Dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing a liquid is disclosed. The dispenser comprises an outlet for dispensing a liquid, a reservoir for liquid, and a closure configured to engage with the dispenser and movable between a closed position in which the outlet is enclosed and an open position in which the outlet is not enclosed. The dispenser further comprises an arrangement for controlling liquid communication between the reservoir and the outlet, the arrangement and reservoir movable with respect to each other between a first configuration in which the reservoir is not in liquid communication with the outlet and a second configuration in which the reservoir is in liquid communication with the outlet. By requiring a second movement after removal of the closure accidental access or dispensing of the contents may be avoided or reduced.

1 . A dispenser for dispensing a liquid, comprising:
 an outlet for dispensing a liquid;   a reservoir for liquid; and   a closure configured to engage with the dispenser and movable between a closed position in which the outlet is enclosed and an open position in which the outlet is not enclosed;   the dispenser further comprising an arrangement for controlling liquid communication between the reservoir and the outlet, the arrangement and reservoir movable with respect to each other between a first configuration in which the reservoir is not in liquid communication with the outlet and a second configuration in which the reservoir is in liquid communication with the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement forms a valve assembly for controlling liquid communication between the reservoir and the outlet and operative to permit liquid communication between the reservoir and the outlet responsive to relative movement of the outlet with respect to the reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . A dispenser according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the arrangement comprises a conduit including a first aperture in a wall of the conduit, the reservoir including a second aperture complementary to the first aperture, and wherein in the first configuration the conduit is disposed such that the wall occludes the second aperture and in the second configuration the first aperture opposes the second aperture to permit liquid communication therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . A dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein the reservoir and conduit are slideably movable with respect to each other between the first and second configuration. 
     
     
         5 . A dispenser according to  claim 3  or  claim 4 , wherein the reservoir includes a guide for guiding movement of the conduit between the first and second configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the guide is tubular. 
     
     
         7 . A dispenser according to  claim 6 , wherein the guide extends into the reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . A dispenser according to  claim 6  or  claim 7 , wherein the guide extends along a side of the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . A dispenser according to any of  claims 3  to  8 , wherein an end of the conduit comprises the outlet. 
     
     
         10 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the arrangement is constrained to be movable between the first and second configuration only while the closure is in the open position. 
     
     
         11 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure is configured to engage with the reservoir for removably retaining the closure in a closed outlet position. 
     
     
         12 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet is mounted on a plug member insertable to an open end of the reservoir, the plug member comprising the arrangement and movable with respect to the reservoir from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         13 . A dispenser according to  claim 12 , wherein the closure and the reservoir comprise mutually cooperative engagement formations configured for removably retaining the closure in a closed outlet position. 
     
     
         14 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure further comprises an occlusion member in its interior configured to occlude the outlet while the closure is in the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, further comprising a housing for the reservoir, the reservoir translatable with respect to the housing to bring the reservoir into liquid communication with the outlet. 
     
     
         16 . A dispenser according to  claim 15 , wherein the closure is configured to engage with the housing for removably retaining the closure in a closed outlet position. 
     
     
         17 . A dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein the closure and the housing comprise mutually cooperative engagement formations configured for removably retaining the closure in a closed outlet position. 
     
     
         18 . A dispenser according to any of  claims 15  to  17 , wherein the housing is configured to permit the closure, while the closure is in the open outlet position, to engage with the reservoir for urging the arrangement from the first configuration to the second configuration for bringing the reservoir into liquid communication with the outlet. 
     
     
         19 . A dispenser according to  claim 18 , wherein the housing comprises an aperture configured to permit the closure to engage with the reservoir. 
     
     
         20 . A dispenser according to  claim 19 , wherein the closure comprises an engagement member configured to engage with the reservoir for urging the arrangement into the second configuration. 
     
     
         21 . A dispenser according to  claim 20 , wherein the engagement member is disposed in the interior of the closure. 
     
     
         22 . A dispenser according to  claim 21 , wherein the engagement member is configured to occlude the outlet when the closure is in the closed position. 
     
     
         23 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir is configured to permit pressure to be exerted on a liquid in the reservoir to dispense liquid from the outlet. 
     
     
         24 . A dispenser according to  claim 23  when dependent on any of  claims 15  to  22 , wherein the housing is deformable to permit pressure to be exerted on a liquid in the reservoir. 
     
     
         25 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, further comprising a bias mechanism configured to bias the reservoir away from the second configuration. 
     
     
         26 . A dispenser according to  claim 25  dependent on any of  claims 1  to  13 , wherein the bias mechanism is fixed at one end to the closure. 
     
     
         27 . A dispenser according to any of  claims 15  to  22  or  claim 24 , wherein the housing comprises an end cap supporting the outlet and the arrangement. 
     
     
         28 . A dispenser according to  claim 27 , wherein the end cap is removably attached to the housing. 
     
     
         29 . A dispenser according to  claim 13  or  claim 17 , wherein the mutually cooperative engagement formations comprise a détente arrangement movable between an engaged and disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position the closure is retained in the closed outlet position and in the disengaged position the closure is movable to the open outlet position. 
     
     
         30 . A dispenser according to any of  claim 13 ,  17  or  29 , wherein the mutually cooperative engagement formations are arranged to provide a “child resistant” release mechanism. 
     
     
         31 . A dispenser according to any of  claim 13 ,  17 ,  29  or  30 , wherein the mutually cooperative engagement formations are arranged to provide a squeeze and pull release mechanism. 
     
     
         32 . A bottle comprising a dispenser according to any preceding claim.