, gels, foams, shampoos, hand creams, sanitizers, disinfectants, foams,
detergents,
bleaches, cleaning agents, laundry products, dish washing products, etc. In
other
examples, system 100 may be used with any other type of chemical product.
[0027] Filling station 110 includes filling station housing 122, an actuator
112, and doors
120A and 120B. FIG. 1B shows the example tilling station housing 122 of FIG.
lA with
door 120B open. A window 116 permits a user to view the amount of concentrate
remaining in concentrate container 118. A lock 116 permits a user to lock
filling station
housing 122 so as to ensure only authorized users have access to the interior
of the filling
station housing and to permit tampering. Opening of door 120B pennits access
to the
interior of the filling station housing 122 so that concentrate container 118
may be
replaced when it becomes empty or when dispensation of a different chemical
product is
desired. FIG. 1C shows the example filling station housing of FIG. lA with
door 120A
open. Opening of door 120A pennits access to the interior of filling station
housing 122
and access to an automated filling pump 115 and docking connector 300. When
the
fitment insert of a product package is mated to docking connector 300,
actuation of
actuator 112 causes automated filling pump 115 to automatically mix
concentrated
chemical product stored in concentrate container 118 with a diluent and
dispenses the
resulting chemical product solution into the product package through the fill
port defined
by the product package fitment insert.
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[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1A, example product package 152 includes one or
more
sidewalls 155 footling an enclosed product package configured to contain a
quantity of
chemical product. Product package 152 further includes an input port defined
by a neck
156 through which product package may be filled with chemical product and an
output
.. port 158A through which chemical product may be dispensed from the product
package.
A fitment insert 200 fitted within the neck 156 of product package 152 is
configured to
font' a sealed connection with a docking connector (see, e.g., FIG. 3) located
within the
filling station housing 122. Fitment insert 200 font's a fill port through
which product
package 152 may be refilled. Once removed from the docking connection, fitment
insert
io 200 provides a positive seal for product package 152 that does not leak
in any orientation
under normal conditions. Fitment insert 200 and docking connection may be
further
configured to eliminate residual product build-up after dispensing of the
solution into
product package 152, thus enabling the product package 152 to achieve a dry
break from
the filling station after filling of the product package is completed.
[0029] Product package 152 may be further connected to a pump 154 to permit
the
chemical product to be dispensed from product package 152. In the example of
FIG. 1A,
product package 152 and pump 154 are connected by virtue of mating threads
158A and
158B on product package 152 and pump 154, respectively. Product package 152
and
pump 154 may in turn be loaded into a product dispenser, such as product
dispenser 180 as
shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Pump 154 may be configured to deliver any form of
chemical
product, for example, liquids, foams, gels, alcohol foams, etc. In some
examples, the
combination of pump 154 and product package 152 may provide up to 99% product
evacuation of the product package 152 for a wide range of product viscosities
and
densities.
[0030] FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example dispenser 180 which may be used to
dispense
chemical product from a product package, such as product package 152. As shown
in
FIG. 2A, dispenser 180 includes a dispenser cover 182 and a push bar 184. FIG.
2B
shows example dispenser 180 with the cover 182 and push bar 184 removed. Push
bar
184, when actuated by a user, causes a dispense mechanism 188 to engage with
pump 154
to result in dispensation of a discrete quantity of the chemical product as
indicated by
arrow 186. In other examples, a different type of manual actuator may be used
in place of
push bar 184. Alternatively, dispenser 180 may include a sensor that detects
presence of a
user's hands near the dispenser and automatically triggers an actuator to
dispense a
quantity of fluid in response to the detection.
6
[0031] Hand care dispensers, such as example dispenser 180, are generally
placed near
sinks in kitchens, hospital rooms, restrooms, or other locations to facilitate
hand washing
by employees, members of the public, or other users. Depending upon the
environment in
which the dispenser is being used (e.g., a hospitality or restaurant location
as opposed to a
health care location), the type of fluid being dispensed, and/or the
particular requirements
of the organization or corporate entity, the desired amount of fluid product
to be dispensed
may differ. In some examples, pump 154 and/or dispenser 180 may be implemented
as
shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 8,851,331 to Pelkey et at., issued
October 7,2014,
and U.S. Patent No. 8,991,655 to Pelkey, issued March 31, 2015. However, it
shall be
understood that other pump and/or dispenser designs may also be used, and that
the
disclosure is not limited in this respect.
[0032] The combination of refill station 110, product package 152, fitment
insert 200, and
pump 154 results in a "closed-loop" refillable dispensing system in the sense
there is no
user contact with concentrated chemicals. The refilling station automatically
provides the
correct dilution ratio of the concentrated chemical product, and the sealed
connection of
the fitment insert and the docking connector greatly reduces, if not
eliminates, worker
exposure to harsh chemicals. Refillable dispensing system 100 may thus
increase ease of
use, worker safety, and accuracy in the preparation of diluted chemical
solutions.
[0033] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional diagram of an example fitment insert 200
mated with
an example docking connector 300, and showing a check ball 212 in the open
position
with respect to a check ball sealing ring 216. Docking connector 300 may form
the
receiving connector of a filling station, such as filling station 110 as shown
in FIG. I.
Docking connector 300 includes a docking connector body 304, a fill probe 302,
and a
vent tab 306. Fitment insert 200 includes a fitment insert body 204 including
a first bore
209 defining a fluid passage from a first side 201 of the fitment insert body
to a second
side 203 of the fitment insert body, the fitment insert body further including
an interior
wall 205 forming a circumferential ridge 223 around the interior of the fluid
passage.
[0034] Fitment insert body also includes a barb member 220, check ball 212, a
spring 214,
and a vent probe 208. Fitment insert body 204 further includes a plurality of
fitment tabs
202 and a rim 203. Fitment insert body 200 further includes a docking seal
206, a ball seal
216 a vent probe seal 210 and a fitment rim seal 218. Barb member 220 is
generally
tubular in shape, includes a first end and a second end, and is configured to
fit within the
fluid passage of the fitment insert body 204 with the first end disposed
toward the first
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side of the fluid passage, the barb member also includes a bore extending from
the first
end to the second end.
[0035] When inserted into a product package, such as product package 152 of
FIG. 1,
fitment insert body receives the neck 156 of product package 152 between rim
203 and
fitment tabs 202. Fitment tabs 202 flex inwardly during insertion of fitment
insert body
204 into the neck 156 of product package 152 and then release hack once the
neck 156 of
product package 152 is fully received within the space defined by rim 203 and
fitment tabs
202. Force exerted by fitment tabs 202 presses neck 156 of product package 152
against
fitment rim sealing ring 218 to provide a seal between the fitment insert body
204 and
neck 156 of product package 152.
[0036] Fitment insert body 200 and docking connector 300 cooperate to provide
a closed-
loop system in which chemical product may be delivered from, for example,
refill station
110, to a product package such as product package 152 without exposing a user
to harsh
chemical concentrates. When fully docked, fill probe 302 of docking connector
body 304
depresses check ball 212, allowing for product to flow into the product
package as
indicated by arrow 160. While the product package is docked, tabs 304 of
docking
connector body 304 depress vent probe 208 to allow entrapped air to leave the
product
package through a venting aperture 211. A docking seal 206 prevents product
from
leaking out between fitment insert body 204 and docking connector body 304.
Fill probe
302 is configured to depress check ball 212 from the first side 201 of the
fitment insert
body and move check ball 212 from the closed position with respect to seal 216
to the
open position with respect to seal 216 when fitment insert 200 is mated with
docking
connector 300.
[0037] In some examples, once the package is removed from docking connector
300,
check ball 212 is biased to closed position with respect to the check ball
seal 216. In the
example of FIG. 3A, the biasing force is provided by spring 214 pushes check
ball against
ball sealing ring 216 (or simply check ball seal 216), forming a positive,
leak-proof seal.
However, it shall be understood that other mechanisms for biasing the check
hall may also
be used, and that the disclosure is not limited in this respect. A user may
carry, transport,
or store the product package in any orientation without product leaving the
package. To
dispense the product, the user need not to open the container as it is a
closed-loop system.
