U.S. patent application number 15/055863 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-31 for fluid dispensing device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert E. Colling. Invention is credited to Robert E. Colling.
Application Number | 20170247149 15/055863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59678774 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170247149 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Colling; Robert E. |
August 31, 2017 |
FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE
Abstract
A dispensing device may be used to dispense fluids for a variety
of uses. A dispensing device may include a flexible tube body with
a nozzle coupled to a first end of the flexible tube body. A
closure location may be coupled to a second end of the flexible
tube body. At least one seal may be coupled to the flexible tube
body at a location between the nozzle and the closure location. The
at least one seal separates the flexible tube body into a plurality
of chambers when the at least one seal is sealed. Additionally, a
plunger may be placed in the flexible tube body and may fit in the
chambers.
Inventors: |
Colling; Robert E.;
(Pocatello, ID) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Colling; Robert E. |
Pocatello |
ID |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59678774 |
Appl. No.: |
15/055863 |
Filed: |
February 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 35/44 20130101;
B65D 35/22 20130101; B65D 35/30 20130101; B65D 35/247 20130101;
B65D 35/18 20130101; B65D 35/06 20130101; B65D 2203/04 20130101;
B65D 35/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/30 20060101
B65D035/30; B65D 35/06 20060101 B65D035/06; B65D 35/08 20060101
B65D035/08; B65D 35/44 20060101 B65D035/44; B65D 35/22 20060101
B65D035/22 |
Claims
1. A dispensing device comprising: a body having a substantially
hollow interior; an exit opening coupled to said body; at least one
seal coupled to said body; and wherein said at least one seal is
closeable.
2. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising at least
two seals, wherein said at least two seals are spaced along the
body.
3. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein said body contains a
fluid.
4. The dispensing device of claim 3, wherein closing said at least
one seal maintains internal pressure in said body after a portion
of said fluid has been dispensed.
5. The dispensing device of claim 4, wherein said at least one seal
remains closed when external pressure is applied to a portion of
said body containing said fluid.
6. The dispensing device of claim 3, wherein a first seal of said
at least one seal is closed after a first portion of said fluid has
been dispensed from said dispensing device; and a second seal of
said at least one seal is closed after a second portion of said
fluid has been dispensed from said dispensing device.
7. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a plunger
within said body.
8. A dispensing device comprising: a flexible tube body; a nozzle
coupled to a first end of said flexible tube body; a closure
location coupled to a second end of said flexible tube body; at
least one seal coupled to said flexible tube body at a location
between said nozzle and said closure location; and wherein said at
least one seal separates said flexible tube body into a plurality
of chambers when said at least one seal is closed.
9. The dispensing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one seal
is coupled to said tube body at a location wherein said plurality
of chambers each contain a predetermined amount of a fluid.
10. The dispensing device of claim 8, further comprising a plunger
in said flexible tube body.
11. The dispensing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one
seal may be opened by pulling said at least one seal apart from a
side of said at least one seal adjacent to said second end of said
tube body.
12. The dispensing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one
seal is closed by applying external pressure to said at least one
seal.
13. The dispensing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one
seal is transverse to said flexible tube body.
14. The dispensing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one
seal is a resealable seal and is parallel to said flexible tube
body.
15. The dispensing device of claim 14, wherein said flexible tube
body contains at least two substances and wherein at least one seal
separates the at least two fluids.
16. The dispensing device of claim 15, wherein said at least one
seal is opened and said at least two substances are mixed prior to
dispensing.
17. A dispensing device comprising: a flexible hollow body having a
proximal end and a distal end; an exit opening coupled to said
proximal end of said flexible hollow body; a closure location
coupled to said distal end of said flexible hollow body; at least
one seal coupled to said flexible hollow body at a location between
said proximal end and said distal end; and a plunger in said
flexible hollow body.
18. The dispensing device of claim 17, wherein said at least one
seal is a resealable seal.
19. The dispensing device of claim 17, further comprising a
plurality of seals with spaces between each seal and wherein said
plunger fits in said spaces.
