Patent Publication Number: US-2022228583-A1

Title: Liquid dispensing

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/140,208, filed Jan. 21, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Liquids with active ingredients are often diluted to a precise concentration suitable for achieving effectiveness for a given application while nevertheless taking into consideration other factors, such as safety, cost, and/or end-user preference. For example, mouthwash is typically sold with a formulation of active ingredients diluted to concentration that is effective in freshening breath and allows the consumer to use the mouthwash directly from the container—without any additional preparation. While this affords certain convenience, storing a supply of a diluted mouthwash formulation typically requires the use of a large container. Such containers are unwieldy and can take up a large amount of storage and/or counter space, which may be limited in a household setting such as in a bathroom. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, a device for dispensing a liquid may include a basin defining a reservoir, a pump including a barrel and a spring, the barrel coupled to the basin, the barrel defining a cavity, and the spring disposed in the cavity, and an actuator at least partially disposed in the reservoir, the actuator defining a first orifice, a second orifice, and a lumen extending between the first orifice and the second orifice, the reservoir in fluid communication with the lumen via the first orifice, the actuator depressible to move the second orifice in a first direction defined from the reservoir toward the cavity of the barrel, and the spring of the pump biasing the actuator to move in a second direction defined from the cavity of the barrel toward the reservoir. 
     In some implementations, the first direction may be opposite the second direction along an axis defined by the lumen. 
     In some implementations, the pump may further include a stopper disposed in the cavity, the barrel defines an inlet region in fluid communication with the cavity, and the stopper is movable relative to the inlet region to control a flow of the liquid into the cavity via the inlet region. As an example, the spring may be in mechanical communication with the stopper, and movement of the spring in the first direction defined from the reservoir toward the cavity positions the stopper along the inlet region of the cavity to restrict the flow of the liquid into the cavity via the inlet region. 
     In certain implementations, movement of the actuator in the first direction may be limited to retain the first orifice in the reservoir as the actuator is depressed to move the second orifice in the first direction. Further, or instead, movement of the actuator in the second direction may be limited to retain the first orifice in the reservoir as the spring moves the actuator in the second direction from the cavity of the barrel toward the reservoir. 
     In some implementations, the actuator may include a contact surface, and the actuator is depressible along the contact surface to move the second orifice in the first direction from the reservoir toward the cavity of the barrel. In some instances, the reservoir of the basin may have a first volume, the actuator is depressible in the first direction along the contact surface to displace a second volume of the liquid from the cavity into the reservoir via the first orifice, and the first volume of the reservoir is greater than or equal to the second volume of the liquid displaced from the cavity into the reservoir. As an example, the reservoir may be sized such that, as the second volume of the liquid is displaced from the cavity into the reservoir, the liquid remains below the contact surface of the actuator as the spring moves the actuator in the second direction. Further, or instead, the basin may have an edge portion circumscribing the actuator such that the contact surface of the actuator is below the edge portion of the basin as the actuator moves back and forth in the first direction and the second direction. The edge portion of the basin may be curved in a direction away from the contact surface of the actuator. Additionally, or alternatively, the contact surface of the actuator may be above the first orifice as the actuator moves in the first direction. The actuator may, for example, include a stem and a button, the stem defines the first orifice, the second orifice, and the lumen, the contact surface is along the button, and the button is coupled to the stem such that the button is depressible by the user to move the actuator in the first direction. In some instances, the device may further include a first set of screw threads defining a first opening, wherein a portion of the actuator is movable through the first opening. A portion of the actuator movable through the first opening may be concentric with the first set of screw threads in some instances. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may further include a second set of screw threads defining a second opening circumscribing the first set of screw threads, wherein the second set of screw threads is concentric with the first set of screw threads. Further, or instead, the device may further include a bottle securable to at least one of the first set of screw threads or the second set of screw threads, wherein the pump is at least partially disposed in the bottle when the bottle is secured to one or more of the first set of screw threads or the second set of screw threads. 
     In certain implementations, the device may further include a housing supporting the basin. The housing may, for example, include a first section and a second section releasably securable to one another to access the pump. 
     In some implementations, the device may further include a cup, wherein the actuator and the basin define a space therebetween, and the cup is positionable in the space between the actuator and the basin to cover the actuator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a device for dispensing a liquid. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side, cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1A , with the cross-section taken along  1 B- 1 B in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 1C-1E  are side, cross-sectional views similar to  FIG. 1B , shown with a cup of the device removed, a liquid shown in a bottle, and the actuator shown, respectively, in uppermost, lowermost, and intermediate positions. 