The contents of the product package are dispensed/evacuated during normal use
within the
respective dispenser unit.
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[0038] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional diagram of an example fitment insert 200
showing the
check ball 212 in the closed position with respect to a check ball sealing
ring 216. Sealing
ring 216 is seated in a groove defined by a top edge of barb 220 and an inside
edge ridge
formed by fitment insert body 204. When fitment insert 200 is not mated to
docking
connector 300, a force provided by spring 214 pushes check ball 212 upwardly
and against
sealing ring 216, creating a seal at the interface of the check hall 212 and
sealing ring 216.
[0039] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of an example check ball sealing ring
216. and FIG.
3D is a magnified cross-sectional diagram of an example fitment insert 200
showing check
ball 212 in the closed position with respect to the check ball sealing ring
216. Example
sealing ring 216 is generally in the shape of a torus having a non-circular
cross-section.
Sealing ring may be fabricated using, for example, an elastomeric material.
Sealing ring
216 has a non-circular cross-section including a flattened sealing surface
217, and fitment
sealing surfaces 215A and 215B. Fitment sealing surfaces 215A and 215B are
shaped to
fit the geometry of an interior ridge 223 formed within longitudinal bore 209
of fitment
insert body 204. In this way, sealing surface 217 of sealing ring 216
presented to check
ball 212 in the closed position presents a relatively greater surface area for
the sealing
interface as compared to a sealing ring having a circular cross-section.
[0040] Sealing ring 216 is seated in a groove defined by a top edge 221 of
barb 220 and a
lower surface of interior ridge 223 formed within a longitudinal bore 209
through fitment
insert body 204. The longitudinal axis of the bore 209 of fitment insert body
is generally
aligned (e.g., co-linear) with the longitudinal bore 226 of barb 220 (see,
e.g., FIG. 5B)
when barb 220 is received within bore 209. When fitment insert 200 is not
mated to
docking connector 300, the force provided by spring 214 pushes check ball 212
upwardly
and against sealing ring 216, creating a seal at the interface of the check
ball 212 and the
sealing ring 216. Again, due to the flattened sealing surface 217 of sealing
ring 216, a
relatively greater surface area is provided for the sealing interface between
sealing ring
216 and check ball 212 as compared to a sealing ring having a circular cross-
section.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fitment insert barb 220. Barb 220 is
sized to fit
within fitment insert body 204. Barb 220 includes one or more guide rails 222,
a barb tip
224, a longitudinal bore 226 and a spring seat 228. FIGS. 5A is an exploded
view of an
example barb 220, spring 214, ball 212, and ball seal 216 of an example
fitment insert
300. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing an example barb 220, spring
214, ball
212, and ball seal 216 as they would be assembled within an example fitment
insert 300.
Guide rails 222 are sized to guide movement of check ball 212 from a sealed
position to an
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open position. An inner rim formed around the circumference of bore 226 forms
a spring
seat 228 that supports spring 214 within bore 226.
[0042] FIGS. 6A-6C are cross-sectional diagrams illustrating a fitment insert
in a closed
position, an open position, and a vacuum relief position, respectively. In the
closed
position as shown in FIG. 6A, check ball 212 is held against ball seal 216 by
the spring
force provided by spring 214 (not shown in FIG. 6A for purposes of
illustration). Once
fitment insert body 204 is fully docked with docking connector body 304, fill
probe 302
depresses check ball 212, causing it to move from the closed position shown in
FIG. 6A to
the open position as shown in FIG. 6B. In the open position, fluid is
dispensed through
io the tip of fill probe 302, around check ball 212 and into the product
package.
[0043] Once the product package is removed from the filling station, and thus
the fitment
insert body 204 is removed from the docking connector body 304, tension
provided by
spring 214 (not shown in FIGS. 6A-6C) pushes check ball 212 against ball seal
216,
forming a tightly closure and preventing chemical product from leaving the
product
package through the fill port provided by the fitment insert 300, Product
package may
then be loaded into a chemical product dispenser, such as example dispenser
180 as shown
in FIGS. 2A and 2B. When product is subsequently dispensed from the product
package,
such as by manual actuation of a push bar or automatic actuation by a motion
or presence
sensor, a partial vacuum within the product package is created due to the seal
provided by
the check ball 212 and seal 216 of fitment insert body 302. In some examples,
however,
the spring tension of spring 214 is designed to maintain equilibrium of the
product
package pressure during product dispense. For example, the spring tension may
be such
that the partial vacuum resulting from dispensation of the chemical product
from the
product package draws ball 212 away from the ball seal 216 enough to allow air
to enter
and prevent collapse of the product package, as shown in FIG. 6C.
