Abstract
A device for dispensing fluid from a fluid container, the device capable of being set to different discrete and repeatable/equal dispensing amounts, depending on the amount of fluid required to be dispensed by the user for various applications and uses. The device may also be set to an “off” or “closed” position to prevent accidental dispensing of fluid when not in use. The device is preferably configured to be affixed to the outer surface of a fluid container, which fluid container is preferably a flexible bag or pouch.
Claims
1. A fluid dispensing device, comprising: a container having an outer surface and a first opening; the container defining an interior fluid storage region therein, and an exterior outer region; a button, a metering housing collar, a flexible metering housing, having a metering chamber therein with a predetermined volume, disposed in fluid communication with the fluid storage region; an intake valve disposed between the container and the flexible metering housing and permitting unidirectional fluid flow from the interior fluid storage region of the container into the metering chamber thereby filling the predetermined volume of the metering chamber; an output valve, in fluid communication with the metering housing and permitting unidirectional fluid flow from the metering chamber to the exterior outer region of the container of a volume of fluid substantially equal to the user predetermined volume of the flexible metering housing; and wherein the container is made from a flexible material, and wherein the flexible material of the container and the unidirectional flow of the intake valve cause the container to collapse as fluid is evacuated from within the container such that the fluid dispensing device is gravity independent.
2. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising: a user adjustable button/collar assembly that is applied to the outside of the fluid storage container.
3. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising: a user adjustable button/collar assembly to control the maximum amount desired dosage.
4. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising: a user adjustable button/collar assembly that is self-piercing.
5. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising: a user adjustable button/collar assembly with a shut-off to prevent accidental dispensing.
6. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising: means for dispersing fluid about the exterior outer region of the container.
7. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising: a fluid conduit connected at one end to the output valve and at the other end to an exit port defined by the container.
8. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising: a fluid conduit disposed between the metering housing and the output valve.
9. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of output valves.
10. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the intake valve and the output valve are one-way check valves.
11. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the intake valve and the output valve are bi-directional check valves.
12. The fluid dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising: standoff means connected to the metering housing and proximal to the intake valve to prevent the intake valve from being blocked.
13. The fluid dispensing device of claim 12, wherein the standoff means is at least one leg.
14. A fluid dispensing device, comprising: a generally cylindrical rigid base unit having a generally flat and continuous bottom surface and a top surface having concentric inner and outer columns thereon defining a channel there-between and a center area inside the perimeter of said inner column; a flexible dome manufactured from a shape memory material and configured to fit inside the center area of said base unit to form a pump chamber; said bottom surface of said base unit having a fluid inlet opening to said pump chamber to permit the flow of fluid there-through; said device further comprising a combination dial and button having the shape of a cylinder with a closed top and an open bottom, a bottom portion of said combination dial and button configured to fit inside the channel defined by said two concentric columns; said inner column and a bottom portion of said combination dial and button having complementarily located nubs and slots, the nubs configured to rest in and travel within said slots to constrain the rotational and vertical movement of said combination dial and button in said channel; said base also defining a fluid delivery channel between said pump chamber and a fluid delivery outlet opening on an outside surface of said base unit; said closed top of said combination dial and button being constructed of material that is sufficiently flexible so that upon receiving of a load from above, the top of said combination dial and button can be forced down onto said flexible dome in turn forcing said flexible dome downward, forcing contents of said pump chamber into said fluid delivery channel.
15. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 14, further comprising a uni-directional fluid flow valve associated with said fluid inlet opening to prevent the flow of fluid through said inlet opening when said combination dial and button is being pressed.
16. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 14, further comprising a uni-directional fluid flow valve associated with said fluid delivery channel to prevent flow of fluid into said pump chamber by way of vacuum force when said flexible dome has been depressed and is returning to an original shape due to shape memory.
17. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 14, where said nubs are situated on an inside surface of said combination dial and button, and where said slots are situated on said inner column.
18. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 14, where said nubs are situated on an inside surface of said inner column, and where said slots are in said combination dial and button.
19. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 14, wherein said slots comprise a first vertical slot and a second vertical slot connected at a top end of said first and second vertical slots by a horizontal slot, said first slot having a height that is different from a height of said second slot, said height being measured from said horizontal slot.
20. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 19 further comprising a second horizontal slot, said second horizontal slot connected at a bottom of one of said first and second slots.
21. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 19, further comprising a downward slanting slot connected at a bottom of one of said first and second slots, said downward sloping slot terminating at a second horizontal slot.
22. The fluid dispending device according to claim 21, having a configuration such that when a nub has been delivered to said second horizontal slot by pressing and rotating of said combination dial and button, a bottom surface of said combination dial and button is drawn down on to a bottom of said channel, causing said fluid delivery channel to be pinched shut.
23. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 14, said channels comprising a plurality of vertical dosing channels having downward facing prongs that prevent upward movement of the nubs in said dosing channels, each of said vertical dosing channels connected at a bottom to an associated vertical return channel having upward facing prongs that inhibit downward movement of the nubs in said vertical return channels.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The subsequent description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention refers to the attached drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1a is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 1b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a.
[0018] FIG. 1c is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser dosing collar with an alternative slot design.
[0019] FIG. 1d is a bottom perspective view of the dosing dial/button.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the dosing/control collar shown in FIG. 1a.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing/control collar shown in FIG. 1a.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dosing/control collar according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an assembled adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in a closed/locked position.
[0024] FIG. 5b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5a.
[0025] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention which has been rotated to the “FULL” dispensing position.
[0026] FIG. 6b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6a.
[0027] FIG. 7a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in which the activation/setting button has been released from the locked position having been rotated to the “FULL” dispensing position and the button forced upward under force of the flexible dome returning to its original position.
[0028] FIG. 7b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7a.
[0029] FIG. 8a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in which a full dose of liquid is dispensed when the activation/setting button is in the “FULL” position and then manually depressed.
[0030] FIG. 8b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8a.
[0031] FIG. 9a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in which a full dose of liquid has been dispensed upon the manual pressing of the activation/setting button and in which following activation, the button returns to the “ready” position when the button is released and is forced upwards upon action of the flexible dosing dome.
[0032] FIG. 9b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9a.
[0033] FIG. 10a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in which the activation/setting button has been rotated to the half dose position and is in the “ready” position.
[0034] FIG. 10b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10a.
[0035] FIG. 11a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in which the activation/setting button is in the half dose position and is dispensing a half dose as the activation/setting button is manually depressed by a user.
[0036] FIG. is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11a.
[0037] FIG. 12a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in which the activation/setting button is in the half dose position, a half dose has been dispensed, and the activation/setting button has returned to the “ready” position having been released by a user and forced upward by the flexible dosing dome.
[0038] FIG. 12b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12a.
[0039] FIG. 13a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in which the activation/setting button has been rotated to a “CLOSE” position.
[0040] FIG. 13b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13a.
[0041] FIG. 14a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention proximate to a matching opening in a flexible fluid container.
[0042] FIG. 14b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14a.
[0043] FIG. 15a is a perspective view of an adjustable fluid dosing dispenser attached to the surface of a flexible fluid container according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0044] FIG. 15b is an alternate rendition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] The present invention is a device for dispensing fluid from a fluid container, the device capable of being set to different discrete and repeatable/equal dispensing amounts, depending on the amount of fluid required to be dispensed by the user for various applications and uses. The device may also be set to an “off” or “closed” position to prevent accidental dispensing of fluid when not in use. The device is preferably configured to be affixed to the outer surface of a fluid container, which fluid container is preferably a flexible bag or pouch. According to various embodiments, at least one surface of the fluid container or a sufficient portion of the fluid container is flexible to allow the container to collapse as fluid is withdrawn therefrom. In the case that the entire fluid container is not made of flexible material, the dispensing device is preferably attached to portion of the container that is flexible and which is collapsible as fluid is dispensed from the container.
[0046] FIGS. 1a-1c show an embodiment of the device including a dosing/control collar, a flexible dosing dome, and a combined dose setting dial and dose delivery button. The flexible dosing dome and the dosing/control collar, when assembled, form the pump or dosing chamber. The dosing/control collar is preferably cylindrical in shape with concentric inner and outer annular shafts/columns rising from a common base and defining a narrow channel between them. The exterior of the outer annular shaft may feature a flange that extends away from the center of the shaft. The interior shaft also features a plurality of horizontal and vertical dosing and rotation channels or slots that receive and interact with corresponding nubs on the outside surface of the dose dial/button. According to an alternative embodiment, the dosing and rotation channels may be on the shaft of the dose dial/button and the nubs may be on the outside surface of the inner annular shaft. The horizontal slots are the rotation slots and may have a plurality of détente locations so that the user can tactically feel the progress of the dial as it is being rotated. The vertical channels are the dosing slots and have differing depths (measured from the horizontal slot to the bottom of the vertical slot) which correspond to different dispensing amounts. According to a preferred embodiment, each vertical slot in the inner annular shaft is paired with a second vertical slot of the same depth, spaced apart on the inner annular shaft, and each nub on the dose dial button is paired with a second nub spaced apart on the dose/dial button at a location that corresponds to the location of the second vertical shaft. When the dial/button is rotated so that a nub on the exterior of the dial/button lines up with a vertical slot, the button can be depressed to dispense fluid. The limit of depression limits the amount dispensed, and the depth of the vertical slot limits how far the button can be depressed because when the nub hits the bottom of the vertical slot, the dial/button is prevented from being depressed any further without breaking the nub, the slot/channel, or both.
