Fluid Dispensing Cover

Abstract

A fluid dispensing cover is described and which includes a main body defining an internal cavity, and a fluid dispensing passageway which extends through the main body; a selectively movable closure member which is pivotally mounted within the internal cavity and which is normally biased into an occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, and a movable force transmitting member which is operable to cause the selectively movable closure member to move from a normally occluding position to a non-occluding position so as to facilitate the selective dispensing of a source of fluid through the fluid dispensing aperture.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A fluid dispensing cover, comprising:
 a main body defining an internal cavity, and further having a fluid dispensing passageway which extends therethrough;   a selectively moveable closure member which is releasably, and pivotally mounted within the internal cavity of the main body, and which is normally biased into an occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway; and   a moveable force transmitting member borne by the main body, and which is operable, when force is applied to the force transmitting member to cause the selectively moveable closure member to move to a non-occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, and thereby facilitate the dispensing of a source of fluid through the fluid dispensing aperture;   and wherein the main body has a top, outwardly facing surface, and an opposite, bottom, inwardly facing surface, and wherein the inwardly facing surface defines an internal cavity, and wherein the top, outwardly facing surface further defines a downwardly extending cavity, and the fluid dispensing passageway extends between the downwardly extending cavity to the inwardly facing surface, and wherein the main body further is defined by a peripheral edge, and a circumscribing and depending sidewall extends downwardly from the peripheral edge, and defines, at least in part, the internal cavity of the main body, and wherein a passageway is formed in the depending and circumscribing sidewall, and which further is located in a position which is opposite to the fluid dispensing passageway, and which still further communicates with the internal cavity of the main body, and wherein the inwardly facing surface of the main body further mounts a pair of pivot axles which are mounted in predetermined, spaced relation, one relative to the other, and a biasing engagement member is mounted on the inwardly facing surface of the main body, and is further located between the fluid dispensing passageway, and the passageway formed in the depending and circumscribing sidewall.   
     
     
         3 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 2 , and further comprising:
 a user handle mounted on the depending, and circumscribing sidewall, and which is further located in a position opposite to the fluid dispensing passageway, and which still further defines an at least partially enclosed region which is located between the user handle, and the depending and circumscribing sidewall, and through which a user may extend at least one finger so as to grasp the fluid dispensing cover, and wherein the passageway which is formed in the depending and circumscribing sidewall extends into the partially enclosed region which is defined between the user handle and the depending and circumscribing sidewall.   
     
     
         4 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 3 , and wherein the internal cavity of the main body is defined by a first portion, and a second portion, and wherein each portion of the internal cavity has a predetermined depth dimension, and wherein the depth dimension of the second portion is greater than the depth dimension of the first portion, and wherein the depth dimension of the second portion of the internal cavity is variable, and wherein the inwardly facing surface of the main body further mounts the pair of pivot axles within the second portion of the internal cavity, and wherein the biasing engagement member is located within the second portion of the internal cavity, and the passageway formed in the depending and circumscribing sidewall extends into the second portion of the internal cavity. 
     
     
         5 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 4 , and wherein the moveable force transmitting member further is defined by a first, force receiving end which is located laterally outwardly relative to the outwardly facing surface of the main body, and a second, force transmitting end which is oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the biased, and selectively moveable closure member, and wherein a force applied by a user to the first force receiving end of the moveable force transmitting member simultaneously effects the pivotal movement of the movable closure member from the normally occluded position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to a non-occluded position so as to permit the dispensing of the source of fluid therethrough, and wherein the removal of the force applied to the first force receiving end results in the biased, selectively moveable closure member returning to the normally occluded position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein the force transmitting member is telescoping received within, and is reciprocally moveable relative to the passageway which is formed in the depending and circumscribing sidewall of the main body of the fluid dispensing cover, and wherein the moveable force transmitting member is biasingly urged by a first coiled member which is received in the passageway formed in the depending and circumscribing sidewall into a first position, and which locates the first force receiving end thereof laterally outwardly relative to the depending and circumscribing sidewall, and into the at least partially enclosed region defined by the user handle and the adjacent depending and circumscribing sidewall, and wherein the force applied by the user to the first end of the moveable force transmitting member is applied by the finger which the user has previously extended into the at least partially enclosed region defined by the user handle, and wherein a fluid seal is mounted on the second end of the moveable force transmitting member, and which further is operable to sealably cooperate with the inwardly facing surface of the main body when the moveable force transmitting member is in the first position, and is moved to an unsealed orientation relative to the inwardly facing surface of the main body when force is applied by the user's finger to the first force receiving end of the moveable force transmitting member, and wherein the moveable force transmitting member when located in the unsealed orientation permits an equalization of an air pressure which is present in the internal cavity of the main body of the fluid dispensing cover with a surrounding ambient air pressure. 
     
     
         6 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 5 , and wherein the selectively moveable closure member which is releasably, and pivotally mounted on the pair of spaced, pivot axles, and which are located within the second portion of the internal cavity further includes a sealing member which is sized so as sealably occlude the fluid dispensing passageway, and which extends through the main body, and into the internal cavity thereof, and wherein the sealing member has spaced, opposite ends, and a pair of support members extend outwardly, and in the same direction from the opposite ends of the sealing member, and wherein each support member further has a resilient, distal end, and wherein the resilient, distal end of each of the support members defines a pivot axle receiving region which is sized so as to releasably, matingly and rotatably cooperate, in the nature of a snap-fit with the respective pivot axles, and thereby render the closure member pivotally moveable relative to the respective pivot axles so as to effect a movement of the sealing member from the normally, occluding orientation relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to the non-occluding position, and wherein, in the non-occluding position, the closure member facilitates the dispensing of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein the selectively moveable closure member further includes a biasing support member which is made integral with, and extends between, each of the resilient, distal ends of the respective support members, and wherein the selectively movable closure member further includes individual, force receiving members which are mounted on the resilient, distal end of each of the support members, and wherein force applied by the user to each of the force receiving members so as to resiliently urge them in a direction towards each other is effective in resiliently bending the resilient, distal ends of the respective support members so as to facilitate the pivotal attachment or pivotal detachment of the respective pivot axle receiving regions from each of the respective pivot axles, and wherein a predetermined gap is defined between the biasing support member, and the sealing member, and wherein a second biasing member is releasably mounted on the biasing support member and extends, at least in part, into the predetermined gap, and in the direction of the sealing member, and wherein when operably assembled the biasing engagement member is received and positioned within the predetermined gap, and is further disposed in spaced relation relative to the sealing member, and the second biasing member forcibly engages the biasing engagement member thereby urging the selectively moveable closure member into the biased, and normally occluded position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway. 
     
     
         7 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 6 , and wherein the respective pivot axle receiving regions which are made integral with the resilient, distal end of each of the support members have outwardly facing surfaces which have formed therein a predetermined ramp region having a given reduced thickness dimension, and predetermined pitch, and which further facilitates the snap-fit of the respective pivot axle receiving regions with each of the pivot axles when force is applied to the individual force receiving members so as to resiliently bend the distal end of each of the support members, and achieve the snap-fit. 
     
     
         8 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 7 , and further comprising:
 a cover which is pivotally mounted on the main body, and further disposed in partially covering relation relative to the top, outwardly facing surface thereof, and wherein the cover can be moved by the user along a given path of travel from a first, occluding, and covering relationship relative to the downwardly extending cavity which is defined by the outwardly facing surface, to a second non-occluding position relative to the downwardly extending cavity.   
     
     
         9 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 8 , and further comprising:
 a lock which operates to control the flow of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein the lock is mounted on an exterior facing surface of the depending and circumscribing sidewall, and is further positioned within the partially enclosed region which is defined between the user handle and the exterior facing surface of the depending and circumscribing sidewall, and wherein the lock is moveable by the user between a first position which prohibits the movement of the moveable force transmitting member by the application of force applied by the finger of the user, and thereby prohibits the dispensing of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and a second position which permits the user to apply force to the first force receiving end of the moveable force transmitting matter so as to cause the selectively moveable closure member to move to a non-occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, and thereby simultaneously facilitate the dispensing of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway while equalizing an air pressure found in the internal cavity with an air pressure as found in the surrounding ambient environment.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A fluid dispensing cover, comprising:
 a main body having an outwardly facing surface, and an, opposite, inwardly facing surface, and wherein the inwardly facing surface defines an internal cavity, and wherein a fluid dispensing passageway extends between the outwardly facing surface, and the inwardly facing surface;   a biased, and selectively moveable closure member which is pivotally mounted within the internal cavity of the main body, and which is further pivotally moveable relative to the fluid dispensing passageway so as to facilitate the dispensing of a source of liquid therethrough, and wherein the moveable closure member is normally biased into an occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway: and   a moveable force transmitting member borne by the main body, and which further has a first, force receiving end which is located laterally outwardly relative to the outwardly facing surface of the main body, and a second, force transmitting end which is oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the biased, and selectively moveable closure member, and wherein a force applied by a user to the first force receiving end of the moveable force transmitting member simultaneously effects the pivotal movement of the movable closure member from the normally occluded position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to a non-occluded position so as to permit the dispensing of a source of fluid therethrough, and wherein the removal of the force applied to the first force receiving end results in the biased, selectively moveable closure member returning to the normally occluded position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway;   and wherein the main body is defined, at least in part, by a circumscribing sidewall which has an exterior facing surface, and an opposite, interior facing surface, and wherein the interior facing surface of the circumscribing sidewall defines a multiplicity of screw threads which can releasably, and threadably cooperate with a fluid dispensing container which contains the source of the fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the inwardly facing surface of the main body further defines a seal seat which selectively receives a fluid seal, and which further sealably cooperates with the fluid dispensing container when the main body of the fluid dispensing cover threadably cooperates with the fluid dispensing container, and wherein the fluid dispensing passageway is located adjacent to the circumscribing sidewall, and communicates with the internal cavity thereof.   
     
     
         12 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 11 , and further comprising:
 a pair of pivot axles mounted in predetermined, spaced relation within the internal cavity of the main body, and which are further mounted on the inside facing surface thereof, and wherein the pivot axles are mounted in spaced relation relative to the interior facing surface of the circumscribing sidewall, and wherein a biasing engagement member is mounted in the internal cavity of the main body, and on the inwardly facing surface thereof, and wherein the biasing engagement member is mounted in a position which is spaced from the pair of pivot axles, and between the respective pivot axles, and the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein a passageway is formed in the circumscribing sidewall, and further extends between the exterior and interior facing surfaces thereof, and wherein the moveable force transmitting member is reciprocally and moveably mounted within the passageway formed in the circumscribing sidewall, and wherein the passageway is aligned with each of the biasing engagement member, and the fluid dispensing passageway.   
     
     
         13 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 12 , and wherein the selectively moveable closure member which is releasably, and pivotally mounted on the pair of spaced, pivot axles, and which are located within the internal cavity further includes a sealing member which is sized so as sealably occlude the fluid dispensing passageway, and which extends through the main body, and into the internal cavity thereof, and wherein the sealing member is defined, at least in part, by a frame which has spaced, opposite ends, and which further defines an aperture which passes therethrough, and wherein a resilient, fluid dispensing passageway plug is matingly received within aperture which is defined by the frame, and is further sized so as to sealingly occlude the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein a pair of support members extend outwardly, and in the same direction, from the opposite ends of the frame forming the sealing member, and wherein each support member further has a resilient, distal end, and wherein the resilient, distal end of each of the support members defines a pivot axle receiving region which is sized so as to releasably, matingly and rotatably cooperate, in the manner of a snap-fit, with the respective pivot axles, and thereby render the closure member pivotally moveable relative to the respective pivot axles so as to effect a pivotal movement of the sealing member from the normally, occluding orientation relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to the non-occluding position, and wherein, in the non-occluding position, the closure member facilitates the dispensing of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein the selectively moveable closure member further includes a biasing support member which is made integral with, and extends between, each of the resilient, distal ends of the respective support members, and which further has a main body with opposite ends which are mounted on each of the respective distal ends of the support members, and a centrally disposed channel member is mounted on the main body, and which further matingly cooperates with a biasing member, and wherein the main body of the of the biasing support member has a reduced thickness region which is formed near each of the opposite ends thereof, and which facilitates a resilient motion of the respective distal ends of each of the support members, and wherein the selectively movable closure member further includes individual, force receiving members which are mounted on the resilient, distal end of each of the support members, and which further extends laterally outwardly relative thereto, and wherein a force applied by the user to each of the force receiving members is effective in resiliently urging them in a direction towards each other, and is further effective in resiliently bending the resilient, distal ends of the respective support members so as to facilitate the pivotal attachment, or pivotal detachment of the respective pivot axle receiving regions from each of the respective pivot axles, and wherein a predetermined gap is defined between the biasing support member, and the sealing member, and wherein the biasing member is releasably mounted within the channel member which is made integral with the biasing support member, and further extends, at least in part, into the predetermined gap, and in the direction of the sealing member, and wherein, when operably assembled, the biasing engagement member is received and positioned within the predetermined gap, and is further disposed in spaced relation relative to the sealing member, and the biasing member forcibly engages the biasing engagement member thereby urging the selectively moveable closure member into the biased, and normally occluded position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway. 
     
