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. Three different dosing and/or dispensing embodiments are disclosed which enable the liquid to be dosed or dispensed by gravity from the container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part application of Petitioner&#39;s earlier application Ser. No. 10/685,549 filed Oct. 14, 2003, entitled A DISPENSING SYSTEM which is a continuation-in-part application of Petitioner&#39;s earlier application Ser. No. 10/372,375 filed Feb. 22, 2003, entitled CLOSED LOOP DISPENSING SYSTEM, which is a continuation-in-part application of Petitioner&#39;s earlier application Ser. No. 10/074,469 filed Feb. 12, 2002, entitled CLOSED LOOP DISPENSING SYSTEM WITH METERING ORIFICE. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention disclosed in Petitioner&#39;s earlier application Ser. No. 10/685,549 filed Oct. 14, 2003, relates to a dispensing system, which may be either an open loop or closed loop dispensing system, and more particularly to a dispensing system for dispensing corrosive liquid chemicals or dangerous medical liquid products which are typically drawn from the upper end of a container, such as a bottle or the like, to a mixing machine or the like. In that invention, the container is inverted with the liquid product gravity flowing from the lower end thereof. Further, the dispensing system of that invention provides a means for venting the container during shipment or storage in those situations where the liquid within the container requires venting. In the instant invention, three dosing and/or dispensing embodiments are disclosed which are ideally suited for use with portions of the invention of Ser. No. 10/685,549 filed Oct. 14, 2003.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Corrosive liquid chemicals and dangerous medical liquid products are typically contained in a container such as a bottle or the like and are frequently dispensed therefrom to a mixing machine. Normally, a cap is placed on the bottle with a dip tube extending therefrom downwardly into the interior of the bottle for drawing the liquid upwardly thereinto. Normally, a dispensing tube extends from the cap to a mixing machine or some other piece of equipment which creates suction in the dispensing tube to draw the liquid from the interior of the bottle. In some prior art devices, when the suction or vacuum is removed from the dispensing tube, backflow may occur. Further, when the cap is removed from the bottle, backflow from the dispensing tube may also occur. Additionally, when the cap is removed from the bottle, liquid residue in the bottle may spill therefrom. Additionally, the conventional prior art systems normally do not prevent the re-use of the bottle which is prohibited in some cases. Yet another disadvantage of the prior art is that a reliable and efficient venting means for the bottle is not normally provided for relieving vacuum pressure from within the bottle. The system of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/372,375 solved the problems associated with the prior art devices or systems.  
           [0006]    While the system of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/372,375 works extremely well when the container is in its normal upright condition, the system may not perfectly function when the container of the co-pending application is inverted. When the container or bottle of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/372,375 is inverted, the liquid in the container is drawn or discharged from the normal upper end of the container but which is the lower end of the container in the inverted position. In such a position, the venting membrane, which would normally permit ambient air to replace the liquid in the container as the liquid is discharged from the container, may become “clogged” due to the liquid coming into contact therewith and crystallizing thereon. If air is not permitted to enter the container as the liquid is drawn therefrom, a partial vacuum is created in the upper end of the inverted container which will interfere with the discharge of the liquid therefrom.  
           [0007]    The system of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/372,375 solved the problems of the prior art and represented an improvement in the invention of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/074,469. The invention of application Ser. No. 10/685,549 filed Oct. 14, 2003, represents an improvement over the invention described in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/372,375. The instant invention represents an improvement over the invention described in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/685,549 filed Oct. 14, 2003.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    This invention relates to a dispensing system for use with a container, such as a bottle or the like, having an outlet opening formed in the upper end thereof. A cap is removably mounted on the container for selectively closing the outlet opening during shipment and storage. In use, the container is positioned in an inverted position. The lower end of the inverted container has a hollow throat extending downwardly therefrom which has interior and exterior surfaces. A throat plug assembly, having upper and lower ends, is positioned in the throat of the container. The throat plug assembly includes a hollow cylindrical plug member having an open upper end, an open lower end, and a cylindrical wall portion extending therebetween. A tube support is positioned on the open upper end of the plug member. A hollow tube, having upper and lower ends, is secured to the tube support so that its lower end is positioned below the tube support within the plug member. The open lower end of the plug member defines a valve seat. A valve assembly or means is movably positioned within the plug member and includes a normally closed valve and a hollow valve stem extending upwardly therefrom. The hollow valve stem is slidably mounted on the hollow tube which is secured to the tube support. The valve is movable between open and closed positions. The valve, when in its closed position, seats upon the valve seat to close the open lower end of the plug member. A spring is provided in the plug member which is in engagement with the valve means to yieldably urge the valve to its closed position. The valve, when in its closed position, prevents liquid within the container from flowing therefrom. The valve, when in its open position, permits liquid within the container to flow therethrough. At least one of the tube support, cylindrical wall portion or valve stem has a passageway formed therein. The throat plug assembly, when the valve is in its open position, permits liquid in the container to flow therefrom through the passageway, around the valve and outwardly through the valve seat. The throat plug assembly, when the valve is in its open position, permits air to enter the container by passing through the valve seat, around the valve and through the passageway.  
           [0009]    When the container contains liquids that require venting during storage or shipment, the throat plug assembly is designed in such a way so as to cooperate with the container cap so that the valve is slightly unseated so that pressure within the container may be vented through the throat plug assembly and through an opening formed in the cap. The valve permits vapor pressure to pass therethrough but prevents liquid from passing therethrough.  
           [0010]    The instant invention involves three dosing and/or dispensing embodiments which may be used with portions of the invention described in application Ser. No. 10/685,549 filed Oct. 14, 2003, and illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 10  hereof. FIGS.  11 - 12  illustrate a lever operated, gravity flow control assembly which may be mounted on the reservoir of FIGS.  1 - 10 . FIGS.  13 - 14  illustrate an embodiment which may be mounted on the reservoir of FIGS.  1 - 10 . FIGS.  15 - 16  illustrate an embodiment including a modified form of the valve actuator.  
           [0011]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved dispensing system for corrosive or dangerous liquids contained in a container such as a bottle or the like, when the container is positioned in an inverted condition.  
           [0012]    A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing system which includes a throat plug positioned in the outlet opening of the container with the throat plug being designed so that it will permit vapor pressure within the container to be vented therethrough when the container is being stored or transported.  
           [0013]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved dispensing system of the type described which permits sufficient air to enter the interior of the container to replace the liquid being dispensed therefrom so that vapor locks are prevented.  
           [0014]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing system which is safe and convenient to use.  
           [0015]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide dosing and/or dispensing systems representing an improvement in the prior art.  
           [0016]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing system which is reliable in use.  
           [0017]    These and other objects will be obvious to those skilled in the art. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in an inverted position so as to dispense liquids;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a throat plug assembly illustrating the throat plug in the position when the container is inverted;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the throat plug assembly with the throat plug assembly being illustrated in the position when the container is in its upright condition;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the throat plug assembly of FIG. 2;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view of the container in an upright condition illustrating the manner in which the throat plug assembly and cap permit venting of vapor pressure within the container;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view of the container and cap in an upright condition;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of one means of mounting the inverted container at a dispensing location;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an inverted container and its relationship to the structure of FIG. 7;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 except that the container has been mounted on the receptacle at the dispensing location;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a lever operated, gravity flow control assembly for use with the reservoir of FIG. 7;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the assembly of FIG. 11 mounted on the reservoir of FIG. 7;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a manual dosing dispenser mounted on a reservoir;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 13;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another dosing dispenser; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 15.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    FIGS.  1 - 10  illustrate the invention of the co-pending application Ser. No. 10/685,549 filed Oct. 14, 2003. The following description with respect to FIGS.  1 - 10  is found in the co-pending application and is repeated herein to complete the description of the instant claimed invention.  
         [0035]    In FIGS.  1 - 10 , the numeral  10  refers to a conventional container such as a bottle or the like which is used for transporting, storing and dispensing liquids therefrom. FIG. 1 illustrates the container  10  in an inverted dispensing position. Container  10  includes a hollow throat portion  12  extending downwardly therefrom and which has external threads  14  mounted thereon.  
