U.S. patent application number 13/938354 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for bottle stopper with a dispensing mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joel Michael VanSyckel. Invention is credited to Joel Michael VanSyckel.
Application Number | 20150014367 13/938354 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52276332 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150014367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VanSyckel; Joel Michael |
January 15, 2015 |
Bottle Stopper With A Dispensing Mechanism
Abstract
A bottle stopper with an inlet and outlet fitting that is
adapted to receive a pressurized gas to dispense a liquid from the
lower portion of a bottle and having a hand grip with a dedicated
arch partially conforming to at least one finger. The bottle
stopper includes a dispensing mechanism having a receiving
structure with at least one sealing rib configured to conform to an
inner wall of a dispensing container port when the sealing rib is
inserted into the dispensing container port. The receiving
structure receives an end portion of a dispensing structure tube
having a latching surface located on an outer perimeter of the
dispensing structure tube. The primary handle structure is located
opposite the secondary handle structure and they each have a
dedicated arch partially conforming to a user's fingers for
removing or installing the dispensing structure tube into or out of
the receiving structure.
Inventors: |
VanSyckel; Joel Michael;
(Mesa, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VanSyckel; Joel Michael |
Mesa |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52276332 |
Appl. No.: |
13/938354 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/399 ;
222/400.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/121 20130101;
B67D 1/0412 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/397 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/12 20060101
B65D047/12; B65D 47/32 20060101 B65D047/32 |
Claims
1. A dispensing mechanism, comprising: a receiving structure, said
receiving structure comprising at least one sealing structure; said
at least one sealing structure is located on a perimeter of said
receiving structure, said at least one sealing structure of said
receiving structure is configured to conform to an inner
circumference wall of a dispensing container port when said at
least one sealing structure is inserted into said dispensing
container port; said receiving structure receiving an end portion
of a dispensing structure tube; and, said dispensing structure tube
comprising a latching surface located on an outer perimeter of said
dispensing structure tube, said latching surface of said dispensing
structure tube having a raised portion, said raised portion
configured to restrict removal of said dispensing structure tube
from said receiving structure, whereby, said dispensing structure
tube forms a water-tight seal to a receiving structure wall, said
dispensing structure tube comprising a first port capable of
transferring a gas into or out of a dispensing container, said
dispensing structure tube comprising a second port capable of
transferring a liquid into or out of said dispensing container.
2. The dispensing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said second port
comprising an end configured to receive a hose, said hose having a
length great enough to receive a liquid from a lower portion of
said dispensing container.
3. The dispensing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said second port
comprising an end configured to receive a tube, said tube having a
length great enough to receive a liquid from a lower portion of
said dispensing container.
4. The dispensing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said second port
comprising an end comprising a barb configured to receive a hose,
said hose having a length great enough to receive a liquid from a
lower portion of said dispensing container.
5. The dispensing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said second port
comprising an end comprising a barb configured to receive a tube,
said tube having a length great enough to receive a liquid from
said lower portion of said dispensing container.
6. The dispensing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said dispensing
structure tube comprising a hand grip, said hand grip comprising a
first handle structure, said first handle structure located on an
outer wall of said dispensing structure tube, and a second handle
structure, said second handle structure located on an outer wall of
said dispensing structure tube, whereby, said first handle
structure is located opposite said second handle structure, said
first handle structure and said second handle structure each
comprising a dedicated arch partially conforming to at least one
finger for removing or installing said dispensing structure tube
into or out of said receiving structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates, generally, to a bottle stopper with
an inlet and outlet fitting.
[0003] More particularly, it relates to a bottle stopper that is
pressurized to dispense a liquid from the lower portion of a
bottle.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] The bottle stoppers used in many conventional bottles are
adapted to be used with bottles having a neck portion. Some bottle
stoppers have a single opening that can dispense a liquid from the
bottle by being gravity fed, which requires the bottle to be tipped
upside-down for a liquid to exit the bottle. Gravity fed dispensing
stoppers make the dispensing of a liquid from the lower portion of
a bottle time consuming and strenuous for a user when a user has to
tip the bottle upside-down. Moreover, gravity fed bottle stoppers
have a slower rate of dispensing its liquid contents in comparison
to pressurized dispensing systems. Currently, a bottle has to be
within reach of a user when a liquid is dispensed with a gravity
fed dispensing stopper. There is a need for the bottles to be
stored in a thermally controlled environment such as a cooler or a
refrigerator while the contents of the bottle are dispensed. There
is also a need for the bottles to be stored in an inconspicuous
area such as in a cabinet or under a table while the contents of
the bottle are dispensed.
[0006] When a prior art bottle stopper is inserted into and removed
from a bottle, a user grasps and pulls the dispensing tube of the
bottle stopper which is unsanitary and can transfer contaminants
from a user's hands to the liquid being poured from the bottle. A
bottle stopper can operate with a pressurized dispensing system,
which is a more efficient and sanitary alternative for dispensing a
bottled liquid compared to prior art bottle stoppers.
[0007] There are several challenges to overcome with using a
pressurized bottle stopper to dispense a liquid from the lower
portion of a dispensing container. One challenge being the need for
a bottle stopper to receive a pressurized gas while maintaining an
air-tight seal with the dispensing container. Thus, there is a need
for a pressurized gas to be transferred through the bottle stopper
and into a bottle capable of dispensing a fluid from the lower
portion of the bottle.
[0008] Some prior art bottle stoppers are designed to have a solid
rubber plug configured to be inserted into a bottle port. Solid
rubber stoppers create a seal between the bottle port and the
bottle stopper which limits the area to be sealed by the perimeter
of the solid rubber stopper. The problem with a solid rubber
stopper is that they do not create an air-tight seal that conforms
to a plurality of different sized bottle ports. Thus, there is a
need for a bottle stopper that allows the dispensing system to be
used with bottles having a plurality of differing sized ports.
[0009] Currently, most prior art bottle stoppers on the market
operate with an outlet fitting. These bottle stoppers dispense a
liquid by gravity when a bottle is tipped over. Thus, there is a
need for an improved, bottle stopper that is adapted for the liquid
contents of a bottle to receive a pressurized gas, allowing the
liquid to be dispensed while the bottle is in an upright position.
This is more desirable to a user and allows for the contents of a
bottle to be dispensed easier and more quickly. More particularly,
a pressurized bottle stopper is more effective at dispensing
liquids.
[0010] Prior art bottle stoppers are difficult to grasp when
removing from and installing into a bottle. Thus, there is a need
for a bottle stopper that allows for a user to easily grasp a
portion of the bottle stopper for removing out of or installing
into a bottle.
[0011] Some prior art container fittings are designed to accept a
tube through an opening, penetrating the container fitting. The
problem with the prior art container fittings is that as the tubes
are installed onto the fitting, the tubes could easily slide off
the fitting. Moreover, the fittings do not allow for an air-tight
seal between the tubes and the fitting. This makes the fitting
susceptible to the liquid leaking out from the bottle and
contamination of foreign matter into the bottle. Thus, there is a
need for an improved fitting for attaching the tubes so that the
tubes do not slip off. The improved fitting also improves the
effectiveness of an air-tight tube dispensing a liquid from the
bottom portion of a dispensing container.
[0012] However, in view of the prior art considered as a whole at
the time the present invention was made; it was not obvious to
those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified
needs could be fulfilled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a
bottle stopper with an inlet and outlet fitting that is adapted to
receive a pressurized gas to dispense a liquid from the lower
portion of a bottle and having a hand grip with a dedicated arch
partially conforming to at least one finger which also includes
improvements that overcome the limitations of prior art bottle
stoppers, is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious
invention.
