CA1202278A - Package for liquid or granular materials - Google Patents
Package for liquid or granular materialsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1202278A CA1202278A CA000427866A CA427866A CA1202278A CA 1202278 A CA1202278 A CA 1202278A CA 000427866 A CA000427866 A CA 000427866A CA 427866 A CA427866 A CA 427866A CA 1202278 A CA1202278 A CA 1202278A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- tube
- package
- dispensing
- dispenser
- Prior art date
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Abstract
PACKAGE FOR LIQUID OR GRANULAR MATERIALS
ABSTRACT
Disclosed is a package for granular material for use with a dispenser. The package comprises a housing, having an upper and a lower end, for containing the granular material and an opening formed in the lower end of the housing. A resilient tube, having an upper and a lower end, extends downwardly from the lower end of the housing, the upper end of the tube being in communication with the opening to allow flow of the granular material from the interior of the housing into the tube. A slit diaphragm valve is disposed within the tube and disposed inter-mediate the upper and lower end of the tube and is adapted to be opened and closed by the dispenser to allow egress of the granular material from the tube.
ABSTRACT
Disclosed is a package for granular material for use with a dispenser. The package comprises a housing, having an upper and a lower end, for containing the granular material and an opening formed in the lower end of the housing. A resilient tube, having an upper and a lower end, extends downwardly from the lower end of the housing, the upper end of the tube being in communication with the opening to allow flow of the granular material from the interior of the housing into the tube. A slit diaphragm valve is disposed within the tube and disposed inter-mediate the upper and lower end of the tube and is adapted to be opened and closed by the dispenser to allow egress of the granular material from the tube.
Description
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PACKAGE FOR LIQUID OR GRANULAR MAT~RIAI.S
This application is a division of Canadian Serial No. 372,694, filed March 10, 1981.
The invention relates to a dispenser and packa~e for liquld or granular materials, particularly for liquid or granular health and beauty care products.
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Devices for the dispensing of a viscous liquid or granular m~terial are known in the art. Wi:th respect to viscous liquid dispensers, these devices may, for example, use a roller moving over a resilient tube that is con-nected to a viscous liquid reservoir to expel viscous liquid from the tube. ~s the roller advances, the resil-ient tube is progressively compressed between the roller and a suitably disposed backup block. Examples of such prior devices are UOS. Patent NQ. 2,113,002, issued to Hefti, and U.S. Patent No. 3,006,832, issued to Rosetti.
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Alternatively, other prior art dispensing devices for viscous liquids may utilize contact members which are first moved to constrict a portion of a resilient tube.
Then, the contact member is forced into compressive contact ~ith the resilient tube to cause viscous liquid to . . , ~z~
PACKAGE FOR LIQUID OR GRANULAR MAT~RIAI.S
This application is a division of Canadian Serial No. 372,694, filed March 10, 1981.
The invention relates to a dispenser and packa~e for liquld or granular materials, particularly for liquid or granular health and beauty care products.
: 10 ' ' :;
Devices for the dispensing of a viscous liquid or granular m~terial are known in the art. Wi:th respect to viscous liquid dispensers, these devices may, for example, use a roller moving over a resilient tube that is con-nected to a viscous liquid reservoir to expel viscous liquid from the tube. ~s the roller advances, the resil-ient tube is progressively compressed between the roller and a suitably disposed backup block. Examples of such prior devices are UOS. Patent NQ. 2,113,002, issued to Hefti, and U.S. Patent No. 3,006,832, issued to Rosetti.
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Alternatively, other prior art dispensing devices for viscous liquids may utilize contact members which are first moved to constrict a portion of a resilient tube.
Then, the contact member is forced into compressive contact ~ith the resilient tube to cause viscous liquid to . . , ~z~
2--be expelled therefrom. Examples of the later type viscous liquid dispensers are U.S. Patent No. 3,741~439 issued to Vehrs, and U.S. Patent No. 3,870,201, issued to Asplund.
It is usually a problem of prior art devices of any type to have an unsightly and unsanitary coagulated mass of viscous liquid remaining at the orifice of the resilient tube left from previous dispensing operations of viscous liquid from the dispenser. Furthermore, these liquid dispensers do not appear to be readily adapted ~v dispense granular materials.
Another prior art di~pensing device which solved the prohlem of viscous liquid remaining at the orifice of the resilient tube is that shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,130,~24, to Norman and Frassanito. This dispenser utilized a yieldable dispensing lever arm to first constrict a portion of a resilient tube and included a spring bias, long throw, check valve disposed within the resilient tube for drawing liquid back into the resilient tube upon returning the dispensing arm to its original position.
This device also included an arrangement for varying the amount of viscous liquid expelled in a given dispensing operation.
With respect to prior art devices for dispensing granular materials, many such devices utilize a flexible, slit diaphragm nozzle. The nozzle is opened upon applica-tion of z force to open the slit whereby the granular material is dispensed. Examples of such prior art devices 30 are: U.S. Patent No. 2,565,917, to Hammerstein; U.S.
Patent No. 2,473,707, to Hammerstein; and U.S~ Patent No.
It is usually a problem of prior art devices of any type to have an unsightly and unsanitary coagulated mass of viscous liquid remaining at the orifice of the resilient tube left from previous dispensing operations of viscous liquid from the dispenser. Furthermore, these liquid dispensers do not appear to be readily adapted ~v dispense granular materials.
Another prior art di~pensing device which solved the prohlem of viscous liquid remaining at the orifice of the resilient tube is that shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,130,~24, to Norman and Frassanito. This dispenser utilized a yieldable dispensing lever arm to first constrict a portion of a resilient tube and included a spring bias, long throw, check valve disposed within the resilient tube for drawing liquid back into the resilient tube upon returning the dispensing arm to its original position.
This device also included an arrangement for varying the amount of viscous liquid expelled in a given dispensing operation.
With respect to prior art devices for dispensing granular materials, many such devices utilize a flexible, slit diaphragm nozzle. The nozzle is opened upon applica-tion of z force to open the slit whereby the granular material is dispensed. Examples of such prior art devices 30 are: U.S. Patent No. 2,565,917, to Hammerstein; U.S.
Patent No. 2,473,707, to Hammerstein; and U.S~ Patent No.
3,224,650 to Willits~ Such dispensers, while appearing to be capable of dispensing granular material, are not readily adapte!d to dispensing liquid materials.
