In particular, the present invention relates to an improved adjustable nozzle assembly for pouring a desired volume of fluid.

Reference throughout the present specification shall now be made to use of the present invention in relation to the application of pour-on medicaments and drenches for animals.

It should be appreciated however that this should not be seen to be a limitation on the present invention in any way as the present invention may be used for the metering of a controlled amount of any fluid.

BACKGROUND ART The need for controlling the dose of a medicament or drench for the application to an animal is paramount as the under-dosing or overdosing of the animal can lead to equally disastrous results.

With a lot of the medicaments and drenches that are available for animals overdosing the animal could have detrimental effects on the health of the animal and in some cases could lead to permanent damage or even death.

Likewise, the under-dosing of an animal can lead to the application being ineffective and could even result in the pathogens that were intended to be eradicated building up a resistance to the chemicals being used which would lead to further problems in the eradication of these pathogens in the future.

The most basic form of measuring the amount of fluid required for the application to an animal is the pouring of the fluid into a measuring jug from the container and then applying the contents of the measuring jug to the animal.

Whilst on the surface this seems a simple and straightforward procedure it is fraught with problems.

One of the major problems associated with this type of measurement is that the dosing is not particularly accurate or consistent between animals and there is a high likelihood of spillage of the chemicals either onto the operator or onto the ground, neither of which is desirable.

Another drawback associated with this system is the time it takes as quite often some of the contents of the measuring jug will need to be poured back into the container or additional material will need to be poured from the container into the jug once the level of the jug has been ascertained.

When the operator of this system has a large number of animals that need to be administered to the time taken per dose is very important as it can have a large accumulative effect.

One distinct improvement over this system was the advent of a measuring assembly that fitted to the fluid container so that the correct volume of fluid could be measured directly at the container and could then be poured directly onto the animal.

There have been numerous modifications and improvements over the first of these types of systems, resulting in the now common"pour-on drench system".

These systems generally are constructed of a fluid reservoir connected to a hand piece which may or may not have a wand attached to the outlet of the hand-piece and the fluid from the fluid container fills a chamber in the hand-piece and when the

hand-piece is inverted this amount of fluid is passed from the hand-piece onto the animal.

Whilst these systems are ideal for a number of applications they do however have severe drawbacks.

The most serious of these drawbacks is that different amounts of fluid are required for animals of different sizes and these pour-on dispensers can only provide a preset volume of fluid with each application.

This again leads to the problems of under or overdosing animals and to an inconsistency of dosing to animals of different sizes.

In order to overcome these problems the operator will need to carry a number of pour-on applicators of different volumes in order to be able to apply the correct controlled doses to each animal.

This is not only costly as these devices can be quite expensive to purchase, but it also means that the operator is less able to be manoeuvrable as he will need a great deal more equipment in order to undertake the task.

Previously the only option open to the operator would to be to purchase an expensive drench gun system such as that disclosed in NZ Patent No. 222692 which has the ability to adjust the dosage applied to the animal.

The main drawback of this type of drench gun is its cost as this puts it outside the range of the small to medium sized operator as they generally would not be able to afford this type of apparatus as the number of animals that they wish to dose does not warrant the extra expenditure.

New Zealand Patent Application No. 515179 overcame the problems associated with the previous alternatives.

It discloses an adjustable nozzle assembly that utilises an adjustable valve that can be set to the required volume to be poured and then the apparatus is tilted into its pouring position to administer the correct dose to an animal.

This was a superb solution to the problems associated with previously available system and provides the operator with an economical and easy to use system.

There is however one significant drawback with this system in that due to the mechanical construction of the valve assembly it is possible to administer a dose of less than the selected dose when the fluid reservoir is low on fluid.

This is due to the time taken for the fluid to reach an end to the valve when the whole assembly is placed into its pouring position. In some circumstances where the reservoir is fairly low in fluid it is possible for the valve to start to close before it is completely filled with fluid.

Obviously this situation is less than desirable and in order to ensure it cannot happen the operator would have to monitor the reservoir level and keep it"topped up"to ensure that there is not a significant delay in fluid flooding the valve assembly once it has been placed into the pouring position.

This therefore is not an ideal situation as it not only places an extra responsibility onto the operator but could potentially cause the under dosing of an animal-which is one problem the system was designed to eradicate.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an

admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

It is acknowledged that the term'comprise'may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term'comprise'shall have an inclusive meaning-i. e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term'comprised'or comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description, which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable pouring apparatus for a fluid, including a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, and at least one valve assembly, and a nozzle assembly, wherein the fluid inlet is configured to be adjustable so as to regulate the amount of fluid flowing through the nozzle from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet before the valve closes, and after the nozzle has been placed into its pouring position, and

a fluid receptacle, characterised in that the fluid receptacle is configured to store a volume of fluid in proximity to the fluid inlet when the nozzle is in the non-pouring position and to allow fluid to flow from the receptacle into the fluid inlet when the nozzle is in the pouring position.

It should be appreciated that throughout the present specification the term"fluid inlet"should be understood to mean the aperture through which fluid from the reservoir to which the apparatus is connected flows in order to be able to enter the valve.

