Value controlled squeezable fluid dispenser

• US 5,033,647 A
• Filed: 03/09/1990
• Issued: 07/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allergan, Inc. (Canada) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Allergan, Inc. (Canada) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Holland, Greg, Smith, Daniel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huppert, Michael S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DeRosa, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US07/491,304
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 222/92, 222/94, 222/105, 222/107, 222/130, 222/206, 222/212, 222/213, 222/209, 222/215, 222/494, 222/491, 222/490
• US Class Current: 222/94
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0072 A valve member forming part of an outlet opening
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/047 characterised by the outlet or venting means B05B11/041 and B05B11/042 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/048 characterised by the container, e.g. this latter being surrounded by an enclosure, or the means for deforming it B05B11/041, B05B11/046 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2205/00 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2081 in which the deformation raises or lowers the valve port
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0055 Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents

Abstract

A squeezable dispenser having main flexible outer container closed off by a top and an inner collapsible flexible fluid containing bladder. A one-way flow valve is provided between the outer container and the inner bladder to prevent the contents of the bladder from contamination from external sources. A vent in the top provides fluid communication between the interior of the container and the exterior thereof. A sealing member overlies the vent and normally closes off the same when the dispenser is squeezed to dispense liquid in the bladder out through the valve.

Claims

1. A squeezable dispenser comprising:

a main body portion having an opening at the upper end thereof;

a top secured to said main body portion closing off the opening at the upper end thereof and having an opening at the upper end thereof, said top having a vent therein communicating the interior of said dispenser with the exterior thereof;

a resilient valve mounted in said top, said valve having a projection extending upwardly from an integral apertured flange and a downwardly extending main body portion integral with said flange;

a flexible collapsible liner associated with said valve and secured to said top; and

a resilient sealing member having an aperture therethrough, said projection normally engaging said sealing member aperture with said sealing member overlying said projection, said sealing member cooperating with said projection to normally close off the opening in said top when said projection engages said sealing member aperture, said sealing member overlying said vent and normally closing off said vent when said dispenser main body portion is squeezed to dispense liquid in said liner out through said valve.

2. In the dispenser of claim 1 wherein said sealing member is loosely disposed between said projection and the opening in said top.

3. In the dispenser of claim 2 wherein said sealing member is a bell-shaped flexible member having a generally centrally located aperture with a generally flat annular portion integral with and surrounding said sealing member aperture.

4. In the dispenser of claim 3 wherein said apertured flange has an upper surface and a lower surface and said top has an outer wall and an inner wall, said flat annular portion having a generally round annular bead received in mating annular grooves in the inner wall of said top and the upper surface of said apertured flange.

5. In the dispenser of claim 3 wherein said flat annular portion has an upper surface and a lower surface, said apertured flange having an upper surface and a lower surface and said top having an outer wall and an inner wall, said flat annular portion having a generally rounded protrusion on its upper surface and being generally flat on its lower surface, said protrusion being received in a mating annular groove on the inner wall of said top.

6. In the dispenser of claim 1 including a removable cap normally closing off the opening in said top.

7. In the dispenser of claim 6 wherein said cap has an inner wall and an outer wall, and a generally centrally located protrusion on the inner wall of said cap normally bearing against and closing off the opening in said top wall and the aperture in said sealing member.

8. In the dispenser of claim 6 including a break-off ring on said cap engaging said top and normally securing said cap to said top.

9. In the dispenser of claim 1 wherein said liner is heat sealed to the main body portion of said valve.

10. In the dispenser of claim 9 wherein the main body portion of said valve terminates in an annular flange, said liner being heat sealed thereto.

11. In the dispenser of claim 1 wherein said top has an inner wall and an outer wall, said main body portion of said valve being generally cylindrical having an inner surface and an outer surface with an annular bead on the outer surface, said annular bead being receivable in an annular groove on the inner wall of said top.