[0047] According to one embodiment, there is at least one vertical slot or set of vertical slots for a “Full” dose, and there is at least one second vertical slot or set of vertical slots for a “Half” or “Partial” does. According to other embodiments, there may be a third and fourth vertical slots or sets of vertical slots for other fractional doses, for example, ¾ dose, ⅔ dose, ⅓ dose and ¼ dose.
[0048] The dosing control collar also features a through-opening in the bottom surface to accommodate the entry of fluid, fluid inlet valve, represented in FIG. 3 as a flexible flap that is configured to lie over the through-opening, a fluid outlet on the outside surface of the dosing control collar, and a fluid delivery channel between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet.
[0049] According to a further alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the dosing control collar may have separate dosing slots and return slots. According to this embodiment, the dosing slots may have downward facing teeth or prongs which prevent the nubs from traveling upwards, thus requiring that the dial/button be fully depressed before it returns to the set position. Since the nubs cannot travel upwards in the dosing slots, separate return slots are provided adjacent the dosing slots, connected by a horizontal slot. The return slots preferably have upward facing teeth or prongs to prevent the nubs from traveling downward while in the return slots.
[0050] The dose setting dial/dose delivery button is preferably manufactured of relatively rigid plastic having a rigid bottom portion that snaps into the channel formed between the inner and outer annular shafts of the base (dosing/control collar).
[0051] The dose setting dial/dose delivery button and the dosing/control collar are preferably made of a rigid plastic material. A non-limiting example of a material that may be used for the dose setting dial/dose delivery button and the dosing/control collar is shown in Appendix 1. Numerous other materials would likewise be suitable as persons of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate. Appendix 1 is provided only to provide a reference point for the general properties of the materials that are suitable for the present invention. Nubs molded to or otherwise formed on the interior surface of the dial/button rest inside the slots formed in the interior shaft. When a user presses the dial/button, the dial/button forces the flexible dosing dome downward to evacuate the interior volume of the dome via the fluid outlet; when the dial/button is released, the flexible dosing dome returns to its original shape, forcing the dial/button upward, and drawing fluid into the interior of the dome under vacuum action.
[0052] The flexible dosing dome is preferably made of shape memory elastomeric material that returns to its original shape after deformation. A non-limiting example of a material that may be used for the dose setting dial/dose delivery button and the dosing/control collar is shown in Appendix 2. Numerous other materials would likewise be suitable as persons of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate. Appendix 2 is provided only to provide a reference point for the general properties of the materials that are suitable for the present invention.
[0053] FIGS. 5a and 5b show these three parts assembled into an adjustable fluid dispensing device according to the invention in which the flexible dosing dome is sealed to the base inside the interior column of the dosing/control collar and the bottom portion of the dose setting dial/dose delivery button is snapped over the flexible dosing dome into the channel between the inner and outer shafts. The upper portion of the dial/button projects above the top of the dosing/control collar. According to a preferred embodiment, the perimeter of the upper portion of the dial/button has molded or printed indicia such as “<Open” “Closed” and “FULL” and “HALF” to indicate the rotary position of the dial that corresponds to various functions or dispensing amounts. Each of these indicia corresponds to a nub/slot combination that permits no depression, full depression, half depression, or other partial depression to dispense a corresponding amount of fluid. Likewise, the outside surface of the outer shaft of the collar preferably has printed or molded or other indicia indicating the location on the collar that must be lined up with the appropriate indicia on the dial/button in order to achieve the desired function. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the dial/button is in the fully depressed position, and rotated counterclockwise so that the nubs on the inside surface of the dial/button are in the bottom horizontal slot, locking the dial/button into a closed position. According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom horizontal slot has a slight downward slant before becoming horizontal to draw the dial/button down slightly as it is rotated into the closed position, see FIG. 1c, causing the bottom surface of the dial button to bear down on the fluid delivery channel, pinching it shut. As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the indicia on the collar lines up with a “<Open” indicia on the button, showing that in order to dispense fluid, the dial/button must be rotated clockwise until the nubs line up with the “FULL” vertical slot. If the user wishes to dispense only a half dose, the dial/button must be rotated clockwise again until the nubs line up with the correspondingly shorter/shallower vertical channel/slot.
[0054] FIGS. 6a and 6b show the dial/button rotated so that the indicia on the collar lines up with the indicia on the button that says “FULL” and the nubs line up with the deepest vertical slot/channel.
[0055] FIGS. 7a and 7b show the dial/button in the same rotational position as in FIG. 3, but after the pressure from the flexible dosing dome has forced the dial/button up to the dispensing position.
[0056] FIGS. 8a and 8b show manual activation of the dial/button in a dispensing action. When the button is depressed, the flexible dosing dome is also depressed. When the button is operated for a first time, the interior volume of the dome may be filled only with air or with air and fluid, if fluid has leaked into the pump chamber from the fluid container during filling, shipping and/or storage. Depression of the button forces the air or air fluid mixture from the interior volume of the dome via the fluid outlet and fluid outlet valve. When the button is released, the flexible dosing dome returns to its original shape, forcing the dial/button back to its original position (FIGS. 9a and 9b), and drawing fluid from the fluid container into the interior volume of the dome via the fluid inlet and fluid inlet valve. Each subsequent depression of the dial/button dispenses fluid forces fluid out of the dosing chamber of the flexible dosing dome out through the fluid outlet via the fluid delivery channel and fluid outlet valve, thus dispensing fluid. When the button is released, the flexible dosing dome again returns to its original shape, drawing a fresh amount of fluid into the dosing chamber.
[0057] FIGS. 10a and 10b show the dial/button rotated from the “FULL” dispensing location to the “HALF” dispensing location, the nubs in the inside surface of the dial having traveled in the upper horizontal slot/channel from the deep vertical slot/channel to a shallower vertical slot/channel.
[0058] FIGS. 11a and 11b show a complete depression of the dial/button in the “HALF” dispensing location. Note that the button cannot be depressed as far in the “HALF” position as it was in the “FULL” position (FIGS. 8a and 8b) because the nub(s) hit the bottom of the shallower vertical slot(s). FIGS. 11a and 11b show a correspondingly smaller amount dispensed as compared to the FULL dose dispensed in FIGS. 8a and 8b.
[0059] FIGS. 12a and 12b show the dial/button returned to the rest position after it has been released, under the force of the flexible dosing dome which returns to its original shape when not under a load.
[0060] FIGS. 13a and 13b show the dial rotated to an internal product shut off location so that the nub(s)s are in the upper horizontal channel(s)/slot(s), but do not line up with any of the vertical slots. In this location, the button is prevented from accidental activation/dispensing.
[0061] FIGS. 14a and 14b show the adjustable metering device of the invention about to be connected to a flexible fluid container, preferably a bag or pouch. According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid container is collapsible as fluid is dispensed therefrom and preferably contains no air. According to one embodiment, the bottom of the adjustable metering device has an adhesive that makes a secure and air-tight connection to the fluid container. According to a further embodiment, the adhesive may be covered prior to use with a thin pull-away film to protect and preserve the adhesive until it is time to connect the device to the fluid container. According to various alternative embodiments, the bottom of the adjustable metering device may be heat welded to the fluid container, sonic welded to the fluid container or sealed to the fluid container in any other known method. According to a further embodiment, the fluid container may have a reinforced region and/or treated surface that corresponds to the shape and size of the device to facilitate strong and secure connection and prevent container breaking or tearing should a force or load be applied to the device after it has been attached to the fluid container.
[0062] FIGS. 15a and 15b show an adjustable metering device of the invention connected to a flexible fluid container. The device can be operated to dispense fluid no matter the orientation of the device in space, as it is agnostic to gravity or other forces except for the depression of the dial/button.
[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the device may be provided with a self-piercing feature that pierces the fluid container at the same time that the device is affixed to the outside of the container, creating fluid communication between the fluid in the container and the fluid inlet of the device with ease and without mess.
