US 12,390,804 B2
Modified dropper device and method for accurate dosing
Sereyviseth Pheng, Lebanon, PA (US); and Sophornarak Horn, Lebanon, PA (US)
Assigned to Control Ltd., Lebanon, PA (US)
Filed by Control Ltd., Lebanon, PA (US)
Filed on Jun. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/836,567.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/209,978, filed on Jun. 12, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0395824 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. B01L 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/0217 (2013.01) [B01L 3/0293 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0605 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0689 (2013.01); B01L 2300/042 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for metering and communicating a quantity of material dispensed from a dropper, the apparatus comprising:
a cap comprising a through-hole and a base;
an engagement mechanism configured to abut said through-hole and positioned within or forming an integral part of the cap;
a hollow tube having an interior adapted to contain a liquid, a longitudinal axis, a connection end mechanically affixed to or forming an integral part of the cap, and a dispensing end adapted to deliver the liquid;
wherein the longitudinal axis of said hollow tube is configured to be centered beneath the through-hole at the base of the cap;
wherein the connection end is configured to fully surround said through-hole at the base of the cap;
a plunger comprising an exterior and a longitudinal axis, said plunger configured to be inserted into and moveable within said through-hole and said hollow tube, the exterior of said plunger comprising:
a sealing portion along a first segment of the plunger exterior adapted to form a watertight seal between said sealing portion of the plunger and the interior of the hollow tube;
a plunger profile geometry along a second segment of the plunger exterior wherein said plunger profile geometry corresponds to a plurality of discrete doses of liquid;
at least one dosing key configured to be removably attached to the plunger profile geometry such that the motion of the plunger is configured to be restricted when said dosing key makes contact with the cap;
wherein said engagement mechanism is configured to engage with the plunger profile geometry as the plunger advances within the hollow tube in a manner that provides visual, audible, and tactile feedback with each dispensed discrete dose; and
wherein the sealing portion of said plunger is configured to cause liquid within said hollow tube to advance from the dispensing end of said hollow tube.