AU2022203268A1

AU2022203268A1 - A liquid dispenser and method of use

Info

Publication number: AU2022203268A1
Application number: AU2022203268A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Fleming Buckley; Brent Rutherford
Original assignee: TE PARI PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: TE PARI PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-14
Filing date: 2022-05-16
Publication date: 2023-01-05
Also published as: GB202207140D0; GB2609535A

Abstract

A liquid dispenser that utilises water tension to halt flow of liquid when a liquid source is no longer delivered yet, provides a steady flow of liquid when liquid is delivered is described. In one embodiment the liquid dispenser may comprise a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to a liquid source; and a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber may be positioned above the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber may have an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction relative to the liquid dispenser position. Also described is an animal handling device for delivery of liquids to an animal and methods of use of the liquid dispenser. 16 3/6 bI 6 6 9 9 8 8 8 8 3 6 9 6 9 6 6 9 9 3 FIG. 3

Description

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A LIQUID DISPENSER AND METHOD OF USE RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application derives priority from New Zealand patent application number 777184 filed on 14 June

2021 with WIPO DAS number EC6B incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Described herein is a liquid dispenser and method of use. More specifically, a liquid dispenser is

described that utilises water tension to halt flow of liquid when a liquid source is no longer delivered yet,

provides a steady flow of liquid when liquid is delivered. Methods of use of the liquid dispenser are

provided along with a specific example of use of the liquid dispenser in an animal handling device for

delivery of liquids to an animal.

BACKGROUND ART

Liquid dispensers are widely used in industry to deliver liquids. Liquids dispensed may be varied

including medications, foods, chemical solutions, biological solutions and so on. Liquid dispensers may

be handheld or remote and are generally characterised in either case by dispensing liquid from an

opening or openings in or on the liquid dispenser, liquid being delivered from a holding chamber or

remote liquid source.

Handheld dispensers offer the advantage of portability. They also offer the flexibility to dispense liquids

in a variety of places and scenarios. Remote dispensers are generally fixed or move according to a fixed

path e.g. on a rail. Remote dispensers are generally not portable and only dispense liquids in a particular

place, that place dependent on the dispenser location and hence, the surface or item to which the liquid

is dispensed is generally a moving or conveyed surface or item.

Hereafter, the description provided uses the context of an animal handler and delivery of liquid animal

medicament to an animal however, this should not be seen as limiting since the same liquid dispensers

may be used for dispensing many other types of liquid and for use in many other applications.

Animal handlers typically comprises a chute with sides and ends that an animal passes through. Along

the chute are located animal restraint members that act to releasably hold an animal in place while the

animal is in the chute. Many examples of animal handlers and restraint members exist in the art. As the

animal passes through the animal handler and/or while restrained in the animal handler, various actions

may be undertaken such as animal health checks, minor surgery, animal ID checks, animal weight and

body mass checks, administration of medicament and so on. Ideally, the actions undertaken on the

animal avoid the animal handler operator getting close to the animal while the animal is in the handler to minimise any danger to the operator and to minimise animal stress. Remote automation of various animal treatments that occur relative to an animal in an animal handler may therefore may an advantage as this distances people from the animal.

A common method of dispensing medicament to an animal may be via a so-called pour-on or spot-on

treatment. In this case, the medicament is in a liquid or semi-liquid form and it is dispensed onto the

back of an animal to be treated. The liquid passes through to the animal bloodstream via the skin i.e. it

is a transdermal liquid or transdermal active. Liquid pour-on medicament is common for dispensing

anthelmintic containing solutions widely used for treatment of parasitic infections. Other medicaments

may also be applied transdermally such as vitamin and mineral supplements and reference to

anthelmintic dispensing should not be seen as limiting.

Typically, pour-on liquids are dispensed from a hand held dispensing 'gun', the gun comprising a liquid

source, a trigger that the operator pulls to actuate delivery of a dose of liquid medicament from the gun

outlet. This method of dispensing a pour-on liquid is not ideal since it requires the operator to reach

through rails in an animal handler device to move the gun near the animal and to dispense the liquid

from the gun to the animal's back. This action of bringing the operator close to the restrained animal

may also cause stress to the animal. Animals in the device, even when restrained, may still be able to

move to some extent. If an animal moves when the operator has their arm close to the animal, the

operators arm may be injured by being caught between the animal and an animal device rail. A further

issue is that the operator must move their arm to draw a line on the animal's back of dispensed liquid. In

practice, the line often becomes a spot or unevenly distributed liquid volume/concentration to the

animal's back leading to uneven dosing or localised irritation of the animal from side effects of a high

localised dose. A yet further drawback of a gun dispenser is that repeated trigger actuation may be a

cause of operator occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) injury.