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Since many organi~ations may desire to have both liquid and granular materials, particular health and beauty care products such as soap, dispensed throughout their establishments, it would be desirable to install 5 only one type of dispenser which could dispense either liquid or granular materials, depending upon what type of refill package is inserted in the dispenserO Therefore, a problem exists with prior art dispensers which are not capable of dispensing both liquid and granular materials.
Furthermoret many of the prior art dispensers lack fea-tures which provide for adjusting the amount of materialto be dispensed and preventing dripping from the dispenser when it is not in use.
Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, there has been no dispenser for use with both liquid and granular materials which is simple and econom-ical to manufacture and operate, and can be loaded with a package containing either liquid or granular materials~
Therefore, ~he art has sought a dispenser which; can be used with a package which contains either liquid or granular materials; is economical to manufacture; is easy to use; does not have an unsightly and unsanitary mass of l}quid remalning at the nozzle of the dispenser; and can be adjusted to vary the amount of material being dispensed.
In accordance with the invention disclosed, the foregoing has been achieved through the present dispenser for use with a pacXage which contains liquid or granular material that has a resilient tube associated with the package~ The present invention includes: a housing including means for supporting a package containing liquid or granular mate-rial; a backup block having a compression surface thereon associated with the housing; a dispensing arm having a 7~
~, first end portion pivotably associated with the housing and having a second Exee end portion; a firs-t dispensing block associated with the dispensing arm and being disposed adjacent the compression surface of the backup block; and a second dispensing block pivotally and.~eldably mounted with respect to..the dispensing arm, which is disposed beneath, and spaced from the first dispensing block whereby~ upon an actuating force being imposed upon the free end portion of the dispensing arm, the first dispensing blcck contacts the resilient tube of the package at a first predetermined impact point to compress the resilient tube against the compression surface of the backup block, and the second dispensing block contacts the resilient tube at a second predetermined impact point spaced from, and below, the first impact point, to apply a force to the resilient tube.
A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the backup block is ad~ustably associated with the housing whereby, upon movement of the backup block, the amount of the compression surface adjacent the first dispensing block is varied. An additional feature is that the first dispensing block is pivotally connected to the di-spensing arm. Another feature of the present invention is that the dispensing arm is yieldable with respect to the first dispensing block, and the dispensing arm in-cludes a resilient spring disposed between the dispensing arm and the first dispensing block.
Another feature of the present invent.ion is that the second dispensing block is pivotally connected to the dispensing arm and the dispensing arm is yieldable with respect to the second dispensing block, and includes a resilient spring disposed between the dispensing arm and ~2~
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the second dispensing block. The spring may be disposed at the pivotal connection between the dispensing arm and -the second dispensing block.
In one broad aspect -the invention pertains to a detach-able package for granular material for engagement with a separate dispenser comprising a housing having an upper and a lower end for containing the granular material. An opening is formed in the lower end of the housing and a resilient tube, having an upper and a lower end, extends downwardly from the lower end of the housing. The upper end of the tube is in communication with the opening to allow flow of the granular material from the interior of the housing into the tube with the lower end of the tube having a discharge opening therein. A slit diaphragm valve is disposed within the tube and disposed intermediate the upper and lower end of the tube effecting closure of the valve after dispensing of the granular material and adapted to be opened by the dispenser after being detachably engaged with the dis-penser to allow ready and direct egress of the granular material from the discharge opening in the tube.
A further feature of the package of the present invention is that the package includes means for directing the granular material toward the opening in the housing, and may include at least one surface which is slanted with respect to -the longitudinal axis of the housing.
A further feature of the package of the present invention is that the means for directing the granular material comprises four surfaces disposed within the lower end of the housing, which surfaces are slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing and are slanted downwardly toward the opening. A
further feature of the present invention is that the lower end of the resilient tube includes means for positioning the lower end of the resilient tube within a dispenser, and the housing may include means for positioning the lower end of the housing within a dispenser.
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The dispenser of the present inven~ion, when compared * with previously proposed prior art dispensers, has the advantages of ease of use~ provides a positive seal to prevent leakage of the material from the dispenseri the amount of material being dispensed can be varied, and either liquid or;granular materials can be dispensed.
In the drawings~
. FIG. 1 is.a front view of the dispenser ~or liquid or : granular materials in accordance with the present invention;
FIG~ 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of the present inv~ntion~taken along lines 2-2 of FIGo 1;
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. FIG~ 3 is an isometri~ of the package of the present invention; ~
FIG.-4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the pacXage of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a long-throw ball check valve for use in the dispenser of the present invention;
FIGS. 6A-6C are partial cross-sectional views of the dispenser of:the present invention illustrating the dispensing of a liquid material; and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of the present invention when dispensing granular m~terial~
While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that 3~
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it is not intended to limit 'che invention to that embodi-ment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, an equivalent~ as may be ins:luded within the spirit and scope of th~ inventic)n as 5 defined by the appended claims.
In FIGS. 1 and 2 the dispenser 81 for liquid or granular materials and the package 82 which contains liquid or granular materials are shown. The package 82 10 shown in FI~;. 2 contains liquid material (not shown) and includes a re~ilient tube 83 depending downwardly from package 82 and associated therewith~. In general, dis-penser 81 comprises a housing 84, a backup block 85 associated with housing 8i; dispensing arm 86; a first dispensing block 87, or pinch block, associated with-- dispensing arm 86; and a second dispensing block 8S, or pinch block, also associa~ed with dispensing arm 86.
Still wifh re~erence to PIGS. 1 and 2 the foregoing ~ components of dispenser 8t will be described in greater detail~ Housing 84, which may be manufactured of any suitable material~ such as plastic, includes a back member - 89 and a cover 90 which is pivotally connected to back member 89 as by pivotal connection 91~ Cover member 90 may be pivoted downwardly to open housing B4 to enable access to the interior of housing 84. Back member 89 is adapted to be mounted to any suitable surface such as a wall, mirror~ or cabinet, etc., such as by screws or an adhesive tape material. Although housing 84 is preferably made of a sùitable plastic material; any other material could be used to manufacture housing 84, provided it has the requisite strength and durability characteristics.
Housing 84 includes means for supporting package 82, which support means may support at least a portion of package 82 within housing 8~. Thus, a shelf 91 is provided which may 2Z7~1 .
be integral with back member 89. Alternatively, housing 84 could be formed so as to allcw packaye 82 to merely be placed upon the top~ of housing 84. Shelf 91 has a suit-able opening 92 formed therein to allow the resilient tube 83 of package 82:to depend downwardly through shelE 91.
Housing 84 includes internal rib members 93-95 which may be formed integral with back member 89. Rib members 93-.95 serve to support the other components of dispenser 81 within housing 84.
