U.S. patent application number 13/769608 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-21 for metered dose squeeze dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to GOJO Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Aaron D. Marshall, Eugene W. Ray. Invention is credited to Aaron D. Marshall, Eugene W. Ray.
Application Number | 20140231462 13/769608 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50151388 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140231462 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ray; Eugene W. ; et
al. |
August 21, 2014 |
METERED DOSE SQUEEZE DISPENSER
Abstract
Exemplary metered dose dispensers are disclosed herein. One
exemplary embodiment includes a container and a one-dose dispenser
secured to the container. The one-dose dispenser includes a dosing
chamber; a shuttle member movable within the dosing chamber; an
outlet valve located at an end of the dosing chamber and an outlet
located downstream of the outlet valve. A liquid inlet is also
included for allowing liquid to flow into the dosing chamber to an
area between the shuttle member and the outlet valve. Pressurizing
liquid in the container moves the shuttle member from a first
position to a second position and dispenses the liquid in the
dosing chamber; and when the shuttle member is in the second
position, the shuttle member seals off the outlet valve.
Inventors: |
Ray; Eugene W.; (Barberton,
OH) ; Marshall; Aaron D.; (Cuyahoga Falls,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ray; Eugene W.
Marshall; Aaron D. |
Barberton
Cuyahoga Falls |
OH
OH |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GOJO Industries, Inc.
Akron
OH
|
Family ID: |
50151388 |
Appl. No.: |
13/769608 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/207 ;
222/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 5/122 20130101;
B05B 11/0072 20130101; G01F 11/025 20130101; G01F 11/082 20130101;
G01F 11/263 20130101; A47K 5/1202 20130101; B65D 35/40 20130101;
G01F 11/16 20130101; B05B 11/04 20130101; G01F 11/04 20130101; B05B
11/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/207 ;
222/206 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/40 20060101
B65D035/40 |
Claims
1. A dispensing device comprising: a container; a one-dose
dispenser secured to the container; the one-dose dispenser
comprising: a dosing chamber; a shuttle member movable within the
dosing chamber; an outlet valve located at an end of the dosing
chamber; an outlet located downstream of the outlet valve; and a
liquid inlet for allowing liquid to flow into the dosing chamber to
an area between the shuttle member and the outlet valve, wherein
the liquid inlet is sized small enough so that the shuttle member
moves when pressure is applied to the container without a
substantial amount of liquid flowing through the liquid inlet;
wherein pressurizing liquid in the container moves the shuttle
member from a first position to a second position and dispenses the
liquid in the dosing chamber; and wherein when the shuttle member
is in the second position, the shuttle member seals off the outlet
valve.
2. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the liquid inlet is
around the wall of the dosing chamber.
3. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the liquid inlet is in
the shuttle member.
4. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the liquid inlet
contacts the shuttle member and is directed in a direction that is
not parallel to the movement of the shuttle member.
5. The dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising a biasing
member for moving the shuttle member from the second position to
the first position.
6. A dispensing device comprising; a compressible container; a
dosing chamber in liquid communication with the compressible
container; the dosing chamber formed at least in part by a shuttle
member and an outlet valve located proximate an outlet; the shuttle
member movable between a first position proximate the compressible
container to a second position proximate the outlet valve; and a
liquid passageway from the compressible container to the dosing
chamber; the liquid passageway allowing liquid to enter an area of
the dosing chamber between the shuttle member and the outlet;
wherein compressing the compressible container causes the shuttle
member to move towards the outlet valve; and wherein liquid in the
dosing chamber is dispensed while the shuttle member is moving
towards the outlet valve and liquid stops flowing out of the dosing
chamber when the shuttle member reaches its end of travel in the
direction of the outlet valve.
7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the shuttle member seals off
the outlet valve when located proximate the outlet valve.
8. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the shuttle member stops moving
when the shuttle member contacts a seat proximate the outlet
valve.
9. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the liquid flows between the
shuttle member and a wall of the dosing chamber to reach the area
located between the shuttle member and the outlet valve.
10. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the liquid flows through a
channel in a wall of the dosing chamber to reach the area located
between the shuttle member and the outlet valve.
11. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the liquid flows through a
channel in the shuttle member to reach the area located between the
shuttle member and the outlet valve and the liquid travels in at
least one direction that is non-parallel to the movement of the
shuttle.
12. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the liquid flows near the wall
of the dosing chamber to reach the area located between the shuttle
member and the outlet valve.
13. The dispenser of claim 6 further comprising a biasing member to
move the shuttle member toward the compressible container.
14. The dispenser of claim 6 further comprising a cap secured to
the dispensing device for sealing off the outlet.
15. A dispensing device comprising: a squeezable container; a cap
secured to the squeezable container; the squeezable container
having at least two side walls that move toward each other to
dispense a dose of fluid; and a travel limiting device for limiting
the movement of the at least two side walls to a set distance,
wherein the limited travel of the side walls provides a metered
output.
16. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein the travel limiting device
comprises a tube.
17. The dispenser of claim 16 wherein the tube comprises a hollow
portion and one or more apertures from the outside of the tube to
the center of the tube.
18. The dispenser of claim 16 wherein the tube is open on an end by
a nozzle and sealed off at a point near the apertures.
19. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein the travel limiting device
for limiting movement of the at least two sidewalls comprises
indentations on at least one of the side walls.
20. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein the travel limiting device
for limiting movement of the at least two sidewalls comprises
protrusions on the interior of least one of the side walls.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to squeeze
dispensers and more particularly to squeezable containers that
output a metered dose of fluid or liquid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is sometimes desirable to obtain a metered dose of liquid
from a container of liquid. To obtain a metered dose of liquid from
prior art containers, the prior art containers require a liquid
pump to be secured to the containers.
SUMMARY
[0003] Exemplary metered dose dispensers are disclosed herein. One
exemplary embodiment includes a container and a one-dose dispenser
secured to the container. The one-dose dispenser includes a dosing
chamber; a shuttle member movable within the dosing chamber; an
outlet valve located at an end of the dosing chamber and an outlet
located downstream of the outlet valve. A liquid inlet is also
included for allowing liquid to flow into the dosing chamber to an
area between the shuttle member and the outlet valve. Pressurizing
liquid in the container moves the shuttle member from a first
position to a second position and dispenses the liquid in the
dosing chamber. When the shuttle member is in the second position,
the shuttle member seals off the outlet valve preventing additional
liquid from flowing out of the container.
[0004] Another exemplary metered dose dispenser includes a
compressible container and a dosing chamber in liquid communication
with the compressible container. The dosing chamber is formed at
least in part by a shuttle member and an outlet valve located
proximate an outlet. The shuttle member is movable between a first
position proximate the compressible container and a second position
proximate the outlet valve. A liquid passageway from the
compressible container to the dosing chamber is also provided. The
liquid passageway allows liquid to enter an area of the dosing
chamber between the shuttle member and the outlet. Compressing the
compressible container causes the shuttle member to move towards
the outlet valve and dispenses liquid from the dosing chamber while
the shuttle member is moving towards the outlet valve. Liquid stops
flowing out of the dosing chamber when the shuttle member reaches
its end of travel in the direction of the outlet valve.
[0005] Another embodiment of a metered dose dispenser includes a
compressible container and a dosing chamber in liquid communication
with the compressible container. The dosing chamber is formed at
least in part by a shuttle member and an outlet valve. An outlet is
located downstream of the outlet valve. The shuttle member is
movable between a first position proximate the compressible
container to a second position proximate the outlet valve. A liquid
passageway is provided from the compressible container to the
dosing chamber. The liquid passageway from the compressible
container has a smaller cross-sectional area than the
cross-sectional area of an outlet path to the outlet. The liquid
passageway allows liquid to enter an area of the dosing chamber
between the shuttle member and the outlet valve when the shuttle
member is located away from the second position. Compressing the
compressible container causes the shuttle member to move toward the
second position and dispense liquid from the dosing chamber. The
liquid stops flowing out of the container when the shuttle member
reaches the second position.
[0006] Another exemplary metered dose dispenser includes a
squeezable container and a one-shot dose dispenser secured to the
squeezable container. The one-shot dose dispenser has a dosing
chamber and a shuttle member movable within the dosing chamber. In
addition, an outlet valve is located proximate an end of the dosing
chamber. A liquid inlet for allowing liquid to flow into the dosing
chamber to an area between the shuttle member and the outlet valve
is also provided. Squeezing the squeezable container pressurizes
liquid in the squeezable container and the pressurized liquid moves
the shuttle member from a first position to a second position and
dispenses the liquid in the dosing chamber. When the shuttle member
is in the second position the shuttle member seals off the outlet
valve.
