Closed loop dispensing system

• US 5,988,456 A
• Filed: 01/16/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RD Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Rodney Laible
• Inventors: Laible, Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bocanegra, Jorge
• Application Number:
  US09/008,110
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 222/189.09, 222/464.1, 222/547, 222/482, 222/518, 141/346, 141/353, 141/319, 251/149.4, 137/590, 137/614.2
• US Class Current: 222/464.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 1/04 by inserting threadless stoppers, e.g. corks
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 2201/12 Details related to spray caps, i.e. caps comprising a pump and a tube for dispensing content from a container
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0277 using negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0294 Combined with valves

Abstract

A closed loop dispensing system for use on a liquid container such as a bottle or the like for dispensing the liquid contents from the bottle. The outlet opening of the bottle is closed by a throat plug having a valve positioned therein which is open when the container cap is mounted on the container, but which automatically closes when the cap is removed from the container. A dip tube extends downwardly from the container insert and is in communication with the valve so that liquid in the bottle may be drawn therethrough. A closure cap is mounted on the bottle and has a dispensing tube extending therefrom for dispensing liquid from the container to a mixing machine or the like. A check valve is associated with the cap for preventing backflow from the dispensing tube to the container and for permitting liquid flow from the container to the dispensing tube in response to suction being applied to the dispensing tube.

Claims

1. In combination,

a liquid container having upper and lower ends;

said container having a hollow throat extending upwardly therefrom which has interior and exterior surfaces;

a throat plug assembly, having upper and lower ends, positioned in said throat of said container;

said throat plug assembly having an upstanding, hollow valve body, having upper and lower ends, at the lower end thereof;

said valve body having an upstanding hollow receiver, including upper and lower ends, above the lower end thereof which has a central opening formed in the upper end thereof;

said valve body having at least one opening formed therein below the upper end thereof;

a dip tube in communication with said lower end of said valve body and being in communication with the liquid in said liquid container;

said valve body being at least partially positioned within said hollow receiver;

a valve vertically movably mounted on said valve body which is movable between an upper closed position to a lower open position;

said valve being movably positioned in said central opening of said hollow receiver to close said opening in said valve body when said valve is in its said upper closed position and to open said opening in said valve body when said valve is in its lower open position;

said valve, when in its said lower open position, permitting flow of liquid through said dip tube upwardly through said valve body into the interior of said valve;

a spring in said throat plug assembly which urges said valve into its said upper closed position;

said spring being positioned in said throat plug assembly so that the liquid passing through said valve body, said valve and said receiver does not come into contact with said spring;

a cap removably mounted on said throat of container for selectively closing said throat;

a dispensing tube extending from said cap for dispensing liquid from said container;

a check valve associated with said cap for preventing backflow from said dispensing tube to said container and which permits liquid flow from said container to said dispensing tube in response to suction being applied to said dispensing tube;

said cap including means for engagement with said valve to move said valve downwardly to its said lower open position when said cap is mounted on said container to close said throat.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said check valve comprises a normally closed flexible umbrella valve which opens in response to suction being applied to said dispensing tube.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said throat plug assembly includes a first vent means for relieving pressure or vacuum in said container, but which prevents escape of liquid in said container therethrough.