CA2821648A1 - Material dispensing device with fill/dispense insert - Google Patents
Material dispensing device with fill/dispense insert Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2821648A1 CA2821648A1 CA 2821648 CA2821648A CA2821648A1 CA 2821648 A1 CA2821648 A1 CA 2821648A1 CA 2821648 CA2821648 CA 2821648 CA 2821648 A CA2821648 A CA 2821648A CA 2821648 A1 CA2821648 A1 CA 2821648A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- opening
- fill
- dispensing
- dispensing device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/10—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers moved during operation
- G01F11/26—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers moved during operation wherein the measuring chamber is filled and emptied by tilting or inverting the supply vessel, e.g. bottle-emptying apparatus
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
Abstract
A material dispensing device has a fill/dispense insert which is sealably fitted to an opening of a container before the container is filled. The fill/dispense insert has a dispensing opening in fluid communication with a measuring reservoir for measuring a predetermined amount of material, and, a fill opening, which is separate from the dispensing opening, for receiving material into the container during filling.
A material impervious plug is inserted into the fill opening once the container has been filled to restrict the discharge of material through the fill opening after filling. The insert has a concave outer surface with the lowest point coincident with the edge of the dispensing opening. The device is integrally formed.
A material impervious plug is inserted into the fill opening once the container has been filled to restrict the discharge of material through the fill opening after filling. The insert has a concave outer surface with the lowest point coincident with the edge of the dispensing opening. The device is integrally formed.
Description
MATERIAL DISPENSING DEVICE WITH FILL/DISPENSE INSERT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a material dispensing device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a material dispensing device to be inserted into a container before the container is filled with the material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are numerous devices currently available for dispensing a predetermined amount of material from a container. Most of these devices, however, require insertion of the device into a container after the container has been filled with the relevant product or material to be dispensed. Most such devices comprise a funnel shaped extension which forms a reservoir used to capture a pre-measured amount of material from inside the container. Such a device is shown, for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,323,938.
In order to install such a device in a container prior to filling, it would be necessary to manoeuvre the reservoir into the container and then attempt to fill the container through the same opening communicating with the reservoir which is economically not feasible.
In other prior devices, for example as shown in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,523, a device for dispensing a pre-measured amount of material has a pivoting reservoir which can be pivoted from a first position, where the reservoir is insertable into the container, to a second position, where the reservoir is usable for dispensing. The difficulty with such a device is that the additional number of parts dramatically increases the cost of manufacture.
Furthermore, the additional movement of the devices increases the likelihood of damage during transport or use which can render the entire container, as well as the material container therein, unusable. Furthermore, it is difficult to fill the container after the dispensing device has been inserted in part due to the number of parts, and, a separate tube support collar being required in addition to a connecting collar.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a fluid dispensing device which overcomes at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art. Also, there is a need in the art for a fluid dispensing device which facilitates filling of the container after the measuring reservoir has been inserted into the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partially overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved type of material dispensing device which facilitates filling of the container after the device has been inserted.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects, this invention resides in a material dispensing device for facilitating filling and dispensing material from a container, said container having a container opening, said dispensing device comprising: a fill/dispense insert to be sealably fitted to the container opening of the container, said fill/dispense insert having a dispensing opening for dispensing the predetermined amount of material from the container, and, a fill opening, separate from the dispensing opening, for receiving the material into the container during filling and after sealably fitting the fill/dispense insert into the container opening; a measuring reservoir for measuring a predetermined amount of material for dispensing, said measuring reservoir in fluid communication with the dispensing opening; and a material impervious plug received by the fill opening after the container has been filled with the material, said material impervious plug restricting discharge of the material through the fill opening after the plug has been received therein;
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a material dispensing device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a material dispensing device to be inserted into a container before the container is filled with the material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are numerous devices currently available for dispensing a predetermined amount of material from a container. Most of these devices, however, require insertion of the device into a container after the container has been filled with the relevant product or material to be dispensed. Most such devices comprise a funnel shaped extension which forms a reservoir used to capture a pre-measured amount of material from inside the container. Such a device is shown, for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,323,938.
In order to install such a device in a container prior to filling, it would be necessary to manoeuvre the reservoir into the container and then attempt to fill the container through the same opening communicating with the reservoir which is economically not feasible.
In other prior devices, for example as shown in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,523, a device for dispensing a pre-measured amount of material has a pivoting reservoir which can be pivoted from a first position, where the reservoir is insertable into the container, to a second position, where the reservoir is usable for dispensing. The difficulty with such a device is that the additional number of parts dramatically increases the cost of manufacture.
Furthermore, the additional movement of the devices increases the likelihood of damage during transport or use which can render the entire container, as well as the material container therein, unusable. Furthermore, it is difficult to fill the container after the dispensing device has been inserted in part due to the number of parts, and, a separate tube support collar being required in addition to a connecting collar.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a fluid dispensing device which overcomes at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art. Also, there is a need in the art for a fluid dispensing device which facilitates filling of the container after the measuring reservoir has been inserted into the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partially overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved type of material dispensing device which facilitates filling of the container after the device has been inserted.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects, this invention resides in a material dispensing device for facilitating filling and dispensing material from a container, said container having a container opening, said dispensing device comprising: a fill/dispense insert to be sealably fitted to the container opening of the container, said fill/dispense insert having a dispensing opening for dispensing the predetermined amount of material from the container, and, a fill opening, separate from the dispensing opening, for receiving the material into the container during filling and after sealably fitting the fill/dispense insert into the container opening; a measuring reservoir for measuring a predetermined amount of material for dispensing, said measuring reservoir in fluid communication with the dispensing opening; and a material impervious plug received by the fill opening after the container has been filled with the material, said material impervious plug restricting discharge of the material through the fill opening after the plug has been received therein;
and wherein, after the container has been filled with material through the fill opening of the fill/dispense insert, the material impervious plug is inserted into the fill opening to permit the predetermined amount of material to be measured by the measuring reservoir and dispensed by the dispensing opening without discharge of the material through the fill opening.