[0044] In some examples, the tip of fill probe 302 may include a protruding
rib 310 that
depresses check ball 212 and separates check ball 212 from apertures 312 in
the fill probe
302 from which chemical product solution is dispensed, as shown in FIGS. 6A-
6C. The
filling operation takes place below the scaling surface of the fitment insert
(that is, below
fitment-to-product package seal 216 and docking seal 206) so that residual
build-up of
product is mitigated. This may help to achieve a clean separation from docking
connector
300 and fitment insert 200.
[0045] FIGS. 7 and 8 are top perspective and bottom perspective views,
respectively, of a
fitment insert 200 mated with a docking connector 300. As shown above with
respect to
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FIG. 4, docking connector 300 may form the receiving connector of a filling
station, such
as filling station 110 as shown in FIG. 1. Docking connector 300 includes
docking
connector body 304, fill probe 302, and vent tab 306. Fitment insert 200
includes fitment
insert body 204, barb 220, check ball 212, spring 214, and vent probe 208.
Fitment insert
body 204 further includes a plurality of fitment tabs 202 and rim 203. Fitment
insert body
200 further includes docking seal 206, ball seal 216, vent probe seal 210 and
fitment rim
seal 218.
[0046] When inserted into a product package, such as product package 152 of
FIG. 1,
fitment insert body receives the neck 156 of product package 152 between rim
203 and
io fitment tabs 202. Fitment tabs 202 flex inwardly during insertion of
fitment insert body
204 into neck 156 of product package 152 and release back once the neck 156 of
product
package 152 is fully received within the space defined by rim 203 and fitment
tabs 202.
Force exerted by fitment tabs 202 presses neck 156 of product package 152
against fitment
rim sealing ring 218 to provide a seal between the fitment insert body 204 and
neck 156 of
product package 152.
[0047] Fitment insert body 200 and docking connector 300 cooperate to provide
a closed-
loop system in which chemical product may be delivered from, for example,
refill station
110, to a product package such as product package 152 without exposing a user
to harsh
chemical concentrates. When fully docked, fill probe 302 of docking connector
body 304
depresses check ball 212, allowing for product to flow into the product
package as
indicated by arrow 160. A longitudinal bore 226 extending through barb 226
receives
check ball 212. A spring 214 fits within bore 226 and is supported by spring
seat 214.
Check ball 212 moves within guide rails 222 between a closed position (not
docked) and
an open (docked) position. Movement of the check ball 212 is resisted by
spring 214.
Spring 214 is supported by spring seat 228 formed at the base of guide rails
222 around an
inner circumference of barb 220.
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[0048] Guide rails 222 maintain proper alignment of check ball 212, helping to
prevent
misalignment of the check ball 212 with respect to the seal 216. The top edge
of barb 220
maintains constant positioning of ball seal 216 and helps prevent ball seal
216 from
becoming dislodged.
[0049] Check ball 212 moves in a linear path along guide rails 222 depending
on the
forces acting on it. Once seated, spring 214 creates a positive seal between
check hall 212
and 0-ring seal 216 until sufficient cracking pressure (provided by
dispensation of the
chemical product from the product package) breaks the seal.
[0050] While the product package is docked, tabs 304 of docking connector body
304
io depress vent probe tip 208A, causing vent probe 208 to move downwardly
(as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8) This movement of vent probe 208 further results in vent probe
shoulder
208B to move away from vent probe seal 210, thus allowing entrapped air to
leave the
product package while the product package is being filled. Docking seal 206
prevents the
chemical product from leaking out between fitment insert body 204 and docking
connector
body 304.
