Dosing timer and dispensers using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11415448-B2
Application number	US-202117331896-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 27, 2021
Priority date	Feb 13, 2017
Publication date	Aug 16, 2022
Grant date	Aug 16, 2022

Abstract

A dispensing system includes a pour cap for a container and a timing device configured to visually indicate when a dose has been dispensed from the dispensing system, the timing device being securable to either the pour cap or the container and configurable based on a product being dispensed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A timing device, comprising:
an outer cylinder having a first open end and a second open end;
a hollow space defined by the outer cylinder;
an end cap sealing the first open end of the outer cylinder;
a flow regulator sealing the second open end of the outer cylinder and defining a timing reservoir and a storage reservoir within the hollow space; and
a fluid in the hollow space.

2. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the the timing device is attached to a pour cap.

3. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the end cap further comprises a filling port.

4. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the end cap further comprises a valve.

5. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the end cap further comprises a sealable channel.

6. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the flow regulator further comprises:
a channel opening in the timing reservoir;
a channel exit in the storage reservoir; and
a flow channel between and in fluid communication with the channel opening and the channel exit.

7. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the flow regulator further comprises:
a channel opening in the flow regulator adjacent to the timing reservoir;
a channel exit in the flow regulator adjacent to the storage reservoir;
a flow channel between the channel opening and the channel exit;
a fluid return channel in the flow regulator in fluid communication with the storage reservoir; and
a fluid return opening in the flow regulator in fluid communication with the fluid return channel and the timing reservoir.

8. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid further comprises a colored fluid.

9. A timing device, comprising:
an outer cylinder comprising a closed end and an open end;
a flow regulator sealing the open end and defining a timing reservoir and a storage reservoir within an interior of the outer cylinder, the flow regulator comprising:
a channel opening in the flow regulator adjacent to the timing reservoir;
a channel exit in the flow regulator adjacent to the storage reservoir;
a flow channel between the channel opening and the channel exit;
a fluid return channel in the flow regulator in fluid communication with the storage reservoir; and
a fluid return opening in the flow regulator in fluid communication with the fluid return channel and the timing reservoir; and
a fluid contained within the outer cylinder.

10. A timing device, comprising:
an outer cylinder comprising a closed end and an open end;
a hollow space defined by the outer cylinder;
a slot in the closed end of the outer cylinder;
a flow regulator seated in the hollow space, the flow regulator comprising:
an end cap portion sealing the open end;
a main body;
a flow channel;
a fluid return channel; and
a terminal end portion received in the slot;

a timing reservoir in the hollow space defined by the flow regulator;
a storage reservoir in the hollow space defined by the flow regulator; and
a flowable material in the hollow space of the outer cylinder.

11. The timing device of claim 10 , wherein the flow channel further comprises:
a channel opening in communication with the timing reservoir; and
a channel exit in communication with the storage reservoir.

12. The timing device of claim 10 , wherein the fluid return channel further comprises:
a fluid entrance in communication with the storage reservoir; and
an exit in communication with the timing reservoir.

13. The timing device of claim 10 , wherein the end cap portion further comprises at least one sealing rib.

14. The timing device of claim 10 , wherein the end cap portion further comprises a central post.

15. The timing device of claim 14 , wherein the central post further comprises an orientation fin extending radially outwardly from the central post.

16. The timing device of claim 10 , wherein the outer cylinder comprises a transparent material.

17. The timing device of claim 10 , wherein the outer cylinder comprises a translucent material.

18. The timing device of claim 10 , wherein the flowable material is a colored fluid.

19. The timing device of claim 10 , wherein the timing device is attached to a container.

20. The timing device of claim 10 , wherein the timing device is attached to a pour cap.

Assignees

• Silgan Dispensing Systems Corp

Inventors

• Koster Stefan
• Deman Eelco H
• Harrigan Kelly A

Classifications

• B65D47/0885 Primary

  one part of the hinge being integral with the hinged closure and the other part with the base element, without any other additional hinge element · CPC title

• B65D2205/02

  Venting holes · CPC title

• B65D2205/00

  Venting means · CPC title

• B65D23/12

  Means for the attachment of smaller articles · CPC title

• G01F13/006 Primary

  measuring volume in function of time · CPC title