GB2236094A

GB2236094A - Metering dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2236094A
Application number: GB8921283A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David William Thomson
Original assignee: ACW Ltd
Current assignee: ACW Ltd
Priority date: 1989-09-20
Filing date: 1989-09-20
Publication date: 1991-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-20
Also published as: GB2236094B; GB8921283D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser for flowable material such as cleaning liquid or fabric conditioner. The dispenser is received in a mouth of a container and is operated by the inversion of the container into a pouring attitude. The dispenser comprises a tubular receptacle (2) with a closed end (4) and an open end (6). A plurality of air ports (8) are provided at least one dosage level in the side wall of the receptacle (2). A tubular member (10), having an outwardly flanged wall member (12) dividing the receptacle into a first chamber (14) and a second chamber (16), passes through a closure cap (18) and forms a spout (20). The member (10) also provides passage means between the second chamber (16) and the spout (20). Liquid is dispensed from the spout from the second chamber (16) but while this occurs, a replacement dose of liquid is received in the first chamber (while inverted) upto the selected level of air port (8). Righting the container causes the dose in the first chamber (14) to transfer to the second chamber (16) for dispensing the next dosage. Holes at different levels may be selectively blanked off to change the dosage dispensed. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPENSER The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to dispensers for flowable materials, particularly but not exclusively, for use with metered doses of a liquid from a container thereof.

The invention provides a dispenser for flowable materials comprising a receptacle adapted to be mounted within a container adjacent a mouth portion thereof, said receptacle comprising a first, open chamber and a second closed chamber, said second chamber in use being spaced from the container mouth portion, spout means for delivery of a dose of said material from the dispenser, said spout means being provided in a closure member adapted to be received in use in the container mouth portion, first passage means providing communications between the spout means and the second chamber, second passage means adapted for communication between the first and second chambers being provided in a wall member dividing the second chamber from the first chamber, and air ports provided at a predetermined dosage level in a side wall portion of the first chamber, the construction and arrangement being such that in use in a first position in which the spout means is uppermost and the second chamber lowermost, said second chamber is charged with a dose of flowable material and in a second, inverted position, the material flows through the second passage means to the spout means simultaneously with further material from the container entering an opening of the first chamber and partially filling the first chamber until the level of the air ports is reached, and upon return to the first position, the material partially filling the first chamber flows through the second passage means to recharge the second chamber.

Advantageously, the receptacle may be a tubular member having said second chamber at a closed end thereof and the first chamber at an open end portion.

Preferably, the spout means and the first passage means comprise a pipe passing through the closure member and the first chamber, a flange provided on the inner end of the pipe extending outwardly therefrom to form said wall member. Conveniently an aperture in the wall member may provide said second passage means.

In one example of a dispenser according to the invention, the amount of the dose of flowable material dispensed may be adjusted by varying the effective level of operation of the air ports.

Two examples will now be described of dispensers according to the invention. it will be understood that the description which is intended to be read with reference to the drawings is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a first dispenser in an inverted position; Fig. 2 is a part-sectional view through the assembled dispenser in an upright position; Fig. 3 is a part-sectional view of a second dispenser having a variable dosage device; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the operation of the dosage device of Fig. 3.

The first example of the dispenser comprises a tubular receptacle 2 having a closed end 4 and an open end 6. A plurality of air ports 8 is provided at a predetermined level in the side wall of the receptacle 2.

Received within the receptacle 2 is a tubular member 10 having an outwardly flared flange 12 at one end thereof, the flange 12 forming a wall member within the receptacle to define a first chamber 14 and a second chamber 16. The member 10 passes through a closure means 18 and forms a spout 20. The closure means 18 is received as a force fit within a mouth portion of a container, shown in chain dotted lines at 22.

A first passage means, between the second chamber 16 and the spout 20, will be seen to be provided by the tubular member 10 and a second passage means, between the second chamber 16 and the first chamber 14 is provided by an aperture 24 in the wall member 12.

The correct location of the tubular member 10 with respect to the receptacle 2 is determined by the engagement of lugs 26 extending from the member 10 with an internal shoulder 28 formed at the open end 6 of the tubular member. An annular gap is formed between the closure member 18 and the open end 6 of the tubular member 10.

The operation of the dispenser will now be described.

A charge of x mls of liquid to be dispensed will be assumed to be present in the chamber 16 in the position shown in Fig. 2. In order to dispense the charge, the container 22 with its dispenser is inverted from the Fig.

2 position and the liquid flows from the chamber 16 through the tubular member 10 and out from the spout.

However, while the container 22 is in an inverted position, liquid stored therein also flows towards the mouth portion and enters the gap between the closure member 18 and the open end portion 6 of the receptacle 2 (see arrows A). This liquid then commences to fill the chamber 14 until the air ports 8 are covered. Thus the position of the air ports in the side walls of chamber 14 determine the amount of liquid entering the chamber.

When the container is returned to the position shown in Fig. 2, the liquid in the chamber 14 passes through the aperture 24 in the wall member 12 and thence to the chamber 16 where it remains until a further dose is required to be dispensed.

