Patent Publication Number: US-11027963-B1

Title: Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids from containers

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/733,731, filed Sep. 20, 2018, incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for dispensing fluids from a container. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an assembly for receiving a conventional container and selectively dispensing fluids (including, without limitation, highly viscous liquids) in controlled amount(s) from said container, while ensuring removal of substantially all of said fluids from said container. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In many different circumstances and applications, fluids are distributed and/or stored in large containers, even though a relatively small volume of such fluids is typically dispensed from said containers at any particular time. By way of illustration, but not limitation, hair care products (such as, for example, liquid shampoo and conditioner) used in salons and other similar establishments are frequently distributed and/or stored in large containers (such as, for example, jugs having a capacity of a gallon or 2 liters). In such cases, a conventional hand pump assembly is frequently installed on the outlet spout of a conventional container; a siphon tube extends from said pump into the inner chamber of the container and is used to draw fluid from the bottom portion of the container. Fluid from within the container is not poured from the outlet spout. Rather, fluid is pumped out of the outlet of the container using said pump assembly, typically in volumes of a few ounces or less, with each pump or actuation of the pump assembly. 
     Conventional containers and pump assemblies frequently suffer from a number of significant limitations. For example, such pump assemblies typically do not extract all fluids from the bottom or lower portions of an upright container, particularly when fluid(s) in said containers are thick and/or have a relatively high viscosity (like, for example, liquid shampoo, hair conditioner or liquid soap). In such cases, a portion of the fluid in collects or pools near the bottom of the container but remains inaccessible to the inlet of the siphon tube. As a result, some volume of residual fluid typically remains in the bottom of a container and cannot be pumped from said container. 
     Generally, such residual or un-extracted fluid volume remaining within a container goes unused when an “empty” container is discarded. Over time, such small amounts of un-extracted residual fluids can add up to a significant aggregate volume of liquid that is essentially wasted or left unused. Such waste can be particularly significant in applications where numerous containers are routinely used, such as hair studios, beauty salons and the like. 
     In order to prevent such waste, users will frequently overturn the containers—that is, invert the containers so that the outlet, which is typically at the top of the container, is pointed in a substantially downward orientation. Such containers are inverted in order to allow any residual fluids to gravity feed and, over time, collect in the (inverted or downwardly facing) outlet spout of the container. In this manner, users attempt to access residual fluids remaining within a container that cannot be accessed by a conventional pump assembly. 
     In such cases, the pooled or collected fluids cannot be pumped from the inside of the container because the siphon tube of the pump assembly (which is typically still disposed near the upwardly facing base of the inverted container) is not positioned within said pooled or collected fluids. Instead, any such collected fluid volume must be poured directly from the container; in such cases, the fluids pooled near the outlet of the container can be difficult to remove from the container in a controlled manner, resulting in unwanted spilling or splashing. Such spilling or splashing can be unsanitary, unpleasant and unsafe; in many cases, such fluid can increase the risk of slip and fall or other injuries. 
     Thus, there is a need for a dispensing assembly that permits the dispensing of desired volumes of fluid from conventional containers. The dispensing assembly should be relatively small, cost effective and efficient, while preventing waste associated with inadvertent spillage of fluids and discarding of containers holding residual fluid volume. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The dispensing assembly of the present invention generally comprises a container receptacle assembly having a container support section and a pump support section. Although said container and pump support sections can be separate from each other, in a preferred embodiment said container and pump support sections comprise a single (combined) unit formed of unitary or singular construction. 
     Said container support section comprises a container receptacle that is configured to securely support and hold a jug or other conventional container; said jug or other container is beneficially positioned and maintained in an inverted position, with a threaded outlet (which is normally facing upward on said conventional container), instead facing in a generally downward orientation. As a result of said inverted position, any liquids disposed within said jug or other container will gravity feed toward said downwardly facing outlet. 
     Said pump support section provides a housing for supporting a manual pump assembly. Although the specific configuration of said manual pump assembly can vary without departing from the scope of the present invention, said manual pump assembly generally comprises a fluid inlet that is in fluid communication with a hand actuator having a fluid outlet. 
     A conduit generally extends from said container outlet to said inlet of said pump assembly in order to permit fluid to flow from said container to said pump assembly. In a preferred embodiment, a threaded reusable cap member having a check valve assembly and quick-connect coupling can be installed on said threaded outlet of said container. Further, said container support section and said pump support section can be disposed in relatively close proximity to each other. 