In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a method of inserting a material dispensing device into a container having a container opening and filling the container with material, said method comprising: providing a material dispensing device with a fill/dispense insert having a dispensing opening in fluid communication with a measuring reservoir, said measuring reservoir for measuring a predetermined amount of material, and, a fill opening separate from the dispensing opening, for receiving material into the container during filling; before filling the container with material, inserting the material dispensing device with the measuring reservoir into the container opening;
sealably fitting the fill/dispense insert of the material dispensing device to the container opening; filling the container with material through the fill opening in the fill/dispense insert; after the container has been filled with the material, inserting a material impervious plug into the fill opening of the fill/dispense insert.
In one aspect, an advantage of the present invention is that the dispensing device has a fill/dispense insert which is sealably received in the container opening prior to the container being filled with the material. The fill/dispense insert has a fill opening which can be used by most standard machines to fill the container with material even after the dispensing device has been inserted into the container. A material impervious plug is then inserted in the fill opening to prevent the material from exiting through the opening after the container has been filled. Preferably, the material impervious plug is not air impervious such that air may flow into the container after the plug has been inserted into the fill opening, to facilitate dispensing of the material during use.
In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a method of inserting a material dispensing device into a container having a container opening and filling the container with material, said method comprising: providing a material dispensing device with a fill/dispense insert having a dispensing opening in fluid communication with a measuring reservoir, said measuring reservoir for measuring a predetermined amount of material, and, a fill opening separate from the dispensing opening, for receiving material into the container during filling; before filling the container with material, inserting the material dispensing device with the measuring reservoir into the container opening;
sealably fitting the fill/dispense insert of the material dispensing device to the container opening; filling the container with material through the fill opening in the fill/dispense insert; after the container has been filled with the material, inserting a material impervious plug into the fill opening of the fill/dispense insert.
In one aspect, an advantage of the present invention is that the dispensing device has a fill/dispense insert which is sealably received in the container opening prior to the container being filled with the material. The fill/dispense insert has a fill opening which can be used by most standard machines to fill the container with material even after the dispensing device has been inserted into the container. A material impervious plug is then inserted in the fill opening to prevent the material from exiting through the opening after the container has been filled. Preferably, the material impervious plug is not air impervious such that air may flow into the container after the plug has been inserted into the fill opening, to facilitate dispensing of the material during use.
The fill/dispense insert may also have a dispensing opening spout which is in fluid communication with the measuring reservoir and a dispensing spout for pouring the material. The dispensing opening and spout is preferably separated from the filling opening in the fill/dispense insert. In such cases, a further advantage of the present invention is that a standard filling nozzle will only interact with the filling opening and not damage or affect the dispensing opening or dispensing spout.
During use, rotating the container from an upright position to an angled or inverted position will cause a predetermined amount of material to be captured in the measuring reservoir and dispensed through the dispensing spout. Simultaneously, in a preferred embodiment, air will enter through the material impervious plug in the fill opening facilitating the dispensing of the measured amount of material.
In a further aspect, preferably the outer surface of the fill/dispense insert has a concave shape with the lowest point coinciding with one side of the spout.
This prevents any excess fluid from accumulating around the spout or the side of the container as any excess material will accumulate in the concave portion of the fill/dispense insert and be received in the dispensing spout.
More preferably, the fill/dispense insert, the measuring reservoir and the flow tube, which connects the measuring reservoir to the dispensing opening are integrally formed.
More preferably, the fill/dispense insert, the measuring reservoir and the flow tube connecting the measuring reservoir to the dispensing opening are in fluid communication with each other and are molded from plastic with no moving components. This decreases tooling costs. This also decreases the potential breakage during insertion and use and thus decreases the overall cost of manufacture. Having a single component fill/dispense insert with a separate filling opening and dispensing opening also prevents damage during filling as the standard filling nozzle will only interact with the larger filling opening. It is noted that the plug is inserted into the fill opening after the container has been filled.
Preferably, the fill opening is at least a size to allow standard filling nozzles to fill the container after the fill/dispense insert has been inserted into the container opening.
More preferably, the material impervious plug can be inserted in the fill opening automatically after filling to decrease the cost of manufacture and filling the container.
Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and drawings, which illustrate the invention and preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the material dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a further side view of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a top view of a further embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a material impervious plug according to the further embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7A a side-cross sectional view of the material dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention as it is being filled by a standard filling nozzle;
Figure 7B is a side-cross sectional view of the material dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention inserted in to a container that has been filled with material;
Figure 8 is a top view of a fill/dispense insert according to one embodiment of the present invention before insertion of the material impervious plug;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a fill/dispense insert 18 according to one embodiment of the present invention before insertion of the material impervious plug; and Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the method of inserting the material dispensing device into a container and filling the container according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the invention and its advantages can be understood by referring to the present drawings. In the present drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the accompanying drawings.
As shown in Figure 1, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a material dispensing device, shown generally by reference numeral 10. The material dispensing device 10 facilitates filling and dispensing material from a container, shown generally by reference numeral 8 in Figures 7A and 7B. As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the container 8 has a container opening 2 for receiving the material dispensing device 10.
The material, shown generally by reference numeral 6 in Figures 7A and 7B is inserted into the container 8 after the material dispensing device 10 has been sealably fit into the container opening 2 of the container 8. The material 6 may be a liquid as shown in Figures 7A and 7B or a powder or other form.
' Figures 1 to 4 show the material dispensing device 10 from different views. As illustrated in Figure 1, the material dispensing device 10 has a fill/dispense insert 18 for sealably fitting into the container opening 2 of the container 8. Preferably, the fill/dispense insert 18 has a container engaging surface, shown generally by reference numeral 200, which extends about the perimeter 202 of the fill/dispense insert 18. More preferably, the container engaging surface 200 creates a friction fit with the container opening 2. In one preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1, the container engaging surface 200 comprises a rib 204 extending across at least some, and preferably all, of the perimeter 202 of the fill/dispense insert 18 to form the friction fit with the container opening 2.
The fill/dispense insert 18 preferably comprises a fill opening 30 and a dispensing opening 20, as illustrated, for instance, in Figure 4 as well as Figures 8 and 9. The fill opening 30 in Figure 4 is shown with the material impervious plug 130 inserted therein. It is understood that when the material dispensing device 10 is initially inserted into the container 8 the material impervious plug 130 will not yet have been inserted into the fill opening 30, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. In this case, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the fill opening 30 provides a relatively unobstructed opening for a filling nozzle, shown generally by reference numeral 4 in Figure 7A, as discussed further below, to fill the container 8 with the material 6. The fill opening 30 is separate from the dispensing opening 20. Thus, the dispensing opening 20 can be customized for the dispensing of the material 6 from the container 8 without concern regarding filling of the container 8.
The material dispensing device 10 further comprises a measuring reservoir, shown generally by reference number 40. The measuring reservoir 40 is used for measuring a predetermined amount of material 6 for dispensing from the container 8 after the material dispensing device 10 has been inserted into the container 8. The measuring reservoir 40 is inserted in the container 8 during insertion of the dispensing device 10 into the container 8.
During use, rotating the container from an upright position to an angled or inverted position will cause a predetermined amount of material to be captured in the measuring reservoir and dispensed through the dispensing spout. Simultaneously, in a preferred embodiment, air will enter through the material impervious plug in the fill opening facilitating the dispensing of the measured amount of material.
In a further aspect, preferably the outer surface of the fill/dispense insert has a concave shape with the lowest point coinciding with one side of the spout.
This prevents any excess fluid from accumulating around the spout or the side of the container as any excess material will accumulate in the concave portion of the fill/dispense insert and be received in the dispensing spout.
More preferably, the fill/dispense insert, the measuring reservoir and the flow tube, which connects the measuring reservoir to the dispensing opening are integrally formed.
More preferably, the fill/dispense insert, the measuring reservoir and the flow tube connecting the measuring reservoir to the dispensing opening are in fluid communication with each other and are molded from plastic with no moving components. This decreases tooling costs. This also decreases the potential breakage during insertion and use and thus decreases the overall cost of manufacture. Having a single component fill/dispense insert with a separate filling opening and dispensing opening also prevents damage during filling as the standard filling nozzle will only interact with the larger filling opening. It is noted that the plug is inserted into the fill opening after the container has been filled.
Preferably, the fill opening is at least a size to allow standard filling nozzles to fill the container after the fill/dispense insert has been inserted into the container opening.
More preferably, the material impervious plug can be inserted in the fill opening automatically after filling to decrease the cost of manufacture and filling the container.
Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and drawings, which illustrate the invention and preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the material dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a further side view of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a top view of a further embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a material impervious plug according to the further embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7A a side-cross sectional view of the material dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention as it is being filled by a standard filling nozzle;
Figure 7B is a side-cross sectional view of the material dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention inserted in to a container that has been filled with material;
Figure 8 is a top view of a fill/dispense insert according to one embodiment of the present invention before insertion of the material impervious plug;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a fill/dispense insert 18 according to one embodiment of the present invention before insertion of the material impervious plug; and Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the method of inserting the material dispensing device into a container and filling the container according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the invention and its advantages can be understood by referring to the present drawings. In the present drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the accompanying drawings.
As shown in Figure 1, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a material dispensing device, shown generally by reference numeral 10. The material dispensing device 10 facilitates filling and dispensing material from a container, shown generally by reference numeral 8 in Figures 7A and 7B. As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the container 8 has a container opening 2 for receiving the material dispensing device 10.
The material, shown generally by reference numeral 6 in Figures 7A and 7B is inserted into the container 8 after the material dispensing device 10 has been sealably fit into the container opening 2 of the container 8. The material 6 may be a liquid as shown in Figures 7A and 7B or a powder or other form.
' Figures 1 to 4 show the material dispensing device 10 from different views. As illustrated in Figure 1, the material dispensing device 10 has a fill/dispense insert 18 for sealably fitting into the container opening 2 of the container 8. Preferably, the fill/dispense insert 18 has a container engaging surface, shown generally by reference numeral 200, which extends about the perimeter 202 of the fill/dispense insert 18. More preferably, the container engaging surface 200 creates a friction fit with the container opening 2. In one preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1, the container engaging surface 200 comprises a rib 204 extending across at least some, and preferably all, of the perimeter 202 of the fill/dispense insert 18 to form the friction fit with the container opening 2.
The fill/dispense insert 18 preferably comprises a fill opening 30 and a dispensing opening 20, as illustrated, for instance, in Figure 4 as well as Figures 8 and 9. The fill opening 30 in Figure 4 is shown with the material impervious plug 130 inserted therein. It is understood that when the material dispensing device 10 is initially inserted into the container 8 the material impervious plug 130 will not yet have been inserted into the fill opening 30, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. In this case, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the fill opening 30 provides a relatively unobstructed opening for a filling nozzle, shown generally by reference numeral 4 in Figure 7A, as discussed further below, to fill the container 8 with the material 6. The fill opening 30 is separate from the dispensing opening 20. Thus, the dispensing opening 20 can be customized for the dispensing of the material 6 from the container 8 without concern regarding filling of the container 8.
The material dispensing device 10 further comprises a measuring reservoir, shown generally by reference number 40. The measuring reservoir 40 is used for measuring a predetermined amount of material 6 for dispensing from the container 8 after the material dispensing device 10 has been inserted into the container 8. The measuring reservoir 40 is inserted in the container 8 during insertion of the dispensing device 10 into the container 8.
Preferably, the measuring reservoir 40 is in fluid communication with the dispensing opening 20 to permit the measured predetermined amount of material 6 to be dispensed from the measuring reservoir 40 to the dispensing opening 20. This can be accomplished in a number of different ways, however, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the material dispensing device 10 further comprises a flow tube 120 connecting the dispensing opening 20 and the measuring reservoir 40 to permit flow of the material 6 from the measuring reservoir 40 to the dispensing opening 20. In this way, after insertion of the material dispensing device 10 into the container 8 and after the container 8 has been filled with the material 6, a predetermined measured amount of material 6 can be dispensed from the dispensing opening 20.
Preferably, the fill/dispense insert 18, the flow tube 120 and the measuring reservoir 40 are integrally formed. In this way, the material dispensing device 10 can be formed from two separate parts, namely the integrally formed fill/dispense insert 18, flow tube 120 and measuring reservoir 40, and, the impervious plug 130 which is received in the fill opening 30 after the container has been filled with the material 6 as described more fully below. This decreases the costs of manufacturing as only two components need be made.
