Disposable intravenous flow control device

Abstract

A disposable intravenous flow control device ( 20 ) includes a rigid casing ( 21 ) defining a flow passage having a fluid entrance ( 23 ) and a fluid exit ( 22 ); a flow regulator ( 10 ) disposed in the flow passage of the casing ( 21 ) and comprising an annular flange ( 11 ) extending upward, a hollow, cylindrical protrusion ( 12 ) raised upward from a central portion, the protrusion ( 12 ) being open to the bottom, an open fluid storage ( 13 ) defined between the flange ( 11 ) and the protrusion ( 12 ), and a hollow, cylindrical skirt ( 14 ) extending downward from the bottom of the protrusion ( 12 ); and a suction cup ( 15 ) releasably secured to the skirt ( 14 ) for blocking the fluid exit ( 22 ) when fluid in the casing ( 21) is consumed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disposable intravenous flow control device ( 20 ) comprising:
 a rigid casing ( 21 ) defining a flow passage having a fluid entrance ( 23 ) and a fluid exit ( 22 );   a flow regulator ( 10 ) disposed in the flow passage of the casing ( 21 ) and comprising an annular flange ( 11 ) extending upward, a hollow, cylindrical protrusion ( 12 ) raised upward from a central portion, the protrusion ( 12 ) being open to the bottom, an open fluid storage ( 13 ) defined between the flange ( 11 ) and the protrusion ( 12 ), and a hollow, cylindrical skirt ( 14 ) extending downward from the bottom of the protrusion ( 12 ); and   a suction cup ( 15 ,  15 A,  15 B) releasably secured to the skirt ( 14 ,  14 A,  14 B) for blocking the fluid exit ( 22 ) when fluid in the casing ( 21 ) is consumed.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable intravenous flow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the suction cup ( 15 A) comprises a flat top surface ( 151 A), an annular groove ( 153 A) below the top surface ( 151 A), and an annular extension member ( 152 A) descending downward from the bottom of the groove ( 153 A). 
     
     
         3 . The disposable intravenous flow control device of  claim 1 , wherein buoyancy of the flow regulator ( 10 ) together with the suction cup ( 15 ,  15 A,  15 B) is slightly greater than the gravity force coming from the weight of fluid contained in the circular fluid storage ( 13 ). 
     
     
         4 . The disposable intravenous flow control device of  claim 3 , wherein the specific weight of the flow regulator ( 10 ) and the suction cup ( 15 ,  15 A,  15 B) is about 0.8 to 1.0. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable intravenous flow control device of  claim 3 , wherein the capacity of the fluid storage ( 13 ) is devised to be an optimum by taking the specific gravity of the fluid to be dispensed by the IV flow control device ( 20 ) into consideration.