         FIG. 1F  is a partially exploded, side view of the device of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1G  is a partially exploded, perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1H  is an exploded, side view of a pump of the device of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a collar of the device of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the collar of  FIG. 2A , with the cross-section taken along  2 B- 2 B in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cup of the device of  FIG. 1A , with the cup including dosing markings. 
         FIGS. 4A-4E  are process flow diagrams of an exemplary method of dispensing a liquid. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which exemplary aspects are shown. The foregoing may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. All fluid flows may flow through conduits (e.g., pipes and/or manifolds) unless specified otherwise. 
     All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Thus, the term “or” should generally be understood to mean “and/or,” and the term “and” should generally be understood to mean “and/or.” 
     Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The words “about,” “approximately,” or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as including any deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the described embodiments. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of those embodiments. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments. 
     As used herein, unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context, the term “liquid” shall be understood to be any flowable material that includes a nearly incompressible fluid that has no independent shape but has a volume that is definite and independent of pressure. Thus, for example, a liquid may include a single component in some cases or multiple components in a solution in other cases. Additionally, or alternatively, a liquid may include particles carried in the bulk volume of a solvent, with the resulting heterogeneous mixture including a suspension, a colloid, or a combination thereof. Further or instead, the liquid dispensed using the devices and methods described herein may include any one or more active ingredients, including active ingredients having effectiveness, economic value, and/or safety derived from being dispensed in controlled amounts. Unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context, it shall be understood that any one or more of the various different devices and methods described herein may be used to control manual dispensing of any one or more liquids having consumable and/or non-consumable end-uses, particularly in applications in which it is generally desirable to avoid touching the liquid that is being manually dispensed and the volumetric envelope of the device is a significant consideration. While such end-uses are many and varied, for the sake of clear and efficient description, devices and methods of the present disclosure are described in the context of dispensing mouthwash (also known as mouth-rinse or oral rinse), which may be for cosmetic purposes (e.g., controlling or reducing bad breath) and/or therapeutic purposes (e.g., reducing microbial load in the mouth). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1F , a device  100  for dispensing a liquid  101  may include a basin  102 , a pump  104 , and an actuator  106 . The basin  102  may define a reservoir  108 , and the actuator  106  may be at least partially disposed in the reservoir  108 . The actuator  106  may be depressible (e.g., manually depressible) to activate the pump  104 , such as according to any one or more of the various different examples described herein. In use, described in greater detail below, actuation of the pump  104  through depression of the actuator  106  may draw a controlled amount of the liquid  101  from a source (e.g., a bottle  140 ) into the reservoir  108 . As also described in greater detail below, although the actuator  106  is at least partially disposed in the reservoir  108 , the actuator  106 , the basin  102 , and the pump  104  are sized and oriented relative to one another such that the liquid  101  pumped into the reservoir  108  remains below at least a portion of the actuator  106  contacted by a user to depress the actuator  106 . That is, during normal operation of the device  100  on a stable surface, the liquid  101  dispensed into the reservoir  108  does not come into contact with the user&#39;s hand or with any portion of the actuator  106  that comes into contact with the user&#39;s hand. Thus, advantageously, the actuator  106  at least partially disposed in the reservoir  108  of the basin  102  facilitates forming the device  100  within an efficient volumetric envelope (useful, for example, for storage in space-constrained areas such as bathroom or kitchen countertops) while maintaining hygienic standards by reducing the likelihood of contact between the liquid  101  and any potentially contaminated or unhygienic surfaces. Further or instead, the liquid  101  may be in a concentrated form, such as a concentrated form of mouthwash requiring dilution with water prior to use. In such use cases, controlled dispensing of a concentrated form of the liquid  101  from the device  100  may provide a user with a dose of active ingredients that can be reliably and repeatably diluted at or near the point of end-use. Thus, as compared to storing large containers of prediluted mouthwash or other consumable liquid, dispensing a concentrated form of the liquid  101  from the device  100  as described herein may facilitate volumetrically efficient storage of many doses of the active ingredients on a countertop or other convenient surface, while having little or no impact on end-user consumption of the active ingredients in a prescribed or recommended concentration. In turn, as compared to the storage and handling of large and often unwieldy containers of diluted mouthwash, the combination of convenience and effectiveness afforded by the device  100  in dispensing a concentrated form of the liquid  101  may promote the habit of using the liquid  101  as part of a regular (e.g., daily) oral hygiene routine. 