Furthermore, the cost of assembling the material dispensing device 10 is lessened because there are essentially no moving parts. In particular, as will be appreciated, there are no moving parts in the material dispensing device 10 either at the time of insertion of the material dispensing device 10 into the container 8, nor while the material 6 is being filled into the container 8, nor during use of the material dispensing device 10 to dispense the predetermined amount of material 6.
The fill opening 30 is separate from the dispensing opening 20 and the fill opening 30 receives the material 6 into the container 8 during filling and after the fill/dispense insert 8 has been sealably fitted into the container opening 2 as illustrated in Figure 7A. In a further preferred embodiment, the fill opening 30 is at least the size of a standard filling nozzle 4, shown generally in Figure 7A, to permit the container 8 to be filled with the material 6 through the fill opening 30. In other words, as described more fully below and illustrated in Figure 7A, the fill/dispense insert 18 is sealably fit into the container opening 2 with the measuring reservoir 40 inserted into the container, and, the container 8 is then filled with material 6 through the fill opening 30. The fill opening 30 is separate from the dispensing opening 20 which is in fluid communication with the measuring reservoir 40.
In this way, as material 6 is inserted into the fill opening 30, the measuring reservoir 40 and the flow tube 120 do not restrict the flow of the material 6, and, the material 6 does not damage or otherwise affect the dispensing opening 20, the flow tube 120 or the measuring reservoir 40.
As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the fill/dispense insert 18 initially does not have a material impervious plug 130 inserted therein. In this way, while the container 8 is in the fill line (not shown) the filling nozzle 4 can be inserted into the fill opening 30. As the container 8 is filled with material 6 from the standard filling nozzle 4 through the fill opening 30, other containers 8 at other positions in the fill line can be automatically processed. For instances, at an earlier stage in the fill line, the material dispensing device 10, including the measuring reservoir 40, would have been inserted into the container 8.
Preferably, at about the same time, the fill/dispense insert 18 would have been sealably fitted to the container opening 2. In this way, each of the steps up to and including filling of the container 8 with material 6 can be done automatically on the fill line.
It is also noted from Figures 7A, 7B, 8 and 9, that the standard filling nozzle 4 would not interact with the dispensing opening 20 so as not to damage the dispensing opening 20, nor the flow tube 120 or measuring reservoir 40 thereby permitting the dispensing opening 20 to be shaped and selected in the most beneficial manner possible for dispensing material 6. In other words, depending on the material 6, the dispensing opening 20 may be of different shape or size to best accommodate the material 6 of the dispensing opening 20 independent of the fill opening 30 used for filling the container 8 with the standard filling nozzle 4. Similarly, it is understood that the measuring reservoir 40 and flow tube 120 are selected, sized and shaped to best accommodate the material independent of the fill opening 30. It is understood that the standard filling nozzle 4 would be connected to another tank or material holding reservoir (not shown) from which the material 6 can be inserted into the container 8 and is known in the art. In other words, because the fill opening 30 is generally large enough to accommodate the standard size of a filling nozzle 4, generally, there will be no changes required to the filling line, including the filling nozzle 4, when the material dispensing device 10 of the present invention is used. As such, the material dispensing device 10 of the present invention can be easily retrofitted onto existing filling lines having standard filling nozzles 4, and existing fill lines can also be used to fill containers 8 that do not have the material dispensing device 10 according to this invention.
After the container 8 has been filled with the material 6 through the fill opening 30 of the fill/dispense insert 18, the material impervious plug 130 is inserted into the fill opening 30. This permits the predetermined amount of material to be measured by the measuring reservoir 40 and dispensed by the dispensing opening 20 without discharge of the material 6 through the fill opening 30. To accomplish this, the material impervious plug 130 is preferably received by the fill opening 30 after the container 8 has been filled with the material 6, and, the material impervious plug 130 restricts discharge of the material 6 through the fill opening 30 after the material impervious plug 130 has been received in the fill opening 30. Preferably, the material impervious plug 130 has a plurality of holes shown generally by reference numeral 132 in Figs. 1 to 4. Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternate embodiment where the material impervious plug 130 has a different shape, shown generally by reference numeral 230, with a larger number of holes 232 as shown in cross-section in Fig. 6. In either case, the holes 132, 232, are beneficial in that they permit air to enter the container 8 during dispensing of the material 6 to improve the flow of the material 6 outside of the container 8. Nevertheless, the holes 132, 232 restrict discharge of the material 6 from the container 8. In this way, the plurality of holes 132 or 232, or any alternate arrangement, as could be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, allow air to enter into the container 8 facilitating flow of the material through the dispensing opening 20, but restricting the discharge of material 6 through the fill opening 30 from the container 8. It is understood that in some embodiments, such as if the material 6 is a powder, no holes 132 or 232 may be desired.
To facilitate the material impervious plug 130, 230 being received by the fill opening 30 after the container 8 has been filled with the material 6, the material impervious plug 130 or 230 is preferably press fitted into the filling hole 30 after the material 6 has been inserted into the filling hole 30. In this way, the material impervious plug 130, 230 can be press fitted into the filling hole 30 in the filling line (not shown) after the container 8 has been filled with the material 6 and not be removed from the filling line. In this way, the material impervious plug 130 or 230 can be inserted automatically by machine thereby decreasing the costs and time required to fill the container 8 with the material 6.
Furthermore, by automating the insertion of the material impervious plug 130 into the fill opening 30 after the container 8 has been filled with material 6, a higher degree of consistency and quality can be achieved, thereby decreasing the number of material dispensing devices 10 and resulting containers 8 which must be destroyed for quality control.
In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the material impervious plug 230 has a perimeter 233 with at least one and preferably two ribs 234 extending across at least some, and preferably all, of the perimeter 233. This facilitates the material impervious plug 230 being press fitted into the filling hole 30 after the material 6 has been inserted into the filling hole 30. It is understood that the ribs 234 along the perimeter 233 can exist on other types of material impervious plugs, including the material impervious plug 130 as .. .
Preferably, the fill/dispense insert 18, the flow tube 120 and the measuring reservoir 40 are integrally formed. In this way, the material dispensing device 10 can be formed from two separate parts, namely the integrally formed fill/dispense insert 18, flow tube 120 and measuring reservoir 40, and, the impervious plug 130 which is received in the fill opening 30 after the container has been filled with the material 6 as described more fully below. This decreases the costs of manufacturing as only two components need be made.