20. The dispensing device of claim 17, further comprising a closure
coupled to said flexible hollow body at said closure location.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates to fluid dispensing devices, in
particular to flexible tubes with seals located along the tube
which allow sections of the tube to be sealed off as the fluid is
dispensed.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Fluid dispensing devices, such as tubes, are used in many
different industries and for many different products. Products
dispensed from tubes include toothpaste, caulk, hair dye, medicine,
paint, frosting, candy, lotion, body washes, scrubs and the
like.
[0005] Dispensing devices or tubes are used in almost every aspect
of our lives. These devices, however, have several drawbacks.
First, once a certain amount of product has been dispensed from the
tube, pressure is lost in the tube and the product comes out
sporadically and no longer flows uniformly from the tube. This loss
of uniform flow can cause a problem in situations such as when a
user is decorating a cake with frosting from a tube, or when a home
owner is trying to seal something with caulk. Large globs of
product may come out of the tube, followed by no product at all,
leaving uneven lines of product.
[0006] A second drawback to tubes as dispensing devices is the
difficulty of getting all of the product out of the tube. When a
user gets towards the end of their tube of product, they may have
to twist, squeeze, fold and roll the tube in order to get the last
of the product out.
[0007] A third drawback to using tubes is that it is difficult to
measure the amount of product being dispensed from a tube without
the use of an additional device such as a measuring spoon. Unlike
syringes and the like, tubes do not come with the ability to allow
a user to dispense a given amount of product. This can be
especially frustrating when dispensing medicine from a tube. A user
must have a measuring spoon available which must then be
cleaned.
[0008] A few patents have attempted to overcome these drawbacks,
such as, Rosen, U.S. Pat. No. 8,376,183, in its disclosure of
premeasured chambers in a fluid dispenser package. Breakable or
openable dividers are positioned between each chamber. Once the
first chamber has been dispensed, the second chamber may be
dispensed by applying pressure to the second chamber and causing
the divider to break or open, thereby allowing the contents of the
second chamber to pass through the first chamber and out of the
dispenser package.
[0009] None, however, have successfully solved all of the drawbacks
of the current dispensing devices.
[0010] Accordingly, what is needed is a dispensing device that
allows pressure to be maintained in a tube so that fluid is
dispensed evenly; allows all of the fluid to be dispensed easily;
and allows a measured amount of fluid to be dispensed.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The dispensing device, as disclosed hereafter in this
application, allows pressure to be maintained in the device as the
contents are dispensed.
[0012] In particular embodiments, a dispensing device may include a
body having a substantially hollow interior; an exit opening
coupled to the body; at least one seal coupled to the body; and
wherein the at least one seal is closeable.
[0013] Additional embodiments of a dispensing device may include a
flexible tube body; a nozzle coupled to a first end of the flexible
tube body; a closure location coupled to a second end of the
flexible tube body; and at least one seal coupled to the flexible
tube body at a location between the nozzle and the closure
location. The at least one seal separates the flexible tube body
into a plurality of chambers when the at least one seal is
sealed.
[0014] Other embodiments of a dispensing device may include a
flexible hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end; an
exit opening coupled to the proximal end of the flexible hollow
body; a closure location coupled to the distal end of the flexible
hollow body; at least one seal coupled to the flexible hollow body
at a location between the proximal end and the distal end; and a
plunger in the flexible hollow body.
[0015] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
dispensing device will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art from the following more particular description of the
invention and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction
with the appended drawings where like designations denote like
elements, and:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dispensing device
configured according to a first embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a top view of a dispensing device configured
according to a first embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of a dispensing device configured
according to a first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view of a resealable seal;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a
resealable seal;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a dispensing device
configured according to a first embodiment with a toothpaste tube
lid;
[0023] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a dispensing device
configured according to a first embodiment with a caulk tube
lid;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a dispensing device
configured according to a second embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a dispensing device
configured according to a third embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a dispensing device
configured according to a fourth embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a dispensing device
configured according to a fifth embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a dispensing device
configured according to a sixth embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a dispensing device with a
plunger;
[0030] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a plunger configured
according to a first embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a side view of a plunger configured according to
a first embodiment; and
[0032] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a plunger configured
according to a second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention
relate to a dispensing device for dispensing fluids, in particular
for dispensing non-Newtonian fluids such as toothpaste, lotion,
hair dye, frosting, medication and the like. In particular,
disclosed is a dispensing device including at least one seal which
may be closed or sealed once a portion of the fluid has been
dispensed. Closing the seal allows the dispensing device to
maintain pressure when a portion of the fluid has been removed.
