RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefits of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/769,608 filed on February 18, 2013 and entitled METERED DOSE SQUEEZE DISPENSER, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to squeeze dispensers and more particularly to squeezable containers that output a metered dose of fluid or liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is sometimes desirable to obtain a metered dose of liquid from a container of liquid. To obtain a metered dose of liquid from prior art containers, the prior art containers require a liquid pump to be secured to the containers.

SUMMARY

[0004] Exemplary metered dose dispensers are disclosed herein. One exemplary embodiment includes a container and a one-dose dispenser secured to the container. The one-dose dispenser includes a dosing chamber; a shuttle member movable within the dosing chamber; an outlet valve located at an end of the dosing chamber and an outlet located downstream of the outlet valve. A liquid inlet is also included for allowing liquid to flow into the dosing chamber to an area between the shuttle member and the outlet valve. Pressurizing liquid in the container moves the shuttle member from a first position to a second position and dispenses the liquid in the dosing chamber. When the shuttle member is in the second position, the shuttle member seals off the outlet valve preventing additional liquid from flowing out of the container. [0005] Another exemplary metered dose dispenser includes a compressible container and a dosing chamber in liquid communication with the compressible container. The dosing chamber is formed at least in part by a shuttle member and an outlet valve located proximate an outlet. The shuttle member is movable between a first position proximate the compressible container and a second position proximate the outlet valve. A liquid passageway from the compressible container to the dosing chamber is also provided. The liquid passageway allows liquid to enter an area of the dosing chamber between the shuttle member and the outlet. Compressing the compressible container causes the shuttle member to move towards the outlet valve and dispenses liquid from the dosing chamber while the shuttle member is moving towards the outlet valve. Liquid stops flowing out of the dosing chamber when the shuttle member reaches its end of travel in the direction of the outlet valve.

[0006] Another embodiment of a metered dose dispenser includes a compressible container and a dosing chamber in liquid communication with the compressible container. The dosing chamber is formed at least in part by a shuttle member and an outlet valve. An outlet is located downstream of the outlet valve. The shuttle member is movable between a first position proximate the compressible container to a second position proximate the outlet valve. A liquid passageway is provided from the compressible container to the dosing chamber. The liquid passageway from the compressible container has a smaller cross- sectional area than the cross-sectional area of an outlet path to the outlet. The liquid passageway allows liquid to enter an area of the dosing chamber between the shuttle member and the outlet valve when the shuttle member is located away from the second position. Compressing the compressible container causes the shuttle member to move toward the second position and dispense liquid from the dosing chamber. The liquid stops flowing out of the container when the shuttle member reaches the second position.

[0007] Another exemplary metered dose dispenser includes a squeezable container and a one-shot dose dispenser secured to the squeezable container. The one-shot dose dispenser has a dosing chamber and a shuttle member movable within the dosing chamber. In addition, an outlet valve is located proximate an end of the dosing chamber. A liquid inlet for allowing liquid to flow into the dosing chamber to an area between the shuttle member and the outlet valve is also provided. Squeezing the squeezable container pressurizes liquid in the squeezable container and the pressurized liquid moves the shuttle member from a first position to a second position and dispenses the liquid in the dosing chamber. When the shuttle member is in the second position the shuttle member seals off the outlet valve.

[0008] An exemplary dispensing device is disclosed herein. The exemplary dispensing device includes a squeezable container and a cap secured to the squeezable container. The squeezable container has at least two side walls that move toward each other to dispense a dose of fluid. A travel limiting device for limiting the movement of the at least two side walls to a set distance is also provided. The limited travel of the side walls provides a metered output.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section of an exemplary liquid dispenser having a squeezable container and a dosing assembly for outputting a metered dose of a product;

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary shuttle and valve seat of the liquid dispenser of Figure 1 ;

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates the exemplary liquid dispenser having a squeezable container and a dosing assembly in a charged position;

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates the exemplary liquid dispenser having a squeezable container and a dosing assembly in a discharged position cutting off the fluid flow out of the container;

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates another exemplary liquid dispenser having a squeezable container and a dosing assembly; and

[0015] Figures 6 A and 6B illustrate a squeezable container having a body configured to output a metered dose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser 100 having a metered dose output. The exemplary dispenser 100 has a squeezable container 110 and a metered dosing assembly 102 secured thereto. The squeezable container may be any type of container that may be squeezed to exert pressure on the inside of the container 110. Squeezable container 110 may be a bottle, a bag, a pouch, a tube or the like. Exemplary materials for the squeezable container may include, but are not limited to, thin-walled plastic, polymers, PET, HDPE or other suitable plastic, foil or the like.

[0017] Metered dosing assembly 102 includes a closure 120. Closure 120 may be secured to a neck 115 of container 110 by, for example, a snap-fit connection, a friction-fit connection, a welded connection, an adhesive connection, a threaded connection or the like.

[0018] The base 122 of closure 120 includes an aperture 129 located therein and an annular support portion 131 around the aperture 129. An annular sealing portion 123 projects upward from the base 122 of closure 120 and seals against the interior of neck 115 of container 110 to aid in sealing the closure 120 to the container 110. Extending upward from the sealing portion 123 is an additional annular projection 124, which forms a portion of dosing chamber 130 located therein. Annular projection 124 includes an opening 127 at the top and inwardly projecting tabs 126 that extend into the opening 127. Inwardly projecting tabs 126 may be one or more tabs, or may be a continuous projection. In some embodiments, the opening 127 and tabs 126 are sized to allow the internal components of the dosing assembly 102 to be inserted through the opening 127. Tabs 126 deflect outward to allow the internal components to be inserted into the dosing chamber 130 and return to their un-deflected position to retain the internal components between tabs 126 and a support 131 around aperture 129 in base 122.