Furthermore, the cost of assembling the material dispensing device 10 is lessened because there are essentially no moving parts. In particular, as will be appreciated, there are no moving parts in the material dispensing device 10 either at the time of insertion of the material dispensing device 10 into the container 8, nor while the material 6 is being filled into the container 8, nor during use of the material dispensing device 10 to dispense the predetermined amount of material 6.
The fill opening 30 is separate from the dispensing opening 20 and the fill opening 30 receives the material 6 into the container 8 during filling and after the fill/dispense insert 8 has been sealably fitted into the container opening 2 as illustrated in Figure 7A. In a further preferred embodiment, the fill opening 30 is at least the size of a standard filling nozzle 4, shown generally in Figure 7A, to permit the container 8 to be filled with the material 6 through the fill opening 30. In other words, as described more fully below and illustrated in Figure 7A, the fill/dispense insert 18 is sealably fit into the container opening 2 with the measuring reservoir 40 inserted into the container, and, the container 8 is then filled with material 6 through the fill opening 30. The fill opening 30 is separate from the dispensing opening 20 which is in fluid communication with the measuring reservoir 40.
In this way, as material 6 is inserted into the fill opening 30, the measuring reservoir 40 and the flow tube 120 do not restrict the flow of the material 6, and, the material 6 does not damage or otherwise affect the dispensing opening 20, the flow tube 120 or the measuring reservoir 40.
As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the fill/dispense insert 18 initially does not have a material impervious plug 130 inserted therein. In this way, while the container 8 is in the fill line (not shown) the filling nozzle 4 can be inserted into the fill opening 30. As the container 8 is filled with material 6 from the standard filling nozzle 4 through the fill opening 30, other containers 8 at other positions in the fill line can be automatically processed. For instances, at an earlier stage in the fill line, the material dispensing device 10, including the measuring reservoir 40, would have been inserted into the container 8.
Preferably, at about the same time, the fill/dispense insert 18 would have been sealably fitted to the container opening 2. In this way, each of the steps up to and including filling of the container 8 with material 6 can be done automatically on the fill line.
It is also noted from Figures 7A, 7B, 8 and 9, that the standard filling nozzle 4 would not interact with the dispensing opening 20 so as not to damage the dispensing opening 20, nor the flow tube 120 or measuring reservoir 40 thereby permitting the dispensing opening 20 to be shaped and selected in the most beneficial manner possible for dispensing material 6. In other words, depending on the material 6, the dispensing opening 20 may be of different shape or size to best accommodate the material 6 of the dispensing opening 20 independent of the fill opening 30 used for filling the container 8 with the standard filling nozzle 4. Similarly, it is understood that the measuring reservoir 40 and flow tube 120 are selected, sized and shaped to best accommodate the material independent of the fill opening 30. It is understood that the standard filling nozzle 4 would be connected to another tank or material holding reservoir (not shown) from which the material 6 can be inserted into the container 8 and is known in the art. In other words, because the fill opening 30 is generally large enough to accommodate the standard size of a filling nozzle 4, generally, there will be no changes required to the filling line, including the filling nozzle 4, when the material dispensing device 10 of the present invention is used. As such, the material dispensing device 10 of the present invention can be easily retrofitted onto existing filling lines having standard filling nozzles 4, and existing fill lines can also be used to fill containers 8 that do not have the material dispensing device 10 according to this invention.
After the container 8 has been filled with the material 6 through the fill opening 30 of the fill/dispense insert 18, the material impervious plug 130 is inserted into the fill opening 30. This permits the predetermined amount of material to be measured by the measuring reservoir 40 and dispensed by the dispensing opening 20 without discharge of the material 6 through the fill opening 30. To accomplish this, the material impervious plug 130 is preferably received by the fill opening 30 after the container 8 has been filled with the material 6, and, the material impervious plug 130 restricts discharge of the material 6 through the fill opening 30 after the material impervious plug 130 has been received in the fill opening 30. Preferably, the material impervious plug 130 has a plurality of holes shown generally by reference numeral 132 in Figs. 1 to 4. Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternate embodiment where the material impervious plug 130 has a different shape, shown generally by reference numeral 230, with a larger number of holes 232 as shown in cross-section in Fig. 6. In either case, the holes 132, 232, are beneficial in that they permit air to enter the container 8 during dispensing of the material 6 to improve the flow of the material 6 outside of the container 8. Nevertheless, the holes 132, 232 restrict discharge of the material 6 from the container 8. In this way, the plurality of holes 132 or 232, or any alternate arrangement, as could be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, allow air to enter into the container 8 facilitating flow of the material through the dispensing opening 20, but restricting the discharge of material 6 through the fill opening 30 from the container 8. It is understood that in some embodiments, such as if the material 6 is a powder, no holes 132 or 232 may be desired.
To facilitate the material impervious plug 130, 230 being received by the fill opening 30 after the container 8 has been filled with the material 6, the material impervious plug 130 or 230 is preferably press fitted into the filling hole 30 after the material 6 has been inserted into the filling hole 30. In this way, the material impervious plug 130, 230 can be press fitted into the filling hole 30 in the filling line (not shown) after the container 8 has been filled with the material 6 and not be removed from the filling line. In this way, the material impervious plug 130 or 230 can be inserted automatically by machine thereby decreasing the costs and time required to fill the container 8 with the material 6.
Furthermore, by automating the insertion of the material impervious plug 130 into the fill opening 30 after the container 8 has been filled with material 6, a higher degree of consistency and quality can be achieved, thereby decreasing the number of material dispensing devices 10 and resulting containers 8 which must be destroyed for quality control.
In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the material impervious plug 230 has a perimeter 233 with at least one and preferably two ribs 234 extending across at least some, and preferably all, of the perimeter 233. This facilitates the material impervious plug 230 being press fitted into the filling hole 30 after the material 6 has been inserted into the filling hole 30. It is understood that the ribs 234 along the perimeter 233 can exist on other types of material impervious plugs, including the material impervious plug 130 as .. .
shown in Figs. 1 to 4. It is also understood that other types of methods and means can be used to press fit the material impervious plug 130, 230 into the filling hole 30 after the material 6 has been inserted into the filling hole 30 and preferably the manner or method for press fitting the material impervious plug can be accomplished using an automated means along the filling line.
