AU2015202692A1 - Improved Valve Apparatus and Method - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser device for a liquid. The device may include: a vessel having a closure through which extends a moveable plunger; the plunger having a piston portion at a lower end, the piston portion seals against an inner wall of the vessel; the device having a fluid 5 conduit that extends between a base portion of the vessel's interior and a dispensing portion, the dispensing portion having a flow valve atop the conduit; the dispensing portion comprising a cap that defines a valve chamber and a dispensing end for discharging contents of the vessel; the flow valve having within the valve chamber a ball and a valve seal upon which the ball seats.

Description

IMPROVED VESSEL FOR CONTAINING AND PRESERVING LIQUID TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to vessels and in particular to vessels for containing fluid. The invention has been developed primarily for use as a vessel apparatus for containing, 5 preserving and dispensing a liquid - and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. BACKGROUND Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be 10 considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field. A decanter is a vessel that is used to hold and dispense a liquid (such as wine) which may contain sediment. The term decanter or decantation carafe is often used to refer to a vessel used to transfer alcoholic drinks before they are poured into a tankard or glass for 15 consumption. A typical decanting operation consists of pouring a liquid into a decanter and then allowing the poured liquid to stand for a predetermined time in the decanter before being served. In order to enhance the aromas and flavours of the liquid there is a need for good oxygenation and in the case of alcoholic beverages such as wine, reduction of the level of 20 excess carbon dioxide contained within. However, prolonged exposure to air can over oxygenate and cause unpleasant toxins to accumulate and subsequently sour the liquid. An earlier attempt to address these issues was set out in PCT publication WO 2010/124330 Al, published 4 November 2010, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 25 It is desired to address and ameliorate one or more disadvantages or shortcomings associated with existing decanters or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto. - 1 - OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. It is an object of the invention in its preferred form to provide a vessel device for 5 containing, preserving and dispensing a liquid. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of the invention in a preferred form there is provided a container and/or dispenser device for a liquid, the device including: a vessel having a closure through which extends a moveable plunger; 10 the plunger having a piston portion at a lower end, the piston portion seals against an inner wall of the vessel; a fluid conduit that extends between an interior of the vessel and a dispensing end for discharging contents of the vessel; a cap located at the dispensing end for defining a valve chamber; and 15 a flow valve atop the conduit located within the valve chamber. According to an aspect of the invention in a preferred form there is provided a container and/or dispenser device for a liquid, the device including: a vessel having a closure through which extends a moveable plunger; the plunger having a dispensing portion at one end and a piston portion at the other 20 end, the piston portion seals against an inner wall of the vessel, a fluid conduit extends between an aperture in the piston portion and the dispensing portion; the dispensing portion defining a valve chamber having a fluid discharge element or spout, and within the valve chamber is located a flow valve comprising a ball and a valve seal upon which the ball seats. 25 -2- According to an aspect of the invention in a preferred form there is provided a container and/or dispenser device for a liquid, the device including: a vessel having a closure through which extends a moveable plunger; the plunger having a piston portion at a lower end, the piston portion seals against an 5 inner wall of the vessel; the device having a fluid conduit that extends between a base portion of the vessel's interior and a dispensing portion, the dispensing portion having a flow valve atop the conduit; the dispensing portion comprising a cap that defines a valve chamber and a 10 dispensing end for discharging contents of the vessel; the flow valve having within the valve chamber a ball and a valve seal upon which the ball seats. Preferably the flow valve is a non-return valve. More preferably, the flow valve has a ball and a valve seal upon which the ball seats. 15 Preferably, the device has a spout located about the dispensing end and is in fluid flow communication with the valve chamber for discharging a contents of the vessel therefrom. Preferably, the device further includes a vacuum release valve operatively associated with the valve chamber for enabling air to flow into the valve chamber at or about the conclusion of a dispensing operation. 