Liquid dispensing device, system and method
View Patent ↗A liquid dispensing device, system and method are disclosed. The liquid dispensing device includes a one-way liquid metering device, comprising a bellows, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve; and a housing, comprising a cavity. The outlet valve is recessed within the cavity and liquid is dispensed from the one-way metering device into the cavity when a proximal portion of a receptacle is inserted into the cavity. Liquid within the bellows is dispensed from the outlet valve when the bellows is compressed, and liquid is drawn into the bellows through the inlet valve when the bellows returns to an expanded state. The system can include a receptacle with a neck extending from a shoulder at the proximal end of the receptacle. The shoulder engages with the at least one surface.
1. A liquid dispensing device, comprising:
a one-way liquid metering device, comprising a bellows, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve, and
a housing, comprising a cavity, wherein said outlet valve is recessed within said cavity, wherein liquid is dispensed from said one-way metering device into said cavity when a proximal portion of a receptacle is inserted into said cavity.
2. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein liquid within said bellows is dispensed from said outlet valve when said bellows is compressed, and wherein liquid is drawn into said bellows through said inlet valve when said bellows returns to an expanded state.
3. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein longitudinal-axes of said cavity and said bellows are parallel.
4. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein an end of said one-way liquid metering device is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir.
5. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for causing compression of said bellows when a proximal end of a receptacle is inserted into said cavity, said actuator comprising at least one surface for engaging with a proximal portion of a receptacle inserted into said cavity.
6. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 5 , wherein said metering device comprises a flange proximate said outlet valve and said actuator further comprises a groove for engaging said metering device flange.
7. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 5 , wherein said at least one surface comprises at least one projection extending into said cavity.
8. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 5 , wherein said actuator is slidably coupled with one or more walls defining said cavity via said at least one projection.
9. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 8 , wherein said at least one projection extends from an interior surface of said actuator.
10. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 9 , wherein an exterior surface of said actuator is slidably coupled to an interior surface of said housing.
11. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 8 , wherein an exterior surface of said actuator is slidably coupled an interior surface of said housing.
12. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 4 , wherein said actuator comprises;
a pivotably mounted lever having said at least one projection extending from a distal end thereof;
a first pin for sliding vertically upward when said lever pivots upward; and
a second pin for sliding horizontally when said first in slides upward, wherein said lever, first pin and second pin are arranged such that said second pin compresses said bellows when a proximal portion of a receptacle is inserted into said cavity.
13. A system for liquid dispensing, comprising:
a liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 ; and
a receptacle having a proximal end adapted for insertion into said cavity.
14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein said receptacle further comprises a neck extending from a shoulder at the proximal end of the receptacle, wherein said shoulder fits within said cavity.
15. The system according to claim 13 , wherein said liquid dispensing device, further comprises an actuator for causing compression of said bellows when the proximal end of the receptacle is inserted into said cavity, said actuator comprising at least one surface for engaging with said proximal end of said receptacle.
16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein said receptacle further comprises a neck extending from a shoulder at the proximal end of the receptacle, wherein said shoulder engages with said at least one surface.
17. The system according to claim 13 , further comprising an actuator for causing compression of said bellows when a proximal end of a receptacle is inserted into said cavity, said actuator comprising at least one surface for engaging with a proximal portion of a receptacle inserted into said cavity.
18. The system according to claim 13 , wherein said one-way liquid metering device comprises a flange proximate said outlet valve and said actuator further comprises a groove for engaging said flange.
19. A method of dispensing a liquid into a receptacle, comprising:
providing a liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 and a receptacle having a proximal end adapted for insertion into a cavity of said liquid dispensing device; and
inserting said proximal end into said cavity to dispense a liquid from said liquid dispensing device.
20. The method according to claim 19 , further comprising:
providing a second liquid dispensing device; and
inserting said proximal end into a cavity of said second liquid dispensing device to dispense a liquid from said second liquid dispensing device.