US4576313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid refill pouch and dispenser
Assignee: Steiner Corp
•
Filing: 1980-05-08
•
Granted: 1986-03-18
•
Expires: 2000-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A fluid refill pouch for use with a dispenser having a refill well with a refill opening therein and a piercing member disposed in the refill well, the pouch having a flexible wall hermetically sealed for containing fluid, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed in the pouch for insertion into the refill well so as to push the wall of the pouch upon the piercing member to pierce the wall and provide an opening for discharge of fluid from the pouch through the refill opening and into the dispenser; the inner wall of the refill well and the outer wall of the docking adaptor are shaped complementarily with flutes in the outer wall of the docking adaptor for easy grasping by the user, the parts having non-standard dimensions to provide anti-bootleg protection; there also is provided a fluid dispensing system incorporating such a refill pouch and dispenser.
Inventors
- 👤 Randel P. Smith
- 👤 Robert L. Steiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:43
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47K; A47K5/00; A47K5/06; A47K5/12; A47K5/1202; A47K5/1208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, a hollow and generally cylindrically docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface, a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes in said outer surface of said docking adaptor, and at least two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, one of said drain openings being positioned in said cylindrical wall adjacent to each of the ends thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, a hollow and generally cylindrically docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface, a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes in said outer surface of said docking adaptor, and at least two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, one of said drain openings being positioned in said cylindrical wall adjacent to each of the ends thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fluid refill pouch set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible encompassing wall is formed of a flexible plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fluid refill pouch set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible encompassing wall is formed of a polyethylene plastic having a thickness in the range from about 1 mil to about 5 mils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fluid refill pouch set forth in claim 1, wherein said tubular docking adaptor is symmetrical about a plane normal to the axis thereof at the midpoint thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid refill pouch set forth in claim 1, wherein said longitudinally extending flutes are equidistantly arranged around the perimeter of said tubular docking adaptor and extend the full length thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and at least two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, one of said drain openings being positioned in said cylindrical wall adjacent to each of the ends thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and at least two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, one of said drain openings being positioned in said cylindrical wall adjacent to each of the ends thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fluid refill pouch set forth in claim 6, wherein the wall of said docking adaptor is essentially of constant thickness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by four foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and at least two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, one of said drain openings being positioned in said cylindrical wall adjacent to each of the ends thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by four foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and at least two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, one of said drain openings being positioned in said cylindrical wall adjacent to each of the ends thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
132 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by five foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and at least two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, one of said drain openings being positioned in said cylindrical wall adjacent to each of the ends thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adpator to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
132 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by five foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and at least two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, one of said drain openings being positioned in said cylindrical wall adjacent to each of the ends thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adpator to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
133 words
A refillable fluid dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, and a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, the inner surface of said side wall having a plurality of longitudinally extending projections thereon extending inwardly toward the associated piercing member and being spaced therefrom a predetermined distance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
133 words
A refillable fluid dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, and a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, the inner surface of said side wall having a plurality of longitudinally extending projections thereon extending inwardly toward the associated piercing member and being spaced therefrom a predetermined distance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 10, wherein said refill well is disposed substantially centrally of said partition means, said partition means having an upper surface sloping inwardly toward said refill well.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 10, and further including a vent opening in said partition means for equalizing the pressure in said reservoir and said refill compartment when said pouch is in position in an associated refill compartment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 10, wherein said wall structure has an opening therein above said partition means for permitting flow of fluids therethrough thereby to prevent accumulation of fluid in said refill compartment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 10, wherein said piercing member is a hollow regular polygon in cross section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 14, wherein the outer end of said piercing member is inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof and terminates at an intersection of two of the walls of said piercing member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 10, and further comprising abutments disposed in said refill well on said inner wall and preventing the full insertion of an undersized docking adaptor into said refill well.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
141 words
A refillable fluid dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, and a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, the inner surface of said side wall being formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide longitudinally extending projections thereon extending inwardly toward the associated piercing member and being spaced therefrom a predetermined distance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
141 words
A refillable fluid dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, and a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, the inner surface of said side wall being formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide longitudinally extending projections thereon extending inwardly toward the associated piercing member and being spaced therefrom a predetermined distance.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 17, wherein said piercing member is an equilateral triangle in cross section and has an outer size to fit within said docking adaptor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 17, and further comprising abutments disposed in said refill well on said inner wall and preventing the full insertion of an undersized docking adaptor into said refill well.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
141 words
A refillable fluid dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, and a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, the inner surface of said side wall being formed by four foils joined at the edges thereof to provide longitudinally extending projections thereon extending inwardly toward the associated piercing member and being spaced therefrom a predetermined distance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
141 words
A refillable fluid dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, and a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, the inner surface of said side wall being formed by four foils joined at the edges thereof to provide longitudinally extending projections thereon extending inwardly toward the associated piercing member and being spaced therefrom a predetermined distance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 20, wherein said piercing member is square in cross section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 20, and further comprising abutments disposed in said refill well on said inner wall and preventing the full insertion of an undersized docking adaptor into said refill well.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
141 words
A refillable fluid dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending form said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, and a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, the inner surface of said side wall being formed by five foils joined at the edges thereof to provide longitudinally extending projections thereon extending inwardly toward the associated piercing member and being spaced therefrom a predetermined distance.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
141 words
A refillable fluid dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending form said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, and a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, the inner surface of said side wall being formed by five foils joined at the edges thereof to provide longitudinally extending projections thereon extending inwardly toward the associated piercing member and being spaced therefrom a predetermined distance.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 23, wherein said piercing member is a regular pentagon in cross section.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The refillable fluid dispenser set forth in claim 23, and further comprising abutments disposed in said refill well on said inner wall and preventing the full insertion of an undersized docking adaptor into said refill well.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
347 words
A system for dispensing fluid comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, a fluid refill pouch disposed within said refill compartment and including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer generally cylindrical surface and an inner generally cylindrical surface, the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall being shaped complementary with said docking adaptor wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed within the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall, said docking adaptor wall having a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes in the outer surface thereof and said side wall having corresponding projections extending into said flutes, the inner surface of said docking adaptor wall having a size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that a user can grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to push said docking adaptor into said refill well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough so that the contents of said pouch can be emptied into said reservoir through said refill aperture.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
347 words
A system for dispensing fluid comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, a fluid refill pouch disposed within said refill compartment and including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer generally cylindrical surface and an inner generally cylindrical surface, the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall being shaped complementary with said docking adaptor wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed within the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall, said docking adaptor wall having a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes in the outer surface thereof and said side wall having corresponding projections extending into said flutes, the inner surface of said docking adaptor wall having a size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that a user can grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to push said docking adaptor into said refill well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough so that the contents of said pouch can be emptied into said reservoir through said refill aperture.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 26, wherein said refill well is disposed substantially centrally of said partition means, said partition means having an upper surface sloping inwardly toward said refill well.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 26, and further including a vent opening in said partition means for equalizing the pressure in said reservoir and said refill compartment when said pouch is in position in said refill compartment.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 26, wherein said wall structure has an opening therein above said partition means for permitting flow of fluids therethrough thereby to prevent accumulation of fluid in said refill compartment.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 26, wherein said piercing member is a hollow regular polygon in cross section.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 30, wherein the outer end of said piercing member is inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof and terminates at an intersection of two of the walls of said piercing member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 26, and further comprising abutments disposed in said refill well on said inner wall and preventing the full insertion of an undersized docking adaptor into said refill well.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
353 words
A system for dispensing fluid comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, a fluid refill pouch disposed within said refill compartment and including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer generally cylindrical surface and an inner generally cylindrical surface, the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall being shaped complementary with said docking adaptor wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed within the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall, said docking adaptor being formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor and said side wall having corresponding projections extending into said flutes, the inner surface of said docking adaptor wall having a size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that a user can grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to push said docking adaptor into said refill well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough so that the contents of said pouch can be emptied into said reservoir through said refill aperture.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
353 words
A system for dispensing fluid comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, a fluid refill pouch disposed within said refill compartment and including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer generally cylindrical surface and an inner generally cylindrical surface, the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall being shaped complementary with said docking adaptor wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed within the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall, said docking adaptor being formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor and said side wall having corresponding projections extending into said flutes, the inner surface of said docking adaptor wall having a size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that a user can grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to push said docking adaptor into said refill well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough so that the contents of said pouch can be emptied into said reservoir through said refill aperture.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 33, wherein said piercing member is an equilateral triangle in cross section and has an outer size to fit within said docking adaptor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 34, wherein the outer end of said piercing member is inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof and terminates at an intersection of two of the walls of said piercing member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 33, and further comprising abutments disposed in said refill well on said inner wall and preventing full insertion of an undersized docking adaptor into said refill well.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
353 words
A system for dispensing fluid comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, a fluid refill pouch disposed within said refill compartment and including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer generally cylindrical surface and an inner generally cylindrical surface, the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall being shaped complementary with said docking adaptor wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed within the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall, said docking adaptor being formed by four foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor and said side wall having corresponding projections extending into said flutes, the inner surface of said docking adaptor wall having a size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that a user can grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to push said docking adaptor into said refill well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough so that the contents of said pouch can be emptied into said reservoir through said refill aperture.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