[0051] Once the product package (and thus the fitment insert body 204) is
removed from
docking connector 300, force provided by spring 214 pushes check ball against
ball seal
216, forming a positive, leak-proof seal. A user may carry, transport, or
store the product
package in any orientation without leakage of the chemical product.
[0052] Although specific example mechanisms to achieve the filling and venting
functions, alternative methods may also be used, and the disclosure is not
limited in this
respect. For example, these functions may be accomplished using a combination
valve, a
duckbill valve, magnetic valves, a vented membrane, an EPDM ball, an umbrella
valve,
etc.
[0053] FIG. 9 is a top view of an example fitment insert 200. Visible in FIG.
9 are fitment
insert body 204, rim 203, fitment seal 218, vent probe tip 208A, vent tab 306
(visible
through aperture 211 in the top of fitment insert body 304), ball 212, and
barb 220.
[0054] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an example fitment insert 200. Visible in
FIG. 10 are
fitment insert body 204, locking tabs 202, vent probe base 208C, ball 212 and
barb 220.
Product package 152 may be of any appropriate size to fit a variety of
dispensing
applications. For hand washing applications, for example, product package 152
may be
offered in multiple sizes, such as 1250m1 (70 gram), 750m1 (40 gram), and/or
any other
appropriately sized bottles. In some examples, product package 152 is
comprised of a
lightweight 100% recyclable High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). For example, the
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product package may be formed utilizing a high density polyethylene resin with
a density
greater than 0.953 g/cc (per ASTM D1505). In some applications, the product
package
may incorporate a percentage (e.g., 25%) of reclaimed post-consumer resin
(PCR). The
product package design may be aimed at keeping a small footprint while
maximizing fill
volume. This may be accomplished by designing a low profile top finish and
using the
inner finish edge as a mechanism to affix the insert permanently via lock
tabs. The product
package, fitment insert and docking connection may be designed with tight
tolerances and
quality finish to help ensure that the system remains leak proof.
[0055] In some examples, the geometry and features of the product package may
be
designed to resist or prevent collapse during the evacuation of product. For
example,
chamfered corners may help control product package deformation and promote a
better
drop-impact resistance. In some examples, the cracking pressure of the check
ball seal
may be designed to break before the lightweight LIDPE product package
collapses.
[0056] In the example such as product package 152 as shown in FIG. 1A, the
threaded
connectors 158A may be designed with a unique thread pitch to help ensure that
the proper
pump type having the matching thread pitch is mated with the product package.
[0057] Check ball sealing ring 216, as well as docking seal 206, fitment seal
218, and vent
probe seals, may comprise an elastomeric material, such as EPDM rubber
(ethylene
propylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber). In some examples, the geometry of
check
ball sealing ring 216 is such that a flattened sealing surface is presented to
the check ball
212, providing a relatively larger surface area for the sealing surface as
compared to a
sealing ring having a circular cross-section.
[0058] Check ball 212 may be either stainless steel (or other hard non-porous
material) or
may be elastomeric.
[0059] Spring 214 may be either metal or plastic. For example, the spring may
be 300
series stainless steel or Hastelloy metal blends. The spring length may be
optimized to
provide the most leak-proof seal while still allowing the partial vacuum break
the seal,
thus allowing air to enter into the product package during dispensation of the
chemical
product and preventing collapse of the product package. In some examples, the
spring free
length measures approximately18mm. However, it shall be understood that the
spring
parameters may vary depending upon the particular application, and that the
disclosure is
not limited in this respect.
[0060] In some examples, factors that may be taken into account when choosing
a spring
and/or spring rate may include: the force required to depress check ball 212
should not be
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too high so as to facilitate ease of docking to a filling station and thus
ease-of-filling; the
spring should provide sufficient force to the check ball to provide a
positive, leak-proof
seal when in the closed position; the partial vacuum resulting from
dispensation of the
chemical product from the product package should be sufficient to overcome o
break the
spring force and draw the check ball away from the seal, thus allowing the
fitment insert to
equilibrate the product package. Allowing air hack into the product package
system may
help to prevent the product package from collapsing when used with a non-
vented product
pump.
[0061] The example refillable dispensing system and the components described
herein
may provide several advantages. For example, the refillable dispensing system
may help
to reduce costs associated with chemical product dispensing. For example,
concentrated
formulations may provide enough product for multiple refills using
concentrated packs.
Users may purchase a set of refillable product packages, and refill and reuse
the same set
for a longer period of time as compared to 1-time use containers. Concentrated
formula
may help to reduce storage space, which is a commodity in the janitorial
rooms, closets, or
carts. Concentrated formula may also help to reduce shipping costs, shipping
frequency,
packaging costs, and waste pick-up. For example, if a product package may be
refilled
and reused approximately 10 times, use of a refillable product package may
reduce waste
by up to 90% compared to 1-time use containers. Flexible product packages may
be
lighter than rigid hand care bottles. In some examples, the product package
may comprise
100% recyclable material, and may last up to 1-year with heavy usage. In
addition, users
may "top off" a product package whenever it is convenient. This enables users
to prepare
for busy periods when they don't have the luxury of time to change out product
packages.
In some examples, cooperation of the pump design and the bottle may result in
over 99%
evacuation from the product package. This may result in providing more product
to the
users and less product to landfills.
[0062] Example 1: A refillable dispensing system comprising a filling station
including a
docking connector, the filling station configured to dispense a chemical
product solution
from a chemical product concentrate, a product package configured to contain a
quantity
of the chemical product concentrate, and a fitment insert fitted within a neck
of the
product package, the fitment insert configured to mate with the docking
connector and
form a sealed connection therewith, the fitment insert further comprising a
fitment insert
body including a first bore defining a fluid passage from a first side of the
fitment insert
body to a second side of the fitment insert body, the fitment insert body
further including
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an interior wall forming a circumferential ridge around the interior of the
fluid passage, a
tubular barb member having a first end and a second end and configured to fit
within the
fluid passage of the fitment insert body with the first end disposed toward
the first side of
the fluid passage, the barb member having a second bore extending from the
first end to
the second end, a check ball seal disposed between the first end of the barb
member and
the circumferential ridge, and a check ball that is biased to a closed
position with respect
to the check ball seal within the fluid passage, the check ball further
disposed to slide
within the second bore between the closed position and an open position, the
docking
connector further comprising a docking connector body, and a fill probe
configured to
depress the check ball from the first side of the fitment insert body and move
the check
ball from the closed position to the open position when the fitment insert is
mated with the
docking connector.
[0063] Example 2: The refillable dispensing system of Example 1 wherein the
product
package further includes an output port, and the dispensing system further
comprises a
pump mated to the output port of the product package.
[0064] Example 3: r[he refillable dispensing system of Example 2 further
comprising a
dispenser configured to receive the product package and the pump, the
dispenser further
including a dispenser actuator that causes a discrete quantity of chemical
product to be
dispensed from the product package.
[0065] Example 4: The refillable dispensing system of Example 1, wherein the
filling
station further includes a switch and wherein the filling station dispenses
the chemical
product solution through the fluid passage and into the product package when
the fitment
insert is mated with the docking connector and upon actuation of the switch.
[0066] Example 5: The refillable dispensing system of Example 1, wherein the
fitment
insert body further comprises a vent bore defining a venting passage from the
first side of
the fitment insert body to the second side of the fitment insert body, a vent
probe seal
disposed around an circumferential interior ridge within the venting passage,
and a tubular
vent probe configured to fit within the venting passage, the vent probe biased
to a closed
position with respect to the vent probe seal, the vent probe further disposed
to slide within
the venting passage between the closed position and an open position.
[0067] Example 6: The refillable dispensing system of Example 1, wherein the
vent probe
further includes a shoulder, and wherein the vent probe shoulder forms a seal
with the vent
probe seal when the vent probe is in the closed position, and wherein air may
leave the
product package when the vent probe is in the open position.
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[0068] Example 7: The refillable dispensing system of Example 1, wherein vent
probe
further includes a vent probe tip accessible through the vent bore from the
first side of the
fitment insert body.
[0069] Example 8: The refillable dispensing system of Example 7 wherein the
docking
connector further includes a vent tab configured to depress the vent probe tip
and move the
vent probe from the closed position to the open position when the fitment
insert is mated
with the docking connector.
