Apparatus and method for dispensing liquid

Abstract

The disclosed invention provides an apparatus for dispensing liquids held by containers that are located at positions distal to the dispenser. The disclosed invention includes a dispenser, container, universal cap, and conduit assembly with coupling device. The coupling device provides the ability to attach the conduit to typical dispenser inlets. The universal cap provides the ability for a wide variety of containers to be connected to the dispenser.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a dispenser having an inlet and an outlet for discharging a liquid;    (b) a container having a lumen capable of housing a supply of the liquid to be dispensed, located distal to the dispenser;    (c) a conduit extending into the lumen of the container;    (d) a coupling device capable of adapting the conduit to the dispenser inlet;    (e) a cap capable of engaging the container, the cap having a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the conduit extends through the first aperture, and wherein the second aperture permits pressure equalization.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second aperture includes a valve.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said dispenser is a pump.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said dispenser is a counter-mounted pump mechanism.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said dispenser is a pump utilizing vacuum to propel the liquid out of the dispenser outlet.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said dispenser is a pump utilizing an increased output-force return mechanism to increase the vacuum generated for each user input action.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said dispenser is a pump including components specifically intended to alter the fluid's physical properties by means of mechanical manipulation or alteration, including the introduction of a secondary fluid, such as ambient air.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said container houses a liquid from the group consisting of soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, moisturizer, shaving gel, shaving cream, cologne, perfume, oil, and syrup.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said conduit is a flexible, non-porous polymer material of nominal wall thickness.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said conduit has such axial length as necessary to accommodate standard residential counter-top heights.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said coupling device is secured using a common clamp.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said coupling device is secured using a wrap-type fastener.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said coupling device is a common polymer.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said coupling device has a stepped internal diameter.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said conduit is bonded to the internal diameter of the coupling device.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cap is capable of engaging any commercially available product container.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cap is capable of replacing a cap supplied with a commercially available product container.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cap creates a seal when inserted into the container.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cap is made of natural or synthetic material and is flexible and durable.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said cap is conical.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said cap is secured over the outside of container neck.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said conduit is held snugly by the first aperture.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  including a check valve for limiting flow through said conduit to one direction.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  including means for locating said container relative to said outlet to have the force of gravity cause the liquid to be evacuated from said container and discharged through said outlet.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said conduit has extended axial length to accommodate remote location of the liquid container.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said coupling device has a sloped internal diameter.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said coupling device is secured using frictional force between the internal diameter of the coupling device and the outer diameter of the dispenser inlet.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said conduit fits loosely in the first aperture, eliminating the second vent aperture.  
   
   
       29 . A method for dispensing liquid from a container distal to the dispenser, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a user-operated liquid dispensing apparatus, wherein the liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a dispenser having an inlet and an outlet for discharging a liquid, a container having a lumen capable of housing a supply of the liquid to be dispensed, located distal to the dispenser, a conduit extending into the lumen of the container, a coupling device capable of adapting the conduit to the dispenser inlet, a cap capable of engaging the container, the cap having a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the conduit extends through the first aperture, and wherein the second aperture permits pressure equalization; and    (b) dispensing liquid therefrom.    
   
   
       30 . A method of using a liquid dispensing apparatus comprising the steps of: 
 (a) obtaining a liquid dispensing apparatus, wherein the liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a dispenser having an inlet and an outlet for discharging a liquid, a container having a lumen capable of housing a supply of the liquid to be dispensed, located distal to the dispenser, a conduit extending into the lumen of the container, a coupling device capable of adapting the conduit to the dispenser inlet, a cap capable of engaging the container, the cap having a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the conduit extends through the first aperture, and wherein the second aperture permits pressure equalization; and    (b) dispensing liquid therefrom.    
   
   
       31 . An apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a counter-mounted pump mechanism having an inlet and an outlet for discharging a liquid and utilizing vacuum to propel the liquid out of the counter-mounted pump mechanism outlet;    (b) a container having a lumen capable of housing a supply of the liquid to be dispensed, located distal to the counter-mounted pump mechanism;    (c) a flexible, non-porous polymer material of nominal wall thickness extending into the lumen of said container, which serves as a conduit, and has such axial length as necessary to accommodate standard residential counter-top heights;    (d) a coupling device capable of adapting said conduit to the dispenser inlet which is made of a common polymer and has a stepped internal diameter;    (e) a conical cap made of flexible, durable material and capable of engaging any commercially available product container, the cap having a first aperture which snugly holds said conduit and which includes a check valve for limiting flow through said conduit to one direction and a second aperture, wherein the conduit extends through the first aperture, and wherein the second aperture permits pressure equalization.    
   
   
       32 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 31  wherein said container houses a liquid from the group consisting of: soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, moisturizer, shaving gel, shaving cream, cologne, perfume, oil, and syrup.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 31  wherein said coupling device is selected from the group consisting of: a common clamp and a wrap-type fastener.