Abstract:
An apparatus for a gravity flow device for delivering a measured viscous fluid or liquid is disclosed, along with method of dispensing such fluid, is disclosed. Translucent tubing is preferably utilized to permit visualization of liquid disposed therewithin and the tubing includes at least one marking for facilitating measurement of liquid within said tubing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to dispensing and measuring media and, in particular, to a gravity flow device for delivering a measured viscous fluid or liquid.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Since time immemorial, efforts have been made to devise media for dispensing or providing measured quantities of different substances, such as any of a wide variety of viscous liquids, with increasing accuracy and efficiency. In a variety of settings, accurate and efficient dispensing and measurement can be of great importance.  
         [0003]     One such setting is in the sphere of laundry detergent. As consumers increasingly make use of liquid, as opposed to powdered, laundry detergent, it becomes ever more apparent that conventional arrangements for dispensing or providing measured quantities of such detergent are often messy, cumbersome and not fully accurate. Typically, a consumer will need to pour out a “capful”, or a portion or multiple of a “capful” of liquid detergent into the plastic container cap itself and then pour this quantity into the washer. Accuracy is often compromised because of difficulty in seeing or discerning marks within the cap that help determine an appropriate measured quantity. Annoyingly, there will also often be a residual amount of liquid detergent remaining in the cap even once the bulk of it has been poured into the washer, with the result that, during or after replacement of the cap on the main container body, such residue will often taint a consumer&#39;s hand or ooze out onto the outer surface of the main container body.  
         [0004]     Another disadvantage often encountered is that containers are often limited in size, meaning that consumers must purchase several smaller containers at once or return to a store with some frequency in order to ensure a steady supply of liquid detergent. There have clearly been practical limitations on the size of a container in connection with the ability of an average consumer to lift a container and pour liquid from it, especially into a cap. Any larger containers that do exist tend to be shunned by consumers largely because of these difficulties in handling them.  
         [0005]     Some efforts have been made on occasion to attempt to redress shortcomings and disadvantages such as those just discussed, but continual room for improvement still exists. Accordingly, a need continues to be recognized in connection with providing arrangements that effect such needed improvement.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     There is broadly contemplated herein, in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement for dispensing measured quantities of viscous liquid wherein containers with larger quantities can be feasibly obtained and made use of while ensuring a hitherto unsurpassed degree of accuracy and convenience in measurement. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a larger container may be equipped with a transparent (or at least translucent) tube that can extend from a bottom portion of the container. Such a tube can preferably have markings for displaying different measurable quantities of liquid. An end opening of the tube can preferably be selectively opened and closed with ease, to permit the convenient throughflow of measured quantities of liquid, while gravity ensures an ease of dispensing that does not require any inconvenient lifting.  
         [0007]     In summary, one aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for dispensing liquid, said apparatus comprising: a tubing unit integrable with a container of liquid; said tubing unit comprising: a connection arrangement for connecting with a container of liquid; tubing extending from said connection arrangement; and a spigot arrangement disposed at an end of said tubing; said tubing being at least sufficiently translucent as to permit visualization of liquid disposed therewithin; said tubing comprising at least one marking for facilitating measurement of liquid within said tubing.  
         [0008]     Another aspect of the invention provides a method for dispensing liquid, said method comprising the steps of: providing a tubing unit which extends from a connection region at a container of liquid; said step of providing a tubing unit comprising providing tubing and a spigot arrangement disposed at an end of the tubing, the tubing being at least sufficiently translucent as to permit visualization of liquid disposed therewithin and comprising at least one marking for facilitating measurement of liquid within said tubing; trapping a measureable quantity of liquid between the connection region and the spigot arrangement in the tubing; and thereafter dispensing liquid from the spigot arrangement.  
         [0009]     For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a container and tubing unit.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of a valve connection from the container and tubing unit of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a container  100  configured for containing therewithin a viscous liquid such as laundry detergent. Container  100  may be of any suitable size, but it should be appreciated that in view of inventive features discussed herethroughout, container  100  may be considerably larger than conventionally sized pour-top containers (or bottles) that are normally used for containing liquid laundry detergent.  