[0070] Example 9: The refillable dispensing system of Example 1, wherein the
barb
member further includes longitudinally extending guide rails, and wherein the
check ball
is further disposed to slide within the guide rails between the closed
position and the open
position.
[0071] Example 10: The refillable dispensing system of Example 1 wherein the
product
package comprises a high density polyethylene resin having a density greater
than 0.953
g/cc.
[0072] Example 11: A fitment insert that forms a sealed port through which a
product
package may be filled with a fluid chemical product, comprising a fitment
insert body
including a first bore defining a fluid passage from a first side of the
fitment insert body to
a second side of the fitment insert body, the fitment insert body further
including an
interior wall forming a circumferential ridge around the interior of the fluid
passage, a
tubular barb member having a first end and a second end and configured to fit
within the
fluid passage of the fitment insert body with the first end disposed toward
the first side of
the fluid passage, the barb member having a second bore extending from the
first end to
the second end, a seal disposed between the first end of the barb member and
the
circumferential ridge, and a check ball that is spring-biased to a closed
position with
respect to the seal within the fluid passage, the check ball further disposed
to slide within
the second bore between the closed position and an open position.
[0073] Example 12: The fitment insert of Example 11, the fitment insert body
further
comprising a vent bore defining a venting passage from the first side of the
fitment insert
body to the second side of the fitment insert body, a vent probe seal disposed
around an
circumferential interior ridge within the venting passage, and a tubular vent
probe
configured to fit within the venting passage, the vent probe biased to a
closed position
with respect to the vent probe seal, the vent probe further disposed to slide
within the
venting passage between the closed position and an open position.
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[0074] Example 13: The fitment insert of Example 12, wherein the vent probe
further
includes a shoulder, and wherein the vent probe shoulder forms a seal with the
vent probe
seal when the vent probe is in the closed position, and wherein air may leave
the product
package when the vent probe is in the open position.
[0075] Example 14: The fitment insert of Example 12, wherein vent probe
further includes
a vent probe tip accessible through the vent bore from the first side of the
fitment insert
body.
[0076] Example 15: The fitment insert of Example 11, wherein the barb member
further
includes longitudinally extending guide rails, and wherein the check ball is
further
disposed to slide within the guide rails between the closed position and the
open position.
[0077] Example 16: The fitment insert of Example 11, the fitment insert body
further
comprising a circumferential rim disposed around the first side of the fitment
insert body;
and a plurality of circumferential fitment tabs disposed around a sidewall of
the fitment
insert body, the fitment tabs and circumferential rim configured to receive a
neck of the
product package.
[0078] Example 17: The fitment insert of Example 11 wherein the check ball
comprises
stainless steel.
[0079] Example 18: The fitment insert of Example 11 wherein the product
package
comprises a high density polyethylene resin having a density greater than
0.953 g/cc.
[0080] Example 19: A refillable product package comprising the fitment insert
of
Example 11.
[0081] Example 20: The refillable product package of Example 19, further
comprising a
product bottle having a neck, wherein the fitment insert body is fitted within
the neck of
the product bottle.
[0082] Example 21: A refillable product package comprising a product package
having a
one or more sidewalls and a neck, and a fitment insert that forms a sealed
port through
which a product package may be filled with a fluid chemical product, the
fitment insert
comprising a fitment insert body configured to seal ably fit within the neck
of the product
package, the fitment insert body including a first bore defining a fluid
passage from a first
side of the fitment insert body to a second side of the fitment insert body,
the fitment insert
body further including an interior wall forming a circumferential ridge around
the interior
of the fluid passage, a tubular barb member having a first end and a second
end and
configured to fit within the fluid passage of the fitment insert body with the
first end
disposed toward the first side of the fluid passage, the barb member having a
second bore
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extending from the first end to the second end, a seal disposed between the
first end of the
barb member and the circumferential ridge, and a check ball that is spring-
biased to a
closed position with respect to the seal within the fluid passage, the check
ball further
disposed to slide within the second bore between the closed position and an
open position.
[0083] Various examples have been described. These and other examples are
within the
scope of the following claims.
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