US2652306A - Brush and dispensing cabinet - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15, 1953 E. R. LINDSAY I BRUSH AND DISPENSING CABINET Filed Oct. 19, 1948 BT F IOI

FIG. 6.

I35 5 REED ll/V0514): INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRUSH AND DISPENSING CABINET Ezra Reed Lindsay, Salt Lake City, Utah Application October 19, 1948, Serial No. 55,399

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a dispensing type cabinet and more particularly to a dispensing container which is adapted for holding a variety of articles and materials, such as tooth brushes, dentifrices, and/ or analogous toilet articles. The invention is applicable to many uses, but it is particularly suitable for mounting on a wall or other supporting surface for holding toilet articles, for protecting them from unsanitary contact or conditions, and for dispensing bulk materials in small controllable quantities and without waste.

In the past, many types of racks, holders, and cabinets have been proposed and used for retaining toothbrushes, dentifrices, cream, paste, soap, and the like, and numerous such devices are used in homes, particularly in bathrooms, powder rooms, kitchens, and the like. It is obviously desirable that articles such as toothbrushes, used individually, be mounted separately and individually, and many types of racks have been proposed for this purpose. It is desirable that bulk materials, such as toothpowder, toothpaste, shaving cream, or lather soaps, and the like, be readily available, handy, and yet packaged so as to avoid spilling, dispensing of excessive quantities, access to moisture or loss of moisture, free contact with the air being usually objectionable with these latter materials.

Commercial tubes, cans, and the like, which are commonly provided for soaps, creams, dentifrices, and the like, are commonly designed for dispensing and are often but not always satisfactory. They are frequently deficient when they must be used by children or other persons who are inclined to be careless in their use. There appears to he need for a simple apparatus which will dispense measured quantities of powder, or controllable quantities of toothpaste, shaving soap, etc., without spilling. Such apparatus should be easily operated, firmly supported in a convenient location, and it should be constructed so as to preserve and keep clean and sanitary the various articles or products contained therein or held thereby.

Hence an object of the present invention is to provide an attractive, convenient holding cabinet or rack for toilet articles. A further object is to combine with such a holding cabinet or rack structure a simple and convenient dispensing apparatus for bulk products, preferably capable of dispensing both loose, pulverulent material and wet plastic or paste like material. A further object is to combine with a rack or holder for toilet articles or the like, means for metering or dispensing uniform quantities of loose bulk material such as toothpowder, soap powder, or the like. Still another object is to combine with an article rack or holder a means for dispensing moist plastic bulk material, such as toothpaste, soft soap, or the like, in such a manner that the material is normally protected against undue exposure to the atmosphere with resultant excessive drying and/or hardening. It is desirable that such materials be quickly available when needed and this invention includes improved means both for protecting them and for dispensing them without waste.

Additional objects are to hold separate from each other and out of contact with dust or other unsanitary matter articles which are used individually such as toothbrushes and analogous toilet articles, to mount these in a manner that they are always identifiable and' distinguishable though protected, to support the holding and dispensing mechanisms firmly and yet in a manner to permit easy and quick removal from a wall or other support, and in general to provide additional conveniences in an attractive structure of increased utility. Still other objects will become apparent as this description proceeds. Therefore, reference will next be had to the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of this invention, parts being broken away to show the construction more clearly;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure of Fig. 1, other parts being broken away in this figure to show additional details;

Fig. 3 is a detail view, with parts broken away, showing in particular the inner construction of means for dispensing loose pulverulent or granular material, such dispersing means forming a part of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of means for controlling and cutting off the flow of moist plastic material as dispensed from means shown at the left of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view with certain parts omitted taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figs. 1 and 2, showing also a toilet article (toothbrush) in place in the holder with the bristles thereof protected from contact with other articles or foreign elements;

Fig. 6 is a detail view in elevation of a bracket for mounting the assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 on a suitable support such as a vertical wall surface;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational View of the same element, taken from the left of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the element of Figs.

6 and 7, showing fragmentarily the cabinet structure of this invention mounted thereon in a suitable fashion.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the structure comprises a hollow body member ID, formed for example by molding a su'table plastic material such as polystyrene, vinyl resin, methacrylate resin, phenol formaldehyde condensation resin or the like. The material used may be selected from a wide variety of sources, wood, metal, or glass being useful in lieu of plastic, if desired. It is advantageous, however, for some purposes, to use a material which is translucent, preferably transparent, so that articles and materials in the cabinet may be visible. This adds to the convenience and attractiveness of the structure, but is not always essential.

