US3255935A

US3255935A - Dispensers for fluent masses

Info

Publication number: US3255935A
Application number: US443444A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter B Spatz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-03-29
Filing date: 1965-03-29
Publication date: 1966-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-14

Description

J1me 1966 w. B. SPATZ 3,255,935

DISPENSERS FOR FLUENT MASSES Filed March 29, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 23 IQ I2 27 /24 f 22) "ll INVENTOR. "421.75,? B. 5 4

June 14, 1966 w sp -rz 3,255,935

DISPENSERS FOR FLUENT MASSES Filed March 29, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I} La. 5.

INVENTOR.

WQ LTEZ Ba 472 flM W United States Patent 3,255,935 DISPENSERS FOR FLUENT MASSES Walter B. Spatz, 11182 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90049 Filed Mar. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 443,444 11 Claims. (CL 222-340) The present invention relates to dispensers, and more particularly to apparatus for dispensing fluent substances, such as hand-cream, toothpaste, sunburn lotion, mayonnaise, and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for a fluent substance in which energy is first imparted to a suitable device, such as a spring or the like, as by means of a persons hand, so that the energized source can effect discharge of the fluent substance from the dispenser.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser embodying a container for a fluent substance having a dispensing piston or follower therein, in which energy is first stored in a suitable device, such as a spring or the like, without disturbing the piston, the energy being imparted to the spring or other device by a persons hand, and the stored energy then being capable of shifting the piston within the container in a dispensing direction.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the type above indicated, in which the outlet for the container is automatically opened and closed while energy is being stored in the spring and during movement of the piston or follower in a dispensing direction.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section, with parts disclosed in side elevation, of one form of dispenser embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, disclosing parts of the dispenser in another operative position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along the line 33 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through yet a third ernbodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the lines 6-6 on FIG. 5.

In the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a suitable container or tube 10 of cylindrical shape is illustrated which has a rear end portion 11 open to the atmosphere and a forward end wall or closure 12. A suitable dispensing nozzle or spout 13 is located adjacent to the end wall through which a fluent mass M within the container can pass to the exterior thereof. This fluent mass is disposed between the forward endwall of closure 12 and a piston or follower 14 longitudinally movable in the container and slidable along its inner wall 15 in leakproof relation with respect thereto.

The piston 14 can move in a forward direction only within the container, for the purpose of forcing a portion of the fluent mass M through the dispensing nozzle or spout 13. Its rearward movement in the container is prevented by a oneway gripper or brake 16 which can assume any suitable form. As disclosed, the one-way mechanism 16 is suitably secured to the rear portion of the piston, as by means of rivets 17, and has circumferentially spaced outwardly projecting fingers 18 extending outwardly toward the inner wall 15 of the container and inclined with respect thereto, so as to grip the inner wall in the event the piston tends to move in a rearward direction. However, the fingers 18 automatically release from the wall to permit movement of the piston in a forward direction within the container.

The piston 14 is actuated in a forward direction within the container as a result of first storing energy in a helical compression spring 19, and then releasing the spring so that it can expand and transmit its motion to the .piston. As disclosed, the actuating mechanism for the piston includes a rod 20 disposed axially in the container and extending slidably through a central bore 21 of the piston, the rear end 22 of the rod terminating adjacent to the open end 11 of the container. The rod has a reduced diameter forward portion 23 extending through the end wall or closure 12 and slidably through an outwardly projecting central boss 24 integral with the end wall, the forwardrnost end of the rod being suitably secured to a cup-shaped plunger 25. The helical compression spring 19, or power spring, surrounds the outer portion 23 of the actuating rod and the boss 24, its lower end bearing against the end wall 12 and its upper end bearing against the upper end of the plunger 25 that has a depending skirt 26 surrounding the spring. A cylindrical shield or skirt 27 extends upwardly or forwardly from the end wall 12 to conceal the spring.

Forward movement of the rod 20 and plunger 25 relative to the container 10 under the influence of the helical compression spring 19 is limited by engagement of a stop shoulder 28 on the rod with the end wall 12. However, the plunger and rod can be pushed downwardly or rearwardly by the plunger 25, the rod 20 being capable of passing in a downward or rearward direction freely through the piston 14. However, return or forward movement of the rod under the influence of the helical spring 19 with respect to the piston is prevented by a one-way clutch or coupling device 29 that releasably attached the rod to the piston, so that forward movement of the rod 20 effects forward movement of the piston 14 within the container or tube 10. As disclosed, the one-way clutch 29 can be made integral with the oneway gripper or brake device 16, and comprises a plurality of inwardly directed radial gripping fingers 30 that are inclined toward the rod in a rearward direction, with the inner ends of the fingers engaging the periphery of the rod. The clutch fingers 30 will release to permit rearward or downward movement of the rod 20 within the piston 14, but they will grip the rod and effect a coupling between it and the piston upon forward movement of the rod within the container 10.

Because of the one-way brake 16 and one-way clutch mechanism 29 mounted on the piston 14, the one-way brake will prevent rearward movement of the piston within the container or tube 10 by engaging the inner wall 15 of the latter, which will ensure that the rod 20 can move rearwardly within the piston without moving the latter, the one-way clutch fingers 30 automatically releasing from the rod. As the rod 20 is moved in a forward direction, the clutch fingers 30 grip the rod and couple it to the piston, the piston moving jointly with the rod in a forward direction, as permitted by the automatic release of the one-way brake or latch fingers 18 from the wall of the container.

The piston 14 is disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 in an intermediate position within the container 10, or after a substantial portion .of the fluent mass M has been dispensed through the nozzle or spout 13. It is to be understood that initially the piston will be in a rear position within the container, with the fluent mass filling the volume between the piston and the forward end wall 12 of the container. When a portion of the mass is to be dispensed, the plunger 25 is depressed, which will shift the rod 20 rearwardly with it and energize the spring 19 by compressing the latter. The piston 14 cannot move rearwardly in the container, since such action is prevented by the one-way gripper or latch element 16. However, the rod can move through the piston. Accordingly, depression of the plunger 25 and rod 20 effects no dispensing of the fluent mass through the spout 13. However, upon release of the plunger 25, the spring 19 expands and shifts the plunger and rod 20 in a forward direction, the rod becoming automatically clutched to the piston 14, which is automatically released from the container wall 15, and the piston moving forwardly with the rod to dispense a portion of the fluent mass through the spout. The amount of material M dispensed from the container corresponds to the distance that the plunger 25 is depressed, since the spring 19 will expand and move the piston 14 forwardly to its initial position by the amount of depression of the plunger.

Each depression of the plunger 25, as by the hand of the person or by one of the fingers of the hand, will result in rearward movement of the rod 20 without effecting .any dispensing, the rod merely moving freely in a rearward direction through the piston. The release of the depressing force on the plunger 25 will allow the spring, in which energy has been stored as the result of depressing the plunger, to expand, the rod 20 automatically becoming coupled to the piston 14 and moving the piston forwardly in the container to dispense an additional mass of the fluent substance M in the container. With each depression of the plunger, the spring 19 is energized, the rod moving freely through the piston 14, and with each release of the plunger the energized spring expands to efifect additional forward movement of the piston within the container to dispense a portion of the mass through the outlet or spout 13. The piston 14 will be moved progressively in a forward direction only until substantially all of the mass in the container has been discharged through the nozzle or spout.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. As disclosed, the container 10a has a longitudinally movable piston 14 therein, the periphery of which sealingly engages the inner wall a of the container. A power actuating rod a extends centrally through the piston, the rod being capable of moving rearwardly within the piston, but being automatically coupled to the piston by the couplying or latch fingers 30 of the

latch mechanism

29, 16 secured to the piston by the rivets 17, or the like. Rearward movement of the piston in the container is prevented by the one-way gripper or brake fingers 18 on the latter engaging the wall 15 of the container 10a rearwardly of the piston, such fingers 18 automatically releasing from the container wall to allow forward movement of the piston in the container.

The forward end of the container is closed by an elas-' tomeric head 12a disposed over the end of the container 10a and which is secured thereto, as by means of an external rib or flange 70 of the container being received within a companion internal groove 71 in the skirt portion 72 of the head. Integral with the head 12a is a discharge nozzle or spout 13a establishing communication between the interior of the container at its forward end and the exterior of the container.

The forward end 73 of the power rod 20a extends into a central socket 74 in the head to which it is suitably secured as, for example, by means of a rib 75 on the rod received within an internal groove 76 within the wall of the socket. The rearward end 77 of the rod bears against the base 78 of a shallow central socket 79 in a thrust plate 80 which is urged in a forward direction by a helical compression spring 19a bearing thereagainst, and also against a spring seat 81 disposed within an enlarged diameter rearward portion 82 of the container and bearing against an internal flange 83 at the rear end of the latter. Forward movement of the thrust Plate is limited by its engagement with a rearwardly facing container shoulder 84. Air at atmospheric pressure is permitted to enter the container through vent holes 85 extending through both the spring seat 81 and the thrust plate 80.