         [0036]    The numeral  16  refers to a throat plug assembly which will be described as it is positioned when the container  10  is in the inverted position. The throat plug assembly  16  is inserted into the hollow throat portion  12  of the container  10  while the container  10  is in its upright position. For purposes of description, throat plug assembly  16  will be described as including an upper end  18  and a lower end  20 . The lower end  20  of the throat plug assembly  16  includes a hollow cylindrical plug member  22  having an open upper end  24 , an open lower end  26 , and a cylindrical wall portion  28  extending therebetween. A disk-like tube support  30  is detachably mounted on the upper end of the cylindrical wall portion  28 , preferably by means of a snap-fit connection. Tube support  30  includes a tube  32  having a lower end portion  34  and an upper end portion  36 . As seen in the drawings, lower end portion  34  extends downwardly from tube support  30  and upper end portion  36  extends upwardly from tube support  30 . In some cases, upper end portion  36  will not be needed. In some cases, a flexible tube (not shown) will be secured to the upper end of upper tube portion  36  so as to extend upwardly into the container  10 , if so required. As seen in FIG. 2, tube support  30  has a plurality of spaced-apart passageways  38  formed therein.  
         [0037]    The lower end of the plug member  22  defines a centrally located opening which defines a valve seat  40 . The lower end of plug member  22  also has an outwardly extending lip portion  42  which is designed to engage the upper end of the container  10 , as seen in FIG. 5, to limit the downward movement of the throat plug assembly  16  with respect to container  10  when the throat plug assembly  16  is inserted downwardly into the container  10  while the container is in its upright position (FIG. 5).  
         [0038]    The numeral  44  refers generally to a valve means which is movably positioned within the plug member  22  and which includes a normally closed valve  46  and a hollow valve stem  48  extending upwardly therefrom. Valve stem  48  includes one or more passageways  50  extending therethrough. Valve  46  includes a tapered portion  52  at it lower end which terminates in a lower end portion  54 . In those cases where the container contains liquids requiring venting during storage or shipment, the lower end portion  54  will protrude slightly downwardly from the lower end of plug member  22 , a illustrated in FIG. 9. Valve stem  48  slidably receives the lower end of lower end portion  34  of tube  32 , as illustrated in FIG. 9. Spring  56  embraces valve stem  48  and lower end portion  34  to yieldably urge valve  46  to its lower closed position.  
         [0039]    FIGS.  7 - 9  illustrate portions of a dispensing station which is referred to generally by the reference numeral  58 . Dispensing station  58  may be located within a cabinet or simply upon a horizontally disposed board or shelf  60  having an opening  62  formed therein. Included at the dispensing station  58  is a upper fixture  64  which includes a flange  66  having screw or bolt openings  68  formed therein. The fixture  64  includes an upwardly extending internally threaded stub  70 . The interior of pipe stub  70  is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves or passageways formed therein. At the lower inner end of stub  70  are a plurality of support arms  74  which extend across the opening  76  and which have an actuator rod  78  secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom.  
         [0040]    A lower fixture  80  is positioned below the shelf and within the shelf  60 , as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9. Screws  82  secure the fixtures  64  and  80  together, as seen in FIG. 7. Preferably, the lower end of fixture  80  includes an externally threaded throat portion  84  for dispensing liquid therethrough to a on-off valve  86  or other dispensing or metering device.  
         [0041]    When the container  10  is being used to store, transport or dispense liquids which require venting during the shipment or storage thereof, the container  10  will include a vented cap  88  having a vent opening  90  formed therein, the lower end of which is closed by a membrane  92  which permits air to pass therethrough but does not pass liquid to pass therethrough. When the cap  88  is screwed onto the container  10 , the membrane  92  will engage the end  54  of valve  46  to slightly open valve  46 , as illustrated in FIG. 5, to permit air to be vented from the bottle while preventing liquid from being discharged from the bottle. When valve  46  has been slightly unseated, as illustrated in FIG. 5, vapor pressure within the container  10  may pass through the passageways or openings  94  formed in cylindrical wall member  28  and thence through the opening between the tapered surface  52  of valve  46  and the valve seat  52  and thence through the membrane  92  outwardly through the opening  90 . When the throat plug assembly of this invention is not going to be used in situations where it is necessary to vent vapor pressure from the container during shipment or storage, there is no need for the end portion  54  of tapered portion  52  to be included. In that situation, the valve  46  will positively close the valve seat  40 . Regardless of whether the end portion  54  is utilized or not, when the cap  88  is removed from the container  10 , the valve  46  will close the valve seat  52 . The container  10  is then inverted with the external threads  14  of the container  10  being threadably engaged with the internal threads on the stub  70 . As the container  10  is threadably mounted into the fixture  64 , the actuator rod  78  engages the valve means  44  at  96  which will cause the valve  46  to unseat from the valve seat  52 . Although the fixture  64  is shown as including internal threads to effect the connection between the container and the fixture, a push-pull connection could also be utilized. Such a connection is commonly referred to as a snap-in connection.  