     In general, the actuator  106  may include a first orifice  116 , a second orifice  118 , and a lumen  120  extending between the first orifice  116  and the second orifice  118 . The reservoir  108  may be in fluid communication with the lumen  120  via the first orifice  116 . As described in greater detail below, the actuator  106  may be depressible to move the second orifice  118  in a first direction D 1  from the reservoir  108  toward the pump  104 , and the pump  104  may bias the actuator  106  to move in a second direction D 2  toward the reservoir  108 . For example, the first direction D 1  and the second direction D 2  may be opposite one another along an axis  121  defined by the lumen  120 , as may be useful for efficiently transferring mechanical force on the actuator  106  in the first direction D 1  into a pumping force to move the liquid  101  in the second direction D 2  and, ultimately, into the reservoir  108  of the basin  102 . 
     In certain implementations, movement of the actuator  106  in the first direction D 1  and/or in the second direction D 2  may be limited to maintain the first orifice  116  within the reservoir  108  as the actuator  106  is depressed and then released. Maintaining the first orifice  116  within the reservoir  108  may be useful, for example, for maintaining an appropriate pressure differential between the pump  104  and the basin  102  during one or more phases of pumping associated with movement of the actuator  106  in the first direction D 1  and in the second direction D 2 . Further, or instead, limiting movement of the actuator  106  such that the first orifice  116  remains within the reservoir  108  of the basin  102  throughout the pumping operation may reduce the likelihood of the first orifice  116  becoming clogged and/or the actuator  106  becoming stuck in a depressed position. Additionally, or alternatively, movement of the actuator  106  in the second direction D 2  (the direction away from the pump and toward the reservoir) may be limited to maintain the actuator  106  within the reservoir  108  of the basin  102  throughout the full range of movement of the actuator  106  in the second direction D 2  as the pump  104  biases movement of the actuator  106  in the second direction D 2 . 
     In some instances, the actuator  106  may include a contact surface  129 , and the actuator  106  may be depressible along the contact surface  129  to move the second orifice  118  of the actuator  106  in the first direction D 1  from the reservoir  108  toward the pump  104 . The contact surface  129  may be, for example, along the axis  121  defined by the lumen  120  of the actuator  106  to facilitate efficient transfer of mechanical force from the actuator  106  to the pump  104  along the axis  121 . Further or instead, the contact surface  129  may be a planar surface that is readily depressible by a user. Further or instead, the contact surface  129  may span a substantial portion (e.g., greater than about 50 percent) of the reservoir  108  along a dimension transverse to the axis  121  defined by the lumen  120 , as may be useful for using the contact surface  129  to reduce the likelihood of contaminants entering the reservoir  108 . 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the actuator  106  may include a stem  128  and a button  130 . The contact surface  129  may be along the button  130 , providing a broad user-facing surface upon which a user may press. Further or instead, the button  130  may be shaped like a cap or cowling in a direction away from the contact surface  129 , as may be useful for limiting the ingress of contaminants into the reservoir  108 . The stem  128  may define one or more of the first orifice  116 , the second orifice  118 , and the lumen  120 . The stem  128  may be coupled (e.g., directly or indirectly) to the button  130  such that depressing the button  130  results in corresponding movement of the stem  128  along the first direction D 1  and the second direction D 2 , respectively, to move one or more of the first orifice  116 , the second orifice  118 , and the lumen  120  to pump the liquid  101  into the reservoir  108  according to the techniques described herein. For example, the button  130  may be coupled to the stem  128  such that a portion of the button  130  (e.g., the contact surface  129 ) remains above the liquid  101  entering the reservoir  108  as the actuator  106  moves in the second direction D 2 , thus reducing the likelihood of contamination of the reservoir  108  or the liquid  101  in the reservoir  108  over repeated uses of the device  100 . 
