GB2067517A - Metering dispensers - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing assembly for squeeze bottles or similar hand-held dispensers comprises an open-topped cup (3) designed to fit into the neck of the bottle and having a dip tube (6) going down inside the bottle, the upper end of the dip tube passing up through the bottom of the cup and open to atmosphere at a level above the bottom of the cup but below the level of the open top of the cup. The user squeezes the bottle to force its contents up into the cup and the surplus, above the measured quantity, runs back down the dip tube, whereupon the user pours out the contents of the cup. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Metering dispensers This invention relates to a simple form of dis penser for enabling a userto measure out a pre determined quantity of liquid product. There is a need for such a dispenser in various domestic situations, for example in adding a liquid detergent to a washing machine or a dishwasher, or in dispensing liquid disinfectants or foodstuffs or medicines by the spoonful. Pouring from a bottle into a spoon or a smail measuring cup is troublesome, inaccurate and often leads to spillage. Commercial measuring devices such as liquid soap dispensers or optics used in bars are expensive and complex.

According to the invention there is proposed a cup designed for mounting in the neck of a squeeze bottle and carrying a dip tube designed to be substantially to the bottom of the interior of the bottle, the upper end of the dip tube projecting upwards through the bottom of the cup but being open to atmosphere at a point below the level of the top of the cup.

With the bottle held upright, the user squeezes the bottle to force its liquid contents up the dip tube to fill the cup. He stops squeezing before the liquid overflows the cup and then when he relaxes his grip the liquid level in the cup falls, the liquid flowing back into the bottle, until the open upper end of the dip tube is uncovered. The suck-backthen ceases and the user is left with a known quantity of liquid in the cup, which he can then pour out.

Preferably the top end of the dip tube is not open upwards, as a vigorous squeeze on the bottle would produce a jet of liquid; instead its top end is closed and there are lateral holes just below this top end.

The cup may incorporate an integral hinged cap, which forms a cap for the container itself.

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a section through a squeeze bottle fitted within a dispensing device according to the invention.

A bottle 1 made of blown plastics and sufficiently pliable two be squeezed in a user's hand in a known manner has a cylindrical neck 2 in which a cylindrical pot-shaped cup 3 is a tight fit. The cup has a flange 4 to define its position in relation to the neck. Passing through the bottom wall 5 of the cup 3 is a dip tube 6 which extends substantially to the bottom of the bottle and the top end of the dip tube is closed at 7 but has lateral openings 8 at a level between two-thirds and three-quarters of the height the cup 3 from its bottom wall 5. An integral cap 9 is hinged to the flange 4 of the cup and has a snap sealing engage ment with the open top end of the cup, whilst an annular rib 10 on the underside of this cap simul taneously seals onto, and closes off, the top end of the dip tube 6.

Assuming the bottle contains a liquid to be dis pensed in measured quantities, the user squeezes the bottle 1 to force liquid up the dip tube 6 and into the cup 3. He stops squeezing before the cup over flows but only after the openings 8 are covered.

Then, if the level of the liquid is above that of the openings 8, surplus liquid flows back down the dip tube until the level is that of the openings, and further flow ceases. Thus the cup then contains a known quantity of liquid determined by its shape and size and the height of the openings. The user pours this quantity out. No liquid, or at least no significant amount, flows from the bottle itself as the bottom end of the dip tube 6 comes above the surface of the liquid when the bottle is tilted well beyond the horizontal to pour out the contents of the cup.

It will be seen that we have provided a very simple and cheap way of dispensing pre-determined quantities of liquid, suitable for mass production and low enough in cost to fit to throw-away bottles; it is easy to fit, easy to clean, and can readily be adapted to different dosage requirements and different bottles.

Also it offers a degree of child-resistance, since its manner of use is not readily apparent to a small child, and it can be designed to form an extra seal to the bottle.

1. A metering despensing assembly for handheld squeezable containers comprising a cup designed for mounting in sealing manner in the neck of the container, the cup having an open top and having extending through its bottom wall a dip tube adapted to extend substantially to the bottom of the interior of the container, the upper end of the dip tube being open to atmosphere at a point above the bottom of the cup but below the level of the open top of the cup.

2. A metering despensing assembly according to Claim 1 in which the upper end of the dip tube is closed upwards but has at least one lateral opening to atmosphere.

3. A metering dispensing assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the cup has an integral cap capable of closing off its open top.