In a further preferred embodiment, inserting the material dispensing device 10 into the container opening 2 occurs while the container 8 is being formed. In this way, the filling line includes a container manufacturing line whereby the container is manufactured, generally by plastic, the material dispensing device 10 is inserted into the container 8, the container 8 is then filled with material 6 through the fill opening 30 and the material impervious plug 130, 230 is inserted into the fill opening 30. In this case, if the material dispensing device 10 is inserted into the container 8, it is preferable that this is done while the container 8 is warm either as a result of manufacture or heating afterwards. More preferably, the container 8, or at least the container opening 2, is at a temperature of 24 C
to 40 C when the material dispensing device 10 is inserted into the container opening 2 of the container 8. In this way, the warmer container opening 2 can be fused to the container engaging surface 200 of the material dispensing device 10 to provide a better seal between the fill/dispense insert 18 and the container opening 2.
To facilitate dispensing of the material 6, the dispensing opening 20 preferably comprises a dispensing spout 22. In this way, once the measuring reservoir 40 has measured a predetermined amount of material 6, the predetermined measured amount of material 6 can be dispensed through the dispensing opening 20 and engage the dispensing spout 22 to avoid spillage of the now measured predetermined amount of material 6.
Preferably, the dispensing spout 22 dispenses from the side 23 of the dispensing opening 20 which is remote from the filling opening 30. As such, the material 6 being dispensed from the container 8 would exit over the edge of the container 8 rather than over the fill i opening 30. This avoids spillage and also decreases the likelihood of material 6 being inadvertently discharged through the plurality of openings 132, 232 in the material impervious plug 130, 230.
In a further preferred embodiment, the fill/dispense insert 18 has a concave surface, as shown generally by reference numeral 180 in Fig. 4 and also in Fig. 5. The concave surface 180 has a lowest point 182 which is preferably coincident with a low edge 24 of the dispensing opening 20 proximate the filling opening 30. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the fill opening 30 is preferably located on a slope 184 of the concave surface 180. In this way, if any material 6 inadvertently is discharged either through the dispensing opening 20 or the fill opening 30, the inadvertently discharged material 6 will accumulate at the lowest point 182 of the concave surface 180 and eventually enter through the low edge 24 of the dispensing opening 20, which is preferably coincident with the lowest point 182 of the concave surface 180 and re-enter the container 8 through the discharge opening 20 in the flow tube 120.
Figure 10 illustrates a flow chart, shown generally by reference numeral 300, outlining a method of using the material dispensing device 10 according to one preferred embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 10, the initial step 310 of the flowchart 300 shows providing a material dispensing device 10 with a fill/dispense insert 18 having a dispensing opening 20 in fluid communication with the reservoir 40, the measuring reservoir 40 for measuring the predetermined amount of material 6, and, a fill opening 30 separate from the dispensing opening 20, for receiving material 6 into the container 8 during filling. In step 320, before filling of the container 8 with the material 6, the material dispensing device 10, with the measuring reservoir 40, is inserted into the container opening 2 of the container 8.
In step 330, the fill/dispense insert 18 is sealably fitted to the container opening 2 of the container 8.
In a further preferred embodiment, inserting the material dispensing device 10 into the container opening 2 occurs while the container 8 is being formed. In this way, the filling line includes a container manufacturing line whereby the container is manufactured, generally by plastic, the material dispensing device 10 is inserted into the container 8, the container 8 is then filled with material 6 through the fill opening 30 and the material impervious plug 130, 230 is inserted into the fill opening 30. In this case, if the material dispensing device 10 is inserted into the container 8, it is preferable that this is done while the container 8 is warm either as a result of manufacture or heating afterwards. More preferably, the container 8, or at least the container opening 2, is at a temperature of 24 C
to 40 C when the material dispensing device 10 is inserted into the container opening 2 of the container 8. In this way, the warmer container opening 2 can be fused to the container engaging surface 200 of the material dispensing device 10 to provide a better seal between the fill/dispense insert 18 and the container opening 2.
To facilitate dispensing of the material 6, the dispensing opening 20 preferably comprises a dispensing spout 22. In this way, once the measuring reservoir 40 has measured a predetermined amount of material 6, the predetermined measured amount of material 6 can be dispensed through the dispensing opening 20 and engage the dispensing spout 22 to avoid spillage of the now measured predetermined amount of material 6.
Preferably, the dispensing spout 22 dispenses from the side 23 of the dispensing opening 20 which is remote from the filling opening 30. As such, the material 6 being dispensed from the container 8 would exit over the edge of the container 8 rather than over the fill i opening 30. This avoids spillage and also decreases the likelihood of material 6 being inadvertently discharged through the plurality of openings 132, 232 in the material impervious plug 130, 230.
In a further preferred embodiment, the fill/dispense insert 18 has a concave surface, as shown generally by reference numeral 180 in Fig. 4 and also in Fig. 5. The concave surface 180 has a lowest point 182 which is preferably coincident with a low edge 24 of the dispensing opening 20 proximate the filling opening 30. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the fill opening 30 is preferably located on a slope 184 of the concave surface 180. In this way, if any material 6 inadvertently is discharged either through the dispensing opening 20 or the fill opening 30, the inadvertently discharged material 6 will accumulate at the lowest point 182 of the concave surface 180 and eventually enter through the low edge 24 of the dispensing opening 20, which is preferably coincident with the lowest point 182 of the concave surface 180 and re-enter the container 8 through the discharge opening 20 in the flow tube 120.
Figure 10 illustrates a flow chart, shown generally by reference numeral 300, outlining a method of using the material dispensing device 10 according to one preferred embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 10, the initial step 310 of the flowchart 300 shows providing a material dispensing device 10 with a fill/dispense insert 18 having a dispensing opening 20 in fluid communication with the reservoir 40, the measuring reservoir 40 for measuring the predetermined amount of material 6, and, a fill opening 30 separate from the dispensing opening 20, for receiving material 6 into the container 8 during filling. In step 320, before filling of the container 8 with the material 6, the material dispensing device 10, with the measuring reservoir 40, is inserted into the container opening 2 of the container 8.
In step 330, the fill/dispense insert 18 is sealably fitted to the container opening 2 of the container 8.
At this point in time, the container 8 is filled with the material 6 through the fill opening 30 and the fill/dispensing insert 18 as illustrated in step 340. After the container 8 has been filled with the material 6, the material impervious plug 130 can be fitted into the fill opening 30 of the fill/dispenser input 30 as shown in step 350. At this point in time, the container and material dispensing device are ready to be capped, as is known in the art, on the fill line and then shipped and/or used to dispense a predetermined amount of material from the reservoir 40.
As indicated above, these steps 330 of inserting the material dispensing device 10 into the container 8 further comprises doing so while the container is warm such as between 25 C to 35 C and more preferably between 26 C and 32 C. This facilitates creating the sealable fit between the fill/dispense insert 18 and the container opening 2. In a further preferred embodiment, step 340 also includes fusing the warm container opening 2 to the container engaging surface 200 of the material dispensing device 10 to create a better seal with the container opening 2.
In a further preferred embodiment, the step 350 of inserting the material impervious plug 130 into the fill opening 30 of the fill/dispense insert 18 preferably is done through snap fitting the plug 130 into the fill opening 30 after the container 8 has been filled with material 6. In this way, it is possible for the snap fitting of the plug 130 to be done automatically in the fill line. As such, the material dispensing device 10 can be inserted into the container 8, the container 8 may be filled with a material 6 through the fill opening 30, and the plug 130 may be snap fitted into the fill opening 30 with each step 310-350 done automatically on the fill line. Furthermore, as discussed above, the fill opening 30 is preferably sized to accommodate a standard filling nozzle 4 such that the entire process can be retrofitted onto existing fill lines with minimum of interruption and change to the existing flow lines including the standard filling nozzle 4.
As indicated above, these steps 330 of inserting the material dispensing device 10 into the container 8 further comprises doing so while the container is warm such as between 25 C to 35 C and more preferably between 26 C and 32 C. This facilitates creating the sealable fit between the fill/dispense insert 18 and the container opening 2. In a further preferred embodiment, step 340 also includes fusing the warm container opening 2 to the container engaging surface 200 of the material dispensing device 10 to create a better seal with the container opening 2.
In a further preferred embodiment, the step 350 of inserting the material impervious plug 130 into the fill opening 30 of the fill/dispense insert 18 preferably is done through snap fitting the plug 130 into the fill opening 30 after the container 8 has been filled with material 6. In this way, it is possible for the snap fitting of the plug 130 to be done automatically in the fill line. As such, the material dispensing device 10 can be inserted into the container 8, the container 8 may be filled with a material 6 through the fill opening 30, and the plug 130 may be snap fitted into the fill opening 30 with each step 310-350 done automatically on the fill line. Furthermore, as discussed above, the fill opening 30 is preferably sized to accommodate a standard filling nozzle 4 such that the entire process can be retrofitted onto existing fill lines with minimum of interruption and change to the existing flow lines including the standard filling nozzle 4.
It is understood that, while the invention has been described with respect to material 6 which is shown as a liquid in Figures 7A and 7B, the material 6 is not limited to a liquid.
Rather, the material 6 can be any type of material, that is commonly used for dispensing.
For instance, the material 6 could be dishwashing fluid, clothes washing fluid, a pharmaceutical or any other type of material 6 which is commonly distributed, sold and/or dispensed from a container 8.
To the extent that a patentee may act as its own lexicographer under applicable law, it is hereby further directed that all words appearing in the claims section, except for the above defined words, shall take on their ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), and shall not be considered to be specially defined in this specification. Notwithstanding this limitation on the inference of "special definitions," the specification may be used to evidence the appropriate, ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), in the situation where a word or term used in the claims has more than one pre-established meaning and the specification is helpful in choosing between the alternatives.
It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments, which are functional, electrical or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated herein.
Rather, the material 6 can be any type of material, that is commonly used for dispensing.
For instance, the material 6 could be dishwashing fluid, clothes washing fluid, a pharmaceutical or any other type of material 6 which is commonly distributed, sold and/or dispensed from a container 8.
To the extent that a patentee may act as its own lexicographer under applicable law, it is hereby further directed that all words appearing in the claims section, except for the above defined words, shall take on their ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), and shall not be considered to be specially defined in this specification. Notwithstanding this limitation on the inference of "special definitions," the specification may be used to evidence the appropriate, ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), in the situation where a word or term used in the claims has more than one pre-established meaning and the specification is helpful in choosing between the alternatives.
It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments, which are functional, electrical or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated herein.
Claims (15)
1. A material dispensing device for facilitating filling and dispensing material from a container, said container having a container opening, said dispensing device comprising:
a fill/dispense insert to be sealably fitted to the container opening of the container, said fill/dispense insert having a dispensing opening for dispensing the predetermined amount of material from the container, and, a fill opening, separate from the dispensing opening, for receiving the material into the container during filling and after sealably fitting the fill/dispense insert into the container opening;
a measuring reservoir for measuring a predetermined amount of material for dispensing, said measuring reservoir in fluid communication with the dispensing opening;
and a material impervious plug received by the fill opening after the container has been filled with the material, said material impervious plug restricting discharge of the material through the fill opening after the plug has been received therein; and wherein, after the container has been filled with material through the fill opening of the fill/dispense insert, the material impervious plug is inserted into the fill opening to permit the predetermined amount of material to be measured by the measuring reservoir and dispensed by the dispensing opening without discharge of the material through the fill opening.
a fill/dispense insert to be sealably fitted to the container opening of the container, said fill/dispense insert having a dispensing opening for dispensing the predetermined amount of material from the container, and, a fill opening, separate from the dispensing opening, for receiving the material into the container during filling and after sealably fitting the fill/dispense insert into the container opening;
a measuring reservoir for measuring a predetermined amount of material for dispensing, said measuring reservoir in fluid communication with the dispensing opening;
and a material impervious plug received by the fill opening after the container has been filled with the material, said material impervious plug restricting discharge of the material through the fill opening after the plug has been received therein; and wherein, after the container has been filled with material through the fill opening of the fill/dispense insert, the material impervious plug is inserted into the fill opening to permit the predetermined amount of material to be measured by the measuring reservoir and dispensed by the dispensing opening without discharge of the material through the fill opening.
