Metered dose squeeze dispenser

Abstract

Exemplary metered dose dispensers are disclosed herein. One exemplary embodiment includes a container and a one-dose dispenser secured to the container. The one-dose dispenser includes a dosing chamber; a shuttle member movable within the dosing chamber; an outlet valve located at an end of the dosing chamber and an outlet located downstream of the outlet valve. A liquid inlet is also included for allowing liquid to flow into the dosing chamber to an area between the shuttle member and the outlet valve. Pressurizing liquid in the container moves the shuttle member from a first position to a second position and dispenses the liquid in the dosing chamber; and when the shuttle member is in the second position, the shuttle member seals off the outlet valve.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A dispensing device comprising:
 a container;   a one-dose dispenser secured to the container;
 the one-dose dispenser comprising:
 a dosing chamber; 
 a shuttle member movable within the dosing chamber; 
 an outlet valve located at an end of the dosing chamber; 
 an outlet located downstream of the outlet valve; and 
 a liquid inlet for allowing liquid to flow into the dosing chamber to an area between the shuttle member and the outlet valve, wherein the liquid inlet is sized small enough so that the shuttle member moves when pressure is applied to the container without a substantial amount of liquid flowing through the liquid inlet; 
 wherein pressurizing liquid in the container moves the shuttle member from a first position to a second position and dispenses the liquid in the dosing chamber; and 
 wherein when the shuttle member is in the second position, the shuttle member seals off the outlet valve. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing device of  claim 1  wherein the liquid inlet is around the wall of the dosing chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing device of  claim 1  wherein the liquid inlet is in the shuttle member. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing device of  claim 1  wherein the liquid inlet contacts the shuttle member and is directed in a direction that is not parallel to the movement of the shuttle member. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing device of  claim 1  further comprising a biasing member for moving the shuttle member from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         6 . A dispensing device comprising;
 a compressible container;   a dosing chamber in liquid communication with the compressible container;   the dosing chamber formed at least in part by a shuttle member and an outlet valve located proximate an outlet;   the shuttle member movable between a first position proximate the compressible container to a second position proximate the outlet valve; and   a liquid passageway from the compressible container to the dosing chamber;   the liquid passageway allowing liquid to enter an area of the dosing chamber between the shuttle member and the outlet;
 wherein compressing the compressible container causes the shuttle member to move towards the outlet valve; and 
 wherein liquid in the dosing chamber is dispensed while the shuttle member is moving towards the outlet valve and liquid stops flowing out of the dosing chamber when the shuttle member reaches its end of travel in the direction of the outlet valve. 
   
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 6  wherein the shuttle member seals off the outlet valve when located proximate the outlet valve. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 6  wherein the shuttle member stops moving when the shuttle member contacts a seat proximate the outlet valve. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 6  wherein the liquid flows between the shuttle member and a wall of the dosing chamber to reach the area located between the shuttle member and the outlet valve. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 6  wherein the liquid flows through a channel in a wall of the dosing chamber to reach the area located between the shuttle member and the outlet valve. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 6  wherein the liquid flows through a channel in the shuttle member to reach the area located between the shuttle member and the outlet valve and the liquid travels in at least one direction that is non-parallel to the movement of the shuttle. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 6  wherein the liquid flows near the wall of the dosing chamber to reach the area located between the shuttle member and the outlet valve. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 6  further comprising a biasing member to move the shuttle member toward the compressible container. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 6  further comprising a cap secured to the dispensing device for sealing off the outlet. 
     
     
         15 . A dispensing device comprising:
 a squeezable container;   a cap secured to the squeezable container;   the squeezable container having at least two side walls that move toward each other to dispense a dose of fluid;   and a travel limiting device for limiting the movement of the at least two side walls to a set distance, wherein the limited travel of the side walls provides a metered output.   
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the travel limiting device comprises a tube. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 16  wherein the tube comprises a hollow portion and one or more apertures from the outside of the tube to the center of the tube. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 16  wherein the tube is open on an end by a nozzle and sealed off at a point near the apertures. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the travel limiting device for limiting movement of the at least two sidewalls comprises indentations on at least one of the side walls. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the travel limiting device for limiting movement of the at least two sidewalls comprises protrusions on the interior of least one of the side walls.