[0014] The novel bottle stopper includes a dispensing mechanism
having a receiving structure with at least one sealing rib. At
least one sealing rib is located on the perimeter of the receiving
structure. At least one sealing rib of the receiving structure is
configured to conform to an inner wall of a dispensing container
port when at least one sealing rib is inserted into the dispensing
container port. The sealing rib is a pliable material including,
but not limited to, rubber or plastic. It is within the scope of
this invention for a plurality of sealing ribs to be located on a
perimeter of the receiving structure. The plurality of sealing ribs
graduates from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter, creating a
tapered configuration. When a sealing rib comes into contact with
the dispensing container port, the sealing rib conforms to the
dispensing container port, creating an air-tight seal. It is the
tapered configuration of the differing sized sealing ribs which
allows the dispensing device to be installed into a plurality of
differing sized dispensing container ports.
[0015] The receiving structure receives an end portion of a
dispensing structure tube having a latching surface located on an
outer perimeter of the dispensing structure tube. A latching
surface of the dispensing structure tube is configured to mate with
a surface within the receiving structure, whereby, the dispensing
structure tube forms a water tight seal to a receiving structure
wall. The dispensing structure tube has a primary port capable of
transferring a gas into or out of a dispensing container. The
primary port is configured to receive a gas from a compressed gas
source including, but not limited to, a compressor or CO.sub.2
bottle by including, but not limited to, a hose or a tube. The
pressurized gas received by the primary port is contained in the
dispensing container. The hose or tube has an end that is connected
to a compressed gas source located opposite an end that is received
by the primary port. The primary port has an integrally formed
latching structure having a push lock, a plastic washer, and a
rubber bushing for an end portion of the hose or tube to connect
to.
[0016] The dispensing structure tube has a secondary port capable
of transferring a liquid into or out of the dispensing container.
The secondary port has an end configured to dispense a liquid from
the dispensing container by a hose or tube. The hose or tube has an
end that connects to a dispenser having a shut off valve located
opposite an end that is received by the secondary port. The
secondary port has an integrally formed latching structure having a
push lock, a plastic washer, and a rubber bushing for an end
portion of the hose or tube to conform to. The secondary port has
an opposite end configured to receive a pick-up hose or tube having
a length great enough to receive a liquid from the lower portion of
the dispensing container. It is also within the scope of this
invention for the secondary port having an end with a barb
configured to receive an end of a pick-up hose or tube.
[0017] This novel invention also includes an improved dispensing
structure tube having a hand grip with a primary handle structure
located on an outer wall of the dispensing structure tube opposite
a secondary handle structure located on an outer wall of the
dispensing structure tube. More particularly, the preferred
configuration is the primary handle structure located opposite the
secondary handle structure, whereby, the primary handle structure
and the secondary handle structure each having a dedicated arch
partially conforming to a user's fingers for removing or installing
the dispensing structure tube into or out of the receiving
structure. It is also within the scope of this invention for the
primary handle structure and the secondary handle structure each
having a dedicated arch partially conforming to a user's fingers
for removing or installing the receiving structure into or out of
the dispensing container port.
[0018] This novel invention also includes an improved dispensing
structure tube having a plurality of latching surfaces, whereby,
the receiving structure is positioned between a plurality of
latching surfaces. More particularly, the placement of the
receiving structure between a plurality of latching surfaces
secures the receiving structure in place and prevents the receiving
structure from sliding up or down the dispensing structure
tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the novel dispensing mechanism
and dispending container;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the novel dispensing
mechanism;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the novel dispensing
mechanism;
[0023] FIG. 4 is side perspective view of the novel dispensing
mechanism;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a side cut away view depicting the primary port
and the secondary port latching structure;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of
illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, FIGS. 1-5 show dispensing
mechanism 1 having receiving structure 2 with at least one sealing
rib 3. At least one sealing rib 3 is located on a perimeter of
receiving structure 2. At least one sealing rib 3 of receiving
structure 2 is configured to conform to an inner wall 6 (FIG. 1) of
dispensing container port 5 (FIG. 1) when at least one sealing rib
3 is inserted into dispensing container port 5 (FIG. 1). It is also
within the scope of this invention for receiving structure 2 having
a plurality of sealing ribs 3 located thereon. FIGS. 2 and 3 best
depict receiving structure 2 receiving an end portion 8 of
dispensing structure tube 7. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate dispensing
structure tube 7 having latching surface 9 located on an outer
perimeter of dispensing structure tube 7. Latching surface 9 of
dispensing structure tube 7 has a raised portion configured to
restrict removal of dispensing structure tube 7 from receiving
structure 2. Dispensing structure tube 7 forms a water tight seal
with receiving structure inner wall 11 (FIG. 1). As best depicted
in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, dispensing structure tube 7 has primary port 12
capable of transferring a gas into or out of dispensing container 4
(FIG. 1). Dispensing structure tube 7 has secondary port 13A (FIGS.
