Limited flow device

Abstract

A container for dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid through a dispensing tube is disclosed. A valve is dimensioned to contain and dispense a predetermined about of liquid and dispense the liquid through a dispensing tube in contact with the valve. The liquid is in fluid contact with the inlet port when the base is in a first position and out of fluid contact with the inlet port when the base is in a second position. Thus, the valve fills with liquid when the container is in a substantially horizontal position while angling the container removes the liquid from contact with the valve and stops the fluid flow. Preferably the container has a sealable, watertight lid that receives the dispensing tube and incorporates vent holes to enable airflow into the container. The fluid inlet port can be placed in the side or top of the valve. The valve can alternatively be a tube with fluid and tube inlets in fluid communication. An air vent can be incorporated within the dispensing tube to prevent using the dispensing tube as a straw, it is preferable to include a drinking shield.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container for repeatedly dispensing a maximum, predetermined amount of liquid directly into a user's mouth through a dispensing conduit, said container comprising: 
 a) a vessel, said vessel comprising a liquid containing enclosure and a upper closure member, said liquid containing enclosure and said upper closure member being mated to form said vessel,    b) a valve, said valve having a liquid containing region and an inlet, said liquid containing region being dimensioned to contain a predetermined volume of liquid, said valve inlet being positioned to receive said liquid when in a horizontal position and above the liquid level of said liquid when in a dispensing position,    c) an elongated dispensing conduit, said dispensing conduit having a first region and a second region, said first region first end being within said vessel and being in fluid communication with said valve liquid containing region, said dispensing conduit second region having an outlet end outside of said container,    said dispensing conduit first region and said valve member having a predetermined combined volume, said dispensing conduit first region having an interior volume that is less than about 25% of said combined volume.    
     
     
         2 . The container of    claim 1   , wherein each of said liquid containing enclosure and said upper closure member being cup shaped members in liquid tight engagement with each other.  
     
     
         3 . The container of    claim 2   , wherein the diameter of said liquid containing enclosure is greater than the maximum fill height of said liquid containing enclosure.  
     
     
         4 . The container of    claim 3   , wherein said maximum fill height is approximately 80-90% of the diameter of said liquid containing enclosure.  
     
     
         5 . The container of    claim 1   , further comprising an anti-siphon vent, said anti-siphon vent being between said dispensing conduit second region outlet end and said first region first end, said anti-siphon vent being out of fluid communication with liquid in said liquid containing enclosure and in fluid communication with ambient air.  
     
     
         6 . The container of    claim 5   , wherein said anti-siphon vent is an air break in said dispensing conduit second region outlet end.  
     
     
         7 . The container of    claim 1   , further comprising an anti-siphon vent, said anti-siphon vent being a conduit having a first end open to the ambient air and a second end in communication with said dispensing conduit.  
     
     
         8 . A container for dispensing no more than a predetermined amount of liquid directly into a user's mouth by gravity flow through a dispensing conduit, said container comprising: 
 a) a lower liquid containing enclosure and a upper closure member, said liquid containing enclosure and said upper closure member being mated to form said container, said lower liquid containing enclosure having an upper edge, said upper edge being a maximum fill level,    b) a valve member, said valve member having a liquid containing region and an inlet, said liquid containing region being dimensioned to contain a predetermined volume of liquid,    c) a dispensing conduit, said dispensing conduit having a first region and a second region, said first region being within said container and having a first end in fluid communication with said valve liquid containing region, said dispensing conduit second region having an outlet end, wherein when said liquid containing enclosure is filled with liquid to a predetermined fill level, the relationship of the maximum fill level of said liquid, the position of said valve in said container, and said dispensing conduit outlet end is such that when said container is rotated toward a gravity dispensing position, dispensing cannot not commence until said valve inlet is above the horizon of said liquid.    
     
     
         9 . The container of    claim 8   , wherein the height of liquid at said predetermined liquid fill line is equal to no greater than about 80 to about 90% of the diameter of said container.  
     
     
         10 . The container of    claim 8   , wherein said dispensing conduit first region and said valve member have a predetermined combined volume, said dispensing conduit first region having an interior volume that is less than about 25% of said combined volume.  
     
     
         11 . The container of    claim 8   , wherein said valve is offset from a center point of said liquid containing enclosure and is adjacent to a liquid containing enclosure side, wherein said dispensing conduit outlet end is offset from said center point in the direction opposite said offset of said valve.  
     
     
         12 . The container of    claim 8   , wherein said dispensing conduit's total volume is less than said measuring valve's total volume.  
     
     
         13 . The container of    claim 12   , wherein said dispensing tube volume is less than about 25% of the combined volume of said measuring valve and said dispensing conduit.  
     
     
         14 . The method of gravity dispensing a measured amount of liquid from a container, through a dispensing conduit directly into a user's mouth, said container comprising a lower cup shaped member and a closure member, said cup shaped member and said closure member forming a vessel, a valve and a dispensing conduit, said vessel having a diameter, said valve having a liquid containing region and a valve inlet, said liquid containing region being dimensioned to contain a predetermined volume of liquid, said dispensing conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end being in fluid communication with said valve liquid containing region, said dispensing conduit extending through said vessel closed end and having said second end spaced from said vessel closed end, said method comprising the steps of; 
 a) filling said cup shaped member with a predetermined amount of liquid up to the maximum capacity of said cup shaped member,    b) rotating said container from a first upright position to a second position, in said second position said valve inlet being above the horizon of said liquid when said cup shaped member is filled to its maximum capacity, and    c) commencing the gravity dispensing of liquid when said container is in said second position,    d) said lower vessel, said dispensing conduit, and said valve liquid containing region having relative dimensions and positions such that the gravity dispensing of liquid terminates when no more than said measured volume of liquid from said valve liquid containing region has been dispensed through said dispensing conduit second end to said user's mouth.    
     
     
         15 . The method of gravity dispensing a measured amount of liquid from a container, through a dispensing conduit directly into a user's mouth, said container comprising a lower vessel, a closure, a valve and a dispensing conduit, said valve having a liquid containing region and said dispensing conduit having a first end and a second end external of said container, said first end being in fluid communication with said valve liquid containing region and said second end providing gravity delivery of liquid to a user, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) filling said lower vessel with a predetermined amount of liquid,    b) sealing said closure to said lower vessel,    c) rotating said container from a first upright position to a second position, in said second position said valve inlet being above the horizon of said liquid, said valve liquid containing region and said dispensing conduit containing no more than said measured amount of liquid,    d) commencing the gravity dispensing of liquid upon said container being in said second position, and    e) the maximum capacity of said lower vessel being such that upon termination of the gravity dispensing of liquid no more than said measured volume of liquid from said valve liquid containing region and said dispensing conduit can be dispensed through said dispensing conduit second end to said user's mouth.    
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 15   , wherein said dispensing conduit's total volume is substantially less than said measuring valve's total volume.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 15   , said dispensing tube volume being less than about 25% of the combined volume of said measuring valve and said dispensing conduit such that a relatively consistent dispensed volume is maintained during repeated dispensing of said measured volume of liquid.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 15   , comprising repeating steps (c) through (e), said dispensing tube volume being less than about 25% of the combined volume of said measuring valve and said dispensing conduit such that a relatively consistent dispensed volume is maintained during repeated dispensing of said measured volume of liquid.