Liquid dispenser

Abstract

 The reservoir container (1,2,3) capable of being hung by means (11) to present therebelow a downward existing teat (6) with a lower main opening (8) into which, when any seal is broken, the viscous liquid from the container, (1,2,3) can flow under the assistance of gravity, the teat being characterised in that while it can be squeezed flat with respect to its cross-section it is capable of resuming its original disposition initially from the top (9) down towards the outlet (8) progressively.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to dispensers and/or containing apparatus for a dispensable viscous liquid and in particular, although not solely to a dispenser and/or container capable of dispensing an amount of the viscous liquid, for example a cream, by a simple squeeze and/or milking action without a need to reseal or the like.

[0002] In a milking situation it is found most advantageous to provide means whereby a viscous liquid such as an antiseptic cream can be readily dispensed onto the hand of a milker for application to the teats of a cow. The present invention recognises that an action not dissimilar to that used when hand milking is an appropriate mechanism by which a hang supported or otherwise supported reservoir of such a viscous liquid can have pre-determined amounts dispensed therefrom on demand.

[0003] In a first aspect the present invention consists in an apparatus for dispensing a viscous liquid comprising a reservoir for the liquid and a teat, bulb or the like (hereinafter "teat") capable of receiving liquid from the reservoir, said teat including an outlet at or towards a lower most extremity thereof through which at least when undistorted the liquid is unlikely to leak, said reservoir including or being defined at least in part by means to facilitate its support such that liquid from the reservoir can be received within the teat under the assistance of gravity, the apparatus being further characterised in that the teat when squeezed flat or substantially flat with respect to its cross-section is capable of resuming its original disposition as more liquid moves and/or is pulled thereinto with the assistance of gravity and under a degree of suction from the teat as it resumes its shape initially from the top thereof down towards the outlet progressively.

[0004] Preferably said outlet is a slit or crossed slits.

[0005] Preferably said teat is of a flexible rubber (synthetic or natural) which is substantially annular in transverse section.

[0006] Preferably the cross-section of the teat is substantially constant transversely except towards the lower most end thereof which is substantially spherical.

[0007] Preferably said teat is attached to the means defining the reservoir about a spigot member.

[0008] Preferably said spigot member is part of a detachable cat member to said means defining the reservoir.

[0009] Preferably the means defining the reservoir is a container of a resilient plastics material having an opening to which a cap is screw engageable.

[0010] In a further aspect the invention consists in an apparatus for dispensing a viscous liquid comprising means defining a container in a resilient plastics material, said container having a screw threaded opening thereto and means whereby the container can be hung with said screw threaded opening below the reservoir regions of the container, said means for supporting the container being selected from apertures, hooks and projections, a screw cap member engageable with the screw opening and having or locating a spigot that extends outwardly, and a teat member dependent from said spigot and including an outlet at or towards its extremity through which at least when undistorted a viscous liquid is unlikely to leak, said teat being characterised in that the teat when squeezed flat or substantially flat with respect to its cross section is capable of resuming its original disposition as more liquid moves and/or is pulled thereinto with the assistance of gravity and under a degree of suction from the teat as it resumes its shape initially from the top thereof down towards the outlet progressively.

[0011] Preferably in a marketable condition there is provided a seal against liquid flow from said container into said teat located by said cap.

[0012] In a further aspect the invention consists in a viscous liquid (hereinafter "cream") dispensing system which employs apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which has the apparatus hang supported to enable the milking of liquid in desired amounts from the teat hereof, the liquid subsequently moving from the reservoir into the teat for any fresh milking or pumping thereof notwithstanding on occasions air may pass through the teat when the resilience of the reservoir upon sufficient removal of liquid therefrom leads to a greater restorative force than that for the teat itself.

[0013] In yet a further aspect the invention consists in a method of dispensing an aliquot of a viscous liquid which involves the operative use of apparatus in accordance with the present invention and/or a system in accordance with the present invention in a manner substantially as hereinafter described.

[0014] One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing a teat of substantially constant circular cross section supported by a spigot dependent from a cap,

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the arrangement as shown in Figure 1 in the direction AA,

Figure 3 is a cross section at BB of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 showing the slit at the bottom of the teat, and

Figure 4 shows the arrangement as show in Figure 1 when the same has been milked, it being appreciated that as liquid moves downwardly into the squashed flat teat the teat gradually resumes its shape as the liquid moves downwardly under the influence of both gravity and the restorative resilience of the teat walls which exert a suction effect upon the cream.

[0015] In a preferred form of the present invention the reservoir 1 is provided by a flat plastics material flask member 2 having a threaded neck 3 (usable for filling) onto which a screw cap 4 can be provided. The screw cap 4 preferably includes an annular spigot 5 onto which the preferred form of teat 6, which is ideally of a different material to that of the flask 2, can be fitted. It can be appreciated that, if desired, a seal can be interposed between the top of the neck 3 (not shown) and the cap member 4.

[0016] The teat member 6 can be of any particular configuration but the preferred form is that depicted with substantially constant cross section except for the lowermost portion thereof 7 where there is provided a slit 8 or other outlet, and preferably the mouth thereof which is constructed to provide a strong grip on the spigot.

[0017] The materials chosen are such that taking into account relatively (i) the viscosity of the liquid, e.g. preferably an antiseptic cream, (ii) the restorative resilience of the container 2 as it distorts as liquid is removed therefrom (prior to air gaining ingress thereinto), (iii) the effect of gravity on the cream and the (iv) restorative properties of the teat 6 from its milked out condition as in Figure 4 the requisite milking out occurs. Ideally that region 9 of the teat first resumes its former shape, (i.e. as shown in Figures 1 and 2) prior to lowermost regions (for example at 10) thus ensuring the taking up of the viscous liquid into the teat prior to allowing any ingress of air into the teat and/or flask via the slit or outlet 8.

[0018] The outlet preferably in the form of a slit is quite large (approximately 8mm in length) so that the cream has unrestricted ingress when it is being expressed from the teat.

[0019] After a quantity of cream (e.g. HIBITANE ) has been expressed the natural resilience of the end of the teat brings the two walls of the slit into apposition, occluding the slit. The side walls of the teat regain their shape subsequent to their occlusion, thereby causing ingress of more cream into the teat lumen from the reservoir.

[0020] Two cuts, at right angles, forming a cross, perform similarly.

[0021] To illustrate this point, the design concept can be compared with babies' teats. A circular hole would restrict flow of cream out of the teat, and after delivery would allow the ingress of air into the distal section of the teat.

[0022] The next attempt to strip creams from the teat would result in partial failure, because of the air space. The user would have to wait until gravity filled the teat. Performance of the babies teat would therefore be inferior to the apparatus of the present invention.

[0023] It is envisaged that at some stage there is a likelihood that the restorative properties of the deformed flask will be such as to cause a burping which will cause the flask 2 to resume the unsunken in condition as shown in Figure 2 whereupon, until the next burping is required, the normal teat dominated movement of the liquid occurs. Burping is only required if milking becomes difficult. Indeed if necessary temporary teat removal (e.g. by unscrewing of the spigot member) can be employed when mounted.

[0024] As can be seen the flask is preferably provided with a hanging opening or openings 11 at the top most region thereof to enable easy use. If desired, other means of support can be provided. What is important is the provision of a teat, bulb or other appendage capable of being squeezed or milked but which is capable of restoring itself to its original shape under not only the influence of gravity on liquid passing thereinto but also its own restorative properties derived from its resilience and configuration.

[0025] Length and diameter of the teat can be varied to change the volume of cream delivered per strip, and the recovery time between strips.

[0026] Therefore in a milking situation a farmer when working up a cow, if deciding it requires a rub down with a medicament need simply reach up to the teat of the present apparatus, pull along the teat to milk the same substantially free of the liquid therein, apply the same to the cow while the teat recharges such that is is ready for subsequent similar use when the occasion arises.

[0027] In one example of the apparatus the means defining the reservoir/container was formed in a low density polypropylene as available from Optoplast Limited of 7 Tauhinu Road, Mirimar, Wellington while the teat is of natural rubber available from Skellerup Industries Limited of 124 Marshall Street, Woolston, Christchurch.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing a viscous liquid comprising a reservoir (1, 2, 3) for the liquid and a teat, bulb or the like (hereinafter "teat") (6) capable of receiving liquid from the reservoir (1, 2, 3), said teat (6) including an outlet (8) at or towards a lower most extremity thereof (7) through which at least when undistorted the liquid is unlikely to leak, said reservoir (1, 2, 3) including or being defined at least in part by means (11) to facilitate its support such that liquid from the reservoir (1, 2, 3) can be received within the teat (6) under the assistance of gravity, the apparatus being further characterised in that the teat (6) when squeezed flat or substantially flat with respect to its cross-section is capable of resuming its original disposition as more liquid moves and/or is pulled thereinto with the assistance of gravity and under a degree of suction from the teat (6) as it resumes its shape initially from the top (9) thereof down towards the outlet (8) progressively.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outlet (8) is a slit (8) or crossed slits.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said teat (6) is of a flexible rubber which is substantially annular in transverse section.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cross section of the teat (6) is substantially constant transversely except towards the lower most end thereof (7) which is substantially spherical.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said teat (6) is attached to the means defining the reservoir (1, 2, 3) about a spigot member (5).

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said spigot member (5) is part of a detachable cap member (4) to said means defining the reservoir (1, 2,3).

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means defining the reservoir (1, 2, 3) is a container of a resilient plastics material having an opening to which a cap (4) is screw engageable.

9. Apparatus for dispensing a viscous liquid comprising a means defining a container (1, 2, 3) in a resilient plastics material, said container (1, 2, 3) having a screw threaded opening thereto and means (11) whereby the container can be hung with said screw threaded opening below the reservoir regions (2, 3) of the container, said means (11) for supporting the container being selected from apertures, hooks and projections, a screw cap member (4) engageable with the screw opening and having or locating a spigot (5) that extends outwardly, and a teat member (6) dependent from said spigot (5) and including an outlet (8) at or towards its extremity (7) through which at least when undistorted a viscous liquid is unlikely to leak, said teat (6) being characterised in that the teat (6) when squeezed flat or substantially flat with respect to its cross section is capable of resuming its original disposition as more liquid moves and/or is pulled thereinto with the assistance of gravity and under a degree of suction from the teat as it resumes its shape initially from the top (9) thereof down towards the outlet (8) progressively.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein in a marketable condition there is provided a seal against liquid flow from said container (1, 2, 3) into said teat (b) located by said cap (4, 5).

10. A viscous liquid dispensing system which employs apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which has the apparatus hang supported to enable the milking of liquid in desired amounts from the teat (6) thereof, the liquid subsequently moving from the reservoir (1, 2, 3) into the teat (6) for any fresh milking or pumping thereof notwithstanding on occasions air may pass through the teat (6, 8) when the resilience of the reservoir (1, 2, 3) upon sufficient removal of liquid therefrom leads to a greater restorative force than that for the teat (6) itself.

11. A method of dispensing an aliquot of a viscous liquid which involves the operative use of apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 and/or a system as claimed in claim 10.

12. Apparatus comprising a reservoir containing a viscous liquid and a teat of resiliently deformable material for dispensing the liquid, connected to the reservoir, characterised in that the teat is adapted to prevent the liquid being dispensed unless external pressure is applied to the teat.

Drawing