     In some instances, the button  130  may include a side wall  131  defining a hollow space circumscribing the first orifice  116 . In use, as the liquid  101  is ejected from the first orifice  116 , the side wall  131  may help direct the liquid  101  in a direction into the reservoir  108  and away from the contact surface  129 , decreasing the likelihood that the liquid  101  will splash out of the basin  102  and/or onto the contact surface  129 . In some instances, the stem  128  may be removably secured to the button  130 . This may, for example, facilitate cleaning or clearing the stem  128  and/or the button  130 . 
     In general, the pump  104  may include a barrel  110  and a spring  112 , with the barrel  110  defining a cavity  114  and the spring  112  disposed in the cavity  114 . The barrel  110  may be coupled to the basin  102 . While such coupling may include direct coupling in some implementations, the barrel  110  may be indirectly coupled to the basin  102  using one or more intermediate structures in other implementations. For example, the barrel  110  may be coupled to the basin  102  via a collar  231  useful for separately mounting the barrel  110  and the basin  102 , thus promoting modularity of components, and/or for absorbing unintended forces that may interrupt fluid communication between the cavity  114  and the basin  102 . Further, or instead, the collar  231  may be useful for supporting other components. For example, as described in greater detail below, the collar  231  may support a replaceable source of the liquid  101 , with the collar  231  providing resistance to unintended forces as the source of the liquid  101  is removed and replaced. 
     The actuator  106  may be depressible to move the second orifice  118  in the first direction D 1  defined from the reservoir  108  toward the cavity  114  of the barrel  110 , and the spring  112  of the pump  104  may bias the actuator  106  to move in the second direction D 2  defined from the cavity  114  of the barrel  110  toward the reservoir  108 . For example, the actuator  106  may be at least partially disposed in the cavity  114  of the barrel  110 , with the actuator  106  engaged against the spring  112  in the cavity  114  of the barrel  110 . 
     As the actuator  106  is depressed (e.g., by pressing on the contact surface  129  of the button  130 ) to move the second orifice  118  in the first direction D 1 , the liquid  101  in the cavity  114  may be forced into the lumen  120 , via the second orifice  118  (e.g., filling the lumen  120  with the liquid  101  in some cases). The same motion of the actuator  106  to move the second orifice  118  in the first direction D 1  may deform the spring  112  from resting state to a compressed state in the cavity  114 . As the actuator  106  is released through removal of a user-provided force, the spring  112  may return from the compressed state to the resting state. In turn, the force of the spring  112  returning to the resting state from the compressed state in the cavity  114  biases the actuator  106  to move in the second direction D 2  to an original position within the reservoir  108  of the basin  102 . As the actuator  106  moves in the second direction D 2  to return to the original position within the reservoir  108 , the liquid  101  drawn into the lumen  120  via the second orifice  118  may move from the lumen  120  and into the reservoir  108 , via the first orifice  116 . 
     In view of the foregoing, it shall be appreciated that depressing the actuator  106  and releasing the actuator  106  represents one complete pumping cycle that results in a controlled quantity of the liquid  101  moving from the cavity  114  into the basin  102 . With the actuator  106  biased to return to the original position, the user may repeat the press-and-release process to dispense another controlled amount of the liquid  101 , and this may be repeated as necessary or desired. It shall be appreciated that the quantity of the liquid  101  may vary slightly from cycle to cycle, given such factors as dimensional tolerances, variations in applied force, and the state of the spring  112  between successive pumping cycles. While the spring  112  may be a coil-spring in some implementations, it shall be appreciated that any one or more other types of springs may be additionally or alternatively used to bias the actuator  106  to move in the second direction D 2 . 
     In some instances, the pump  104  may further, or instead, include a stopper  124  disposed in the cavity  114  of the barrel  110 . For example, the barrel  110  may define an inlet region  126  in fluid communication with the cavity  114 , and the stopper  124  may be movable relative to the inlet region  126  to control a flow of dispensing liquid into the cavity  114  via the inlet region  126 . The stopper  124  may act as a one-way valve. For example, the stopper  124  may be sized relative to the inlet region  126  to block the liquid  101  in the cavity  114  leaving the cavity  114  through the inlet region  126  as the actuator  106  is depressed to move the second orifice  118  of the actuator  106  in the first direction D 1  to move the liquid  101  into the lumen  120 , via the second orifice  118 , as described above. 
     As the actuator  106  moves in the second direction D 2  to move a first quantity of the liquid  101  into the reservoir  108  as part of an initial pumping cycle, pressure may decrease within the cavity  114 , resulting in a pressure differential across the stopper  124  seated in the inlet region  126 . With lower pressure within the cavity  114 , the stopper  124  may become unseated from the inlet region  126  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1E  in which the actuator  106  is in an intermediate position) and a second quantity of the liquid  101  may be drawn into the cavity  114  from a source (e.g., a bottle, as described in greater detail below). This second quantity of the liquid  101  may remain in the cavity  114  until the actuator  106  is depressed again as part of a subsequent pumping cycle. In certain instances, the spring  112  may be in mechanical communication with the stopper  124 , and movement of the spring  112  in the first direction D 1  defined from the reservoir  108  toward the cavity  114  positions the stopper  124  along the inlet region of the cavity to restrict the flow of the liquid  101  into the cavity  114  via the inlet region  126  during the subsequent pumping cycle. 
     In some instances, the pump  104  may include a straw  132  coupled to the inlet region  126  to facilitate drawing the liquid  101  into the cavity  114  from a source, such as a bottle, containing multiple doses of the liquid  101 . The straw  132  may be useful, for example, for facilitating fluid communication between the cavity  114  and portions (e.g., a bottom portion) of the source that may be difficult to reach. Thus, the straw  132  may facilitate making efficient use of the source of the liquid  101  and, in doing so, may increase the amount of uses between refilling the source of the liquid  101 . 
     In general, a portion of the basin  102  defining the reservoir  108  may have any one or more of various different shapes (e.g., a bowl or a cupped-shape) as may be useful for accommodating at least a portion of the actuator  106  as the actuator  106  moves through an orifice defined by the basin  102  in the course of a pumping cycle. In particular, the portion of the basin  102  defining the reservoir  108  may be sized to accommodate at least a portion of the actuator  106  in the reservoir  108  while keeping dispensed quantities of the liquid  101  away from a user-operated portion of the actuator  106 . For example, the reservoir  108  may have a first volume, the actuator  106  may be depressible in the first direction D 1  (e.g., along the contact surface  129  of the actuator  106 ) to displace a second volume of the liquid  101  from the cavity  114  into the reservoir  108  via the first orifice  116 . Continuing with this example, the first volume of the reservoir  108  may be greater than or equal to the second volume of the liquid  101  displaced from the cavity  114  into the reservoir  108 , as may be useful for increasing the likelihood that the liquid  101  delivered into the reservoir  108  through a single pumping cycle will remain in the reservoir  108  until its intended use by the user. Further, or instead, the reservoir  108  may be sized such that, as the second volume of the liquid  101  is displaced from the cavity  114  into the reservoir  108 , the liquid  101  remains below the contact surface  129  of the actuator  106  as the spring  112  moves the actuator in the second direction D 2 . As may be readily appreciated, such relative sizing may facilitate manual operation of the actuator  106  while maintaining hygienic conditions within the reservoir  108  such that, among other things, the liquid  101  to be consumed by the user is unlikely to become contaminated as a result of depressing the actuator  106 . Still further or instead, the contact surface  129  of the actuator  106  may be above the first orifice  116  as the actuator  106  moves in the first direction D 1  such that the liquid  101  moving into the reservoir  108  via the first orifice  116  may fall away from the contact surface  129  under the force of gravity. 
     In some implementations, the basin  102  may have an edge portion  122  circumscribing the actuator  106  such that the contact surface  129  of the actuator  106  is below the edge portion  122  of the basin  102  is below the edge portion  122  of the basin  102  as the actuator  106  moves back and forth in the first direction D 1  and the second direction D 2 . With the edge portion  122  disposed about the actuator  106  in this way, the edge portion  122  may, for example, reduce the likelihood of unintended contact with the actuator  106  during and/or between uses. This may, among other things, facilitate handling the device  100  between uses. 
     The edge portion  122  of the basin  102  may, further or instead, be curved in a direction away from the contact surface  129  of the actuator  106 . As the liquid  101  is poured from the reservoir  108  (e.g., into another container), the liquid  101  will follow the curve of the edge portion  122  in the direction away from the contact surface  129 . That is, curvature of the edge portion  122  in a direction away from the contact surface  129  may facilitate keeping the liquid  101  away from the contact surface  129  as the liquid  101  is poured from the reservoir  108 . This is useful for both for keeping the contact surface  129  dry and for keeping the liquid  101  from being exposed to any contaminants that may be present on the contact surface  129 . 