20 Preferably, the conduit forms a stem of the plunger and is in fluid flow communication with the interior of the vessel. More preferably, the plunger having at the lower end and the dispensing end interconnected by the fluid conduit. Most preferably, the plunger having at the lower end and the dispensing end interconnected by the fluid conduit, the conduit being in fluid flow communication with the interior of the vessel through the 25 piston portion. Preferably the cap is manually removable. More preferably, the cap defines an aeration chamber. More preferably, the cap has one or more internal ribs or protrusion for enhancing aeration of the fluid. More preferably, the cap has one or more internal -3 circumferential ribs or protrusion located within the valve chamber for enhancing aeration of the fluid as it is being dispensed. Preferably, the flow valve includes a ball and a valve seal upon which the ball seats. More preferably, the valve seat is atop the conduit. 5 Preferably, the spout is downwardly directed to enable fluid to flow from the valve chamber under the influence of gravity. More preferably the spout has a 'v' shaped lower portion. Most preferably, the spout has a downwardly curved terminal end. Preferably the vacuum release valve is a one-way valve located in the cap. More preferably, the vacuum release valve is adapted to substantially seal upon dispensing fluid, 10 and to enable air ingress to the valve chamber at or about the conclusion of a dispensing operation. Most preferably, the vacuum release valve is located atop and through the cap. Preferably, the cap is substantially transparent. More preferably, the removable cap is transparent and a ball in the flow valve shows information that relates to a contents of the vessel. Preferably, the valve is substantially transparent. 15 Preferably, the plunger further comprises spaced apart recesses that cooperate with the closure to provide feedback regarding a dispensed volume. More preferably, the closure further comprises a registration mechanism that cooperates with the recesses. Most preferably, the registration mechanism is resiliently biased toward the plunger. Preferably, the plunger further comprises spaced apart recesses that cooperate with the 20 closure to provide feedback regarding a dispensed volume. More preferably, the plunger further comprises two or more sets of spaced apart recesses, each set corresponding to a different dispensing volume between adjacent recesses. Preferably, the conduit further comprises spaced apart recesses that cooperate with the closure to provide feedback regarding a dispensed volume. 25 Preferably, the flow valve only allows dispensing of fluid from a space below the piston portion into an external environment. More preferably, the closure further comprises a registration mechanism that cooperates with the recesses. -4- It will be appreciated that described embodiments can relate generally to a vessel which contains a liquid. Such vessels may be usable in decanting and distributing the liquid, or for preservation of the liquid. It will be further appreciated that some embodiments can relate to a vessel for containing a liquid. 5 According to an aspect of the invention in a preferred form there is provided a container and/or dispenser device for a liquid, the device including: a wall means defining an inner reservoir chamber; a closure substantially occluding a first opening of the inner reservoir chamber; and a plunger comprising a fluid conduit and a piston. Preferably, the fluid conduit may pass through a second opening in the closure and is 10 movable relative to the closure. Alternatively, the fluid conduit can be fixed external to the vessel. Preferably, the piston is received in the inner reservoir chamber, the piston is arranged for sealing contact with the wall means to define an enclosed fluid volume within the inner reservoir chamber between the piston and the wall. The fluid conduit being in fluid 15 communication with an automatic non-return valve and dispensing end for dispensing fluid passing through the aperture from the enclosed fluid volume. The automatic valve can also be a means of advertising and promotion of the contained liquid. The described vessel generally comprises an inner wall which provides an inner reservoir chamber with an opening. The vessel comprises a closure, which may be in frictional 20 and/or fitting contact with the inner wall to inhibit the closure from falling out of the opening. Some embodiments employ a plunger movable relative to the closure. Preferably, the plunger may include a fluid conduit passing through a top portion of the closure and coupled to a plunger piston portion. More preferably, the piston portion of the plunger 25 may have an aperture which enables fluid communication between the volume below the plunger base and the fluid conduit. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, a pushing force on an actuable portion of the plunger is required to remove fluid volume from underneath the plunger piston -5 portion, wherein the fluid volume is subsequently expelled through the fluid conduit via a one way valve positioned at a dispensing end of the fluid conduit. Alternatively, the plunger can be used to expel fluid through an external conduit attached to the lower portion of the enclosure with a one way valve attached to the end of the conduit. 