Fluid dispensing apparatus with prestressed bladder

Claim 2

A fluid dispenser comprising a container body; a resilient bladder of generally tubular shape having an open end; and an internal prestressing mandrel comprising a first end, a second end, at least three fins joined at a common longitudinal edge to form a plurality of passages therealong, and a flange on the first end connectable to a valve means, said resilient bladder being stretched around the mandrel and sealed around the first end and the second end of the mandrel, the resilient bladder being subjected to both radial and axial stresses, wherein the valve means comprises a ferrule having a gasket surface on one side thereof; a spring; a cup member positioned within the first end of the mandrel, the cup member having a shoulder therein and biased by the spring against the gasket surface to form a seal against the gasket surface; and a hollow stem inserted through the ferrule and the gasket surface and into the cup member contacting the shoulder therein, the gasket surface sealing against an outer surface of the hollow steim, the cup member being movable away from the gasket surface by depression of the hollow stem forming a communication channel from the passages, past the gasket surface into the cup member, and into the hollow stem, wherein the ferrule secures the valve means to the flange.

Claim 3

The fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the first end portion comprises an inner guide member and first outer guide members for accepting the spring second outer guide members for accepting the cup member, and a outer flange surface on the flange able to form a seal against the gasket surface of the ferrule.

Claim 4

The fluid dispenser according to claim 1 having four fins, the fins generally forming a "+" shaped cross section.

Claim 5

The fluid dispenser according to claim 1 further comprising a second valve means at the second end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the second end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the passages and the second valve means.

Claim 6

The fluid dispenser according to claim 4 wherein the second valve means comprises a one-way valve permitting flow only in a direction into the resilient bladder.

Claim 7

A dispensing apparatus comprising (a) a mandrel comprised of: a first end portion including a flange, the flange being connectable to a valve means, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion comprised of at least three fins joined longitudinally along a common inner edge, the fins extending radially outward from the common inner edge and being angularly spaced from each other forming passages therebetween; (b) a resilient bladder stretched both axially and radially over the mandrel, the resilient bladder having a first open end connected to the first end portion and a second end connected to the second end portion; and (c) a valve means connected to the flange on the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the passages and the valve means, wherein the valve means comprises a ferrule having a gasket surface on one side thereof; a spring; a cup member positioned within the first end of the mandrel, the cup member having a shoulder therein and biassed by the spring against the gasket surface to form a seal against the gasket surface; and a hollow stem inserted through the ferrule and the gasket surface and into the cup member contacting the shoulder therein, the gasket surface sealing against an outer surface of the hollow stem, the cup member being movable away from the gasket surface by depression of the hollow stem forming a communication channel from the passages, past the gasket surface into the cup member, and into the hollow stem, and wherein the ferrule secures the valve means to the flange.

Claim 8

A dispensing apparatus comprising (a) a mandrel comprised of: a first end portion including a flange, the flange being connectable to a valve means, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion comprised of at least three fins joined longitudinally along a common inner edge, the fins extending radially outward from the common inner edge and being angularly spaced from each other forming passages therebetween; (b) a resilient bladder stretched both axially and radially over the mandrel, the resilient bladder having a first open end connected to the first end portion and a second end connected to the second end portion; and (c) a valve means connected to the flange on the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the passages and the valve means, wherein the valve means comprises a ferrule having a gasket surface on one side thereof; a spring; a cup member positioned within the first end of the mandrel, the cup member having a shoulder therein and biassed by the spring against the gasket surface to form a seal against the gasket surface; and a hollow stem inserted through the ferrule and the gasket surface and into the cup member contacting the shoulder therein, the gasket surface sealing against an outer surface of the hollow stem, the cup member being movable away from the gasket surface by depression of the hollow stem forming a communication channel from the passages, past the gasket surface into the cup member, and into the hollow stem, and wherein the ferrule secures the valve means to the flange.

Claim 9

The dispensing apparatus according to claim 6 having four fins, the fins generally forming a . .""".!. .Iadd."X" .Iaddend.shaped cross section.

Claim 10

The dispensing apparatus according to claim 6 having three fins, the fins generally forming a "Y" shaped cross section.

Claim 11

The dispensing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the first end portion comprises an inner guide member and first outer guide members for accepting the spring, second outer guide members for accepting the cup member, and an outer flange surface on the flange able to form a seal against the gasket surface of the ferrule.