With re~erence to FIG. 2, it is seen that dispensing arm 86 has a first end portion 96 and a second, free end ,.
portion 97 downwardly depending from housing 84. First end portion ~6 of~dispensing arm 86 is pivotally associ-ated with housing 84 as by the pivotal connection 9R with internal ribs 93. In FIG. ~, dispensing arm 86 is shown in its non-dispensing position wherein dispensing arm 86 is slightly biased into that position by means of spring 99 disposed at pivotal connection 98. Dispensing arm 86 when used to ~ause liquid or granular material to be dispensed from dispen~er 81 will have an actuating force exerted upon it to cause dispensing arm 86 to be pivoted about pivotal connection 98 in the direction shown by arrow 100. The second, free end portion 97 o dispensing arm 86 extends downwardly from housing 84 a sufficient distance to easily enable a user of dispenser 81 to place his or her finger tips behind the free end portion g7 of dispensing arm 86 to pull it outwardly in the direction shown by arrow tO0 Still with reference to FIG. 2, it is seen that dispensing arm 86 has the first dispensin~ block 87 and the second dispensing block 88 associated therewith.
Dispensing arm 86 includes a plurality of ribs, shown ~Z27~
generally at 1 o 1 which support dispensing blocks B7 and 88, or pinch blocks/ as will he hereinafter described.
Pinch block. 87 has a depending leg member 102 which is pivotally connected to dispensing arm 86 as shown gener-ally at 103. Dispensing arm 86 is yieldable with respectto the first dispensing block 87, which yieldability i8 ~aused by: a res:ilient coil spring 104 disposed between dispensing arm 86 and pinch block 87. Spring 104 is disposed between rib 101 and dispensing block B7 in a 1~ recess 105 formed in pinch block 870 ~t is thus ~een that sprinq 104 is disposed in a spaced relationship from the plvotal connection 103 between dispensing arm 86 and the first dispensing block 87. First dispensing block 87 has a tip port~ion~106 which, in the non-dispensing~
1S location~of dispensing arm ~6 shown in FIG. 2, slightly:
abuts against resilient tube 83 at a first predetermined impact point 107 which is adjacent backup block 850 .
Second dispensing block 88 is associated with dis-penser arm ~6, as by the pivotal connection 108 between second dispensing bloc~ 88 and dispensing arm 86. Dis-pensing arm 86 has a small projection 109 formed above pivot point 108, wh~ereby a spring 110 is disposed at pi~otal connection 108 between second pinch block 88 and dispensing arm 86; the end of spring 110 being held in place by projection 109~ Thus, dispensing arm 86 is yieldable with respect to the second dispensiny block 88 via the spring biased pivotal connection 108. Pinch block 88 also has a tip portion 111; however, the tip portion 111 o~ the second dispensing block 88 is in a spaced relationship from resilient tube 83, as shown at 112, until an actuating force is imposed upon dispensing arm j 86. Thus, d:Lspensing block 88 does not apply any force to tube 83 unti:l the actuating force is applied to arm 86.
- 1 o -Second dispensing block 88 is of generally U-shaped configuration and has two upwardly extendin~ leg members 113, whereby there are two pivotal connection points 108 for second dispensing block 88 With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it i8 seen that cover 90 has an indented portion 114 for~ed therein.
Within indented portion 114, a ~lot 115 is formed through which passes an adjustiny knob 116 for moving backup block 85. Backup blocX 85 has a com~ression ~urface 117 thereon which is adjacent first dispensing block 87~ By means of any suitable connection, such as by frictional engagement between knob 116 and slot 115 or by frictional~engagement between the back portion 1t8 of backup block 85 and the interior surface of indentation 114 of cover 90, backup block 85 may be moved upwardly or downwardly an~ can be ~- held in place at any desired location. ~y movement of knob 116, thus causing the movement of ba~kup block 85, the amount of the compression surface 117 adjacent the first dispensing block 87 is varied. As will be herein-after discussed with respect to FIGS. 6A-6C and FIGo 7, by moving backup block 85 to vary the amount of compression surface 117 disposed adjacen~ first dispensing block 87, the amount of material to be dispensed is varied.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that resilient tube 83 has a fitting 119 disposed at the lower end of resilient tube 83 which engages with the ~over 90 as shown at 120 and with rib 95 of back member 89 of housing 84 as shown at 121. Preferably, rib 95 is formed with a grovve 122 which receives a raised projection 123 formed on fitting 119. With cover 90 being opened by pivoting it downwardly about pivotal connection 91~ a package 82 with resilient tube 83 having fitting 119 ~.f~ 7~
attached thereto, may be placed within housing 84 by passing resilient tube through opening 92 of shelf 91 and inserting raised portion 123 oi fitting 119 into groove 122 of rib 95. Cover 90 may then be upwardly pivoted 5 about pivot point 91 to close ciispenser 81, whereby dispenser 81 is ready to be ~sed. It should be noted that the interior, upper surface 124 of cover 90 may be pro-vided with a plurality of projections 125 which cooperate with suitable openings in package 82. Upon closing cover ~ 90, projections 125 engage with the openings 12S of package 82 to position and secure package 82 upon shelf 91 of housing 94 in cooperation with the raised side walls 127 of cover 90 and the upper end portion 128 of back member 89 of housing 84. Housing 84 may be provided with any suitable latching device tnot shownj to secure cover 90 in the closed position shown in FIG. 2 or to - allow cover 90 to be opened and pivoted about pivot point 91 to its open position.
2~ Turning now to FIG. 3, the package 82 of the present invention will be described in greater detail. Package 82 is seen to comprise a housing 129 having upper and lower ends 130 and 131 with an opening 132 formed in the lower end 131 of housing 129. Resilien~ tube 83, having an upper end 133 and a lower end 134 (FIGS. 4 and S), extends downwardly from the lower end 131 of housing 129.
The upper end 133 of resilient tube 83 is in communica-tion with opening 132. In the preferred embodiment, housing 129 is shown to have a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, but of cour~e it could be of any cross-sectional configuration, provided the mating recess for package 82. In housing 84 formed by cover 90, I
cover sidewalls 127 and back wall 128 of back member ~9 Z~71~
(FIGS. 1 and 2) conforms to the cross-sectional configu-ration of housing 129. Housing 129 may include a flexible plastic liner 135 ~or holding e~ither the granular material or liquid material to be dipensed by dispenser 81. The front, lower wall 136 of housing lZ9 has a pluralit.y of op nings 126 formed therein whi.ch cooperate with projec-tions 125 to provide a means for positioning the lower end 131 of housing 129 within dispenser B1. Of course/ it should be realized that other suitable positioning means 10. could be utilized. For example, the location of openings 126 and projections 125 could be reversed, as by providing suitable openings (not shown) in cover ~0 for engagement with suitable projections (not shown) formed on the front, lower wall of housing 129 to thereby position package 82 within housing 84 of dispenser 81.