[0034] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a dispensing device 10 configured
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] In particular, dispensing device 10 may include a tube or
body 12. The body 12 may be any shape or size of container or
compartment that may contain a fluid. The body 12 may be tube
shaped as illustrated or it may be round, square, triangular,
rectangular or the like. The body 12, as illustrated, may be a tube
which is open on both ends and therefore resembles a hollow
cylinder or pipe.
[0036] The body 12 may also be any type or shape of container which
is mostly hollow and that is sealed on a majority of its
circumference or which will be sealed after the body 12 is filled
with fluid.
[0037] The body 12 may be flexible as illustrated in order to allow
the fluid contained in the body 12 to be squeezed, pushed or
dispensed from the body 12. The body 12 may be formed from a
flexible metal, plastic, rubber or the like.
[0038] The body 12 may also be formed from a rigid material.
[0039] The body 12 has a closure location 13 at a distal end of the
body 12. The closure location 13 contains a closure 14 which seals
one end of the body 12. The closure 14 may be any type of seal
desired and/or practical. The closure 14 may be a crimp, fold or
rolled seam, heat seal, adhesive seal or the like. Additionally,
the closure 14 may be sewn or stapled.
[0040] Typically, in the assembly, of a dispensing device 10, the
body 12 is open at the closure location 13. The body 12 is filled
through the closure location. Once the body 12 is filled with
fluid, the closure location 13 is sealed with some type of seal or
closure 14. The closure 14, while it could be openable, is
typically a permanent closure 14 which is designed to withstand the
force or pressure caused by the body 12 being squeezed in order to
dispense the fluid or other product contained within the dispensing
device 10.
[0041] A proximal end of the body 12 has a shoulder 18 coupled to
it. The shoulder 18 is a stiff member which has an opening in the
center. The shoulder 18 is shaped like a stiff washer or donut. The
outer edge of the shoulder 18 is coupled to the body 12 and acts to
close off the remaining end of the body 12. The center of the
shoulder 18 is coupled to a nozzle or exit opening 32. The nozzle
32 and shoulder 18 may be formed as one piece.
[0042] Though illustrated as a stiff donut shaped member, the
shoulder 18 may be formed from flexible material, such as the
material used to form the body 12. Additionally, in some
embodiments, a shoulder 18 may not be used at all.
[0043] The nozzle 32 or exit opening is a smaller tube-like member
which may taper towards one end. The nozzle 32 is the opening
through which the fluid is dispensed. While the nozzle 32 may be
tube-like as illustrated, it may also just be an opening in the
center of the shoulder 18. The nozzle 32 may be any opening that
allows the fluid or substance within the dispensing device 10 to be
dispensed or to exit.
[0044] The nozzle 32 may be as big or small as desired. It is
likely that the size and shape of the nozzle 32 will be dependent
on the viscosity of the fluid being dispensed and the application
the fluid is being used for.
[0045] The nozzle 32 may be threaded in order to have a cap 16
twisted onto it. The nozzle 32 may also simply have an end which a
cap 16 may be pushed onto with a compression fit. The nozzle 32 may
have a narrower section at the end which receives a cap 16,
also.
[0046] The cap 16 is any closure device which allows the nozzle 32
to be sealed off in order to prevent the substance within the body
12 from drying out or being exposed to contaminants. Additionally,
the cap 16 may prevent the fluid within the dispensing device 10
from being dispensed accidentally.
