Apparatus for delivering a fluid and methods relating thereto

Abstract

Apparatus for delivering a fluid to a location includes a means for supplying fluid connected to a reservoir. The reservoir has a variable volume and includes an outlet via which fluid may be delivered to the location.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . An outlet means of or for a receptacle, the outlet means including an opening for passage of fluid and a surrounding region, said surrounding region surrounding the opening, wherein said surrounding region is movable from a first storage position to a second operative position in which it tapers towards said outlet so as to facilitate dispense of fluid from a receptacle which includes said outlet means. 
     
     
         33 . An outlet means according to  claim 32 , wherein said outlet means comprises a lid which is releasably engaged with a receptacle or a part of a receptacle. 
     
     
         34 . An outlet means according to  claim 32 , wherein said outlet means is arranged such that, when in the first storage position and associated with a receptacle to act as a closure means thereof, said surrounding region does not project outwardly from a plane which contains the outer perimeter of the outlet means. 
     
     
         35 . An outlet according to  claim 32 , wherein said surrounding region and associated opening are movable between the first storage position and second operative position in a direction which is substantially parallel to the direction in which fluid may exit the opening in use. 
     
     
         36 . An outlet means according to  claim 32 , wherein when in said operative position, said surrounding region includes a convex outwardly facing surface. 
     
     
         37 . An outlet according to  claim 32 , wherein when in said second operative position, said surrounding region is, at least partially, on one side of a plane of said outlet means; and when in said storage position it is, at least partially, on an opposite side of said plane. 
     
     
         38 . An outlet means according to  claim 32 , wherein said outlet is positioned substantially centrally within said surrounding region. 
     
     
         39 . An outlet according to  claim 32 , wherein said surrounding region includes a conical or part conical surface, wherein said opening is coincident with the axis of the cone. 
     
     
         40 . An outlet means according to  claim 32 , wherein when in said storage position, said surrounding region includes a concave outwardly facing surface. 
     
     
         41 . An outlet means according to  claim 32 , wherein said surrounding region is hingedly mounted by hinge means for movement between its first and second positions. 
     
     
         42 . An outlet means according to  claim 41 , wherein said hinge means comprises a first region of the outlet means around the periphery of the surrounding region, wherein said first region is substantially circular; and said hinge means comprises a second region around the opening in the surrounding region, said second region being substantially circular, wherein said first and second regions define substantially concentric circles which are centered upon said opening for passage of fluid. 
     
     
         43 . An outlet according to  claim 42 , wherein said first region is defined in an area of said surrounding region made from a plastics material; and said second region is defined in an area of said surrounding region made from a plastics material. 
     
     
         44 . An outlet means according to  claim 32 , wherein said outlet means includes operation means for causing the surrounding region to move from its first to its second position and back from its second to its first position, said operation means comprising a projecting member arranged to be grasped by an operator when the surrounding region is in its first storage position to urge it to its operative position. 
     
     
         45 . An outlet means according to  claim 32 , said outlet means incorporating an air bleed opening for allowing air to flow into the receptacle during flow of fluid from the receptacle via said opening for passage of said fluid. 
     
     
         46 . An outlet means according to  claim 32 , wherein said surrounding region of said outlet means is made substantially entirely from a plastics material and said outlet means is made substantially entirely from a plastics material. 
     
     
         47 . An outlet according to  claim 32 , wherein a valve member is engaged in said opening. 
     
     
         48 . An assembly comprising a plurality of receptacles each having a respective outlet means according to  claim 32 , wherein a first one of said receptacles is stacked upon a second one of said receptacles; and said surrounding region of said outlet means of said second receptacle is in its first storage position. 
     
     
         49 . An assembly according to  claim 48 , wherein said first receptacle includes a base which is stacked upon an outlet means of the second receptacle. 
     
     
         50 . A method of preparing a receptacle which includes an outlet means according to  claim 32  for use in an apparatus for delivering a fluid to a location, the method comprising:
 (i) selecting a receptacle which includes a fluid for delivery to a location, wherein said receptacle includes an outlet means which closes the receptacle and includes a said surrounding region in its first storage position; 
 (ii) causing the surrounding region to move from its storage position to its operative position; 
 (iii) positioning said receptacle with its outlet facing downwardly; 
 wherein step (ii) may precede step (iii) or vice versa. 
 
     
     
         51 . An outlet means of or for a receptacle, the outlet means including an opening for passage of fluid and a surrounding region, said surrounding region surrounding the opening, wherein said surrounding region is movable from a first storage position to a second operative position in which it tapers towards said outlet so as to facilitate dispense of fluid from a receptacle which includes said outlet means, wherein said outlet means is arranged such that, when in the first storage position and associated with a receptacle to act as a closure means thereof, said surrounding region does not project outwardly from a plane which contains the outer perimeter of the outlet means, wherein when in said operative position, said surrounding region includes a convex outwardly facing surface, wherein said outlet is positioned substantially centrally within said surrounding region, wherein said surrounding region of said outlet means is made substantially entirely from a plastics material and said outlet means is made substantially entirely from a plastics material.