Liquid Dispensing Device

• US 20070205227A1
• Filed: 02/23/2006
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLC (TTP Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLC (TTP Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Carr, Matthew, Mccrone, James
• Application Number:
  US11/660,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205227A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/387
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/145 using pressurised reservoirs, e.g. pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0439 ultrasonic vibrations, vibrating piezo elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0605 check valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0241 Drop counters; Drop formers making arrays for combinatorial libraries B01J19/0046; automation of dispensing for analysis G01N35/10
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0265 using valves to interrupt or meter fluid flow, e.g. using solenoids or metering valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/08 of the diaphragm or bellows type
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/082 of the squeeze container type using squeeze bottles or the like for soap A47K5/122

Abstract

A liquid dispensing device has a chamber (11) for a liquid. The chamber has first and second openings (17), (18); a one way valve (19) retained in the first opening to allow liquid flow only out of the chamber; and a closure (13) slidably retained in the chamber to close the second opening. The closure has an actuator (22, 24) with a flexible element (21) which, extends into the chamber reducing its volume and thereby causing liquid to be expelled from the chamber through the valve. The closure slides in the chamber to reduce the volume of the chamber by the amount of the dispensed liquid.

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing device comprising:

a chamber in which a liquid to be dispensed is retained in use, the chamber having a first and a second opening;

a one way valve retained in the first opening to allow liquid flow only out of the chamber;

a closure slidably retained in the chamber to close the second opening, the closure including

an actuator having a flexible element which, upon actuation, is caused to extend into the chamber reducing its volume and thereby causing liquid to be expelled from the chamber through the valve,

wherein, when actuation is stopped, the closure is caused to slide in the chamber so as to reduce the volume of the chamber by the amount of the dispensed liquid.

2. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a piezoelectric element.

3. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric element is arranged such that, upon actuation, it extends only into the chamber and that, when actuation is stopped, it returns to its normal non-extended state.

4. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric element is mounted on the flexible element.

5. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric element is part or all of the flexible element.

6. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes an element formed from a shape-memory alloy.

7. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 5, wherein the shape-memory alloy is formed as a wire connected to the flexible member.

8. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein the wire is connected to the flexible member by a plurality of hooks.

9. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is connected to a microprocessor or other programmable control device.

10. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber has a reduced diameter portion adjacent the valve.

11. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the closure includes a seal between the flexible element and the chamber.

12. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one element for engaging with the wall of the chamber to hinder movement of the closure away from the first opening.

13. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 12, wherein the engaging element(s) is (are) a barb mounted on the closure.

14. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 12, wherein the engaging element is an O-ring seal between the closure and the wall of the chamber.