System and methods for storing and dispensing a flowable material
A system for applying a flowable material to a surface that includes an applicator and a storage pod is disclosed. The storage pod may have a housing and a lid that engage each other to form an interior cavity that contains a flowable material. The applicator receives the storage pod and has a pusher mechanism to apply a force to the housing causing the housing to collapse. As the housing collapses, the flowable material is expelled from the storage pod. The applicator may be a reusable applicator where the storage pods can be used and reloaded, or a single use disposable applicator.
1 . A system for dispensing a flowable material onto a surface comprising:
a storage pod for the flowable material comprising:
a housing that includes an upper portion and a flange extending around a perimeter of the housing;
a lid attached to the housing defining an interior volume, wherein the lid includes an inner layer that includes an aperture and a removable outer layer that when present covers a portion of the inner layer;
the flowable material disposed within the interior volume; and
an applicator comprising:
a base including a receiver, the receiver for holding the storage pod, the receiver defining a first side defining a first opening of the applicator and also defining a second side with a second opening, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the storage pod in the first side or the second side; and
a pusher mechanism configured to contact the upper portion of the housing, and
wherein the upper portion of the housing is configured to collapse when receiving a force applied from a user through the pusher mechanism, and when the upper portion collapses, the flowable material is extruded through the aperture.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is dome-shaped.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises a wall extending from the base, and wherein the pusher mechanism is slidably engaged with the wall, wherein the pusher mechanism has a first end that contacts the storage pod and a second end opposite the first end.
4 . The system of claim 3 wherein the wall comprises a guide opening for receiving the pusher mechanism.
5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the base and the wall are formed as a single unitary member.
6 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the pusher mechanism includes a rib and wherein the rib is configured to be received in a correspondingly shaped guide located on the wall.
7 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the first end of the pusher mechanism includes a dome-shaped end that is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the storage pod.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the dome-shaped end has a width that is less than a width of a pusher body of the pusher mechanism.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the applicator includes a support member extending from the base configured to contact the surface that receives the flowable material, wherein the support member positions the base a fixed distance from the surface, and wherein the support member comprises a plurality of legs extending from the base.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a plate configured to support the storage pod and wherein the plate is flush with a lower portion of the first opening such that the storage pod can be inserted into the first opening.
11 . The system of claim 1 wherein the second side defines a first lip and wherein the first lip is configured to retain the storage pod within the receiver when the force is applied from the user through the pusher mechanism.
12 . The system of claim 11 wherein the first side of the receiver also comprises a second lip configured to retain the storage pod within the receiver when the force is applied from the user through the pusher mechanism.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the flowable material is a cleaning gel.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein an amount of the cleaning gel within the interior volume is between 5 grams and 10 grams.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the lid is attached to the flange.
16 . The system of claim 2 , wherein a height of the storage pod measured from the lid and a top of the housing is less than a radius of the dome-shaped upper portion.
17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the flange forms a planar surface, and wherein an angle formed at an intersection of the flange and the upper portion is greater than 90 degrees.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein when the removable outer layer of the lid is removed, the aperture of the inner layer and the flowable material are exposed.
19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed from an aluminum alloy, a polypropylene, a high-density polyethylene, or a low-density polyethylene.
20 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises a single opening.