Package for pouring a granular product

Abstract

A package for dispensing a granular product has a first hollow body member, a second hollow body member, and a pouring spout. The first hollow body member has a first exterior surface and opposite therefrom a first interior surface which defines a first internal volume. The second hollow body member has a second exterior surface, a second interior surface, a flow-regulating passage, and a dispensing passage separate from the flow-regulating passage. The second exterior surface defines a second external volume smaller than the first internal volume. Opposite the second exterior surface, the second hollow interior surface defines a second internal volume. The pouring spout is operatively connected to the dispensing passage. When the first internal volume is at least about 50% full of a granular product, the package may be tilted for dispensing at a dispensing angle which causes the granular product to flow from the first internal volume through the flow-regulating passage into the second internal volume and from the second internal volume through the dispensing passage out of the package. When the flow rate is measured and calculated at dispensing angles of 120°, 150° and 180°, the standard deviation is less than about 30% of the average flow rate for each dispensing angle.

1 . A package for dispensing a granular product, the package comprising: 
 A. a first hollow body member comprising: 
 i. a first exterior surface; and  
 ii. a first interior surface opposite the first exterior surface, the first interior surface defining a first internal volume;  
   B. a second hollow body member, wherein the second hollow body member comprises: 
 i. a second exterior surface defining a second external volume smaller than the first internal volume;  
 ii. a second interior surface opposite the second exterior surface, the second interior surface defining a second internal volume;  
 iii. a flow-regulating passage leading from the second exterior surface to the second interior surface; and  
 iv. a dispensing passage leading from the second interior surface to the second exterior surface, wherein the dispensing passage is separate from the flow-regulating passage,  
   wherein at least a portion of the second hollow body member is within the first internal volume; and    C. a pouring spout operative connected to the dispensing passage, wherein when the first internal volume is at least about 50% full of a granular product therein the package may be tilted for dispensing, whereby when tilted for dispensing at a dispensing angle the granular product flows from the first internal volume through the flow-regulating passage into the second internal volume and from the second internal volume through the dispensing passage out of the package, and wherein when the flow rate is measured and calculated at dispensing angles of 120°, 150° and 180°, the standard deviation is less than about 30% of the average flow rate for each dispensing angle.    
   
   
       2 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the first hollow body member further comprises a mouth, and wherein the second exterior surface is affixed to the mouth.  
   
   
       3 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the first hollow body member further comprises a mouth, and wherein the flow-regulating passage further comprises an edge, and wherein the edge is located at the portion of the second exterior surface which is affixed to the mouth.  
   
   
       4 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the second hollow body member comprises the pouring spout.  
   
   
       5 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the flow-regulating passage is distal from the dispensing passage.  
   
   
       6 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the granular product has an average particle diameter, and wherein the flow-regulating passage has a width, and wherein the width is at least about 5 times wider than the average particle diameter.  
   
   
       7 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the first hollow body member and the second hollow body member are distinct.  
   
   
       8 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the second hollow body member further comprises a base opposite the dispensing passage, and wherein the flow-regulating passage extends to the base.  
   
   
       9 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the second internal volume is from about 1% to about 25% of the first internal volume.  
   
   
       10 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cap which removably covers the dispensing passage.  
   
   
       11 . The package according to  claim 7 , wherein the first hollow body member and the second hollow body member are affixed to each other.  
   
   
       12 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a granular product therein.  
   
   
       13 . The package according to  claim 12 , wherein the granular product is a granular detergent.