← Back to Patent Explorer
US4340157A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Self-sealing closure dispenser for plastic stain bottles

Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
•
Filing: 1980-11-20
•
Granted: 1982-07-20
•
Expires: 2000-11-20
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A dispenser mechanism is provided for capping squeeze-bottle type containers, wherein a dual valve arrangement provides for the dispensing of the contents of the container with automatic closure during periods of non-use. The contents of the container are not exposed to ambient until such time as it is dispensed. The dual valves respond to differences in pressure, and cooperate to dispense the contents of the container, or seal the openings thereof during non-use. The cap may include a dispenser spout which is cleaned of material at the end of the dispensing period by the action of the dispenser mechanism herein.

Inventors

  • 👤 James C. Darner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 02:04
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B11/00; B05B11/01; B05B11/04; B05B11/042; B05B11/043

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 208 words
A dispensing cap for dispensing materials contained in containers having flexible walls, comprising (a) a cap body; (b) an outlet passage in said body; (c) a feed tube in flow communication with said outlet passage for extending into a container connected to said body for engaging material therein; (d) container connection means on said body; (e) a return tube in flow communication with said outlet passage; the improvement characterized by (f) first valve means in said outlet passage positioned between said feed tube and said outlet passage; (g) first means biasing said first valve means against flow from said feed tube to said outlet passage; (h) whereby squeezing the flexible walls of a container attached to said body forces material therein up said feed tube overcoming said first biasing means; (i) second valve means in said outlet passage positioned between said outlet passage and said return tube; and (j) second means biasing said second valve means against flow from said outlet passage to said return tube; (k) whereby removing pressure from the flexible walls of a container attached to said body causes a reduction of pressure thereon so that ambient pressure forces open said second valve means against said second biasing means and closes said first valve means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 208 words
A dispensing cap for dispensing materials contained in containers having flexible walls, comprising (a) a cap body; (b) an outlet passage in said body; (c) a feed tube in flow communication with said outlet passage for extending into a container connected to said body for engaging material therein; (d) container connection means on said body; (e) a return tube in flow communication with said outlet passage; the improvement characterized by (f) first valve means in said outlet passage positioned between said feed tube and said outlet passage; (g) first means biasing said first valve means against flow from said feed tube to said outlet passage; (h) whereby squeezing the flexible walls of a container attached to said body forces material therein up said feed tube overcoming said first biasing means; (i) second valve means in said outlet passage positioned between said outlet passage and said return tube; and (j) second means biasing said second valve means against flow from said outlet passage to said return tube; (k) whereby removing pressure from the flexible walls of a container attached to said body causes a reduction of pressure thereon so that ambient pressure forces open said second valve means against said second biasing means and closes said first valve means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) said first and second valve means are ball valves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further characterized by (a) said first biasing means is a flexible flap engaging said first ball valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) said first biasing means is a weight added to said first valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by said first valve means includes (a) a valve body with at least a portion thereof conically shaped; and (b) a conically shaped valve seat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further characterized by said second valve means includes (a) a valve body with at least a portion thereof conically shaped; and (b) a conically shaped valve seat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further characterized by (a) said second biasing means is a spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) said second biasing means is a spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) a dispensing spout on said body in flow communication with said outlet passage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further characterized by (a) said dispensing spout is integral with said body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 51 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) said body is comprised of a flexible material; (b) first and second bores in said body in flow communication with said outlet passage; and (c) said feed tube frictionally engaging said first bore, and said return tube frictionally engaging said second bore.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 245 words
A dispenser for dispensing accurate quantities of materials contained therein comprising (a) a container with flexible walls; (b) a dispensing cap for engaging the opening of said container and having a cap body; (c) an outlet passage in said cap body in flow communication with said container opening; (d) cooperating means on said container and said cap body for connecting said cap to said container; (e) a feed tube engaging said cap body and in flow communication with said outlet passage for extending into said container for engaging the said material therein; (f) a return tube engaging said cap body and in flow communication with said outlet passage; the improvement characterized by (g) first valve means in said outlet passage positioned between said feed tube and said outlet passage; (h) first means biasing said first valve means against flow from said feed tube to said outlet passage; (i) second valve means in said outlet passage between said outlet passage and said return tube; and (j) second means biasing said second valve means against flow from said outlet passage to said return tube; (k) whereby moving said flexible walls of said container inwardly forces material therein up said feed tube overcoming said first biasing means, and releasing said flexible walls causes a reduction in pressure therein so that ambient pressure forces open said second valve means against said second biasing means and closes said first valve means for equalizing pressure internally and externally of said container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 245 words
A dispenser for dispensing accurate quantities of materials contained therein comprising (a) a container with flexible walls; (b) a dispensing cap for engaging the opening of said container and having a cap body; (c) an outlet passage in said cap body in flow communication with said container opening; (d) cooperating means on said container and said cap body for connecting said cap to said container; (e) a feed tube engaging said cap body and in flow communication with said outlet passage for extending into said container for engaging the said material therein; (f) a return tube engaging said cap body and in flow communication with said outlet passage; the improvement characterized by (g) first valve means in said outlet passage positioned between said feed tube and said outlet passage; (h) first means biasing said first valve means against flow from said feed tube to said outlet passage; (i) second valve means in said outlet passage between said outlet passage and said return tube; and (j) second means biasing said second valve means against flow from said outlet passage to said return tube; (k) whereby moving said flexible walls of said container inwardly forces material therein up said feed tube overcoming said first biasing means, and releasing said flexible walls causes a reduction in pressure therein so that ambient pressure forces open said second valve means against said second biasing means and closes said first valve means for equalizing pressure internally and externally of said container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further characterized by (a) said first and second valve means are ball valves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further characterized by (a) said first biasing means is a flexible flap engaging said first ball valve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further characterized by (a) said first biasing means is a weight added to said first valve means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further characterized by said first valve means includes (a) a valve body with at least a portion thereof conically shaped; and (b) a conically shaped valve seat.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further characterized by said second valve means includes (a) a valve body with at least a portion thereof conically shaped; and (b) a conically shaped valve seat.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 17, further characterized by (a) said second biasing means is a spring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further characterized by (a) said second biasing means is a spring.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further characterized by (a) a dispensing spout on said body in flow communication with said outlet passage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 20, further characterized by (a) said dispensing spout is integral with said cap body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 51 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further characterized by (a) said body is comprised of a flexible material; (b) first and second bores in said body in flow communication with said outlet passage; and (c) said feed tube frictionally engaging said first bore, and said return tube frictionally engaging said second bore.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2275051A Cited
US2690278A Cited
US2879924A Cited
US2853210A Cited
US3162333A Cited
US3474936A Cited
US4073294A Cited
US4122979A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-07-19 1986-01-18 1986-07-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-07-19 1990-01-18 1990-07-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-07-19 1994-01-18 1994-07-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag