Fluid dispensing device with gravity-fill continuously variable dosage selection

• US 5,392,966 A
• Filed: 01/18/1994
• Issued: 02/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Bunin, Leonid
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US08/182,269
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 222/282, 222/292, 222/454, 222/455, 222/456, 222/472, 222/473, 222/484, 222/439, 222/438, 222/509, 222/434, 222/48
• US Class Current: 222/454
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/262 for liquid or semi-liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/268 with provision for varying the volume to be delivered

Abstract

A device is provided for controlled dispensing of a variable measured quantity of fluid from a container. The device has a dosage cup chamber adapted to hold a measured quantity of fluid when the container is inverted and righted. This fluid is then dispensed from the chamber through a valved conduit.

Claims

1. A dose measuring device for fluids which comprises a dosage cup in fluid communication with a container, the container having an extension situated within the dosage cup, the extension being constructed to enable fluid to pass into the dosage cup through the extension where the extension is provided with a top surface allowing fluid to pass over said top surface where said top surface rises from a low point to a high point within the dosage cup;

and a downwardly projecting column from the cap of the dosage cup in slidable engagement with the extension, said downwardly projecting column provided with a one or more slots allowing fluid to pass therethrough, said slot(s) having a lower end and an upper end wherein the slot(s) is oriented along the downwardly projecting column to connect the lower end with the upper end, with the top surface of the extension and the slot(s) in the downwardly projecting column placed in an angular and intersecting arrangement with each other when the downwardly projecting column and the extension are slidable engaged and the downwardly projecting column is movable between positions for an infinitely variable selection of intersection points of the top surface of the extension and the slot(s) of the downwardly projecting column to expose a continuously varying length of the upper portion of the slot(s) within the dosage cup allowing fluid to pass from the container when the container is inverted and righted, into the dosage cup and return of any excess fluid through the exposed upper portion of the groove and into said downwardly projecting column and valved means, including a valve and valve seat, operated by a trigger to upwardly displace the valve from its valve seat to eject the fluid dose from the dosage cup after righting the container operated by a trigger to upwardly displace the valve from its valve seat.

2. The dose measuring device of claim 1 wherein the top surface of the extension is helical in shape.

3. The dose measuring device of claim 1 wherein the lowest point of the top surface of the extension is situated near the bottom of the dosage cup and the highest point of the top surface of the extension is situated near the top of the dosage cup.

4. The dose measuring device of claim 1 wherein the inside diameter of the extension is substantially the same as the outside diameter of the downwardly projecting column.