Dosing and/or dispensing system

• US 6,986,443 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RD Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Rodney Laible
• Inventors: Laible, Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US10/835,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20040206786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 222/181.1, 222/189.09, 222/185.1, 222/481.5, 222/518
• US Class Current: 222/181.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0294 Combined with valves

Abstract

A dosing and/or dispensing system for use with a liquid container such as a bottle or the like for dosing and/or dispensing liquid contents from the bottle. Various different dosing and/or dispensing embodiments are disclosed which enable the liquid to be dosed or dispensed by gravity from the container.

Claims

1. In combination:

an inverted liquid container having upper and lower ends;

said lower end of said container having a hollow throat extending downwardly therefrom;

a hollow cup having upper and lower ends;

a connector on the upper end of said cup which is selectively secured to the throat of the container;

said upper end of said cup having a central opening formed therein which is in communication with said connector;

said upper end of said cup having at least one vent opening formed therein which is in communication with ambient air;

a valve normally closing said vent opening;

said cup having a valve opening formed therein above its lower end;

said cup having a central opening formed in its said lower end below said valve opening;

a lift valve, having upper and lower ends, vertically movably mounted on said lower end of said cup which is movable between upper and lower positions;

said lift valve having a valve stem which is slidably received by said central opening in said lower end of said cup;

said valve stem having a closed upper end and an open lower end;

said valve stem having at least one liquid passageway formed therein below its said closed upper end;

a valve on said valve stem of said lift valve which closes said valve opening when said lift valve is in its said lower position;

said liquid passageway being positioned below said valve opening when said lift valve is in its said lower position;

said liquid passageway being positioned above said valve opening when said lift valve is in its said upper position;

a vent actuator operatively secured to said lift valve above said valve opening for movement therewith;

said vent actuator being movable between upper and lower positions;

said valve means closing said vent opening when said vent actuator is in its said lower position;

said valve means causing said vent opening to be open when said vent actuator is in its said upper position.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a spring urges said lift valve towards its said lower position.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said vent actuator includes a first hollow tubular portion which slidably embraces a second tubular portion on said upper end of said lift valve.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said first tubular portion has inner and outer surfaces and wherein said second tubular portion has an outer surface;

said inner surface of said first tubular portion having a recess formed therein which defines upper and lower shoulders;

said outer surface of said second tubular portion having an outwardly presented shoulder that is received by said recess.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said shoulders permit a predetermined amount of upward movement of said lift valve with respect to said vent actuator without said valve means moving out of engagement with said vent opening.

6. In combination:

an inverted liquid container having upper and lower ends;

said lower end of said container having a hollow throat extending downwardly therefrom;

a hollow cup having upper and lower ends;

said hollow cup being secured to said container and having an opening formed in its upper end which communicates with the interior of said container;

said upper end of said cup having a vent opening formed therein which is in communication with ambient air;

a normally closed valve positioned in said vent opening;

said cup having a valve opening formed therein above its lower end;

said cup having a central opening formed in its said lower end below said valve opening;

a lift valve, having upper and lower ends, vertically movably mounted on said lower end of said cup which is movable between upper and lower positions;

said lift valve having a valve stem which is slidably received by said central opening in said lower end of said cup;

said valve stem having a closed upper end and an open lower end;

said valve stem having a liquid passageway formed therein below its said closed upper end;

a valve on said lift valve which closes said valve opening when said lift valve is in its said lower position;

said liquid passageway being positioned below said valve opening when said lift valve is in its said lower position and which is positioned above said valve opening when said lift valve is in its said upper position;

a vent actuator operatively secured to said lift valve for movement therewith above said valve opening;

said vent actuator being movable between upper and lower positions;

said vent actuator engaging said valve to open said valve when said vent actuator is in its said upper position.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein a spring urges said lift valve towards its said lower position.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said vent actuator includes a first hollow tubular portion which slidably embraces a second tubular portion on said upper end of said lift valve.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said vent actuator also closes said opening in said upper end thereof when said lift valve is in its said upper position.