A gun, such as that described above, does have the advantage however that liquid may be dispensed in

dosed amounts repetitively. The gun also comprises valves and closure systems to prevent dripping or

loss of liquid beyond that dosed. Remote systems using hoses or taps may be harder to actuate, require

expensive parts and materials needing regular servicing and yet, despite all of this, may still be prone to

leaking or dripping.

Ideally, liquid dispensing would be remotely automated, not drip when liquid does not flow, minimise

operator contact with a restrained animal, be an even dose to a prescribed area of animal skin and,

eliminate risk of OOS injury, or at least provide the public with a choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the liquid dispenser and method of use will become apparent from

the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY

Described herein is a liquid dispenser that utilises water tension to halt flow of liquid when a liquid

source is no longer delivered yet, provides a steady flow of liquid when liquid is delivered. Methods of

use of the liquid dispenser are provided along with a specific example of use of the dispenser in an

animal handling device for delivery of liquids to an animal.

In a first aspect, there is provided a liquid dispenser configured to dispense a liquid therefrom,

comprising:

a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to a liquid source; and

a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber;

wherein:

the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and

the second fluid chamber has an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid

dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a

downward vertical direction relative to a position of the liquid dispenser.

In a second aspect, there is provided an animal handler comprising:

an enclosure configured to releasably retain an animal therein; and

a liquid dispenser mounted on the animal handler above a retained animal position;

the liquid dispenser configured to dispense liquid to an animal retained in the animal handler

from a liquid source, the liquid dispenser comprising:

a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to the liquid source; and

a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber wherein, the

second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and

wherein the second fluid chamber has an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid

from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being

dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction onto an animal retained in the

animal handler.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method of dispensing a liquid, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a liquid dispenser substantially as described above;

dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of treating a non-human animal, the method comprising

the steps of:

providing an animal handler with a liquid dispenser substantially as described above; allowing a non-human animal to enter and be retained in the animal handler; dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser to the non-human animal in the animal handler.

Advantages of the above liquid dispenser and methods of use may include but not be limited to:

- Absence of use of taps, valves or other flow shutting mechanisms about the liquid outlet;

- Absence of dripping of liquid from the dispenser, a point of particular importance where

medication or potentially harmful liquids may be dispensed from the liquid dispenser;

- The ability to integrate the liquid dispenser into an animal handler and allow for remote

operation, thereby increasing the versatility of an animal handler and minimising the labour

required to dispense liquids to an animal;

- The ability to control spread of the liquid along a discrete span of distance and preventing

uneven or localised variations in liquid volume/concentration on a surface or animal to which

the liquid is dispensed to.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the liquid dispenser and method of use will become apparent from the following

description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in

which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic plan view of one embodiment of the liquid dispenser as used in an

animal handler;

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic side view of the above embodiment of liquid dispenser as used in an

animal handler;

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the liquid dispenser as used in

an animal handler, the liquid dispenser split into two sections (upper view) and four sections (lower

view);

Figure 4 illustrates a detail perspective view from below of a further embodiment of liquid dispenser;

Figure 5 illustrates a detail from view of the above further embodiment of Figure 4;

Figure 6 illustrates a detail cross-section side view of the further embodiment of Figure 4;

Figure 7 illustrates a detail perspective view from below of a yet further embodiment of liquid dispenser;

Figure 8 illustrates a detail from view of the above further embodiment of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 illustrates a detail cross-section side view of the second embodiment of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, described herein is a liquid dispenser that utilises water tension to halt flow of liquid

when a liquid source is no longer delivered yet, provides a steady flow of liquid when liquid is delivered.

Methods of use of the liquid dispenser are provided along with a specific example of use of the dispenser

in an animal handling device for delivery of liquids to an animal.

For the purposes of this specification, the term 'about' or 'approximately' and grammatical variations

thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount,

weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1% to a reference

quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or

length.

The term 'substantially' or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about 50%, for example 75%,

85%, 95% or 98%.

The term 'comprise'and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will

be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other

non-specified components or elements.

A liquid dispenser

comprising:

a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to a liquid source; and

a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber;

wherein:

the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and

downward vertical direction relative to a position of the liquid dispenser.

