Liquid dispenser

• US 6,056,163 A
• Filed: 07/28/1999
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chin-Kuei Ko
• Original Assignee: Jenn-Shyang Lai
• Inventors: Lai, Jenn-Shyang
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, THACH H
• Application Number:
  US09/362,000
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/321.1, 222/321.2, 222/321.7, 222/321.9, 222/394
• US Class Current: 222/321.2
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1025 a spring urging the outlet valve in its closed position B05B11/1026 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/48 Lift valves, e.g. operated by push action B65D83/50 takes precedence

Abstract

A liquid dispenser includes a hollow shank having top and bottom openings and a fluid chamber. A closure member is sealingly mounted on the top opening. A hollow piston rod has closed and open ends, an inner fluid passage, and an aperture in communication with the fluid passage. A hollow piston is sleeved movably around the piston rod and has a contact part in contact with the piston rod to seal releasably the aperture, and a skirt part. A spring seat has a top rim extending between the skirt part and the closed end to abut against the contact part to seal releasably the aperture, a top blind hole having a cross-section greater than that of the closed end of the piston rod, and a bottom portion. An upper urging unit urges downward the piston. A ball is seated at the bottom opening. A lower urging unit urges the spring seat and the ball against the closed end and the bottom opening, respectively.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser adapted to be connected to a container for dispensing a liquid from the container, comprising:

a hollow shank having top and bottom openings and a fluid chamber extending inside said hollow shank from said top opening to said bottom opening;

a closure member sealingly mounted on said top opening;

a hollow piston rod having closed and open ends, an inner fluid passage extending inside said piston rod from said closed end to said open end, and a fluid exit aperture disposed above said closed end and in communication with said fluid passage, said closed end being received inside said shank, said open end extending out of said shank and said closure member, said piston rod being movable upward and downward inside said shank;

a hollow piston sleeved movably around said piston rod adjacent to said closed end and having a contact part in contact with said piston rod to seal releasably said aperture, and a skirt part extending downward from said contact part;

a spring seat disposed inside said shank below said piston and having a top rim, a top blind hole confined by said top rim, and a downwardly extending bottom portion below said top blind hole, said top blind hole having a cross-section greater than that of said closed end so as to provide a clearance between said closed end and said top rim, said top rim extending between said skirt part and said closed end of said piston rod to abut sealingly against said contact part when said piston rod is moved upward;

upper urging means disposed inside said shank and sleeved around said piston rod above said piston for urging downward said piston to enable said contact part to seal said aperture;

a ball movably seated at said bottom opening for closing said bottom opening; and

lower urging means disposed inside said shank and having an upper end mounted on said bottom portion and a lower end engaging said ball, said upper and lower ends urging said spring seat and said ball against said closed end and said bottom opening, respectively;

wherein said contact part moves away from said aperture and said top rim to place said aperture in communication with said fluid chamber and said fluid passage when said piston rod is moved downward.

2. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein said top blind hole has a polygonal cross-section, and said closed end of said piston rod has a circular cross-section.

3. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein said top rim has a circular cross-section, and includes a plurality of spaced apart ribs projecting radially into said top blind hole.

4. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein said piston rod has a radially extending flange formed above said upper urging means to seat said upper urging means and a tapered portion that is tapered upward from said flange to sealingly abut against said closure member when said piston rod is moved upward.

5. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a push-button connected to said top opening and having a spraying spout in communication with said fluid passage.