Fluid materials dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers includes: (a) a vat for holding the fluid to be dispensed; (b) a flexible spout attached to the vat and depending substantially vertically from the vat; (c) a stationary member engaging the flexible spout; and (d) a movable member biased against the stationary member thereby pinching the flexible spout to close the flexible spout and prevent fluid from being dispensed.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers, operable by the user using only one hand, comprising: 
 (a) A fluid holding means; and    (b) A valve operable by pressing the receiving container against the valve.    
     
     
         2 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid holding means further comprises a vat.  
     
     
         3 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the vat further comprises an open end adapted to receive the bulk container, the bulk container resting inverted on the open end.  
     
     
         4 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a flexible tube attached to the fluid holding means and a means for pinching the flexible tube.  
     
     
         5 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible tube is constructed of rubber.  
     
     
         6 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the means for pinching the flexible tube further comprises a stationary member and a movable member, the flexible tube being pinched between the stationary member and the movable member, the receiving container being pressed against the movable member.  
     
     
         7 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube, thereby holding the valve closed.  
     
     
         8 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a spring.  
     
     
         9 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a lever arm attached to the movable member, a weight at the end of the lever arm opposite the movable member, and a pivot between the movable member and the weight.  
     
     
         10 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cabinet holding more than one dispensing apparatus.  
     
     
         11 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a slide rail mounted in the cabinet T and a second slide rail mounted to the apparatus, the second slide rail engaging the slide rail for movement into and out of the cabinet.  
     
     
         12 . A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers, operable by the user using only one hand, comprising: 
 (a) A vat for receiving the bulk container, wherein the vat further comprises an open end adapted to receive the bulk container, the bulk container resting inverted on the open end; and    (b) A valve operable by pressing the receiving container against the valve.    
     
     
         13 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the valve comprises a flexible tube attached to the vat and a means for pinching the flexible tube.  
     
     
         14 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible tube is constructed of rubber.  
     
     
         15 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the means for pinching the flexible tube further comprises a stationary member and a movable member, the flexible tube being pinched between the stationary member and the movable member, the receiving container being pressed against the movable member.  
     
     
         16 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube, thereby holding the valve closed.  
     
     
         17 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a spring.  
     
     
         18 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a lever arm attached to the movable member, a weight at the end of the lever arm opposite the movable member, and a pivot between the movable member and the weight.  
     
     
         19 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a cabinet holding more than one dispensing apparatus.  
     
     
         20 . A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers, operable by the user using only one hand, comprising: 
 (a) A vat for receiving the bulk container, wherein the vat further comprises an open end adapted to receive the bulk container, the bulk container resting inverted on the open end; and    (b) A valve operable by pressing the receiving container against the valve, wherein the valve comprises a flexible tube attached to the vat and a means for pinching the flexible tube.    
     
     
         21 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the flexible tube is constructed of rubber.  
     
     
         22 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the means for pinching the flexible tube further comprises a stationary member and a movable member, the flexible tube being pinched between the stationary member and the movable member, the receiving container being pressed against the movable member.  
     
     
         23 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube, thereby holding the valve closed.  
     
     
         24 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a spring.  
     
     
         25 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a lever arm attached to the movable member, a weight at the end of the lever arm opposite the movable member, and a pivot between the movable member and the weight.  
     
     
         26 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a cabinet holding more than one dispensing apparatus.  
     
     
         27 . A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers, comprising: 
 (a) a vat for holding the fluid to be dispensed;    (b) a flexible spout attached to the vat and depending substantially vertically from the vat;    (c) a stationary member engaging the flexible spout; and    (d) a movable member biased against the stationary member thereby pinching the flexible spout to close the flexible spout and prevent fluid from being dispensed.    
     
     
         28 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising an operating lever attached to the movable member, wherein the valve is opened by pressing a receiving container against the operating lever.  
     
     
         29 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprising a spring biasing the movable member against the stationary member.  
     
     
         30 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprising a lever arm and a weight, wherein the operating lever is attached to a first end of the lever arm and the weight is attached to a second end of the lever arm, and a pivot between the first end and the second end.