US5775546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dispensing bulb
Assignee: LaSalle Business Credit LLC
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Filing: 1997-05-01
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2017-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A dispensing bulb having a squeezable body portion and integral squeezable neck portion having a pair of diametrically disposed vent holes. An adaptor is mounted in the neck portion and is provided with a cylindrical portion extending into the bulb neck portion beyond the vent holes and spaced radially inwardly therefrom. A dispensing tube is connected to the adaptor and communicates with the interior of the bulb. The neck portion of the bulb is squeezed to draw liquid into the tube, and the cylindrical portion of the adaptor limits the squeezing of the neck portion to prevent liquid from being drawn through the tube into the body portion of the bulb.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Buehler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:51
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/02; B01L3/021; B01L3/0213; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/06; B65D47/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A dispensing bulb comprising a squeezable body portion, a squeezable neck portion integral with said squeezable body portion, at least one vent hole provided in said neck portion, an adaptor mounted in said neck portion, said adaptor having a portion spaced radially inwardly from said neck portion, a tube, one end of said tube being connected to said adaptor, a transversely extending partition mounted in said adaptor, and an aperture extending through said partition, said vent hole being positioned on one side of said partition, said one end of said tube being positioned on the opposite side of said partition, said tube communicating with said neck portion and said vent hole through said aperture, whereby liquid can be selectively drawn into the tube by capillary action and squeezing the neck portion of the bulb radially inwardly against the radially inwardly spaced portion of the adaptor to thereby draw a volume of liquid into the tube, the radially inwardly spaced portion of the adaptor limiting the squeezing of the neck portion to thereby prevent liquid from being drawn through the tube and into the body portion of the bulb.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A dispensing bulb comprising a squeezable body portion, a squeezable neck portion integral with said squeezable body portion, at least one vent hole provided in said neck portion, an adaptor mounted in said neck portion, said adaptor having a portion spaced radially inwardly from said neck portion, a tube, one end of said tube being connected to said adaptor, a transversely extending partition mounted in said adaptor, and an aperture extending through said partition, said vent hole being positioned on one side of said partition, said one end of said tube being positioned on the opposite side of said partition, said tube communicating with said neck portion and said vent hole through said aperture, whereby liquid can be selectively drawn into the tube by capillary action and squeezing the neck portion of the bulb radially inwardly against the radially inwardly spaced portion of the adaptor to thereby draw a volume of liquid into the tube, the radially inwardly spaced portion of the adaptor limiting the squeezing of the neck portion to thereby prevent liquid from being drawn through the tube and into the body portion of the bulb.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A dispensing bulb according to claim 1, wherein a pair of diametrically opposed vent holes are provided in said neck portion, said vent holes being adapted to be closed by a thumb and index finger of a user, the body portion of the bulb being adapted to be engaged by the middle finger of the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A dispensing bulb according to claim 1, wherein the radially inwardly spaced portion of the adaptor comprises a cylindrical tubular portion on one end of said adaptor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A dispensing bulb according to claim 3, wherein an outwardly flared portion is provided on the opposite end of said adaptor, a flange on the terminal end of said flared portion, an annular groove provided in said neck portion, said flange being inserted into said groove, whereby the adaptor is press-fit into said neck portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |