Container for dispensing liquid

Abstract

A container for liquid comprises a substantially airtight body for storing liquid, a means for varying the pressure of gas above the level of liquid in the body of the container, e.g. resilient flexible container walls such as a squeeze bottle, an air pocket structure disposed at the lower end of the container, and in free liquid communication with the body of the container so as to allow entry of liquid from the body of the container into the air pocket structure. Air resides in the air pocket structure when the container is disposed with its lower end downwardly. An outlet passageway has an upper end which communicates near the top of the air pocket structure to be disposed in air in the air pocket and a lower end open to atmosphere exteriorly of the container and the air pocket. Such a container holds liquid therein without dripping. To discharge the liquid, the pressure on the body is increased, so as to cause liquid to rise through the air pocket structure, and issue liquid from the outlet passageway. Upon release of the applied pressure, air is sucked back in through the passageways so as to have a cleaning effect thereon. The structure allows storage of liquid ready for dispensing, but without risk of leakage or dripping, even when exposed to fluctuations in temperature of considerable magnitude.