Squeezable dispensing apparatus and method of operation

Claim 1

Apparatus for dispensing flowable substances, the apparatus comprising: a substantially closed pliable bladder structure adapted to contain a flowable substance, the bladder structure including an annular ridge defined around the perimeter thereof adjacent one end of the bladder structure and an opening defined in the end of the bladder structure; a resilient outer container configured to enclose the bladder structure, the outer container including a removable cap portion and a bottom portion, the cap portion having defined therethrough a dispensing channel having a conical projection defined concentric with the inlet terminus of the dispensing channel, the dispensing channel communicating at one end with the exterior of the outer container and at the other end with the interior of the bladder structure in a sealing relationship with the conical projection engaging and sealing against the opening defined in the bladder structure, the body portion and cap portion further defining at the interface therebetween opposed surfaces adapted to engage opposite sides of the projecting annular ridge therebetween when the cap portion is secured to the body portion of the resilient container; a first one-way check valve positioned in the channel and oriented to permit flow from the bladder structure; and a second one-way check valve positioned in the outer surface of the outer container and positioned to permit flow from the exterior of the resilient container to the volume defined between the bladder structure and the resilient container.

Claim 7

A method for inserting a flowable substance in a squeeze container for dispensing therefrom, the method comprising: securing a bladder structure with a sealed opening defined therein and containing a flowable substance within a resilient outer container; placing a removable cap on the resilient outer container, the cap having a concentrically positioned member thereon and communicating with the inlet of a dispensing channel defined therethrough; piercing the sealed opening defined in the bladder structure with the conical member and sealing against the bladder structure opening with the conical member as the removable cap is placed on the resilient container to operably connect the dispensing channel with the interior of the bladder structure; distending the resilient outer container and bladder structure to reduce the volume of the bladder structure and generate an increased pressure greater than ambient pressure on the flowable substance in the bladder structure; conducting the flowable substance under pressure through the opening in the bladder structure and into the dispensing channel at the conical projection cap; opening a first one-way check valve in the dispensing channel to permit the flowable substance to flow to the exterior of the dispensing apparatus; releasing the resilient container to allow the interior pressure to be reduced below ambient pressure; closing the first one-way check valve as a result of the reverse pressure; and opening a second one-way check valve communicating between the exterior of the resilient container and the volume defined between the interior of the resilient container and the bladder structure to permit air to flow into such defined volume to substantially equalize the interior pressure of the resilient container and the ambient pressure as the container returns to its unstressed configuration.

Claim 8

A method for inserting a flowable substance in a squeeze container for dispensing therefrom, the method comprising: securing a bladder structure with a sealed opening defined therein and containing a flowable substance within a resilient outer container; placing a removable cap on the resilient outer container, the cap having a concentrically positioned member thereon and communicating with the inlet of a dispensing channel defined therethrough; piercing the sealed opening defined in the bladder structure with the conical member and sealing against the bladder structure opening with the conical member as the removable cap is placed on the resilient container to operably connect the dispensing channel with the interior of the bladder structure; distending the resilient outer container and bladder structure to reduce the volume of the bladder structure and generate an increased pressure greater than ambient pressure on the flowable substance in the bladder structure; conducting the flowable substance under pressure through the opening in the bladder structure and into the dispensing channel at the conical projection cap; opening a first one-way check valve in the dispensing channel to permit the flowable substance to flow to the exterior of the dispensing apparatus; releasing the resilient container to allow the interior pressure to be reduced below ambient pressure; closing the first one-way check valve as a result of the reverse pressure; and opening a second one-way check valve communicating between the exterior of the resilient container and the volume defined between the interior of the resilient container and the bladder structure to permit air to flow into such defined volume to substantially equalize the interior pressure of the resilient container and the ambient pressure as the container returns to its unstressed configuration.