Flow Control Device

Abstract

A flow control mechanism/device is provided for regulating the flow of fluid from a container or vessel, e.g., a plastic bottle containing a fluid such as water or the like. The flow control mechanism may be advantageously employed in a variety of applications where it is desired to dispense and/or access fluids in a controlled manner, e.g., applications wherein a liquid, colloidal system, suspension or the like is to be dispensed/accessed in a controlled manner. The flow control mechanisms are particularly advantageous as animal/pet drinking aids that provide animals/pets with convenient and controlled access to fluid refreshment, e.g., when away from a home-based water bowl. An exemplary control mechanism includes an inner cap member, an overcap member, and a ball captured therebetween. The overcap member is adapted for axial translation relative to the inner cap member, thereby facilitating one-handed manipulation. Adapters may be provided to facilitate mounting of the disclosed flow control mechanism/device relative to containers/vessels of differing design/geometry. A releasable locking mechanism may be provided to prevent the flow control mechanism/device from becoming inadvertently operational.

1 . A flow control device, comprising:
 (a) an inner cap member configured and dimensioned to be mounted with respect to a fluid container, said inner cap member including a base and a substantially cylindrical extension defining a flow passage;   (b) an overcap member movably mounted with respect to said inner cap member; and   (c) a ball captured between said overcap member and said inner cap member, said ball being sized to obstruct fluid passage through said flow passage of said inner cap member;   wherein a variable flow clearance may be established by axial movement of said overcap member relative to said inner cap member.   
   
   
       2 . A flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein said substantially cylindrical extension defines a plurality of inwardly directed annular ridges and at least one valley region therebetween. 
   
   
       3 . A flow control device according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said plurality of inwardly directed annular ridges is radiused. 
   
   
       4 . A flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein said overcap member defines an annular rim projection to facilitate grasping thereof for axial translation. 
   
   
       5 . A flow control device according to  claim 2 , wherein said overcap member defines at least one inwardly directed annular projection that is adapted to interact with said plurality of inwardly directed ridges and said at least one valley region to control said variable flow clearance. 
   
   
       6 . A flow control device according to  claim 5 , wherein interaction between the at least one inwardly directed annular projection of the overcap member and said plurality of inwardly directed ridges and said at least one valley region of said inner cap member provides sealing functionality. 
   
   
       7 . A flow control device according to  claim 5 , wherein said overcap member defines two axially spaced inwardly directed annular projections. 
   
   
       8 . A flow control device according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one inwardly directed annular projection is radiused. 
   
   
       9 . A flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein said base element is knurled. 
   
   
       10 . A flow control device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adapter to facilitate mounting of the flow control device relative to a fluid container. 
   
   
       11 . A flow control device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for preventing axial translation of the overcap member relative to the inner cap member. 
   
   
       12 . A flow control device according to  claim 11 , wherein the releasable locking mechanism includes a plurality of slotted openings formed in the base of the inner cap member. 
   
   
       13 . A flow control device according to  claim 12 , wherein the releasable locking mechanism further includes a plurality of downwardly extending legs that define tabs for releasable engagement with the slotted openings formed in the base. 
   
   
       14 . A flow control device according to  claim 11 , wherein the releasable locking mechanism is moved between a locked and an unlocked configuration by rotation of the overcap member relative to the inner cap member. 
   
   
       15 . A flow control device according to  claim 11 , wherein the releasable locking mechanism includes legs extending upwardly from the base element of the inner cap member that are adapted to releasably engage openings formed in the overcap member. 
   
   
       16 . A flow control device according to  claim 11 , wherein the releasable locking mechanism includes legs extending radially outward from the inner cap member that are adapted to releasable engage the over cap member. 
   
   
       17 . A flow control device according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the legs extending radially outward from the inner cap member is adapted to engage an opening or a depression formed in the overcap member. 
   
   
       18 . A flow control device according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the legs extending radially outward from the inner cap member is associated with an annular ridge formed on the inner cap member, and wherein the at least one leg is adapted to engage an annular projection defined by the overcap member. 
   
   
       19 . A flow control device according to  claim 11 , wherein the releasable locking mechanism is released by squeezing the overcap member. 
   
   
       20 . A flow controld device according to  claim 11 , wherein the releasable locking mechanism is released by applying an additional axial force to the upper cap member to overcome the releasable locking mechanism and to effect axial translation of the overcap member relative to the inner cap member. 
   
   
       21 . A flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein axial translation of the overcap member relative to the inner cap member is effective to provide at least one of an audible or tactile signal of the relative position thereof. 
   
   
       22 . A flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base element of the inner cap member is mounted with respect to at least one of a vessel, a container, a bottle, an assembly that delivers fluid based on gravity feed, an assembly that delivers fluid based on a pump force, a stalk, a tube, or a fluid source. 
   
   
       23 . A flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said overcap member and said inner cap member is fabricated by a two-shot molding process so as to introduce a sealing material thereto.