     While the device  100  may be operable to draw the liquid  101  from any one or more of various different types of sources containing multiple doses of the liquid  101 , it shall be appreciated that the source of the liquid  101  may advantageously be a refillable and/or replaceable source of the liquid  101 , such as a bottle  140  removably securable in mechanical communication with the basin  102  with the pump  104  may be at least partially disposed in the bottle  140 . The bottle  140  may be removed and replaced with another instance of the bottle  140  or with the same instance of the bottle  140 . In this way, the liquid  101  may be replenished and/or changed, as is useful for promoting habitual use of the liquid  101  as part of a regular (e.g., daily) oral hygiene routine. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1H  and  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the bottle  140  may be releasably securable to the collar  231  such that the forces associated with removing and replacing the bottle  140  are primarily exerted on the collar  231 , thus reducing the likelihood of damaging the pump  104  and/or the actuator  106 . For example, the collar  231  may define a first opening  234 . A portion of the actuator  106  may be movable through the first opening  234 . Further or instead, a portion of the barrel  110  of the pump  104  may be movable through the first opening  234 . 
     In some instances, the collar  231  may include a first coupling  232  releasably securable to the bottle  140 . The first coupling  232  may, for example, define at least a portion of the first opening  234 . As a specific example, the first coupling  232  may include a first set of screw threads sized to mate with corresponding threads on the bottle  140  such that the bottle  140  is secured to the collar  231  via the first coupling  232 , and the portion of the actuator  106  movable through the first opening  234  is concentric with the first coupling  232 . 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the collar  231  may include a second coupling  236  sized to receive an instance of the bottle  140  having a larger sized opening than an instance of the bottle  140  securable to the first coupling  232 . For example, the instance of the bottle  140  securable to the second coupling  236  may provide the user with a longer duration supply of the liquid  101 . In some cases, the collar  231  may define a second opening  238  concentric with the first opening  234 . In some instances, the second coupling  236  may define at least a portion of the second opening  238 . As a more specific example, the second coupling  236  may include a second set of threads along the second opening  238  such that the second set of threads are concentric with and circumscribe the first set of threads of the first coupling  232 . Such relative orientation of the first coupling  232  and the second coupling  236 , may facilitate using different sized instances of the bottle  140 , as the process of aligning different sized instances of the bottle  140  with the respective one of the first coupling  232  and the second coupling  236  is similar. 
     While the first opening  234  extends through collar  231  to allow for fluid communication between the bottle  140  and the reservoir  108  via intervening structures described herein, it shall be appreciated that the second opening  238  does not necessarily need to extend through the collar  231 , given that an instance of the bottle  140  secured to the second coupling  236  may be in fluid communication with the reservoir  108  via the first opening  234 . Thus, the second opening  238  may be a blind opening and, so formed, may impart structural rigidity to the collar  231 . 
     In some implementations, the collar  231  may additionally include fins  244  extending radially from the collar  231  to provide a friction and/or interlocking fit of the collar  231  with one or more other components of the device  100 , as is useful for providing resistance forces to removal and replacement of the bottle  140 . Further or instead, the collar  231  may include engagement teeth  240  in the upper collar surface  242 . The engagement teeth  240  may, for example, be interlock with similar mating teeth defined by the basin  102 . The engagement teeth  240 , together with the mating teeth defined by the basin  102  may prevent rotational movement between the basin  102  and the collar  231 , while providing a simple assembly structure that may be readily disassembled for cleaning. 
     In some instances, the device  100  may include a housing  142  supporting the basin  102  and, in some cases, enveloping at least a portion of one or more of the pump  104 , the actuator  106 , and the bottle  140 . The housing  142  may be narrowest along the portion supporting the basin  102  to facilitate grasping the housing  142  to pour the liquid  101  from the basin  102 . The larger dimensions of the housing  142  away from the basin  102  may, in turn, result in a center of gravity of the device  100  that is away from the basin  102 , making the device  100  more difficult to topple. Further, or instead, the housing  142  may include a first section  144  and a second section  146  releasably securable to one another (e.g., through threaded engagement, an interference fit, or another toolless securing technique) to access the pump  104  and/or any one or more other components disposed within the housing  142 . For example, the first section  144  and the second section  146  of the housing  142  may be released from one another to replace the bottle  140 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1H  and  FIG. 3 , the device  100  may include a cup  344  that may be more facilely handled than the housing  142  for consuming the liquid  101 . In some instances, the cup  344  may include indicia  345 , such as volumetric gradations. Continuing with this example, the cup  344  may be used to measure a precise quantity of the liquid  101  for consumption. Further, or instead, the indicia  345  of the cup  344  may be used to facilitate accurate dilution of a concentrated form of the liquid  101 . 
