U.S. patent application number 12/981040 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-03 for fluid safety dispenser system.
Invention is credited to Paul Schlie, Robert Terwilliger.
Application Number | 20120103468 12/981040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44070693 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120103468 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Terwilliger; Robert ; et
al. |
May 3, 2012 |
Fluid safety dispenser system
Abstract
A fluid safety dispenser system for use with fluid storage. The
dispenser system includes a dispensing valve positionable in the
opening of the container, the dispensing valve having a directional
chamber capable of rotation between an open position to allow fluid
passage through the opening of the container and a closed position
to eliminate fluid passage through the opening of the container. A
fluid dispenser which assimilates a syringe is releasably securable
to the dispensing valve for use in drawing fluid from the container
when the fluid dispenser is in the open position. The fluid
dispenser has indicia to provide for exact measurement and a
locking mechanism to assure the container is closed when the fluid
dispenser is detached from the container.
Inventors: |
Terwilliger; Robert; (Palm
Beach Gardens, FL) ; Schlie; Paul; (Durham,
NH) |
Family ID: |
44070693 |
Appl. No.: |
12/981040 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61407775 |
Oct 28, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
141/346 ;
141/372; 222/547; 222/548 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/2062 20150501;
A61J 1/1437 20130101; A61J 1/2096 20130101; A61J 2200/76
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/346 ;
222/547; 222/548; 141/372 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/30 20060101
B65B003/30; B65D 50/00 20060101 B65D050/00; B65D 47/00 20060101
B65D047/00 |
Claims
1. A fluid safety dispenser system comprising: a container having a
bottom, a top, and a continuous side wall therebetween for storage
of fluids, said top having an opening formed from an inner side
wall to provide a passageway for the fluids stored therein; a
dispensing valve positionable in said opening, said dispensing
valve having a directional chamber capable of rotation between an
open position to allow fluid passage through said opening, and a
closed position to eliminate fluid passage through said opening;
and a fluid dispenser releasably securable to said dispensing valve
for use in drawing fluid from said container when said dispensing
valve is in said open position.
2. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 1
wherein dispensing valve comprises a non-rotatable outer valve body
having a flow cavity and a rotatable inner valve body having a
rotatable guide body forming a flow through chamber when rotated to
an open position, said flow cavity formed in a part of said outer
valve body when said inner valve body is rotated to said open
position.
3. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 2
wherein outer valve body is constructed and arranged to be
sealingly secured to the inner side wall of said opening and
positioned from the top edge of the container by use of a top, said
inner valve body secured to said outer wall body by a bottom
holder.
4. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 3
wherein said inner valve body is constructed to be self aligning
between said top and said bottom holder.
5. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 3
wherein said inner valve body and said outer valve body are
preassembled for insertion into an opening as an assembly.
6. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 2
wherein outer valve body is secured to said top.
7. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 1
wherein said upper portion of said container is threaded for
receipt of a cap.
8. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 3
wherein said bottom holder includes an upwardly positioned side
wall with at least one inwardly facing engagement tab securing said
bottom holder to said outer valve body, said engagement tab
maintained in position by said inner side wall of said container
opening upon insertion into a container opening.
9. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 2
wherein said inner valve body includes at least one protrusion
operatively associated with at least one keying receptacle
positioned on said fluid dispenser wherein said fluid dispenser can
be attached to said inner valve body only when said protrusion and
said keying receptacle are matched.
10. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 9
wherein said protrusion and said keying receptacle are constructed
and arranged to provide a security match wherein said inner valve
body must include a matching protrusion to allow insertion of said
fluid dispenser into an aperture of said dispensing valve allowing
rotation thereof.
11. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 1
wherein said fluid dispenser and said dispensing valve includes
first alignment indicia to indicate protrusion receptacle insertion
position.
12. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 1
wherein said fluid dispenser and said dispensing valve includes
second alignment indicia to indicate proper protrusion receptacle
rotation of said inner valve body to provide fluid passageway
through said dispensing valve.
13. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 1
wherein said fluid dispenser includes measurement indicia to
indicate the amount of fluid drawn from said container.
14. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 1
including a means for venting said container.