Claim 12

A fluid dispenser comprising a container body; a resilient bladder of generally tubular shape having and open end; and an internal prestressing mandrel comprising a first end, a second end, at least three fins joined at a common longitudinal edge to form a plurality of passages therealong, and a flange on the first end connectable to a valve means, said resilient bladder being stretched around the mandrel and sealed around the first end and the second end of the mandrel, the resilient bladder being subjected to both radial and axial stresses, wherein the fins have arcuate extension means along outer edges thereof for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 13

A fluid dispenser comprising a container body; a resilient bladder of generally tubular shape having and open end; and an internal prestressing mandrel comprising a first end, a second end, at least three fins joined at a common longitudinal edge to form a plurality of passages therealong, and a flange on the first end connectable to a valve means, said resilient bladder being stretched around the mandrel and sealed around the first end and the second end of the mandrel, the resilient bladder being subjected to both radial and axial stresses, wherein the fins have arcuate extension means along outer edges thereof for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 14

The fluid dispenser according to claim 10 wherein the mandrel has inner arcuate segments means between the fins for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 15

A fluid dispenser comprising a container body; a resilient bladder of generally tubular shape having and open end; and an internal prestressing mandrel comprising a first end, a second end, at least three fins joined at a common longitudinal edge to form a plurality of passages therealong, and a flange on the first end connectable to a valve means, said resilient bladder being stretched around the mandrel and sealed around the first end and the second end of the mandrel, the resilient bladder being subjected to both radial and axial stresses, wherein the mandrel has inner arcuate segment means between the fins for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 16

A fluid dispenser comprising a container body; a resilient bladder of generally tubular shape having and open end; and an internal prestressing mandrel comprising a first end, a second end, at least three fins joined at a common longitudinal edge to form a plurality of passages therealong, and a flange on the first end connectable to a valve means, said resilient bladder being stretched around the mandrel and sealed around the first end and the second end of the mandrel, the resilient bladder being subjected to both radial and axial stresses, wherein the mandrel has inner arcuate segment means between the fins for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 17

A dispensing apparatus comprising (a) a mandrel comprised of: a first end portion including a flange, the flange being connectable to a valve means, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion comprised of at least three fins joined longitudinally along a common inner edge, the fins extending radially outward from the common inner egde and being angularly spaced from each other forming passages therebetween; (b) a resilient bladder stretched both axially and radially over the mandrel, the resilient bladder having a first open and connected to the first end portion and a second end connected to the second end portion; and (c) a valve means connected to the flange on the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the passages and the valve means; wherein the fins have arcuate extension means along outer edges thereof for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 18

A dispensing apparatus comprising (a) a mandrel comprised of: a first end portion including a flange, the flange being connectable to a valve means, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion comprised of at least three fins joined longitudinally along a common inner edge, the fins extending radially outward from the common inner egde and being angularly spaced from each other forming passages therebetween; (b) a resilient bladder stretched both axially and radially over the mandrel, the resilient bladder having a first open and connected to the first end portion and a second end connected to the second end portion; and (c) a valve means connected to the flange on the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the passages and the valve means; wherein the fins have arcuate extension means along outer edges thereof for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 19

A dispensing apparatus comprising (a) a mandrel comprised of: a first end portion including a flange, the flange being connectable to a valve means, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion comprised of at least three fins joined longitudinally along a common inner edge, the fins extending radially outward from the common inner edge and being angularly spaced from each other forming passages therebetween; (b) a resilient bladder stretched both axially and radially over the mandrel, the resilient bladder having a first open end connected to the first end portion and a second end connected to the second end portion; and (c) a valve means connected to the flange on the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the passages and the valve means; wherein the mandrel has inner arcuate segment means between the fins for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 20

A dispensing apparatus comprising (a) a mandrel comprised of: a first end portion including a flange, the flange being connectable to a valve means, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion comprised of at least three fins joined longitudinally along a common inner edge, the fins extending radially outward from the common inner edge and being angularly spaced from each other forming passages therebetween; (b) a resilient bladder stretched both axially and radially over the mandrel, the resilient bladder having a first open end connected to the first end portion and a second end connected to the second end portion; and (c) a valve means connected to the flange on the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the passages and the valve means; wherein the mandrel has inner arcuate segment means between the fins for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 21

The fluid dispenser according to claim 13 wherein the mandrel has inner arcuate segment means between the fins for reducing volume of the passages.

Claim 22

A dispensing apparatus comprising (a) a mandrel comprised of: a first end portion including a flange, the flange being connectable to a valve means, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion having passage therein; (b) a resilient bladder stretched over the mandrel, the resilient bladder having a first open end connected to the first end portion; and (c) a valve means connected to the flange on the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communication from inside the mandrel to the valve means, wherein the valve means comprises a ferrule having a gasket surface on one side thereof; a spring; a cup member positioned within the first end of the mandrel, the cup member having a shoulder therein and biassed by the spring against the gasket surface to form a seal against the gasket surface; and a hollow stem inserted through the ferrule and the gasket surface and into the cup member contacting the shoulder therein, the gasket surface sealing against an outer surface of the hollow stem, the cup member being movable away from the gasket surface by depression of the hollow stem forming a communication channel from the passages, past the gasket surface into the cup member, and into the hollow stem, and wherein the ferrule secures the valve means to the flange.

Claim 23

A dispensing apparatus comprising (a) a mandrel comprised of: a first end portion including a flange, the flange being connectable to a valve means, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion having passage therein; (b) a resilient bladder stretched over the mandrel, the resilient bladder having a first open end connected to the first end portion; and (c) a valve means connected to the flange on the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communication from inside the mandrel to the valve means, wherein the valve means comprises a ferrule having a gasket surface on one side thereof; a spring; a cup member positioned within the first end of the mandrel, the cup member having a shoulder therein and biassed by the spring against the gasket surface to form a seal against the gasket surface; and a hollow stem inserted through the ferrule and the gasket surface and into the cup member contacting the shoulder therein, the gasket surface sealing against an outer surface of the hollow stem, the cup member being movable away from the gasket surface by depression of the hollow stem forming a communication channel from the passages, past the gasket surface into the cup member, and into the hollow stem, and wherein the ferrule secures the valve means to the flange.

Claim 24

The fluid dispenser according to claim 6 further comprising a second valve means at the second end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the second end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the passages and the second valve means.

Claim 25

The fluid dispenser according to claim 17 wherein the second valve means comprises a one-way valve permitting flow only in a direction into the resilient bladder. .Iadd.

Claim 26

A fluid dispenser having an inlet end and an outlet end with a flow restrictor and flow tube associated with the outlet end, comprising a container body, a mandrel comprising a first end comprising a fill end, a second end comprising an exit end, the exit end providing an exit connection, an elongated middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion comprising at least three fins joined longitudinally along a common inner edge, the fins extending radially outward from the common inner edge and being angularaly spaced from each other forming substantilly equal flow passages therebetween, the first and second ends being in fluid communication with the passages between the fins and the first and second ends having outer sealing surfaces, a fill valve mechanism connected with the fill end of a mandrel, a resilient bladder of generally tubular shape having a first open end providing a fill opening therethrough, and the bladder having a second open end configured to allow the bladder to be slid over the mandrel with the first end of the bladder disposed about the sealing surface of the first end of the mandrel and the second end of the bladder being disposed about the sealing surface of the second end of the mandrel, and the bladder having dimension of at least one of its length and diameter less than that of the mandrel to cause the mandrel to exert at least one of axial and longitudinal stresses on the bladder when the bladder is in an empty condition, means for securing the first and second ends of the bladder to the respective sealing surface of the first and second ends of the mandrel, and means attached to the second end of the mandrel for enabling fluid to be dispensed from the fluid dispenser..Iaddend. .Iadd.

Claim 27

A fluid dispenser having an inlet end and an outlet end with a flow restrictor and flow tube associated with the outlet end, comprising a container body, a mandrel comprising a first end comprising a fill end, a second end comprising an exit end, the exit end providing an exit connection, an elongated middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion comprising at least three fins joined longitudinally along a common inner edge, the fins extending radially outward from the common inner edge and being angularaly spaced from each other forming substantilly equal flow passages therebetween, the first and second ends being in fluid communication with the passages between the fins and the first and second ends having outer sealing surfaces, a fill valve mechanism connected with the fill end of a mandrel, a resilient bladder of generally tubular shape having a first open end providing a fill opening therethrough, and the bladder having a second open end configured to allow the bladder to be slid over the mandrel with the first end of the bladder disposed about the sealing surface of the first end of the mandrel and the second end of the bladder being disposed about the sealing surface of the second end of the mandrel, and the bladder having dimension of at least one of its length and diameter less than that of the mandrel to cause the mandrel to exert at least one of axial and longitudinal stresses on the bladder when the bladder is in an empty condition, means for securing the first and second ends of the bladder to the respective sealing surface of the first and second ends of the mandrel, and means attached to the second end of the mandrel for enabling fluid to be dispensed from the fluid dispenser..Iaddend. .Iadd.

