EP1546022A4 - Fast fit bottle mount - Google Patents

Fast fit bottle mount

Info

Publication number
EP1546022A4
EP1546022A4 EP03741695A EP03741695A EP1546022A4 EP 1546022 A4 EP1546022 A4 EP 1546022A4 EP 03741695 A EP03741695 A EP 03741695A EP 03741695 A EP03741695 A EP 03741695A EP 1546022 A4 EP1546022 A4 EP 1546022A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
collar
retention
docking
assembly
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03741695A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1546022A1 (en
Inventor
Andrew Sean Bissett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KMQ Inc
Original Assignee
PRIMA TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PRIMA TECHNOLOGIES Ltd filed Critical PRIMA TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Publication of EP1546022A1 publication Critical patent/EP1546022A1/en
Publication of EP1546022A4 publication Critical patent/EP1546022A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0078—Ingredient cartridges
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
    • A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J9/00—Feeding-bottles in general
    • A61J9/08—Protective covers for bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
    • B67D2001/0812—Bottles, cartridges or similar containers
    • B67D2001/0814—Bottles, cartridges or similar containers for upside down use

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, inter alia, fast fit assemblies such as might be used in dispensing apparatus of a kind capable of dispensing liquid to be drawn from a replaceable container.
  • New Zealand Patent Specification 173753 discloses a dispensing apparatus capable of dispensing liquid drawn into a variable volume chamber from a replaceable container. It is to be noted that in NZ173753 a bottle is placed in the docking and a collar is rotated to urge inwardly cam followers or plungers to engage the under face of the neck flange of the bottle.
  • the present invention relates to an alternative to such arrangements and to related components, sub-assemblies and assemblies. It is believed the apparatus methodology of the present invention will provide the public with a useful choice.
  • the present invention consists in a fast fit assembly adapted to dock a necked container characterised in that the assembly includes a resilient (preferably moulded) collar which includes an array of elements, each with a form to be moved outwardly radially against a bias as a container is being axially docked until each moves inwardly radially with the bias to capture (at least in part) a neck flange or the equivalent of the container (hereafter
  • each said element being integral with and/or supported by linking regions, there being in the (preferably moulded) collar sufficient deformability to allow both the docking movement as aforesaid and to allow a docked container to be moved free from the elements.
  • the moulded unit is of a kind having elements and/or a ring form and/or a ring form/element inter-relationship substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
  • the collar preferably has linking regions for each of said elements such that each region can be supported against a surround and each such region can be urged by forces on the element to deform outwardly (preferably at least the region with which it is associated with the element).
  • the docking collar is associated with a shroud, housing, barrel or other surround having (preferably resilient) fingers or other means capable of supporting in part the body region of a necked container of a range of sizes.
  • the present invention consists in a fast fit assembly for association with dispensing apparatus, said assembly including a member or assembly defining a shroud, housing or the like (hereafter “housing”) adapted to receive an axially advanced necked container from one end towards the end thereof ("the attachment end") to be associated directly or indirectly with the dispensing apparatus, and at or adjacent the attachment end, a container neck and/or head retention collar having a plurality of retention elements each supported so as to be resiliently outwardly moveable under forces applied thereto during the insertion or removal of the necked container.
  • housing shroud, housing or the like
  • each said element includes a configuration adapted to retain, at least in part, a flange or head of the necked container by an underface to hold the same in retention in the assembly.
  • said collar is a unitary moulded member. In other forms it can be an assembly of components
  • said collar is at least primarily located in an annular cavity of the housing.
  • each said element extends radially inwardly through a wall which in part defines said annular cavity.
  • the docking collar is associated with a shroud, housing, barrel or other surround having (preferably resilient) fingers or other means capable of supporting in part the body region of a necked container of a range of sizes.
  • the apparatus is substantially as hereinafter described.
  • the present invention consists in, as a moulded item, a shroud or housing member substantially as hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • the present invention consists in a collar retention ring substantially of a form as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings irrespective of whether or not the same is a unitary moulded member or not.
  • the present invention consists in an assembly which includes a collar retention ring or the like, being an assembly substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
  • the present invention consists in a dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid to be drawn from a replaceable necked container of a kind having a head (i.e. neck flange), said apparatus having a docking into which a suitable said container can be substantially axially advanced and push engaged and retained thereby (alone or with other retention capability as well) and from which such a suitable container can be disengaged by a prying and/or pulling movement of said suitable container relative to the docking, said docking having a retention collar to surround the container neck and/or head with retention elements thereof capable of in part contacting and/or in part underlying the underface of the head when a container is properly docked, said elements being movable outwardly against their resilience and/or resilience of collar links between such elements, an intake needle or other conduit adapted to penetrate into a suitable said container as it is being and/or when docked by said docking, and a chamber of variable volume capable of being varied as to volume by an operator of the apparatus
  • the present invention consists in a dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid to be drawn from a replaceable necked container of a kind having a head (i.e.