15. A fluid safety dispenser system comprising: a container having
a bottom, a top, and a continuous side wall therebetween for
storage of fluids, said top having an opening formed from an inner
side wall to provide a passageway for the fluids stored therein and
a threaded outer side wall for receipt of a cap; a dispensing valve
positionable in said opening, said dispensing valve having a
directional chamber capable of rotation between an open position to
allow fluid passage through said opening and a closed position to
eliminate fluid passage through said opening; and a fluid dispenser
releasably securable to said dispensing valve for use in drawing
fluid from said container when said dispensing valve is in said
open position; and a means for temporarily interlocking said fluid
dispenser to said dispensing valve.
16. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 15
wherein dispensing valve comprises a non-rotatable outer valve body
having a flow cavity and a rotatable inner valve body having a
rotatable guide body forming a flow through chamber when rotated to
said open position, said flow cavity forming a part of said outer
valve body when said inner valve body is rotated to said open
position.
17. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 16
wherein outer valve body is constructed and arranged to be
sealingly secured to the inner side wall of said opening and
positioned from the top edge of the container by use of a top, said
inner valve body secured to said outer wall body by a bottom
holder.
18. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 17
wherein said inner valve body is constructed to be self aligning
between the top and the bottom holder.
19. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 16
wherein said inner valve body and said outer valve body are
preassembled for insertion into said opening as an assembly.
20. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 17
wherein outer valve body is secured to said top.
21. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 16
wherein an outer surface of said outer valve body sealingly engages
said inner side surface of said container opening.
22. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 16
wherein said bottom holder includes an upwardly positioned side
wall with at least one inwardly facing engagement tab securing said
bottom holder to said outer valve body, an outer surface of said
securement tab maintained in position by said inner side wall of
said container opening upon insertion into a container opening.
23. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 15
wherein said inner valve body includes at least one protrusion
operatively associated with at least one keying receptacle
positioned on said fluid dispenser wherein said fluid dispenser can
be attached to said inner valve body only when said protrusion and
said keying receptacle are matched.
24. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 23
wherein said protrusion and said keying receptacle are constructed
and arranged to provide a security match wherein said inner valve
body must include a matching protrusion to allow insertion of said
fluid dispenser into an aperture of said dispensing valve allowing
rotation thereof.
25. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 15
wherein said passageway is formed in a predetermined size related
to the viscosity of the fluid to be dispensed.
26. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 15
wherein said fluid dispenser and said dispensing valve include
first alignment indicia to indicate proper protrusion receptacle
insertion position.
27. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 15
wherein said fluid dispenser and said dispensing valve include
second alignment indicia to indicate proper protrusion receptacle
rotation of said inner valve body to provide fluid passageway
through said dispensing valve.
28. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 15
wherein said fluid dispenser includes measurement indicia to
indicate the amount of fluid drawn from said container.
29. The fluid safety dispenser system as set forth in claim 14
including a means for venting said container.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This invention claims the priority date of Nov. 28, 2010
based upon Provisional Patent Application No. 61/407,775 entitled
Fluid Safety Dispenser System, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to fluid safety dispensers
and in particular to a child resistant container having a
dispensing valve that is operated by an independent fluid
dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The packaging for liquid medications used for children,
adults, geriatrics and animals has always been vague and included a
wide range of dosing. The problem is especially pronounced in
pediatric elixirs wherein the dosing recommendations are by age,
which can lead to improper dosing for children. Although there
currently exists weight-specific dosage calculations presented on
charts and pinwheels, they are not readily available to the general
public. Even if available, the charts could present a confusing
array of dosages that may not be understood by the general
consumer. The Physician's Desk Reference may be used for the
calculation, but such a reference book is not typically purchased
or understood by the average consumer. It should be noted that just
because an individual reaches maturity, dosing levels should still
be of concern. Adults are of all sizes, and the elderly can be just
as susceptible to overdosing as can a child.
[0004] While the instant invention is specifically applicable to
liquid medications for children, adults, geriatrics and animals, it
will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the disclosed system
can be utilized with any liquid dispenser. However, for ease of
explanation, this disclosure will exemplify pediatric elixirs as an
example of use.
[0005] Applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,276,533 and 6,581,773
recognized the need for a weight based dosing regimen for pediatric
elixirs and disclosed a container mounted apparatus to accomplish
the proper dosing, the contents of the patents are incorporated
herein by reference. These disclosures address the dosing
recommendations on containers that are based on the child's age;
unfortunately the significant variations of weights of children of
the same age makes dosage determination based on age not only
inaccurate but most dangerous. For instance, when a child's
physician instructs a child's guardian to deliver a certain amount
of elixir to a child on a certain date. Should the guardian
continue to give the child the same amount of medication months
later, the dosage may not be correct if the child's weight has
changed. A child's weight can change quickly and if the guardian
does not inform the physician of the weight change, the dosage will
be improper. Continual adjustments in dosing, necessitated by the
child's rapidly changing body weight, are important to ensure
maximum therapeutic response to a medication.
