# US 11,027,963 B1 · Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids from containers

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- Number: US 11,027,963 B1
- Document ID: US11027963B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/576,430
- Filed: 2019-09-19
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-09-20
- Applicants: Perry A. Dupuis
- Inventors: Perry A. Dupuis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027963B1

## CPC

- B67D 1/102: {for one liquid component only}
- B67D 3/0035: {the bottle or container being held upside down and not provided with a closure, e.g. a bottle screwed onto a base of a dispenser}
- A47K 5/1207: {Dispensing from the bottom of the dispenser with a vertical piston}
- B67D 1/06: Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters (shop or bar counters per se A47F9/00)
- B67D 1/0891: {for the beverage container}
- B67D 3/0032: {the bottle or container being held upside down and provided with a closure, e.g. a cap, adapted to cooperate with a feed tube}
- B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F)
- A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES

## Abstract

A dispensing assembly includes a container support section and a pump support section. The container support section securely supports and holds a jug or other conventional container in an inverted position so that an outlet (which is normally facing upward) is instead facing in a generally downward orientation such that any liquids in the container will gravity feed toward the downwardly-facing outlet. A manual pump assembly is held by the pump support section. A conduit generally extends from the container outlet to an inlet of the pump assembly in order to permit fluid to flow from the container to the pump assembly. A reusable cap member having a check valve assembly and quick-connect coupling can be installed on the threaded outlet of the container. Fluid (including, without limitation, thick or highly viscous fluids) can be efficiently dispensed in controlled amounts.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for dispensing hair shampoo or other hair product from a container having a base, a contents label and an outlet comprising:
a) a support assembly, wherein said support assembly further comprises:
i) a container support member configured to receive a portion of said container, wherein a contents label on said container is at least partially exposed;
ii) a fluid pump support member adapted to support a fluid pump;
b) a manual fluid hand pump having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said fluid pump is at least partially disposed within said fluid pump support member;
c) a flexible hose having a first end and a second end, wherein said flexible hose is configured to directly connect said container to said fluid pump, and wherein said first end is operationally attached to said outlet of said container and said second end is operationally attached to said inlet of said fluid pump; and
d) a tool having a point configured to puncture a vent hole in said base of said container.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container support member is configured to maintain said outlet of said container in a substantially downwardly facing orientation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a check valve disposed between said outlet of said container said first end of said flexible hose.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said check valve permits fluid to flow from said outlet of said container into said first end of said conduit flexible hose, but prevents fluid from flowing out of said first end of said conduit flexible hose.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container comprises a plastic jug.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a swivel disposed between said outlet of said container said first end of said flexible hose.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support assembly comprises a single piece of unitary construction.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base removeably attached to said support assembly.

### Claim 9

A method for dispensing hair shampoo or other hair product from a container having a base, a contents label and an outlet comprising:
a) providing a dispensing assembly, wherein said support assembly further comprises:
i) a container support member configured to receive at least a portion of said container;
ii) a fluid pump support member adapted to support a fluid pump;
iii) a manual fluid hand pump having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said manual fluid hand pump is at least partially disposed within said fluid pump support member;
iv) a flexible hose having a first end and a second end, wherein said flexible hose is configured to directly connect said container to said fluid pump, and wherein said second end is operationally attached to said inlet of said manual fluid hand pump;
b) connecting said first end of said flexible hose to said outlet of said container;
c) installing said container into said container support member, wherein said outlet of said container is maintained in a substantially downwardly facing orientation, and wherein fluid in said container drains toward said outlet of said container, and a contents label on said container is at least partially exposed;
d) puncturing a vent hole in the base of said container;
e) applying force to said manual fluid hand pump; and
f) dispensing fluid from said container, through said hose to said inlet of said manual fluid hand pump, and through said outlet of said manual fluid hand pump.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising a check valve disposed between said outlet of said container said first end of said conduit flexible hose.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein said check valve permits fluid to flow from said outlet of said container into said first end of said conduit, but prevents fluid from flowing out of said first end of said flexible hose.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein said container comprises a plastic jug.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein said dispensing assembly further comprises a swivel disposed between said outlet of said container said first end of said flexible hose.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein said container support member and fluid pump support member comprise a single piece of unitary construction.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein said dispensing assembly further comprises a base removeably attached to said container support member and fluid pump support member.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising:
a) removing said container from said container support member after substantially all fluid has been removed from said container;
b) disconnecting said first end of said flexible hose from said outlet of said container;
c) connecting said first end of said flexible hose to an outlet of a replacement container;
d) installing said replacement container into said container support member, wherein said outlet of said replacement container is maintained in a substantially downwardly facing orientation, and wherein fluid in said replacement container drains toward said outlet of said replacement container; and
e) dispensing fluid from said replacement container through said outlet of said manual fluid hand pump.

### Claim 17 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein said contents label on said container remains visible after said container is installed into said container support member.