초록 ▼

A apparatus for delivering a predetermined quantity of content from a pressurized container includes a dispensing assembly which sits on the container and connects with an upper portion of a valve stem of the valve assembly, wherein the dispensing assembly includes a) an actuator cap having a discha

A apparatus for delivering a predetermined quantity of content from a pressurized container includes a dispensing assembly which sits on the container and connects with an upper portion of a valve stem of the valve assembly, wherein the dispensing assembly includes a) an actuator cap having a discharge passage, which is open or obstructed and wherein the actuator cap acts as a metering chamber in combination with b) an adaptor which fits inside the cap and also snuggly engages the valve stem. The cap fits snuggly over the adjuster to define a metering chamber which depending on its position can close off the metered chamber or open it to the dispensing conduit\nozzle. When the cap is depressed it pushes down on the adjuster which depresses the valve. The chamber fills, but nothing is released until the upstroke.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for delivering a predetermined quantity of content from a pressurized container comprising: a container capable of housing a pressurized content, the container comprising a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pressurized content; anda dispensing assembly which sits on the

1. An apparatus for delivering a predetermined quantity of content from a pressurized container comprising: a container capable of housing a pressurized content, the container comprising a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pressurized content; anda dispensing assembly which sits on the container and connects with an upper portion of a valve stem of the valve assembly, wherein the dispensing assembly comprises a) an actuator cap having a discharge passage, wherein the actuator cap acts as a metering chamber in combination withb) an adaptor which fits inside the cap and also snuggly engages the valve stem; wherein the adaptor comprises i) an axially positioned hollow conduit or discharge aperture;ii) a sealer ring which slightly extends from an external circumference of the adaptor which snugly engages an inner side wall of the cap;iii) a recess to accommodate the valve stem in frictional engagement; andiv) a ledge at the bottom of the adaptor, which provides a stop to a downward movement of the cap; whereby the dispensing assembly in response to a downward pressure moves from a non-actuated position to an actuated depressed position opening the valve assembly, wherein the predetermined quantity of content is released into the metering chamber, and wherein a consequential release of pressure and/or closing of the valve assembly causes the dispensing assembly to resume a non-actuated position and the predetermined quantity of content to be discharged. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing assembly is an actuator assembly. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the dispensing assembly further comprises an enclosure unit and a dispensing unit, wherein the dispensing unit and the actuator assembly are movable elements. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises: a) a top wall which is pressed down during actuation; and b) a hollow defined by an inner side cylindrical wall dimensioned to closely approximate the diameter of an outer side cylindrical wall of the adaptor, said hollow functioning as the metering chamber; and wherein the discharge passage extends through a bottom peripheral side wall for releasing the predetermined quantity of content. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a) the discharge aperture is positioned at the center of a top wall of the adaptor, allowing discharge of the pressurized content there through into the metering chamber upon actuation of the dispensing assembly;b) the sealer ring functions as a gas-tight sealer to prevent undesired leakage of the pressurized content between the adaptor and the cap upon actuation of the dispensing assembly;c) the recess is an annular valve-stem-engaging recess defined by an inner cylindrical wall which is dimensioned to closely approximate the diameter of the valve stem, thereby permitting tight frictional engagement there between; andd) the ledge is a thickened edge portion extending circumferentially from the bottom of the adaptor,wherein the adaptor provides resistance to downward pressure, wherein the resistance is relatively small as compared with an opposing action of an internal valve spring, thereby ensuring closure of the discharge passage by the adaptor prior to any downward movement of the valve stem. 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the actuator assembly is disposed on the valve stem, wherein in the non-actuated position, the valve assembly is closed and the valve stem and the actuator assembly disposed thereon are raised, the sealer ring is below the discharge passage and the discharge passage is only partially obstructed by the adaptor, thereby in communication with the atmosphere, and wherein in the actuated position, the valve assembly is open to fluid flow, the valve stem and actuator assembly disposed thereon are depressed and the discharge passage is closed and obstructed by the adaptor and the sealer ring is positioned above the discharge passage. 7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism for proper positioning of the dispensing unit on the enclosure unit, the locking mechanism including first and second engageable surfaces which are unlocked and disengaged prior to initial use and are locked in both the actuated and non-actuated positions of the dispensing assembly, wherein in the actuated position said surfaces are disengaged and in the non-actuated position, upon release of the predetermined quantity of content, said surfaces are engaged. 