[0047] The cap 16 is typically shaped like a hollow tube with a
closed end. However, the cap 16 may be round, square, triangular or
the like. The cap 16 may be threaded or may be smooth on the
inside. The cap 16 may have a rough outer surface in order to allow
user to obtain a firm grip on the cap 16 when they are attempting
to remove the cap 16. The cap 16 may have a smooth outer surface
also.
[0048] Additionally, the cap 16 may have a lip at the top or the
bottom of the cap 16 and may have other decorative embellishments.
The cap 16 may simply have a flat inner surface that seals off the
nozzle 32 or it may have a needle or protrusion which enters the
nozzle 32 in order to maintain an opening through the nozzle 32 for
dispensing fluid.
[0049] The dispensing device 10 also has at least one seal 20
formed in or coupled to the body 12. The at least one seal 20 will
likely be multiple seals 20 located at even or mostly even
intervals along the body 12 of the dispensing device 10. The seals
20 are oriented so that they are substantially perpendicular to the
length of the body 12. The seals 20 allow portions of the body 12
to be closed off in order to maintain pressure in the body 12 of
the dispensing device 10 once a portion of the fluid has been
dispensed. I.E., once enough of the fluid or substance in the
dispensing device 10 has been dispensed to leave the portion or
chamber 30 of the body 12 empty, then a first seal 20 is closed.
This causes the dispensing device 10 to act like the body 10 is
still full and the fluid in the dispensing device 10 is still
dispensed easily and uniformly.
[0050] When the chamber or portion of the body 12 labeled 28 is
empty, then a second seal 20 is closed off, once again leaving the
dispensing device 10 to act like it is still completely full and
the fluid in the dispensing device 10 is still dispensed easily and
uniformly.
[0051] The third chamber 26 may also be sealed off once it is
empty, followed by the fourth chamber 24. The final chamber 22 is
the section of the body 12 which abuts the shoulder 18. Once
chamber 22 is empty, the dispensing device 10 is empty and all of
the fluid has been dispensed.
[0052] Depending on the size of the dispensing device 10 and in
particular, the size and length of the body 12, fewer or more seals
20 may be used and fewer or more chambers created in the body
12.
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates a potential embodiment of a seal 20. The
seals 20 formed in or coupled to the body 12 may be resealable
seals such as those used on plastic sandwich bags and the like. The
seals 20 are easily closed when pressure is applied to the seal 20
pressing it together and causing the two sides of the seal 20 to
mate.
[0054] Typical resealable seals 20 are also openable. Therefore in
situations where the seals 20 need to be reopened in order to make
sure that the chambers that have been sealed off are completely
empty or the like, the seals 20 may be easily reopened.
Additionally, typical resealable seals 20 such as those used in
plastic bags are also easily opened by pulling the seal apart from
the top which is the side away from the contents of the bag.
However, the seal 20 is not opened when pressure is applied to the
contents of the bag, thereby preventing spills. In this way, the
seals 20 may be directional.
[0055] In other embodiments, however, it may be desirable to use
seals 20 which are not directional, but can be opened from either
side.
[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates a typical resealable seal 20 as is known
in the art of plastic bags. The seal 20 includes a first set of
hooks 38 which are coupled to the top, inside surface of the body
12. A second set of hooks 42 are formed on or coupled to the
bottom, inside surface of the body 12. When the two sets of hooks
38 and 42 are pressed together, they interlock sealing the seal 20
together.
[0057] As illustrated in the figure, the body material 44 extends
beyond the seal 20 in both directions on both sides of the
seal.
[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an alternate version of a
seal 20. The seal 20 is coupled to or formed in the body material
44. The seal 20 is configured similarly to the seal illustrated in
FIG. 4, however, the seal 20 in this figure has a plurality of
overflow pockets 46. These pockets 46 are small open areas formed
along the seal 20 which catch or contain any extra fluid in the
seals 20. The pockets 46 allow the extra fluid a place to go so
that it does not prevent the seals 20 from sealing.
