Multilayer container package for dispensing a liquid product

Abstract

A package for dispensing a liquid product that includes an outer shell having a flexible resilient sidewall, a base wall and a finish surrounding an outlet opening. An inner bag-shaped liner is disposed within the outer shell, and is unattached to the sidewall and the base wall of the outer shell so as to be collapsible with respect to the outer shell as product is dispensed from the liner. A dispensing structure is secured to the finish. An opening in the base wall of the outer shell vents the volume between the shell and the liner to atmosphere. The opening is orifice-sized to prevent rapid egress of air as the container sidewall is squeezed, so that pressure from squeezing the sidewall forces product within the liner out of the outlet opening and the dispensing structure.

1 . A package for dispensing a liquid product, which comprises: 
 an outer shell having a flexible resilient sidewall, a base wall and a finish surrounding an outlet opening,    an inner liner disposed within said outer shell, said inner liner being unattached to said sidewall and said base wall of said outer shell and being collapsible with respect to said outer shell to dispense product within said liner,    a dispensing structure secured to said finish, and    an open orifice in said base wall of said outer shell, said open orifice being sized to prevent rapid egress of air through said orifice in response to squeezing of said sidewall so that pressure on said inner liner from squeezing said sidewall forces product within said liner out of said outlet opening and said structure, said orifice being sized to permit slow ingress of ambient air into said shell in response to release of said sidewall to permit said sidewall to return to its unsqueezed configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein said open orifice has a size in the range of about 0.0007 to 0.003 square inch.  
     
     
         3 . The package set forth in  claim 2  wherein said open orifice is rectangular and has a size of about 0.125 inch by about 0.006 to 0.008 inch.  
     
     
         4 . The package set forth in  claim 2  wherein said open orifice is circular and has a diameter of about 0.010 to 0.060 inch.  
     
     
         5 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein said dispensing structure comprises a closure secured to said finish, said closure having an outlet opening constructed to dispense the product in drops when said package is inverted and said sidewall is squeezed.  
     
     
         6 . A package for dispensing a liquid product, which comprises: 
 an outer shell having a flexible resilient sidewall, a base wall and a finish surrounding an outlet opening,    an inner liner disposed within said outer shell, said inner liner being unattached to said sidewall and said base wall of said outer shell and being collapsible with respect to said outer shell to dispense product within said liner,    a dispensing closure secured to said finish, including a dispensing opening for dispensing of product from within said liner when said package is inverted and said shell sidewall is squeezed, and    an open orifice in said base wall of said outer shell, said open orifice being sized to prevent rapid egress of air through said orifice in response to squeezing of said sidewall so that pressure on said inner liner from squeezing said sidewall forces product within said liner out of said outlet opening and said dispensing opening, said orifice being sized to permit slow ingress of ambient air into said shell in response to release of said sidewall to permit said sidewall to return to its unsqueezed configuration.