     
         14 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 13 , and wherein the biasing member is defined, at least in part, by a first and second portion, and wherein the first portion matingly cooperates with the channel portion which is made integral with the biasing support member, and the second portion forcibly engages the biasing engagement member which is mounted in the internal cavity of the fluid dispensing cover, and wherein the biasing member has first and second resilient, and spaced legs which are joined together by an intermediate portion which locates the respective resilient legs in substantially parallel, spaced relation, one relative to the other, and wherein each of the first and second resilient legs have a first course which matingly engages the distal end of each of the respective support members, and further extends laterally inwardly relative thereto, and wherein the respective first and second resilient legs of the biasing member are each further defined by a second course which is oriented in perpendicular relation relative to the first course, and which are further matingly received within the channel portion of the biasing support member, and wherein the respective first and second resilient legs of the biasing member are each, further, defined by a third course which extends angularly, outwardly, relative to the second course, and which further includes a coiled spring portion, and wherein the third course of each of the first and second legs extend into the gap defined by the respective support members, and further forcibly engages the biasing engagement member which is received in the gap, and which is defined by the respective support members, and wherein the respective first and second resilient legs of the biasing member are further defined, at least in part, by a fourth course which is angularly oriented relative to the third course, and which further extends in the direction of the biasing support member, and wherein the intermediate portion of the biasing member extends between the fourth course of each of the first and second resilient legs, and wherein the first course of each of the respective first and second resilient legs are substantially coaxially aligned, and the second, third and fourth courses of the respective resilient, first and second legs are disposed in a spaced, predetermined, parallel orientation, one relative to the other. 
     
     
         15 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 14 , and wherein the circumscribing sidewall of the fluid dispensing cover has a passageway formed therethrough, and which is located in a position which is opposite to the fluid dispensing passageway, communicates with the internal cavity defined by the fluid dispensing cover, and which further is aligned with the biasing support member, and which is also made integral with the selectively moveable closure member, and wherein the moveable force transmitting member is telescopingly received within the passageway formed in the circumscribing sidewall, and wherein a coiled biasing member is received within the passageway formed in the circumscribing sidewall, and a sealing member is received about the second end of the force transmitting member, and wherein the coiled biasing member received in the passageway biases the force receiving member to move in a direction where the first force receiving end thereof is located in a first position which is oriented laterally, outwardly relative to the exterior facing surface of the circumscribing sidewall, and wherein, when a force is applied by the user to the first end of the moveable force transmitting member, the moveable force transmitting member is moved to a second position, and where the second end of the force transmitting member is relocated radially, inwardly relative to the interior facing surface of the circumscribing sidewall, and into force transmitting relation relative to the biasing support member which is made integral with the moveable closure member, and wherein, in the second position, the force transmitted to the biasing support member effects pivotal motion of the moveable closure member from the normally occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to the non-occluding position, and wherein the fluid seal which is mounted on the second end of the moveable force transmitting member is operable to sealably cooperate with the inwardly facing surface of the circumscribing sidewall when the moveable force transmitting member is in the first position, and is moved to an unsealed orientation relative to the inwardly facing surface of the circumscribing sidewall when force is applied by the user's finger to the first force receiving end of the moveable force transmitting member, and wherein the moveable force transmitting member, when located in the unsealed orientation, permits an equalization of an air pressure which is present in the internal cavity of the main body of the fluid dispensing cover with a surrounding ambient air pressure. 
     
     
         16 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 15 , and wherein the main body of the fluid dispensing cover has top, outwardly facing surface, and which defines, at least in part, a downwardly extending cavity, and wherein the fluid dispensing passageway extends from the downwardly extending cavity to the internal cavity which is defined by the main body of the fluid dispensing cover, and wherein the fluid dispensing cover further comprises a cover which is pivotally mounted on the main body of the fluid dispensing cover, and which is further disposed in partially covering relation relative to the top, outwardly facing surface thereof, and wherein the cover can be moved by the user along a given path of travel from a first, occluding, and covering relationship relative to the downwardly extending cavity which is defined by the outwardly facing surface, to a second non-occluding position relative to the downwardly extending cavity. 
     