     The method and apparatus of the present invention permits fluid (including, without limitation, thick or highly viscous fluids) to be efficiently dispensed in controlled amounts. Further, such fluid can be fully removed from a container prior to said container being discarded. Thus, the method and apparatus of the present invention results in full and efficient use of said fluid, while eliminating the need to employ other means for extracting residual fluid that can result in unwanted spillage or splashing of said fluid from a conventional container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
       The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in such drawings or figures. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an overhead perspective view of certain components of dispensing assembly of the present invention with no container installed. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of certain components of the dispensing assembly of the present invention with no container installed. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a top view of certain components of the dispensing assembly of the present invention with no container installed. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an overhead perspective view of the dispensing assembly of the present invention with a container and hand pump assembly installed. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the dispensing assembly of the present invention with a container and hand pump assembly installed. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a top view of the dispensing assembly of the present invention with a container and hand pump assembly installed. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an exploded perspective view of the dispensing assembly of the present invention with a container and hand pump assembly installed. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a sectional view of the dispensing assembly of the present invention along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts an overhead perspective view of certain components of dispensing assembly of the present invention.  FIG. 2  depicts a side view of said components of said dispensing assembly, while  FIG. 3  depicts a top view of said components of said dispensing assembly of the present invention. In all of  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the depicted components of dispensing assembly—generally comprising a base member defining a container support platform/container receptacle  10  and pump support member  30 —are shown without a fluid container or hand pump assembly installed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the depicted components of dispensing assembly  100  comprise container support platform or container receptacle  10  having upper opening  12  and lower support base  11 , and defining inner space  13 . Container receptacle  10  is configured to at least partially receive a conventional container (such as a plastic jug and/or plastic bottle) within upper opening  12  and at least some portion of inner space  13  as described more fully below. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the depicted components of dispensing assembly  100  further comprise pump support member  30  having upper opening  32  and lower support base  31 , and defining inner space  33 . Lower support bases  11  and  31  can be optionally formed of unitary or singular construction, can be separate components attached to one another, or can comprises separate and detached components. In a preferred embodiment, pump support member  30  is oriented substantially upright, having a central longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of container receptacle  10 . Said pump support member  30  is beneficially configured to support an external manual fluid hand pump. In a preferred embodiment, tool holder  80  defining inner space  81  is disposed between said container receptacle  10  and pump support member  30 . 
     Dimensions of said components of dispensing assembly  100  depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 3  can be altered or varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, by way of illustration but not limitation, in a preferred embodiment container support receptacle  10  has a vertical height of approximately 5.75 inches, while upper opening  12  has a diameter of approximately 5.0 inches and flares or tapers outward to a diameter of approximately 6.0 inches near base  11 . Similarly, by way of illustration but not limitation, in a preferred embodiment pump support base  30  has a vertical height of approximately 10.75 inches, while upper opening  32  has a diameter of approximately 1.0 inch and flares or tapers outward to a diameter of approximately 2.5 inches near base  31 . As noted above, dimensions of said components can be varied or changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an overhead perspective view of dispensing assembly  100  of the present invention.  FIG. 5  depicts a side view of said components of dispensing assembly  100 , while  FIG. 6  depicts a top view of said components of dispensing assembly  100  of the present invention. In each of  FIGS. 4 through 6 , dispensing assembly  100  is depicted with conventional fluid container  200  and hand pump assembly  50  installed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 through 6 , dispensing assembly  100  comprises container receptacle  10  having upper opening  12  and lower support base  11 . Container receptacle  10  is configured to partially receive a conventional container  200  (such as a plastic jug and/or plastic bottle) within upper opening  12 ; in this configuration, an outlet of said container  200  (which is typically facing upward when container  200  is upright—that is, supported by base  210 ) is oriented and maintained in a substantially downward orientation. 
     In the configuration depicted in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , container  200  is supported with base  210  positioned in a substantially upwardly-facing position. Fluid (including thick or highly viscous fluid) disposed within said container  200  will consistently drain or gravity feed to the downwardly facing outlet or exit of said container  200  (not visible in  FIGS. 4 through 6 ). An optional vent hole or perforation  211  can be selectively formed or created within base  210  of container  200  to allow air to enter the inner chamber of container  200  and to facilitate flow of any such fluid from said container  200 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4 through 6 , dispensing assembly  100  further comprises pump support member  30  having upper opening  32  and lower support base  31 . As previously noted, pump support member  30  is oriented substantially upright, having a central longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of container receptacle  10  and container  200  supported therein. Tool holder  80  defining inner space  81  is disposed between said container receptacle  10  and pump support member  30 . Puncture tool  90  can be received within inner space  81  and held in close proximity to container  200  for use when needed. 