Claim 28

A fluid dispenser as in claim 19 wherein the mandrel exerts axial stress on the bladder..Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A fluid dispenser as in claim 19 whereing the exit end includes a valve mechanism, and wherein the flow tube associated with the outlet end comprises a flow opening in the second end of the mandrel..Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A fluid dispenser as in claim 19 wherein the fins comprise four fins angularly disposed approximately ninety degrees from one another forming a + cross sectional configuration..Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A fluid dispenser as in claim 19 wherein said valve mechanism is a one way valve attached to the first end of the mandrel in communication with the opening in the first end of the bladder and surronded by the first end of the bladder..Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A fluid dispenser comprising a container body; a resilient bladder of generally tubular shape having an open end; and an internal mandrel comprising a first end, a second end, at least three fins joined at a common longitudinal edge to form a plurality of passages therealond, and the first end connectable to a valve means, said resilient bladder being stretched on the mandrel and sealed around the first end and the second end of the mandrel, the resilient bladder being subjected to both radial and axial stresses; a first valve means connected to the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the internal passages and the first valve means; and a second valve means at the second end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the second end of the mandrel proviging fluid communication between the passages and the second valve means..Iaddend.

Claim 29

.Iadd.25. The fluid dispenser according to claim 24 wherein the second valve means comprises a one-way valve prermitting flow only in a direction into the resilietn bladder..Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A dispensing apparatus comprising a mandrel comprised of a first end portion connectable to valve means, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion having passages therein, a resilient bladder stretched both axially and radially over the mandrel, the resilient bladder having a first open end connected to the first end portion and a second end connected to the second end portion, and a first valve means connected to the first end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the first end of the mandrel providing fluid communicaiton between the passages and the first valve means, a second valve means at the second end of the mandrel, the passages extending through the second end of the mandrel providing fluid communication between the passages and the second valve means..Iaddend.

Claim 30

.Iadd.27. The fluid dispenser according to claim 26 wherein the second valve means comprises a one-way valve permitting flow only in a direction into the resilient bladder..Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The fluid dispenser according to claim 26 wherein the first valve means comprises a flow control tube disposed in the first end of the mandrel..Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The fluid dispenser according to claim 28 further comprising a filter means disposed in the first end of the mandrel for preventing undesirable

Claim 31

particles from entering the first valve means..Iaddend. .Iadd.30. The fluid dispenser according to claim 28 further comprising a filter means disposed in the first end of the mandrel for preventing udesirable

Claim 32

particles from exiting the first valve means..Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The fluid dispenser according to claim 28 further comprising a filter means disposed in the second end of the mandrel for preventing undesirable particles from entering the second valve means..Iaddend. .Iadd.32. The fluid dispenser according to claim 28 further comprising a filter means disposed in the second end of the mandrel for preventing undesirable particles from exiting the second valve means..Iaddend. .Iadd.33. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid under pressure at a predetermined substantially constant flow rate over a period of time comprising a container body having a chamber, an elongated support member disposed in and extending through said chamber, said support member including first and second ends, a resilient bladder mounted on said support member in surface contact and sealingly secured at fixed spaced longitudinal positions thereon in said chamber for defining a pressure reservoir for holding a liquid in a pressurized state for dispensing therefrom, inlet means in the first end of said support member for introducing a liquid into said resilient bladder, and outlet means in the second end of said support member for conveying a

Claim 33

liquid from said pressure chamber to a selected site..Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the resilient bladder is mounted on the

Claim 34

support member in a pre-stressed surface contact..Iaddend. .Iadd.35. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid under pressure at a predetermined substantilly constant flow rate over a period of time comprising a container body having a chamber, an elongated support member disposed in and extending through said chamber, said support member including a first portion and a second portion, a resilient bladder mounted on said support member in surface contact and sealingly secured at fixed spaced longitudinal positions thereon in said chamber for defining a pressure reservoir for holding a liquid in a pressurized state for dispensing therefrom, an inlet in said first portion of said support member for introducing a liquid into said resilient bladder, said first portion being proximal to an end of said support member, and an outlet in said second portion of said support member for conveying a liquid from said pressure chamber to a selected site, said second portion being other than proximal to said end of said support member..Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the resilient bladder is mounted on the support member in a pre-stressed surface contact..Iaddend.