     
         17 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 16 , and further comprising:
 a lock which operates to control the flow of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein the lock is mounted on an exterior facing surface of the circumscribing sidewall, and wherein the lock is moveable by the user between a first position, and which prohibits the movement of the moveable force transmitting member by the application of force applied by the finger of the user, and thereby prohibits the dispensing of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and a second position, and which permits the user to apply force to the first force receiving end of the moveable force transmitting matter so as to cause the selectively moveable closure member to pivotally move against the biasing force exerted by the coiled biasing member to a non-occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, and thereby simultaneously facilitate the dispensing of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway while equalizing the air pressure which is present in the internal cavity of the fluid dispensing cover, with the air pressure which is present in the surrounding ambient environment.   
     
     
         18 . A fluid dispensing cover, comprising:
 a main body having an outwardly, and an opposite, inwardly facing surfaces, and wherein the inwardly facing surface defines an internal cavity, and wherein the main body is defined, at least in part, by a top surface having a peripheral edge, and wherein the main body further has a circumscribing sidewall which depends downwardly relative to the peripheral edge of the top surface, and wherein the top surface further defines a downwardly extending cavity which is located adjacent to the peripheral edge of the top surface, and wherein a fluid dispensing passageway extends from the downwardly extending cavity into the internal cavity, and which is defined, at least in part, by the main body, and wherein the main body further includes a passageway which is formed in the depending, and circumscribing sidewall, and which further is located in a position which is opposite to the fluid dispensing passageway, and which still further communicates with the internal cavity of the main body, and wherein the inside facing surface of the main body further mounts a pair of pivot axles which are mounted in predetermined, spaced relation, one relative to the other, and a biasing engagement member which is mounted on the inwardly facing surface of the main body, and which is further located between the fluid dispensing passageway, and the passageway formed in the depending and circumscribing sidewall;   a selectively moveable closure member which is releasably, and pivotally mounted on the pair of spaced, pivot axles, and wherein the closure member has a sealing member which is sized so as sealably occlude the fluid dispensing passageway, and which extends through the main body, and into the internal cavity thereof, and wherein the sealing member has spaced, opposite ends, and a pair of support members extend outwardly from the opposite ends of the sealing member, and wherein each support member further has a resilient, distal end, and wherein the resilient, distal end of each of the support members defines a pivot axle receiving region which is sized so as to matingly and rotatably cooperate with the respective pivot axles, and thereby render the closure member pivotally moveable relative to the respective pivot axles, and which further effects a pivotal movement of the sealing member from a normally, occluding orientation relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to a non-occluding position, and wherein, in the non-occluding position, the closure member facilitates the dispensing of a source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein the selectively moveable closure member further includes a biasing support member which is made integral with each of the resilient, distal ends of the respective support members;   a biasing member which is releasably mounted on the biasing support member and which further forcibly engages the biasing engagement member; and   a moveable force transmitting member which is biasingly and reciprocally moveable, and telescopingly received within the passageway which is formed in the depending, and circumscribing sidewall, and wherein the force transmitting member has a first, force receiving end which extends laterally, outwardly relative to the depending and circumscribing sidewall, and a second, force transmitting end which is oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the biasing support member, and which is made integral with the selectively moveable closure member, and wherein a force applied by a user to the first, force receiving end is effective in pivotally moving the sealing member from the normally occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to a non-occluding position so as to facilitate the dispensing of the source of fluid therethrough, and wherein the removal of the force applied by the user to the first, force receiving end results in the biasing member biasingly returning the selectively movable closure member, and the associated sealing member, back to the normally occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway.   
     
     
         19 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 18 , and wherein the fluid dispensing cover further comprises a moveable cover which is pivotally mounted on the main body of the fluid dispensing cover, and which is further disposed in partially covering relation relative to the top, outwardly facing surface thereof, and wherein the moveable cover can be moved by the user along a given path of travel from a first, occluding, and covering relationship relative to the downwardly extending cavity which is defined by the outwardly facing surface, to a second, non-occluding position relative to the downwardly extending cavity. 
     
     
         20 . A fluid dispensing cover as claimed in  claim 19 , and further comprising:
 a lock which operates to control the flow of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein the lock is mounted on an exterior facing surface of the circumscribing sidewall, and wherein the lock is moveable by the user between a first position, and which prohibits the movement of the moveable force transmitting member by the application of force applied by the finger of the user, and thereby prohibits the dispensing of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and a second position, and which permits the user to apply force to the first force receiving end of the moveable force transmitting member so as to cause the selectively moveable closure member to pivotally move under the force exerted by the moveable transmitting member to a non-occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, and thereby simultaneously facilitate the dispensing of the source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway while equalizing the air pressure which is present in the internal cavity of the fluid dispensing cover, with the air pressure which is present in the surrounding ambient environment.