No taps or valves

As may be appreciated, the above described liquid dispenser does not require, and is absent, of the use

of taps or valves. In the inventor's experience, the design avoids these flow restricting members yet

avoids dripping occurring. This may be a significant advantage over art dispensers since it removes the

need for more capital cost and avoids maintenance costs of such devices. The design also eliminates any

moving parts and, as a result, reduces cost of manufacture and cost of maintenance as well. Careful design means that dripping of liquid from the liquid dispenser once a flow is stopped is minimised or even avoided altogether.

Size/volume/shape

The second fluid chamber may be smaller than the first fluid chamber.

A volume of the first fluid chamber may be greater than a volume of the second fluid chamber.

The first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber may be cylindrical and a cross-sectional diameter

of the first fluid chamber may be greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber.

A cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber may be greater than a cross-sectional diameter

of the outlet.

A volume of the first fluid chamber may be 1.5 to 3 times as large, or approximately twice as large, as a

volume of the second fluid chamber.

A cross-sectional diameter of the first fluid chamber may be 2 to 4 times larger than a cross-sectional

diameter of the outlet.

A cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber is 1.1 to 2 times larger than a cross-sectional

diameter of the outlet.

In one embodiment, the first fluid chamber may have a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 4mm,

the cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber may be approximately 2mm and the cross

sectional diameter of the outlet may be approximately 1.5mm.

The liquid dispenser in cross-section may have an inverted L-shape with a lower part of the inverted L

shape and a upper part ofthe inverted L-shape; and

wherein the lower part of the inverted L-shape comprising the first fluid chamber and, the

upper part of the inverted L-shape comprising the second fluid chamber and, the outlet being at an end

of the inverted L-shape of the liquid dispenser.

Liquid source

The liquid dispenser may be fluidly connected to a liquid source and the liquid source, when actuated,

may be configured to direct liquid to the first fluid chamber, to the second fluid chamber and, out of the

outlet of the liquid dispenser. Flow may be in series from the first to the second fluid chamber and out

of the outlet.

The liquid source may be moved to the first fluid chamber via a pump.

Liquid type

The liquid that may be dispensed from the liquid dispenser may have varying rheology.

In one embodiment, the liquid is a Newtonian liquid. In other embodiments, the liquid may have shear

thinning or shear thickening properties. The nature of the dual chamber design and outlet position and

size and an absence of valves or taps means that the liquid dispenser is very versatile and can be used for

varying liquid rheology without issues of clogging and wear out of parts. All that may be important is

that the liquid dispensed has a degree of surface tension akin to water so that, when liquid flow stops,

any liquid left in the chambers is either held in place by surface tension about the outlet and/or any

residual flow is limited only to what remains in the second fluid chamber.

In terms of viscosity, the liquid dispenser may be used to dispense liquids of highly variable viscosity, for

example viscosities of 500 to 6000cPs. In one embodiment, the liquid viscosity may approach that of

water but variation in viscosity can easily be managed by the liquid dispenser based on the nature of the

design and no or minimal dripping occur, yet taps, valves and so on are absent from the construction of

the liquid dispenser described herein.

The term 'liquid' or grammatical variations as used herein refers to solutions that flow. The solutions

may flow at ambient temperature or pressure. Alternatively, the liquid dispenser may be used in non

ambient conditions e.g. at vacuum or elevated pressure and/or at reduced or elevated temperatures. As

may be appreciated, some compounds behave as a liquid and flow at non-ambient pressure and

temperature however, still may be dispensed at these conditions via the liquid dispenser. The term

'liquid' as used in the context of this specification also encompasses solutions containing solids therein

such as suspensions, emulsions, particulate solutions, or microparticulate solutions. These types of

solution with solids entrained therein still flow and may behave like a liquid albeit they contain a liquid

and solid mixture. It is envisaged that it may be an advantage to dispense liquid/solid mixtures via the

liquid dispenser described herein. Art dispensers often struggle to dispense solutions with solids therein

since the solids may clog or block taps, valves, tight bends in fluid connections and so on. Fouling or

tubes from solids entrained in liquids is a further drawback of existing art dispensers. The described

liquid dispenser does away with the need for taps and valves that may become clogged. The fluid

connections are also relatively large compared to the size of entrained solid particles in such solutions

and hence, fouling of the chambers or outlet may be unlikely.

Head pressure

A liquid head pressure of liquid in the second fluid chamber may be lower than a liquid head pressure of

liquid in the first fluid chamber.

The second fluid chamber may be positioned 1-5mm, or 1.5 to 2.5mm, or approximately 2mm, above the

first fluid chamber.

Liquid held in secondfluid chamber

Surface tension of liquid in the second fluid chamber may retain liquid in the second fluid chamber when

liquid does not flow from the liquid dispenser.

Any dripping from the liquid dispenser (if any) may be limited to the volume of liquid in the second fluid

chamber.

Outlet

The outlet may be configured so that liquid dispensed from the outlet is dispensed at a velocity where

liquid dispensed does not splash off a substrate to which the liquid is dispensed. Outlet size and form

such as the configurations described above may provide the desired velocity.

Multiplefirst or secondfluid chambers

The liquid dispenser may comprise one first fluid chamber and multiple second fluid chambers and

outlets.

The liquid dispenser may comprise an elongated first fluid chamber with multiple second fluid chambers

and outlets extending from the first fluid dispenser. In one embodiment, the elongated first fluid

chamber may be cylindrical in shape. The first fluid chamber may be fluidly linked to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,

or 9, 10 second fluid chambers. The second fluid chambers may be spaced along a first fluid chamber

longitudinal length. The second fluid chambers may be evenly spaced apart along the first fluid chamber

longitudinal length.

In an alternative embodiment, the liquid dispenser may comprise a frame with multiple first and second

fluid chambers and outlets attached to the frame.

In a yet further alternative, the liquid dispenser may comprise multiple first fluid chambers linked to a

single second fluid chamber (e.g. an elongated tube) and at least one outlet from the single second fluid

chamber.

Substrate

The liquid dispenser may be mounted above a substrate to which liquid is to be applied.

The substrate may be an animal but may also be other substrates like the ground (e.g. as an irrigator or

fertiliser dispenser), foods, a conveyer belt etc. Reference to an animal should not be seen as limiting.

Level

In order to minimise or avoid dripping of liquid from the liquid dispenser outlet(s), the liquid dispenser may be relatively level relative to the substrate or ground beneath the liquid dispenser. In one embodiment, the outlet may be a hole of a defined diameter and the hole is generally aligned with a horizontal plane. The alignment noted may be +/- 0 to 10%, or 0-5%, or approximately 5% in gradient relative to a horizontal plane based on testing completed by the inventors. As a result, some degree of variation from a purely horizontal plane may occur and operation of the liquid dispenser may occur as designed for including no or minimal dripping from the liquid dispenser when liquid is not being dispensed. This degree of tolerance may be useful where the liquid dispenser is used in environments where the ground on which the liquid dispenser is mounted is not even.

An animal handler

In a second aspect, there is provided an animal handler comprising:

an enclosure configured to releasably retain an animal therein; and

the liquid dispenser configured to dispense liquid to an animal retained in the animal handler from a liquid source, the liquid dispenser comprising:

a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to the liquid source; and

a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber wherein, the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and

wherein the second fluid chamber has an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction onto an animal retained in the animal handler.

The liquid source may be metered to the liquid dispenser.

Surface tension of liquid in the second fluid chamber may retain any remaining liquid in the second fluid chamber when liquid flow is not actuated or flowing from the liquid dispenser.

The position of the liquid dispenser relative to the animal handler may vary depending on the animal position within the animal handler. The position of liquid dispensing may also be adjusted by altering the outlet(s) from which liquid is dispensed. For example, in one embodiment where smaller or shorter animals are to be treated, it may be useful to disconnect a last second chamber and outlet unit in a liquid dispenser with multiple outlets (unit four for example in a row of four second chamber and outlet units). Conversely, for animals that are not in a head bail and that may be positioned further back in the animal handler, it may be useful to be able to disconnect the first second chamber and outlet unit (unit one in a row of four second chambers and outlets).

Method of dispensing liquid

In a third aspect, there is provided a method of dispensing a liquid, the method comprising:

providing a liquid dispenser substantially as described above;

dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser.

Method of treating a non-human animal

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of treating a non-human animal, the method comprising:

providing an animal handler with a liquid dispenser substantially as described above;

allowing a non-human animal to enter and be retained in the animal handler;

dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser to the non-human animal in the animal handler.

- Absence of use of taps, valves or other flow shutting mechanisms about the liquid outlet and

associated problems with blockages, extra capital expenses and so on; - Absence of dripping of liquid from the dispenser, a point of particular importance where

medication or potentially harmful liquids may be dispensed from the liquid dispenser; - The ability to integrate the liquid dispenser into an animal handler and allow for remote

operation thereby increasing the versatility of an animal handler and minimising the labour

required to dispense liquids to an animal; - The ability to control spread of the liquid along a discrete span of distance and preventing

the liquid is dispensed to.

