DISPENSING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Provided is a dispensing assembly, which may be a self-dispensing assembly for pumping a material from a receptacle. The dispensing assembly includes a body including a stem having a first outlet passage, one or more first outlet openings in communication with the first outlet passage, a second outlet passage, and one or more second outlet openings in communication with the second outlet passage, a housing rotatably coupled to the body to pump material from the receptacle to the stem, and a closure movable relative to the stem between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position, the closure having one or more third outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more first outlet openings or the one or more second outlet openings, and one or more fourth outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more second outlet openings.

Claims

1. A dispensing assembly for dispensing a material, the dispensing assembly comprising: a body including a stem and a collar configured to be coupled to a receptacle, the stem having a first outlet passage, one or more first outlet openings in communication with the first outlet passage, a second outlet passage, and one or more second outlet openings in communication with the second outlet passage; a housing rotatably coupled to the body to pump material from the receptacle to the stem; and a closure movable relative to the stem between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position, the closure having one or more third outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more first outlet openings in the closed position and aligned with the one or more second outlet openings in the second open position, and one or more fourth outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more second outlet openings in the first open position.

2. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the stem includes a threaded portion in communication with the collar, wherein material is configured to flow from the receptacle along the threaded portion when the housing is rotated.

3. The dispensing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the housing includes a through passage for receiving the stem, a rail extending along a side of the through passage, and a sphere passage opening to a top and bottom of the rail, and wherein the dispensing assembly further includes a plurality of spheres disposed in the sphere passage configured to move by rotation of the housing along the rail and threaded portion to pump material from the receptacle to the stem.

4. The dispensing assembly according to claim 2, wherein in the closed position, the material flows along the threaded portion to the one or more third outlet openings to the one or more first outlet openings to the first outlet passage and back to the receptacle, and wherein in the first open position, material flows along the threaded portion to the one or more fourth outlet openings to the one or more second outlet openings to the second outlet passage and out of the stem.

5. The dispensing assembly according to claim 2, wherein in the second opening position, material is configured to flow from the receptacle through the first outlet passage to the one or more first outlet openings to the one or more third outlet openings to the one or more second outlet openings and to the second outlet passage and out of the stem.

6. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the one or more first outlet openings includes a pair of first outlet openings, wherein the one or more second outlet openings includes a pair of second outlet openings, wherein the one or more third outlet openings includes a pair of third outlet openings, and wherein the one or more fourth outlet openings includes a pair of fourth outlet openings.

7. The dispensing assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first and second pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another, and the third and fourth pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another.

8. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the closure includes a base, a wall circumscribing the base, a first stem extending upward from the base, a second stem extending downward from the base, and a through passage extending through the first and second stems through which the stem of the body extends.

9. The dispensing assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first stem includes the one or more third outlet openings and the one or more fourth outlet openings in communication with the through passage.

10. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing is rotatable relative to the body in a single direction.

11. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising the receptacle configured to be coupled to the collar of the body.

12. The dispensing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the receptacle includes a pouch for holding material, a neck extending from the pouch and configured to be coupled to the collar, and a seal on the neck configured to be punctured when the neck is coupled to the collar.

13. A dispensing assembly for dispensing a material, the dispensing assembly comprising: a receptacle; and a cap assembly configured to be coupled to the receptacle, the cap assembly including: a body including a stem having a first outlet passage, one or more first outlet openings in communication with the first outlet passage, a second outlet passage, and one or more second outlet openings in communication with the second outlet passage; a housing rotatably coupled to the body to pump material from the receptacle to the stem; and a closure movable relative to the stem between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position.

14. The dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein the closure includes one or more third outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more first outlet openings in the closed position and aligned with the one or more second outlet openings in the second open position, and one or more fourth outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more second outlet openings in the first open position.

15. The dispensing assembly according to claim 14, wherein the stem includes a threaded portion in communication with the collar, wherein material is configured to flow from the receptacle along the threaded portion when the housing is rotated.

16. The dispensing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the housing includes a through passage for receiving the stem, a rail extending along a side of the through passage, and a sphere passage opening to a top and bottom of the rail.

17. The dispensing assembly according to claim 16, further including a plurality of spheres disposed in the sphere passage, wherein the spheres are configured to move by rotation of the housing along the rail and threaded portion to pump material from the receptacle to the stem.

18. The dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein in the closed position, the material flows through the one or more third outlet openings to the one or more first outlet openings to the first outlet passage and back to the receptacle, wherein in the first open position, material flows through the one or more fourth outlet openings to the one or more second outlet openings to the second outlet passage and out of the stem, and wherein in the second opening position, material is configured to flow from the receptacle through the first outlet passage to the one or more first outlet openings to the one or more third outlet openings to the one or more second outlet openings, and to the second outlet passage and out of the stem.

19. The dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein the one or more first outlet openings includes a pair of first outlet openings, wherein the one or more second outlet openings includes a pair of second outlet openings, wherein the one or more third outlet openings includes a pair of third outlet openings, and wherein the one or more fourth outlet openings includes a pair of fourth outlet openings, and wherein the first and second pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another, and the third and fourth pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another.

20. A dispensing assembly for dispensing a material, the dispensing assembly comprising: a body including a stem having a first outlet passage, a pair of first outlet openings in communication with the first outlet passage, a second outlet passage, and a pair of second outlet openings in communication with the second outlet passage; a housing rotatably coupled to the body to pump material from a receptacle to the stem; and a closure movable relative to the stem between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position, the closure having a pair of third outlet openings configured to be aligned with the pair of first outlet openings in the closed position and aligned with the pair of second outlet openings in the second open position, and a pair of fourth outlet openings configured to be aligned with the pair of second outlet openings in the first open position, wherein the first and second pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another, and the third and fourth pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary dispensing assembly.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view thereof.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view thereof.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a receptacle.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing assembly taken about line 6-6 in FIG. 3 showing a closure in a first position.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing assembly showing the closure in a second position.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing assembly showing the closure in a third position.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing assembly taken about line 9-9 in FIG. 3 showing a closure in a first position.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a body of the dispensing assembly.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a housing of the dispensing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] With reference to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. However, the inclusion of like elements in different views does not mean a given embodiment necessarily includes such elements or that all embodiments of the invention include such elements. The examples and figures are illustrative only and not meant to limit the invention, which is measured by the scope and spirit of the claims.

[0021] Turning initially to FIGS. 1-5 an exemplary dispensing assembly for dispensing fluid is illustrated. The dispensing assembly, which may be a self-dispensing assembly, includes a cap assembly 12 and a receptacle 14 coupled to the cap assembly 12. The receptacle 14 includes a pouch or bag 30 and a neck 32 extending from the pouch 30, the pouch 30 and neck 32 defining a cavity for holding a suitable coating material, which may be a fluid or a powder for example, such as colorants for interior and exterior automobile coatings, or other suitable additives for coating materials, such as thickeners, mildewcides, biocides, floats, etc. The receptacle 14 may also hold suitable mixing toners, paints, stains, varnishes, chemicals, etc. The pouch 30 may have any suitable number of layers, may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, and may have a suitable coating. The neck 32 includes threads 36 on an outer surface thereof for coupling to the cap assembly 12, and may be sealed to hold the coating material in the pouch 30 by a suitable seal, such as a foil seal 38 configured to be punctured when coupled to the cap assembly 12. It will be appreciated that the receptacle 14 and cap assembly 12 may be coupled in other suitable ways, such as by a snap-fit connection, interference fit, etc. In an implementation, the cap assembly 12 may be coupled to a container and the receptacle 14, with the receptacle 14 being disposed in the container. In another implementation, the cap assembly 12 may be coupled to a container that contains coating material.

[0022] The cap assembly 12 includes a body 40, a housing 42 rotatably coupled to the body 40, a grip area 44 coupled to the housing 42 to rotate with the housing 42, and a closure 46 movable relative to the body 40 and the housing 42. The grip area 44 may be coupled to the housing 42 in a suitable manner, or may be integrally formed with the housing 42 such that rotation of the grip area 44 affects rotation of the housing 42. The grip area 44 and housing 42 are configured to rotate in a single direction, for example in a clockwise direction, to prevent air from being introduced into the receptacle 14 and prevent the cap assembly 12 from being uncoupled from the receptacle 14. The grip area 44 may be made of a suitable material, such as rubber, plastic, etc., and may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions 48 extending along a length of the grip area 44 forming areas for a user to grip.

