DISPENSING LIQUIDS FROM A CONTAINER COUPLED TO AN INTEGRATED PUMP CAP

• US 20130270303A1
• Filed: 10/07/2011
• Published: 10/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Centofante, Charles A., Boothman, Brian S.
• Application Number:
  US13/878,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20130270303A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/333
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0715 the preform having one end closed
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1816 Feeding auxiliary material, e.g. colouring material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/03 characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/29 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/04 Extrusion blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/06 Injection blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/4252 Auxiliary operations prior to the blow-moulding operation not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0032 Pigments, colouring agents or opacifiyng agents
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/66 of rotary type

Abstract

This specification describes technologies relating to dispensing liquid materials. In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in apparatuses that include a container (203) coupled to an integrated pump cap (202), the integrated pump cap (202) including a pump coupled to an intake port to the container (203) and an output port configured to dispense liquids from the container (203) when the pump is activated.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A device comprising

a liquid container;

a lid for closing the liquid container, the lid comprising an integrated pump cap, the integrated pump cap comprising;

a pump coupled to an intake port to the liquid container;

an output port configured to dispense liquid from the liquid container; and

a motor coupler comprising teeth to engage corresponding teeth in a compatible motor base, the motor coupler being rotatable to drive the pump so that contents of the liquid container can be dispensed through the output port.

27. A device according to claim 26 wherein the liquid container comprises an outer container and an inner liner, wherein the lid closes the outer container and the inner liner.

28. A device according to claim 27 wherein the inner liner is collapsible as liquid is withdrawn from the inner liner of the liquid container.

29. A device according to claim 26 wherein the liquid container is pressurizable.

30. A device according to claim 26 wherein the liquid container is positioned above the integrated pump cap when liquid is being dispensed from the liquid container.

31. A device according to claim 26 wherein the liquid container is positioned below the integrated pump cap when liquid is being dispensed from the liquid container.

32. A device according to claim 26 wherein the integrated pump cap is removably coupled to the liquid container.

33. A device according to claim 26 wherein the integrated pump cap is removably coupled to the liquid container by a threaded ring.

34. A device according to claim 26 wherein the integrated pump cap is removably coupled to the liquid container by a quick connector.

35. A device according to claim 26 wherein the pump is a G-rotor pump.

36. A device according to claim 26 wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.

37. A device according to claim 26 wherein the pump is an elastic diaphragm pump.

38. A device according to claim 26 further comprising a motor coupled to the liquid container.

39. A device according to claim 26 comprising a first rotor and a second rotor that moves in response to movement of the first rotor, wherein the first rotor includes at least one lobe and the second rotor includes at least one slot, the at least one lobe on the first rotor engaging the at least one slot on the second rotor to move the second rotor in response to movement of the first rotor, and further wherein the number of lobes on the first rotor is different than the number of slots on the second rotor, whereby the pump is coupled to the motor.

40. A device according to claim 38 wherein the motor further includes a controller that can be programmed to control operation of the motor.

41. A system comprising:

a liquid container and a motor base comprising teeth;

a lid for closing the liquid container, the lid comprising an integrated pump cap, the integrated pump cap comprising;

a pump coupled to an intake port to the liquid container;

an output port configured to dispense liquid from the liquid container; and

a motor coupler comprising teeth to engage the teeth in the motor base, the motor coupler being rotatable to drive the pump so that contents of the liquid container can be dispensed through the output port;

a device configured to receive liquid dispensed from the output port;

wherein the teeth on the motor base are engaged with the teeth on the motor coupler to drive the pump to dispense a specified amount of liquid into the device.

42. A system according to claim 41 wherein the liquid container comprises an outer container and an inner liner, wherein the lid closes the outer container and the inner liner.

43. A system according to claim 42 wherein the inner liner is collapsible as liquid is withdrawn from the inner liner of the liquid container.

44. A method for dispensing a specified amount of liquid comprising:

receiving a command to dispense a specified amount of liquid;

initiating a motor in a motor base coupled to a liquid container the liquid container being closed by a lid, comprising an integrated pump cap, the integrated pump cap comprising;

a pump coupled to an intake port to the container;

an output port configured to dispense liquid from the liquid container; and

a motor coupler comprising teeth to engage corresponding teeth in the motor base, the motor coupler being rotatable to drive the pump so that contents of the liquid container can be dispensed through the output port; and

stopping the motor when the specified amount of liquid has been dispensed from the liquid container.

45. A method according to claim 44 wherein the liquid container comprises an outer container and an inner liner, wherein the lid closes the outer container and the inner liner.

46. A method according to claim 44 wherein the inner liner collapses as liquid is withdrawn from the inner liner of the liquid container.