5 Generally, the vessel is designed to be employed as a decanter, such that a volume of liquid in the vessel can be stored and preserved with the absence of air prior to be subsequently dispensed. Preferably, the vessel may further comprise a registration mechanism for selecting the specific amount of liquid to be expelled from the vessel. The actuable portion can be 10 positioned to expel the required fluid by predetermined markers on the closure or vessel wall. The markers are indicative of the number of recesses on the external wall of the conduit and illustrate the number of aliquots of liquid which can be obtained from the enclosed fluid volume. Preferably, the vessel may include an outer wall coupled to the inner wall and defining an 15 insulating outer chamber between the inner and outer wall. Consequently, the vessel may be designed to inhibit the transfer of heat to and from the inner reservoir chamber. The outer chamber may be vacuum sealed. Preferably, the piston of the plunger is designed to be positioned at the top surface of the liquid for minimising the volume of air to which the liquid is exposed, thereby minimising 20 oxidisation of the liquid. These features act to preserve the liquid contained within the decanter. Preferably, the vessel may have an exposed surface for an identification label. In some embodiments, the ball of the automatic flow valve will have an identification label or advertising imagery that can be displayed. 25 Preferably, the vessel can be formed of materials that do not chemically react with acidic fluids, such as glass, stainless steel, chromed metal and plastic. It may also be coloured to restrict light ingress, depending on the liquid being preserved. -6- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a side section view of an embodiment vessel according to the invention; 5 FIG. 2 is a side section view of the vessel of FIG. 1, shown in use dispensing a liquid; FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment vacuum release value of the vessel of FIG. 1, shown in the open configuration; FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment vacuum release 10 value of the vessel of FIG. 1, shown in the closed configuration; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment dispensing end of the vessel of FIG. 1, including an automatic flow valve; FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevation view of an embodiment dispensing end of the vessel of FIG. 1, showing the spout; 15 FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional front elevation view of an embodiment dispensing end of the vessel of FIG. 1, taken across A-A of FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional front elevation view of an embodiment dispensing end of the vessel of FIG. 1, taken across B-B of FIG. 5; and FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment vessel according to the invention, 20 showing illustrations of a number of aliquots of liquid that can be obtained from the enclosed fluid volume. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Described embodiments relate generally to a vessel for containing, preserving and distributing a liquid. Preservation may be for the purpose of providing an alternative to 25 using or consuming all of a liquid volume at one time. -7- FIG. 1 is a side section view of an embodiment container and/or dispenser device 100 for a liquid. In this embodiment, the device includes a vessel 110 having a closure 120 that defines a closure aperture 122 through which extends a moveable plunger 130. The closure aperture 122 is typically located centrally within the closure 120. 5 One end 132 of the plunger 130 has a dispensing portion 140 with a fluid discharge 142. The other end 134 of the plunger 130 has a piston portion 150. The dispensing portion 140 further comprises a substantially transparent removable cap 160 that defines valve cavity or chamber 162 in which is located a flow valve 170. The fluid discharge element or spout 142 is in the form of a downwardly directed spout 10 being in fluid flow communication with the valve chamber for discharging a contents of the vessel therefrom. The piston portion 150 has a seal 152 for sealing against an inner wall 112 of the vessel 110. A fluid conduit 180 extends between an aperture 154 in the piston portion 150 and the 15 flow valve 170. The flow valve 170 is located atop the conduit 180, and comprises a substantially transparent ball 172 and a valve seal 174 upon which the ball can seat. In this embodiment, the conduit 180 forms a stem of the plunger, and is in fluid flow communication with the interior of the vessel. It will be appreciated that the flow valve is a non-return valve (or one-way valve), which restricts fluid flow return through the 20 conduit to the vessel. In this embodiment, by way of example only, the device 110 (or cap 160) further includes a vacuum release valve 190 operatively associated with the valve chamber 162 for enabling air to flow into the valve chamber about the conclusion of a dispensing operation. 