         [0042]    When it is desired to dispense the liquid from the container  10  into a receptacle, tub, container, etc., the valve  86  is opened to permit liquid to flow through the passageways  94 , passageways  50 , and through the valve seat  52 , through the fixture  64 , through fixture  80 , and outwardly through the valve  86 . Air is permitted to enter the interior of the container  10  to prevent air locks therein during the dispensing of liquids by permitting ambient air to pass downwardly through the passageways  72  in stub  70 , thence through passageways  94 , passageways  50 , and upwardly through the passageway  36  and also through the tube  32  into the interior of the container. Although it is preferred that all of the passageways  50 ,  94  and  38  be utilized, in some situations it may be only necessary to use the passageways  38  or it may only be necessary to utilize the passageways  94  or it may be only necessary to utilize the passageways  50 . If the liquid is very viscous, it may be advantageous to insert a flexible tube onto the upper end of upper end portion  36  so that air passing through the tube  32  will be able to pass through the viscous liquid to the upper end of the container.  
         [0043]    Thus the dispensing system of FIGS.  1 - 10  may be utilized to vent containers or it may be used where venting is not required. The system of FIGS.  1 - 10  is extremely economical and provides for a continuous gravity flow due to the fact that ambient air can enter the interior of the container to replace the liquid being dispensed therefrom. The dispensing system of FIGS.  1 - 10  eliminates any possibility of a vapor lock and provides a positive shut-off.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a lever operated, gravity flow control assembly  100  which may be mounted on the reservoir  80  of FIGS.  1 - 10 . Assembly  100  includes a hollow, cup-shaped housing  102  including an internally threaded upper end  104  which is threadably secured to the lower end of the reservoir  80 . Housing  102  includes a cylindrical wall  106  which has an arcuate cam track  108  formed therein which has a lower end  110  and an upper end  112 . Housing  102  also includes a bottom wall  114  which has a central opening  116  formed therein.  
         [0045]    The numeral  118  refers to a valve actuator assembly which is selectively vertically and rotatably mounted in housing  102  and which extends upwardly through reservoir  80 . Assembly  118  includes a disc-shaped member  120  which movably sealably engages the inside surface of wall  106 . A hollow tube  122  extends upwardly from member  120  and has one or more openings  124  formed in the wall surface thereof. The inner lower end of tube  122  is in fluid communication with tube  126  which extends downwardly from member  120 . Normally, a bottle or the like will be secured to tube  126  to facilitate the flow of liquid from the container into the bottle or the like. However, the tube  126  itself may be used to transfer the fluid into any suitable receptacle. Actuator stem  128  extends upwardly from the upper end of tube  122  through reservoir  80  for selective engagement with the valve  46  to open the same. Lever  130  is secured to the member  120  and extends outwardly through the cam track  108 . Preferably, the outer end of the lever  130  has a knob  132  mounted thereon.  
         [0046]    When lever  130  is at the lower end  110  of the cam track  108 , the valve  46  is in its fully closed position (FIG. 12). To open valve  46 , the lever  130  is moved upwardly along the cam track  108  which causes the actuator stem  128  to move upwardly into engagement with the valve  46  to move the same upwardly to open the same. The lever  130  is selectively rotated to achieve the desired flow rate. When the lever  130  is at the lower end  110  of the cam track  108 , the container may be removed from the fixture to replace the same since the valve  46  is in its normally closed position of FIG. 12. The container may be screwed onto the fixture, snapped onto the fixture, or lever locked onto the fixture as desired.  
