Liquid dispenser apparatus

Abstract

A liquid dispensing apparatus that enables liquid for drawing liquid from a bottle into an oral syringe without inverting the bottle includes a tubular cap member for insertion into the mouth of a bottle. The cap member defines upper and lower openings connected by a bore. The device includes an elongate tube having an upper end connected to the cap lower opening and a lower end positionable adjacent a bottom wall of a bottle. A plunger is positioned within the bore of the cap member and is movable between a retracted configuration that closes the tube upper end and an extended configuration positioned within the tube. The plunger also defines an aperture through which liquid from the tube may flow into the plunger when the plunger is at the extended configuration. Liquid may be drawn from the plunger when an oral syringe is inserted into the cap member.

1 . A liquid dispensing apparatus for enabling liquid to be withdrawn from the interior of a bottle containing a liquid into an oral syringe without inverting the container, comprising:
 a cap member having a tubular configuration complementary to a configuration of a mouth of the bottle for a friction-fit insertion therein, said cap member defining upper and lower openings with an axial bore extending therebetween for fluid communication therethrough;   an elongate tube defining open upper and lower ends, said tube upper end being connected to said lower opening of said cap member and said tube lower end resting on or adjacent a bottom wall of the bottle;   a plunger situated in said axial bore between said upper and lower openings and configured for receiving a nozzle of the oral syringe, said plunger being movable between a retracted configuration that closes said tube upper end and an extended configuration positioned within said tube; and   wherein said plunger defines an aperture through which liquid from said tube may flow into said plunger when said plunger is at said extended configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said plunger includes an upper portion having a generally funnel shaped inner configuration for selectively receiving the nozzle of the oral syringe and a lower portion having a tubular configuration defining said aperture, said lower portion extending into said tube at said extended configuration for enabling liquid to flow through said aperture into said upper portion of said plunger. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as in  claim 2  further comprising means for biasing said plunger toward said retracted configuration. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein said biasing means includes a diaphragm positioned atop said cap member surrounding said upper opening, said diaphragm being attached to said plunger and being stretched when said plunger is moved to said extended configuration upon insertion of the oral syringe nozzle, said diaphragm biasing said plunger to return to said retracted configuration when the oral syringe nozzle is removed. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a diaphragm positioned atop said cap member surrounding said upper opening, said diaphragm being attached to said plunger and being stretched when said plunger is moved to said extended configuration upon insertion of the oral syringe nozzle, said diaphragm biasing said plunger to return to said retracted configuration when the oral syringe nozzle is removed. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said cap member includes:
 an outer wall having a configuration for bearing against an inner surface of the mouth of the bottle when the cap member is inserted therein;   an inner wall connected to said outer wall and defining said upper and lower openings and said axial bore; and   a top plate mounted atop said inner and outer walls, said top plate having a diameter larger than a diameter of said outer wall for stopping said cap member from being inserted past the mouth of the bottle.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said cap member includes:
 an outer wall having a configuration for bearing against an inner surface of the mouth of the bottle when the cap member is inserted therein;   an inner wall connected to said outer wall and defining said upper and lower openings and said axial bore;   a top plate mounted atop said inner and outer walls, said top plate having a diameter larger than a diameter of said outer wall for stopping said cap member from being inserted past the mouth of the bottle;   said apparatus further comprising:
 a diaphragm sandwiched between said top plate and said inner and outer walls, said diaphragm surrounding said upper opening and attached to said plunger, said diaphragm being stretched when said plunger is moved to said extended configuration upon insertion of the oral syringe nozzle, said diaphragm biasing said plunger to return to said retracted configuration when the oral syringe nozzle is removed. 
   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as in  claim 4  wherein said diaphragm includes a rubber construction, said diaphragm being situated in said cap member for preventing liquid from spilling from the plunger when the oral syringe is received therein. 
   
   
       9 . A liquid dispensing apparatus for enabling liquid to be withdrawn from the interior of a bottle containing a liquid into an oral syringe without inverting the container, comprising:
 a cap member having a tubular configuration complementary to a configuration of a mouth of the bottle for a friction-fit insertion therein, said cap member defining upper and lower openings with an axial bore extending therebetween for fluid communication therethrough;   an elongate tube defining open upper and lower ends, said tube upper end being connected to said lower opening of said cap member and said tube lower end resting on or adjacent a bottom wall of the bottle;   a plunger situated in said axial bore between said upper and lower openings and configured for receiving a nozzle of the oral syringe, said plunger being movable between a retracted configuration that closes said tube upper end and an extended configuration positioned within said tube;   wherein said plunger defines an aperture through which liquid from said tube may flow into said plunger when said plunger is at said extended configuration;   a diaphragm positioned in said cap member and attached to said plunger for biasing said plunger toward said retracted configuration.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein said diaphragm is positioned atop said cap member adjacent said upper opening and is attached to said plunger, said diaphragm being stretched when said plunger is moved to said extended configuration upon insertion of the oral syringe nozzle, said diaphragm biasing said plunger to return to said retracted configuration when the oral syringe nozzle is removed. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein said plunger includes an upper portion having a generally funnel shaped configuration for selectively receiving the nozzle of the oral syringe and a lower portion having a tubular configuration defining said aperture, said lower portion extending into said tube at said extended configuration for enabling liquid to flow through said aperture into said upper portion of said plunger. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein said cap member includes:
 an outer wall having a configuration for bearing against an inner surface of the mouth of the bottle when the cap member is inserted therein;   an inner wall connected to said outer wall and defining said upper and lower openings and said axial bore; and   a top plate mounted atop said inner and outer walls, said top plate having a diameter larger than a diameter of said outer wall for stopping said cap member from being inserted past the mouth of the bottle.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as in  claim 12  wherein said diaphragm is sandwiched between said top plate and said inner and outer walls of said cap member, said diaphragm surrounding said upper opening and attached to said plunger, said diaphragm being stretched when said plunger is moved to said extended configuration upon insertion of the oral syringe nozzle, said diaphragm biasing said plunger to return to said retracted configuration when the oral syringe nozzle is removed. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein said diaphragm includes a rubber construction, said diaphragm being situated in said cap member for surrounding the tip of the oral syringe when the tip thereof is inserted into said cap member, whereby to prevent liquid from passing between said diaphragm and the oral syringe. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein a child-resistant cap may be releasably mounted atop the bottle when said cap member is inserted in the bottle.