Abstract:
This invention teaches dispensing a precise amount of liquid from a rigid vessel using a combination of valves, plugs, and diaphragms. In particular, a rigid container with a connected measuring receptacle can dispense oil. A user can depress at least one diaphragm on the rigid container to pressurize a chamber, forcing the liquid upwards into a hollow tube and into the measuring receptacle. The hollow tube, traversing the interior of the container, has at least one orifice at both the proximal and distal ends. The user can calibrate the amount of liquid in the measuring receptacle by activating a release valve or stopper to remove the liquid from the measuring receptacle and back into the container. In addition, a flexible and optionally removable lid covers the measuring receptacle. This lid can be depressed to pressurize the measuring receptacle and expel the liquid from an orifice on the measuring receptacle.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/484,803 filed on Apr. 12, 2017, entitled “Rigid Container for Precision Liquid Measuring and Dispensing,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of gaskets and valves. In particular, this invention teaches extracting fluid from a first vessel into a measuring receptacle using a combination of valves, plugs, and diaphragms. In addition, this invention teaches enabling the extracted fluid in the measuring receptacle to flow back into the first vessel using a combination of valves, plugs, and diaphragms without wasting or contaminating any of the fluid. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The kitchen goods industry has a myriad of devices to assist with food preparation and improve food sanitation. In addition, these devices help reduce food waste and make it easier for chefs to use precise amounts of food/liquid as called for in specific recipes and/or diets. 
         [0004]    Oil dispensers are used to assist chefs in accurately measuring the amount of cooking oil needed before pouring it out of an oil bottle. This reduces any waste and prevents the chef from using too much or little oil in the food preparations. 
         [0005]    The present invention teaches an improved dispensing device for extracting cooking oil or other liquids from a first vessel into a second vessel. In addition, the present invention teaches being able to dispel or pour the liquid from the second vessel, in a controlled manner, onto food stuffs, serving, or cooking dishes. Further, this invention teaches a device capable of removing the cooking oil or other liquid from the second vessel and siphoning it back into the first vessel without spilling liquid, using a secondary device, or requiring the chef to touch the oil, liquid, or other fluid stuff 
       DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
       [0006]    In U.S. Pat. No. 8,579,164 (entitled “Dispensing Bowl Attachment for Use with a Bottle”), Sanguinet, et al. teach a bowl attached to a bottle for dispensing fluid. However, Sanguinet, et al. fail to teach precisely measuring the amount of fluid in the bowl before dispensing the fluid onto foodstuffs or a cooking vessel, or siphoning all or a portion of the fluid back into the original bottle. 
         [0007]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,081, (entitled “Measuring Dosage Dispenser”), Davenport teaches a portion measuring device for fluids. However, Davenport fails to teach a first reservoir is rigid and instead teaches away that the first reservoir is flexible. 
         [0008]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,967 (entitled “Assembly Comprising a Flexible Container Having a Dosing Device and Dosing Device of Such Assembly”), Welland teaches a flexible container with a dosing device for dispensing the liquid. However, Welland fails to teach a rigid container that can dispense a precise amount of liquid. 
         [0009]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,124 (entitled “Fluid Dispensing Device”), Groves, et al. teach a “fluid dispensing device which is used to measure [a] desire[d] amount of fluid from a bottle, such as a deformable resilient plastic bottle, and dispense that measured amount.” However, Groves, et al. fail to teach rigid dispensing device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This invention teaches a receptacle capable of containing a liquid, preferably cooking oil that can be precisely calibrated for use in cooking. In a preferred, the receptacle has three chambers: a first bottom chamber, a second middle chamber connected to the first bottom chamber with at least two one-way valves or one two-way valve, and a third top chamber with calibrated measurement markings. In a preferred embodiment, the third chamber has an orifice or spout from which the liquid cooking oil can be pour out of. In another preferred embodiment the third chamber has a flexible lid that can be depressed to increase air pressure in the third chamber and force the liquid to be expelled from the spout in a controlled manner. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment the first, second, and third chambers are all rigid. A human user can depress two flexible portions on the second chamber. This increases the air pressure in the second chamber. As the air is pressurized in the second chamber, it can travel into the first chamber to pressurize the first chamber via at least two one way valves connecting the first and second chamber. In an alternative embodiment, the air pressurized in the second chamber can travel to the first chamber to pressurize the first chamber via at least one two-way valve. In another alternative embodiment, there is one, one-way valve that permits allows air from the second chamber to enter the first chamber to pressurize the first chamber. 
         [0012]    A tube (or straw) traverses the interior of all three chambers in the receptacle. The tube has a distal and proximal end. The distal end terminates in the third chamber. In addition, the distal end has at least one orifice capable of allowing the liquid to enter or exit the tube. The proximal end terminates in the first chamber and has at least one orifice capable of allowing the liquid to enter or exit the tube from the first chamber. The straw may be a continuous piece that traverses all three chambers. Alternatively, the straw may be two or three separate pieces that, are connected together and sealed at their junctures. 
         [0013]    As the first chamber is pressurized from air from the second chamber, the liquid in the first chamber is forced upward into the tube through the at least one orifice in the proximal end. The liquid then travels upward and exits the tube at the at least one orifice at the distal end of the tube and enters the third chamber. 
         [0014]    Calibrated markings on the side of the third chamber alert a user as to precisely how much liquid is in the third chamber. If the user desires, the liquid can then be poured out of the third chamber by tilting the receptacle and pouring the liquid out of the spout connected to the third chamber. In an alternative embodiment, a user is capable of depressing the flexible lid on the top of the third chamber, thereby increasing the pressure in the third chamber. 
         [0015]    An actuator on the side of the second chamber is connected to stoppers. The first connecting the first and second chambers, and the second plugging an orifice in the tube in at the base of the third chamber. When the actuator is active the first and/or second plugs are activated. If the first plug is activated, pressure is released from the first chamber and thus any liquid in the straw will exit the straw at the at least one orifice at the proximal end and enter back into the first chamber. When the second plug is activated, liquid from the tube in the third chamber will exit the tube and enter the third chamber. This is useful, as a user may have needs wherein the liquid needs to be precisely measured and any excess in the tube would offset the calibrations. 
         [0016]    The oil bottle may be easily washed by washing machine, the interior parts easy to assemble and reassemble for cleaning and maintenance purposes. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, all surfaces of the oil bottle are covered in an oliophobic substance to prevent the build-up of oil on the interior surfaces. The oil bottle may be any color or material, including but not limited to plastic, glass, metal, ceramic, and/or composite. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle with plane A-A. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a cutaway view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle along plane A-A. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows Detail A, the pressure chamber of the oil bottle, from  FIG. 3  cutaway view along plane A-A. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows Detail B, the measuring receptacle of the oil bottle, from  FIG. 3  cutaway view along plane A-A. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a front-side view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle with plane B-B. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows, a cutaway view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle along plane B-B. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows Detail C of the pressure chamber of the oil bottle from  FIG. 6 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows Detail D, the pressure chamber of the oil bottle from  FIG. 6  cutaway view along plane B-B. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows a side-left view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle with loops on the flexible flaps with plane C-C. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  shows a cutaway side view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle with loops on the flexible flaps along plane C-C with Detail E and plane D-D. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  shows Detail E, a concave duckbill flap in the oil bottle with measuring receptacle. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  shows a bottom section view along plane D-D of the juncture between the lower and middle chambers of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  shows a front view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle with loops on the flexible flaps with Detail F. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  shows a top view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  shows a side view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  shows Detail F, a side view of the flexible flap with orifice and loop for the oil bottle with measuring receptacle. 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle with Detail G. 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  shows Detail G, a perspective view of the flexible flap with orifice and loop for the oil bottle with measuring receptacle, 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    The following is a non-limiting written description of embodiments illustrating various aspects of this invention. 
         [0037]    As used herein, the term receptacle is deemed to mean any multi-dimension container capable of containing a liquid. The term receptacle is deemed to be synonymous with a chamber, container, box, bottle, vessel, thermos, jar, and/or other type of liquid containment vehicle. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a receptacle  10  with a first chamber  101 , a second chamber  201 , and a third chamber  301 . In a preferred embodiment the first chamber  101 , second chamber  201 , and third chamber  301  are all rigid and do not deform when squeezed or otherwise pressed by a human hand. Liquid from the third chamber  301  can exit the receptacle  10  via spout  303 . The third chamber  301  has an optionally removable and flexible lid  302  that can be depressed to increase pressure in the third chamber  301  which controllably forces the liquid in the third chamber  301  out of the third chamber  301  through the spout  303 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10  with plane A-A. The second chamber  201  has optionally two flexible caps,  203 A and  203 B. Each cap,  203 A and  203 B, has an orifice as seen in  FIG. 1 . The second chamber  201  also has an actuator  204  which may be flexible or rigid. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-section at A-A of the receptacle  10 . A hollow tube  102  extends through the entire length of the receptacle  10 . The tube  102  may be flexible or rigid. In preferred embodiments, the tube  102  is one unbroken straw. However, in other conceived embodiments the tube  102  may be composed of multiple disparate segments sealed with gaskets and valves. The second chamber  201  has a second inner chamber created by the housing  202 . When the caps  203 A and  203 B are pressed inward and the orifice in each cap  203 A,  203 B is covered (preferably with a finger thumb), the second inner chamber  202  is pressurized pushing air into the first chamber  101 . The increase in air into the first chamber  101  pushes the liquid contained in chamber  101  upward into wise  102  through an orifice in tube  102 . As the air pressure is increased in the second inner chamber  202  and first chamber  101 , more liquid enters the tube  102 . The liquid exits the tube  102  at a second orifice in the third chamber  301 . To release the liquid from the third chamber  301 , a user may depress cap  302  to increase pressure in the third chamber  301  and force the liquid to expel out of the third chamber  301  through spout  303 . Optionally, a user may manually turn the receptacle  10  to pour the liquid out of the third chamber  301  via spout  303 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows Detail A, the second inner chamber  202  of the receptacle  10 , along cross-section A-A. A flexible gasket  109  seals the first chamber  101  to the second chamber  201  and second inner chamber  202 . The flexible caps  203 A and  203 B seal the second chamber  201  to the second inner chamber  202 . Actuator  204  is connected to a first stopper  211 . When the actuator  204  is activated, the first stopper  211  creating a seal between the first chamber  101  and the second inner chamber  202  is removed decreasing air pressure from the first chamber  101  (allowing air from the first chamber  101  to enter the second inner chamber  202 ) and allowing any liquid in the tube  102  to re-enter the first chamber  101 . 
         [0042]    Inside of the secondary pressurization chamber are one or more valves, gaskets, plugs, or flaps  210 . These sealing members can be opened to link the primary and secondary chambers. They can be opened either by means of air pressure, liquid pressure, or mechanical actuation. Valves installed on the face between the two chambers may be either one way or two way. These valves can be either flap, duckbill, or umbrella. There are one or more flexible members,  203 A,  203 B which control the pressurization of the second chamber  201  and second inner chamber  202 . In a preferred embodiment these allow the second chamber  201  and second inner chamber  202  to open to the outside environment with a thru hole or other orifice to allow for gauge pressure normalization. In alternative embodiments, the caps  203 A and  203 B are completely closed off to the outside environment and do not have a central orifice. 
         [0043]    The third chamber  301  is connected to the second chamber  201 , by way of one or more valves, gaskets, plugs, or flaps  213 . The third chamber is separated from the second chamber  201  by flexible member  209 . In a preferred embodiment flexible member  209  is a gasket. 
         [0044]    The first chamber  101  and second chamber  201  can be a single continuously connected chamber (not shown) but in a preferred embodiment (as seen in  FIG. 2 ) they are two or more chambers separated by valves, gaskets, plugs, or flaps. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  shows Detail B, the actuation system that permits liquid to exit the tube  102  into the third chamber  301  or enter the tube  102  from the third chamber  301 . A flexible or rigid actuation button  204  (as seen in  FIG. 2 ) is capable of actuating the actuation system in Detail B. The rigid or flexible actuation button  204  is capable of being activating the actuation system  205  that connects the plugs/flaps/valves/gaskets  205 ,  212 ,  213 , preferably in a linkage system. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible actuation button  204  is itself a one-way or two-way valve which acts as passive actuation for the valve system  205 ,  212 ,  213 . A gasket  209  joins the second chamber  201  and third chamber  301  in a static seal. 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  shows a front-side view of the oil, bottle with measuring receptacle  10  with plane B-B.  FIG. 7  shows a cutaway view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle along plane B-B. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  shows Detail C (as seen in  FIG. 6 ), the main pressure valve  210  is a valve between the first chamber  101  and second chamber  201  of the oil bottle  10 . The main pressure valve  210  can allow for liquid to flow in one direction, from the second chamber  201  to the first chamber  101  or first chamber  101  to second chamber  201  or can be bidirectional, allowing liquid to flow in both directions. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  shows Detail D of the oil bottle  10 . The first stopper  211  (as seen in  FIG. 4 ) can be a valve, gasket, flap, and/or plug connects the first chamber  101  and second chamber  201 . A second stopper  212  connects the third chamber  301  and&#39;the tube  102 . The valve/gasket/flap/plug/shaft/tube  213  connects the second chamber  201  and third chamber  301  in a dynamic seal allowing for articulation. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows a side-left view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10  with at least one flexible flap  203 B with at least one orifice  220 B and a loop  210 B. The loop  210 B can be activated by a user, by pulling the at least one flexible flap  203 B outward from the oil bottle  10  to depressurize the second chamber  201 , which in turn depressurizes the first chamber  101  by way of the two way valve  210  and allows liquid to re-enter the first chamber  101 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 11  shows a cutaway side view along plane-C-C of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10 , first chamber  101 , second chamber  201 , and third chamber  301 . A hollow tube  102  traverses the interior of the oil bottle  10 . The hollow tube  102  has at least one orifice at the dorsal end and at least one orifice at the proximal end. The second chamber  201  has an interior chamber created by inner second chamber  202 . An air gap separates the wall of the second chamber  201  and the inner second chamber  202 . In an alternative embodiment, where the second chamber  201  and first chamber  101  are a single chamber there is no inner second chamber  202  for the second chamber  201 . Flexible portions  203 A,  203 B are connected to the sides of the second chamber  201  and inner second chamber  202 . In this embodiment there are two flexible portions  203 A,  203 B. However, in other conceived embodiments there can be one or more flexible portions. These flexible portions  203 A,  203 B function as diaphragms and when pressed inward towards the center of the second chamber  201 , increase the air pressure in the second chamber  201  and first chamber  101 . The flexible portions  203 A,  203 B have loops  210 A,  210 B that a user can pull on to decrease air pressure in the first chamber  101  and second chamber  201 . In other conceived embodiments these loops can be knobs, buttons, hooks, or other protrusions that a user can easily hold to pull the flexible portions  203 A,  203 B outward and decrease pressure in the first chamber  101  and second chamber  201 , thereby causing the liquid in the tube  102  to re-enter the first chamber  101 . 
