Metering dispenser

Abstract

A metering dispenser for flowable materials is provided having a reservoir defined in part by a pair of opposing, flexible side walls. The side walls are associated with at least one stop. The stop is structured to permit the side walls of the dispenser to be squeezed together for only a predetermined distance, so that a predetermined volume of flowable material is dispensed from the dispenser.

1 . A metering dispenser for storing and dispensing a flowable material, the dispenser comprising:
 a first wall,   a second wall,   a first stop associated with the first wall and projecting into the dispenser, the first stop structured to abut the second wall upon the first wall and second wall being moved a predetermined distance towards each other, and   a dispensing opening for discharge of flowable material from the dispenser upon movement of the first and second walls.   
   
   
       2 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing opening is defined within a bottom portion of the dispenser. 
   
   
       3 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 2 , further comprising a check valve within the dispensing opening to resist passage of material therethrough until a predetermined pressure is reached within the dispenser. 
   
   
       4 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 2 , further comprising a convex top portion. 
   
   
       5 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising an air passageway for drawing air into the dispenser. 
   
   
       6 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the air passageway comprises a check valve structured to resist the passage of material into the passageway. 
   
   
       7 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the air passageway comprises a tube extending from an air inlet defined within the bottom to a position adjacent to a top of the dispenser. 
   
   
       8 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the second wall further comprises a second stop projecting into the dispenser from the second wall and structured to engage the first stop. 
   
   
       9 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 8 , wherein the first stop is a concave portion on the first wall and the second stop is a concave section on the second wall. 
   
   
       10 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a signaling device structured to signal a user that the first and second walls of the dispenser have been squeezed a predetermined distance towards one another. 
   
   
       11 . A metering dispenser for a flowable material, comprising:
 a housing, having
 a first wall and an opposing second wall, 
 a dispensing opening defined within the housing, and 
 a stop defined within the housing, the stop structured to abut at least one of the first and second walls when the first wall and the second wall are moved towards one another by a predetermined distance. 
   
   
   
       12 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 11 , further comprising a check valve within the dispensing opening, the check valve structured to resist passage of liquid therethrough due to gravity, and to permit material to flow therethrough upon pressure within the dispenser exceeding a predetermined pressure. 
   
   
       13 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 11 , further comprising an air passageway into the dispenser. 
   
   
       14 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 13 , wherein the air passageway comprises a check valve structured to resist the passage of flowable material therethrough upon pressure within the dispenser rising to a predetermined level. 
   
   
       15 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 11 , wherein the stop comprises
 a first stop and a second stop,   the first stop comprising a concave portion on the first wall, and   the second stop comprising a concave portion on the second wall.   
   
   
       16 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 11 , wherein the stop comprises a rod extending from a top to a bottom of the dispenser, the rod being structured to abut at least one of the first wall and the second wall upon the first wall or second wall moving a predetermined distance. 
   
   
       17 . The metering dispenser according to  claim 11 , further comprising a signaling device structured to signal a user that the first and second walls of the dispenser have been squeezed a predetermined distance towards each other. 
   
   
       18 . A method of dispensing flowable material, comprising:
 providing a dispenser, the dispenser having a defined volume, the volume defined by a first wall and a spaced apart second wall;   providing a first stop inside the dispenser, the first stop being structured to abut the first or second wall upon one or both the first and second walls being moved a predetermined distance towards each other;   providing an opening defined within the dispenser;   providing a flowable material within the dispenser; and   squeezing the first side and second side towards each other until the first stop abuts the first or second wall, thereby decreasing the volume of the dispenser by a predetermined amount and dispensing a predetermined quantity of flowable material.   
   
   
       19 . A method of dispensing as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of providing a second stop defined as part of the second wall and structured to engage the first stop.