As shown, the body iii is preferably of one-piece construction, but it may be made in several parts if desired. Unitary construction is normally preferred for simplicity and, as herein shown, the body Itcomprises a. rear wall structureI I, a front wallstructure l3, a bottom wall I5, and hollow cylindrical end members I] and I9, respectively. The body it comprises a number of hollow sections or compartments 2|, 23, 25, 21, and 29, in addition to the cylinders. Theseare preferably entirely separate from each other, though they may be only partially separated if desired. As shown in Fig. l, partition elements 3|, 33, 35 and are provided between the compartments. The bottom wall i5 contains a series of openings 39 of a suitable size, one below and opposite each of the compartments 2|;23, etc. .These are particularly useful when the device is designed to hold toothbrushesthese openings 39 being of such dimensions that the'artioles such as toothbrushes may be easily inserted but retained by the resistance of the bristles, for example.

The body member E8 is provided with a suitable cover t i, made preferably of the same material as the body It, though a contrasting material may be used if desired. The cover H has a downturned flange t3 formed integrally therewith and shaped to fit closely about the upper edge portion of'the main body it. The body'may be formed with indentations between the hollowed sections and opposite some or all of the partitions 3|, 33, 35 and 31. These are indicated at SI, 53, E5 and El, respectively, on the front of Fig. 2. Corresponding indentations may be formed in the rear wall ii of the body, as indicated at 6|, 63, .65 and I31. The cover is preferably formed to fit closely into these indentations, although that is not always necessary.

To retain the cover in place, the front and rear wall members Ii and i3 of the body It are provided with detent means, such as the holes or indentations ll, l2, l3, and i i, respectively. The cover member has corresponding bosses I5 and it on the front flange portion :23. Similar elements TI and i8 are provided on the rear flange portion of the cover. These frictionally engage the indentations II, l2, l3 and I l so as toretain the cover in place. By springing the flanges slightly, the lid may be removed, but the detent means normally hold it securely in place and prevent its accidental displacement. See especially Fig. 5.

The cabinet'assembly, as previously indicated, includes means for dispensing pulverulent material, for example toothpowder, soap powder, or the like. As shown herein,-such means may consist of a container Si, cylindrical in form, formed in the part I9 previously mentioned which is part of the assembly. The cylindrical container 8|, as best shown in 3,. has an opening 83 of appropriate size in the bottom wall I5. A star wheel dispensing element 85 is rotatably mounted, being fixed to or integral with a vertical shaft member 31 which projects through a suitable opening 89 in the cover member 4| (Fig. 2). The upper part of the shaft Si! is preferably knurled as indicated at 9|, so that it may be rotated with the gers. A guard member 92 comprises-a fiat portion 9?; which overlies a part of the star wheel member 93 also comprising an up turned flange 94 which may be secured in any suitable manner, asby adhesive, to the inner wall of the cylindrical member 8|. With this construction none of the contents of the container BI will pass out through opening 83 except when the dispensing star wheel 85 is rotated by means of shaft 81.

A receiving cup 95 may be provided, to catch powder dispensed from container 8|. As shown in Fig. .2, the cup 95 is in the form of a shallow dish having a bottom 9&5, upturned circumferential side wall 9?, and a pair of upstanding arms 88, preferably integral with side wall '91. Each arm has a small lateral projection 99 thereon, adapted to engage in an opening Iilil formed in a down turned skirt portion i9| of the cylindrical wall Is. Oneof these openings is shown in Fig. 3. The armsfiii are'resilient so that they may be sprung toward each other for detaching the detent lugsQQ from openings I60.

Dispensing means are provided also for moist plastic material such as paste, shaving soap, or the like. As herein shown, these means comprise a hollow receptacle I02, formed in element E1 which preferably is integral with'the front and rear wall members ii and I3, the receptacle being of a suitable shape and capacity. In the embodiment shown, the member I92 is cylindrical and is fitted with a piston likeplunger Hi3 which is vertically movable. Piston 563 has a stem I05 which projects through an opening I01 in the cover member 4|.

At the bottom of the receptacle I02 an opening 5 I is provided through the side wall I! from which the contents of the receptacle may be dis-' pensed. 'The bottom wall it also is provided with a channel or recess I it so that the contents may still be dispensed when the container is nearly empty.

In order 'to provide a clean out ch for the paste or other soft material dispensed from the container 162, it is desirable to provide some means for cutting off the body which emerges through opening i I Such means, as shown herein, comprise a vertically slidable knife member I I5 constrained for movement in a vertical plane by overhanging guide fiange elements I H, one of which is shown in Fig. 2, the other being cut away to show the knife construction in the sectional view. See Fig. 4. The knife is urged downwardly by means of a spring IIB which operates on a plunger I2| which is preferably integral with the knife. The plunger I3| projects upwardly from the upper surface of a laterally extending finger piece I23 which is also formed integrally with or rigidly attached to the knife member H5.

To use the paste or soap dispenser the operator raises the knife M5 by lifting finger piece I23 so as to expose the opening III. At the same time he presses down on the plunger or stem I85 so as to force the material through the opening. The elements I23 and H35 are preferably of such size and location that .they may conveniently be operated simultaneously with one hand. When sufiicient material has been forced out through the opening H l the knife H5 is released. A spring iii) mounted in a housing I20 formed in or attached to Wall element I I forces the knife down to cut off the feed and also to close the opening 13 i i and. prevent evaporation or drying of the material in receptacle I 02. It will be understood that the parts are so proportioned and fitted with such accuracy that the material may be dispensed with accurate control and is prevented from losing its moisture appreciably during storage.

For mounting the dispenser on a wall or like vertical support, bracket means may be provided which frictionally engage and securely hold the dispenser cabinet through cooperating means formed thereon. Such bracket means may comprise a pair of bracket elements such as the single element of Figs. 6, 7 and 8. As shown, the member Isl which is designed for attachment to a wall surface is provided with a T-section tongue I33 adapted to fit within opposed tapered flanges !95 formed integrally with or attached to the rear wall II of the dispenser or container I0. Brackets I3! may be formed with openings I37 for screws or other wall fastenings and may be permanently attached to the wall. The dispenser unit is attached by simply sliding the tapered flanges I 35 over the tongue elements I33 of the pair of brackets 13!, the relationship being as generally shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Fig. 8 shows in section how the flanges I35 overlie the tongue !33. The base of the T element is narrowest at its upper end and the space between the flange elements is arranged to correspond in dimensions so that the assembly fits snugly and tightly but may readily be removed by lifting firmly. The degree of taper should be such that the parts can be readily separated but will hold firmly against unintentional separation due to slight or moderate jarring.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the operation and construction of the improved device will be clear. Tooth brushes may be inserted in each of the compartments 2I, 23, 25, 27, and 29. The number of compartments may be more or less as desired. Articles other than tooth brushes may be inserted instead. Because the wall I3 is preferably transparent it is easy to identify a particular brush, assuming they are diiferent in type or color. By the holding means described the brush bristles are protected against dust and against accidental contact with means which might contaminate, but they are all mounted so that they may be dried after use by the circulation of air around them.

The powder dispenser 8I, 83, etc, meters out a measured quantity of material with each passage of an arm of the star wheel 85 past the opening 93. Falling of additional powder through the opening is prevented by the shield 93. The dispensed powder falls into the detachable cup 95 which catches all of it and holds it. When tooth powder is dispensed the tooth brush may be dipped into the powder or, if desired, the cup may be detached, and may be rinsed and replaced after use.

The paste or moist soap dispenser II operates in the manner previously described. A suitable quantity of material, as measured by the length of the extruded portion, may be forced out through opening III by pressing on the plunger 6 head I05. The dispensed part is then cut off cleanly and the opening III is closed substantially air tight by releasing the finger piece I23 and permitting the spring II9 to force the knife down until the finger piece rests upon the upper ends of the guide flanges II1.

From the foregoing it will be understood that there have been combined in a novel structure and in a unitary device means for holding and dispensing toilet articles and materials in a manner that is clean and convenient. By the use of transparent materials the contents of all parts are plainly visible. Suitable plastic materials may be molded to form all the compartments of the main body in a single piece and the other parts, preferably made of the same material, may be attached by suitable adhesive or by other fastenings. Thus the parts 93, Ill, I20, and I35 may be molded integrally with the body or may be attached after separate manufacture. The lid or cover 4| is preferably of one piece. The rotary metering device, star wheel and its stem 07, may be made in one piece or two, and the same is true of the plunger I03 and its shaft or stem I05.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention. Many uses other than those described also will be apparent and it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular modification or the particular uses mentioned above except insofar as will be required by the limitations in the following claim.

What is claimed is:

In a device of the character described, the combination of a compartmented body member of plastic material, said body member comprising a substantially continuous outer wall member and transverse partition elements integral therewith to form a pair of substantially identical cylindrical end compartments and a series of intermediate brush compartments of rectangular cross-section and an integral bottom wall enclosing a portion only of each of said brush compartments so as to hold a brush or the like in a restricted opening, a unitary removable cover for said body adapted to fit said outer wall member closely and enclose the top part of all said compartments, resilient detent means cooperating with each other on said body member and on said cover for holding said cover on said body member, and dispensing means in each of said end compartments.

EZRA REE-D LINDSAY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 286,910 Cunningham et al. Oct. 16, 1883 820,592 McLinden May 15, 1906 1,139,134 Miller May 11, 1915 1,278,789 Thompson Sept. 10, 1918 1,409,701 Giles Mar. 14, 1922 1,453,816 Welpley May 1, 1923 1,578,077 Courney Mar. 23, 1926 1,644,049 Young Oct. 4,, 1927 1,932,384 Alton Oct. 24, 1933 2,444,488 Aschemeier July 6, 1948

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