353 words
A system for dispensing fluid comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, a fluid refill pouch disposed within said refill compartment and including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer generally cylindrical surface and an inner generally cylindrical surface, the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall being shaped complementary with said docking adaptor wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed within the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall, said docking adaptor being formed by four foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor and said side wall having corresponding projections extending into said flutes, the inner surface of said docking adaptor wall having a size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that a user can grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to push said docking adaptor into said refill well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough so that the contents of said pouch can be emptied into said reservoir through said refill aperture.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 37, wherein said piercing member is square in cross section and has an outer size to fit within said docking adaptor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 38, wherein the outer end of said piercing member is inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof and terminates at an intersection of two of the walls of said piercing member.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 37, and further comprising abutments disposed in said refill well on said inner wall and preventing the full insertion of an undersized docking adaptor into said refill well.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
353 words
A system for dispensing fluid comprising a closed wall strucutre defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, a fluid refill pouch disposed within said refill compartment and including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer generally cylindrical surface and an inner generally cylindrical surface, the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall being shaped complementary with said docking adaptor wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed within the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall, said docking adaptor being formed by five foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor and said side wall having corresponding projections extending into said flutes, the inner surface of said docking adaptor wall having a size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that a user can grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to push said docking adaptor into said refill well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough so that the conents of said pouch can be emptied into said reservoir through said refill aperture.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
353 words
A system for dispensing fluid comprising a closed wall strucutre defining a vessel, partition means separating said vessel into a lower fluid reservoir and an upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid from said reservoir, a refill well extending from said partition means into said reservoir and having a side wall and an inner wall closing the end of said side wall extending into said reservoir, a piercing member carried by said inner wall and projecting therefrom into said refill well, said inner wall having a refill aperture therethrough providing direct communication between said reservoir and said refill compartment, a fluid refill pouch disposed within said refill compartment and including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer generally cylindrical surface and an inner generally cylindrical surface, the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall being shaped complementary with said docking adaptor wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed within the inner surface of said side wall and the outer surface of said docking adaptor wall, said docking adaptor being formed by five foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor and said side wall having corresponding projections extending into said flutes, the inner surface of said docking adaptor wall having a size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that a user can grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to push said docking adaptor into said refill well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough so that the conents of said pouch can be emptied into said reservoir through said refill aperture.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 41, wherein said piercing member is a regular pentagon in cross section and has an outer size to fit within said docking adaptor.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 42, wherein the outer end of said piercing member is inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof and terminates at an intersection of two of the walls of said piercing member.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system for dispensing fluid set forth in claim 41, and further comprising abutments disposed in said refill well on said inner wall and preventing the full insertion of an undersized docking adaptor into said refill well.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
124 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface, a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes in said outer surface of said docking adaptor, and drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, said tubular docking adaptor being symmetrical about a plane normal to the axis thereof at the midpoint thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
124 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface, a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes in said outer surface of said docking adaptor, and drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, said tubular docking adaptor being symmetrical about a plane normal to the axis thereof at the midpoint thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
131 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface, a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes in said outer surface of said docking adaptor, and two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall respectively disposed adjacent the ends thereof, said drain openings being angularly displaced with respect to each other about the periphery of said docking adaptor, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
131 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface, a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes in said outer surface of said docking adaptor, and two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall respectively disposed adjacent the ends thereof, said drain openings being angularly displaced with respect to each other about the periphery of said docking adaptor, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
129 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, said tubular docking adaptor being symmetrical about a plane normal to the axis thereof at the midpoint thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
129 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall, said tubular docking adaptor being symmetrical about a plane normal to the axis thereof at the midpoint thereof, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
136 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall respectively disposed adjacent the ends thereof, said drain openings are angularly displaced with respect to each other about the periphery of said docking adaptor, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
136 words
A fluid refill pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch, said docking adaptor including a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface formed by three foils joined at the edges thereof to provide flutes extending longitudinally of said docking adaptor, and two drain openings extending through said cylindrical wall respectively disposed adjacent the ends thereof, said drain openings are angularly displaced with respect to each other about the periphery of said docking adaptor, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor in said flutes to press one end of said docking adaptor against an area of said flexible encompassing wall.
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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) | 1989-03-17 | 1989-09-16 | 1990-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-17 | 1993-09-16 | 1994-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-17 | 1997-09-16 | 1998-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |