Abstract:
The fluid dispenser includes a storage pouch that defines a storage container with fluid residing therein. The storage container has an exit port. A docking support includes a seat for removably receiving the storage container. The docking support has an input port. The exit port of the storage container is in fluid communication with the input port of the docking support. A conduit is fluidly connected to the input port of the docking support whereby fluid is delivered from the storage container through the docking station and through the conduit and out through the nozzle. A nozzle is preferably attached to the free end of the conduit with a metering pump positioned thereat to control flow of fluid therefrom.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from prior U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/891,341 filed on Feb. 23, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to dispensing devices and packages. More specifically, the present invention relates to metering devices that can controllably dispense fluid media from a source of fluid media while simultaneously providing a construction for assisting in the delivery and application of the fluid media to a surface for treating that surface. This invention further relates facilitating the preparation and use of dispensing devices and packages. 
         [0003]    Various types of fluid material and media are employed for different purposes through commerce and industry. For example, there are various products in the personal care, home care, air care, transportation care, and food industries that require some type of dispensing of a fluid material from a source of such material. When this material is sold in commerce, it must be contained and stored in some type of container. When that product is used, it must be dispensed from its storage container to a location for use. 
         [0004]    In the prior art, there are many different types of dispensers for delivering fluid material. For example, a flexible container body with a nozzle tip is commonly provided for such a purpose. An application of such use is for the dispensing of ketchup where the container body is squeezed by the user to urge the fluid material out from the nozzle tip and accurately to a desired location. The amount of fluid delivered is determined by the how much the user squeezed the container body. However, this yields erratic results where more or less fluid material is delivered on each successive squeeze of the container body. Also, the container must be held upright to avoid leakage because no valves are employed. Therefore, there is a need for a dispensing package that can deliver the media contained therein a controlled and metered fashion. 
         [0005]    To meet this need, a flexible container holds a volume of fluid material to be delivered. A single one-way check valve is provided as an exit port from the flexible container. When the flexible body is squeezed, the material is urged out under pressure through the valve. In commonly owned Ser. No. 11/074,817, filed on Mar. 8, 2005, and U.S. Ser. No. 11/951,351, filed on Dec. 6, 2007 a dual valve construction is employed to provide for controlled metered dispensing of media from a package. However, these known devices require that the entire package be disposed of when the supply of media to be dispensed has been depleted. 
         [0006]    There has also been a desire to not only dispense the fluid material but also to help apply and direct them to a desired surface or location. In the prior art, such as in the dispensing of laundry detergent and the like, the fluid is simply stored within a container and then poured therefrom for use. Frequently, it is first poured into a measuring cup and then poured into the washer to clean clothes. This process requires that a separate measuring cup be used and, most notably, requires that the container for the detergent be opened and poured from. This open spout is in contact with the detergent and, as a result, gets very messy requiring frequent cleanup. There have been attempts in the prior to prevent dripping of the spout during and after pouring but these structures are not particularly successful or effective. 
         [0007]    There is also a need for the ability to meter out the detergent or similar liquid in a dosed fashion to completely obviate the need for a measuring cup. There is a particular need for an effective device that can dispense fluid materials, such as liquid detergent, directly to the desired location of the detergent, such as directly in the washer or to a detergent input reservoir in the washing machine. 
         [0008]    In view of the foregoing, the structure and configuration of prior art dispensers make them difficult and awkward to use with unexpected results. Therefore, there is a need for a liquid dispenser that is easy to operate. There is a need for a liquid dispenser that can be operated with one hand so that the user&#39;s hand is freed up to hold a measuring cup or reservoir to directly receive the liquid. There is a further need for a liquid dispenser to be as clean and neat as possible. There is a further need for dispenser to be capable of delivering a metered dose of fluid upon each dispensing operation. There is also a need for such a dispenser to be less wasteful than prior art dispensers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art liquid dispenser and docking stations and supports therefor. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available devices and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available devices. 