     The actuator  106  and the basin  102  may define a space  147  therebetween, and a portion of the cup  344  may be removably positioned in the space  147  to cover the actuator  106  between uses. In this position, the cup  344  may rest on the bottom of the basin  102  with the cup  344  covering the actuator  106  without touching the actuator  106 . This reduces the likelihood of inadvertent contact with the actuator  106  between uses and, because the cup  344  does not touch the actuator  106 , cleanliness of the cup  344  is retained for subsequent uses. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4E , some implementations may include methods of using the device  100 .  FIGS. 4A-4E  are process flow diagrams showing exemplary methods  400 - 404  of using a device for dispensing liquids in accordance with various embodiments. With reference to  FIGS. 4A-4E , unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context, any one or more aspects of the methods  400 - 404  may be performed by a user using the device  100  ( FIGS. 1A-1H ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , in the method  400 , in block  410  the method may include depressing an actuator at least partially disposed in a reservoir defined by a basin. Depressing the actuator may cause the actuator to move within a pump coupled to the basin, wherein the pump includes a barrel and a spring, the barrel defining a cavity, and the spring disposed in the cavity. The actuator may define a first orifice, a second orifice, and a lumen extending between the first orifice and the second orifice. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with the cavity via the lumen, such that depressing the actuator causes the actuator to move in a first direction from the reservoir toward the cavity. 
     In block  412 , the actuator may be released, which allows the spring to bias the actuator to move in a second direction opposed to the first direction. The movement in the second direction may result in dispensing liquid being ejected from the first orifice into the basin. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , in the method  401 , following the operations in block  412  of the method  400 , in block  414 , the basin may be tilted to pour at least a portion of the ejected dispensing liquid from the basin. The basin, the pump, and the actuator may be part of an assembled device (e.g.,  100 ) for dispensing liquid. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4C , in the method  402 , before the operations in block  410  of the method  400 , in block  416 , a removable cup (e.g.,  344 ), which may be seated upside down over a top of the actuator, may be removed. When seated upside down over the top of the actuator, the removable cup may prevent the actuator from being depressed and removing the removeable cup enables the actuator to be depressed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4D , in the method  403 , before the operations in block  410  of the method  400 , in block  418 , a portion of a housing supporting the basin and sized to envelop a first bottle containing the dispensing liquid may be removed. 
     In block  420 , the first bottle may be secured inside the housing. 
     In block  422 , the removed portion of the housing may be replaced. With the first bottle secured inside the housing, the dispensing liquid ejected from the first orifice may have come from the first bottle. Following the operations in block  422 , the method may follow the operations in block  410  of the method  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4E , in the method  404 , before the operations in block  418  of the method  403 , in block  424 , a second bottle may be removed from inside the housing in response to removing the portion of the housing. The second bottle may be a different size than the first bottle. Following the operations in block  424 , the method may follow the operations in block  420  of the method  403 . 
     The methods  400 - 404  may be repeated for dispensing additional dispensing liquid. 
     The method steps of the implementations described herein are intended to include any suitable method of causing such method steps to be performed, consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unless a different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear from the context. So, for example performing the step of X includes any suitable method for causing another party such as a remote user, a remote processing resource (e.g., a server or cloud computer) or a machine to perform the step of X. Similarly, performing steps X, Y and Z may include any method of directing or controlling any combination of such other individuals or resources to perform steps X, Y and Z to obtain the benefit of such steps. Thus, method steps of the implementations described herein are intended to include any suitable method of causing one or more other parties or entities to perform the steps, consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unless a different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear from the context. 
     It will be appreciated that the methods and systems described above are set forth by way of example and not of limitation. Numerous variations, additions, omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation of method steps in the description and drawings above is not intended to require this order of performing the recited steps unless a particular order is expressly required or otherwise clear from the context. Thus, while particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure and are intended to form a part of the invention as defined by the following claims.