초록 ▼

The present invention discloses a device for measuring and dispensing a prescribed amount of liquid. The advantage of the present device is that a simple squeezing action not only reliably and precisely stores a prescribed volume of liquid (e.g., a liquid cooking ingredient, beverage (such as wine o

The present invention discloses a device for measuring and dispensing a prescribed amount of liquid. The advantage of the present device is that a simple squeezing action not only reliably and precisely stores a prescribed volume of liquid (e.g., a liquid cooking ingredient, beverage (such as wine or liquor) but then subsequently upon an additional squeeze, discharges the stored liquid while refilling the dose chamber with another dose of the prescribed volume to be later discharged upon the next squeezing action. This eliminates the time consuming tasks of having to measure liquids with conventional measuring cups and the like and instead, the user simple initially adds liquid to the container and then places the cover and measuring and dispensing mechanism on top of the container prior to performed successive squeezing for loading and discharging the dose volume.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for measuring and dispensing a prescribed volume of liquid comprising: a container having an interior compartment for storing the liquid;a dispensing mechanism including: a first conduit member for receiving liquid from the interior compartment of the container;a dose chamber member havi

1. A device for measuring and dispensing a prescribed volume of liquid comprising: a container having an interior compartment for storing the liquid;a dispensing mechanism including: a first conduit member for receiving liquid from the interior compartment of the container;a dose chamber member having a first port at a second end thereof that is in fluid communication with the first conduit member;an adjustable plunger member that is movably disposed within an interior of the dose chamber member, the plunger member having a flange that sealingly seats against an inner wall of the dose chamber, wherein a dose storage space is formed between an underside of the flange and the second end of the dose chamber for receiving the prescribed volume of liquid from the interior compartment of the container,a hollow second conduit member disposed within a hollow core of the plunger member, the second conduit member having at least one opening that communicates with the dose storage space, the second conduit member having a hollow interior defined by an inner wall that defines an inner conduit in communication with the dose storage space, the inner wall including inner flow channels formed therein;a first valve member at the first port that is movable between an open position that permits liquid from the interior compartment of the container to flow into the dosage storage space and a closed position; anda second valve member movably disposed within the inner conduit of the second conduit member, wherein movement of the second valve member to a first open position results in fluid communication between the inner conduit and the dosage storage space to permit liquid from the interior compartment of the container to be stored within the dosage storage space and wherein movement of the second valve member to a second open position results in opening of the inner flow channels such that liquid contained within the dosage storage space can flow into and along the inner flow channels to an exit port where the liquid is dispensed from the device, wherein in the second open position fluid communication between the inner conduit and the dosage storage space is provided. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a flexible squeeze bottle. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second valve member is biased to a closed position by means of a biasing member that is disposed within the inner conduit of the second conduit member. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring disposed within the inner conduit member of the second conduit member. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second valve members move in response to liquid flowing into and within the first conduit member based on the container being squeezed. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the dose chamber member comprises a cup shaped member with the first port being formed in a floor of the dose chamber member and an inner surface of the dose chamber member includes a plurality of annular shaped locating members that are formed in series along the height of the dose chamber member, with each locating member representing a marker for defining different volumes of the dose storage space. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first conduit member is fittingly received within a boss formed on an underside of the cup shaped member, the boss being formed around the first port. 8. The device of claim 6, wherein each locating member is in the form of an annular shaped groove that receives a seal ring of the plunger for releasably retaining the plunger in a position. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first valve member is a one way valve and the second valve member is a ball valve. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner flow channels comprise helically shaped grooves. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner flow channels comprise linear grooves. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the second conduit member has a plurality of openings located in series along the length of the second conduit member, wherein in the closed position, the second valve member closes off all of the openings. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner flow channels are open at one end of the second conduit member to permit liquid within the inner flow channels to be discharged from the second conduit member and delivered to an exit port. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein an application of force to the container causes the first and second valve members to move. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the container includes a vent assembly that includes a one way valve that permits air to flow into the interior compartment of the container. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable plunger member is coupled to a movable handle and is accessible to a user. 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing mechanism is incorporated into a removable cover that is coupled to an open end of the container. 18. A bottle for measuring and dispensing a prescribed volume of liquid comprising: a base container having an interior compartment for storing the liquid;a dispensing mechanism that is coupled to the base container and includes: a hollow dose chamber member having a second port at a first end thereof for receiving liquid from the interior compartment;an adjustable plunger member that is movably disposed within an interior of the dose chamber member, the plunger member having a flange that sealingly seats against an inner wall of the dose chamber, wherein a dose storage space is formed between an underside of the flange and the second end of the dose chamber for receiving the prescribed volume of liquid from the interior compartment of the container,an elongated hollow conduit member disposed within a hollow core of the plunger member, the conduit member being open at first and second ends thereof, wherein a central opening is formed in the conduit member and is defined by an inner wall and extends between and is open at the first and second ends, the inner wall including at least one opening formed therein that communicates with the dose storage space, the inner wall including inner flow channels formed therein, wherein the inner flow channels are located above the at least one opening;a first valve member at the first port that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, liquid can flow from the interior compartment of the container into the dosage storage space; anda second valve member movably disposed within the central opening of the second conduit member, wherein in a closed position, the second valve member closes off both the at least one opening and the inner flow channels and in a first open position, the at least one opening is opened and fluid communication is provided between the interior compartment of the container and the dosage storage space and in a second open position, both the at least opening and the inner flow channels are open and in fluid communication with the interior compartment of the container, the inner flow channels being open such that liquid contained within the dosage storage space can flow into and along the inner flow channels to an exit port where the liquid is dispensed from the bottle.