Liquid dispsenser

Abstract

A liquid dispenser ( 100 ) having a chamber ( 102 ) configured to contain a liquid, the chamber ( 102 ) having a dispensing aperture ( 106 ), a liquid dispensing member ( 104 ) comprising a dispensing shaft ( 104 A, 104 B) disposed through the dispensing aperture ( 106 ), and a releasable latching mechanism, wherein the liquid dispensing member ( 104 ) is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position in each of which the dispensing member ( 104 ) and the dispensing aperture ( 106 ) form a liquid-tight seal, the dispensing shaft ( 104 A, 104 B) is disposed through the dispensing aperture ( 106 ) in both the retracted position and the extended position, the liquid dispensing member ( 104 ) is configured to dispense a portion of liquid onto a liquid transfer portion ( 104 B) of the dispensing shaft when the dispensing member ( 104 ) is extended towards the extended position and the liquid transfer portion is moved from inside the chamber ( 102 ) to outside the chamber ( 102 ), and the latching mechanism is configured to bias the dispensing member ( 104 ) into the retracted position when the dispensing member ( 104 ) is extended by less than a first threshold extension, and is further configured to retain the dispensing member ( 104 ) in an extended position when the dispensing member ( 104 ) is extended by more than a second threshold extension

1 . A liquid dispenser having
 a chamber configured to contain a liquid, the chamber having a dispensing aperture,   a liquid dispensing member comprising a dispensing shaft that has a liquid transfer portion for dispensing a portion of liquid from within the chamber, and   a releasable latching mechanism, wherein   the liquid dispensing member is configured to move between a retracted position in which the liquid transfer portion is inside the chamber and an extended position in which the liquid transfer portion is outside the chamber,   the dispensing shaft is disposed through the dispensing aperture in both the retracted position and the extended position,   in the retracted position and in the extended position the dispensing member and the dispensing aperture form a liquid-tight seal,   the liquid dispensing member is configured to dispense the portion of liquid when the dispensing member is extended from the retracted position towards the extended position and the liquid transfer portion is moved from inside the chamber to outside the chamber, and   the latching mechanism is configured to bias the dispensing member into the retracted position when the dispensing member is extended by less than a first threshold extension, and is further configured to retain the dispensing member in the extended position when the dispensing member is extended by more than a second threshold extension.   
     
     
         2 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the latching mechanism is configured to be disengaged by further extending the latched dispensing member and releasing. 
     
     
         3 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the latching mechanism is configured to be disengaged by the application of a force to the dispensing member that is directed towards the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the latching mechanism comprises a biasing mechanism selected from the group consisting of a compression spring, a tension spring, a torsion spring, and an elastically deformable member. 
     
     
         5 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to bias the dispensing member into the retracted position when the dispensing member is in the extended position. 
     
     
         6 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to bias the dispensing member into the extended position when the dispensing member is extended by more than the second threshold extension. 
     
     
         7 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing member has an axis and is configured to rotate about that axis as it is extended from the chamber along that axis. 
     
     
         8 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing member and the dispensing aperture are configured not to form a liquid-tight seal between the chamber and the dispensing member when the dispensing member is in an intermediary position between the extended and retracted positions. 
     
     
         9 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid transfer portion of the dispensing member has a liquid entrapping surface profile. 
     
     
         10 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 9 , wherein the liquid transfer portion of the dispensing member comprises a plurality of liquid retaining grooves disposed along the dispensing member. 
     
     
         11 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid transfer portion of the dispensing member comprises a deformable material. 
     
     
         12 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber has a non-dispensing aperture and the dispensing member is disposed through the non-dispensing aperture. 
     
     
         13 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 12 , wherein the non-dispensing aperture and the dispensing member are configured to form a liquid-tight seal between the dispensing member and the non-dispensing aperture. 
     
     
         14 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 12 , wherein the dispensing member has a first cross-sectional area where it is located within the dispensing aperture in the retracted position, and a second, larger cross-sectional area where it is located within the non-dispensing aperture in the retracted position. 
     
     
         15 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid dispenser has an attachment feature for securing the dispenser to a user or a fixed object. 
     
     
         16 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 15 , wherein the attachment feature is a clip configured for attachment to an item of a user's clothing. 
     
     
         17 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein the clip is pivotable. 
     
     
         18 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 15 , wherein the attachment feature is an attachment bracket configured for attachment of the liquid dispenser to a table or worktop. 
     
     
         19 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein an end of the dispensing member proximate the dispensing aperture, in the retracted position, has a connection feature suitable for the connection of a further element. 
     
     
         20 . A liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber has an elliptical cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to an axis of extension of the dispensing member. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)