Still referr~ing to FIGS. 3 and 4, the package for granular material 82 of the present inv~ntion will be described in greater de~ail. The lower end 134 of re-silient tube 83 has a fitting 119 attached to resilient tube 83. Fitting 11~ has a means for positioning the lower end 134 of resilient tube 83 within dispenser 81, as by the raised rib member 137, previously described in connection with slot 122 of housing 84. Intermediate the upper end 133 and lower end 134 of resilient tube 83 is disposed a slit diaphragm valve 138 which is adapted to be opened and closed by dispenser ~1 to allow egress of the granular material from resilient tube 83, as will be hereinafter described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 7O Slit diaphragm valve 138 as shown in ~IG. 4, is in the closed position whereby any granular material disposed abov~e slit diaphragm valve will be precluded from passing beyond valve 138 and is retained above the valve 138 within tube 83. Pre~erably, resilient tube 83 and ( ~20;~2 valve 138 are formed of la~ex rubber, as by injection molding. Of course any other material could be used if it has ths requisite flexibility characteristics and compati-bility for use with the materials being dispensed, as well as provides a positive seal for valve 138.
Referring back to FIG. 3, it is seen that the package 32 for granular material includes means for directing the granular material toward opening 132~ The means for directing the granular material preferably includes at least one ~urface which i~ slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of housing 12g. Preferably the means for directing the granular material comprises four sur-faces 139-142 disposed within the lower end 131 of housing 129, surfaces 139~142 being slanted with respec~ to the longitudinal axis of housing 129. A~ seen in FIG. 3, surfaces 139-142 are slanted downwardly toward opening 132, whereby a chute is formed to direct the material toward opening 132. Opening 132 is di~posed substantially in the cente~ of the lower end 131 of housing 129, but it does not necessarily have to be disposed equidistant from each oE the four walls o~ housing 129. Thus, opening 132 can be equidistant between the two side walls 143 and 144 of housing 129, but disposed closer to the front wall 136 ~5 of housing 129 as is also depicted in FIG. ~.
With respect to the package for dispensing liquid material, reference will now be made to FI~S. 3 and 5.
When liquid material is being contained within package 82, the lower end 134 of resilient tube 183 has a spring-biased, long throw, check valve 145 disposed within the lower end 134 of resilient tube 183.
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Check valve 145 includes an elongated valve housing, formed in two parts 146 and 147, having a fi.rst inlet orifice 148, and a second downstream or outlet orifice t4~ An elongated valve chamber 150 contains a ball element 151 biased toward the closed, or seated position, by a biasing element, such as a coil spring 152. When package 82 is used to contain a liquid material to be dispensed by dispenser 81, slanted surfaces 139-142 are not necessary to direct the liquid material toward opening 132, whereby if desired, slanted surfaces 139-142 may be deleted from package 820 As with granular material, package 82 may include a flexible plastic liner 135.
Valve housing member 147 may include a means for positioning the resilient tube 83 within dispenser 81 as by the raised rib portion 153 which cooperates with slot - 122 of dispenser 81 as previously described in connection with FIG. 2.
Turning now to FIGS. 6A-6C, the operation o~ the dispenser of the present invention when used to dispense a liquid material will be described. FIG. 6A illustrates the position of the components of the dispenser after an initial actuating force has been applied to dispensing arm 86 in the direction indicated by arrow 100. Upon movement of the dispensing arm 86 in the direction shown by arrow 100 first dispensing block 87 contacts resilient tube 83 at a first predetermined impact point 107 to compress the resilient tube 83 against the compression surface 117 of backup block 85. Resilient tube 83 is thus pinched off and closed~ at impact point 107, leaving liquid material 154 entrapped within the lower end 134 of resilient tube 83. The tip portion 106 of first dispensing block 87 is the part of first dispensing block 87 which first makes ~.2(1 Z;~7~3 contact with resilient tube 83 a~. impact point 107. With dispensing arm 86 in the posit:ion shown in FIG. 6A! second dispensing block 88 has been moved ~oward ~he lower end 13~ of resilient tube 83, whereby its tip portion 111 has pivoted about pivot point 108 ;n~o contact with resilient tube 83 at a second predetermined impact point 155.
Second impact point 155 is spaced from7 and below, the first impact point 107/ whereby second dispensing block 88 begins o apply a force to resilient tube 83 Turning now to FIG. 6B, the actuating force applied to dispensing arm 86 in the direction shown by arrow 100 has been continued whereby resilient tube 83 has been fully compressed between first dispensing block 87 and compression surface 117 of backup block 85. The amount of the compression surface 117 of bacXup bloc~ 85 which is utilized in FIG. 6B extends between first impaot point 107 and the lower corner 156 of compression surface 117 of backup block 85. The compression of the resilient tube 83 by first dispensing block 87 against the portion of compression surface 117 disposed between impact point 107 and`the lower corner 156 of backup hlock 85 causes the liquid material 154 to be moved downwardly through resil-ient tube 83 and into the inlet orifice 148 of the check valve 145. The pressure of the liquid material 154 disposed within the lower end 134 of resilient tube 83 overcomes the biasing force of spring 152 and check valve 145, whereby ball element 151 moves downwardly allowing liquid material 154 to pass through the check valve 145 and through outlet orifice 149.
It should be noted that by moving adjustment knob 116 of backup block 185 downwardly, first dispensing block 87 would be compressing resilient tube 83 against a greater 7~
amount of compression surface 117 disposed between first impact point tO7 and the lower edge 156 of compression surface 117 of backup block 85. Thus, more compressive force would be imposed upon the liquid material 154 disposed in the lower end 134 Qf resilient tube 183~ and accordingly a greater volume of viscous liquid would be forced out of check valve 145. Likewise, by moving adjustmen knob 116 upwardly, al lesser amount of compres-sion surface 117 of backup block 85 would be cooperating with first dispensing block 87, whereby less compressive force would be generated which would result in less viscous material being forced out of check valve 145.
Turning now to FIG. 6C, the actuating force upon dispensing arm 86 has ceased and dispensing arm 86 is returning to its normal position as has been described in connection with FIG. 2. Cessation of the actuating force on dispensing arm 86 stops the generation of the compres-sive force on the viscous liquid within the resilient tube 83, whereby the biasing force of spring 152 and check valve 145 becomes do~inant and forcefully throws the ball element t51 upwardly toward and against its seat adjacent : inlet orifice 148. The rapid return of the ball element 151 to i~s sea~ adjacent the inlet orifice 148 within the valve chamber 150 generates a suction force which draws any viscous liquid that remains adjacent the exterior of outlet orifice 149 back into valve chamber 150 or into tube 83. Therefore, unsightly and unsanitary coagulation and accumulation of viscous liquid about the exterior of the check valve 145 is effectively prohibited.
~ urning now to FIG. 7, the dispenser of the present invention is shown dispensing a granular material 157.
The dispensing arm 86 is in the same position as that ~.2~ `7~
shown and described in FIG. 6A. When the dispenser of the present invention is utilized to dispense granular material, it is seen that the force imposed by second dispens.ing block 88 at the second predetermined impact point 155 is applied to the slit diaphragm valve 138 which is disposed intermediate the ends 133 and 134 of resilient ~ube 83. Thus, second dispensing block 88 causes slit diaphragm valve 138 to open which allows egress of granular material 157 from tube 83~ Upon cessation of the actuating force being applied to dis-pensing arm 86, the cessation of the force exerted uponslit diaphrag~ valve 138 by second dispensing block 88 allows slit diaphragm valve 138 to assume its normal closed position and prevent further egress of granular material rom resilient tube 83.
It is to be understood that the invention i5 not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or embodiments shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art; for example, the location of the components within the housing could be reversed whereby the dispenser is actuated by a pushing movement, rather than a pulling movement of the dispenser arm. Accord-ingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.
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Since many organi~ations may desire to have both liquid and granular materials, particular health and beauty care products such as soap, dispensed throughout their establishments, it would be desirable to install 5 only one type of dispenser which could dispense either liquid or granular materials, depending upon what type of refill package is inserted in the dispenserO Therefore, a problem exists with prior art dispensers which are not capable of dispensing both liquid and granular materials.
Furthermoret many of the prior art dispensers lack fea-tures which provide for adjusting the amount of materialto be dispensed and preventing dripping from the dispenser when it is not in use.
Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, there has been no dispenser for use with both liquid and granular materials which is simple and econom-ical to manufacture and operate, and can be loaded with a package containing either liquid or granular materials~
Therefore, ~he art has sought a dispenser which; can be used with a package which contains either liquid or granular materials; is economical to manufacture; is easy to use; does not have an unsightly and unsanitary mass of l}quid remalning at the nozzle of the dispenser; and can be adjusted to vary the amount of material being dispensed.
In accordance with the invention disclosed, the foregoing has been achieved through the present dispenser for use with a pacXage which contains liquid or granular material that has a resilient tube associated with the package~ The present invention includes: a housing including means for supporting a package containing liquid or granular mate-rial; a backup block having a compression surface thereon associated with the housing; a dispensing arm having a 7~
~, first end portion pivotably associated with the housing and having a second Exee end portion; a firs-t dispensing block associated with the dispensing arm and being disposed adjacent the compression surface of the backup block; and a second dispensing block pivotally and.~eldably mounted with respect to..the dispensing arm, which is disposed beneath, and spaced from the first dispensing block whereby~ upon an actuating force being imposed upon the free end portion of the dispensing arm, the first dispensing blcck contacts the resilient tube of the package at a first predetermined impact point to compress the resilient tube against the compression surface of the backup block, and the second dispensing block contacts the resilient tube at a second predetermined impact point spaced from, and below, the first impact point, to apply a force to the resilient tube.
A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the backup block is ad~ustably associated with the housing whereby, upon movement of the backup block, the amount of the compression surface adjacent the first dispensing block is varied. An additional feature is that the first dispensing block is pivotally connected to the di-spensing arm. Another feature of the present invention is that the dispensing arm is yieldable with respect to the first dispensing block, and the dispensing arm in-cludes a resilient spring disposed between the dispensing arm and the first dispensing block.
Another feature of the present invent.ion is that the second dispensing block is pivotally connected to the dispensing arm and the dispensing arm is yieldable with respect to the second dispensing block, and includes a resilient spring disposed between the dispensing arm and ~2~
..
the second dispensing block. The spring may be disposed at the pivotal connection between the dispensing arm and -the second dispensing block.
In one broad aspect -the invention pertains to a detach-able package for granular material for engagement with a separate dispenser comprising a housing having an upper and a lower end for containing the granular material. An opening is formed in the lower end of the housing and a resilient tube, having an upper and a lower end, extends downwardly from the lower end of the housing. The upper end of the tube is in communication with the opening to allow flow of the granular material from the interior of the housing into the tube with the lower end of the tube having a discharge opening therein. A slit diaphragm valve is disposed within the tube and disposed intermediate the upper and lower end of the tube effecting closure of the valve after dispensing of the granular material and adapted to be opened by the dispenser after being detachably engaged with the dis-penser to allow ready and direct egress of the granular material from the discharge opening in the tube.
A further feature of the package of the present invention is that the package includes means for directing the granular material toward the opening in the housing, and may include at least one surface which is slanted with respect to -the longitudinal axis of the housing.
A further feature of the package of the present invention is that the means for directing the granular material comprises four surfaces disposed within the lower end of the housing, which surfaces are slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing and are slanted downwardly toward the opening. A
further feature of the present invention is that the lower end of the resilient tube includes means for positioning the lower end of the resilient tube within a dispenser, and the housing may include means for positioning the lower end of the housing within a dispenser.
,.. .
"~
~, ~,, 2'~
The dispenser of the present inven~ion, when compared * with previously proposed prior art dispensers, has the advantages of ease of use~ provides a positive seal to prevent leakage of the material from the dispenseri the amount of material being dispensed can be varied, and either liquid or;granular materials can be dispensed.
In the drawings~
. FIG. 1 is.a front view of the dispenser ~or liquid or : granular materials in accordance with the present invention;
FIG~ 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of the present inv~ntion~taken along lines 2-2 of FIGo 1;
: :
. FIG~ 3 is an isometri~ of the package of the present invention; ~
FIG.-4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the pacXage of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a long-throw ball check valve for use in the dispenser of the present invention;
FIGS. 6A-6C are partial cross-sectional views of the dispenser of:the present invention illustrating the dispensing of a liquid material; and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of the present invention when dispensing granular m~terial~
While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that 3~
;~2~
it is not intended to limit 'che invention to that embodi-ment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, an equivalent~ as may be ins:luded within the spirit and scope of th~ inventic)n as 5 defined by the appended claims.