[0023] Turning additionally to FIGS. 6-9, the body 40 includes a base 50, a collar 52 extending upward from the base 50 for coupling to the receptacle 14, a flanged portion 54 extending downward from the base in communication with the receptacle 14, and a stem 56 extending downward from the flanged portion 54 in communication with the flanged portion 54 to receive coating material from the receptacle 14. The base 50 may include a recessed area 58 on an underside thereof for receiving a top of the housing 42, and the collar 52 may include threads 60 on an inner circumferential surface for mating with the threads 36 on the neck 32 of the receptacle 14. A rim (not shown) may be provided that extends upward from the base 50 radially inwardly spaced from the collar 52, and the rim may be angled to include a sharp surface for fracturing or cutting the foil seal 38 on the receptacle 14 when the receptacle 14 is coupled to the cap assembly 12. The base 50, the collar 52, the flanged portion 54, the stem 56, and the rim may be integrally formed with one another, for example in a suitable molding process.

[0024] Turning additionally to FIG. 10, the flanged portion 54 is radially inwardly spaced from the recessed area 58 and has a circumferential groove 64 for receiving a suitable gasket 66 for coupling to the housing 42, a first inlet opening 68 for receiving material from the receptacle 14, and a second inlet opening 70 for receiving and returning material from the receptacle 14. The stem 56 extends downward from the flanged portion 54 and includes a threaded portion 72 spiraling along an outer surface thereof along a portion of its length and in communication with the first inlet opening 68, a shaft 62 extending from the threaded portion and being smaller in diameter than the threaded portion 72, a first outlet passage 74 in communication with the second inlet opening 70, a second outlet passage 76 opening to a bottom of the stem 56, and a wall 78 separating the first and second outlet passages 74 and 76. The stem 56 also includes one or more first outlet openings 80 in a side of the shaft 62 opening to the first outlet passage 74 above the wall 78, for example proximate the wall 78, and one or more second outlet openings 82 in the side of the shaft 62 opening to the second outlet passage 76 below the wall 78, for example proximate the wall 78. As shown, the stem 56 includes a pair of first outlet openings 80 aligned with one another and a pair of second outlet openings 82 aligned with one another, where axes of the first outlet openings 80 are parallel to axes of the second outlet openings 82.

[0025] Turning now to FIG. 11, the housing 42 includes an upper recessed area 90 opening to a top of the housing 42, a lower recessed area 92 opening to a bottom of the housing 42 for receiving a portion of the stem 56 and the closure 46, and a through passage 94 extending therebetween. The upper recessed area 90 is configured to receive the flanged portion 54 and includes a circumferential groove 96 that aligns with the circumferential groove 64 for receiving the gasket 66. The housing 42 includes a suitable pump for pumping coating material from the receptacle 14. For example, the housing 42 includes a rail 98 extending along a side of the through passage 94 and a sphere passage 100 opening to a top and bottom of the rail 98. The sphere passage 100 is configured to hold a plurality of spheres 104, such as a plurality of polypropylene spheres, and the spheres 104 are configured to move, one at a time, from a top of the sphere passage 100 to the rail 98 and then to the bottom of the sphere passage 100 to pump coating material from the receptacle 12, where a portion of the sphere 104 will move along the rail 98 and a portion of the sphere 104 will be in the thread 72 of the stem 56.

[0026] Turning again to FIGS. 1 and 6-8, the closure 46 includes a base 110 and a wall 112 circumscribing the base 110 to define therewith a cavity 114. The wall 112 has a circumferential groove 116 for receiving a suitable gasket 118 for sealing between the wall 112 and the lower recessed area 92 of the housing 42. Extending upward from the base 110 in the cavity 114 is a first stem 120, and extending downward from the base 110 is a second stem 122 having a flanged portion 124 at its bottom for a user to grasp. Extending through the first and second stems 120 and 122 is a through passage 126 through which the shaft 54 of the stem 62 extends. The first stem 120 includes one or more first openings 128 in a side of the first stem 120 opening to the through passage 126 and the cavity 114 and one or more second openings 130 in the side of the first stem 120 opening to the through passage 126 and the cavity 114. As shown, the first stem 120 includes a pair of first openings 128 aligned with one another and a pair of second openings 130 aligned with one another, where axes of the first openings 128 are parallel to axes of the second openings 130.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the closure 46 is movable between a first or closed position shown in FIG. 6, a second position shown in FIG. 7, and a third position shown in FIG. 8, where the second and third positions are open positions. In the first or closed position, the closure 46 is positioned in the lower recessed area 92 with a top of the first stem 120 abutting a bottom of the threaded portion 72 and with the first openings 128 aligned with the first outlet openings 80, the second openings 130 being covered by the stem 56, and the second outlet openings 82 being covered by the first stem 120. When the grip area 44 and housing 42 are rotated, one of the spheres 104 is moved down through the rail 98 and thread 72 causing material to be pumped out of the receptacle 14 to the first inlet opening 68 to flow along the thread 72 and into the cavity 114. In an implementation, one rotation moves the sphere 104 from the top of the rail 98 to the bottom of the rail where it pushes the other spheres to move the topmost sphere to the top of the rail 98. With the second outlet openings 82 being covered, the material is forced through the first openings 128 and first outlet openings 80 to flow up the first outlet passage 74 and back into the receptacle 14 recirculating the material.

[0028] In the second position shown in FIG. 7, the closure 46 is moved downward relative to the body 40 and housing 42 until the second openings 130 are aligned with the second outlet openings 82. A stop or the like may be provided to provide feedback to a user that the closure 46 is in the second position. In this position, the first outlet openings 80 will be covered by the first stem 120 and the first openings 128 will be covered by the stem 56. When the grip area 44 and housing 42 are rotated, one of the spheres 104 is moved down through the rail 98 and thread 72 causing material to be pumped out of the receptacle 14 to the first inlet opening 68 to flow along the thread 72 and into the cavity 114. With the first outlet openings 80 being covered preventing flow through the first outlet passage 74, the material is forced through the second openings 130 and the second outlet openings 82 to flow through the second outlet passage 76 and out of the dispensing assembly. In the second position, a first flow rate of material is dispensed from the dispensing assembly.

[0029] In the third position shown in FIG. 8, the closure 46 is moved downward relative to the body 40 and housing 42 until the first openings 128 are aligned with the second outlet openings 82. A stop may be provided to prevent the closure 46 from moving further downward relative to the body 40 and the housing 42. In this position, the first outlet openings 80 will be uncovered and the second openings 130 will be covered by the stem 56. In this position, the pump can be bypassed such that the receptacle 14 may be squeezed to dispense material quickly. When the receptacle 14 is squeezed, with the first outlet openings 80 being uncovered and the second outlet openings 82 being aligned with the first openings 128, the material is forced through the first outlet passage 74, through the first outlet openings 80 into the cavity 114. The material then flows from the cavity 114 through the second openings 130 and the second outlet openings 82 to flow through the second outlet passage 76 and out of the dispensing assembly. In the third position, material is dispensed from the dispensing assembly at a flow rate greater than the first flow rate.

[0030] To assemble the cap assembly 12, the spheres 104 are positioned in the sphere passage 100 of the housing 42. The gasket 66 is then positioned in one of the circumferential grooves 64 or 96, and the flanged portion 54 is advanced into the upper recessed area 90 until the gasket 66 is in both the grooves 64 and 96 and the top of the housing 42 is positioned in the recessed area 58. The gasket 118 is then positioned in the groove 116 and the closure 46 advanced over the shaft 62 and into the lower recessed area 92 until the top of the first stem 120 abuts the bottom of the threaded portion 72. It will be appreciated that the assembly steps above may be completed in any suitable order.

[0031] After the cap assembly 12 has been assembled, the receptacle 14 may be coupled to the cap assembly 12. To couple the receptacle 14 to the cap assembly 12, the neck 32 of the receptacle 14 is positioned within the collar 52 of the cap assembly 12 and rotated to engage the threads 36 on the neck 32 with the threads 60 on the collar 52. As the receptacle 14 is being threaded to the collar 52, the rim fractures the foil seal 38 on the neck 32 placing the cavity in the receptacle 14 in communication with the first and second inlet openings 68 and 70.

[0032] To dispense material at the first flow rate, the closure 46 is moved to the second position and the grip area 44 and housing 42 are rotated thereby moving one of the spheres 104 down through the rail 98 and thread 72 causing material to be pumped out of the receptacle 14 to the cavity 114 in the closure 46. The material is pumped through the second openings 130 in the closure 46 and the second outlet openings 82 in the stem 56 to flow through the second outlet passage 76 and out of the dispensing assembly providing for controlled dispensing.

[0033] To dispense material at a flow rate greater than the first flow rate, the closure 46 is moved to the third position and the receptacle 14 squeezed to force the coating material through the first outlet passage 74, through the first outlet openings 80 in the stem 56 and into the cavity 114 in the closure 46. The material then flows from the cavity 114 through the second openings 130 in the closure 46 and the second outlet openings 82 in the stem 56 to flow through the second outlet passage 76 and out of the dispensing assembly.

[0034] The following are example embodiments of the innovations:

[0035] Embodiment 1, a dispensing assembly for dispensing a material, the dispensing assembly including a body including a stem and a collar configured to be coupled to a receptacle, the stem having a first outlet passage, one or more first outlet openings in communication with the first outlet passage, a second outlet passage, and one or more second outlet openings in communication with the second outlet passage, a housing rotatably coupled to the body to pump material from the receptacle to the stem, and a closure movable relative to the stem between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position, the closure having one or more third outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more first outlet openings in the closed position and aligned with the one or more second outlet openings in the second open position, and one or more fourth outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more second outlet openings in the first open position.

[0036] Embodiment 2, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 1, wherein the stem includes a threaded portion in communication with the collar, wherein material is configured to flow from the receptacle along the threaded portion when the housing is rotated.

[0037] Embodiment 3, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 2, wherein the housing includes a through passage for receiving the stem, a rail extending along a side of the through passage, and a sphere passage opening to a top and bottom of the rail, and wherein the dispensing assembly further includes a plurality of spheres disposed in the sphere passage configured to move by rotation of the housing along the rail and threaded portion to pump material from the receptacle to the stem.

[0038] Embodiment 4, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 2 or 3, wherein in the closed position, the material flows along the threaded portion to the one or more third outlet openings to the one or more first outlet openings to the first outlet passage and back to the receptacle, and wherein in the first open position, material flows along the threaded portion to the one or more fourth outlet openings to the one or more second outlet openings to the second outlet passage and out of the stem.

[0039] Embodiment 5, the dispensing assembly according to any of Embodiments 2-4, wherein in the second opening position, material is configured to flow from the receptacle through the first outlet passage to the one or more first outlet openings to the one or more third outlet openings to the one or more second outlet openings and to the second outlet passage and out of the stem.

[0040] Embodiment 6, the dispensing assembly according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein the one or more first outlet openings includes a pair of first outlet openings, wherein the one or more second outlet openings includes a pair of second outlet openings, wherein the one or more third outlet openings includes a pair of third outlet openings, and wherein the one or more fourth outlet openings includes a pair of fourth outlet openings.

[0041] Embodiment 7, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 6, wherein the first and second pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another, and the third and fourth pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another.

[0042] Embodiment 8, the dispensing assembly according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein the closure includes a base, a wall circumscribing the base, a first stem extending upward from the base, a second stem extending downward from the base, and a through passage extending through the first and second stems through which the stem of the body extends.

[0043] Embodiment 9, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 8, wherein the first stem includes the one or more third outlet openings and the one or more fourth outlet openings in communication with the through passage.

[0044] Embodiment 10, the dispensing assembly according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein the housing is rotatable relative to the body in a single direction.

[0045] Embodiment 11, the dispensing assembly according to any preceding Embodiment, further comprising the receptacle configured to be coupled to the collar of the body.

[0046] Embodiment 12, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 11, wherein the receptacle includes a pouch for holding material, a neck extending from the pouch and configured to be coupled to the collar, and a seal on the neck configured to be punctured when the neck is coupled to the collar.

[0047] Embodiment 13, a dispensing assembly for dispensing a material, the dispensing assembly including a receptacle, and a cap assembly configured to be coupled to the receptacle, the cap assembly including a body including a stem having a first outlet passage, one or more first outlet openings in communication with the first outlet passage, a second outlet passage, and one or more second outlet openings in communication with the second outlet passage, a housing rotatably coupled to the body to pump material from the receptacle to the stem, and a closure movable relative to the stem between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position.

[0048] Embodiment 14, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 13, wherein the closure includes one or more third outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more first outlet openings in the closed position and aligned with the one or more second outlet openings in the second open position, and one or more fourth outlet openings configured to be aligned with the one or more second outlet openings in the first open position.

[0049] Embodiment 15, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 14, wherein the stem includes a threaded portion in communication with the collar, wherein material is configured to flow from the receptacle along the threaded portion when the housing is rotated.

[0050] Embodiment 16, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 15, wherein the housing includes a through passage for receiving the stem, a rail extending along a side of the through passage, and a sphere passage opening to a top and bottom of the rail.

[0051] Embodiment 17, the dispensing assembly according to Embodiment 16, further including a plurality of spheres disposed in the sphere passage, wherein the spheres are configured to move by rotation of the housing along the rail and threaded portion to pump material from the receptacle to the stem.

[0052] Embodiment 18, the dispensing assembly according to any of Embodiments 13-17, wherein in the closed position, the material flows through the one or more third outlet openings to the one or more first outlet openings to the first outlet passage and back to the receptacle, wherein in the first open position, material flows through the one or more fourth outlet openings to the one or more second outlet openings to the second outlet passage and out of the stem, and wherein in the second opening position, material is configured to flow from the receptacle through the first outlet passage to the one or more first outlet openings to the one or more third outlet openings to the one or more second outlet openings, and to the second outlet passage and out of the stem.

[0053] Embodiment 19, the dispensing assembly according to any of Embodiments 13-18, wherein the one or more first outlet openings includes a pair of first outlet openings, wherein the one or more second outlet openings includes a pair of second outlet openings, wherein the one or more third outlet openings includes a pair of third outlet openings, and wherein the one or more fourth outlet openings includes a pair of fourth outlet openings, and wherein the first and second pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another, and the third and fourth pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another.

[0054] Embodiment 20, a dispensing assembly for dispensing a material, the dispensing assembly including a body including a stem having a first outlet passage, a pair of first outlet openings in communication with the first outlet passage, a second outlet passage, and a pair of second outlet openings in communication with the second outlet passage, a housing rotatably coupled to the body to pump material from a receptacle to the stem, and a closure movable relative to the stem between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position, the closure having a pair of third outlet openings configured to be aligned with the pair of first outlet openings in the closed position and aligned with the pair of second outlet openings in the second open position, and a pair of fourth outlet openings configured to be aligned with the pair of second outlet openings in the first open position, wherein the first and second pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another, and the third and fourth pairs of outlet openings are parallel to one another.

[0055] The aforementioned systems, components, (e.g., containers, caps, among others), and the like have been described with respect to interaction between several components and/or elements. It should be appreciated that such devices and elements can include those elements or sub-elements specified therein, some of the specified elements or sub-elements, and/or additional elements. Further yet, one or more elements and/or sub-elements may be combined into a single component to provide aggregate functionality. The elements may also interact with one or more other elements not specifically described herein.

[0056] While the embodiments discussed herein have been related to the apparatus, systems and methods discussed above, these embodiments are intended to be exemplary and are not intended to limit the applicability of these embodiments to only those discussions set forth herein.

[0057] The above examples are merely illustrative of several possible embodiments of various aspects of the present invention, wherein equivalent alterations and/or modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, systems, circuits, and the like), the terms (including a reference to a means) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component, such as hardware, software, or combinations thereof, which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated implementations of the invention. In addition although a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Also, to the extent that the terms including, includes, having, has, with, or variants thereof are used in the detailed description and/or in the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising.

[0058] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

[0059] In the specification and claims, reference will be made to a number of terms that have the following meanings. The singular forms a, an and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify a quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as about is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Moreover, unless specifically stated otherwise, a use of the terms first, second, etc., do not denote an order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0060] As used herein, the terms may and may be indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of may and may be indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances the event or capacity cannot occurthis distinction is captured by the terms may and may be.

[0061] The best mode for carrying out the invention has been described for purposes of illustrating the best mode known to the applicant at the time and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, including making and using devices or systems and performing incorporated methods. The examples are illustrative only and not meant to limit the invention, as measured by the scope and merit of the claims. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differentiate from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.