     Said pump support member  30  is beneficially configured to support an external manual fluid hand pump; in a preferred embodiment, said hand pump can include pump assembly (actuator)  50 , spout  51  having fluid outlet  51   a , and pump stem  52  with external threaded section  53 . Further, said manual fluid hand pump can operationally attach to upper opening  32  of support member  30  using pump adapter cap  70 ; said pump adapter cap  70  can include external friction-promoting ridges to promote gripping by a user&#39;s fingers during installation and/or removal of said adapter cap  70  from said pump support member  30 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, said container receptacle  10  and external hand pump support base  30  are integrally formed of singular construction to comprise one piece, or are otherwise joined together. Although other dimensions can be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention, container receptacle  10  and external hand pump support base  30  can each have a wall thickness of approximately ⅛″. Further, lower support bases  11  and  31  can be integrally formed of singular construction to comprise one piece, or can comprise multiple pieces. Further, said lower support bases  11  and  31  can be removeably attached to container receptacle  10  and pump support base  30 , respectively; said lower support bases  11  and  31  can be selectively removed to beneficially permit access to inner space  13  and inner space  33  and any components of the present invention disposed within said inner spaces, and/or any fluid that might inadvertently escape from container  200  and/or other components of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an exploded perspective view of dispensing assembly  100  of the present invention with a conventional container  200  installed. Dispensing assembly  100  comprises container receptacle  10  having upper opening  12  and lower support base  11 , and defining inner space  13 . Container receptacle  10  is configured to partially receive a conventional container  200  (such as a plastic jug and/or plastic bottle) within upper opening  12 ; in this configuration, exit opening or outlet  220  of said container  200  is disposed within inner space  13 , and is oriented and maintained in a substantially downward orientation. Said outlet  220  has external threads  221 . 
     Pump support member  30  has upper opening  32  and lower support base  31 , and defines an inner space  33 . As previously noted, pump support member  30  is oriented substantially upright, having a central longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of container receptacle  10  and container  200  supported therein. Said pump support member  30  is beneficially configured to support an external manual fluid hand pump assembly  50 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 7 , said hand pump assembly generally comprises pump actuator  50 , spout  51  having fluid outlet  51   a , and pump stem  52  with external threaded section  53 . Pump stem  52  is operationally attached to pump housing  54  containing conventional fluid pump components well known to those having skill in the art. Pump housing adapter  55  connects said pump housing  54  to spacer tube  56 ; in a preferred embodiment, said spacer tube  56  comprises a substantially rigid tube member having desired dimensions, such as length, diameter and wall thickness. 
     Pump conduit  57  extends from lower end  56   a  of spacer tube  56 ; in a preferred embodiment, said pump conduit  57  is beneficially flexible and has desired dimensions, such as length, diameter and wall thickness. Pump conduit  57  extends through inner space  33  of pump base  30  into inner space  13  of container receptacle  10 , and operationally attaches to elbow member  40  which, in turn, is attached to valve assembly  58  having release member  59  and external “nut” profile  61 . In a preferred embodiment, each of said elbow member  40  and/or valve assembly  58  include a check valve that permits fluid flow from container  200  into pump conduit  57 , but prevents fluid flow in the opposite direction; as a result, any fluid contained within said pump conduit  57  will not inadvertently leak or flow out of conduit  57  when said conduit  57  is disconnected from container  200 . 
     External profile  61  of valve assembly  58  can engage with a conventional wrench or other tool in order to apply torque to said valve assembly  58 . Outer threads  62  can mate with opposing threads disposed on the inner surface of bore  64  extending through cap member  60 . Similarly, cap  60  has inner threads  63  that can mate with opposing external threads  221  on the outlet of container  200 . Thus, it is to be observed that cap  60  can be selectively attached and/or removed from outlet  220  of container  200 . 
     Further, said manual fluid hand pump can operationally attach to upper opening  32  of support member  30  using pump adapter cap  70 . Said pump adapter cap  70  can include internal threads that are configured to selectively engage and mate with opposing external threads  34  disposed on pump base  30 . Further, said pump adapter cap  70  can include external friction-promoting ridges to facilitate gripping by a user&#39;s fingers during installation and/or removal of said adapter cap  70  from said support member  30 . 
     Tool holder  80  defining inner space  81  is disposed between said container receptacle  10  and pump support member  30 . Puncture tool  90  having pointed end  91  can be received within inner space  81  and held in close proximity to container  200 . When desired, puncture tool  90  can be used to puncture or otherwise create vent hole  211  through base  210  of container  200 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a sectional view of dispensing assembly  100  of the present invention along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 6 . Dispensing assembly  100  comprises container receptacle  10  having upper opening  12  and lower support base  11 , and defining inner space  13 . Conventional container  200  (such as a plastic jug and/or plastic bottle) is at least partially received within upper opening  12  of container receptacle  10 . Outlet  220  having external threads  221  of said container  200  is oriented and maintained in a substantially downward orientation within inner space  13  of said container receptacle  10 . 
     Pump support member  30  has upper opening  32  and lower support base  31 , and defines an inner space  33 . As previously noted, pump support member  30  is oriented substantially upright, having a central longitudinal axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of container receptacle  10  and container  200  supported therein. 
     Hand pump assembly generally comprises pump actuator  50 , spout  51  having fluid outlet  51   a , and pump stem  52  with external threaded section  53 ; said hand pump assembly is operationally attached within upper opening  32  of pump support member  30  using (removable) pump adapter cap  70 . Pump stem  52  is operationally attached to pump housing  54  which, in turn, is attached to pump housing adapter  55  and spacer tube  56 ; pump housing  55 , pump housing adapter  55  and spacer tube  56  are generally disposed within inner space  33  of pump support member  30 . In a preferred embodiment, pump base  30  has sufficient longitudinal rigidity and strength to withstand compression forces applied by a user to actuator  50  of said pump assembly. 
     Pump conduit  57  extends from lower end  56   a  of spacer tube  56 ; said pump conduit  57  extends through inner space  33  of pump base  30  into inner space  13  of container receptacle  10 , and operationally attaches to valve assembly  58 . Outer threads  62  mate with threads disposed on the inner surface of through bore  64  of cap member  60 . Similarly, cap  60  has inner threads  63  that mate with opposing external threads  221  of container  200 . Cap  60  can be selectively attached and/or removed from outlet  220  of container  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , container receptacle  10  can include optional silicone or elastomer gasket  14  at or near upper opening  12  that prevents container  200  from being gouged or punctured by said container receptacle  10 . Container  200  can be a jug, bottle or other conventional container holding fluid  300 ; by way of illustration, but not limitation, such fluid can comprise, for example, hair shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, or other fluid. Outlet  220  of said container  200  is maintained in a substantially downward position in inner space  13  of container receptacle  10 . This orientation permits any fluid  300  within container  200  to continuously drain or gravity feed to said outlet  220  of container  200 . In this configuration, fluid  300  will consistently collect or pool near valve assembly  58  (and, more specifically, the inlet thereof). Said container  200  can also include any original or added label(s) and/or other marking(s), which remain visible above container receptacle  10 , so that a user can confirm the quality, quantity, composition and/or source of any fluid  300  contained within said container  200 . 
     Removable and reusable cap member  60  can be selectively attached to threaded outlet  220  of container  200 . In a preferred embodiment, said cap member  60  can include a NPT APC series acetal coupling body that allows removal of said cap  60  from container  200  without any waste of fluid, and/or twisting of cap member  60  off and/or on to outlet  220  of container  200 . A NPT APC series acetal coupling body (shut-off), connected to a rotatable inline hose barb APC series acetal insert elbow  40  (shut-off), allows swiveling or rotating container  200  in any position desired (such as, for example, to position indicia or label on said container  200  in a particular direction for ease of display). 
     Dispensing assembly  100  of the present invention permits quick and efficient removal of container  200  (such as when empty of fluid  300 ), as well as connection to a new (full) replacement container. Importantly, slack in pump conduit  57  allows cap member  20  (and attached components of the present invention) to be quickly and efficiently attached to an outlet of new (that is, substantially full of fluid) container when said new container is in an upright position; said new container can then be inverted and at least partially installed within container receptacle  10 , thereby eliminating unwanted splashing or spillage of any fluid. Pump conduit  57  also allows removal of pump adapter cap  70  and attached components from pump support base  30  to repair and/or replace said manual hand pump components, if needed. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 7 , vent hole  211  is formed or created in base  210  of container  200  (such as, for example, by puncturing a hole or vent in said container  200 ), thereby preventing the hand pump of the present invention from creating an air lock vacuum and/or collapsing container  200 . Although other means can be used, puncture tool  90  can be readily accessible and used for this purpose. 
     Fluid dispensing assembly  100  of the present invention saves time and prevents waste, because users are not required to spend time removing residual fluid from a conventional container. Further, said fluid dispensing assembly  100  of the present invention promotes full extraction of fluid from a container, eliminating waste associated with discarding of containers having residual fluids remaining therein. The fluid dispensing assembly  100  of the present invention is described herein primarily in connection with hair salons and/or hair care products; however, it is to be observed that the present invention can be used in virtually any situation in which relatively small amounts of fluid are regularly pumped from relatively large bulk containers. 
     The above-described invention has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.