In FIGS. 1 and 2 the dispenser 81 for liquid or granular materials and the package 82 which contains liquid or granular materials are shown. The package 82 10 shown in FI~;. 2 contains liquid material (not shown) and includes a re~ilient tube 83 depending downwardly from package 82 and associated therewith~. In general, dis-penser 81 comprises a housing 84, a backup block 85 associated with housing 8i; dispensing arm 86; a first dispensing block 87, or pinch block, associated with-- dispensing arm 86; and a second dispensing block 8S, or pinch block, also associa~ed with dispensing arm 86.
Still wifh re~erence to PIGS. 1 and 2 the foregoing ~ components of dispenser 8t will be described in greater detail~ Housing 84, which may be manufactured of any suitable material~ such as plastic, includes a back member - 89 and a cover 90 which is pivotally connected to back member 89 as by pivotal connection 91~ Cover member 90 may be pivoted downwardly to open housing B4 to enable access to the interior of housing 84. Back member 89 is adapted to be mounted to any suitable surface such as a wall, mirror~ or cabinet, etc., such as by screws or an adhesive tape material. Although housing 84 is preferably made of a sùitable plastic material; any other material could be used to manufacture housing 84, provided it has the requisite strength and durability characteristics.
Housing 84 includes means for supporting package 82, which support means may support at least a portion of package 82 within housing 8~. Thus, a shelf 91 is provided which may 2Z7~1 .
be integral with back member 89. Alternatively, housing 84 could be formed so as to allcw packaye 82 to merely be placed upon the top~ of housing 84. Shelf 91 has a suit-able opening 92 formed therein to allow the resilient tube 83 of package 82:to depend downwardly through shelE 91.
Housing 84 includes internal rib members 93-95 which may be formed integral with back member 89. Rib members 93-.95 serve to support the other components of dispenser 81 within housing 84.
With re~erence to FIG. 2, it is seen that dispensing arm 86 has a first end portion 96 and a second, free end ,.
portion 97 downwardly depending from housing 84. First end portion ~6 of~dispensing arm 86 is pivotally associ-ated with housing 84 as by the pivotal connection 9R with internal ribs 93. In FIG. ~, dispensing arm 86 is shown in its non-dispensing position wherein dispensing arm 86 is slightly biased into that position by means of spring 99 disposed at pivotal connection 98. Dispensing arm 86 when used to ~ause liquid or granular material to be dispensed from dispen~er 81 will have an actuating force exerted upon it to cause dispensing arm 86 to be pivoted about pivotal connection 98 in the direction shown by arrow 100. The second, free end portion 97 o dispensing arm 86 extends downwardly from housing 84 a sufficient distance to easily enable a user of dispenser 81 to place his or her finger tips behind the free end portion g7 of dispensing arm 86 to pull it outwardly in the direction shown by arrow tO0 Still with reference to FIG. 2, it is seen that dispensing arm 86 has the first dispensin~ block 87 and the second dispensing block 88 associated therewith.
Dispensing arm 86 includes a plurality of ribs, shown ~Z27~
generally at 1 o 1 which support dispensing blocks B7 and 88, or pinch blocks/ as will he hereinafter described.
Pinch block. 87 has a depending leg member 102 which is pivotally connected to dispensing arm 86 as shown gener-ally at 103. Dispensing arm 86 is yieldable with respectto the first dispensing block 87, which yieldability i8 ~aused by: a res:ilient coil spring 104 disposed between dispensing arm 86 and pinch block 87. Spring 104 is disposed between rib 101 and dispensing block B7 in a 1~ recess 105 formed in pinch block 870 ~t is thus ~een that sprinq 104 is disposed in a spaced relationship from the plvotal connection 103 between dispensing arm 86 and the first dispensing block 87. First dispensing block 87 has a tip port~ion~106 which, in the non-dispensing~
1S location~of dispensing arm ~6 shown in FIG. 2, slightly:
abuts against resilient tube 83 at a first predetermined impact point 107 which is adjacent backup block 850 .
Second dispensing block 88 is associated with dis-penser arm ~6, as by the pivotal connection 108 between second dispensing bloc~ 88 and dispensing arm 86. Dis-pensing arm 86 has a small projection 109 formed above pivot point 108, wh~ereby a spring 110 is disposed at pi~otal connection 108 between second pinch block 88 and dispensing arm 86; the end of spring 110 being held in place by projection 109~ Thus, dispensing arm 86 is yieldable with respect to the second dispensiny block 88 via the spring biased pivotal connection 108. Pinch block 88 also has a tip portion 111; however, the tip portion 111 o~ the second dispensing block 88 is in a spaced relationship from resilient tube 83, as shown at 112, until an actuating force is imposed upon dispensing arm j 86. Thus, d:Lspensing block 88 does not apply any force to tube 83 unti:l the actuating force is applied to arm 86.
- 1 o -Second dispensing block 88 is of generally U-shaped configuration and has two upwardly extendin~ leg members 113, whereby there are two pivotal connection points 108 for second dispensing block 88 With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it i8 seen that cover 90 has an indented portion 114 for~ed therein.
Within indented portion 114, a ~lot 115 is formed through which passes an adjustiny knob 116 for moving backup block 85. Backup blocX 85 has a com~ression ~urface 117 thereon which is adjacent first dispensing block 87~ By means of any suitable connection, such as by frictional engagement between knob 116 and slot 115 or by frictional~engagement between the back portion 1t8 of backup block 85 and the interior surface of indentation 114 of cover 90, backup block 85 may be moved upwardly or downwardly an~ can be ~- held in place at any desired location. ~y movement of knob 116, thus causing the movement of ba~kup block 85, the amount of the compression surface 117 adjacent the first dispensing block 87 is varied. As will be herein-after discussed with respect to FIGS. 6A-6C and FIGo 7, by moving backup block 85 to vary the amount of compression surface 117 disposed adjacen~ first dispensing block 87, the amount of material to be dispensed is varied.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that resilient tube 83 has a fitting 119 disposed at the lower end of resilient tube 83 which engages with the ~over 90 as shown at 120 and with rib 95 of back member 89 of housing 84 as shown at 121. Preferably, rib 95 is formed with a grovve 122 which receives a raised projection 123 formed on fitting 119. With cover 90 being opened by pivoting it downwardly about pivotal connection 91~ a package 82 with resilient tube 83 having fitting 119 ~.f~ 7~
attached thereto, may be placed within housing 84 by passing resilient tube through opening 92 of shelf 91 and inserting raised portion 123 oi fitting 119 into groove 122 of rib 95. Cover 90 may then be upwardly pivoted 5 about pivot point 91 to close ciispenser 81, whereby dispenser 81 is ready to be ~sed. It should be noted that the interior, upper surface 124 of cover 90 may be pro-vided with a plurality of projections 125 which cooperate with suitable openings in package 82. Upon closing cover ~ 90, projections 125 engage with the openings 12S of package 82 to position and secure package 82 upon shelf 91 of housing 94 in cooperation with the raised side walls 127 of cover 90 and the upper end portion 128 of back member 89 of housing 84. Housing 84 may be provided with any suitable latching device tnot shownj to secure cover 90 in the closed position shown in FIG. 2 or to - allow cover 90 to be opened and pivoted about pivot point 91 to its open position.