         [0047]    FIGS.  13 - 14  illustrate an embodiment wherein structure is mounted on the reservoir  80 ′ to enable the apparatus to function as a manual dosing dispenser. In the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14, the reservoir  80 ′ will have a predetermined volume such as one ounce, two ounces, etc. The manual dosing structure is designated by the reference numeral  200 . Structure  200  includes an elongated valve actuator  202  which is selectively vertically movable within an opening  204  formed in the bottom of the reservoir. Actuator  202  includes a lower tubular portion  206  which is vertically movably received by the opening  204  and which has a laterally extending disc, flange, fingers, etc. referred to generally by the reference numeral  208 . Tubular portion  206  is hollow so as to define a passageway  210  extending therethrough. Spring  212  embraces tubular portion  206  between the bottom of reservoir  80 ′ and disc  208  to normally maintain tubular portion  206  in its lower “closed” position of FIG. 14. Tubular portion  206  is provided with one or more openings  214  formed therein which are sealed by the bottom wall of the reservoir  80 ′ when the tubular member is in its lower position (FIG. 14). Shoulder  216  is provided at the upper end of tubular portion  206  to limit the downward movement of the valve actuator  202 .  
         [0048]    Valve actuator  202  includes a valve member  218  at the upper end of the tubular portion  220 , as seen in FIG. 14. Rod  222  is provided at the upper end of actuator  202  for engagement with the valve  46 . When the valve actuator  202  is in its lower position, as seen in FIG. 14, the upper end of rod  222  is preferably in engagement with valve  46 , to open the same, to enable liquid in the container to fill the dosing reservoir  80 ′. The liquid cannot drain from the reservoir at this time due to the fact that the opening(s)  214  are sealed.  
         [0049]    Assuming that the reservoir  80 ′ is full with the predetermined volume of liquid and it is desired to dispense the same therefrom into a bottle or the like, the open upper end of the bottle is positioned so that the open lower end of tubular portion  206  is received thereby. Upward movement of the member  208  causes valve  218  to seal or close the lower end of valve seat  40 , thereby preventing additional liquid from the inverted container from passing downwardly into the reservoir  80 ′. At the same time, the liquid in the reservoir  80 ′ may flow therefrom through the opening(s)  214  into and through passageway  210  and into the bottle.  
         [0050]    When the predetermined liquid dose has been discharged into the receiving bottle, the member  208  is lowered until shoulder  216  engages the bottom of reservoir  80 ′, which seals opening(s)  214 . At that time, liquid from the inverted container can then flow around valve  46  into the reservoir for the next dispensing sequence.  
         [0051]    Another dosing dispenser embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 and includes a valve actuator assembly referred to generally by the reference numeral  300 . Assembly  300  includes a cup-shaped cap  302  which is screwed onto the threads  84  o the reservoir  80 . Ring block  304  is positioned with cap  302  and has a central opening  306  formed therein which registers with the opening  308  in cap  302 . Hollow tubular member  310  is vertically movably received by openings  306  and  308  and has a shoulder or lift valve  312  provided therein which limits the downward movement of tubular member  310  with respect to ring block  304 . Tubular member  310  is provided with one or more openings  314  formed therein which are positioned within ring block  304  when the valve actuator is in its lower “closed” position of FIG. 16. Spring  316  embraces tubular member  310  between the bottom of reservoir  80  and a lift lever  318  secured to the lower end of tubular member  310  to yieldably urge the actuator to its lower position. Rod  320  extends upwardly from lift valve  312  and has its upper end positioned closely to the normally closed valve  46  when in the “closed” position of FIG. 16.  
         [0052]    When it is desired to fill a bottle or the like with the liquid from the inverted container, the bottle is placed beneath the lift lever  318  and then raised so that rod  320  raises and unseats valve  46  to enable liquid from the container to flow around valve  46 , into reservoir  80 , through opening(s)  312  which are now exposed above ring block  304 , and downwardly through the passageway  322  into the bottle. The bottle is lowered and removed when the desired liquid level in the bottle has been received. As the bottle is lowered, the lift valve  312  seats upon ring block  304  to prevent further liquid from passing through opening  306 . Lowering of the lift lever  318  also causes valve  46  to again close.  
         [0053]    Although the invention herein is ideally suited for use with a container mounted on a fixture, the invention herein may be associated with a container which is not mounted on a fixture but which is portable so that the container may be carried from one location to another for use at those locations.  
         [0054]    Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.