25 In this embodiment, by way of example only, the cap 160 is manually removable and employs frictional and/or fitting contact (or is otherwise engaged or coupled) for sealing engagement within the dispensing portion 140. -8- In this embodiment, by way of example only, the cap 160 further defines one or more circumferential internal ribs or protrusions 164 for enhancing aeration of the fluid within the valve cavity. The open end of the inner wall 112, has a shape complementary to the shape of the closure 5 120. When the closure 120 and plunger 130 are inserted into the inner chamber for use of the vessel as a decanter, the closure sits in the open end of the inner chamber. In the described embodiments, the inner wall of the inner chamber is generally cylindrical with a flat circular bottom. The closure may be solid and may have a depth of about 2 cm, for example, to provide stability. The closure, can employ frictional and/or fitting contact 10 with the inner wall 112 to inhibit the closure from falling out of the opening. A circumferential fitting seal element 124 is used to maintain fitting contact between the closure and the inner wall. In this embodiment, the closure 120 has outer circumferential seal 124. The seal may include an o-ring. The seal frictionally resists the movement of the closure relative to the inner wall and also hinders loss of fluid from the inner chamber. 15 The piston portion 150 has a complimentary shape to the inner wall of the vessel. The piston portion is solid and impermeable and, together with inner wall, defines a generally enclosed fluid volume. The piston portion 150 of the plunger 130 can also support a sealing member 152. By way of example, the sealing member may comprise an o-ring, and/or an annular seal, 20 and/or a "U" seal and/or a CUP type seal. Sealing member seals with the inner wall of the vessel. The engagement of the sealing member minimises oxidation of the fluid contained below the piston of the plunger, retains liquid underneath the piston and assists to maintain pressure to force the liquid below the piston through the fluid conduit via the automatic ball valve and out the dispensing end. The sealing member is capable of 25 moving vertically along the inner wall of the vessel while retaining sealing engagement. The fluid conduit 180 is shaped to slide through a circular aperture 122 in the centre of the closure 120. The piston 150 has an opening or aperture 152 formed in its centre to coincide with a lower opening of fluid conduit so that fluid can travel into fluid conduit from beneath the piston via the aperture, when pressure is applied to the top of the plunger 30 valve cap. -9- The valve cap can be sealed by an "o" ring when in place, and the cap retained in place such that a small amount of force can be applied to remove the cap. With the cap removed the ball can also be easily removed for cleaning and be replaced with a ball that has internal markings that represent the liquid in the decanter. A ball can be supplied by the 5 manufacturers of the liquid showing date of manufacture type and branding of the liquid, and provide a means of advertising the contents of the vessel. The automatic ball flow valve inhibits the passage of fluid from the outside the vessel into the inner chamber of the vessel, which means that the passage of air into the fluid volume is restricted and oxidation of fluid in second fluid volume is minimised, if not prevented. 10 The automatic ball valve only allows movement of fluid from the space below the plunger piston out into the external environment. The vessel 100 may have a flat surface at its base 114 to assist in being positioned upright on a table. Alternatively or in addition, the body of the vessel may comprise a base 116 for external support. 15 Materials chosen for the inner components of the vessel may comprise materials which do not react with acidic fluids. For example materials include can include plastic, stainless steel, chromed metal, silicon and glass. For example, the vessel may comprise a plunger made of stainless steel or chromed metal, a body made of glass and a closure made of plastic. Any of body, closure and plunger may be formed of a transparent material, such 20 as glass or plastic, to enable visual inspection of the liquid inside. Depending on the intended fluid capacity of the vessel, the size of the vessel and the plunger can be made proportional to the volume of liquid to be contained within the inner chamber. 25 It will be appreciated that described embodiments can relate generally to a vessel which contains a liquid. Such vessels may be usable in decanting and distributing the liquid, or for preservation of the liquid. It will be further appreciated that some embodiments can relate to a vessel for containing a liquid. The automatic one-way valve can also have a - 10 means of advertising and promotion of the contained liquid. FIG. 2 illustrates use of the device 100, whereby the device includes a vessel 110 having a closure 120 through which extends a plunger 130 that is movable relative to the closure. The vessel generally comprises an inner wall 112 which provides an inner reservoir 5 chamber with an opening. A fluid volume 210 is provided in the vessel. One end of the plunger 130 has a dispensing portion 140 with a fluid discharge 142. The other end of the plunger 130 has a piston portion 150. The piston is received in the inner reservoir chamber, the piston is arranged for sealing contact 152 with the wall means to define an enclosed fluid volume 210 within the inner reservoir chamber between the 10 piston and the wall. The fluid conduit 180 forms the stem of the plunger 130, and extends between an aperture in the piston portion 150 and the automatic non-return flow valve 170, and is in fluid communication with the dispensing end for dispensing fluid passing from the enclosed fluid volume. 15 When fluid is desired to be dispensed from the vessel 100, the plunger 130 is pressed downwardly, with enough force to causing a fluid volume to be expelled from the inner chamber through the fluid conduit, then through the valve, and out through the dispenser. In this configuration, a pushing force on an operative (or actuating) portion (about 230) of the plunger is applied (at 232) to remove fluid volume from underneath the plunger piston 20 portion, wherein the fluid volume is subsequently expelled through the fluid conduit (at 211) via a one way flow valve 170 positioned at a dispensing end of the fluid conduit (at 212). It will be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the plunger can be used to expel fluid through an external conduit attached to the lower portion of the enclosure with a one way flow valve attached to the end of the conduit. 25 The operative (or actuating) portion (about 230) is preferably is sized and shaped to facilitate hand-actuation of the plunger 180 by depression of the portion. The pushing force causes the fluid to pass through the one way flow valve 170, having sufficient pressure to automatically open the valve by raising the valve ball 172. Fluid - 11 expelled from the one way flow valve (at 213) is forced into, and partially fills, the valve cavity or chamber 162. Fluid flows about the inner wall of the cap and engages the circumferential internal rib or protrusion 164 (at 214) causing further turbulence of the fluid for enhancing aeration of the fluid within the valve cavity. 5 The fluid in the valve cavity then egresses (at 215 and at 216) the valve chamber via a discharge element or spout 142. An automatic vacuum release valve 190 assists egress of fluid from the valve chamber at the conclusion of a dispensing operation (i.e. when the flow valve is closed). It will be appreciated that the flow valve preferably only allows dispensing of fluid from a 10 space below the piston portion into an external environment. Generally, the vessel is designed to be employed as a decanter, such that a volume of liquid in the vessel can be stored and preserved with the absence of air prior to be subsequently dispensed. The piston of the plunger is positioned in the vessel and pushed down to be located at the 15 top surface of the liquid, thereby expelling air from above the liquid in the vessel and minimising or reducing the volume of air to which the liquid is exposed, thereby minimising or restricting oxidisation of the liquid. These features act to preserve the liquid contained within the decanter. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of an embodiment automatic vacuum release 20 valve 190 operatively associated with the valve chamber 162. This vacuum release valve includes a valve housing 310 having an air egress aperture 312 through the cap 160. The housing retains a valve element (typically a ball) 314 that is movable to and from a closed orientation that restricts fluid or air flow from the valve chamber, and an open configuration that allows airflow to enter (at 316) the valve chamber. The housing restrict 25 removal of the valve element, for example, by necking (or pinching) down the housing or incorporating a stop element (not shown), wherein in the open configuration air flow 316 can pass around the valve element or through the vacuum release valve. In this embodiment, the open configuration is defined by the valve element being in a - 12 lower position (as shown in FIG. 3), and the closed configuration is defined by the valve element being in an upper position (as shown in FIG. 4) which substantially blocks fluid and/or air flow through the egress aperture 312. It will be appreciated that, upon commencement of a dispensing operation, and/or any 5 fluid pressure being applied to the valve element, the valve element automatically moves toward the closed configuration (as shown in FIG. 4), restricting egress of fluid and/or air there through from the valve chamber. It will be further appreciated that the valve element automatically returns to the lower position (as shown in FIG. 3) at the conclusion of the dispensing operation, thereby 10 enabling air to flow into the valve chamber to release any vacuum therein and allow free flow of fluid from the valve chamber. The vacuum release valve is a one-way valve typically located in the cap, which is adapted or configured to substantially seal upon dispensing fluid, and to enable air ingress to the valve chamber about the conclusion of a dispensing operation. 15 Referring to FIG. 5, the discharge element or spout 142 is in fluid flow communication 510 with the valve chamber 162, and is downwardly directed to enable fluid to flow from the valve chamber under the influence of gravity. The spout 142 has a 'v' shaped lower portion 512 extending from the valve chamber, and preferably, the lowest portion of the valve chamber. The spout has a downwardly curved terminal end 514 for assisting fluid 20 flow and reducing dripping of the fluid after a dispensing operation is complete. As shown in FIG. 6 through FIG. 8 the cross section of spout 142 has a 'v' shaped lower portion extending from the valve chamber to the terminal end for assisting fluid flow of fluid from the valve chamber by completion of a dispensing operation. Referring to FIG. 9, the vessel 110 may comprise a means