This disclosure relates squeezably functioning dispensing and measuring containers, particularly to their valves. A submersible, position and pressure responsive valve is disclosed, specially disposed within a squeezably functioning container the valve, comprising a tubular housing, a ball and two ball seats located on the opposite ends of the tubular housing, whereby the valve or valves keep the container closed in upright and downward position, reduce accidental spilling, and promote cleaning of clogged or contaminated air inlet.
A fluid dispenser particularly for use at the bottom of a deformable or partly flexible container is disclosed, which dispenser includes a base member having therein a vent providing an air passage controlled by a valve, and a fluid dispensing passage also controlled by a valve. The exterior air vent tube and exterior dispensing tube of the dispenser are usually sealed until the first use of the dispenser, at which time the container is substantially fixed in place with the dispenser at the bottom thereof, and the seals of the exterior air vent and dispensing tubes are broken. The dispensing action is carried out by pressing a deformable portion of the container thereby increasing the pressure within the container, and in the normal, inverted position of the container with the dispenser at the bottom thereof--i.e., the dispensing action is non-inverting. Alternatively, particularly where an air/fluid contact is to be precluded, a bladder may be placed within the container, having fluid communication with the air passage, for expansion and pressure equalization as the dispensing action continues. In yet another alternative, the bladder may be filled with fluid.
The invention is directed to disposable dispensing apparatus having a generally triangular body, for dispensing a material therefrom. A stop is disposed within the body, and has a variable thickness. The stop is positioned so that a user of the apparatus may squeeze opposing sides of the body at varying points to dispense varying amounts of the material. Preferably, indicia, such as frets, are disposed on the exterior of the body, to advise the user of the amount of material dispensed by squeezing the body at varying points along the stop. In a preferred embodiment, the body includes a one-way valve for permitting the influx of ambient air into the body after the dispensing of material therefrom, thereby maintaining the volume within the body at a relatively constant level. In a second preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes a removable nozzle for locating a precise location into which the material is deposited upon exiting the apparatus. The nozzle may include a second one-way valve for preventing reflux into the body.
