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Fluid dispensing device with metered delivery

  • US 8,387,833 B2
  • Filed: 02/24/2010
  • Issued: 03/05/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A fluid dispensing device, comprising:

  • a collapsible container having an outer surface and a first opening therethrough, the collapsible container defining an interior fluid storage region therein, and an exterior outer region;

    a flexible metering housing defined by a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane protruding through the first opening in the outer surface of said collapsible container so as to be exposed to the exterior outer region, said flexible metering housing having a metering chamber therein with a predetermined volume, disposed in fluid communication with the fluid storage region, an intake valve disposed between the collapsible container and the flexible metering housing and permitting unidirectional fluid flow from the interior fluid storage region of the collapsible container into the metering chamber thereby filling the predetermined volume of the metering chamber regardless of the collapsible container'"'"'s orientation with respect to gravity;

    an output valve, in fluid communication with the metering housing and permitting unidirectional fluid flow from the metering chamber to the exterior outer region of the collapsible container of a volume of fluid substantially equal to the predetermined volume of the flexible metering housing; and

    wherein the collapsible container is made from a flexible material, and wherein the flexible material of the collapsible container and the unidirectional flow of the intake valve cause the collapsible container to collapse as fluid is evacuated from within the collapsible container such that the fluid dispensing device dispenses fluid regardless of the collapsible container'"'"'s orientation with respect to gravity.

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