US3667464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid dispensing device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-04
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A fluid flow regulating device for insuring a constant rate of flow therethrough, suitable for use in intravenous therapy, including a constant fluid level chamber with an adjustable piston having a drip orifice in the head thereof seated within and forming the bottom of the chamber. The top portion of the chamber has a fluid receiving tube seated therein. A buoyant body having an upwardly projecting member is located within the chamber and is received within said fluid receiving tube, with at least a portion of the projecting member conforming in shape and size to the orifice of the fluid receiving tube so as to occlude the orifice when in contact. The hydrostatic head pressure is kept constant within the constant level chamber, thereby providing a constant flow rate which can be adjusted over wide ranges by moving the piston up or down to vary the height of the liquid column in said chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence M Alligood Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/1411; A61M5/168; A61M5/16877; A61M5/16881; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7358; Y10T137/7423; Y10T137/7426; Y10T137/7436
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A fluid flow regulating device for insuring a constant rate of flow therethrough by maintaining a selected constant hydrostatic pressure therein, comprising: a. a constant fluid level chamber; b. means communicating with said chamber for the admission of fluid thereto; c. float means in said chamber for controlling the admission of fluid thereto; d. means defining a drip orifice through which fluid is dispensed from said chamber, said drip orifice means being arranged for adjustable sliding movement relative to said chamber for varying the hydrostatic pressure within said chamber; and, e. means operatively connected between said chamber and said orifice defining means for securing said orifice in a selected adjusted position relative to said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A fluid flow regulating device for insuring a constant rate of flow therethrough by maintaining a selected constant hydrostatic pressure therein, comprising: a. a constant fluid level chamber; b. means communicating with said chamber for the admission of fluid thereto; c. float means in said chamber for controlling the admission of fluid thereto; d. means defining a drip orifice through which fluid is dispensed from said chamber, said drip orifice means being arranged for adjustable sliding movement relative to said chamber for varying the hydrostatic pressure within said chamber; and, e. means operatively connected between said chamber and said orifice defining means for securing said orifice in a selected adjusted position relative to said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
161 words
A fluid flow regulating device for insuring a constant rate of flow therethrough by maintaining a selected constant hydrostatic pressure therein, comprising: a. a constant fluid level chamber; b. a piston having a drip orifice through the head thereof, said piston being arranged for adjustable sliding movement within said constant level chamber and including means operatively connected between said piston and said chamber for securing said piston in a selected adjusted position for varying the hydrostatic pressure within said chamber; c. a buoyant member disposed within said constant fluid level chamber and having affixed thereto an upwardly projecting member; d. a Receiving tube into which said upwardly projecting member extends, said receiving tube communicating with said constant level chamber and extending outwardly therefrom, said tube having an inner diameter conforming to the outer diameter of said upwardly projecting member at at least one portion thereof; and e. means for receiving a delivery tube in fluid flow relation with said drip orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
161 words
A fluid flow regulating device for insuring a constant rate of flow therethrough by maintaining a selected constant hydrostatic pressure therein, comprising: a. a constant fluid level chamber; b. a piston having a drip orifice through the head thereof, said piston being arranged for adjustable sliding movement within said constant level chamber and including means operatively connected between said piston and said chamber for securing said piston in a selected adjusted position for varying the hydrostatic pressure within said chamber; c. a buoyant member disposed within said constant fluid level chamber and having affixed thereto an upwardly projecting member; d. a Receiving tube into which said upwardly projecting member extends, said receiving tube communicating with said constant level chamber and extending outwardly therefrom, said tube having an inner diameter conforming to the outer diameter of said upwardly projecting member at at least one portion thereof; and e. means for receiving a delivery tube in fluid flow relation with said drip orifice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which the buoyant member comprises a sphere carrying an upwardly projecting conical member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further including a plastic corrugated covering over said cylindrical receiving tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said buoyant member includes a buoyant sphere with an integral upwardly projecting closed cylindrical member, and wherein said receiving tube has a perforation defined near the lower end thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said buoyant member comprises a buoyant ring having spokes projecting toward the center thereof wherein said upwardly projecting member is mounted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further including a shelf surrounding at least a portion of said piston, whereby said piston is maintained in a laterally centered position within said constant level chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for adjustably positioning said piston within said constant fluid level chamber to determine the hydrostatic head within said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further including means defining a port for injection of fluid into said constant fluid level chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |