Fluid transfer Apparatus and related methods

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a fluid transfer apparatus for sucking liquid from a container and transferring to another container or target. The fluid transfer apparatus comprising a squeeze bulb, the squeeze bulb having a first opening and an opposite second opening. A first check valve coupled to the first opening and a second check valve coupled to the second opening, wherein the first check valve and the second check valve together are configured to control the direction of fluid flow in one direction i.e. the liquid can enter from first check valve leaves from the second check valve. A transfer tube is fluidly coupled to the first check valve and a dispensing tube is coupled to the second check valve. The squeeze bulb is configured to suck liquid from a container through the transfer tube, wherein the liquid collects in the squeeze bulb and the dispensing tube. The other end of the dispensing tube is closed by a nipple, the nipple having a hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid transfer apparatus comprising:
 a squeeze bulb having a first opening and a second opening;   a first check valve fluidly coupled to the first opening;   a second check valve fluidly coupled to the second opening, wherein the first check valve and the second check valve are configured to permit fluid to enter the first opening and leave the second opening;   a transfer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end is in fluidly coupled to the first check valve, the distal end is open; and   a dispensing tube having a first end and a second end, the first end fluidly coupled to the second check valve, the second end is open.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus further comprises a nipple, the nipple configured to couple to the distal end of the dispensing tube, the nipple having a central aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus further comprises a cap, the cap configured to couple to a mouth of a container, the cap having an aperture for snugly receiving the distal end of the transfer tube. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid transfer apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cap further comprises a second aperture, the second aperture sealably configured with a third check valve, the third check valve permits air to enter the container. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer tube is of an elongated tubular construction and made of flexible material. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing tube can be of a predetermined size and made of rigid material. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid transfer apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined size ranges from 5 to 10 ml. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the squeeze bulb is having transparent walls. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the squeeze bulb is having a transparent window. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid transfer apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus further comprises an O-ring, the O-ring configured around the aperture of the cap for snugly receiving the transfer tube. 
     
     
         11 . A method of transferring liquid from a container to a target, the method comprising:
 providing a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid transfer apparatus comprising:
 a squeeze bulb having a first opening and a second opening, 
 a first check valve fluidly coupled to the first opening, 
 a second check valve fluidly coupled to the second opening, wherein the first check valve and the second check valve are configured to permit fluid to enter the first opening and leave the second opening, 
 a transfer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fluidly coupled to the first check valve, the distal end is open, and 
 a dispensing tube having a first end and a second end, the first end fluidly coupled to the second check valve, the second end is open; 
   placing the distal end of the end tube into liquid, the liquid retained in a container;   applying finger pressure to the squeeze bulb, resulting in collapse of the squeeze bulb;   releasing the applied finger pressure from the squeeze bulb, resulting in drawing of the liquid from the container into the squeeze bulb;   repeating the step of applying finger pressure to the squeeze bulb, resulting in collapse of the squeeze bulb and dispensing of the liquid from the squeeze bulb into the dispensing tube; and   pouring the liquid from the dispensing tube to the target.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein liquid is liquid detergent, and the target is a bucket. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein liquid is liquid detergent, and the target is a washing machine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus further comprises a cap, the cap configured to close an opening of the container, the cap having a first aperture to receive the transfer tube. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cap further comprises a second aperture, the second aperture configured with a third check valve, the third check valve allows air to enter the container. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus further comprises a nipple, the nipple configured to couple to the second end of the dispensing tube. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the nipple is having a central aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises a step of:
 removing the transfer tube from the container; and   applying the finger pressure to the squeeze bulb, resulting in removal of any remaining liquid from the squeeze bulb into the dispensing tube.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a step of:
 mounting the cap to the opening of the container; and   inserting the distal end of the transfer tube into the container, through the first aperture.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cap further comprises an O-ring, the O-ring configured around the first aperture to snugly receive the transfer tube.