8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the dispensing unit comprises a) a dispensing end which terminates with a discharge nozzle for release of the predetermined quantity of content from the container; b) a dispensing conduit housed within a protective conduit housing which is aligned with the cap discharge passage; c) mounting pins which are located at the dispensing end of the dispensing unit and are configured to fit slots on the sides of the enclosure unit; d) a finger engageable indentation for actuation of the dispensing assembly; and e) a notch beneath the finger engageable indentation, with a protruding bottom flat first surface for engaging a second protruding top surface on the enclosure unit together forming a locking mechanism for proper positioning of the dispensing unit on the enclosure unit. 9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the enclosure unit is sized to accommodate the dispensing unit, and comprises: a) a flat bottom surface which rests on top of the container and is about the size of the top of the container, and which comprises a hole to accommodate the actuator assembly; b) a peripheral wall having a bottom that includes one or more support braces which attach on a top portion of a neck of the container, wherein the peripheral wall extends below the lower edge of the one or more braces and includes a circumferential rib that secures the enclosure unit to the neck of the container; c) mounting arms terminating with slots for receiving mounting pins of the dispensing unit; and d) at least one resilient edge positioned on the bottom surface of the enclosure unit having a second protruding top flat surface for engaging a first bottom protruding flat surface of the dispensing unit together providing a locking mechanism for proper positioning of the dispensing unit on the enclosure unit. 10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the metering chamber in the actuator cap is capable of effecting and storing the predetermined quantity of content when downward pressure is applied to the dispensing assembly, and dispensing the predetermined quantity of content upon termination of the pressure; wherein the enclosure unit has mounting arms terminating with slots pivotally engaging mounting pins of the dispensing unit for securing the dispensing unit to the container;wherein the dispensing unit including the actuator assembly comprises the actuator cap integrated within the dispensing unit, and a conduit in fluid communication with a cap discharge passage, the conduit terminating with a nozzle which allows the predetermined quantity of content to be dispensed with each actuation;wherein the dispensing unit including the actuator assembly is capable of movement between a non-actuated position and an actuated position, wherein according to the non-actuated position the valve assembly is closed, the valve stem and dispensing unit including the actuator assembly disposed thereon are raised, the discharge passage is open but partially obstructed by the adaptor, and the sealer ring is below the discharge passage and thereby in communication with the atmosphere, and wherein in the actuated position, the valve assembly is open to fluid flow, the valve stem and the dispensing unit including the actuator assembly disposed thereon are depressed, the discharge passage is closed and obstructed by the adaptor, and the sealer ring is above the discharge passage. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metering chamber is dynamically adjustable, comprising a topless cap and an adjusting device comprising an adjustable screw with a base comprising a washer having a sealer ring attached thereto, wherein the size of the metering chamber may be varied according to the location of the base within the cap. 12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the metering chamber is dynamically adjustable, comprising a topless cap and an adjusting device comprising an adjustable screw with a base comprising a washer having a sealer ring attached thereto, wherein the size of the metering chamber may be varied according to the location of the base within the cap. 13. A method for delivering a predetermined quantity of content from the apparatus of claim 1 comprising actuating the apparatus by applying a downward pressure on the dispensing assembly, and then releasing the pressure to allow the predetermined quantity of content to be discharged. 14. The method of claim 13, comprising actuating the dispensing assembly multiple times to allow multiple doses of the predetermined quantity of content to be discharged. 15. The method of claim 13 comprising the following steps: a) according to a first step, applying finger pressure on the actuator cap causing the cap to shift downward on the adaptor such that the discharge passage of the cap is blocked by a top side wall of the adaptor and the sealer ring;b) according to a second step, applying further downward finger pressure on the actuator cap such that a lower edge portion of the cap engages the ledge of the adaptor causing the adaptor to shift downward on the valve stem causing the valve assembly to open;c) according to a third step, opening the valve assembly thereby causing the pressurized contents to pass upward through the valve stem and through a discharge aperture in a top wall of the adaptor into the metering chamber which is obstructed by the sealer ring and the top side wall of the adaptor, the cap constituting in effect a slide valve element; andd) according to a fourth step, removing finger pressure from the cap such that an internal return valve spring and the pressurized content return the parts of the actuator assembly to the non-actuated position where the metering chamber is in communication with the outside atmosphere because the adaptor, including the sealer ring, is positioned below the discharge passage allowing the predetermined quantity of contents of the metering chamber to issue from the discharge passage. 16. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the dispensing unit comprises: an outer surface that covers the actuator cap;a dispensing conduit in the dispensing unit in fluid communication with the metering chamber of the actuator cap; anda discharge nozzle at an end of the dispensing conduit distal to the metering chamber. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the actuator cap is integrated within the dispensing unit. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a tubular conduit extending from and in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the dispensing unit further comprises an engagement mechanism for securing the dispensing unit to the enclosure unit. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, where the engagement mechanism comprises a raised or depressed feature complementary to an element on the enclosure unit for engagement and securing the dispensing unit to the enclosure unit. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, where the engagement mechanism comprises at least two substantially vertically aligned slots within an external peripheral wall of the dispensing unit. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the slots further comprise a notch for engaging with a rail of the enclosure unit. 23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the engagement mechanism comprises an integral relationship between the dispensing unit and the enclosure unit. 24. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the enclosure unit comprises: a lower surface that surrounds and engages with a neck of the container; anda side wall extending from the lower surface towards the dispensing unit, wherein the side wall comprises a complementary engagement mechanism for engagement and securing the dispensing unit to the enclosure unit. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the complementary engagement mechanism comprises a complementary raised or depressed feature on the internal surface of the enclosure unit side wall. 26. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the dispensing unit further comprises a dose adjuster, the dose adjuster comprising a lower surface of a dimension selected to snugly engage the inner side wall of the metering chamber along the entire perimeter of the metering chamber, and an upper shaft capable of being adjustably vertically positioned within the metering chamber. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the metering chamber comprises an interior lip and the upper shaft of the dose adjuster is threaded and in threaded engagement with the interior lip to provide adjustable vertical positioning. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a lock to secure the threaded upper shaft in a selected vertical position. 29. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the dispensing assembly is configured to house a plurality of actuator cap/adaptor assemblies. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the dispensing unit comprises a plurality of actuator cap/adaptor assemblies in fluid communication at each metering chamber through a T-joint, each said plurality of actuator cap/adaptor assemblies capable of engagement with the valve stem of a different container. 31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow conduit of the adaptor is centrally located. 32. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cap is integrated into the dispensing unit. 33. An apparatus for accurately delivering a predetermined quantity of content from at least two pressurized containers comprising: at least two containers capable of housing different or identical pressurized content, the containers each comprising a valve assembly in fluid communication with the respective content of each container, wherein the containers are disposed side by side or at an angle to each other;a multiple dispensing assembly comprising: a) at least two actuator assemblies, b) a multiple chamber dispensing unit, and c) a multiple chamber enclosure unit; each actuator assembly comprising an adaptor and a cap disposed thereon, wherein the cap is integrated within the multiple or dual chamber dispensing unit, wherein the cap comprises: a) a top wall which is pressed down during actuation; b) a hollow defined by an inner side cylindrical wall dimensioned to closely approximate the diameter of an outer side cylindrical wall of the adaptor, the hollow functioning as a metering chamber; and c) a discharge passage through a bottom peripheral side wall for releasing content,wherein the adaptor comprises: a) a top wall having a discharge aperture positioned about at the center of the top wall to allow discharge of content there through into the metering chamber upon actuation of the dispensing assembly; b) a sealer ring which slightly extends from an external circumference of the adaptor and functions as a gas-tight sealer and snugly engages the inner side cylindrical wall of the cap thus preventing undesired leakage of pressurized content between the cap and the adaptor upon actuation; c) an annular valve-stem-engaging recess defined by an inner cylindrical wall which is dimensioned to closely approximate the diameter of a valve stem of the valve assembly, thereby permitting tight frictional engagement there between such that the actuator assembly is disposed on the valve stem; and d) a ledge which is a thickened edge portion extending circumferentially from a bottom portion of the adaptor, which