The embodiments described above may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and

features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and

any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features.

Further, where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which

the embodiments relate, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually

set forth.

WORKING EXAMPLES

The above described liquid dispenser and methods of use are now described by reference to specific

examples.

EXAMPLE 1

In this example a first embodiment is shown of the liquid dispenser as used in an animal handler. Figure

1 illustrates a schematic plan view of the liquid dispenser as used in an animal handler and Figure 2

illustrates a schematic side view of the of liquid dispenser as used in an animal handler.

The animal handler 1 comprises an animal 2 located in the animal handler 1. The animal handler 1 is

defined by side walls 3 and ends 4 along with some form of animal 2 restraining means, in this case

shown as a headbail 5. Other restraining means may be used such as end 4 gates (not shown) or a

moving side wall (not shown) that presses against the animal 2 side.

A liquid dispenser 6 is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 as an elongated rail with multiple outlets 7 that

dispense liquid 8 from the liquid dispenser 6 during liquid 8 dispensing. The liquid dispenser 6 may be

suspended above the animal handler 1 via a frame (not shown) extending from the animal handler 1 or

by other means. The liquid dispenser 6 is however located above the animal 2 when the animal 2 is in a

restrained position within the animal handler 1 in this embodiment and the liquid dispenser 6 itself does

not move, instead relying on the animal 2 moving to the correct position below the liquid dispenser 6.

As may be appreciated, the liquid dispenser 6 could be designed to move, for example in a reciprocal

manner back and forth along a rail on which the liquid dispenser 6 may be mounted.

Inlet liquid 9 may be supplied to one end of the liquid dispenser 6 shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 as from

one end of the liquid dispenser 6. Inlet liquid 9 during supply may pass through the liquid dispenser 6

and out the outlets 7 falling to the animal 2 back. Outlet 7 location and spread along the liquid dispenser

6 length may determine the position of liquid landing on the animal's 2 back and hence concentration

and distribution of liquid on the animal 2. A pump or other supply option (not shown) to drive inlet

liquid 9 flow to the liquid dispenser 6 may actuate liquid 8 flow. The pump or other supply option may

be located distant to the animal 2 and animal handler 1.

As shown, the outlets 7 are permanently open and the liquid dispenser 6 does not have any taps or other

closures. When inlet liquid 9 flow stops, flow of liquid 8 from the outlets 7 halts or at least is minimised

by the liquid dispenser 6 design. In particular, it is understood by the inventors that flow halts due to the

design shape and dual chamber configuration plus due to water surface tension effects and hydrostatic

head pressure between the two fluid chambers. These design aspects are described further below.

EXAMPLE 2

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic side view of two alternative embodiments of the liquid dispenser 6 as

used in an animal handler 1, the liquid dispenser 1 split into two sections (upper view) and four sections

(lower view). In Figures 1 and 2, only a single section of rail is used for the liquid dispenser 6, the rail

having a single first fluid chamber (described further below), and multiple second fluid chambers and

outlets (again described further below).

As shown in Figure 3, the rail that defines the liquid dispenser 6 length may be broken into smaller parts

e.g. one first fluid chamber and two second fluid chambers and two outlets 7 or four first fluid chambers

and four second fluid chambers and four outlets 7.

Figures 1-3 show an embodiment where the second fluid chamber is linked to a single outlet and this

second fluid chamber and outlet unit is then linked to one first fluid chamber or multiple second fluid

chamber and outlet units to a single first fluid chamber. As may be appreciated, the second fluid

chamber may have multiple outlets and/or be linked to multiple first fluid chambers.

EXAMPLE 3

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a detail views of one embodiment of the liquid dispenser 6 shown in Example

1. As shown, the liquid dispenser 6 has a first fluid chamber 20 fluidly connected to an inlet liquid source

(not shown). The liquid dispenser 6 also has a second fluid chamber 21fluidly connected to the first fluid

chamber 20. The second fluid chamber 21is positioned above the first fluid chamber 20 in use. The

second fluid chamber 21 has an outlet 7, the outlet 7 is oriented to dispense liquid (not shown) from the

liquid dispenser 6 when liquid is dispensed, liquid being dispensed from the outlet 7 in a downward

vertical direction relative to the liquid dispenser 6 position. As shown, the first fluid chamber 20 is an

elongated tube, the tube interior defining the first fluid chamber 20 volume. Multiple second fluid

chamber 21 and outlet 7 units are attached to the one first fluid chamber 20.

The second fluid chambers 21 and smaller than the first fluid chambers 20. When filled, the fluid level at

the outlet 7 is higher than the fluid level in the first fluid chamber 20. In this embodiment, there is a

relatively tortuous path between the chambers 20, 21 separating the smaller second fluid chamber 21

from the first fluid chamber 20 creating a more difficult path for air to enter the chambers 20, 21and

cause dripping.

The diameter of the first fluid chamber 20 is approximately two times larger than the volume of the

second fluid chamber 21. The diameter of the first fluid chamber 20 is 2 to 4 times larger than the

diameter of the outlet 7. The diameter of the second fluid chamber 21 may be 1.1 to 2 times larger than

the diameter of the outlet 7.

As shown in Figures 4-6, the first fluid chamber 20 has a diameter of approximately 4mm, the diameter

of the second fluid chamber 21 is approximately 2mm and the diameter of the outlet 7 is approximately

1.5mm.

The liquid dispenser 6 best seen on Figure 6 in cross-section has an inverted L-shape, the lower part 22

of the L-shape comprising the first fluid chamber 20 and the upper part 23 of the L-shape comprising the

second fluid chamber 21 and the outlet 7 being at the end 24 of the inverted L-shape.

EXAMPLE 4

Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the liquid dispenser 6. In this embodiment,

the liquid dispenser 6 is similar to that described above in Example 3 with the liquid dispenser 6 also

having a first fluid chamber 30 and a second fluid chamber 31. In this embodiment, the overall shape of

the liquid dispenser 6 in cross-section is still an inverted L-shape however the shape, best seen in Figure

9 is more rounded in nature with a smooth fluid path between the chambers 30, 31. The distance in

height between the chambers 30, 31 may be slightly greater than that of the embodiment shown in

Example 3. As illustrated by this Example, the form of the liquid dispensers 6 may vary within the main

design parameters noted above.

Aspects of liquid dispenser and methods of use have been described by way of example only and it

should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from

the scope of the claims herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A liquid dispenser configured to dispense a liquid therefrom, comprising:

a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to a liquid source; and

a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber;

wherein:

the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and

downward vertical direction relative to a position of the liquid dispenser.

2. The liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid dispenser is absent of taps and valves.

3. The liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second fluid chamber is smaller than the first

fluid chamber.

4. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a volume of the first fluid chamber is greater than a

volume of the second fluid chamber.

5. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber

are cylindrical and a cross-sectional diameter of the first fluid chamber is greater than a cross-sectional

diameter of the second fluid chamber.

6. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid

chamber is greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the outlet.

7. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a volume of the first fluid chamber is 1.5 to 3 times as

large as a volume of the second fluid chamber.

8. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the first fluid chamber is

2 to 4 times larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the outlet.

9. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid

chamber is 1.1 to 2 times larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the outlet.

10. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein the liquid dispenser in cross-section has an inverted

L-shape with a lower part of the inverted L-shape and a upper part of the inverted L-shape; and

of the inverted L-shape of the liquid dispenser.

11. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein the liquid dispenser is fluidly connected to a liquid

source and the liquid source, when actuated, is configured to direct liquid to the first fluid chamber, to the second fluid chamber and, out of the outlet of the liquid dispenser.

12. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a liquid head pressure of liquid in the second fluid

chamber is lower than a liquid head pressure of liquid in the first fluid chamber.

13. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein surface tension of liquid in the second fluid chamber

retains liquid in the second fluid chamber when liquid does not flow from the liquid dispenser.

14. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein the liquid dispenser comprises one first fluid

chamber and multiple second fluid chambers and outlets.

15. An animal handler comprising:

an enclosure configured to releasably retain an animal therein; and

from a liquid source, the liquid dispenser comprising:

a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to the liquid source; and

a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber, wherein the

second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and

animal handler.

16. The animal handler as claimed in claim 15 wherein the liquid source is metered to the liquid

dispenser.

17. A method of dispensing a liquid, the method comprising:

providing a liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 1;

dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser.

18. A method of treating a non-human animal, the method comprising:

providing an animal handler as claimed in 15;

allowing an animal to enter and be retained in the animal handler;

dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser to the animal in the animal handler.