[0007] An exemplary dispensing device is disclosed herein. The
exemplary dispensing device includes a squeezable container and a
cap secured to the squeezable container. The squeezable container
has at least two side walls that move toward each other to dispense
a dose of fluid. A travel limiting device for limiting the movement
of the at least two side walls to a set distance is also provided.
The limited travel of the side walls provides a metered output.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description and accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of an exemplary liquid
dispenser having a squeezable container and a dosing assembly for
outputting a metered dose of a product;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an
exemplary shuttle and valve seat of the liquid dispenser of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates the exemplary liquid dispenser having a
squeezable container and a dosing assembly in a charged
position;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates the exemplary liquid dispenser having a
squeezable container and a dosing assembly in a discharged position
cutting off the fluid flow out of the container;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary liquid dispenser having
a squeezable container and a dosing assembly; and
[0014] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a squeezable container having a
body configured to output a metered dose.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of an exemplary
embodiment of a dispenser 100 having a metered dose output. The
exemplary dispenser 100 has a squeezable container 110 and a
metered dosing assembly 102 secured thereto. The squeezable
container may be any type of container that may be squeezed to
exert pressure on the inside of the container 110. Squeezable
container 110 may be a bottle, a bag, a pouch, a tube or the like.
Exemplary materials for the squeezable container may include, but
are not limited to, thin-walled plastic, polymers, PET, HDPE or
other suitable plastic, foil or the like.
[0016] Metered dosing assembly 102 includes a closure 120. Closure
120 may be secured to a neck 115 of container 110 by, for example,
a snap-fit connection, a friction-fit connection, a welded
connection, an adhesive connection, a threaded connection or the
like.
[0017] The base 122 of closure 120 includes an aperture 129 located
therein and an annular support portion 131 around the aperture 129.
An annular sealing portion 123 projects upward from the base 122 of
closure 120 and seals against the interior of neck 115 of container
110 to aid in sealing the closure 120 to the container 110.
Extending upward from the sealing portion 123 is an additional
annular projection 124, which forms a portion of dosing chamber 130
located therein. Annular projection 124 includes an opening 127 at
the top and inwardly projecting tabs 126 that extend into the
opening 127. Inwardly projecting tabs 126 may be one or more tabs,
or may be a continuous projection. In some embodiments, the opening
127 and tabs 126 are sized to allow the internal components of the
dosing assembly 102 to be inserted through the opening 127. Tabs
126 deflect outward to allow the internal components to be inserted
into the dosing chamber 130 and return to their un-deflected
position to retain the internal components between tabs 126 and a
support 131 around aperture 129 in base 122.
[0018] In some embodiments, the internal components of the dosing
assembly 102 include a shuttle member 134, a biasing member 136,
such as for example, a spring, a valve seat 138 and a valve 140.
Valve seat 138 includes an aperture 139 in the center to allow
fluid to reach valve 140. Valve 140 is a slit valve and valve seat
138 provides a backing that prevents valve 140 from opening to
allow air to flow into dosing chamber 130 from outside of
dispensing device 102 when a vacuum pressure is present in the
dosing chamber 130. In some embodiments, valve 140 and valve seat
138 may be replaced by a different type of valve, such as, for
example, a ball valve and seat, a mushroom valve, or the like. When
using other types of outlet valves, modifications may be necessary
to ensure shuttle member 134 seals off the valve when it reaches
its end of stroke position.
[0019] As best seen in FIG. 2, shuttle member 134 includes a body
201 that contains one or more apertures 202. In some embodiments,
shuttle member 134 fits loosely in dosing chamber 130 and passage
220 exists around shuttle body 201 so that a small amount of fluid
may flow through apertures 202 and around shuttle body 201. In some
embodiments, shuttle member 134 has small channels in the body 201
for fluid to more easily flow through. The fluid inlet passage 220
has a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet 160 (when
opened) so it is easier for the shuttle 134 to move downward than
it is for the fluid to pass through passage 220. In some
embodiments, the channels in shuttle member 134 channel liquid
flowing into dosing chamber 130 so that the liquid from the
container 110 must flow (for at least a portion of the time) in a
direction that is not the same direction as the shuttle travels.
Thus, pressure exerted on the container 110 forces the pressurized
liquid to strike the shuttle member 134 and the shuttle member 134
deflects the liquid outward causing movement of the shuttle member
134.
