US2623663A - Suction cup dispensing spout - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 30, 1952 B. F. GASSAWAY SUCTION CUP DISPENSING SPOUT Filed Feb. 14, 1951 INVENTOR. Benjamin FGassaWcLy Patented Dec. 30, 1952 SUCTION CUP DISPENSING SPOUT Benjamin F. Gassaway, Milwaukie, reg., assignor of one-half to George J. Elsa-sser, Portland, Oreg.

Application February 14, 1951, SerialNo. 210,949

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an elastic dispensing spout for use with a shaving cream or toothpaste tube, a glue or mucilage bottle, an ointment jar, or with any other container designed alternately to dispense a portion of the contents and to seal the remainder against contamination or deterioration.

One object of my invention is to provide an elastic dispensing spout which is operable with the fingers of one hand between an open dispensing position and a closed sealing. position thereby leaving the other hand free to hold a toothbrush, shaving brush, bandage, piece of paper to be glued, or the like.

It. is conventional in the dispensing art, although not always economically practical, to pro vide various types of slitted resilient diaphragms or nipples for use with glue, mucilage, ointment, shaving cream, and toothpaste containers. A great number of these devices, while satisfactory when employed with a dispensable material of one type, fall short of practicality when employed with another type of material. Accordingly, I have. directed my inventive efforts toward the provision of an elastic dispensing spout which is practical in use with a wide variety of materials of the fluid, semi-fluid, and plastic variety. Further, I seek to provide a spout of this type which is inexpensive to construct, thereby to make such diverse uses economically practical.

The elongated rubber dispensing spout utilized with the well-known mucilage bottle will serve to illustrate the conventional device upon which Ipropose to improve. This dispenser consists of an elongated rubber nipple secured to the neck of a glass jar and having a small lateral slit in the terminal end thereof. To dispense the mucilage, the bottle is inverted and the nipple is squeezed between the. fingers or pressed against a flat object to force the sidesof the slit apart. When the opening pressure is released, the slit springs shut due to its natural elasticity. This elastic closure, together with the small amount of mucilage remaining on the walls of the slits, efiiciently seals the contents against contamination. and spoilage. Variations on this conventional construction run the gamut from Spring. pressed and sliding body spouts to tortuous or restricted path and complex spout constructions I have discovered that each of, these conventional dispensers possesses an inherent disadvantage of one sort or another rendering them less useful with some dispensable materials than with others. For example, theslit-typeconstruction above described, while satisfactory with mucilage, cannot and does not hermetically seal the container when utilized to dispense a nonadhesive such as shaving lotion or the like. Accordingly, this type dispenser is unsatisfactory when utilized in conjunction with a great many bottled and tube-filled materials since it fails to protect them against the deleterious effects of the air, against contamination or evaporation, or against other deterioration. Only an efiicient, airtight seal provides the protection which I deem essential.

In alleviation of the above listed disadvantages, one object of my invention is to provide, in combination with an elastic, slit-type dispensing spout, a means hermetically and positively for sealing a container against contamination and deterioration.

More specifically, one of my inventive objects includes the provision of an elastic envelope for attachment to the neck of any of a wide variety of dispensing containers. Within the envelope, a pair of mated suction cups are arranged in faceto-face relationship. These suction cups, in combination with an entrance and an exit opening through the opposite ends of the envelope, bound a dispensing passage which normally is biased open to permit discharge of the contents of the container longitudinally between the suction cups. When the spout is to be sealed, the suction cups are collapsed with a compressive force which overcomes the elastic bias. This collapse forces the air and other material from between the suction cup faces to close the passage. The vacuum-type suction thus created hermetically will, seal the passage until a second compressive force, at. right angles to the original force, positively and consciously is applied to the spout.

Within the scope of my inventive concept, additional. utility is found for the suction cup dispensing spout in conjunction with containers filled with a liquid or a gas under pressure or in conjunction with the conventional collapsible tube. container. The structure upon which this added utility is bottomed includes a pair of mated recesses formed between the marginal edges of the suction cups and the elastic envelope adjacent the entrance opening from the container neck. These recesses act as pressure pockets when the dispensing passage is closed whereby any liquid or gaseous pressure conveyed to the entrance tends to force the suction cups more tightly together. Thus, the force holding the passage sealed is made directly proportional to the pressure within the container. The greater the pressure, the more tightly the passage is closed.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be set forth in the following detailed description taken with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are related side, end, and top views, respectively, each partially broken away, showing the appearance of my suction cup dispensing spout in the closed or seal position; the arrows indicating the direction of movement to open the spout and the arrows C indicating the direction of movement to seal the spout;

Figs. 4 and are related top and end views, respectively, indicating the appearance of the sucmembers 2 and 3 to bound a pair of mated recesses I3 and I4, respectively. These recesses I3 and I6 extend laterally behind the bottom margins H to define, together with the wall members 2 and 3, a pair of mated pressure pockets. Thus, as Fig. 2 will indicate, any gaseous or liquid pressure which accumulates in the neck of the container 5 while the dispensing spout is closed, will press against the recesses I3 and I4 to force the suction cups i and 8 more tightly closed. This compressive closure force, it will tion cup dispensing spout in the open or dispensin position; and

Fig. 6 is a side view, partially in section, of a second species of my invention wherein the suction cups are formed elliptical with the major axes thereof vertical instead of horizontal.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, I have shown my inventive embodiment in conjunction with an elongated elastic envelope I. Preferably, this envelope is formed from a natural or synthetic rubber or an elastic plastic material so the spout may be collapsed repeatedly, yet when a conscious force releases the holding or suction action, it will return to the natural open position.

The bulk of the elastic envelope I comprises a pair of spaced wall members 2 and 3 which terminate in a tubular skirt or engaging means 4 for gripping the neck of a container 5. If the container 5 is a glass bottle or jar, the tubular skirt portion i is best made with relatively thin walls so as to stretch over and grip tightly the container neck (see Figs. 1, 2, and 5). On the other hand, if the container is a collapsible tube such as is shown at I5 in Fig. 6, the tubular skirt 4 may have thick or heavy walls with threads 6 tapped therein to conform to the threads on the container neck.

Each of the envelope Wall members 2 and 3 carry one-half of a pair of mated suction cups or concave disk elements 7 and 8, respectively. These suction cups I and 8 are carried in continguous mated or f-ace-to-face relationship so the peripheral margins thereof coincide. In addition, it is best if the lateral peripheral margins 90f thesuction cups are disposed in abutment and the end peripheral margins I9 and II, respectively, normally are spaced one from another. The normal spacing of the end margins 10 and II is best shown in Fig. 5 wherein the spout defines an open dispensing position. Within the scope of my inventive concept, it is immaterial whether this normal spacing of the end margins is due to the inherent elasticity of the wall members 2 and 3 or is due to the natural relaxed form of the suction cups I and 8.

As shown in Fig. 4, the top of the elastic envelope I is pierced with a slit or exit aperture I2. This aperture, it will be noted, lies intermediate the top peripheral margins It and approximately on a tangent with the curvature thereof. This location for the exit aperture I2 is of special importance since it prevents the accumulation and clogging of the spout such as would take place if the aperture were spaced somewhat from the top margins it. Thus, when the aperture is closed (see Fig. 3), no excess material can accumulate between the peripheral margins I9 and the inner faces of the aperture i2.

Referringmore particularly to Figs. 2 and 5, I have shown the manner in which the suction cup bottom margins I I are spaced from the wall be noted, is directly proportional to the pressure existing within the neck of the container and within the tubular skirt portion 4. That is to say, the greater the pressure built up within the recesses I3 and [4, the greater the tendency to force the bottom margins l I against one another to seal the dispensing spout.

In design, I prefer to utilize elliptical suction cups of the type shown in the drawings. These may be disposed either with the major axis horizontal as shown in Fig. 1 or with the major axis vertical as shown in Fig. 6. In either event, the elliptical suction cup is preferable to the circular suction cup since the former more nearly defines separate lateral and end margins and more readily controls the flow of a fluid or semifiuid material. For example, if the spout is to be used with a wide mouth jar, the construction of Fig. l is preferable since a circular suction cup construction would make the spout too high. Were a circular suction cup utilized, the cont-ainer and spout might occupy an excessive amount of storage space. On the other hand, the problem is just the opposite with respect to a small toothpaste tube. In the latter case, the problem is to provide a spout which is large enough to give a good finger grip so the flow may be controlled. Accordingly, I prefer the vertical major axis construction of Fig. 6 for the spout on a toothpaste, shaving cream, or ointment collapsible tube.

In use, my suction .cup dispensing spout will find utility with a variety of containers designed to dispense a. variety of fluid, semi-fluid, and plastic materials. I make special reference to a fluid material (as opposed to a dry or comminuted material such as salt or flour) because of the inherent nature of the suction cups I and 3. Thus, it is well known that suction cups of this type will stick together more efficiently and for a longer period of time when the surfaces and margins thereof are dampened with a fluid or semi-fluid material. This is for the reason that a suction cup seal is maintained by the force of the atmospheric pressure which acts in opposition to the inherent elasticity of the suction cup. If the peripheral margin of the suction cup is moved, the vacuum is released, the seal is broken, and the suction cup springs back to its original shape. Accordingly, a fluid or semi-fluid material helps maintain the vacuumtype suction existing under the faces of the cups and is in direct service to the objects of my invention.

As shown in the open position of Fig. 5, the exit aperture I2, and the spaced end margins It and II define a longitudinal dispensing passage extending from the neck of the container 5 through the bore of the tubular skirt portion and between the inner faces of the suction cups I and B. This is the normal or relaxed position of the elements. Accordingly, were the container of Fig. 5 to be inveited. material would be dispensed' through this longitudinal passage and would issue: from the exit aperture; I2.

Returning now to Fig. 2, I have shown two arrows lettered C to indicate the direction in which a compressive force must be applied to collapse the suction cups 1 and 8 and to seal the aforementioned longitudinal dispensing passage. This compressive force may be applied with the thumb and forefinger of one hand so as to leave the other hand free to hold a toothbrush, shaving brush, bandage, or the like. As the suction cups 1 and 8 are pressed into direct abutment (with the entire peripheral margins thereof also in abutment), the material hitherto located between the faces of the cups is either forced out the exit aperture I 2- or back into the neck of the container 5. When the thumb and forefinger are released, atmospheric pressure will maintain the spout in the closed position of Figs. 2 and 3. Further, it is to be noted, this closed position hermetically and positively seals the container against contamination and deterioration. For example, some types of toothpaste and shaving cream dry up or tend to evaporate when exposed to the atmosphere. With my dispensing spout, this will not happen since no air can enter the neck of the container 5 so long as the suction cups maintain their closed position.

When the spout is to be opened, a compressive force is applied at right angles to the closure compressive force (see the arrows O in Fig. 1). This force distorts the Wall members 2 and 3 and the suction cups 1 and 8 to pop them open so the dispensing spout elements once more may assume the position of Figs. 4 and 5. Furthermore, if my dispensing spout is utilized in conjunction with a tube of toothpaste, it is preferable to form the exit aperture [2 so that it will bound the portion of the longitudinal dispensing passage having the least cross section. Thus, the toothpaste will be emitted from my spout in a long ribbon. Such a ribbon is susceptible of easier control and the volume emitted can be more easily gauged. If desired, pressure may be applied to the toothpaste tube before the passage is opened. If this is done, the recesses l3 and I4 will prevent a premature opening, yet the toothpaste will squirt forth in a long ribbon once the passage is opened.

In accord with the objects of my invention, it will be seen that I have provided a suction cup dispensing spout which is operable with the fingers of one hand, yet which hermetically will seal a container against contamination or deterioration. Furthermore, I have provided a pair of mated recesses or pressure pockets behind the lower margins of my suction cups thereby to increase the compressive closure force across the suction cups in direct proportion to the pressure existing within the container neck. This latter structure is of special utility when my dispensing spout is used in conjunction with collapsible tubes or with containers filled with a liquid or gas under pressure. In summation, my spout will dispense a controlled and measured quantity of material yet the novel suction cup seal thereof will protect the contents remaining even though they exert a natural pressure greater than atmospheric.

I claim:

1. An elongated dispensing spout operable between an open and a closed position, comprising a pair of mated closure elements arranged in face-to-face relationship and having coinciding peripheral margins, at least one of said closure elements being an elastic collapsible suction cup. a skirt pendent from said mated closure elements, the lateral peripheral margins of said. closure. elements being in sealing abutment and the end peripheral margins normally being spaced to define a longitudinal, end toend, dispensing passage intermediate the closure elements, through said skirt, and concordant with said open position.

2. An elongated. suction cup dispensing spout operable between a dispensing position and a sealing position, comprising a pair of elastic suction cup disks arranged in face-to-face relationship, means pendent from said disks for gripping the neck of a container or the like, the lateral peripheral margins of said suction cups coinciding and the end peripheral margins normally being spaced to define a longitudinal, end to end, dispensing passage intermediate the suction cups, through said skirt, and concordant with said dispensing position, said sealing position selectively being effected by the compressive collapse of said suction cups and by the direct abutment of said end peripheral margins.

3. An elongated suction cup dispensing spout operable between an open dispensing position and a closed sealing position, comprising a pair of elastic suction cup disks arranged in face-toface relationship and having coinciding peripheral margins, an encompassing skirt pendent from said disks, the lateral peripheral margins of said suction cups being in abutment and the end peripheral margins normally being spaced to define a longitudinal, end to end, dispensing passage intermediate the suction cups, through said skirt, and concordant with said open dispensing position, said closed sealing position selectively being effected by the compressive collapse of said suction cups and by the direct abutment of said end peripheral margins, and a pair of mated lateral recess means behind the suction cups margins adjacent one end of said skirt for aiding the maintenance of said closed sealing position.

4. A suction cup dispensing spout operable between an open dispensing position and :a closed sealing position, comprising an elongated elastic envelope having spaced longitudinal wall members terminating at one end in engaging means for gripping the neck of a container or the like, the opposite end of said envelope having a collapsible aperture formed therethroug-h, a pair of collapsible concave suction cups carried in contiguous mated relationship by said wall members, the lateral peripheral margins of said suction cups coinciding and the end peripheral margins normally being spaced to bound, together with said envelope tubular portion and aperture, a longitudinal dispensing passage concordant with said open dispensing position, said collapsible aperture lying intermediate the peripheral margins at one end of said suction cups.

5. A suction cup dispensing spout operable between an open dispensing position and a closed sealing position, comprising an elongated elastic envelope having spaced longitudinal wall members, one end of said envelope having a collapsible aperture formed therethrough, a pair of collapsible concave suction cups carried in contiguous mated relationship by said wall members and having coinciding peripheral margins of elliptical outline, the lateral peripheral margins of said suction cups coinciding and the end peripheral margins normally being spaced to bound, together with said envelope tubular portion and aperture, a longitudinal dispensing passage concordant with said open dispensing position, said closed sealing position being effected by the compressive collapse of said suction cups together with the direct abutment of said end peripheral margins, said open dispensing position selectively being effected by the movement of said suction cup lateral margins toward one another to break the vacuum-type suction existing thereacross.

6. A suction cup dispensing spout operable between an open dispensing position and a closed sealing position, comprising an elongated elastic envelope having spaced longitudinal wall members terminating at one end in engaging means for gripping the neck of a container or the like, the opposite end of said envelope having a collapsible aperture formed therethrough, a pair of collapsible concave suction cups carried in contiguous mated relationship by said wall members, the lateral peripheral margins of said suction cups being in abutment and the end peripheral margins normally being spaced to bound, together with said envelope tubular portion and aperture, a longitudinal dispensing passage concordant with said'open dispensing position, the peripheral margins of said suction cups at one end of said envelope having mated recess means extending laterally therebehind to increase the compressive closure force thereacross directly in proportion to the pressure existing within the engaging means portion of said envelope, said open dispensing position selectively being effected by the movement of said suction cup lateral margins toward one another to break the i vacuum-type suction existing thereacross.

'7. A suction cup dispensing spout operable between an open dispensing position and a closed sealing position, comprising an elongated elastic envelope having spaced longitudinal wall members terminating at one end in engaging means for gripping the neck of a container or the like, the opposite end of said envelope having a collapsible aperture formed therethrough, a pair of collapsible concave suction cups carried in contiguous mated relationship by said wall members, the lateral peripheral margins of said suction cups being in sealed abutment and the end peripheral margins normally being spaced to bound, together with said envelope tubular portion and aperture, a longitudinal dispensing passage concordant with said open dispensing position, said collapsible aperture lying intermediate the peripheral margins at one end of said suction cups 8 and bounding the portion of said longitudinal passage having the least cross section, the peripheral margins of said suction cups adjacent said engaging means having mated recess means extending laterally therebehind to increase the compressive closure force thereacross.

8. In an elongated suction cup dispensing spout operable between a dispensing position and a sealing position, an elongated flexible envelope having spaced longitudinal wall members bounding a dispensing passageway, a pair of collapsible concave suction cups carried in contiguous mated relationship by said wall members, the lateral peripheral margins and the backs of said suction cups being sealingly joined to said wall members, the longitudinal end margins of said suction cups being movable and separable laterally away from one another to bound an open passageway through said envelope and concordant with said dispensing position, said sealing position being effected by the compressive collapse of said suction cups into direct face to face abutment.

9. In a valve movable between an open and a closed position, an elongated tube having a hollow bore bounded by a resilient wall member which defines the body of the valve, a mated pair of valve closure elements secured to the opposite sides of said wall member within said hollow bore in contiguous face to face relationship, at least one of said closure elements being a collapsible concave suction cup, said closure elements having the lateral margins thereof arranged in sealed abutment with one another and with said wall member, the longitudinal margins of said closure elements being movable laterally away from one another by a first compressive squeeze applied to the lateral margins of said suction cup thereby to define said open position, said closed position being concordant with the collapse of said suction cup against the other said closure element by a second compressive squeeze applied at right angles to said first compressive squeeze.

BENJAMIN F. GASSAWAY.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Williams Nov. 24, 1908 Number

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