LIQUID DISPENSER ADAPTER

• US 20080223479A1
• Filed: 05/27/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MBHD, LLC
• Original Assignee: MBHD, LLC
• Inventors: BASSETT, LISA L., BASSETT, WADE M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,251,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/2
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0097 Means for filling or refilling the sprayer through additional openings in the container B05B11/0056
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1001 Piston pumps B05B11/1087, B05B11/1088, B05B11/109 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1052 Actuation means locking means therefor B05B11/1059; the dispensing stroke being affected by the stored energy of a spring B05B11/109
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 9/00 Devices for emptying bottles, not otherwise provided for during preparation of alcoholic beverages except beer C12G1/00

Abstract

A filling adapter for conveying liquid from a first liquid container to a second liquid container is provided. The filling adapter includes an adapter body having a top end and an opposite button end, the top end adapted for fitting an opening in the first liquid container, the bottom end adapted for fitting an opening in the second liquid container, and an open path in the adapter body from the top end to the bottom end for communicating liquid from the opening in the first liquid container to the opening in the second liquid container.

Claims

1. A filling adapter for conveying liquid from a first liquid container to a second liquid container, the adapter comprising:

adapter body having a top end and an opposite bottom end;

the top end adapted for fitting an opening in the first liquid container;

the bottom end adapted for fitting an opening in the second liquid container;

an open path in the adapter body from the top end to the bottom end for communicating liquid from the opening in the first liquid container to the opening in the second liquid container.

2. The filling adapter of claim 1 further comprising threads and the adapter body on the top end for threadably connecting the adapter to the first liquid container.

3. The filling adapter of claim 2 further comprising threads and the adapter body on the bottom end for threadably connecting the adapter to the second liquid container.

4. The filling adapter of claim 1 further comprising a tube disposed within the adapter body for placing within the opening in the second liquid container.

5. The filling adapter of claim 4 wherein the tube extends beyond the bottom end.

6. The filling adapter of claim 4 wherein the tube extends partially into the opening in the second liquid container and not beyond the bottom end.

7. The filling adapter of claim 4 wherein the filling adapter being marked with indicia indicative of correct orientation of the filling adapter.

8. The filling adapter of claim 4 further comprising at least one vent hole in the adapter body.

9. The filling adapter of claim 1 further comprising raised ribs disposed on an inside surface of the top end.

10. The filling adapter of claim 1 further comprising raised ribs disposed on an inside surface of the bottom end.

11. The filling adapter of claim 1 wherein the open path being funnel shaped to funnel liquid from the top end to the bottom end.

12. The filling adapter of claim 1 wherein a sidewall of the top end being tapered.

13. The filling adapter of claim 12 wherein a sidewall of the bottom end being tapered.

14. The filling adapter of claim 1 wherein the top end being formed of a flexible material.

15. The filling adapter of claim 14 wherein the bottom end being formed of a flexible material.

16. The filling adapter of claim 1 further comprising flexible barbs disposed on the inside of the top end.

17. The filling adapter of claim 1 further comprising flexible barbs disposed on the inside of the bottom end.

18. A method for filling a first liquid container, comprising:

operatively connecting a first end of filling adapter to the first liquid container;

operatively connecting a second end of the filling adapter to a second liquid container;

elevating the second liquid container relative to the first liquid container to induce gravity flow of a liquid in the second liquid container into the first liquid container.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of operatively connecting the first end of the filling adapter to the first liquid container comprises threadably connecting threads of the first liquid container to the first end of the filling adapter.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of operatively connecting the second end of the filling adapter to the second liquid container comprises threadably connecting threads of the second liquid container to the second end of the filling adapter.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the filling adapter comprises a tube extending from the first end to the second end.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the filling adapter further comprises a vent hole.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein the filling adapter comprises raised ribs on an inside surface of the first end of the filling adapter and raised ribs on an insider surface of the second end of the filling adapter.

24. The method of claim 18 further comprising applying force to the second liquid container to assist in filling the first liquid container.

25. A system for recovering liquid, comprising:

a liquid container comprising a body having an inner cavity for containing the liquid and an aperture providing access to the inner cavity;

a filling adapter for filling the liquid dispenser, the filling adapter comprising a first end adapted for fitting to the aperture of the liquid container and a second end adapter for fitting to an opening of a second liquid container.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the liquid container is a liquid dispenser.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the filling adapter comprises a tube extending from the first end to the second end.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the filling adapter further comprises a vent hole.

29. The system of claim 25 wherein the liquid container is not freestanding and adapted for connection to a wall.

30. The system of claim 25 wherein the first end of the filling adapter comprises a plurality of threads.

31. The system of claim 25 wherein the second end of the filling adapter comprises a plurality of threads.

32. The system of claim 25 wherein the filling adapter further comprises a plurality of raised ribs on an inside surface of the first end.

33. The system of claim 25 wherein the filling adapter further comprises a plurality of raised ribs on an inside surface of the second end.

34. The system of claim 25 wherein the filling adapter being marked with indicia indicative of correct orientation of the filling adapter.

35. The system of claim 25 wherein the open path being funnel shaped to funnel liquid from the top end to the bottom end.

36. The system of claim 25 wherein a sidewall of the top end being tapered.

37. The system of claim 25 wherein a sidewall of the bottom end being tapered.

38. The system of claim 25 wherein the top end being formed of a flexible material.

39. The system of claim 25 wherein the bottom end being formed of a flexible material.

40. The system of claim 25 further comprising flexible barbs disposed on an inside surface of the top end.

41. The system of claim 25 further comprising flexible barbs disposed on an inside surface of the bottom end.