1 and 5) and 13B (FIGS. 2-5) capable of transferring a liquid (not
shown) into or out of dispensing container 4 (FIG. 1).
[0027] FIG. 5 teaches primary port 12 is configured to receive a
gas from a compressed gas source including, but not limited to, a
compressor (not shown) or CO.sub.2 bottle (not shown) by way of
including, but not limited to, a hose or a tube 15 (FIG. 5). The
pressurized gas received by primary port 12 is contained in
dispensing container 4 (FIG. 1). Hose or tube 15 has an end 23 that
is connected to a compressed gas source (not shown) located
opposite an end portion 10 that is received by primary port 12.
Primary port 12 has an integrally formed latching structure 24
having push lock 25, washer 26 being a material including, but not
limited to, plastic, and bushing 14 being a material including, but
not limited to, rubber, for hose or tube 15 to connect to.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows dispensing structure tube 7 having a secondary
port with a secondary port end 13A located opposite secondary port
end 13B capable of transferring a liquid (not shown) into or out of
dispensing container 4 (FIG. 1). Secondary port end 13A is
configured to dispense a liquid from a lower portion 22 (FIG. 1) of
dispensing container 4 (FIG. 1). Secondary port end 13A has an
integrally formed latching structure 24 having push lock 25, washer
26 being a material including, but not limited to, plastic and
bushing 14 being a material including, but not limited to, rubber,
for hose or tube (not shown) to connect to. Secondary port end 13A
has an opposite end 13B configured to receive a pick-up tube (not
shown) having a length great enough to receive a liquid (not shown)
from the lower portion of dispensing container 4 (FIG. 1). As shown
in FIGS. 1-5 secondary port end 13B has barb 16 configured to
receive an end of a pick-up hose or tube (not shown).
[0029] FIGS. 1-4 depict dispensing structure tube 7 having hand
grip 17 with primary handle structure 18 located on outer wall 19
of dispensing structure tube 7. Secondary handle structure 20 is
located on outer wall 19 of dispensing structure tube 7. Primary
handle structure 18 is located opposite secondary handle structure
20 and they each have dedicated arch 21.
[0030] These embodiments are illustrative of the invention and are
not exhaustive thereof. As bottle stopper manufacturers add
additional or different structures, still further structures may be
required in future embodiments of the invention but all such future
embodiments are within the scope of this invention.
[0031] For example, although, not as effective as hand grip 17
having a primary handle structure 18 located opposite secondary
handle structure 20 (FIGS. 1-4), hand grip 17 could operate without
a handle structure (FIG. 5). A user could grasp an outer wall 19 of
dispensing structure tube 7 to remove receiving structure 2 from
dispensing container 4.
[0032] Hand grip 17 can have only one handle structure (not shown).
Thus, the single handle structure would be located on outer wall 19
of dispensing structure tube 7 to accommodate a user's fingers (not
shown).
[0033] Moreover, receiving structure 2 may have a single sealing
rib (not shown) located on a perimeter of receiving structure 2.
Sealing rib 3 conforms to inner wall 6 of dispensing container port
5 when sealing rib 3 is inserted into dispensing container port
4.
[0034] A preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-5 is of receiving
structure 2 having a plurality of sealing ribs 3 having a tapered
configuration located on a perimeter of receiving structure 2.
Thus, plurality of sealing ribs 3 will conform to a variety of
bottles (not shown) having differing sized dispensing container
ports (not shown).
[0035] In addition, dispensing structure tube 7 could operate
without a latching surface (not shown). Dispensing tube 7 forms a
water-tight seal to receiving structure 2 without the raised
portion of latching surface.
[0036] Dispensing structure tube 7 may have a single latching
surface (not shown) to restrict removal of dispensing structure
tube 7 from receiving structure 2. Dispensing structure tube 7 may
have two latching surfaces 9 (FIG. 1-5).
[0037] In addition to the aforesaid embodiments of receiving
structure 2 of dispensing structure tube 7, primary port 12, and
secondary port ends 13A and 13B include multiple additional
improvements as well.
[0038] A first improvement as shown in FIGS. 1-5 is of secondary
port end 13B (FIGS.
[0039] 2-5) having barb 16 (FIGS. 1-5) configured to receive a
pick-up hose or tube (not shown) having a length great enough to
receive a liquid (not shown) from lower portion 22 (FIG. 1) of
dispensing container 4 (FIG. 1).
[0040] Another improvement is depicted in FIG. 5 of primary port 12
and secondary port end 13A having push lock 25, washer 26, and
bushing 14 to seal hose or tube 15 to dispensing structure tube 7.
By sealing hose or tube 15 to primary port 12 (FIG. 5) and
secondary port 13A (not shown), it prevents liquid from leaking out
from dispensing mechanism 1 when in use.
[0041] These and other important objects, advantages, and features
of the invention will become clear as this description
proceeds.
[0042] The invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts
that will be exemplified in the description set fourth hereinafter
and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
[0043] Construction of the Novel Dispensing Mechanism
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, it will be seen that the
reference numeral 1 denotes an illustrative embodiment of novel
dispensing mechanism 1 as a whole. Novel dispensing mechanism 1 is
assembled by interconnecting receiving structure 2 and dispensing
structure tube 7. FIG. 1 best describes receiving structure 2
having at least one sealing rib 3 located thereon. Receiving
structure 2 is configured to conform to an inner wall 6 of
dispensing container port 5 when at least one sealing rib 3 is
inserted into dispensing container port 5 of dispensing container
4. Dispensing structure tube 7 has latching surface 9 located on
outer perimeter 19 of dispensing structure tube 7. FIGS. 1-3 and 5
show dispensing structure tube 7 having primary port 12, secondary
port end 13A (FIGS. 1 and 5) located opposite secondary port end
13B (FIGS. 2, 3, and 5).
[0045] FIGS. 1-4 show hand grip 17 having primary handle structure
18 located opposite secondary handle structure 20. Primary handle
structure 18 and secondary handle structure 20 each having
dedicated arch 21.
[0046] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate dispensing structure tube 7 having
an end portion 8 that is inserted into inner wall 11 (FIG. 1) of
receiving structure 2. End portion 8 has secondary port end 13B
with barb 16 that is configured to receive an end of pick-up hose
or tube (not shown) having a length great enough to receive a
liquid (not shown) from lower portion 22 (FIG. 1) of dispensing
container 4 (FIG. 1).
[0047] FIG. 5 depicts hose or tube 15 having an end 10 that is
inserted into primary port 12 located opposite an end 23 that is
attached to a compressed gas source (not shown). Primary port 12
and secondary port 13A have integrally formed latching structure 24
with lock 25, washer 26, and bushing 14 to connect hose or tube 15
to dispensing structure tube 7.
[0048] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and
those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently
attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description
or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0049] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the
invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
[0050] Now that the invention has been described,
* * * * *