The present invention recognizes that there exists a long felt need for devices that can dispense a compound in a measured aliquot, A first aspect of the present invention generally relates to a ball valve device. A second aspect of the present invention generally relates to a method of making a ball valve of the present invention. A third aspect of the present, invention generally relates to a method of dispensing a compound using a ball valve device of the present invention.

Methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein may be collectively referred to as a platform. A platform consistent with embodiments herein may be used by individuals or companies to track an amount of liquid poured from at least one liquid container. The platform may comprise a tracking device and a computing hub in operative bi-directional communication. The device that may be configured to a liquid dispensing container such as, but not limited to, a bottle. The device may be configured to receive a liquid from the container and transfer the liquid through a chamber within the device. As the liquid is transferred through the device, a computing element and sensing component integrated within the device may be configured to track an amount of liquid dispensed through the device. A communications module may then communicate the data with the hub.

There is provided a bottle pourer (10), comprising a base (20) for fitting to an opening of a bottle, a pourer tube (40) extending from the base for pouring liquid out of the bottle through a mouth at distal end of the pourer tube, and a tube cover (50) that extends from the base to the distal end of the pourer tube. The tube cover (50) is actuable (55) at the base to move between closed and open positions, the tube cover closing the mouth at the distal end of the pourer tube in the closed position, and opening the mouth at the distal end of the pourer tube in the open position.

A dispensing closure for dispensing flowable product from a squeeze container includes a closure body having an upper deck and a dispensing orifice within the upper deck. A timing piston extends downwardly from the upper deck and is located adjacent to the dispensing orifice. The timing piston is movable between an open position wherein a flared piston neck is spaced from the dispensing orifice, and a closed position wherein the flared piston neck closes off the dispensing orifice. A timing vent within the upper deck is in communication with a piston chamber to allow air to escape the piston chamber. An air intake orifice within the upper deck allows air to enter the piston chamber, and a ball valve structure adjacent the bottom surface of the upper deck cooperates with the air intake orifice to control the flow of air through the air intake orifice.

An apparatus and means of repeatedly dispensing controlled doses of liquid comprising a resiliently squeezable container for containing a liquid detergent composition; a cap operably connected to said container, the cap comprising a nozzle for expelling the liquid out of the container; a dosing chamber operably connected to the cap, wherein the dosing chamber comprises a base having a discharge opening therein, sidewalls extending upwardly along the perimeter of said base and at least one inlet opening located proximal the sidewalls; at least one timer aperture located proximal to the discharge opening; a plunger, provided in the dosing chamber and moveable relative to the chamber so as to advance upon squeezing of the container, up to a blocking position; a valve retaining means located below the base; a valve provided in the valve retaining mean wherein the valve is movable from an open position, allowing liquid flow through the discharge opening, and a closed position, where the valve blocks the discharge opening; wherein the liquid is a shear thinning liquid and the shear thinning liquid has a viscosity of greater than 150 mPa.Math.s measured at 10s.sup.1 at 20 C.

A dosing device is described, for dispensing doses of liquid from a container. It has an outlet passage with a front outlet tube (44) and a control chamber (2,29) positioned behind the front outlet tube. A flow path for dosed flow of liquid squeezed from the container leads in around the front of the control chamber (2,29) to the outlet tube (44), via flow openings (23). The control chamber (2) has control openings (28) to admit a restricted flow and time the fall of a blocking piston (3) to a blocking position where it blocks the outlet passage to terminate a dose. To improve uniformity of dosing, the outlet tube (44) has a tortuous flow-restricting formation (449) formed by a set of inward radial finger projections (49).

A measured fluid dispenser includes a moveable member coupled with a liquid containing bottle. The moveable member is preferably spherical defining an internal volume therein. The moveable member defines two openings wherein only one opening intersects the longitudinal axis at one time. This allows the internal volume of the moveable member to be filled with liquid from the bottle, then rotated, then the measured fluid or liquid is dispensed from the moveable member.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods of repeatedly dispensing controlled doses of liquid. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a resiliently squeezable container, a cap operably connected to the container, a dosing chamber operably connected to the cap, at least one timer aperture located proximal to the discharge opening, a plunger, a valve retaining means located below the base, and a valve provided in the valve retaining means. The ratio of the total surface of the inlet openings and the timer apertures is from about 2 to about 17 and the viscosity of the liquid is from about 1 to about 600 mPa.Math.s (measured at 10 s.sup.1 at 20 C.).

A dispensing closure for dispensing flowable product from a squeeze container includes a closure body having an upper deck and a dispensing orifice within the upper deck. A timing piston extends downwardly from the upper deck and is located adjacent to the dispensing orifice. The timing piston is movable between an open position wherein a flared piston neck is spaced from the dispensing orifice, and a closed position wherein the flared piston neck closes off the dispensing orifice. A timing vent within the upper deck is in communication with a piston chamber to allow air to escape the piston chamber. An air intake orifice within the upper deck allows air to enter the piston chamber, and a ball valve structure adjacent the bottom surface of the upper deck cooperates with the air intake orifice to control the flow of air through the air intake orifice.

A pourer comprises a conduit having an inlet and an outlet; sealing means comprising a plurality of sealing members extending radially from the conduit and dimensioned to engage an interior surface of a bottle neck; an air vent having an inlet and an outlet; the inlet and outlet of each of the conduit and air vent being located on opposite sides of the sealing means; wherein the pourer has no component with a diameter greater than a diameter to engage completely within the bottle neck. In this way, the pourer is configured to be inserted into a bottle neck without any part of the pourer extending outwardly from the bottle neck; and wherein the conduit includes a chamber having a valve comprising an annular valve seat and a moveable member located in the chamber arranged to engage the valve seat to close the valve when the pourer is inverted.