[0019] In some embodiments, the internal components of the dosing assembly 102 include a shuttle member 134, a biasing member 136, such as for example, a spring, a valve seat 138 and a valve 140. Valve seat 138 includes an aperture 139 in the center to allow fluid to reach valve 140. Valve 140 is a slit valve and valve seat 138 provides a backing that prevents valve 140 from opening to allow air to flow into dosing chamber 130 from outside of dispensing device 102 when a vacuum pressure is present in the dosing chamber 130. In some embodiments, valve 140 and valve seat 138 may be replaced by a different type of valve, such as, for example, a ball valve and seat, a mushroom valve, or the like. When using other types of outlet valves, modifications may be necessary to ensure shuttle member 134 seals off the valve when it reaches its end of stroke position.

[0020] As best seen in Figure 2, shuttle member 134 includes a body 201 that contains one or more apertures 202. In some embodiments, shuttle member 134 fits loosely in dosing chamber 130 and passage 220 exists around shuttle body 201 so that a small amount of fluid may flow through apertures 202 and around shuttle body 201. In some embodiments, shuttle member 134 has small channels in the body 201 for fluid to more easily flow through. The fluid inlet passage 220 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet 160 (when opened) so it is easier for the shuttle 134 to move downward than it is for the fluid to pass through passage 220. In some embodiments, the channels in shuttle member 134 channel liquid flowing into dosing chamber 130 so that the liquid from the container 110 must flow (for at least a portion of the time) in a direction that is not the same direction as the shuttle travels. Thus, pressure exerted on the container 110 forces the pressurized liquid to strike the shuttle member 134 and the shuttle member 134 deflects the liquid outward causing movement of the shuttle member 134.

[0021] Shuttle body 201 includes sealing portion 204. Valve seat 138 includes angled seat 240. When valve seat 138 is in contact with sealing portion 204, liquid is prevented from flowing out of the dispenser 100. In addition, valve seat 138 provides a baking for valve 140 that prevents valve 140 from opening and allowing air to flow into dosing chamber 130 when container 110 is under vacuum pressure.

[0022] The biasing member 136 has been left out of Figures 2-4 for purposes of clarity; however, it is included in these exemplary embodiments to cause the shuttle member 134 to move away from the outlet 160.

[0023] Figures 2-4 illustrate the operation of the metered squeeze dispenser 100. Figure 3 illustrates the dosing chamber 130 charged with a full dose of liquid. The liquid may be, for example, a soap, a sanitizer, a lotion or the like. When the container 110 of metered squeeze dispenser 100 is squeezed, the pressure pushes shuttle member 134 downward forcing the liquid that is between shuttle member 134 and valve 140 out of the dosing chamber 130 through outlet 160. In some embodiments, the shuttle moves because it has a large surface area with respect to the area of the liquid passage 220 between container 110 and dosing chamber 130. In some embodiments, the size of the passage 220 is narrow enough that only a minimal amount of liquid flows through passage 220 when container 110 is squeezed. In some embodiments, the apertures 202 are small enough, and/or require the liquid to flow at an angle substantially perpendicular to the inlet of apertures 202, to increase pressure on the shuttle member 134 and to limit liquid flowing through passage 220. In any event, the pressure exerted by the liquid forces the shuttle 134 downward until seal member 204 contacts angled seat 240 to seal off outlet valve 140 and prevent additional fluid from flowing out of dispenser 100. Thus, the dispenser 100 outputs a metered dose of liquid.

[0024] In some embodiments a cap (not shown) is provided that fits over, or is attached to, closure 120 to seal dispenser 100 when not in use to prevent accidental dispensing. A user removes the cap prior to dispensing the liquid.

[0025] When pressure is removed from container 100, biasing member 136 urges shuttle member 134 upward, thereby expanding the volume of dosing chamber 130. Valve 140 seals off the liquid outlet 160 and prevents air from flowing into dosing chamber 130. The vacuum pressure created in dosing chamber 130 by the movement of shuttle member 134 upward draws liquid through apertures 202 and through passage 220 to fill dosing chamber 130. Once dosing chamber 130 is refilled, the metered squeeze dispenser 100 is primed and ready to dispense another metered dose of liquid.

[0026] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a metered dosing dispenser 500. Metered dosing dispenser 500 includes a housing 502, a cap 504, an outlet nozzle 506, a flip lid 508, and a dosing device 510. Dosing device 510 is formed by an elongated tube 511 that has one or more apertures 512 leading to a center of the elongated tube 511. The top portion of the elongated tube is open and in fluid communication with the outlet nozzle 506. A plate 520 or plug may be provided in elongated tube 511 to prevent fluid from filling elongated tube 511. During operation, when a user desires a metered dose of fluid, the user opens the flip lid 508, inverts the container 502 and squeezes sides 503 of the container. The movement of sides 503 is limited by the diameter of tube 511. Accordingly, tube 511 limits the displacement of the volume inside container 502 and provides a metered dose output.

[0027] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a metered dosing dispenser 600. Metered dosing dispenser 600 includes a housing 602. Housing 602 includes one or more indented sides 604. Indented sides 604 may be smoothly contoured as shown, or may have one or more smaller indentations. As illustrated in Figure 6B, indented sides 604 have a small area 606 between the indentations. Thus, indented sides 604 have a limited travel when squeezed together and therefore output a metered dose of fluid when the container (and cap assembly not shown) is inverted and the indented sides are squeezed together. In some embodiments, the container 602 has raised portions on the interior of the bottle that may not be visible from the outside of the bottle, but contact one another, and/or the opposite wall to limit the travel of the side walls and provide a metered output.

[0028] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Moreover, elements described with one embodiment may be readily adapted for use with other embodiments. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicants' general inventive concept.