         [0013]     Preferably disposed at a lower portion of container  100  (i.e., at a portion towards which gravity can normally direct the contained fluid if the container  100  is oriented as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is a sleeve portion  100   a  which may preferably engage with a tubing unit  104  that includes a valve connection  102 . Though a wide variety of connection schemes are conceivable, valve connection  102  could be connected with sleeve portion  100   a , e.g., via external threading on the former and internal threading on the latter. The tubing unit  104  further includes a length of flexible tubing  106 , at the end of which is a spigot or other suitable opening/closing device  108  (i.e., a device preferably configured for selectably permitting and shutting off the throughflow of fluid). Preferably, the tubing unit  104  comprising valve connection  102 , tubing  106  and spigot  108  is selectively attachable and detachable as a unit from container  100 . In an alternative configuration, the tubing unit  106  could be fully integral with container  100 .  
         [0014]     Preferably, tubing  106  is transparent, or at least sufficiently translucent as to adequately convey, upon visual inspection, as to whether there is liquid contained within tubing  106  and where such liquid is disposed. Preferably etched or otherwise marked into or upon the outer surface of tubing  106  are graduated measurement markings  110  which indicate quantities of fluid contained within the tubing, assuming that spigot  106  is in a “closed” or “shut off” position and liquid within the tubing extends “backwards” towards valve connection  102  (e.g., when spigot  106  is elevationally lower then valve connection  102  and liquid has gravitated towards, and “rests” behind, spigot  106 ). Accordingly, markings  110  may preferably convey quantities of fluid that are of practical benefit to the application at hand. In the case of laundry detergent, for example, the markings could convey, e.g., ½ cup, 1 cup and 1½ cups. A marking could also convey the quantity of fluid that would be contained in the entire length of the tubing  106  (e.g, 2 cups), or such a maximum amount need not necessarily be marked but could be known to the consumer or user ahead of time. Of course, a wide variety of units and markings are conceivable and the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 1  provides but an illustrative and non-restrictive example; for instance, in countries using the metric system, metric-based markings could be provided. Conceivably, metric markings could even be intermingled with English system markings.  
         [0015]     Spigot  108  may preferably include a button  108   a  or other arrangement that conveniently actuates throughput of liquid through spigot  108 . Of course, a wide variety of other arrangements are conceivable that may easily be employed to provide an analogous function.  
         [0016]     Preferably, there is an arrangement  102   a  for actuating or shutting off liquid throughput at valve connection  102 . Though a wide variety of arrangements are conceivable for this purpose, illustrated in  FIG. 1 ., and in a frontal view in  FIG. 2 , is a rotatable actuator  102   a  that may be actuated in either of the two circumferential directions indicated by arrows (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise) to actuate or shut off liquid throughput through opening  112  (from where tubing  106  may extend).  
         [0017]     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when it is desired to dispense a measured quantity of liquid from container  100 , it is first preferably ensured that spigot  108  is closed. Next, valve connection  102  may preferably be opened via actuator  102   a  to permit the initial outflow of liquid from container  100 . Preferably, actuator  102   a  may have a sliding proportional effect such that different degrees of actuation will result in different degrees of throughput of liquid through opening  112 ; thus, liquid could progress through tubing  106  as slowly or as quickly as one may desire. When a desired quantity of liquid has propagated through tubing  106  (as discernible via markings  110 ), then valve connection  102  is preferably closed via actuator  102   a . There will thus be a measured quantity of liquid in tubing  106  that is “trapped” between valve connection  102  and spigot  108 . Thence, via spigot  108 , the measured quantity of liquid may be dispensed to its intended destination (e.g., directly into a washing machine or into a cup or other container). It will be appreciated that throughout this process, most preferably, container  100  will be disposed at a generally higher elevation than spigot  108  so that the propagation of liquid into and through tubing  106 , and out from spigot  108 , will be aided by gravity.  
         [0018]     A wide variety of applications are conceivable in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Thus, although specific mention has been made herethroughout with reference to liquid laundry detergent, it should be appreciated that a wide variety of other viscous liquids, for a wide variety of conceivable uses, can conceivably be employed within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0019]     If not otherwise stated herein, it is to be assumed that all patents, patent applications, patent publications and other publications (including web-based publications) mentioned and cited herein are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in their entirety herein.  
         [0020]     Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.