AUTO-REFILL SINGLE DOSE DISPENSER

• US 20150028063A1
• Filed: 02/14/2013
• Published: 01/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Westrock Slatersville, LLC (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: MWV Slatersville, LLC
• Inventors: Skillin, Clifford, Brannon, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 9,523,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/455
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/261 for fluent solid material
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/262 for liquid or semi-liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/28 with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement

Abstract

A single dose dispenser for dispensing product from a container is disclosed. The dispenser includes a body portion having skirt configured to couple to a container. A top is connected to the body portion that has a dispensing orifice formed therethough. A middle deck extends across an interior of the body portion forming a storage chamber between the top, inner surface of the body portion and the middle deck for temporarily holding product therein from the container. A cap is connected to the upper deck to selectively seal the dispensing orifice. A reservoir chamber depends from the middle deck for temporarily receiving product from the storage chamber. A flow conduit extends upwards from the middle deck up to the dispensing orifice and downwards into the reservoir chamber for dispensing product from the reservoir chamber.

Claims

1. A one-piece, molded, single-dose dispenser for dispensing product from a container, comprising:

a body portion having an inner wall and skirt, the skirt having a portion configured and arranged to couple to a container;

a top connected to the body portion, the top having an upper deck and dispensing orifice formed therethough;

a middle deck extending across an interior of the body portion forming a storage chamber between the top, inner surface of the body portion and the middle deck for temporarily holding product therein, the middle deck in fluid communication with the container;

a cap connected to the upper deck, configured and arranged to selectively seal the dispensing orifice;

a reservoir chamber depending from the middle deck, the reservoir chamber having a reservoir closure member for closing an open bottom end of the reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber in fluid communication with the storage chamber; and

a flow conduit extending upwards from the middle deck in fluid connection to the dispensing orifice on the upper deck of the top, the flow conduit further depending downwardly into an interior of the reservoir chamber;

whereby product enters the storage chamber when the container is inverted and exits the storage chamber to fill the reservoir chamber when the container is uprighted, and the product exiting the dispensing orifice when the product container is inverted again with the cap open.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flow conduit further includes a lip extending downwardly and away from an axis of the dispensing orifice at an predetermined angle from a bottom portion of the flow conduit.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a threaded portion for threadably attaching the dispenser to the container.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the body portion has an upper edge with mating formations formed thereon and the top has reciprocal mating formation depending therefrom configured and arranged to interlock together.

5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the top further comprises an annular sealing wall depending therefrom configured and arranged to engage the inner wall of the body portion, forming a seal therewith.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the top is connected to the body portion via a living hinge.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the top is connected to the body portion via a living hinge.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a plug depending from the cap configured and arranged to seal the dispensing orifice.

9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cap is connected to the top via a living hinge.

10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the reservoir closure member is folded and sealed against a bottom edge of the reservoir chamber.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flow conduit extends through the storage chamber.

12. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flow conduit does not directly contact the inner wall of the body portion.

13. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of ribs.

14. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a thumb catch.