         [0010]    The invention is generally directed to a novel and unique dispenser for dispensing fluid materials. Many types of fluids may be dispensed using the present invention and liquid laundry detergent is merely one example and will be discussed in detail herein. This invention shall not be considered to be limited to the dispensing of laundry detergent in a washing machine environment. The dispenser and docking station can be used for dispensing any type of liquid material. 
         [0011]    The fluid dispenser of the present invention includes a docking station with a extension fluid conduit, such as in the form of a hose, that is preferably rolled up when at rest. The docking station is configured to provide a seat to receive a storage chamber/pouch of the fluid to be dispensed. In this example, the fluid is liquid laundry detergent. The pouch, which may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible, includes an optional carrying handle. The fluid conduit preferably includes a valve through which the fluid is dispensed when desired. When empty, the pouch can be easily replaced with refill pouches that are used with same docking station. 
         [0012]    The pouch structure nests into the docking station so that the valve on the pouch is in fluid communication with the conduit hose. The valve may be immediately opened up nesting of the pouch into the docking station or it can be opened when desired, namely, at the time of dispensing. When it is desired to dispense liquid, the conduit hose is unrolled to expose a nozzle with another valve which controls the flow of fluid from the hose. The conduit hose is flexible and can be of any length. The hose can then be directed to any desired location, such as directly over the mouth of a washing machine or to a dispensing cup. The docking station may be mounted to a wall or may be free standing. 
         [0013]    Optionally and preferably, a metering chamber may also be provided to receive an amount of detergent for dosing for controlled and metered delivery from the bladder. It is envisioned that each press of the button on the nozzle at the free end of the hose dispenses a specific predetermined amount of fluid from the nozzle. Thus, a metered dose of laundry detergent can be delivered through the nozzle of the hose that could completely obviate the need for measuring and use of a measuring cup. For example, the dosing can be set to a known amount and the user can simply press the button multiple times to achieve the desired total amount. Alternatively, without the use of a metering chamber, the fluid may freely flow, from the storage pouch as long as the user holds down the button on the nozzle. 
         [0014]    In view of the foregoing, a new and unique liquid dispenser, which is particularly well-suited for dispensing liquid, such as laundry detergent, is provided. The new dispenser facilitates the delivery of fluid in a metered and dosed manner while enabling subsequent refill pouches to be easily loaded and used. 
         [0015]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing system that is capable of storing and dispensing liquid in a controlled fashion. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing system that dispensing liquid in a metered and dosed fashion. 
         [0017]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device that can be used one handed. 
         [0018]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid dispenser that can be easily re-filled without replacing the entire device. 
         [0019]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid dispenser that can be positioned in a convenient location for easy access by the user for facilitated use thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention&#39;s preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the dispensing device with storage container installed in the docking support and ready for use in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view through the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  showing a preferred embodiment of the pump construction; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the storage container; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the docking support; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the bladder and pump construction in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view through the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view through the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  showing the pump and bladder in the process of dispensing fluid; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a dual chamber dispenser in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    In  FIG. 1 , the present invention provides a dispensing device  10  that includes a storage container  12  and docking support station  14  for storing and dispensing liquid  16 . An optional handle  21  is provided on the storage container  12  to facilitate transport of the storage container  12  particularly when it is heavier due to being filled with liquid  16 . Extending from the bottom of the docking station  14  is an extension conduit  18 . The conduit  18  assists in dispensing liquid because it can direct liquid  16  to a location remote from dispenser  10 . On the free end of the conduit is a pump  20  that preferably delivers liquid  16  in a dosed and metered fashion. Details of the pump  20  will be discussed in connection with  FIGS. 3 , and  6 - 8  below. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the device  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. The storage container  12  is receivable into seat  26  in the docking station support  14 . Fasteners  24  are preferably used to mount the docking stations support  14  on a support surface, such as wall (not shown). This enables the overall dispenser  10  to be mounted off the ground for ease of use and access. The storage container  12  houses a volume of liquid  16  to be dispensed. A one way valve  28  is provided in the bottom of the storage container to secure liquid  16  in the storage container when the storage container  12  is not seated in the docking station support  14 , such as when it is being transported or being replaced. In  FIG. 2 , the conduit  18  is shown in a rolled up condition when not in use. It is preferred that conduit  18  has a memory, by using springs or other structures, so that it is coiled up when it is at rest, as in  FIG. 2 . However, conduit  18  can be easily unrolled, to a condition as seen in  FIG. 1 , when it is ready to be used. After use, conduit  18  simply automatically rolls up to a stowed condition. Of course, it is possible that conduit  18  is not pre-coiled and does not roll up when not in use. 