A second example of a dispenser is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The dispenser is in many respects similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and like parts are therefore given like reference numerals where appropriate.

The receptacle 2 of the second example is provided with an open position comprising apertures 30 through which liquid from the container 2.2 will enter the chamber 14 when the dispenser is in the inverted position.

However, the receptacle is further provided with an outwardly extending, reverted flange 32 which is accessible to a user for limited rotational movement of the receptacle with respect to the spout means 20 and the tubular member 10 for reasons to be explained below.

To permit the above mentioned rotational movement, the lugs 26 are lengthened so as to engage, not with the receptacle as before, but with an insert member 34 provided to encircle the tubular member at a region adjacent the spout 20 and to form a sealing fit in a mouth portion of the container (not shown). The lugs 26 extend through the apertures 30 which are circumferentially elongate to accommodate the movement of the receptacle relative to the tubular member.

Air ports 8 are provided in the side wall of the receptacle as before but in the present example are provided at three levels. These three levels correspond to various quantities of dosage of liquid from which a selection may be made by blanking off apertures at the levels not required.

To this end, two contoured blocks 36 are provided on the exterior of the tubular member 10 which blocks extend outwardly so as to contact the tubular member 10 in the region of the air ports 8. Rotation of the receptacle brings each of the blocks against apertures in two out of three of each level, corresponding to a dose quantity of x ml, Z ml and z ml according to which air port 8 is allowed to remain open. Thus, for example, when x mls is required, the receptacle will be rotated by finger contact with the flange 32 so that the air ports 8 are in the position A as shown in Fig. 4, position B and C corresponding with M and z ml dosages respectively.

However, it will be appreciated that, with either the first or second example should a lesser amount than the predetermined dose be required, either by itself or as an additional amount of "top-up", then a rapid inversion/return movement of the container will result in only a small quantity being dispensed.

This amount is drawn from the chamber 16 but is simultaneously replaced through the re-filling action, earlier described herein, so that when the dispenser is required for its next instance of use, the dosage it will then dispense is a complete one.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A dispenser for flowable materials comprising a receptacle adapted to be mounted within a container adjacent a mouth portion thereof, said receptacle comprising a first, open chamber and a second closed chamber, said second chamber in use being spaced from the container mouth portion, spout means for delivery of a dose of said material from the dispenser, said spout means being provided in a closure member adapted to be received in use in the container mouth portion, first passage means providing communications between the spout means and the second chamber, second passage means adapted for communication between the first and second chambers being provided in a wall member dividing the second chamber from the first chamber, and air ports provided at a predetermined dosage level in a side wall portion of the first chamber, the construction and arrangement being such that in use in a first position in which the spout means is uppermost and the second chamber lowermost, said second chamber is charged with a dose of flowable material and in a second, inverted position, the material flows through the second passage means to the spout means simultaneously with further material from the container entering an opening of the first chamber and partially filling the first chamber until the level of the air ports is reached, and upon return to the first position, the material partially filling the first chamber flows through the second passage means to recharge the second chamber.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spout means and the first passage means comprise a pipe passing through the closure member and the first chamber.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein a flange formed on the inner end of the pipe extends radially therefrom to form said wall member.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A dispenser for flowable materials comprising a receptacle adapted to be mounted within a container adjacent a mouth portion thereof, said receptacle comprising a first, open chamber and a second closed chamber, said second chamber in use being spaced from the container mouth portion, spout moans for delivery of a dose of said material from the dispenser, said spout means being provided in a closure member adapted to be received in use in the container mouth portion, first passage means providing communications between the spout means and the second chamber, second passage means adapted for communication between the first and second chambers being provided in a wall member dividing the second chamber from the first chamber, and air ports provided at one or more predetermined dosage level in a side wall portion of the first chamber, the construction and arrangement being such that in use in a first position in which the spout means is uppermost and the second chamber lowermost, said second chamber is charged with a dose of flowable material and in a second, inverted position, the material flows through the second passage means to the spout means simultaneously with further material from the container entering an opening of the first chamber and partially filling the first chamber until the appropriate level of the air ports is reached, and upon return to the first position, the material partially filling the first chamber flows through the second passage means to recharge the second chamber.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are provided at least two of said dosage levels, selector means being provided to select one operative level of said dosage levels.

3. A dispenser as claimed in clpim 2, wherein said selector means comprises means to blank off air ports provided at dosage levels other than the desired operative level.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3, wherein the selector means comprises a contoured block mounted for movement relative to th ports of the dosage levels.

5. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spout means and the first passage means comprise a pipe passing through the closure member and the first chamber.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein a flange formed on the inner end of the pipe extends radially therefrom to form said wall member.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the contoured blocks are mounted upon a pipe comprising said passage means and passing through the closure member and the first chamber.

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein at each dosage level there is provided a plurality of air ports, said movement of the block having a moment of rotary motion in order to select air ports in a desired one of each plurality of ports.

.9. A dispenser for flowable materials, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.