Filtering dispenser container
Inventors
Mihashi, Hirokazu • Yoshimura, Seiji • Suzuki, Kazuko • Uetake, Yorihisa • Hoshi, Norio • Matsuda, Shinji • Kondo, Hidetoshi
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8490839-B2
Publication Date
2013-07-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
In a filtering dispenser container which includes a plug attached to a mouth portion of a bottle thereof and having a liquid discharge passage, and a filter and a check valve provided in the discharge passage, air lock is prevented, even if the container contains a highly percolative liquid, by preventing a very small amount of liquid percolating the check valve from reaching the filter. In the filtering dispenser container, a dam (14) is provided between the check valve (23) and the filter (25) for retaining a very small amount of the liquid percolating the check valve (23) when the check valve is closed. Thus, the filter (25) is prevented from being wetted with the liquid percolating the closed check valve (23) during storage or delivery of the container before the first use of the container.
Core Innovation
The patent relates to a filtering dispenser container for storing and discharging a liquid, the container including a bottle with a mouth portion and a plug attached to the mouth portion. The plug has a discharge passage in which a filter and a check valve are provided, where the filter is disposed downstream of the check valve with respect to a liquid discharging direction. The check valve is capable of being opened and closed so that discharge is controlled.
The patent addresses air lock and filter wetting when storing or delivering highly percolative eye liquids in which a small amount of liquid percolates through the check valve while the check valve is closed. The patent provides a dam between the check valve and the filter in the discharge passage for retaining the liquid percolating through the check valve with the check valve closed, thereby preventing the filter from being wetted before use.
With the check valve opened, liquid discharging from the open check valve flows up to and past the dam. The description further provides that a spacer positioned between the check valve and the filter maintains separation and can include the dam, and that additional geometries such as grooves, ribs, liquid flow holes, and a damper wall guide percolating liquid toward the dam and damp the liquid flow when the container is toppled, while supporting dropwise dispensing after use.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim clm-00001 sets out three main inventive features: a filter downstream of a check valve in a dispenser discharge passage, a dam positioned between the check valve and the filter to retain percolating liquid when the check valve is closed, and a flow relationship where discharged liquid flows up to and past the dam when the check valve is open. Dependent claims refine the dam structure and the plug/spacer geometry, but no other independent claims are provided in the partial content.
Filtering dispenser container with filter downstream of check valve
A filtering dispenser container having a bottle and a plug with a discharge passage including a filter and a check valve, the check valve being capable of being opened and closed, with the filter disposed downstream of the check valve with respect to a liquid discharging direction.
Dam between check valve and filter to prevent filter wetting
A dam provided between the check valve and the filter in the discharge passage for retaining the liquid percolating through the check valve with the check valve closed to prevent the filter from being wetted.
Flow up to and past the dam when check valve is open
A configuration whereby liquid discharging from the open check valve flows up to and past the dam.
Claim coverage centers on preventing filter wetting from percolating liquid during the check-valve-closed state by using a dam located between the check valve and the downstream filter, while still enabling discharge flow to reach and pass the dam when the check valve opens. The dependent refinements described include specific dam geometries and refined plug/spacer structures, including a spacer with a dam and liquid flow hole, and a damper wall with liquid flow hole.
Stated Advantages
Prevents the filter from being wetted before use by retaining liquid percolating through the check valve with the check valve closed.
Liquid discharging from the open check valve flows up to and past the dam.
Documented Applications
Storing and delivering highly percolative eye liquids in a filtering dispenser container to address air lock and to avoid wetting the hydrophilic filter before first use.
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