         [0032]    A bottom view of the container  14  with one way valve  28  is further shown in  FIG. 4 . Any type of valve may be employed for maintaining liquid  16  in container  12 . For this purpose, a flapper valve or ball-check valve can be used. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of the docking station support  14  where a seat  26  is provided to receive the container  14  therein. A port  30  is provided in the bottom of the docking station support  14  to fluidly communicate with valve  28 . As a result of port  30 , conduit  18  and pump  218  can fluidly communicate with the liquid  16  within container  12 . Port  30  can be configured in many different ways. For example, port  30  may be a pass-through aperture or may have structures thereon to engage and open the valve  28  on the bottom of the container  12  to permit the liquid  16  to flow into conduit  18 . Alternatively, port  30  may include its own valve to further control the flow of liquid  16  therethrough. Alternatively, valve  28  may be replaced with a membrane that is pierced by a sharp member on the docking station support  14  so that when the container  12  is seated, the membrane is pierced to permit flow of liquid from the container  12  and into the conduit  18 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view through the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  is shown. A metering dispensing pump  218  is preferably used. Any type of pump mechanism  218  can be used in the device  10  of the present invention, however, a metering pump  218  is preferred. A metering dispensing pump  218  for dispensing the liquid  16  in the present invention assists in delivering liquid through exit port  22 . Within the housing  209  of the pump mechanism  218 , bladder  202  contains liquid  16 . When released, a flexible dome  204  pulls liquid  16  upwardly through first valve  206  to fill metering chamber  208 . When the dome  204  is depressed, the first valve closes and liquid  16  is urged out through exit conduit  210  down preferably to the surface of the pad  18 . The exit conduit  210  preferably acts as a second valve and, when liquid  16  is not being pumped, the distance A is substantially reduced so that opposing sides of the exit conduit  210  seal the dispenser  10  to prevent accident dispensing. When dispensing is desired, the dome  204  is pressed and liquid  16  is urged out through the exit conduit  210  to expand it temporarily to permit outflow of liquid  16 , as desired. More than one exit conduit  210  may be used to distribute liquid  16  for dispensing to more than one location at a time. 
         [0035]    When the liquid  16  in the bladder  202  is depleted, container  12  is replaced with a container  12  that is full of liquid  16 . Or, an existing container  12  may be opened, via a port or door so that new liquid  16  can be poured therein. Whether a new container  12  or a re-filled container  12 , a container  12  is replaced into the seat  26  of docking station support  14  for further use. 
         [0036]    The pump mechanism of  FIG. 3  is one example of the type of pump  218  that can be used. Another embodiment of the metering dispensing pump  300  is shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . In  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a metering dispenser  300  that employs the improved valving in accordance with the present invention. An outer storage bladder  320  is provided that may be formed of two sheets of material  304 ,  306  secured together, such as by welding, or a tube of material. A metering pump, generally referred to as  326 , pulls liquid  302  from the bladder  320 , meters it, and then dispenses it via an exit port  308 . This pump mechanism  218  can be easily placed into fluid communication with the conduit  18  to control the flow of liquid  16  therethrough. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the dispending of liquid  302  is shown. When it is desired to actually dispense the liquid product  302 , the user&#39;s thumb  430  can depress the flexible dome  404  and the user&#39;s index finger  432  can invert the base plate  410  from convex to concave, by application of force against the stand-off legs  424 , such that flexible dome  404 , with the assistance of the stand-off legs  422  under the flexible dome, securely seals and provides a positive lock of the flapper valve  408  over and about the aperture  412  thereby closing the liquid flow passage back into the reservoir  434  of the storage container  320 . 
         [0038]    It is also possible that the base plate  410  is concave and then is inverted to a convex configuration. Other fingers of the user may be used to carry out this operation. Thus, the only path for the liquid  302  contained within the cavity  405  of dome  404  is to exit through the one-way outlet valve  436  for intended dispensing of the product, as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0039]    When applied to the device of the present invention, the surface, such as the bottom of housing  209 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , can replace the functionality of the user&#39;s index finger  432  in  FIG. 8  to ensure that flapper valve  408  remains closed when the liquid is dispensed. Further, the exit port  436  is routed into and optionally through the pad to deliver liquid to a desired location for use on a surface. As above, multiple output ports  436  can be used to distribute liquid  16  to multiple locations. 
         [0040]    It should be understood that the stand-off legs  422  on the bottom of the flexible dome housing  404  and the stand-off legs  424  on the bottom of the base plate  410  can be modified in size, length and configuration to adjust the amount of squeezing necessary by the user&#39;s fingers  430 ,  432  to effectuate sealing of the flapper valve  408 . For example, preferably four stand-off legs  422  are provided on the bottom of the flexible dome housing  404  in a 2×2 array and can be 1/32 of an inch in length. It is also possible that these stand-off legs  422  can be a single downwardly depending wall, such as in the shape of a circle or square. Such an array is configured to downwardly press against the one-way flapper valve  408  outside of the diameter of the aperture  412  through the base plate  410  to provide a good seal of the flapper valve  408  to the base plate  410 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  illustrates further structure to prevent unwanted dispensing of liquid. In addition to the improved valving, as above, automatic shut-off of the exit port passageway  436 , when pressure is exerted on the exterior of the storage container  320 , serves to prevent leakage. In  FIG. 7 , when pressured is applied to the outside of the storage container or pouch  320 , as indicated by arrows referenced A, the exit port passageway  436  tends to collapse, flatten and squeeze closed. As a result, any material residing in the passageway is urged back into the cavity  405  of the flexible dome housing  404 , as indicated by arrow referenced B. As a result, unwanted leakage is prevented when accidental or unintentional pressure is placed on the storage container  320 . Such a leak prevention system can be easily incorporated into the cleaning device environment of the present invention. 
         [0042]    The docking storage support  14  is preferably made of any rigid material, such as plastic or metal, but could be any material. The storage container may be a rigid structure made of plastic, metal, or the like. Alternatively, the container  12  may be a flexible bladder or a flexible bladder that include a skeletal frame (not shown) so it can maintain its structure when seated into the seat  26  of the docking station support. 
         [0043]    It is also possible that the present invention can be modified to provide a dual chamber structure to provide to different types of fluid for dispensing in the same device. For example, as seen in  FIG. 9 , alternative embodiment  400  includes a container  412  that includes two chambers  412   a  and  412   b  for respectively containing a first liquid  416   a  and a second liquid  416   b . The container  412 , similar to the other embodiments, seats within docking station support  414 . The first liquid  416   a  and  416   b  are preferably different, such as laundry soap detergent and laundry softener. Separate ports (not shown) are provided in fluid communication with the chambers  412   a  and  412   b  so that the respective liquids can be delivered to respective conduits  418   a  and  418   b  for controlled dispensing by respective pumps  420   a  and  420   b . As a result, multiple types of liquid can be stored and then dispensed using this embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0044]    In view of the foregoing, a new and unique liquid storing and dispensing device  10 , with a removable liquid container  12 , is provided. The new device  10  can deliver any type of liquid and can be position in a location that it out of the way. When ready for use, the conduit  18  can be easily unrolled and pump  218  and exit port  22  can be directed easily to the desired dispensing location. When liquid  16  is depleted from the container  12 , it can be replaced with an entirely new container  12  hat is full of liquid  16  or re-filled directly. The dispensing of the liquid is in a dosed and metered fashion for controlled delivery. 
         [0045]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.