[0006] Thus, while the aforementioned address proper dosing, a
problem remains in that a child may access the medication or fails
to measure the proper dosing amount. While known child resistant
containers exist, they are only as secure as the closure top is
installed properly. For instance, if the closure top is not
properly engaged after opening, the safety aspect of the closure
top is defeated and a child can easily access the medication.
Further, once the cap is removed there is nothing to prevent the
entire contents of the container from being poured out and
ingested, e.g., by children who may not comprehend the threat of
serious injury from improper use.
[0007] Even if the medication is in the hands of a guardian, the
guardian may not have a measuring cup or understand liquid
conversions. For instance, if a guardian is instructed to provide
20 ml of medication but has misplaced or was not provided with a
measuring cup, the guardian may assume 1 ounce (over dosing) or 1
tablespoon (under dosing) is acceptable. Similarly, a guardian only
conversant in the English system may receive instructions in ml and
attempt to estimate the equivalent in teaspoons. Another example
would be if a guardian is instructed to provide one two teaspoons
but employs a tablespoon. It is not uncommon for someone to believe
one tablespoon equals two teaspoons (under dosing). Further, the
use of a teaspoon or tablespoon used for eating is not accurate as
there is no required standard in the industry. Conventional eating
spoons are shaped for looks, not for medical dosing.
[0008] Some medication containers rely upon the use of the
container cap as a measuring cup, again the medication is estimated
as it is not possible to end with full caps unless the dosing is
rounded upward or downward. Medication containers may include a
measurement container, however, they can be displaced or intermixed
with other measuring containers, again risking improper dosing.
[0009] The criticality of dosing is compounded by the readily
available liquid medications which are marketed for treating,
management or mitigation of most any ailment. For instance, novel
pharmaceutical compositions such as Coricidin.RTM., Coricidin
D.RTM., Comtrex.RTM., Dristan.RTM., Daycare.RTM., Cotylenol.RTM.,
Sinubid.RTM. and the like are now well known OTC products. These
formulations generally contain aspirin, ibuprofen, salicylamide or
acetaminophen, one or more conventional antihistaminics,
decongestants, cough suppressants, antitussives and expectorants,
and are designed to address cough, cold, cold/like and/or flu
symptoms, discomfort, pain, headache, fever or any number of
aliments and the general malaise associated therewith. When used
properly, these medications are very predictable and beneficial.
When improper dosing occurs, it is not uncommon to hear a guardian
inquire as to why their child's fever has not gone down despite the
use of medication prescribed (typically underdosing). Or more
critically, why a child's fever increased shortly after receiving a
dose of acetaminophen (typically overdosing). Combinations of such
compositions are commonly recommended under a physician's
supervision; the combination only heightens the need for proper
dosing. Well known measures are milliliters, ounces, teaspoons,
tablespoons, capfuls, drops, cc's, all of which are simply poured
or otherwise dispensed from the medicine container which compound
the inaccuracies.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,240,373 discloses a container with a side
type dispenser wherein a release lock tab prevents opening of the
slide unless first released.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,301 discloses a container which uses a
key and slot wherein the key is attached to an outer cap with a
resilient, flexible strap.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,041 discloses a bottle cap having an
inner cap member is enclosed by a sleeve member, and connecting
means carried by the members provides for relative rotational and
axial movement therebetween. Engagement of a separable locking
means with the cap and sleeve members locks the members against
relative rotational movement and thus permits threaded engagement
or disengagement of the cap from the bottle.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,115 discloses a safety container having
a skirt with internal screw threads to form a conventional screw
cap closure, and an overcap completely covering the threaded
closure member and being freely rotatable in relationship thereto.
The overcap has on its top a projecting stud and a similar shaped
opening which serves as a key for unscrewing the inner closure
member of another closure of similar construction.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,585 discloses an inner cap member
adapted for being threaded onto the neck of a bottle for closing
the opening therein. An outer cap member interlocks with the inner
cap member when it is turned in a direction to apply the inner cap
member to the bottle. When turned in the opposite direction, the
outer cap member normally does not interlock with the inner cap
member.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,058 discloses a safety closure for a
container to prevent inadvertent opening of the container. The
closure includes an inner cap having an internal threaded portion
to be attached to the threads on the neck of the container and an
outer cap overlying the inner cap. The top of the inner cap has a
raised plate or ledge which is tapered and is provided with notches
extending inwardly of the outer rim and a spring centrally located
on the top of the inner cap. The underside of the top of the outer
cap has tracks to form a guideway and a stop. A slide is disposed
on the guideway between the inner and outer cap and engages the
stop to prevent lateral movement of the slide. When normally
assembled, the outer cap will freely rotate around the inner cap
without moving the inner cap. When the slide is depressed by
pressure exerted through the aperture against the action of the
spring, the slide is moved to disengage the slot from the stop and
partially out of the guideway.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,771 discloses a child-resistant cap
closure with incorporated means for over-ride of conventional
normally disengaged torque couplings which includes a hole formed
in the top surface of the outer cap, a formed plug having a locking
protuberance and removal ring, and a plurality of spaced stop lugs
formed annularly on the top surface of the inner cap. The free and
separate movement of the outer cap is prevented in either direction
of rotation by the plug's insertion into the hole of the outer cap
as to place the base of the plug in the space between the stop lugs
of the inner cap, rendering the cap non-child-resistant at the time
of consumer purchase.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,459 discloses a container having a
cylindrical neck at the top and threads molded about the exterior
of the neck, as well as an inner cap and outer cap. The inner cap
has a top and cylindrical side wall with threads molded on the
inside of the side wall so as to mate with the threads of the
container. The top or side of the inner cap has ratchet type
segments on its outside and the outer cap has ratchet type segments
on the inside of its top or side. The outer cap has a cylindrical
side wall and is usually freely rotatable about the inner cap so as
to be childproof. When in the childproof configuration as
described, downward pressure is required by the user so as to
engage the two ratchet type segments and thereby engage the two
caps to permit opening.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,928 discloses a child-resistant closure
and shell. The shell mounts a latching key and the closure provides
a complementary latch. An alignment structure provides for aligning
the latch and key for movement of the latching key from a mode in
which the key is inactive to a mode in which it engages the latch
to inactivate the child-resistant function of the closure. In that
position the shell and closure are movable in both clockwise and
counter-clockwise directions. Spring fingers may be provided to
elevate the shell relative to the closure to provide an additional
child-resistant function. The latching key may be hingedly or
slideably secured to the shell.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,070 discloses a container having a
syringe tip connector for coupling to a container, the device
directed to aspirating medication into a syringe for oral
administration to children, adults or animals.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,746 discloses a child resistant closure
having a pair of nested inner and outer caps. The inner cap is
coaxially positioned and nested within the outer cap such that a
row of angular abutments on the inner cap engage a row of angular
abutments on the outer cap when engaged to allow rotation of the
cap.
[0021] While the prior art is directed to assuring that the
consumer is knowledgeable of the proper amount of medication and
the need for child resistant closures to the medication, no known
prior art exists for keying a dosing container to a medication
container. Thus, what is needed is a dosing syringe that is used to
draw an exact amount of fluid needed to medicate an individual
while assuring that only the proper dosing syringe will operate
with the medication container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention provides a method and package, which
inhibit inadvertent access to quantities of potentially dangerous
products such as medicines by requiring the user to repeat one or
more deliberate steps before such fluid can be extracted from the
container.
[0023] The fluid safety dispenser system of the instant invention
includes a container for storage of fluids, an opening in the
container for passageway for the fluids stored therein, a
dispensing valve positionable in the opening having a directional
chamber capable of rotation between an open position to allow fluid
passage and a closed position to eliminate fluid passage, and a
keyed fluid dispenser releasably securable to the dispensing valve
for use in drawing fluid from the container.
[0024] An objective of the instant invention is to disclose a
dispensing valve having a rotatable valve body forming a flow
through chamber when rotated to an open position, the dispensing
valve forming a child resistant protector for use with a container
and eliminating the possibility of a container left open.
[0025] Another objective of the instant invention is to disclose
the use of a keying receptacle positioned on a fluid dispenser for
attaching to a matched dispensing valve.
