1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser with an adjustable size dispensing orifice. The dispenser may be gravity-based (invert/flow) or other type of dispenser, but in many preferred embodiments, it is a squeeze dispenser. The device may be used to dispense gels, pastes and other high density materials. It is positively beneficial for dispensing medicine.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The following patents are representative of unique dispensing arrangements:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,666 discloses a container for dispensing carbonated beverages and fluids sensitive to oxidation is provided. The dispenser contains a follower which communicates with the ambient environment through a one-way valve. The dispenser preferably includes a liquid flow rate and a flow velocity regulator to control the rate and velocity at which liquid is dispensed therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,605 B1 discloses a dispenser is provided which includes a container having a closed end that defines an orifice. A closure is mountable about the closed end and has a closing lid portion which includes an orifice plug configured to sealingly engage the orifice. The closure includes a retention collar moveably connected and disposed about an outer surface of the container to facilitate mounting. The closing lid portion is moveably connected to the retention collar. The closure further includes a tamper evident portion that removably connects the closing lid portion and the retention collar to provide a first visual indication. The tamper evident portion is removable to provide a second visual indication. The closed end of the container may have a pair of support posts extending therefrom configured to engage a surface of the closure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,965 B2 discloses a product dispensing system is provided which includes a container having an open end including a neck portion. The neck portion defines an opening. A fitment is configured for mounting with the opening of the neck portion and forming a substantial seal therewith. The fitment defines an orifice. A closure is integrally connected to the fitment and mounted to the open end of the container. The closure includes a closing lid that is flexibly attached thereto. The closing lid includes an orifice plug configured to engage the orifice of the fitment and form a substantial seal therewith. The closure may engage a cavity of the fitment for integral connection therewith. The product dispensing system may include a tamper evident portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,471 B2 discloses a container, particularly in the form of a beverage can, which has a drinking opening preparation in its upper lid wall, and may be reclosed after being opened by a rotary lid closure. Means are provided for coupling the rotary lid closure to the lid wall when the lid wall recedes somewhat after opening the container so that the drinking opening made can be reclosed sealingly.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
The present invention is a fluid dispenser with an adjustable size dispensing orifice. It includes a fluid dispenser container having a hollow inside for storage of flowable material, the container having a top with a fluid outlet and having an adjustable size dispensing orifice unit connected to the outlet. It also includes the aforesaid adjustable size dispensing orifice unit. The unit has a base member with a dispensing orifice connected to the container, at least one shutter, and a shutter movement ring connected to the shutter and rotatably connected to the base member. The shutter movement ring has a first position and a second position and adapted for rotation from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position. The shutter(s) have travel pins that either integrally formed as part of the shutters or are inserted into a leg of the shutters. The travel pins are located in (extend into) the shutter movement ring and the base member. One of either the base member and the shutter movement ring has a radiant travel guide and the other has a non-radiant travel guide.
A travel guide would be a slot, rail, or other guide to move the travel pin along a predetermined path. A radiant travel guide is one that is close to or is radial (emanated from a center point radial imaginary line). Close to radial would be off center but still moving more in and out than tangential. A non-radiant travel guide is one that is more tangential than radial and intersects with the radiant travel guide.
When the shutter movement ring is rotated from the first position to another position, the travel pins travel linearly and move one shutter(s) linearly along the radiant travel guide and the non-radiant travel guide. Further, when the shutter movement ring is in the first position the shutter fully closes the shutter(s) and the dispensing orifice, and when the shutter movement ring is moved to a position between the first position and the second position, the shutter(s) is partially open, and when the shutter movement ring is moved to its second position, the shutter(s) is fully open.
The present invention fluid dispenser shutter movement ring has the non-radiant travel guide, in some preferred embodiments. This may be an arcuate track for receiving the travel pin, wherein the arcuate track is not concentric with an arc of travel created by the shutter movement ring when rotated from the first position to the second position.
In some preferred embodiments, the present invention dispensing orifice is rectangular and the shutter(s) has a straight line leading edge.
In some embodiments, the present invention shutter leading edge is greater than its distance traveled when the shutter movement ring is moved from the first position to the second position, while in other embodiments, the leading edge is less than its distance traveled when the shutter movement ring is moved from the first position to the second position.
In most preferred embodiments of the present invention fluid dispenser, there are two opposing shutters, each being functionally connected to the shutter movement ring and the base member. It is advantageous for design, assemblage and cost reasons, that the two shutters be identical and be opposingly positioned.
The present invention should be more fully understood when the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto wherein:
Referring now to
Referring now to
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
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