초록 ▼

An improved economically disposable dispensing unit is provided for dispensing various measured amounts of a liquid or other freely flowing substance from a container. The position of a movable sleeve within a cup-shaped housing determines the measured amount which will be trapped within a dispensin

An improved economically disposable dispensing unit is provided for dispensing various measured amounts of a liquid or other freely flowing substance from a container. The position of a movable sleeve within a cup-shaped housing determines the measured amount which will be trapped within a dispensing chamber defined by the housing. The sleeve may be adapted for sliding movement to change positions, or, as an alternative, the sleeve can have a foldable, accordion-like structure which allows adjustment of the sleeve position. The invention can be configured as a disposable, one-piece dispensing unit, wherein one of a plurality of one-piece units, each having a different sized sleeve integrally formed therein, is chosen to select a particular measured amount. The dispensing unit is attached to a container by a flexible spring loop or a plurality of gripping fingers. The dispensing unit can be detached to allow dispensing of medication, or the like, as by drinking directly from the dispensing chamber, or the unit can remain attached to the container during dispensing. In the latter case, a valve covers the sleeve to ensure dispensing of only the measured amount. In one form, the cup-shaped housing is collapsible on the container to a low profile configuration while storing a measured quantity within the dispensing chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for dispensing a measured amount of a flowable substance, comprising: a container defining a storage reservoir for receiving and holding a volume of the flowable substance; and a disposable dispensing unit in fluid communication with the container, said dispensing unit having a dispensi

An apparatus for dispensing a measured amount of a flowable substance, comprising: a container defining a storage reservoir for receiving and holding a volume of the flowable substance; and a disposable dispensing unit in fluid communication with the container, said dispensing unit having a dispensing chamber capable of holding the measured amount of the substance, wherein the dispensing chamber is defined in part by a generally cup-shaped housing having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall, the dispensing unit including: means defining an opening to the outside of the dispensing unit; cap means for removably covering the opening; an open sleeve extending through an opening in the bottom wall and defining a flow path for the substance to flow from the storage reservoir to the dispensing chamber and for allowing air displaced from the dispensing chamber by the substance to vent from the dispensing chamber into the storage reservoir, said sleeve having a measurement end disposed within the dispensing chamber at a position relative to the side wall to determine the measured amount, wherein said dispensing unit is removable from the container while holding the measured amount; and valve means carried by said sleeve for preventing flow of the substance through said sleeve, wherein said cap means includes means for opening said valve means to permit flow of the substance through said sleeve.