Measuring and dispensing device

Claim 3

A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for removably supporting the assembly in the container.

Claim 4

A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve comprises a plate element pivotally supported for movement against and away from said opening.

Claim 5

A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve comprises a spherical element disposed in a cage-type housing and movable against and away from said opening.

Claim 6

A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve comprises an annular disk centrally apertured to receive said tube and movable along said tube, against and away from said opening.

Claim 7

A device as defined in claim 5, further comprising a plurality of openings in said chamber wall, said annular disk movable against and away from, said openings.

Claim 8

A device as defined in claim 6, further including stop means on said tube to limit movement of said disk along said tube.

Claim 9

A dispenser for dispensing a measured quantity of material when the dispenser is inverted and squeezed, comprising: a container for receiving the material and having a flexible sidewall portion; an assembly for measuring a predetermined quantity of material and discharging the material from the container when the flexible sidewall portion of the container is squeezed, the assembly being receivable within the container and including: measuring means adapted to be positioned adjacent to the container bottom for measuring a predetermined quantity of the material and having an orifice for entry of the material from the container; a chamber adapted to be positioned adjacent to the container top and having an outlet for discharging the measured quantity of material from the container; an opening in the chamber for fluid communication between the interior of the chamber and the interior of the container; a valve assembly associated with the opening and having a gravity-actuated element movable relative to the opening to block and unblock the opening; and a delivery tube interconnecting and providing fluid communication between the measuring means and the chamber to permit delivery of the measured quantity of material from the measuring means to the chamber, the valve element positionable against the opening in the chamber to block the opening and prevent air flow therethrough when the container is in an inverted attitude, and away from the opening to permit air flow therethrough when the container is in the upright attitude, the valve assembly controlling air flow through the opening to permit refilling of the measuring means.

Claim 10

A dispenser for dispensing a measured quantity of material when the dispenser is inverted and squeezed, comprising: a container for receiving the material and having a flexible sidewall portion; an assembly for measuring a predetermined quantity of material and discharging the material from the container when the flexible sidewall portion of the container is squeezed, the assembly being receivable within the container and including: measuring means adapted to be positioned adjacent to the container bottom for measuring a predetermined quantity of the material and having an orifice for entry of the material from the container; a chamber adapted to be positioned adjacent to the container top and having an outlet for discharging the measured quantity of material from the container; an opening in the chamber for fluid communication between the interior of the chamber and the interior of the container; a valve assembly associated with the opening and having a gravity-actuated element movable relative to the opening to block and unblock the opening; and a delivery tube interconnecting and providing fluid communication between the measuring means and the chamber to permit delivery of the measured quantity of material from the measuring means to the chamber, the valve element positionable against the opening in the chamber to block the opening and prevent air flow therethrough when the container is in an inverted attitude, and away from the opening to permit air flow therethrough when the container is in the upright attitude, the valve assembly controlling air flow through the opening to permit refilling of the measuring means.

Claim 11

A dispenser as defined in claim 8, further comprising means for removably supporting the assembly in the container.

Claim 12

A dispenser as defined in claim 9, wherein said valve assembly comprises a plate element pivotally supported for movement against and away from said opening.

Claim 13

A dispenser as defined in claim 9, wherein said valve assembly comprises a spherical element disposed in a cage-type housing and movable against and away from said opening.

Claim 14

A dispenser as defined in claim 9, wherein said valve assembly comprises an annular disk centrally apertured to receive said tube and movable along said tube, against and away from said opening.

Claim 15

A dispenser as defined in claim 9, further including stop means on said tube to limit movement of said disk along said tube.

Claim 16

A dispenser as defined in claim 13, further comprising a plurality of openings in said chamber wall, said annular disk movable against and away from said openings.

Claim 17

A dispenser as defined in claim 9, wherein said container has a portion of the bottom surface recessed below the elevation of the bottom surface to define a well for receiving said measuring means, and a removable cover fits over said chamber outlet to close said container and said chamber discharge outlet.