2. The material dispensing device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a flow tube connecting the dispensing opening and the measuring reservoir to permit flow of the material from the measuring reservoir to the dispensing opening; and wherein the fill/dispense insert is sealably fit into the container opening after the measuring reservoir and flow tube are inserted in the container.
3. The material dispensing device as defined in claim 2 wherein the dispensing opening comprises a dispensing spout for facilitating pouring of the predetermined amount of material, said dispensing spout dispensing from a side of the dispensing opening remote from the filling opening.
4. The material dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein the fill/dispense insert has a concave surface with the lowest point coincident with a low edge of the dispensing opening proximate the filling opening, and, said filling opening is located along a slope of the concave surface.
5. The material dispensing device as defined in claim 4 wherein the dispensing opening comprises a dispensing spout remote from the low edge of the dispensing opening coincident with the lowest point of the concave surface.
6. The material dispensing device as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
a container engaging surface extending about a perimeter of the fill/dispense insert for sealably engaging a container opening after the measuring reservoir has been inserted into the container to sealably fit the fill/dispense insert into the container opening.
a container engaging surface extending about a perimeter of the fill/dispense insert for sealably engaging a container opening after the measuring reservoir has been inserted into the container to sealably fit the fill/dispense insert into the container opening.
7. The material dispensing device as defined in claim 6 wherein the container engaging surface engages the container opening to form a friction fit therewith.
8. The material dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein the material impervious plug is press fitted into the filling hole after the material is inserted into the filling hole; and wherein the material impervious plug comprises a plurality of holes for allowing air into the container but restricting discharge of material from the container.
9. The fluid dispensing device as defined in claim 2 wherein the fill/dispense insert, the flow tube and the measuring reservoir are integrally formed.
10. The fluid dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein the fill opening is larger than the dispensing opening; and wherein the fill opening is at least about 20 mm.
11. A method of inserting a material dispensing device into a container having a container opening and filling the container with material, said method comprising:
providing a material dispensing device with a fill/dispense insert having a dispensing opening in fluid communication with a measuring reservoir, said measuring reservoir for measuring a predetermined amount of material, and, a fill opening separate from the dispensing opening, for receiving material into the container during filling;
before filling the container with material, inserting the material dispensing device with the measuring reservoir into the container opening;
sealably fitting the fill/dispense insert of the material dispensing device to the container opening;
filling the container with material through the fill opening in the fill/dispense insert;
after the container has been filled with the material, inserting a material impervious plug into the fill opening of the fill/dispense insert.
providing a material dispensing device with a fill/dispense insert having a dispensing opening in fluid communication with a measuring reservoir, said measuring reservoir for measuring a predetermined amount of material, and, a fill opening separate from the dispensing opening, for receiving material into the container during filling;
before filling the container with material, inserting the material dispensing device with the measuring reservoir into the container opening;
sealably fitting the fill/dispense insert of the material dispensing device to the container opening;
filling the container with material through the fill opening in the fill/dispense insert;
after the container has been filled with the material, inserting a material impervious plug into the fill opening of the fill/dispense insert.
12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the material dispensing device has a container engaging surface extending about a perimeter of the fill/dispense insert for sealably engaging the container opening after the measuring reservoir has been inserted into the container;
wherein inserting the material dispensing device into the container further comprises inserting the material dispensing device into the container while the container is between 26°C to 32°C.
wherein inserting the material dispensing device into the container further comprises inserting the material dispensing device into the container while the container is between 26°C to 32°C.
13. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the container and device are made of plastic; and wherein sealably fitting the fill/dispense insert to the container opening further comprises fusing the warm container opening to the container engaging surface of the material dispensing device.
14. The method as defined in claim 13 wherein the fluid dispensing device is integrally formed of a single piece of plastic.
15. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein inserting the material impervious plug further comprises snap fitting the plug into the fill opening after the container has been filled with material.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2821648 CA2821648A1 (en) | 2013-07-23 | 2013-07-23 | Material dispensing device with fill/dispense insert |
| PCT/CA2014/000569 WO2015010182A1 (en) | 2013-07-23 | 2014-07-16 | Material dispensing device with fill/dispense insert |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2821648 CA2821648A1 (en) | 2013-07-23 | 2013-07-23 | Material dispensing device with fill/dispense insert |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2821648A1 true CA2821648A1 (en) | 2015-01-23 |
Family
ID=52392528
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2821648 Abandoned CA2821648A1 (en) | 2013-07-23 | 2013-07-23 | Material dispensing device with fill/dispense insert |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2821648A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2015010182A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4441640A (en) * | 1983-03-30 | 1984-04-10 | Lottick Edward A | Non-spillable drinking container |
| DE3636887C2 (en) * | 1986-10-30 | 1994-09-29 | Merck Patent Gmbh | Transport and storage container with screw cap |
| EP0530931A1 (en) * | 1991-08-31 | 1993-03-10 | ROTRING INTERNATIONAL GMBH & Co KG | Device to fill an ink reservoir |
| US5323938A (en) * | 1992-11-19 | 1994-06-28 | The Authentic Group Inc. | Pre-measured liquid and powder dispenser with overflow lube |
| US6076708A (en) * | 1997-12-02 | 2000-06-20 | Ceccarelli; Loreto J. | Pre-measured liquid dispenser |
| WO2001023306A1 (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2001-04-05 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Containers for dispensing filtered liquids |
| US6733669B1 (en) * | 2003-01-20 | 2004-05-11 | Bertram Valentine Crick | Water filter bottle |
| US7726523B2 (en) * | 2005-10-06 | 2010-06-01 | Metcon Plastics International Inc. | Pre-measured material dispenser with pivoting reservoir |
| US20100102094A1 (en) * | 2008-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | Berry Plastics Corporation | Package with fluid-dispenser system |
| CN103648921B (en) * | 2011-03-16 | 2017-02-15 | 燃料传送技术有限公司 | Portable fluid container assembly, fluid connector and attachment |
| US20140014571A1 (en) * | 2012-07-11 | 2014-01-16 | Fit Systems, Llc | Sports bottle top with axial flow filter device |
-
2013
- 2013-07-23 CA CA 2821648 patent/CA2821648A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2014
- 2014-07-16 WO PCT/CA2014/000569 patent/WO2015010182A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2015010182A1 (en) | 2015-01-29 |
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Effective date: 20160725 |