Fluid dispenser

Abstract

A container ( 100 ) comprising: a fluid reservoir ( 10 ); a first flow path for dispensing fluid; a second flow path for permitting the entry of air into the container so that air can communicate with the fluid in the container; wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are spatially separate; and a flow control assembly ( 20 ) comprising a control means ( 50 ); wherein the control means is moveable between a first position in which the first flow path and the second flow path are closed and a second position in which the first flow path and the second flow path are open.

1 . A container comprising:
 a fluid reservoir;   a first flow path for dispensing fluid;   a second flow path for permitting the entry of air into the container so that air can communicate with the fluid in the container;   wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are spatially separate; and   a flow control assembly comprising a control means;   wherein the control means is moveable between a first position in which the first flow path and the second flow path are closed and a second position in which the first flow path and the second flow path are open.   
     
     
         2 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow control assembly comprises an air entry portion and a fluid dispensing portion. 
     
     
         3 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein fluid in the first flow path cannot communicate with air in the second flow path. 
     
     
         4 . The container as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a body and one or more neck portions;
 wherein one or more neck portions connect the flow control assembly to the body; 
 wherein the flow control assembly is coupled to one or more neck portions; and 
 wherein one or more neck portions comprise a fluid flow portion for dispensing fluid from the first flow path and an air flow portion for the passage of air via the second flow path. 
 
     
     
         5 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The container as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the flow control assembly comprises an air entry portion and a fluid dispensing portion; and
 wherein the flow control assembly is configured to define a fluid flow portion from a first neck portion to the fluid dispensing portion and an air flow portion from the air entry portion to a second neck portion when the control means is moved to a second position.   
     
     
         8 . The container as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the container body is shaped so as to define a duct extending from the flow control assembly to the reservoir for the passage of air via the second flow path. 
     
     
         9 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow control assembly comprises a housing; and
 wherein the flow control assembly further comprises an inner member rotatably mounted in the housing.   
     
     
         10 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a first orifice and a second orifice;
 wherein the flow control assembly further comprises an inner member mounted in the housing;   wherein the inner member comprises a first orifice and a second orifice;   wherein fluid from the first flow path is dispensed via the first orifice of the housing and air from the second flow path flows through the housing via the second orifice of the housing; and   wherein the first orifice and the second orifice of the inner member are adapted to align with the first orifice and the second orifice of the housing when the control means is moved to a second position.   
     
     
         15 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control means can be moved to a plurality of different positions. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a duct extending from the flow control assembly to the reservoir for the passage of air via the second flow path when the control means is moved to a second position. 
     
     
         24 . The container as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the duct terminates proximate the reservoir. 
     
     
         25 . The container as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a neck portion extending between the flow control assembly and the fluid reservoir, the neck portion comprising a fluid flow portion for dispensing fluid from the first flow path and an air flow portion for the passage of air via the second flow path. 
     
     
         26 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow control assembly further comprises an inner member mounted in the housing;
 wherein the inner member comprises an air entry portion and a fluid dispensing portion separated by a fixed member; and   wherein the air entry portion and fluid dispensing portion are formed in the inner member.   
     
     
         27 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises at least two spaced apart neck portions, including a first neck portion for dispensing of fluid via the first flow path and a second neck portion comprising a duct for the passage of air via the second flow path when the control means is moved to a second position. 
     
     
         30 . The container as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the flow control assembly comprises an air entry portion and a fluid dispensing portion; and
 wherein the fluid dispensing portion and the air entry portion are located at distant ends of the flow control assembly.   
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow control assembly further comprises an inner member mounted in the housing; and
 wherein the inner member is inclined at an angle of from 5 to 15 degrees.   
     
     
         33 . The container as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the container comprises at least one gripping means; and
 wherein a portion of at least one of the gripping means is hollow and defines a portion of the duct.   
     
     
         34 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is oil. 
     
     
         37 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         38 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capacity of the container is from 4 to 6 litres. 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A method of dispensing a fluid comprising:
 providing the container as claimed in  claim 1 ;   moving the control means to a second position;   tilting the container to dispense the fluid; and   optionally moving the control means during the dispensing operation to adjust the rate of flow.   
     
     
         44 - 45 . (canceled)