Reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle

Abstract

A reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle is secured to the filler neck of an otherwise conventional squeeze bottle. The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle provides a valve operative within the discharge passage of the nozzle together with an air return venting system and apparatus that cooperate with the valve to provide a vented air flow return into the bottle interior thereby restoring atmospheric pressure to the bottle interior. The venting of the air return venting system and the closure of the valve occur solely when the deformed squeeze bottle is released. As a result, the reverse suctioning of potentially contaminated material discharge back into the squeeze bottle interior is prevented.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle for use in combination with a squeeze bottle, said squeeze bottle discharge nozzle comprising;
 an assembly cap, securable to a squeeze bottle in communication with flowable material therein, said assembly cap defining and extending valve neck defining a sidewall, a discharge aperture and a vent aperture;   a one way discharge valve supported within said discharge aperture operative to permit material flow outwardly from said assembly cap and to prevent material flow inwardly to said assembly cap; and   a vent valve operative to permit air flow into said assembly cap through said vent aperture and to prevent airflow outwardly from said assembly cap through said vent aperture,   said discharge valve and said vent valve cooperating to allow flowable material within said assembly cap to be forced outwardly through said discharge valve and to vent air into said assembly cap and to prevent a suction force within said assembly cap from drawing discharged flowable material back into said assembly cap.   
     
     
         2 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle forth in  claim 1  wherein said assembly cap defines a planar surface and wherein said discharge aperture is defined in said planar surface. 
     
     
         3 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth  claim 2  wherein said one way discharge valve includes;
 an elongated discharge nozzle having a one way valve formed at a first end thereof, said one way valve extending through said discharge aperture beyond said planar surface; 
 flexible seal formed at a second end of said discharge nozzle extending outwardly there from within said assembly cap beyond said discharge aperture on the underside of said planar surface. 
 
     
     
         4 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth in  claim 3  wherein said planar surface defines a vent aperture proximate to said discharge aperture, said flexible seal covering said vent aperture and flexing between a first position sealing said vent aperture and a second position displaced from said vent aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The reverses suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth in  claim 4  wherein said one way discharge valve including said elongated discharge nozzle, said one way valve and said flexible seal are formed of a single integral unit. 
     
     
         6 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth in  claim 5  wherein said flexible seal, said discharge nozzle and said one way valve define a continuous nozzle passage therethrough and wherein the flow of flowable material through said nozzle passage is permitted to flow outwardly by said one way valve but prevented from flowing inwardly through said one way valve. 
     
     
         7 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth in  claim 1  wherein said assembly cap defines a planar surface and wherein said discharge aperture is defined in said planar surface and wherein said vent aperture is formed in said sidewall of said valve neck. 
     
     
         8 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth in  claim 7  wherein said vent valve is received within said vent aperture and defines an extending seal, a one way valve and a vent passage therethrough, said vent valve being secured within said vent aperture such that said seal is outside said valve neck and said one way valve extends inwardly through said vent aperture into said valve neck whereby air is able to pass into said valve neck by flowable material and air are prevented from passing outwardly from said valve neck through said vent valve. 
     
     
         9 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth in  claim 8  wherein said one way discharge valve includes;
 an elongated discharge nozzle having a one way valve formed at a first end thereof, said one way valve extending through said discharge aperture beyond said planar surface; 
 a flexible seal formed at a second end of said discharge nozzle extending outwardly there from within said assembly cap beyond said discharge aperture on the underside of said planar surface. 
 
     
     
         10 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth in  claim 1  wherein said assembly cap includes a plurality of attachment threads for securing said assembly cap to a cooperating threaded attachment on a squeeze bottle. 
     
     
         11 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth in  claim 1  wherein said assembly cap includes a molded attachment for securing said assembly cap to a cooperating molded attachment on a molded squeeze bottle. 
     
     
         12 . A reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle, said squeeze bottle discharge nozzle comprising:
 a squeeze bottle formed of a resilient material defining a closed interior volume and an open neck;   a quantity of flowable material received within said interior volume;   an assembly cap, secured to said squeeze bottle in communication with said closed interior volume and said flowable material therein, said assembly cap defining a discharge aperture and a vent aperture;   a one way discharge valve supported within said discharge aperture operative to permit material flow outwardly from said assembly cap and to prevent material flow inwardly to said assembly cap; and   a vent valve operative to permit air flow into said assembly cap and said closed interior volume through said vent aperture and to prevent airflow and flowable material flow outwardly from said assembly cap through said vent aperture,   said discharge valve and said vent valve cooperating to allow flowable material within said closed interior volume and said assembly cap to be forced outwardly through said discharge valve and to prevent a suction force within said closed interior volume and said assembly cap from drawing discharged flowable material back into said assembly cap.   
     
     
         13 . A reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle, said squeeze bottle discharge nozzle comprising:
 a squeeze bottle formed of a resilient material defining a closed interior volume, a bottom having a vent aperture formed therein and an open neck;   a quantity of flowable material received within said interior volume;   an assembly cap, secured to said squeeze bottle open neck in communication with said closed interior volume and said flowable material therein, said assembly cap defining a discharge aperture;   a one way discharge valve supported within said discharge aperture operative to permit material flow outwardly from said assembly cap and to prevent material flow inwardly to said assembly cap; and   a vent valve supported within said vent aperture operative to permit air flow into said assembly cap and said closed interior volume through said vent valve and to prevent airflow and flowable material flow outwardly from said assembly cap through said vent valve,   said discharge valve and said vent valve cooperating to allow flowable material within said closed interior volume and said assembly cap to be forced outwardly through said discharge valve and to prevent a suction force within said closed interior volume and said assembly cap from drawing discharged flowable material back into said assembly cap.   
     
     
         14 . The reverse suction inhibiting squeeze bottle discharge nozzle set forth in  claim 13  wherein said squeeze bottle bottom defines a concave surface surrounding said vent aperture allowing said squeeze bottle to rest upright when said vent valve is within said vent aperture.