[0059] In alternate embodiments, the pockets 46 may simply be
openings in the seal 20 that allow excess material trapped in the
seal 20 to travel back into the chamber that is being sealed
off.
[0060] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate alternate embodiments of a
dispensing device 10. In FIG. 6, the dispensing device 10 is
illustrated with a toothpaste type lid or cap 16. The nozzle in
FIG. 6 would be threaded in order to have the lid or cap 16 rotated
firmly down onto the nozzle for closure. Additionally, the lid or
cap 16 has ridges formed on the outside of the cap 16 in order to
allow the user to gain a firm hold on the cap 16 even with wet
hands.
[0061] Additionally, FIG. 6 illustrates the fluid 34 contained in
the body 12 of the dispensing device 10.
[0062] The dispensing device 10 illustrated in FIG. 6 also
illustrates fewer seals 20 than in the previous figures.
[0063] FIG. 7, like FIG. 6, has fewer seals 20 and chambers than
the other figures. FIG. 7 also has a cap 16 and nozzle 32 such as
would be found on a tube of caulk or the like. The nozzle 32 is
long and tapering, creating a narrow flow of fluid which is easily
manipulated. The cap 16 is also tapered with a closed end. The
interior of the cap 16, unlike the cap 16 in FIG. 6, is not
threaded. Instead the cap 16 fits firmly over an indented or
particularly narrow portion of the nozzle 32.
[0064] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a dispensing device 10
which has a resealable seal 20 at its closure location 13 and
replacing the permanent closure 14 discussed in previous
embodiments. The resealable seal 20 located at the closure location
13 would allow the end of the body 12 to be opened and the body 12
refilled once the dispensing device 10 is empty. This is
particularly useful in situations where the dispensing device 10 is
being used to dispense a fluid such as frosting which may be placed
in the dispensing device 10 in order to be placed directly on a
cake, cookie or the like. In this type of embodiment, the nozzle
would be a cake decorating tip.
[0065] FIG. 8 also illustrates a tab 36. This tab 36 is an extra
flap of material such as the material used to form the body 12.
This extra tab 36 of material may be used to open the resealable
seal 20. In the embodiment illustrated, there would be two tabs 36
located right on top of each other. The user would grasp one of the
tabs 36 in one hand and the other tab 36 in the other hand and
would pull the tabs 36 apart in order to open the resealable seal
20.
[0066] The tabs 36, though illustrated as arched in shape, may be
any shape or size desired, provided the tabs 36 are large enough to
allow a user to grasp them firmly.
[0067] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment having a toothpaste type
cap 16 and nozzle.
[0068] Additionally, FIG. 9 has a tab 36 coupled to each seal 20
location. These tabs 36 are formed on both sides of the body 12,
both the top and the bottom. The tabs 36 allow the user to reopen
any of the seals 20 after they have been closed. Additionally
because the tabs 36 are located towards the end of the body 12 at
which the closure 14 is located, the seals 20 are arranged so that
pressure applied to the side of the seal 20 towards the nozzle of
the dispensing device 10 will not open the seal 20 if directional
seals 20 are being used.
[0069] FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 except FIG. 10 has a caulk type
nozzle 32 and cap 16. Additionally, FIG. 10 has tabs 36 which are
located towards the nozzle 32 end of the body 12. If directional
seals 20 are being used, this embodiment has the side of the seal
20, which opens, located towards the nozzle 32 end of the body
12.
[0070] A configuration such as the one illustrated in this figure,
will likely be used in a situation where each chamber 30, 28, 26,
and 24 are filled with a substance and sealed off individually
before the dispensing device is sold. After the user dispenses all
of the product in chamber 24, the user opens seal 20 and dispenses
the fluid contained in chamber 26 and so forth. This allows
different fluids to be placed in each of the chambers 30, 28, 26,
and 24. Additionally, a specific amount of fluid may be placed in
each chamber 30, 28, 26 and 24 and that amount is dispensed prior
to the next chamber being opened. With this embodiment, a measured
amount of fluid may be dispensed without the use of measuring
spoons and the like.