4. A metering dispensing assembly according to Claim 3 in which the cap incorporates means which, when the open top of the cup is closed off, also close off the opening or openings at the upper end of the dip tube.

5. A metering dispensing assembly for handheld squeezable containers, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

6. A hand-held squeezable container fitted with a metering dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Metering dispensers This invention relates to a simple form of dis penser for enabling a userto measure out a pre determined quantity of liquid product. There is a need for such a dispenser in various domestic situations, for example in adding a liquid detergent to a washing machine or a dishwasher, or in dispensing liquid disinfectants or foodstuffs or medicines by the spoonful. Pouring from a bottle into a spoon or a smail measuring cup is troublesome, inaccurate and often leads to spillage. Commercial measuring devices such as liquid soap dispensers or optics used in bars are expensive and complex. According to the invention there is proposed a cup designed for mounting in the neck of a squeeze bottle and carrying a dip tube designed to be substantially to the bottom of the interior of the bottle, the upper end of the dip tube projecting upwards through the bottom of the cup but being open to atmosphere at a point below the level of the top of the cup. With the bottle held upright, the user squeezes the bottle to force its liquid contents up the dip tube to fill the cup. He stops squeezing before the liquid overflows the cup and then when he relaxes his grip the liquid level in the cup falls, the liquid flowing back into the bottle, until the open upper end of the dip tube is uncovered. The suck-backthen ceases and the user is left with a known quantity of liquid in the cup, which he can then pour out. Preferably the top end of the dip tube is not open upwards, as a vigorous squeeze on the bottle would produce a jet of liquid; instead its top end is closed and there are lateral holes just below this top end. The cup may incorporate an integral hinged cap, which forms a cap for the container itself. The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a section through a squeeze bottle fitted within a dispensing device according to the invention. A bottle 1 made of blown plastics and sufficiently pliable two be squeezed in a user's hand in a known manner has a cylindrical neck 2 in which a cylindrical pot-shaped cup 3 is a tight fit. The cup has a flange 4 to define its position in relation to the neck. Passing through the bottom wall 5 of the cup 3 is a dip tube 6 which extends substantially to the bottom of the bottle and the top end of the dip tube is closed at 7 but has lateral openings 8 at a level between two-thirds and three-quarters of the height the cup 3 from its bottom wall 5. An integral cap 9 is hinged to the flange 4 of the cup and has a snap sealing engage ment with the open top end of the cup, whilst an annular rib 10 on the underside of this cap simul taneously seals onto, and closes off, the top end of the dip tube 6. Assuming the bottle contains a liquid to be dis pensed in measured quantities, the user squeezes the bottle 1 to force liquid up the dip tube 6 and into the cup 3. He stops squeezing before the cup over flows but only after the openings 8 are covered. Then, if the level of the liquid is above that of the openings 8, surplus liquid flows back down the dip tube until the level is that of the openings, and further flow ceases. Thus the cup then contains a known quantity of liquid determined by its shape and size and the height of the openings. The user pours this quantity out. No liquid, or at least no significant amount, flows from the bottle itself as the bottom end of the dip tube 6 comes above the surface of the liquid when the bottle is tilted well beyond the horizontal to pour out the contents of the cup. It will be seen that we have provided a very simple and cheap way of dispensing pre-determined quantities of liquid, suitable for mass production and low enough in cost to fit to throw-away bottles; it is easy to fit, easy to clean, and can readily be adapted to different dosage requirements and different bottles. Also it offers a degree of child-resistance, since its manner of use is not readily apparent to a small child, and it can be designed to form an extra seal to the bottle. CLAIMS

1. A metering despensing assembly for handheld squeezable containers comprising a cup designed for mounting in sealing manner in the neck of the container, the cup having an open top and having extending through its bottom wall a dip tube adapted to extend substantially to the bottom of the interior of the container, the upper end of the dip tube being open to atmosphere at a point above the bottom of the cup but below the level of the open top of the cup.

2. A metering despensing assembly according to Claim 1 in which the upper end of the dip tube is closed upwards but has at least one lateral opening to atmosphere.

3. A metering dispensing assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the cup has an integral cap capable of closing off its open top.

4. A metering dispensing assembly according to Claim 3 in which the cap incorporates means which, when the open top of the cup is closed off, also close off the opening or openings at the upper end of the dip tube.

5. A metering dispensing assembly for handheld squeezable containers, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

6. A hand-held squeezable container fitted with a metering dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.