Fitment splash guard

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9682393-B2
Application number	US-201514660417-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 17, 2015
Priority date	Mar 17, 2015
Publication date	Jun 20, 2017
Grant date	Jun 20, 2017

Abstract

An improved system that protects a vent membrane from a liquid is provided. The system includes a container and a fitment seated in the opening of the container. A vent having a vent membrane is associated with the fitment. An elongated dip tube extends from of the fitment into the container. A splash guard is disposed within the container and may connect to the elongated dip tube. The splash guard may have a plurality of ridges extending radially from an aperture. The splash guard may alternatively comprise a tiered configuration. In operation, the splash guard permits gasses to enter the container while minimizing exposure of the vent membrane to the liquid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for protecting a vent membrane from a liquid, the system comprising:
a container having an interior volume and an opening;
a fitment adapted to seat in the opening of the container, the fitment having a center opening and a perimeter;
a vent associated with the fitment and including the vent membrane;
an elongated dip tube extending from the center opening of the fitment to the interior volume of the container; and
a splash guard disposed within the interior volume of the container adjacent the fitment to allow venting of the container while blocking liquid from contacting the vent membrane;
said splash guard comprising:
an upper surface opposite a lower surface, the upper surface being proximate to the fitment;
an aperture extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the aperture adapted to connect to the elongated dip tube;
a perimeter substantially contoured to the perimeter of the fitment;
a plurality of ridges associated with the upper surface and radially extending from the aperture to the perimeter, each of the plurality of ridges having a top surface and opposing side surfaces; and
wherein the plurality of ridges is adapted to create separation between the upper surface of the splash guard and the fitment to permit air to escape through the vent membrane.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the splash guard is sloped downwardly from the aperture towards the perimeter.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the top surface of each of the plurality of ridges are substantially planar and planar to one another.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the splash guard is a frustum of a cone.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the perimeter of the splash guard is smaller than the perimeter of the fitment.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the splash guard and the fitment are separated by a portion of the dip tube.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a barb associated with the fitment and extending into the dip tube, the barb creating a frictional fit with a portion of the dip tube,
wherein the splash guard is secured to the portion of the dip tube.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the splash guard is secured to the barb between the fitment and the portion of the dip tube.

9. A system for protecting a vent membrane from a liquid, the system comprising:
a fitment having a vent and the vent membrane;
an elongated dip tube connected to and extending from the fitment, the dip tube adapted to transfer the liquid from a container to the fitment;
a splash guard encircling at least a portion of the elongated dip tube to allow a gaseous path while blocking liquid from contacting the vent membrane;
said splash guard comprising:
(a) a lower portion having a first perimeter, a bottom surface, an intermediate surface, and a thickness defined between the bottom surface and the intermediate surface; and
(b) an upper portion having a second perimeter less than the first perimeter, an upper surface, and a thickness defined between the intermediate surface and the upper surface;
(c) wherein the upper portion and the lower portions are coaxial cylinders.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the first perimeter is contoured to a perimeter of the fitment.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the bottom surface, the intermediate surface, and the upper surface are planar and parallel.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the first perimeter is less than the perimeter of the fitment.

13. The system of claim 9 further comprising:
a barb adapted to create a friction fit between the fitment and inner circumference of a portion of the dip tube,
wherein the splash guard is secured to an outer circumference of the portion of the dip tube.

14. A method for protecting a vent membrane from a liquid, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an elongated tube having a first end, a second end, an inner circumference and an outer circumference;
connecting a fitment to the first end of the elongated tube, the fitment having a center opening associated with the elongated tube;
installing a splash guard on the outer circumference of the elongated tube, the splash guard having an aperture adapted to create a friction fit with the outer circumference of the elongated tube;
sliding the splash guard along the outer circumference of the elongated tube to a desired position;
orienting the splash guard on the elongated tube, wherein a plurality of ridges extending radially from the aperture of the splash guard are proximate to the fitment;
feeding the second end of the elongated tube into a container; and
installing the fitment into an opening on the container.

Assignees

• Ecolab Usa Inc

Inventors

• Erlandson Erika
• Kreye Lisa
• Lausted Matthew Darold
• King Gretchen

Classifications

• B05B11/0044

  compensating underpressure by ingress of atmospheric air into the container, i.e. with venting means (venting means for deformable containers B05B11/047) · CPC title

• B65D2205/02

  Venting holes · CPC title

• B65D25/40 Primary

  Nozzles or spouts (in general B05B) · CPC title

• B65D47/32

  with means for venting · CPC title

• B05B15/30

  Dip tubes · CPC title