  • said apparatus having a docking assembly into which a suitable said container can be substantially axially advanced and push engaged and retained (at least in part by such interaction) and from which such a suitable container can be disengaged by a prying and/or pulling movement of said suitable container relative to the docking, said docking having (preferably a moulded) retention collar to surround the container neck and/or head with retention elements thereof capable of (at least in part) contacting and/or (at least in part) underlying the underface of the head when a container is properly docked, said elements being movable outwardly (preferably against reactive forces from other part(s) of the docking assembly) against at least resilience of collar links between such elements, an intake needle or other conduit adapted to penetrate into a suitable said container as it is being and/or when docked by said docking, and a chamber of variable volume capable of being varied as to volume by an operator of the apparatus (i) to draw liquid via said intake needle or other conduit into said chamber as it is enlarged from a said docked
  • said piston is directly operable using a hand operated means of actuation e.g. a trigger, squeezable handle or the like with a bias return.
  • a hand operated means of actuation e.g. a trigger, squeezable handle or the like with a bias return.
  • said outlet from said variable geometry chamber is or is in communication with an outlet nozzle, catheter, skin penetrating needle, skin scratch needle or other like device.
  • the docking collar is associated with a shroud, housing, barrel or other surround having (preferably resilient) fingers or other means capable of supporting in part the body region of a necked container of a range of sizes.
  • said dispensing apparatus is of a kind substantially as hereinafter described with or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
  • the present invention consists in, in an assembly for docking a container (preferably a necked container), the use of a retention collar to surround at least part of the container as it is being docked and when docked such that the collar retains, at least in part, the container.
  • said collar is resilient at least in part.
  • said collar includes elements each of which is to contact the container as it is being docked.
  • the present invention consists in, in combination, dispensing apparatus as previously defined and a said replaceable suitable (preferably necked) container.
  • said combination is assembled with said intake needle or other conduit penetrating a needle penetrable seal of said replaceable container.
  • said replaceable container is in the form of a bottle (glass, metal or plastic) having a neck leading to a retention head or rib about the mouth thereof.
  • the docking means is such as to provide for a clip fit engagement of retention members behind said head or rib on opposite sides of the container to hold the same docked in use.
  • the apparatus is such that at least part of said docking is associable by an engagement with and thus is dissociable from the remainder of said dispensing apparatus, e.g. by a screw thread engagement.
  • a mere resilient retention by a unitary or assembled retention ring may provide insufficient purchase to ensure a stable support of the full container even in conjunction with outwardly applied location fingers of the shroud, housing, barrel or the like and in some circumstances therefore a manually actuable retention feature derived from our variant as disclosed in our aforementioned WO 01/14208 might additionally be appropriate.
  • a manually actuable retention feature derived from our variant as disclosed in our aforementioned WO 01/14208 might additionally be appropriate.
  • the present invention consists of apparatus suitable for retro fitting or association with a dispensing apparatus to provide the docking and/or retention collar of apparatus as previously defined.
  • the invention is a moulding or mouldings having some or all of the features of retention/release/association importance shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.
  • the present invention consists in a docking substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
  • the present invention consists in a method of dispensing a liquid which comprises engaging so as to dock a source of said liquid in a replaceable necked container with an integral retention head with a retention collar of dispensing apparatus so as to allow a draw off needle or other conduit to penetrate the container, dispensing liquid drawn from said replaceable container via said needle or other conduit from the apparatus, and thereafter forcibly removing the container with a reduced or depleted liquid content from the dispensing apparatus.
  • an assembly for docking a complementary container said assembly having beyond a container locator a container head retention collar deformable outwardly to allow a clip fit retention against removal without deformation of the collar.
  • the retention collar is integrally moulded yet has localised regions, each carrying a retention element capable of being pressed and/or twisted outwardly to allow said clip fit.
  • FIG 1 is a an exploded perspective view of a docking assembly of the present invention showing from the right a docking housing which defines an annular cavity at least in part to locate the preferably unitary moulded collar retention ring, the collar retention ring itself, and a base associable by welding adhesion or other inter-engagement with the docking housing so as to confer a screw thread engagability thereof with a suitable applicator apparatus (such as any of those disclosed in the aforementioned patent specifications, the full content of which is hereby here included by way of reference) and
  • a suitable applicator apparatus such as any of those disclosed in the aforementioned patent specifications, the full content of which is hereby here included by way of reference
  • Figure 2 is the apparatus of Figure 1 in its assembled form with an appropriately necked container located resiliently therein and from which it can be pulled.
  • a docking housing 1 having a collar retention ring 6 and an end 3 into which a container such as 18 can be inserted.
  • the container has a neck region 4 and a neck flange or head or other formation 5 to be docked and retained by the collar retention ring 6.
  • the overall assembly being seen includes not only the collar retention ring 6 but also a threaded base member 7 having threads 8 adapted for attaching the overall assembly as in Figure 2 to the male thread of a dispensing apparatus when attached the dispensing apparatus will present a needle or conduit into the penetratable region 9 of the container 3 when it is held in position as in Figure 2.
  • FIG. 1 Shown in Figure 1 is the annular cavity 10 into which the retention ring 6 is receivable such that parts 11 thereof (the elements) in part protrude out of gaps 12 so as to be contactable as shown in Figure 2 with the head or flange region 5 of the necked container.
  • Each such element includes a retention region 13 to underlie the face (curving, angled and/or otherwise) of the head 5 of the container 3.
  • Linking regions 14 each support an element such that the inward bowing of each linking region in part prior to reaching a node or the like commencement of a second bowing to another element provides sufficient resilience when the material (being a suitable plastics) is utilised.
  • the provision of the region 15 is such that it bears against the outer wall defining the cavity 10 so that the docking member 1 itself provides a reactive force in the inward direction to counter the camming pressure from a container being inserted so as to ensure the resilient retention thereof.
  • the components are preferably moulded in any of several suitable resilient plastics materials (e.g. a polycarbonate).