         [0051]    The second chamber  201  also has an actuator  204  which may be flexible or rigid protruding from the second chamber  201  or otherwise easily able to be activated by a user. A flexible gasket  109  seals the first chamber  101  to the second chamber  201  and second inner chamber  202 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 12  shows Detail E from  FIG. 11  of a concave duck valve, flap valve, and/or concave diaphragm valve  250  between the first chamber  101  and second inner chamber  202  of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10 . When the flexible flaps  203 A,  203 B (as seen in  FIG. 11 ) are pushed inward, air in, the second inner chamber  202  enters the first chamber  101  via a concave orifice  250 A with a second inner chamber wall  202 . Concave duckbill valve  250  prevents the air pressure in the first chamber  101  from depressurizing. When the air pressure in the first chamber  101  builds up, it forces the liquid in the first chamber  101  to enter up into the hollow tube  102 . In a preferred embodiment the valve between the first chamber  101  and second inner chamber  202  is a concave duck bill valve  250 . However in other conceived embodiments the valve  250  may be a flap, convex, butterfly, diaphragm, or other valve type mechanism. 
         [0053]      FIG. 13  shows a bottom section view along plane D-D of the juncture between the first chamber  101  and second chamber  201  of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10 . The hollow tube  102  capable of containing a liquid traverses the center of the oil bottle  10 . In other conceived embodiments, the tube  102  may be located off-center or along the perimeter. At one side is an orifice  250 A capable of allowing air from the second chamber  201  to enter and pressurize the first chamber  101  via a valve  250 . A stopper  211  connected to an actuator (as seen in  FIG. 4 ) allows for pressurization and depressurization of the first chamber  101 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 14  shows a front view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10  with loops  210 A,  2101 B on the flexible flaps  203 A,  203 B with Detail F. The oil bottle  10  has a first chamber  101 , second chamber  201 , and third chamber  301 . The third chamber  301  having a flexible cap  302  that may be entirely removed and reattached. An orifice  303  on the side of the third chamber  301  can dispense the liquid in the oil bottle  10 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 15  shows a top view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle (as seen in  FIG. 14 ). The third chamber has a flexible and deformable cap  302  that may be entirely removed and reattached and an orifice  303  on the side of the third chamber  301  can dispense the liquid in the oil bottle  10 . An actuator  204  can be activated to depressurize the third chamber  301  and release liquid back into the first chamber  101  of the oil bottle  10 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 16  shows a side view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10  with actuator  204  capable of depressurizing the first chamber  101  and third chamber  301 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 17  shows Detail F, a detailed side view of the flexible flap  203 A with an orifice  220 A and protrusion  210 A for the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10 . To pressurize the oil bottle  10  (as seen in  FIG. 3 ) a user can cover the orifice  220 A, optionally with a digit, and push the flexible flap  203 A inward. This forces air into the first chamber  101  (as seen in  FIG. 3 ) and displaces the liquid in the first chamber  101 . The liquid displaced from the first chamber  101  goes up into the hollow tube  102  and up into the third chamber  301 , from which it can be dispensed in a controlled manner via an orifice  303  (as seen in  FIG. 3 ). To easily depressurize the oil bottle  10 , a user can pull the protrusion  210 A outwards thereby causing the air in the first chamber  101  to exit the oil bottle  10  via the orifice  220 A and cause the liquid in the tube  102  and/or third chamber  301  to flow back into the first chamber  101 . The protrusion  210 A may be any type of loop, knob, button, nib or other type of tag easy for a user to pull on to cause the flexible portion  203 A or other type of diaphragm to dispel air out through the orifice  220 A. 
         [0058]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10  with Detail G. The second chamber  201  has a least one flexible portion  203 B with an orifice for pressurizing and depressurizing the first chamber  101  and third chamber  301  of the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10 . The top of the third chamber  301  has a flexible cap  302  that functions as a diaphragm that may be depressed to increase air pressure in the third chamber and dispense the liquid in the third chamber  301  from the at least one orifice  303 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 19  shows Detail G, a detailed perspective view of the flexible flap  203 B with orifice  220 B and loop  210 B for the oil bottle with measuring receptacle  10  (as seen in  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0060]    Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understand that the present invention might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, including permutations of the currently described embodiments. Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention may be modified.