2~ Turning now to FIG. 3, the package 82 of the present invention will be described in greater detail. Package 82 is seen to comprise a housing 129 having upper and lower ends 130 and 131 with an opening 132 formed in the lower end 131 of housing 129. Resilien~ tube 83, having an upper end 133 and a lower end 134 (FIGS. 4 and S), extends downwardly from the lower end 131 of housing 129.
The upper end 133 of resilient tube 83 is in communica-tion with opening 132. In the preferred embodiment, housing 129 is shown to have a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, but of cour~e it could be of any cross-sectional configuration, provided the mating recess for package 82. In housing 84 formed by cover 90, I
cover sidewalls 127 and back wall 128 of back member ~9 Z~71~
(FIGS. 1 and 2) conforms to the cross-sectional configu-ration of housing 129. Housing 129 may include a flexible plastic liner 135 ~or holding e~ither the granular material or liquid material to be dipensed by dispenser 81. The front, lower wall 136 of housing lZ9 has a pluralit.y of op nings 126 formed therein whi.ch cooperate with projec-tions 125 to provide a means for positioning the lower end 131 of housing 129 within dispenser B1. Of course/ it should be realized that other suitable positioning means 10. could be utilized. For example, the location of openings 126 and projections 125 could be reversed, as by providing suitable openings (not shown) in cover ~0 for engagement with suitable projections (not shown) formed on the front, lower wall of housing 129 to thereby position package 82 within housing 84 of dispenser 81.
Still referr~ing to FIGS. 3 and 4, the package for granular material 82 of the present inv~ntion will be described in greater de~ail. The lower end 134 of re-silient tube 83 has a fitting 119 attached to resilient tube 83. Fitting 11~ has a means for positioning the lower end 134 of resilient tube 83 within dispenser 81, as by the raised rib member 137, previously described in connection with slot 122 of housing 84. Intermediate the upper end 133 and lower end 134 of resilient tube 83 is disposed a slit diaphragm valve 138 which is adapted to be opened and closed by dispenser ~1 to allow egress of the granular material from resilient tube 83, as will be hereinafter described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 7O Slit diaphragm valve 138 as shown in ~IG. 4, is in the closed position whereby any granular material disposed abov~e slit diaphragm valve will be precluded from passing beyond valve 138 and is retained above the valve 138 within tube 83. Pre~erably, resilient tube 83 and ( ~20;~2 valve 138 are formed of la~ex rubber, as by injection molding. Of course any other material could be used if it has ths requisite flexibility characteristics and compati-bility for use with the materials being dispensed, as well as provides a positive seal for valve 138.
Referring back to FIG. 3, it is seen that the package 32 for granular material includes means for directing the granular material toward opening 132~ The means for directing the granular material preferably includes at least one ~urface which i~ slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of housing 12g. Preferably the means for directing the granular material comprises four sur-faces 139-142 disposed within the lower end 131 of housing 129, surfaces 139~142 being slanted with respec~ to the longitudinal axis of housing 129. A~ seen in FIG. 3, surfaces 139-142 are slanted downwardly toward opening 132, whereby a chute is formed to direct the material toward opening 132. Opening 132 is di~posed substantially in the cente~ of the lower end 131 of housing 129, but it does not necessarily have to be disposed equidistant from each oE the four walls o~ housing 129. Thus, opening 132 can be equidistant between the two side walls 143 and 144 of housing 129, but disposed closer to the front wall 136 ~5 of housing 129 as is also depicted in FIG. ~.
With respect to the package for dispensing liquid material, reference will now be made to FI~S. 3 and 5.
When liquid material is being contained within package 82, the lower end 134 of resilient tube 183 has a spring-biased, long throw, check valve 145 disposed within the lower end 134 of resilient tube 183.
~2~Z~7~
Check valve 145 includes an elongated valve housing, formed in two parts 146 and 147, having a fi.rst inlet orifice 148, and a second downstream or outlet orifice t4~ An elongated valve chamber 150 contains a ball element 151 biased toward the closed, or seated position, by a biasing element, such as a coil spring 152. When package 82 is used to contain a liquid material to be dispensed by dispenser 81, slanted surfaces 139-142 are not necessary to direct the liquid material toward opening 132, whereby if desired, slanted surfaces 139-142 may be deleted from package 820 As with granular material, package 82 may include a flexible plastic liner 135.
Valve housing member 147 may include a means for positioning the resilient tube 83 within dispenser 81 as by the raised rib portion 153 which cooperates with slot - 122 of dispenser 81 as previously described in connection with FIG. 2.
Turning now to FIGS. 6A-6C, the operation o~ the dispenser of the present invention when used to dispense a liquid material will be described. FIG. 6A illustrates the position of the components of the dispenser after an initial actuating force has been applied to dispensing arm 86 in the direction indicated by arrow 100. Upon movement of the dispensing arm 86 in the direction shown by arrow 100 first dispensing block 87 contacts resilient tube 83 at a first predetermined impact point 107 to compress the resilient tube 83 against the compression surface 117 of backup block 85. Resilient tube 83 is thus pinched off and closed~ at impact point 107, leaving liquid material 154 entrapped within the lower end 134 of resilient tube 83. The tip portion 106 of first dispensing block 87 is the part of first dispensing block 87 which first makes ~.2(1 Z;~7~3 contact with resilient tube 83 a~. impact point 107. With dispensing arm 86 in the posit:ion shown in FIG. 6A! second dispensing block 88 has been moved ~oward ~he lower end 13~ of resilient tube 83, whereby its tip portion 111 has pivoted about pivot point 108 ;n~o contact with resilient tube 83 at a second predetermined impact point 155.