[0026] Another objective of the instant invention is to disclose
the use of a keying receptacle positioned on a fluid dispenser
wherein the fluid dispenser must be attached to a container and
rotated into an open position before fluid can be drawn from the
container, and the fluid dispenser must be rotated into a closed
position before the fluid dispenser can be removed, wherein the
fluid container is maintained in a closed position when the fluid
dispenser is detached.
[0027] Still another objective of the instant invention is to
disclose the use of a geometrically keyed syringe dispenser and
fluid container.
[0028] Yet another objective of the instant invention is to
eliminate the need for a sealing cap.
[0029] Yet still another objective of the instant invention is to
disclose the use of a keyed syringe dispenser having alignment
indicia to indicate proper attachment to a container.
[0030] Yet still another objective of the instant invention is to
disclose the use of a keyed syringe dispenser having measurement
indicia for use in measuring the amount of fluid drawn from a
container.
[0031] Another objective of the invention is to provide a container
that is economical to manufacture and easy to use.
[0032] Other objectives and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of
illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this
specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present
invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container and fluid
dispenser of the instant invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container and fluid
dispenser engaged;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the dispenser valve with
the syringe disengaged;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the dispenser valve with
the syringe inserted;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the dispenser valve with
the syringe inserted and rotated to open a passageway;
[0038] FIG. 6 is an exploded view with the dispenser valve; and
[0039] FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of a capped container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0040] Now referring to the Figures in general and FIG. 1
specifically, set forth is a container 10 defined by a bottom 12, a
continuous sidewall 14, and an upper section 16. The container may
contain most any fluid, but for purposes of illustration, this
specification will be directed to medicated fluids for consumption
by children. The upper section 16 of the container resembles a
conventional bottle top having a mouth 18 with threads 20 for
receipt of a threaded container cap 21. A dispenser valve assembly
22 is inserted into an opening of the mouth for use in combination
with fluid dispenser 24. The fluid dispenser is defined by a handle
26, shaft 28 coupling the handle to a draw plunger 30 for drawing
fluid into the chamber 32. The end of the fluid dispenser includes
a receptacle insert 34, the fluid dispenser and receptacle insert
assimilating a conventional syringe type device.
[0041] The dispenser valve assembly 22 is accessed through a top
aperture 31 which receives the receptacle insert 34. As shown in
FIG. 3-6, the aperture includes an upper chamber 58 containing
protrusions 42 which operate as a locking mechanism when keyed
alike for receipt of the receptacle lock 44 which is notched into
the receptacle insert 34. The aperture 31 and protrusions 42 are
constructed and geometrically arranged for use in combination with
a fluid dispenser having a mating receptacle lock 44 for use in
alignment and rotation of a dispenser valve. Although simple
protrusions are depicted, it will be recognized to those skilled in
the art that the protrusions can be of any shape, size, position,
or combination thereof so as to provide a keyed locking mechanism
unique to a fluid dispenser for either a particular manufacturer,
line of products, or type of product. Keyed fluid dispenser 24
permits the guardian of a child to insure that the entrustment of
medication dosing to another can be performed without displacing
all medication held in a cabinet or refrigerator. If all medication
containers are keyed, only the proper fluid dispenser need be
provided, thereby assuring that only the particular medication is
utilized and the proper measuring amount indicia is used. If the
medication is for a child in the care of a babysitter, the parent
need not remove all the medication from the cabinets but rather
provide only the appropriate keyed fluid dispenser. This has
particular benefit for medication that must be refrigerated, as it
would be inappropriate to attempt to remove such medication for
placement in a medicine cabinet. The fluid dispenser is made of
recyclable plastic materials, is not affected by temperature, and
can left on a counter to provide a visual reminder of medication
due. The fluid dispenser would have no other use, so it is
preferably discarded and recycled after use.
[0042] The upper channel 58 forms a passageway into the inner valve
body 50. The aperture 40 and upper channel 58 are notched so that
the receptacle insert 34 can only be inserted when the inner valve
body is aligned in a closed position. The inner valve body 50 is
rotatable for directional positioning of a lower channel 60. The
inner body 50 can be rotated only when the receptacle insert 34 is
properly positioned, and the receptacle insert 34 cannot be removed
while the valve body 50 is rotated from the closed position. The
lower channel 60 is defined by an upper wall 62, an end wall 64,
and a bottom wall 66. The upper and lower passageway are fluidly
connected, the lower passage way formed perpendicular to the upper
passage way. For ease of manufacturing the channel walls can be
continuous and in the form of a round shaped passageway. While the
inner valve body is in a closed position, the fluid storage area
100 of the container is not accessible.