[0071] While the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 10 may be used for
this type of dispensing arrangement, the other embodiments
disclosed may also be used in a similar type of dispensing
arrangement.
[0072] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment where the seal 20 is
oriented parallel to the length of the body 12. The seal 20 also
has a tab 36 coupled to it.
[0073] The embodiment illustrated in this figure, allows one
substance to be placed in one chamber or on one side of the seal 20
and another substance to be placed in the other chamber or on the
other side of the seal 20. While the substances may both be fluids,
one may be a fluid and the other may be a powder or the like. When
the user wants to dispense the substance in the dispensing device
10, the user pulls on the tab 36 or pushes on one of the chambers
in order to open the seal 20. The user then massages the body 12 of
the dispensing device 10 in order to mix the substances together.
The mixtures of substances, which will most likely be a fluid, may
then be dispensed.
[0074] While the cap 16, shown in this figure, is likely sufficient
to contain the substances during the mixing process, it may also be
desirable to include a secondary seal, such as a piece of plastic
or foil over the tip of the nozzle or in the opening in the
shoulder 18 prior to the nozzle. This secondary seal would be
punctured prior to dispensing the mixed substance.
[0075] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 could be used for
certain medications, epoxies or the like, which must be mixed right
before dispensing.
[0076] The seal 20 could be reclosed after a portion of the mixed
substances have been dispensed in order to maintain pressure within
the body 12.
[0077] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a dispensing device 10
used to dispense a specific amount of the fluid within the device
10. In this embodiment, the body 12 of the dispensing device 10 may
be transparent or translucent in order to help the user see how
much of the fluid in the tube is left or available. The body 12 may
also have measurement markings 60 printed along the length of the
body 12. The seals 20 are located at common measurements along the
length of the body, i.e. there may be a seal between every teaspoon
of fluid contained in the dispensing device or the like. Then,
depending on how many teaspoons are required to be dispensed, that
many chambers 30, 28, 26, 24 and 22 may be emptied.
[0078] In this embodiment, the seals 20 may be sealed with a
specified amount in each chamber or else, the user could simply
dispense material until the correct number of chambers are empty
and then seal the seal 20 above the empty chambers.
[0079] In additional configurations of this embodiment, a needle
may be coupled to the exit of the body 12. The dispensing device 10
could then be used to give injections.
[0080] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a dispensing device 10
having a plunger 48 located in the body 12 of the dispensing device
10. The plunger 48 is shaped to fit in the body 12 and to help the
user to force the fluid in the body 12 towards the nozzle or
shoulder 18 of the body 12 as the fluid is being dispensed.
[0081] The plunger 48 includes a down body portion 52 which is
wedge shaped in order to allow the user to pinch the body 12 of the
dispensing device 10 to push the plunger 48 towards the nozzle end
of the body 12.
[0082] The plunger 48 also has a body portion 56. This portion of
the plunger 48 is the width and shape of cross section of the body
12 at its narrowest location. The body portion 56 of the plunger 48
acts to push the fluid in the body 12 towards the nozzle as the
plunger 48 is moved up the body 12.
[0083] The plunger 48 also includes a nozzle portion 50 which is
shaped to fit inside the nozzle of the dispensing device 10. The
nozzle portion 50 forces the last of the fluid out of the body 12
by pushing into the nozzle.
[0084] The shape of the plunger 48 prevents the plunger 48 from
rotating in the body 12. While the plunger 48 may rotate around its
long access within the body 12, the plunger 48 cannot rotate around
its short access and therefore the nozzle portion 50 of the plunger
48 will always be oriented so that it fits inside the nozzle of the
dispensing device 10.
[0085] As the plunger 48 is moved up the body 12 of the dispensing
device 10, the seals 20 in the body 12 of the dispensing device 10
are closed behind the plunger 48 preventing the plunger 48 from
being forced back down the body 12 as the fluid is dispensed.
[0086] The plunger 48 may also be used in dispensing devices 10
without seals 20.