The piston 14 is disclosed in an intermediate position in FIG. 4, in which a substantial portion of the mass M in the container forwardly of the piston has already been dispensed through the spout 13a. The operation of the device illustrated in FIG. 4 is essentially the same as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. Depression of the elastomeric head 12a will shift the power rod 20a in a rearward direction through the piston 14, such rearward motion being transmitted to the thrust plate 80, which will compress the helical spring 19a and store energy therewithin. The rod 20a automatically releases from the piston 14, but the latter cannot move in a rearward direction because of the gripping action of its one-waylatch fingers 18 against the wall 15a of the container. Upon release of the finger or other pressure upon the elastomeric head, the latter inherently tends to expand and return to its initial position, and the spring 19a also expands to shift the rod 20a in a forward direction, the one-way clutch 29 automatically coupling the rod to the piston 14 and causing the piston to move forwardly with the rod to dispense a portion of the mass M through the nozzle or spout 13a to the exterior of the container.

Each depression of the head 12a will store energy in .it as well as in the compression spring 19a, the rod 20a moving freely in a rearward direction through the piston, whereas release of the depressing force on the head 12a will allow the latter to expand to its initial position and also allow the spring 19a to expand, moving the power or force-transmitting rod 20a in a forward direction and, through the one-way clutch or coupling 29, correspondingly moving the piston in a forward direction within the container.

If the elastomeric head 12a possesses suflicient spring force to actuate the mechanism, the spring 19a, seat 81 and thrust plate 80 can be omitted, release of the inward pressure on the head causing the latter to return inherently to its initial position and shifting the power rod 20a forwardly with it, the one-way clutch 29 causing the piston 14 to move forwardly with the power rod and dispense a portion of the fluent mass through the outlet or nozzle 13a.

In the form of invention disclosed in FIG. 5, a cylindrical container 10b has a forward end wall 12b containing a discharge nozzle or spout 13b disposed axially thereof and having an outlet surrounded by a tapered valve seat 90. The power or force transmitting rod 20b extends through the piston 14 disposed in the container 10b, there being the same type of one-way clutch 29 and one-way or unidirectional gripper or brake 16 between the rod 20b and piston 14, and between the piston and the inner wall 151) of the container, as in the other forms of the invention. The container is open at its rear end 11b to the atmosphere and the rear end of the rod 22b terminates adjacent to the open rear end of the container.

The rod 20b is shifted longitudinally of the container by a bell-crank lever 91 which extends through an aperture 92 in the rear portion of the container, being pivoted therein. One arm 93 of the bell crank lever is bifurcated, the bifurcations straddling the rod and extending into a groove 94 in the latter. The other arm 95 of the lever is disposed externally of the container and extends along its periphery, there being a leaf spring 96 or power spring suitably secured to the external lever arm 95 with a free end 97 of the leaf spring bearing against the exterior of the container. The spring 96 normally urges the external arm 95 laterally outwardly and the inner arm 93 of the lever upwardly, to shift the rod 20b upwardly and engage a forward valve head 98 provided by the upper end of the rod against the valve seat 90, to close the outlet from the container.

The dispenser device illustrated in FIG. 5 operates generally in the same manner as the other forms of the invention. The piston 14 is disclosed in an intermediate position within the container, from which a substantial portion of the fluent mass has already been dispensed.

Initially, the piston would be located in the rearward portion of the container adjacent to the bifurcated bell crank arm 93. When it is desired to dispense a portion of the mass through the container outlet, the outer arm 95 of the bell-crank lever is moved laterally inwardly against the force of the leaf spring -by hand or finger pressure, which causes the rod b to be shifted rearwardly and slide through the piston 14, which is prevented from moving rearwardly by the one-way brake device 16. Such rod shifting also removes the valve head 98 from the valve seat 90, thereby opening the container outlet. When the pressure on the outer arm 95 is released, a leaf spring expands or returns to its initial position, shifting the outer arm 95 laterally away from the exterior of the container and the bifurcated arm 93 upwardly to shift the rod 20b upwardly in the container, and because of the one-way clutch 29 becoming automatically coupled thereto, shift the piston 14 upwardly in the container. The piston 14 and rod 20b move upwardly to effect a dispensing of the fluent mass M through the outlet 13b until the valve head 98 engages the valve seat 90, thereby closing the outlet. The engagement of the valve head with thevalve seat limits the extent of the lateral outward movement of the bell-crank external arm 95 and upward shifting of the rod 20b and the piston 14.