for identifying the specific 25 volume of fluid to be distributed according to the different spacing between respective longitudinally aligned series of markings 910 on the vessel wall. By way of example, the markings can be printed, etched or affixed to the wall of the vessel. When using the device, a user can align the plunger portion 150 with respective marking for dispensing a - 13 unit volume of liquid (for example a standardised volume for a glass). The present example shows markings for 1 to 5 standard glasses of wine. Alternatively, the closure may comprise a means for identifying the specific volume of fluid to be distributed according to the different spacing between respective longitudinally 5 aligned series of recesses or marks formed on fluid conduit. The closure may have a number, say three or four, grooves and markings displayed on its upper surface. The number and spacing of recesses on that side of the fluid conduit dictates the intended discrete volumes of liquid to be dispensed from the second fluid volume as the fluid conduit is forced to progress downwardly through closure. 10 In an embodiment, by way of example only, the vessel may further comprise a registration mechanism for selecting the specific amount of liquid to be expelled from the vessel. The operative (or actuating) portion can be positioned to expel the required fluid by predetermined markers on the closure or vessel wall. The markers are indicative of the number of recesses on the external wall of the conduit and illustrate the number of 15 aliquots of liquid which can be obtained from the enclosed fluid volume. In an embodiment, by way of example only, the plunger can further comprises spaced apart recesses (not shown) that cooperate with the closure to provide feedback regarding a dispensed volume. The closure can further comprise a registration mechanism, typically resiliently biased toward the plunger, which cooperates with the recesses. The plunger can 20 further comprise two or more sets of spaced apart recesses, each set corresponding to a different dispensing volume between adjacent recesses. In an embodiment, by way of example only, the fluid conduit can comprise a number of recesses on its external wall which are positioned at specific intervals both longitudinally along and circumferentially around the fluid conduit. The recesses act as notches or 25 markers to assist in causing a specific volume of fluid to be forced through the fluid conduit and out of the vessel. Each of the recesses along the fluid conduit is shaped to at least partially receive a registration mechanism. The registration mechanism is located in the closure. In an embodiment, by way of example only, the removable cap is substantially transparent - 14 and a ball in the flow valve shows information that relates to a contents of the vessel. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the vessel may include an outer wall coupled to the inner wall, which defines an outer chamber between the inner and outer wall. Consequently, the vessel may be designed to inhibit the transfer of heat to and from the 5 inner reservoir chamber. The outer chamber may be vacuum sealed. An earlier attempt to address these issues was set out in PCT publication WO 2010/124330 Al, published 4 November 2010, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. It will be appreciated that the present invention can incorporate features of embodiment disclosed in PCT publication WO 2010/124330 Al. 10 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, or not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 15 Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the 20 embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this 25 disclosure, in one or more embodiments. In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when - 15 used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term 5 that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected", along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these 10 terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct 15 physical, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the 20 objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "up" and "down", as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly", "upwardly", etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the 25 illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader, or with reference to the orientation of the structure during nominal use, as appropriate. Similarly, the terms "inwardly" and "outwardly" generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate. Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments 30 of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a - 16 single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. 5 Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other 10 features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a 15 means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been 20 shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For 25 example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated that an embodiment of the invention can consist essentially of - 17 features disclosed herein. Alternatively, an embodiment of the invention can consist of features disclosed herein. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. - 18 -