Second impact point 155 is spaced from7 and below, the first impact point 107/ whereby second dispensing block 88 begins o apply a force to resilient tube 83 Turning now to FIG. 6B, the actuating force applied to dispensing arm 86 in the direction shown by arrow 100 has been continued whereby resilient tube 83 has been fully compressed between first dispensing block 87 and compression surface 117 of backup block 85. The amount of the compression surface 117 of bacXup bloc~ 85 which is utilized in FIG. 6B extends between first impaot point 107 and the lower corner 156 of compression surface 117 of backup block 85. The compression of the resilient tube 83 by first dispensing block 87 against the portion of compression surface 117 disposed between impact point 107 and`the lower corner 156 of backup hlock 85 causes the liquid material 154 to be moved downwardly through resil-ient tube 83 and into the inlet orifice 148 of the check valve 145. The pressure of the liquid material 154 disposed within the lower end 134 of resilient tube 83 overcomes the biasing force of spring 152 and check valve 145, whereby ball element 151 moves downwardly allowing liquid material 154 to pass through the check valve 145 and through outlet orifice 149.
It should be noted that by moving adjustment knob 116 of backup block 185 downwardly, first dispensing block 87 would be compressing resilient tube 83 against a greater 7~
amount of compression surface 117 disposed between first impact point tO7 and the lower edge 156 of compression surface 117 of backup block 85. Thus, more compressive force would be imposed upon the liquid material 154 disposed in the lower end 134 Qf resilient tube 183~ and accordingly a greater volume of viscous liquid would be forced out of check valve 145. Likewise, by moving adjustmen knob 116 upwardly, al lesser amount of compres-sion surface 117 of backup block 85 would be cooperating with first dispensing block 87, whereby less compressive force would be generated which would result in less viscous material being forced out of check valve 145.
Turning now to FIG. 6C, the actuating force upon dispensing arm 86 has ceased and dispensing arm 86 is returning to its normal position as has been described in connection with FIG. 2. Cessation of the actuating force on dispensing arm 86 stops the generation of the compres-sive force on the viscous liquid within the resilient tube 83, whereby the biasing force of spring 152 and check valve 145 becomes do~inant and forcefully throws the ball element t51 upwardly toward and against its seat adjacent : inlet orifice 148. The rapid return of the ball element 151 to i~s sea~ adjacent the inlet orifice 148 within the valve chamber 150 generates a suction force which draws any viscous liquid that remains adjacent the exterior of outlet orifice 149 back into valve chamber 150 or into tube 83. Therefore, unsightly and unsanitary coagulation and accumulation of viscous liquid about the exterior of the check valve 145 is effectively prohibited.
~ urning now to FIG. 7, the dispenser of the present invention is shown dispensing a granular material 157.
The dispensing arm 86 is in the same position as that ~.2~ `7~
shown and described in FIG. 6A. When the dispenser of the present invention is utilized to dispense granular material, it is seen that the force imposed by second dispens.ing block 88 at the second predetermined impact point 155 is applied to the slit diaphragm valve 138 which is disposed intermediate the ends 133 and 134 of resilient ~ube 83. Thus, second dispensing block 88 causes slit diaphragm valve 138 to open which allows egress of granular material 157 from tube 83~ Upon cessation of the actuating force being applied to dis-pensing arm 86, the cessation of the force exerted uponslit diaphrag~ valve 138 by second dispensing block 88 allows slit diaphragm valve 138 to assume its normal closed position and prevent further egress of granular material rom resilient tube 83.
It is to be understood that the invention i5 not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or embodiments shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art; for example, the location of the components within the housing could be reversed whereby the dispenser is actuated by a pushing movement, rather than a pulling movement of the dispenser arm. Accord-ingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.
Claims (7)
1. A detachable package for granular material for engagement with a separate dispenser, comprising:
a housing, having an upper and a lower end, for containing said granular material;
an opening formed in the lower end of said housing, a resilient tube, having an upper and a lower end, extending downwardly from the lower end of said housing, the upper end of said tube being in communication with said opening to allow flow of said granular material from the interior of the housing into said tube, said lower end of said tube having a discharge opening therein; and a slit diaphragm valve disposed within said tube and disposed intermediate the upper and lower end of the tube effecting closure of said valve after dispensing of said granular material and adapted to be opened by said dispenser after being detachably engaged with said dispenser to allow ready and direct egress of said granular material from said discharge opening in said tube.
a housing, having an upper and a lower end, for containing said granular material;
an opening formed in the lower end of said housing, a resilient tube, having an upper and a lower end, extending downwardly from the lower end of said housing, the upper end of said tube being in communication with said opening to allow flow of said granular material from the interior of the housing into said tube, said lower end of said tube having a discharge opening therein; and a slit diaphragm valve disposed within said tube and disposed intermediate the upper and lower end of the tube effecting closure of said valve after dispensing of said granular material and adapted to be opened by said dispenser after being detachably engaged with said dispenser to allow ready and direct egress of said granular material from said discharge opening in said tube.
2. The package of claim 1, further including means for directing the granular material toward said opening.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein said means for directing includes at least one surface which is slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of said housing.
4. The package of claim 3, wherein said means for direct-ing comprises four surfaces disposed within the lower end of said housing, which surfaces are slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of said housing and are slanted downwardly toward said opening.
5. The package of claim 1, which includes a flexible plastic liner disposed within said housing, which liner is adapted to contain the granular material.
6. The package of claim 1, wherein the lower end of the resilient tube includes means for positioning the lower end of said tube within such a dispenser.
7. The package of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted for operative location in a dispenser as claimed in claim 1.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000427866A CA1202278A (en) | 1980-08-11 | 1983-05-10 | Package for liquid or granular materials |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/176,909 US4394938A (en) | 1980-08-11 | 1980-08-11 | Dispenser and package for liquid or granular materials |
| CA000372694A CA1151607A (en) | 1980-08-11 | 1981-03-10 | Dispenser and package for liquid or granular materials |
| CA000427866A CA1202278A (en) | 1980-08-11 | 1983-05-10 | Package for liquid or granular materials |
| US176,909 | 1988-04-04 |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000372694A Division CA1151607A (en) | 1980-08-11 | 1981-03-10 | Dispenser and package for liquid or granular materials |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1202278A true CA1202278A (en) | 1986-03-25 |
Family
ID=25669273
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000427866A Expired CA1202278A (en) | 1980-08-11 | 1983-05-10 | Package for liquid or granular materials |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1202278A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-05-10 CA CA000427866A patent/CA1202278A/en not_active Expired
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |