GB2364296A

GB2364296A - Liquid dispensing system

Info

Publication number: GB2364296A
Application number: GB0005126A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-03
Filing date: 2000-03-03
Publication date: 2002-01-23
Also published as: GB0005126D0

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing a measured amount of liquid from an inverted container comprises a valve 6 and a cup 2. In the position shown in figure 1 a protrusion 8 on the base of the cup holds the valve open so that liquid may flow into the chamber 5. A compressible seal 3 prevents flow of liquid out of the chamber. When the cup 2 is unscrewed, liquid flows out of the chamber 5 into the cup and the valve 6 moves downwards under the action of a spring 7 to prevent flow of liquid into the chamber from the container 1.

Description

Accurate Dosage Dispensin 1 2364296 I g Sy DESCPIP170N This invent ion

relates to a liquid dispensing SYSTem A lot of liquids (e.g. medicines) are measured out to an accurate dosage before being used for their purpose. The problem with this is the way the liquid is measured out prior to being used. We generally rely on eye sight to determine the dosage being extracted from the bottle, or other inaccurate methods. Af ter the liquid has been poured f ram the closure by removing the lid, we may also encounter problems with spillage from the bottle - or worse - consumption of dange-rous liquids. It is because of these two main issues that the dispensing system described was designed. The dispensing system is a device which will be inserted into the neck or aperture of The given closure.

The dispensing system shown in the diagrams will accurately measure the liquid to the designed chamber size. This chamber size will depend on the recommended amount of liquid stated by the manufacturer. The bottle will be used and stored upside )wn to allow the chamber to f ill up with liquid. The lid / cup will be the base, the closure is --- tanding on (inverted bottle). The lid will be removed whilst the closure is still in it's inverted position to allow thesystern to f unction correctly. Once the lid / cup is removed from the closure the bottle isself sealing. This will hot allow easy access to the contents of the closure and will also prevent any spillage.

A description of the invent ion is now described WITh reference to the accompanied drawings in which

Diagram 1 Shows the closure in it's inverted position (item 1). The lid (item 2) is shown fully closed with the seal in the lid (item 3) fully compressed. The mechanical device shown as item 8 (in this case a solid nipple) is pushing the spindle and cone (item 6) upwards and maintaining it in this position. This allows the liquid as shown as arrows'AA'to seep into the chamber (item 4), through the areas around the seal at the top of the chamber. Because the top seals (item 9) are open, Chd the bottom seal (Nem 3) is closed, the chamber (area 5) becomes flooded to it's designed capacity.

Diagram 2 Shows the closure still in it's inverted posiTion (item 1). The lid is now beginning to detach, in this case unscrew f rom the closure. This is the point at which deTermineS The dosage to be despatched. The bottom seal (item 3) is uncompressing, therefore maintaining a seal at the bottom of the closure preventing liquid coming out. The top seal (item 9) is now also sealed because the mechanical return device, in this case a spring (item 7) is closing up the seal as the lid is removed. We now have a flooded chamber (area 5) sealed at both ends simultaneously. '138' arrows show liquid movement.

Diagram 3 5hows; the closure still in its inverted position (item 1). The lid is maw fully detached f rom the closure with the contents of the chamber inside itThe liquid has come out in the area shown by arrows'C.C. The top seal (item 9) is now closed with the aSSISTance of the mechanical return device. This will now seal the contents of the closure within it, and prevenT any furTher liquid to pour out of the closure with the lid removed. To repeat the dispensing operation the lid must be fitted back onto the closure and removed again as described, Red arrows show liquid movemenT.

Accurate bosa I ge bispensing Systern

Claims

1. A dispensing system that will be sealed into the neck of a closure which will dispense an accurate amount of liquid and also self seal itself to prevent spillage.

The liquid will be COMIUmed or poured out of the lid after the closure has dispensed.

2. A dispensing system as in Claim 1 which will be f itted to a closure and used invertedThe lid / cup of the closure will be the base, and will be at the bottom of the closure during dispensing operation.

3. A dispensing system as in Claim I and 2 will have a mechanical scaling device at both ends of the chamber to prevent any spillage or inaccurate dispensing measures.

4. A dispensing system as in Claim 1, 2 and 3 that will have a seal in the lid which mainTains it's sealing property until the upper chamber seal has closed, This will trap the liquid inside the chamber which is due to be dispensed accurately.

5. A dispensing -system as in Claims 1,2,3 and 4 that is self sealing due to the mechanical return mechanism actuated by the lid removal. T6is closes the upper seals preventing any extra spillage f rom the clo3ure.

6. A dispensing system as in Claims 1,2,3,4 and 5 which is tamper proof due to the spindle being f lush with the open porTs Of The bOTTle. This reduces the chance to manually depress the spindle which will then open the seals.

Amendments to the claims have been fded as follows 1. A dispensing system that will be sealed into the neck of a closure which will dispense an accurate amount of liquid and also self seal itself to prevent spillage.

The liquid will be consumed or poured out of the lid after the closure has dispensed.

This device can be built in at manufacture or designed to be added by the user to f it standard bottles. The given principle remains the same.

2. A dispensing system as in Claim I which will be f itted to a closure and used inverted. The lid / cup of the closure will be the base, and will be at the bottom of the closure during dispensing operation.

3. A dispensing system as in Claim I and 2 will have a mechanical sealing device at both ends of the chamber to prevent any spillage or inaccurate dispensing measures.

4. A dispensing system as in Claim 1, 2 and 3 that will have a seal in the lid which maintains it's sealing property until the upper chamber seal has closed. This will trap the liquid inside the chamber which is due to be dispensed accurately.

5. A dispensing system as in Claims 1,2,3 and 4 that is self sealing due to the mechanical return mechanism actuated by the lid removal. This closes the upper spals preventing any exi m, spillage from the closure.

7. This dispensing system is designed to replace the consumed amount of liquid removed f rom the bottle with that same amount of air - when the cup / lid is replaced. This maintains the constant pressure within the bottle to allow'liquid to f low.

8. The removal of the lid / cup is the action that operates the seals to open and close the required seals within the valve.