provides a stop to a downward movement of the cap, wherein the adaptor provides resistance to downward pressure that is relatively small as compared with opposing action of an internal valve spring, thereby ensuring closure of the discharge passage by the adaptor prior to any downward movement of the valve stem,the multiple chamber dispensing unit comprising: a) at least two dispensing conduits in fluid communication with the discharge passages of the caps, and terminating with at least two nozzles for releasing predetermined quantities of content from containers; b) a body encompassing the at least two dispensing conduits; c) a finger engageable hollow protrusion which connects the two caps for simultaneous actuation of the dispensing assembly; d) a hollow beneath the finger engageable protrusion, with a protruding bottom flat first surface for engaging a second surface on the multiple chamber enclosure unit together forming a locking mechanism for proper positioning of the multiple chamber dispensing unit on the multiple chamber enclosure unit; and e) optionally mounting pins which are located at a dispensing end of the multiple chamber dispensing unit and are configured to fit into slots on sides of the multiple chamber enclosure unit,the multiple chamber enclosure unit securing the multiple chamber dispensing assembly to the containers, wherein the multiple chamber enclosure unit is sized to accommodate the multiple chamber dispensing unit; and comprises: a) a flat bottom surface which rests on top of the containers and is about the size of the containers' top, and comprises two holes to accommodate the actuator assemblies; b) a peripheral wall with a bottom having one or more support braces which attach on top portions of necks of the containers, wherein the peripheral wall extends below the lower edge of the one or more braces and includes a circumferential rib that secures the multiple chamber enclosure unit to the necks of the containers; c) mounting arms terminating with slots for receiving mounting pins of the multiple chamber dispensing unit or of an optional lever; d) at least one resilient edge positioned on the flat bottom surface of the enclosure unit, the at least one resilient edge having a second protruding top flat surface for engaging the bottom flat first surface of the multiple chamber dispensing unit together providing a locking mechanism for proper positioning of the multiple chamber dispensing unit on the multiple chamber enclosure unit, and optionally; e) a handle; and f) a lever having mounting pins which fit into the slots in the mounting arms of the multiple chamber enclosure unit for depressing the engageable finger protrusion to push down the dispensing assembly and obtain a predetermined quantity of content;wherein the multiple dispensing assembly is capable of movement between a non-actuated position to an actuated position, wherein when in the non-actuated position, each valve stem and actuator assembly disposed thereon is raised, each valve assembly is closed, the sealer rings are below the discharge passages, and the discharge passages are partially obstructed by the adaptors but are open to fluid flow and in communication with the atmosphere, and according to the actuated position, each valve stem and actuator assembly disposed thereon is depressed, each valve assembly is open to fluid flow, the sealer rings are positioned above the discharge passages, and the discharge passages are closed and obstructed by the adaptors. 34. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a paddle mixer unit attached to the nozzles of the multiple dispensing unit in order to facilitate the mixing of simultaneously expelled predetermined quantities of content from the two or more chambers, said mixer unit comprising a) a series of alternating curved surfaces or paddles or angled dove tailing blades; b) an outlet from which the mixed content is expelled; c) at least two inlets in a diameter suitable for snuggly receiving the nozzles of the multiple dispensing unit; and d) a body encompassing the paddles. 35. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a maze mixer unit attached to the nozzles of the multiple dispensing unit in order to facilitate the mixing of simultaneously expelled predetermined quantities of content from the two or more chambers, said mixer comprising a) a maze or series of alternating straight or curved surfaces or angled dove tailing blades combined with cylinder or posts which facilitate improved mixing; b) an outlet from which the mixed content is expelled; c) at least two inlets of a size suitable for snuggly receiving the nozzles of the multiple dispensing unit; and d) a short body encompassing the maze. 36. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a split nozzle attached to the nozzles of the multiple dispensing unit for dispensing at least two predetermined quantities of contents from the two or more chambers at least at two different locations. 37. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the metering chamber is dynamically adjustable, comprising a topless cap and an adjusting device comprising an adjustable screw with a base comprising a washer having a sealer ring attached thereto, wherein the size of the metering chamber may be varied according to the location of the base within the cap. 38. A method for delivering a predetermined quantity of content from the apparatus of claim 33, comprising actuating the apparatus by applying a downward pressure on the dispensing assembly, and then releasing pressure to allow the predetermined quantity of content to be discharged from each container. 39. The method of claim 38, comprising actuating the dispensing assembly multiple times to allow multiple doses of the predetermined quantity of content to be discharged.