It should also be appreciated that throughout the present specification the term"fluid outlet"should be understood to mean the point at which the fluid leaves the valve assembly.

Throughout the present specification the term"valve assembly"should be understood to mean an automatically closing valve that operates a period of time after the nozzle has been placed into its pouring position-the time taken is dependent on the viscosity of the fluid being dispensed-and that will automatically return to its fully open position once the nozzle has been returned to a generally upright position.

The"nozzle assembly"described within the present specification should be understood to contain a connector for joining the nozzle assembly to a source of fluid so that the fluid can be dispensed through the nozzle assembly.

The term"a pouring position"used within the present specification should be understood to mean that the fluid outlet is inclined below the fluid inlet so that fluid

flow will occur from the present invention and that at least one valve assembly will move to its fully closed position.

It should be further appreciated that throughout the present specification the term "fluid receptacle"should be understood to mean any assembly that can contain a volume of fluid and which can pass this fluid into the proximity of the fluid inlet when the nozzle assembly is in the pouring position.

In preferred embodiment of the present invention the fluid receptacle is capable of holding sufficient fluid to administer the maximum selectable dose.

This should not however be seen to be a limitation on the present invention in any way as in other embodiments the fluid receptacle can be configured to hold only sufficient fluid to ensure the valve will not start to close before it has filled with fluid from the fluid receptacle and from the fluid supply.

Also in preferred embodiments of the present invention the fluid receptacle is refilled by fluid from the fluid supply whilst the nozzle is in its pouring position.

It is envisaged that within the majority of applications required of the present invention the required dose will be in the range of 1 millilitre to 200 millilitres.

This should not however be taken to be a limitation on the present invention in any way as in other embodiments the required dose can be outside of this range.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the valve assembly contains a fluid chamber wherein the fluid chamber of the valve is configured to be adjustable so as to regulate the amount of fluid flowing through the nozzle from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet before the valve closes and after the nozzle has been placed into its pouring-position.

In preferred embodiments of this aspect of the present invention the valve assembly

is constructed in a manner that allows the volume of the fluid chamber to be adjusted so as to alter the time taken for the valve to move from the open position to the closed position.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the valve assembly incorporates a fluid chamber containing a ball that moves along the fluid chamber for a preset distance until it blocks the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.

It should be appreciated that in preferred embodiments of the present invention the time taken to close the valve, once the nozzle is in its pouring position, is governed by the viscosity of the fluid being dispensed in order to ensure that the same volume is dispensed no matter the viscosity.

The fluid chamber contains a balance hole with the ball positioned between the balance hole and the outlet hole, this configuration controls the speed at which the ball moves to the valve's closed position as fluid entering the balance hole allows the ball to move forward along the fluid chamber.

The balance hole also controls the rate at which the valve returns to its fully open position by allowing the fluid that has collected behind the ball to exit from the fluid chamber back into the fluid receptacle or into the fluid supply container.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention a second ball valve is fitted in fluid connection to the balance hole and is configured in such a manner that the second ball valve is closed during the pouring cycle and is open during the reset cycle in order to allow for a faster reset time than would otherwise be achievable.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the main fluid chamber is constructed with a"shoulder"in order to delay the movement of the ball when the nozzle assembly is placed into the pouring position, so that the second ball valve has adequate time to close the second balance hole before the first ball commences

moving towards the fluid outlet.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the amount of fluid flowing through the nozzle is regulated by rotating the outer casing of the nozzle with respect to the main valve assembly.

This rotary action will adjust the size of the fluid inlet and thereby control the fluid flowrate into the fluid chamber of the valve assembly.

It is envisaged that in some other preferred embodiments of the present invention the fluid inlet size will be adjusted to one of a set of predetermined flowrates by rotating the outer casing until it locks into one of a set of a stepped increments wherein each increment is commensurate with a different flowrate.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the outer casing is secured to the main body of the apparatus by the use of one or more O-rings in order to form a fluid-tight seal between the outer casing and the main body of the apparatus.

However, this should not be seen to be a limitation on the present invention in any way as in other embodiments other leak-proof designs such as ridges or other embossments onto the surface of either the outer casing or the apparatus may be used.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating an adjustable pouring apparatus for a fluid, including a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, and at least one valve assembly, and a nozzle assembly containing an outer casing and

a fluid receptacle characterised by the steps of a) adjusting the size of the fluid inlet so as to regulate the amount of fluid flowing through the nozzle from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet before the valve closes and after the nozzle has been placed into its pouring position, and b) placing the nozzle into its pouring position, allowing fluid to enter the fluid inlet from the fluid receptacle, and c) keeping the nozzle into its pouring position until the fluid ceases to flow out of the nozzle and the fluid receptacle has refilled, and d) resetting the valve into its open position by replacing the nozzle into its non- pouring position.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating an adjustable pouring apparatus for a fluid, including a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, and at least one valve assembly, and a nozzle assembly containing an outer casing and at least one set of indicia, and a fluid receptacle characterised by the step of rotating the outer casing of the nozzle with respect to the main valve assembly in order to adjust the aperture size of the fluid inlet until the desired volume to be

dispensed is shown on the indicia.

It is envisaged that the nozzle assembly will have at least one set of numerals or indicia located in a position such that the amount of fluid able to be dispensed at that point is clearly shown.

It is envisaged that in some embodiments of the present invention the connector assembly between the present invention and the fluid supply container will be a threaded section of the present invention that will be located securely in a leak-proof connection with the fluid container.

It is also envisaged that in some embodiments of the present invention the connector assembly will contain at least one flexible exterior rib in order that a section of the present invention can be pushed into the neck of the fluid supply container in order to make a leak-proof connection.

However, it should also be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention the connector assembly can be connected to the fluid supply container using any leak-proof assembly or method, including a"bayonet-style"connection.

It is clear from the foregoing description that the present invention has significant advantages over the current"pour-on"systems.

The most significant advantage is that the operator will be able to repetitively administer the correct dose, as long as there is fluid in the fluid supply container.

A further advantage is that no adjustments are necessary when a different viscosity fluid is dispensed as the valve design ensures the dose administered remains the same volume.

Yet another advantage is that the nozzle assembly is easy to operate correctly and is very cost effective as there are no complicated or delicate parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 a is a diagrammatical representation of the main body of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 1b is a cross sectional diagram of the outer casing of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 1c is a combination of figures 1a and 1b showing their interrelationship; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatical representation of a plan view of the main assembly of one preferred embodiment of the present invention with the valve ball omitted for clarity ; and Figure 3a is a cross sectional representation of one preferred embodiment of the present invention with the valve in the open position; and Figure 3b is a cross sectional representation of one preferred embodiment of the present invention with the valve in the closed position.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to the Figures there is illustrated an adjustable nozzle assembly generally indicated by arrow 1.

The adjustable nozzle assembly consists of a-main assembly (2) that fits in a fluid-

tight connection inside an outer sleeve (3).

The main assembly (2) is fitted with a number of o-ring seals (4) in order to provide a fluid-tight seal against the outer sleeve (3).

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the main assembly (2) of the present invention and clearly shows a number of voids (5) that allow fluid from the fluid receptacle (16) and from the fluid supply container to which the nozzle is attached, to flow into the space between the main assembly (2) and the outer sleeve (3).

When the outer sleeve (3) is rotated with respect to the main assembly (2) it will eventually reach a point where a part of the fluid inlet (7) will be exposed to the area between the outer sleeve (3) and the main assembly (2) so that fluid from this area can flow through the fluid inlet (7) into the fluid chamber (8) and then out of the nozzle assembly (1) through the fluid outlet (9).

The outer sleeve (3) contains a central section (10) that contains a contoured face (11) in order that when the outer sleeve (3) is rotated with respect to the main assembly (2) the contoured section (11) will alter the amount of the fluid inlet (7) that is exposed to the space between the main assembly (2) and the outer sleeve (3).

It is envisaged that a set of indicia markings will be apparent on the outer surface of the adjustable nozzle assembly (1) in order that the operator can see how much fluid will be allowed to flow through the fluid inlet (7) before the valve (12) reaches its closed position.

When the adjustable nozzle assembly (1) is desired to be used, the outer casing (3) is rotated with respect to the main assembly (2) until the desired flowrate is shown on the indicia (not shown).

The adjustable nozzle assembly (1) is then placed into its pouring position in order

that fluid from the fluid receptacle (16) and from the fluid supply container can enter the assembly (1) via the voids (5) and flow through the fluid inlet (7) into the fluid chamber (8) and then out of the assembly (1) through the fluid outlet (9). fluid from the fluid supply container flows into the fluid receptacle (16) through a fluid entry vent (17) in the side wall of the fluid receptacle (16).

The main assembly (2) has a shoulder (13) fitted to the fluid chamber (8) in order to momentarily stall the valve (12) to give the reset valve (14) time to reach its closed position. This action will ensure the correct timing of the valve.

Once the adjustable nozzle assembly (1) is placed in its pouring position the primary balance hole (15) equalises the pressure behind the valve (12) with that in the fluid chamber (8) so that the valve (12) is then able to descend through the fluid chamber (8) until it reaches its closed position.

Once the required dose of fluid from the adjustable nozzle assembly (1) has been administered and no more fluid exists from the fluid outlet (9) the adjustable nozzle assembly (1) can be replaced into its non-pouring position i. e. fluid outlet (9) is vertically higher than the fluid inlet (7).

Once the assembly (1) is placed into its non-pouring position the reset valve (14) will move away from the second balance hole (6) so that fluid contained within the fluid chamber (8) behind the valve (12) will be able to exit the fluid chamber (8) and flow back to the fluid receptacle (16) or the fluid supply container through the second balance hole (6) as well as through the primary balance hole (15), in order to accelerate the resetting of the valve (12) into its open position.

During the pouring operation the fluid receptacle (16) is automatically refilled by fluid from the fluid supply container, however if the pouring operation ceases and the assembly is placed into its non-pouring position before the fluid receptacle is

sufficiently filled then fluid flowing back out of the nozzle assembly will"top-up"the fluid receptacle (16), with the excess fluid flowing back into the fluid supply container through the fluid entry vent (17).

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.