[0043] An outer valve body 52 sealingly engages the inner valve
body 50 along inner sidewall 53. The inner sidewall includes a
strategically placed alignment chamber 57 which extends from the
lower edge 59 of the outer valve body to a point equal to the upper
wall 62 of the lower channel 60. When the inner valve body is in an
open position, the lower channel is rotated to be open to the
alignment chamber 57. The outer sidewall 55 seals the outer valve
body against the inner side wall of the container opening. The
inner and outer valve body are encapsulated as an assembly for ease
of insert by use of a bottom holder 54 and a top 56. The bottom
holder 54 is defined by a bottom wall 70 having a passageway 80
which is aligned with one end of the alignment chamber 57. The
bottom wall 70 extends substantially across the width of the
container mouth and is formed integral to side wall 72 which is
perpendicular to the bottom wall and extends a length upward around
the outer valve body. The upper end of side wall 72 includes a
taper engagement lock 74 that allows for ease of outer valve body
insertion. Upon insertion of the outer valve body, the engagement
lock 74 fits into a receptacle 76 formed along the outer surface 55
of the outer valve body 52, wherein the bottom holder 54 operates
as a base for both the inner and the outer valve body.
[0044] The top 56 is formed from a disk sized to cover the width of
the container opening and preferably the lip 71 of the mouth. The
top 56 has a lower surface 81 that may be attached to the upper
surface 83 of the outer valve body 52. Attachment of the top 56 to
the outer valve body is preferably by heat weldment, but may also
be by adhesive. The outer edge of the top 56 is sized to engage the
lip 71 of the container. 11. The dispensing valve may include
alignment indicia to the proper indicate protrusion receptacle
insertion position.
[0045] The bottom holder 54 is secured to the outer valve body 52
with engagement lock 74 snapping into the receptacle 76. The inner
valve body 50 is then inserted into the outer valve body 52 with
the top used to encapsulate the valve bodies by adhering the top 56
to the outer valve body. The assembly 22 may then be inserted into
a container wherein the engagement lock 74 further operates to seal
the assembly to the inner surface of the container mouth. The
assembly is inserted into the container mouth until the edge of the
lower surface 81 of top 56 engages the lip 71. While the assembly
could be permanently secured to the mouth, it is respectfully
submitted that the engagement lock 74 has sufficient bias to
prohibit removal of the assembly without the need for adhesive or
other fastener.
[0046] The fluid dispenser 24 includes a plunger 30 that is used to
draw fluid from the container in a conventional manner by drawing
the handle 26, creating a collection area for fluid beneath the
plunger. The exact amount of fluid drawn can be checked against
measuring indicia 48. As the fluid dispenser is keyed to the
container, any type of indicia can be employed. For example,
indicia may be graduated numbers, letters, colors or anything else
that provides a measurement level in correspondence with the
required dosing level.
[0047] When the fluid dispenser is placed within the aperture 40,
the locking lock base 44 is aligned with protrusions 42. Rotation
of fluid dispenser 24 causes rotation of the inner valve body 50 to
a position wherein lower channel 60 allows for a fluid passageway
with the storage area of the container 100, allowing fluid to be
drawn through the bottom aperture 80, into the lower channel 60,
through the upper channel 58 and into the fluid dispenser 24.
Inverting of the container during the filling of the fluid
dispenser allows for ease of operation.
[0048] Protrusions 42 can be keyed to a particular manufacture or
individual products. The protrusions 42 and/or the top 56 can be
configured to prevent removal of the fluid dispenser if the inner
valve body 50 is moved from a closed passageway. This would prevent
the passageway from being open when the fluid dispenser is not
attached. In this manner, the cap 21 can be eliminated; however,
for aesthetic purposes the cap allows the container to appear
conventional.
[0049] Alternatively, the fluid dispenser and container need not be
locked together, wherein the fluid dispenser could allow the
container to remain open when the fluid dispenser is removed.
Although this is not the preferred embodiment for use with
children's bottles, as previously mentioned this invention is not
limited to child resistance embodiments and could be used for other
application. For instance, the container may be used in a
laboratory for dispensing of chemicals or the like.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, the bottom holder 54 has a bottom
wall 70 with a passageway 80 which is aligned with one end of the
alignment chamber 57 of the outer valve body 52. The bottom wall 70
extends across the width of the container mouth with side wall 72
formed perpendicular thereto. The upper end of side wall 72
includes a tapered engagement lock 74 that allows for ease of outer
valve body insertion wherein the outer valve body 52 snaps into the
holder with engagement lock 74 constructed and arranged to engage
receptacle 76.
[0051] The outer valve body 52 is defined by an outer sidewall 55
that has an upper portion constructed and arranged to seal the
outer valve body against the inner side wall of the container
opening, and a lower portion for engaging the side wall of the
bottom holder. While the outer valve body is shown as round, as
explained below the outer surface of the outer valve body can be
square or any other shape and maintain a round aperture so as to
accomplish the same results.
[0052] The inner valve body includes an upper channel 58 that forms
a passageway from the aperture 31 of the top 56. The upper channel
58 is notched for receipt of the receptacle insert. The inner valve
body 50 is rotatable for directional positioning of a lower channel
60 only when the fluid dispenser is properly positioned. The upper
channel 58 and the lower channel 60 are fluidly connected, the
lower passage way formed perpendicular to the upper passage
way.
[0053] The top 56 is used to position the assembly at the top of
the container, and is preferably oversized so that the assembly
cannot be pushed into the container. The top 56 is disk shaped but,
as a cap is not necessary, could be made in a square shape,
together with the outer valve, to accommodate a square shaped
container. The disk covers the width of the container opening
having a lower surface 81 that may be attached to the upper surface
83 of the outer valve body 52. Attachment of the top 56 to the
outer valve body is preferably by heat weldment but may also be by
adhesive.
[0054] The inner and outer valve body is encapsulated as an
assembly between the bottom holder 54 and the top 56. Upon
insertion of the outer valve body into the bottom holder, the
engagement lock 74 fits into a receptacle 76 formed along the outer
surface 55 of the outer valve body 52, wherein the bottom holder 54
operates as a base for both the outer valve body and the inner
valve body. The inner valve body 50 is then inserted into the outer
valve body 52 and the top 56 used to encapsulate the valve bodies
by adhering the top 56 to the outer valve body. The assembly 22 may
then be inserted into a container until the edge of the lower
surface 81 of top 56 engages the lip 71 of the container top to
assure proper positioning.
[0055] A means for venting of the fluid container is made possible
by placing a vent 89 through the outer valve body 52. The vent 89
extends from the upper surface of the outer body 83 to the
alignment chamber 57. A flapper valve 87 is secured to the
alignment chamber and is biased to prevent fluid from entering the
vent 89. When fluid is drawn from the container, air is drawn
through the vent 89 having aperture opening 91 placed through top
56. The flapper valve operates as a one way opening to allow air
into the container but preventing fluid from exiting. The vent is
primarily applicable when the fluid dispenser 24 is locked to the
container which prevents the fluid dispenser 24 from being removed
unless the passageway is sealed. In such an embodiment,
displacement of fluid with air can be accomplished by use of a
flapper 87 to cover a vent. Alternatively, a capillary tube or
valve can be used in place of a flapper valve. The flapper valve 87
can be formed from a flexible material such as EDPM or the
like.
[0056] Similarly, a self sealing component that operates on the
surface tension of fluid can be used. The self sealing component,
not shown, consists of a flexible material having an orifice that
allows air flow when the interior of the container creates a vacuum
but prevents fluid from passing due to the surface tension of fluid
versus air.
[0057] The two embodiments disclose the use of a multi component
dispensing valve that, which will be obvious to one skilled in the
art, can be made from various manufacturing techniques to lessen
the amount of components used. The valve assembly and fluid
dispenser provide a lock and key type arrangement for the control
of fluids from a container. The use of a fluid dispenser verifies
that the amount of fluid drawn is exact with the calibration
provided by the manufacturer. For instance, if the fluid drawn is
measured in ml than the indicia on the measuring indicia will be
marked appropriately. This provides further assurance that the
fluid dispenser can only be used in combination with the container
to which fluid is to be drawn and the fluid dispenser would have no
other useful purpose. The use of all plastic materials allows the
container and fluid dispenser to be recycled.
[0058] While detailed embodiments of the instant invention are
disclosed herein, it is to be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and
structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0059] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and
obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent
therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques
described herein are presently representative of the preferred
embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as
limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur
to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit
of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended
claims. Although the invention has been described in connection
with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that
the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such
specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the
described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to
those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the
following claims.
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