Claims (21)

1. A dispenser device for a liquid, the device including: a vessel having a closure through which extends a moveable plunger; the plunger having a piston portion at a lower end, the piston portion seals against an 5 inner wall of the vessel; a fluid conduit that extends between an interior of the vessel and a dispensing end for discharging contents of the vessel; a cap located at the dispensing end for defining a valve chamber; and a flow valve atop the conduit located within the valve chamber. 10

2. A dispenser device for a liquid, the device including: a vessel having a closure through which extends a moveable plunger; the plunger having a piston portion at a lower end, the piston portion seals against an inner wall of the vessel; the device having a fluid conduit that extends between a base portion of the vessel's 15 interior and a dispensing portion, the dispensing portion having a flow valve atop the conduit; the dispensing portion comprising a cap that defines a valve chamber and a dispensing end for discharging contents of the vessel; the flow valve having within the valve chamber a ball and a valve seal upon which 20 the ball seats.

3. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap is manually removable; and the cap defines an aeration chamber.

4. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap defines an aeration chamber, and the cap has one or more internal ribs or protrusion 25 for enhancing aeration of the fluid.

5. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap the cap is substantially transparent. More preferably, the removable cap is -19- transparent and a ball in the flow valve shows information that relates to a contents of the vessel.

6. A dispenser device for a liquid, the device including: a vessel having a closure through which extends a moveable plunger; 5 the plunger having a dispensing portion at one end and a piston portion at the other end, the piston portion seals against an inner wall of the vessel, a fluid conduit extends between an aperture in the piston portion and the dispensing portion; the dispensing portion defining a valve chamber having a fluid discharge element or spout, and within the valve chamber is located a flow valve comprising a ball and a 10 valve seal upon which the ball seats.

7. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow valve is a non-return valve.

8. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow valve has a ball and a valve seal upon which the ball seats. 15

9. The dispenser device according to claim 8, wherein the ball of the automatic flow valve will have an identification label or advertising imagery that can be displayed.

10. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a spout located about the dispensing end and is in fluid flow communication with the valve chamber for discharging a contents of the vessel 20 therefrom.

11. The dispenser device according to claim 10, wherein the spout is downwardly directed to enable fluid to flow from the valve chamber under the influence of gravity; and the spout has a 'v' shaped lower portion.

12. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 25 device further includes a vacuum release valve operatively associated with the valve chamber for enabling air to flow into the valve chamber at or about the conclusion of a dispensing operation. - 20 -

13. The dispenser device according to claim 12, wherein the vacuum release valve is a one-way valve located in the cap, the vacuum release valve is adapted to substantially seal upon dispensing fluid, and to enable air ingress to the valve chamber at or about the conclusion of a dispensing operation. 5

14. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit forms a stem of the plunger and is in fluid flow communication with the interior of the vessel; the plunger having at the lower end and the dispensing end interconnected by the fluid conduit; the conduit being in fluid flow communication with the interior of the vessel through the piston portion. 10

15. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plunger further comprises spaced apart recesses that cooperate with the closure to provide feedback regarding a dispensed volume, and the closure further comprising a registration mechanism that cooperates with the recesses.

16. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 15 dispensing of fluid is from a space below the piston portion into an external environment.

17. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel can be formed of materials that do not chemically react with acidic fluids.

18. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the piston 20 portion of the plunger is designed to be positioned at the top surface of the liquid for minimising the volume of air to which the liquid is exposed, thereby reducing oxidisation of the liquid.

19. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel is coloured to restrict light ingress, the colour selected in accordance with the liquid 25 intended to be stored.

20. The dispenser device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel has an exposed surface for an identification label.

- 21 -