I claim:

1. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having an outlet opening directly to the exterior of said container, said container being of a size to be held in a persons hand; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said outlet and against the mass in the container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of said piston means in a forward direction; hand-operated actuating means in said container and disposed to one side of said outlet to avoid interference with the mass flowing through said outlet; spring means for shifting said actuating means in a forward direction in said container; and clutching means for coupling said piston means to said actuating means for forward movement therewith while permitting rearward movement of said actuating means relative tosaid piston means.

2. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having an outlet opening directly to the exterior of said container, said container being of a size to be held in a persons hand; a piston in said container movable in a forward direction toward said outlet and against the mass in the container; one-way gripper means on said piston engageable with the wall of said container to resist rearward movement of said piston in said container while permitting forward movement of said piston in said container; a hand-operated actuating rod in said container extending through said piston and disposed to one side of said outlet to avoid interference with the mass flowing through said outlet; spring means for shifting said rod in a forward direction in saidcontainer; and one-way clutching means on said piston engageable with said rod to couple said piston to said rod for forward movement therewith, said clutching means releasing from said rod to permit rearward movement of said rod within and relative to said piston.

3. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a forward end wall and an outlet at said end wall opening to the exterior of said container, said container being of a size to be held in a persons hand; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said end wall and outlet and against the mass in said container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of said piston means in a forward direction toward said end wall; actuating means having a first portion in said container and a hand-operated sec- 0nd portion externally of said container; spring means externally of said container engaging said second portion and container for shifting said first portion in a forward direction in said container; and clutching means for coupling said piston means to said first portion for forward movement therewith toward said end wall while permitting rearward movement of said first portion relative to said piston means.

4. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a forward end wall and an outlet at said end wall opening to the exterior of said container, said container being of a size to be held in a persons hand; a piston in said container movable in a forward direction toward said end wall and outlet and against the mass in said container; one-way gripper means on said piston engageable with the wall of said container to resist rearward movement of said piston in said container while permitting forward movement of said piston in said container toward said end wall; an actuating rod in said container extending through said piston; spring operated means externally of said container adapted to be actuated by the persons hand while the container is held in the persons hand for shifting said rod in a forwarddirection in said container; and one-way clutching means on said piston engageable with said rod to couple said piston to said rod for forward movement therewith toward said end wall, said clutching means releasing from said rod to permit rearward movement of said rod within and relative to said piston.

5. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a forward end Wall and an outlet at said end wall opening to the exterior of said container, said container being of a size to be held in a persons hand; a piston in said container movable in a forward direction toward said end wall and outlet and against the mass in said container; one-way gripper means on said piston engageable with the wall of said container to resist rearward movement of said piston in said container while permitting forward movement of said piston in said container toward said end Wall; an actuating rod in said container extending through said piston; spring operated means externally of said container bearing against said end wall and engaging said rod for shifting said rod in a forward direction in said container toward said end wall; and one-way clutching means on said piston engageable with said rod to couple said piston to said rod for forward movement therewith toward said end wall, said clutching means releasing from said rod to permit rearward movement of said rod within and relative to said piston.

6. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a forward end wall and an outlet at said end wall opening to the exterior of said container, said container being of a size to be held in a persons hand; a piston in said container movable in a forward direction toward said end wall and outlet and against the mass in said container; one-way gripper means on said piston engageable with the Wall of said container to resist rearward movement of said piston in said container while permitting forward movement of said piston in said container toward said end wall; an actuating rod in said container extending through said piston; actuating means including a compression spring bearing against the exterior of said container for shifting said rod in a forward direction in said container toward said outlet and forward end wall; and one-way clutching means on said piston engageable with said rod to couple said piston to said rod for forward movement therewith toward said end wall, said clutching means releasing from said rod to permit rearward movement of said rod within and relative to said piston.

7. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a forward end wall and an outlet at said end wall opening to the exterior of said container, said container being of a ,size to be held in a persons hand; a piston in said container movable in a forward direction toward said end wall and outlet and against the mass in said container; one-way gripper means on said piston engageable with the wall of said container to resist rearward movement of said piston in said container while permitting forward movement of said piston in said container toward said end wall; an actuating rod in said container extending through said piston; a hand-operated plunger secured to said rod externally of said end wall; a compression spring bearing against said end wall and plunger for shifting said rod in a forward direction in said container toward said forward end wall; and oneway clutching means on said piston engageable with said .rod to couple said piston to said rod for forward movement therewith toward said end wall, said clutching means releasing from said rod to permit rearward movement of said rod within and relative to said piston upon depression of said plunger toward said end wall.

8. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a forward elastic end wall and an outlet; a piston in said container movable in a forward direction toward said end wall and outlet and against the mass in said container; one-way gripper means on said piston engageable with the wall of said container to resist rearward movement of said piston in said container while permitting forward movement of said piston in said container toward said end wall; an actuating rod in said container extending through said piston and connected to said elastic end Wall, depression of said end Wall toward said piston shifting said rod in a rearward direction in said container and release of pressure on said end wall allowing its expansion and shifting of said rod in a forward direction in said container; and one-way clutching means on said piston engageable with said rod to couple said piston to said rod for forward movement therewith toward said end wall, said clutching means releasing from said rod to permit rearward movement of said rod within and relative to said piston.

9. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a forward elastic end wall and an outlet; a piston in said container movable in a forward direction toward said end wall and outlet and against the mass in said container; one-way gripper means on said piston engageable with the wall of said container to resist rearward movement of said piston in said container while permitting forward movement of said piston in said container toward said end wall; an actuating rod in said container extending through saidpiston and connected to said elastic end wall, depression of said end wall toward said piston shifting said rod in a rearward direction in said container and release of pressure on said end wall allowing its expansion and shifting of said rod in a forward direction in said container; spring operated means engaging a rear portion of said rod for shifting said rod in a forward direction in said container; and one-way clutching means on said piston engageable with said rod to couple said piston to said rod for forward movement therewith toward said end wall, said clutching means releasing from said rod to permit rearward movement of said rod within and relative to said piston.

10. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a forward end wall and an outlet; a

piston in said container movable in a forward direction toward said end wall and outlet and against the mass in said container; one-way gripper means on said piston engageable with the wall of said container to resist rearward movement of said piston in said container while permitting forward movement of said piston in said container toward said end wall; an actuating rod in said container extending through said piston; a lever pivoted on said container and connected to said rod; a spring engaging the side of said container and lever for shifting said rod in a forward direction in said container; and one-way clutching means on said piston movable with said rod to couple said piston to said rod for forward movement therewith toward said end wall, said clutching means releasing from said rod to permit rearward movement of said rod within and relative to said piston.

11. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a forward end wall and an outlet; a piston in said container movable in a forward direction toward said end wall and outlet and against the mass in said container; one-way gripper means on said piston engageable with the wall of said container to resist rearward movement of said piston in said container while permitting forward movement of said piston in said con! tainer toward said end wall; an actuating rod in said container extending through said piston; spring operated References Cited by the Examiner" UNITED STATES PATENTS 677,667 7/ 1901 Kirschen 222387 1,212,010 1/1917 Brown. 1,847,188 3/1932 Kreidel 222--39.1 X 2,356,874 8/1944 Nageotte 222-391 X 2,710,119 6/1955 Steek 22234O FOREIGN PATENTS 920,437 4/1947 France.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiners.

Claims

1. IN A DISPENSER FOR A FLUENT MASS: A CONTAINER FOR THE MASS HAVING AN OUTLET OPENING DIRECTLY TO THE EXTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID CONTAINER BEING OF A SIZE TO BE HELD IN A PERSON''S HAND; PISTON MEANS IN SAID CONTAINER MOVABLE IN A FORWARD DIRECTION TOWARD SAID OUTLET AND AGAINST THE MASS IN THE CONTAINER; MEANS FOR RESISTING MOVEMENT OF SAID PISTON MEANS IN SAID CONTAINER IN A REARWARD DIRECTION WHILE PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF SAID PISTON MEANS IN A FORWARD DIRECTION; HAND-OPERATED ACTUATING MEANS IN SAID CONTAINER AND DISPOSED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID OUTLET TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH THE MASS FLOWING THROUGH SAID OUTLET; SPRING MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID ACTUATING MEANS IN A FORWARD DIRECTION IN SAID CONTAINER; AND CLUTCHING MEANS FOR COUPLING SAID PISTON MEANS TO SAID ACTUATING MEANS FOR FORWARD MOVEMENT THEREWITH WHILE PERMITTING REARWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID PISTON MEANS.