Abstract

An assembly (1) for docking a complementary container, said assembly (1) having beyond a container locator a container head retention collar (6) deformable outwardly to allow a clip fit retention against removal without deformation of the collar (6), wherein the retention collar (6) is integrally moulded yet has localised regions, each carrying a retention element (11) capable of being pressed and/or twisted outwardly allow said clip fit.

Description

"FAST FIT BOTTLE MOUNT"
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates, inter alia, fast fit assemblies such as might be used in dispensing apparatus of a kind capable of dispensing liquid to be drawn from a replaceable container.
BACKGROUND
New Zealand Patent Specification 173753 discloses a dispensing apparatus capable of dispensing liquid drawn into a variable volume chamber from a replaceable container. It is to be noted that in NZ173753 a bottle is placed in the docking and a collar is rotated to urge inwardly cam followers or plungers to engage the under face of the neck flange of the bottle.
Such retention can be reversed by appropriate rotation of the collar reliant on springs to urge outwardly the cam followers.
Our PCT/NZ01/00150 (published as WO 01/14208) is directed to a different form of quick fit engagement of a bottle or other replaceable container of the liquid to be expressed from the apparatus. This recognises an advantage in a quick push on fit without further fuss to achieve the appropriate location of the replacement container in a docking as well as the penetration of its penetrable end by an intake needle. A simple operator activated release mechanism is the basis for removal of the emptied container from the docking. Preferably this, in the preferred form, simply comprises a movement of a couple of actuating wings which removes retention shoulders from the under face of the neck flange i.e. it is to these types of quick fit arrangements that the present invention is directed.
The present invention relates to an alternative to such arrangements and to related components, sub-assemblies and assemblies. It is believed the apparatus methodology of the present invention will provide the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect the present invention consists in a fast fit assembly adapted to dock a necked container characterised in that the assembly includes a resilient (preferably moulded) collar which includes an array of elements, each with a form to be moved outwardly radially against a bias as a container is being axially docked until each moves inwardly radially with the bias to capture (at least in part) a neck flange or the equivalent of the container (hereafter
"head") by its underface, each said element being integral with and/or supported by linking regions, there being in the (preferably moulded) collar sufficient deformability to allow both the docking movement as aforesaid and to allow a docked container to be moved free from the elements.
Preferably the moulded unit is of a kind having elements and/or a ring form and/or a ring form/element inter-relationship substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. For example, preferably the collar preferably has linking regions for each of said elements such that each region can be supported against a surround and each such region can be urged by forces on the element to deform outwardly (preferably at least the region with which it is associated with the element).
Preferably this is achieved by the region curving inwardly. Preferably the docking collar is associated with a shroud, housing, barrel or other surround having (preferably resilient) fingers or other means capable of supporting in part the body region of a necked container of a range of sizes.
In a further aspect the present invention consists in a fast fit assembly for association with dispensing apparatus, said assembly including a member or assembly defining a shroud, housing or the like (hereafter "housing") adapted to receive an axially advanced necked container from one end towards the end thereof ("the attachment end") to be associated directly or indirectly with the dispensing apparatus, and at or adjacent the attachment end, a container neck and/or head retention collar having a plurality of retention elements each supported so as to be resiliently outwardly moveable under forces applied thereto during the insertion or removal of the necked container.
Preferably each said element includes a configuration adapted to retain, at least in part, a flange or head of the necked container by an underface to hold the same in retention in the assembly. Preferably said collar is a unitary moulded member. In other forms it can be an assembly of components
Preferably said collar is at least primarily located in an annular cavity of the housing.
Preferably at least part of each said element extends radially inwardly through a wall which in part defines said annular cavity. Preferably the docking collar is associated with a shroud, housing, barrel or other surround having (preferably resilient) fingers or other means capable of supporting in part the body region of a necked container of a range of sizes.
Preferably the apparatus is substantially as hereinafter described. In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in, as a moulded item, a shroud or housing member substantially as hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a collar retention ring substantially of a form as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings irrespective of whether or not the same is a unitary moulded member or not.