[0087] While the figures illustrate, a plunger 48 shaped to match
the interior shape of the body and the nozzle, the plunger 48 may
also have any shape desired that helps to push the fluid in the
dispensing device 10 towards the exit opening. The plunger 48 may
be round, cubic or the like.
[0088] The plunger 48 may be formed from rubber, silicone or the
like or it may be formed from wood, metal, stone or any other
material. The plunger 48 may be flexible or rigid.
[0089] FIGS. 14-15 illustrate an embodiment of a plunger 48 for use
in a dispensing device 10. This embodiment of a plunger 48 includes
a valve 54 which passes from the nozzle portion 50 of the plunger
48 through the down body portion 52 of the plunger 48. The valve 54
allows any air trapped in front of the plunger 48 to travel through
the plunger 48 and into the rest of the body 12. Additionally, in
embodiments where the body 12 is rigid, the valve 54 prevents a
vacuum from forming behind the plunger 48 which would pull the
plunger 48 back down the body 12.
[0090] FIG. 16 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a plunger 48.
This embodiment of a plunger 48 includes scallops 58 formed in the
edge of the body portion 56 of the plunger 48. These scallops 58
are areas at which material has been removed from the edge of the
body portion 56 of the plunger 48 in order to allow air to pass
around the plunger 48 and to aid the plunger 48 in moving smoothly
up the body 12 of the dispensing device 10.
[0091] While the figure illustrates the scallops 58 as
semi-circular cutouts, any shape of cutouts may be used which are
easy to manufacture and which allow air to pass around the plunger
48 and to aid the plunger 48 in moving easily up the body 12 of the
dispensing device 10 towards the nozzle.
[0092] In alternate embodiments, the plunger 48 may be formed
without a valve 54 or scallops 58. Instead the plunger 48, would be
a solid piece shaped to fit in the body 12 of the dispensing device
10.
[0093] In additional embodiments, the plunger 48 may be used in the
transparent dispensing device 10 having measurement markings 60.
The end of the plunger 48 located farthest from the nozzle of the
dispensing device 10 may be used in conjunction with the
measurement markings 60 allowing a user to determine the amount of
fluid dispensed by the location of the end of the plunger 48 in
comparison to the measurement markings 60. Alternatively, any other
location on the plunger 48 may also be used in conjunction with the
measurement markings 60 to allow the user to determine how much of
the fluid has been dispensed.
[0094] In other embodiments of the dispensing device 10, it may be
desired to have the plunger 48 act as part of the seal 20. The end
of the plunger 48 farthest from the exit or nozzle of the
dispensing device 10 may mate with a seal 20 on the body 12 of the
dispensing device 10. The plunger 48 may include one set of hooks
38 while the interior surface of the body 12 includes the other set
of hooks 42.
[0095] In embodiments off the dispensing device 10 including a
plunger 48, the body 12 of the dispensing device 10 is first filled
with a fluid and then the plunger 48 is inserted into the body 12.
Following insertion of the plunger 48, the body 12 may be sealed
with closure 14.
[0096] Accordingly, for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure,
the components defining any embodiment of the invention may be
formed as one piece if it is possible for the components to still
serve their function. The components may also be composed of any of
many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can
readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components
selected are consistent with the intended mechanical operation of
the invention. For example, the components may be formed of rubbers
(synthetic and/or natural), glasses, composites such as fiberglass,
carbon-fiber and/or other like materials, polymers such as plastic,
polycarbonate, PVC plastic, ABS plastic, polystyrene,
polypropylene, acrylic, nylon, phenolic, any combination thereof,
and/or other like materials, metals, such as zinc, magnesium,
titanium, copper, iron, steel, stainless steel, any combination
thereof, and/or other like materials, alloys, such as aluminum,
and/or other like materials, any other suitable material, and/or
any combination thereof.
[0097] The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented
in order to best explain the present invention and its practical
applications and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the
art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill
in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and
examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and
example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the
forthcoming claims. Accordingly, any components of the present
invention indicated in the drawings or herein are given as an
example of possible components and not as a limitation.
* * * * *