# US 2014/0151401 A1 · Enhanced dispensing and dosaging techniques for fluid containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151401 A1 - Document ID: US20140151401A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/692,502 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: RLM Group Ltd. - Inventors: Robert L. Murphy; Charles A. Curtiss - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151401A1 ## CPC - B65D 35/44: Closures (closure members of interest apart from this application B65D39/00 - B65D55/00; forming bottom closures after filling B65B7/14) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract In various embodiments, the invention provides enhanced structures, devices, and techniques that allow fluids and liquid products, such as cosmetics, to dispense in a more even, smoother, and more predictable manner from fluid containers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for dispensing fluid, the apparatus comprising: a fluid repository in fluid communication with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes at least one dispensing orifice formed therein; and, a plug positioned within at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle, the plug comprising: a base portion having at least one fluid flow opening formed therein, and a bellows portion structured for: expanding to an elongated state upon application of a threshold fluid pressure to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository through the fluid flow opening to the dispensing orifice upon application of a threshold fluid pressure, and contracting to a compressed state wherein the bellows portion contacts an interior surface of the nozzle to create a fluid communication seal between the fluid repository and the dispensing orifice. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the base portion of the plug is structured for correspondingly mating with at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle or the fluid repository for retaining the plug in an operative position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug is structured to establish a predetermined gap distance between the bellows portion and the dispensing orifice in the elongated state of the bellows portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the predetermined gap distance is structured in response to a fluid viscosity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fluid flow openings formed in the base portion of the plug. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ring positioned between the bellows portion of the plug and the dispensing orifice. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ring comprises a crenellated ring structured to maintain a predetermined gap distance between the bellows portion and the dispensing orifice in the elongated state of the bellows portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug is structured to communicate fluid therethrough at a threshold fluid pressure not exceeding a pressure applied to the fluid repository. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug is structured to communicate fluid therethrough at a threshold fluid pressure independent of a pressure applied to the fluid repository. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fluid flow openings is structured in response to a fluid viscosity. ### Claim 11 A plug apparatus for facilitating fluid flow in a fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a fluid repository in fluid communication with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes at least one dispensing orifice formed therein, the plug apparatus comprising: a base portion structured for placement in at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle of the fluid dispensing apparatus, the base portion having at least one fluid flow opening formed therein, and a bellows portion structured for: expanding to an elongated state upon application of a threshold fluid pressure to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository through the fluid flow opening to the dispensing orifice upon application of a threshold fluid pressure, and contracting to a compressed state wherein the bellows portion contacts an interior surface of the nozzle to create a fluid communication seal between the fluid repository and the dispensing orifice. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for dispensing fluid, the apparatus comprising: a fluid repository in fluid communication with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes at least one dispensing orifice formed therein; and, a plug positioned within at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle, the plug comprising: a base having at least one fluid flow opening formed therein, and a valve having at least one fluid flow opening formed therein, the valve structured for: expanding to an elongated state wherein a tip of the valve extends into the fluid flow opening of the base to create a fluid communication seal between the fluid repository and the dispensing orifice, and contracting to a compressed state upon application of a threshold fluid pressure wherein the tip of the valve dissociates from the fluid flow opening of the base to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository through the fluid flow opening of the base, through the fluid flow opening of the valve, and to the dispensing orifice. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plug is structured for correspondingly mating with at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle or the fluid repository for retaining the plug in an operative position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fluid flow openings formed in the valve of the plug. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug is structured to communicate fluid therethrough at a threshold fluid pressure not exceeding a pressure applied to the fluid repository. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug is structured to communicate fluid therethrough at a threshold fluid pressure independent of a pressure applied to the fluid repository. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fluid flow openings of the valve is structured in response to a fluid viscosity. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fluid flow openings of the base is structured in response to a fluid viscosity. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve is comprised of an elastomeric material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base of the plug is comprised of a material that is comparatively more rigid than a material comprising the valve of the plug. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve includes a ring stand structured for contact with an interior surface of the nozzle in the elongated state of the plug. ### Claim 22 A plug apparatus for facilitating fluid flow in a fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a fluid repository in fluid communication with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes at least one dispensing orifice formed therein, the plug apparatus comprising: a base having at least one fluid flow opening formed therein; and a valve having at least one fluid flow opening formed therein, the valve structured for: expanding to an elongated state wherein a tip of the valve extends into the fluid flow opening of the base to create a fluid communication seal between the fluid repository and the dispensing orifice, and contracting to a compressed state upon application of a threshold fluid pressure wherein the tip of the valve dissociates from the fluid flow opening of the base to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository through the fluid flow opening of the base, through the fluid flow opening of the valve, and to the dispensing orifice.