In still a further aspect the present invention consists in an assembly which includes a collar retention ring or the like, being an assembly substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
In another aspect the present invention consists in a dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid to be drawn from a replaceable necked container of a kind having a head (i.e. neck flange), said apparatus having a docking into which a suitable said container can be substantially axially advanced and push engaged and retained thereby (alone or with other retention capability as well) and from which such a suitable container can be disengaged by a prying and/or pulling movement of said suitable container relative to the docking, said docking having a retention collar to surround the container neck and/or head with retention elements thereof capable of in part contacting and/or in part underlying the underface of the head when a container is properly docked, said elements being movable outwardly against their resilience and/or resilience of collar links between such elements, an intake needle or other conduit adapted to penetrate into a suitable said container as it is being and/or when docked by said docking, and a chamber of variable volume capable of being varied as to volume by an operator of the apparatus
(i) to draw liquid via said intake needle or other conduit into said chamber as it is enlarged from a said docked container into which said needle or other conduit penetrates in use and (ii) to express previously drawn in liquid from said chamber via an outlet from said chamber as the chamber is reduced in volume. In another aspect the present invention consists in a dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid to be drawn from a replaceable necked container of a kind having a head (i.e. neck flange), said apparatus having a docking assembly into which a suitable said container can be substantially axially advanced and push engaged and retained (at least in part by such interaction) and from which such a suitable container can be disengaged by a prying and/or pulling movement of said suitable container relative to the docking, said docking having (preferably a moulded) retention collar to surround the container neck and/or head with retention elements thereof capable of (at least in part) contacting and/or (at least in part) underlying the underface of the head when a container is properly docked, said elements being movable outwardly (preferably against reactive forces from other part(s) of the docking assembly) against at least resilience of collar links between such elements, an intake needle or other conduit adapted to penetrate into a suitable said container as it is being and/or when docked by said docking, and a chamber of variable volume capable of being varied as to volume by an operator of the apparatus (i) to draw liquid via said intake needle or other conduit into said chamber as it is enlarged from a said docked container into which said needle or other conduit penetrates in use and (ii) to express previously drawn in liquid from said chamber via an outlet from said chamber as the chamber is reduced in volume. Preferably said variable geometry chamber takes the form of a barrel or cylinder, the volume of which is variable under the action of a piston.
Preferably said piston is directly operable using a hand operated means of actuation e.g. a trigger, squeezable handle or the like with a bias return.
Preferably said outlet from said variable geometry chamber is or is in communication with an outlet nozzle, catheter, skin penetrating needle, skin scratch needle or other like device.
Preferably the docking collar is associated with a shroud, housing, barrel or other surround having (preferably resilient) fingers or other means capable of supporting in part the body region of a necked container of a range of sizes. Preferably said dispensing apparatus is of a kind substantially as hereinafter described with or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
In still a further aspect the present invention consists in, in an assembly for docking a container (preferably a necked container), the use of a retention collar to surround at least part of the container as it is being docked and when docked such that the collar retains, at least in part, the container.
Preferably said collar is resilient at least in part.
Preferably said collar includes elements each of which is to contact the container as it is being docked.
In a further aspect the present invention consists in, in combination, dispensing apparatus as previously defined and a said replaceable suitable (preferably necked) container.
Preferably said combination is assembled with said intake needle or other conduit penetrating a needle penetrable seal of said replaceable container. Preferably said replaceable container is in the form of a bottle (glass, metal or plastic) having a neck leading to a retention head or rib about the mouth thereof.
Preferably the docking means is such as to provide for a clip fit engagement of retention members behind said head or rib on opposite sides of the container to hold the same docked in use. Preferably the apparatus is such that at least part of said docking is associable by an engagement with and thus is dissociable from the remainder of said dispensing apparatus, e.g. by a screw thread engagement.
In some preferred forms of the present invention, particularly with containers of a larger volume and thus weight, a mere resilient retention by a unitary or assembled retention ring may provide insufficient purchase to ensure a stable support of the full container even in conjunction with outwardly applied location fingers of the shroud, housing, barrel or the like and in some circumstances therefore a manually actuable retention feature derived from our variant as disclosed in our aforementioned WO 01/14208 might additionally be appropriate. For this purpose therefore the full content of that specification is hereby here included by way of reference.
In still a further aspect the present invention consists of apparatus suitable for retro fitting or association with a dispensing apparatus to provide the docking and/or retention collar of apparatus as previously defined.
In another aspect the invention is a moulding or mouldings having some or all of the features of retention/release/association importance shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.
In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a docking substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of dispensing a liquid which comprises engaging so as to dock a source of said liquid in a replaceable necked container with an integral retention head with a retention collar of dispensing apparatus so as to allow a draw off needle or other conduit to penetrate the container, dispensing liquid drawn from said replaceable container via said needle or other conduit from the apparatus, and thereafter forcibly removing the container with a reduced or depleted liquid content from the dispensing apparatus. In still a further aspect an assembly for docking a complementary container, said assembly having beyond a container locator a container head retention collar deformable outwardly to allow a clip fit retention against removal without deformation of the collar.
Preferably the retention collar is integrally moulded yet has localised regions, each carrying a retention element capable of being pressed and/or twisted outwardly to allow said clip fit.
As used herein "and/or" means "and" or "or", or, if the context allows, both.
As used herein "9s)" following a noun means either or both the singular and plural forms of the noun.
To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.
The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.
One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a an exploded perspective view of a docking assembly of the present invention showing from the right a docking housing which defines an annular cavity at least in part to locate the preferably unitary moulded collar retention ring, the collar retention ring itself, and a base associable by welding adhesion or other inter-engagement with the docking housing so as to confer a screw thread engagability thereof with a suitable applicator apparatus (such as any of those disclosed in the aforementioned patent specifications, the full content of which is hereby here included by way of reference) and
Figure 2 is the apparatus of Figure 1 in its assembled form with an appropriately necked container located resiliently therein and from which it can be pulled. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the preferred form of the present invention a docking housing 1 is provided having a collar retention ring 6 and an end 3 into which a container such as 18 can be inserted. The container has a neck region 4 and a neck flange or head or other formation 5 to be docked and retained by the collar retention ring 6. The overall assembly being seen includes not only the collar retention ring 6 but also a threaded base member 7 having threads 8 adapted for attaching the overall assembly as in Figure 2 to the male thread of a dispensing apparatus when attached the dispensing apparatus will present a needle or conduit into the penetratable region 9 of the container 3 when it is held in position as in Figure 2. Shown in Figure 1 is the annular cavity 10 into which the retention ring 6 is receivable such that parts 11 thereof (the elements) in part protrude out of gaps 12 so as to be contactable as shown in Figure 2 with the head or flange region 5 of the necked container.
Each such element includes a retention region 13 to underlie the face (curving, angled and/or otherwise) of the head 5 of the container 3. Linking regions 14 each support an element such that the inward bowing of each linking region in part prior to reaching a node or the like commencement of a second bowing to another element provides sufficient resilience when the material (being a suitable plastics) is utilised.
The provision of the region 15 is such that it bears against the outer wall defining the cavity 10 so that the docking member 1 itself provides a reactive force in the inward direction to counter the camming pressure from a container being inserted so as to ensure the resilient retention thereof.
Resistance to axial forces on the member 6 is forthcoming from the placement of the end base member 7. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how other features can be incorporated in the structure including for example, flexible fingers 16 to assist in the location of the main body of a container 3 whilst it is retained.
The components are preferably moulded in any of several suitable resilient plastics materials (e.g. a polycarbonate).

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A fast fit assembly adapted to dock a necked container characterised in that the assembly includes. a resilient collar which includes an array of elements, each said element with a form to be moved outwardly radially against a bias as a container is being axially docked until each moves inwardly radially with the bias to capture (at least in part) a neck flange or the equivalent of the container (hereafter "head") by its underface, each said element being integral with and/or supported by linking regions, there being in the collar sufficient deformability to allow both the docking movement as aforesaid and to allow a docked container to be moved free from the elements.
2. A fast fit assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient collar is moulded and is of a kind having elements and/or a ring form and/or a ring form/element inter-relationship.
3. A fast fit assembly as claimed in claim 1 to 2 wherein the collar has linking regions for each of said elements such that each region can be supported against a surround and each such region can be urged by forces on the element to deform outwardly.
4. A fast fit assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein each said the region curves inwardly.
5. A fast fit assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the docking collar is associated with a shroud, housing, barrel or other surround having fingers or other means capable of supporting in part the body region of a necked container of a range of sizes.
6. A fast fit assembly of claim 5 wherein said fingers are resilient.
7. A fast fit assembly for association with dispensing apparatus, said assembly including a member or assembly defining a shroud, housing or the like (hereafter "housing") adapted to receive an axially advanced necked container from one end towards the end thereof ("the attachment end") to be associated directly or indirectly with the dispensing apparatus, and at or adjacent the attachment end, a container neck and/or head retention collar having a plurality of retention elements each supported so as to be resiliently outwardly moveable under forces applied thereto during the insertion or removal of the necked container.
8. A fast fit assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein each said element includes a configuration adapted to retain, at least in part, a flange or head of the necked container by an underface to hold the same in retention in the assembly.
9. A fast fit assembly as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein said collar is a unitary moulded member or is an assembly of components
10. A fast fit assembly as claimed in any one of claim 7 to 9 wherein said collar is at least primarily located in an annular cavity of the housing. 11. A fast fit assembly as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein at least part of each said element extends radially inwardly through a wall which in part defines said annular cavity.
12. A fast fit assembly as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the docking collar is associated with a shroud, housing, barrel or other surround having fingers or other means capable of supporting in part the body region of a necked container of a range of sizes.
13. As a moulded item, a shroud or housing member substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A collar retention ring substantially of a form as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings irrespective of whether or not a unitary moulded member or not.
15. An assembly which includes a collar retention ring or the like, being an assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
16. A dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid to be drawn from a replaceable necked container of a kind having a head, said apparatus having a docking into which a suitable said container can be substantially axially advanced and push engaged and retained thereby (alone or with other retention capability as well) and from which such a suitable container can be disengaged by a prying and/or pulling movement of said suitable container relative to the docking, said docking having a retention collar to surround the container neck and/or head with retention elements thereof capable of in part contacting and/or in part underlying the underface of the head when a container is properly docked, said elements being movable outwardly against their resilience and/or resilience of collar links between such elements, an intake needle or other conduit adapted to penetrate into a suitable said container as it is being and/or when docked by said docking, and a chamber of variable volume capable of being varied as to volume by an operator of the apparatus (i) to draw liquid via said intake needle or other conduit into said chamber as it is enlarged from a said docked container into which said needle or other conduit penetrates in use and
(ii) to express previously drawn in liquid from said chamber via an outlet from said chamber as the chamber is reduced in volume.
17. Dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid to be drawn from a replaceable necked container of a kind having a head, said apparatus having a docking assembly into which a suitable said container can be substantially axially advanced and push engaged and retained (at least in part by such interaction) and from which such a suitable container can be disengaged by a prying and/or pulling movement of said suitable container relative to the docking, said docking having a retention collar to surround the container neck and/or head with retention elements thereof capable of (at least in part) contacting and/or (at least in part) underlying the underface of the head when a container is properly docked, said elements being movable outwardly against at least resilience of collar links between such elements, an intake needle or other conduit adapted to penetrate into a suitable said container as it is being and/or when docked by said docking, and a chamber of variable volume capable of being varied as to volume by an operator of the apparatus
(i) to draw liquid via said intake needle or other conduit into said chamber as it is enlarged from a said docked container into which said needle or other conduit penetrates in use and (ii) to express previously drawn in liquid from said chamber via an outlet from said chamber as the chamber is reduced in volume.
18. A dispensing apparatus of claim 17 wherein said retention collar is moulded and said elements move outwardly against reactive forces from parts of the docking assembly in addition to those of the collar links. 19. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18 wherein said variable geometry chamber takes the form of a barrel or cylinder, the volume of which is variable under the action of a piston.
20. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19 said piston is directly operable using a hand operated means of actuation e.g. a trigger, squeezable handle or the like with a bias return.
21. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20 said outlet from said variable geometry chamber is or is in communication with an outlet nozzle, catheter, skin penetrating needle, skin scratch needle or other like device.
22. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21 the docking collar is associated with a shroud, housing, barrel or other surround having fingers or other means capable of supporting in part the body region of a necked container of a range of sizes. 23. In combination, dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a said replaceable suitable container.
24. Apparatus suitable for retro fitting or association with a dispensing apparatus to provide the docking and/or retention collar of dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to
22. 25. A moulding or mouldings having some or all of the features of retention/release/association importance shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
26. A docking substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 27. A method of dispensing a liquid which comprises docking a replaceable necked container having a retention head with a retention collar as with dispensing apparatus so as to allow a draw off needle or other conduit to penetrate the container, dispensing liquid drawn from said replaceable container via said needle or other conduit from the apparatus, and thereafter forcibly removing the container with a reduced or depleted liquid content from the dispensing apparatus.
28. A method of claim 27 which involves the use of dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 2. 29. An assembly for docking a complementary container, said assembly having beyond a container locator a container head retention collar deformable outwardly to allow a clip fit retention against removal without deformation of the collar.
30. An assembly of claim 29 wherein the retention collar is integrally moulded yet has localised regions, each carrying a retention element capable of being pressed and/or twisted outwardly to allow said clip fit.
EP03741695A 2002-07-11 2003-07-11 Fast fit bottle mount Withdrawn EP1546022A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ52011302 2002-07-11
NZ52011302 2002-07-11
PCT/NZ2003/000151 WO2004007342A1 (en) 2002-07-11 2003-07-11 Fast fit bottle mount

Publications (2)

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EP1546022A1 EP1546022A1 (en) 2005-06-29
EP1546022A4 true EP1546022A4 (en) 2005-08-10

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03741695A Withdrawn EP1546022A4 (en) 2002-07-11 2003-07-11 Fast fit bottle mount

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US (1) US20060043051A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1546022A4 (en)
AU (1) AU2003281052A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004007342A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004007342A1 (en) 2004-01-22
US20060043051A1 (en) 2006-03-02
EP1546022A1 (en) 2005-06-29
AU2003281052A1 (en) 2004-02-02

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