AU777071B2 - Bottle with liquid dispenser - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: DENNIS CRAVEN Invention Title: BOTTLE WITH LIQUID DISPENSER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 A CONTAINER FOR FLUID The present invention relates to containers which are primarily used for holding a fluid such as water. The present invention also relates to water purification.

Safe drinking water is an important issue for any traveller. In countries where water purification infrastructure is well established this problem may be relatively minor. However in developing countries this is a serious problem.

A common solution is for a traveller to buy bottled water and in the modern age this even occurs throughout developed nations as well.

A problem arises however when travellers travel to locations where bottled water is unavailable or unsafe because of the high risk of tampering.

In addition to the above campers, hikers and other types of adventurers often travel to locations where drinking water is only available from creeks and rivers.

In such a situation water needs to be boiled 20 before it is safe to drink.

Various types of drinking containers have been proposed to deal with the above problems.

One type of drinking container is shown in PCT application W90/04547.

The container shown in the above patent **application is adapted to be filled with a liquid such as water, so that a purification clock chamber may be added to the neck of the container.

The lock chamber in the neck of the container 30 houses at least one element for treating the liquid as it co The container operates on the principle that a movable stopper is provided in the lock chamber and this movable stopper is moved to either allow or prevent entry of liquid into the lock chamber for purification as it passes out of the container.

The above container suffers from a number of HMS,%S e eep-peC-.P43269 SPEC doc 31 O.,01 3 problems. These include how to fill the container without removing the lock chamber first, and secondly how to provide a measured amount of purification liquid to be added to the water on its exit from the container.

The present invention provides an alternative type of container which has the ability to assist in purification of water or other liquid located within the container.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for fluid comprising a main chamber for receipt of a first fluid, a second chamber for receipt of a second fluid, a dispensing means for dispensing a predetermined amount of second fluid into the main chamber and an inlet for entry of first fluid, wherein the second chamber is located in a position whereby first fluid can enter through the inlet and into the main chamber.

Preferably the dispensing means includes a dispensing mechanism operable from outside of the container.

20 The dispensing means may include a finger operable portion.

Preferably the dispensing means comprises an urging means for contacting and pressing against an outer wall of the second chamber.

The second chamber may comprise a receptacle.

Preferably the receptacle is located inside the container.

The receptacle may be located inside the main chamber.

30 The receptacle preferably comprises an outlet.

The recentar14- mnx t mr ic_ 1.!arr wavalVe for blocking entry of fluid into the receptacle.

It is preferred that the receptacle comprises an outlet section and a storage section.

The storage section may be a generally cylindrical reservoir.

The storage section may have a base which is H S-L K-,pc Sp-P4 3269 SPEC Ioc II OR 0 1 4 adapted to receive part of the dispensing means.

The receptacle may be located at the bottom of the main chamber.

Preferably the receptacle is adapted to be compressed by the dispensing means to dispense a predetermined amount of second fluid.

The dispenser means may include a screwable member.

The screwable member is preferably arranged in screw threaded engagement with a threaded section of the container. This may be a wall of the receptacle.

The receptacle preferably has an outlet protruding upwardly from the base of the main chamber.

The receptacle may be fixed within the main chamber by a fixing means.

Preferably the fixing means comprises any one of the following, clips, an inner peripheral flange, a flexible inner peripheral flange, bottom/base fixing devices, a screw-in fitting or bayonet type fitting, lock- 20 in guides or other equivalent fixing means which are able to removably fix the receptacle with the container.

Preferably the receptacle has a rigid upper and/or lower surface.

The receptacle preferably has a flexible side wall.

The receptacle preferably is able to concertina.

The receptacle is preferably able to be compressed without damaging the walls of the receptacle.

Preferably the container has a base wall with a recessed 30 area for the finger operable portion.

it gcr opeall portion comprises a switch, dial, knob or alternative mechanism for forcing second fluid from the receptacle.

The container may include a screw-on base.

The receptacle may be attached to the screw-on base.

The receptacle is preferably removably locatable H \SueBVeep\spe-\P43269 SPEC d.c !I OS 01 within the container so that it is able to be refilled.

It is preferred that the inlet of the container includes a filter.

It should be noted that the words "comprising, including, having" should be interpreted in an inclusive sense which does not limit the addition of further features.

It is preferred that the container is a portable bottle for carrying liquid such as water.

The words "comprising, having, including" should be interpreted in an inclusive sense, meaning that additional features may also be added A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of a container according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the container i. 20 shown in Figure i.

A container 10 in the form of a bottle is shown in Figure i.

The bottle is essentially cylindrical in shape and has an outlet 11 in the top thereof with a carbon filter 12 fixed inside the mouth of the outlet 11.

For convenience a dust cap 13 is provided over the top of the bottle 10 and is connected to the main body of the container through a hinge 14.

The bottom of the container 10 has an annular 30 base 15 with a central recessed area 16. A left threaded diTn= spens"n 4 I c t in thc recs---a area 16 and consists of a disc like knob 18 with a cylindrical threaded shaft 19 which extends vertically upwardly to the interior of the bottom of the container.

The shaft 19 has an external left handed thread which engages with a matching thread on the inner surface of a vertical hole extending from the floor 21 of the Ii St-B Keep sp,-ci*P43269 SPEC .:II O 01 6 recess 16.

A dispensing container 21 is located in the bottom of the main container This dispensing container 21 is generally cylindrical but has a central outlet 22 in the form of a vertically upright hollow protrusion 22.

The top end of the outlet 22 is provided with a one way valve 23.

The dispensing container 21 has a rigid upper surface 24, a rigid lower surface 25 and a collapsible outer circumferential wall 26.

The dispensing container 21 fits over the shaft 19 and has a matching screw thread to that of the exterior surface of the shaft 19.

The dispensing container 21 is seated on the base of the inner surface of the container 10 and is held in position by treads 27 with O-rings screwing top and bottom e sections together.

°ioe Operation of the container 10 will be described 20 as follows.

Firstly the dispensing container 21 is filled with a decontaminating solution such as Ecoshield (registered trademark).

The inlet 11 is then opened and water is poured into the container 10 through the filter 12.

The water may be of suspect purity.

**The dispensing container 21 is filled with a decontaminating solution such as Ecoshield (registered trademark). Water within the container 10 is maintained 30 above the dispensing container 21 through the O-rings 27.

As shown in Figure 2 the knob 18 may be turned so as to turn the shaft 19 and move it further into the container 10. As a result the top end of the shaft 19 presses against the opposing surface of the dispensing container 21 compressing the solution therein. As a result a measured amount of solution exits through the one way valve and into the chamber containing the water.

H SB *Fi-e-pspeC P43269.PEC 1-c 31-OR 01 7 The bottom of the container may be calibrated as shown in Figure 2, by reference item 28. For example turning the knob 18 from one marking to an adjacent marking preferably delivers a predetermined amount of decontaminating solution which is dispensed into the container to decontaminate the water therein.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention the dispensing container is provided with a soft plastic outer membrane which allows the measured quantity of solution to be forced out through the one way valve by pressure applied through the dispensing mechanism 17.

Although in the preferred embodiment the dispensing container has a threaded hole in its base for engagement with the shaft 19 of the dispensing mechanism 17, alternative methods for dispensing solution from the dispensing container are also envisaged.

As an example the dispensing container could include a plunger mechanism which is moved upwardly to 20 dispense solution therefrom by turning the knob of the dispensing mechanism 17.

It is also possible that the dispensing container be part of a combined dispensing container/dispensing *mechanism which is able to be screwed onto the bottom of the main container 10. In this fashion the dispensing container can be replaced by new dispensing containers by simply detaching the old dispensing container through the bottom of the main container 10, and inserting a new one in position.

30 The dispensing container and dispensing mechanism may be r a ,i-pa.l a 4 u rni 4r 4--a t crasre,, onto the base of the main container 10 to form a complete sealed chamber within which water may be contained.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia H SuesBKep sleci P432i9 SPEC doc 31 01 01 8or in any other country.

H S- .ep p- P36 SPEC doc 31103 01

Claims (29)

1. A container for fluid comprising a main chamber for receipt of a first fluid, a second chamber for receipt of a second fluid, a dispensing means for dispensing a predetermined amount of second fluid into the main chamber and an inlet for entry of first fluid, wherein the second chamber is located in a position whereby first fluid can enter through the inlet and into the main chamber.

2. The container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dispensing means includes a dispensing mechanism operable from outside of the container.

3. The container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the dispensing means includes a finger operable portion.

4. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the dispensing means comprises an urging means for contacting and pressing against an outer wall of the second chamber.

The container as claimed in any one of the 20 preceding claims wherein the second chamber comprises a receptacle.

6. The container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the receptacle is located inside the container.

7. The container as claimed in any one of the 25 preceding claims including a housing with the main chamber and second chamber located therein.

8. The container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the receptacle is located inside the main chamber.

9. The container as claimed in claim 8 wherein the receptacle comprises an outlet.

The container as claimed in claim 9 wherein the receptacle comprises a one way valve for blocking entry of fluid into the receptacle.

11. The container as claimed in claim wherein the receptacle comprises an outlet section and a storage section.

12. The container as claimed in claim 11 H:%Suee Keep\speci\P43269 SPEC~doc 1 03OL 10 wherein the storage section is a generally cylindrical reservoir.

13. The container as claimed in claim 12 wherein the storage section has a base which is adapted to receive part of the dispensing means.

14. The container as claimed in claim 13 wherein the receptacle is located at the bottom of the main chamber.

The container as claimed in claim 14 wherein the receptacle is adapted to be compressed by the dispensing means to dispense a predetermined amount of second fluid.

16. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the dispenser means includes a screwable member.

17. The container as claimed in claim 16 wherein the screwable member is arranged in screw-threaded •engagement with a threaded section of the container.

18. The container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the receptacle has an outlet protruding upwardly from the :base of the main chamber.

19. The receptacle as claimed in claim 18 wherein the receptacle is fixed within the main chamber by fixing means.

20. The container as claimed in claim 19 wherein the fixing means comprises any one of the **following: clips, an inner peripheral flange, a flexible inner peripheral flange, bottom/base fixing devices, a -•30 screw-in fitting or bayonet-type fitting, lock-in guides.

21. The container as claimed in claim wherein the receptacle has a rigid upper and/or lower surface.

22. The container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the receptacle has a flexible side wall.

23. The container as claimed in claim 23 wherein the receptacle is able to concertina. H-\S-.8.K:-p\p-CIP4326 9 SPEC: I 31 0; 01 11

24. The container as claimed in claim 23 wherein the receptacle is able to be compressed without damaging the walls of the container.

The container as claimed in claim 3 comprising a base wall for the finger operable portion.

26. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a screw-on base.

27. The container as claimed in claim 26 wherein the receptacle is attachable to the screw-on base.

28. The container as claimed in claim 27 wherein the receptacle is removably locatable within the container so that it is able to be refilled.

29. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the inlet of the container includes a filter. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 31st day of August 2001 2 DENNIS CRAVEN By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H:SueB\Keepspec-\P43269 SPECdoc 31,OROL