[0020] Shuttle body 201 includes sealing portion 204. Valve seat
138 includes angled seat 240. When valve seat 138 is in contact
with sealing portion 204, liquid is prevented from flowing out of
the dispenser 100. In addition, valve seat 138 provides a baking
for valve 140 that prevents valve 140 from opening and allowing air
to flow into dosing chamber 130 when container 110 is under vacuum
pressure.
[0021] The biasing member 136 has been left out of FIGS. 2-4 for
purposes of clarity; however, it is included in these exemplary
embodiments to cause the shuttle member 134 to move away from the
outlet 160.
[0022] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the operation of the metered squeeze
dispenser 100. FIG. 3 illustrates the dosing chamber 130 charged
with a full dose of liquid. The liquid may be, for example, a soap,
a sanitizer, a lotion or the like. When the container 110 of
metered squeeze dispenser 100 is squeezed, the pressure pushes
shuttle member 134 downward forcing the liquid that is between
shuttle member 134 and valve 140 out of the dosing chamber 130
through outlet 160. In some embodiments, the shuttle moves because
it has a large surface area with respect to the area of the liquid
passage 220 between container 110 and dosing chamber 130. In some
embodiments, the size of the passage 220 is narrow enough that only
a minimal amount of liquid flows through passage 220 when container
110 is squeezed. In some embodiments, the apertures 202 are small
enough, and/or require the liquid to flow at an angle substantially
perpendicular to the inlet of apertures 202, to increase pressure
on the shuttle member 134 and to limit liquid flowing through
passage 220. In any event, the pressure exerted by the liquid
forces the shuttle 134 downward until seal member 204 contacts
angled seat 240 to seal off outlet valve 140 and prevent additional
fluid from flowing out of dispenser 100. Thus, the dispenser 100
outputs a metered dose of liquid.
[0023] In some embodiments a cap (not shown) is provided that fits
over, or is attached to, closure 120 to seal dispenser 100 when not
in use to prevent accidental dispensing. A user removes the cap
prior to dispensing the liquid.
[0024] When pressure is removed from container 100, biasing member
136 urges shuttle member 134 upward, thereby expanding the volume
of dosing chamber 130. Valve 140 seals off the liquid outlet 160
and prevents air from flowing into dosing chamber 130. The vacuum
pressure created in dosing chamber 130 by the movement of shuttle
member 134 upward draws liquid through apertures 202 and through
passage 220 to fill dosing chamber 130. Once dosing chamber 130 is
refilled, the metered squeeze dispenser 100 is primed and ready to
dispense another metered dose of liquid.
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a metered
dosing dispenser 500. Metered dosing dispenser 500 includes a
housing 502, a cap 504, an outlet nozzle 506, a flip lid 508, and a
dosing device 510. Dosing device 510 is formed by an elongated tube
511 that has one or more apertures 512 leading to a center of the
elongated tube 511. The top portion of the elongated tube is open
and in fluid communication with the outlet nozzle 506. A plate 520
or plug may be provided in elongated tube 511 to prevent fluid from
filling elongated tube 511. During operation, when a user desires a
metered dose of fluid, the user opens the flip lid 508, inverts the
container 502 and squeezes sides 503 of the container. The movement
of sides 503 is limited by the diameter of tube 511. Accordingly,
tube 511 limits the displacement of the volume inside container 502
and provides a metered dose output.
[0026] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a metered dosing dispenser 600.
Metered dosing dispenser 600 includes a housing 602. Housing 602
includes one or more indented sides 604. Indented sides 604 may be
smoothly contoured as shown, or may have one or more smaller
indentations. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, indented sides 604 have a
small area 606 between the indentations. Thus, indented sides 604
have a limited travel when squeezed together and therefore output a
metered dose of fluid when the container (and cap assembly not
shown) is inverted and the indented sides are squeezed together. In
some embodiments, the container 602 has raised portions on the
interior of the bottle that may not be visible from the outside of
the bottle, but contact one another, and/or the opposite wall to
limit the travel of the side walls and provide a metered
output.
[0027] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of embodiments thereof and while the embodiments have
been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of
the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
Moreover, elements described with one embodiment may be readily
adapted for use with other embodiments. Therefore, the invention,
in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the
representative apparatus and/or illustrative examples shown and
described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details
without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicants'
general inventive concept.
* * * * *