CA2163766A1 - Dispensing mechanism - Google Patents
Dispensing mechanismInfo
- Publication number
- CA2163766A1 CA2163766A1 CA 2163766 CA2163766A CA2163766A1 CA 2163766 A1 CA2163766 A1 CA 2163766A1 CA 2163766 CA2163766 CA 2163766 CA 2163766 A CA2163766 A CA 2163766A CA 2163766 A1 CA2163766 A1 CA 2163766A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bung
- bladder
- dispensing mechanism
- orifice
- brush
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
- A46B11/001—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs
- A46B11/002—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means
- A46B11/0024—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means with a permanently displaceable pressurising member that remain in position unless actuated, e.g. lead-screw or ratchet mechanisms, toothpaste tube twisting or rolling devices
- A46B11/0034—Means comprising a rachet mechanism or equivalent for advancing the piston stepwise
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
- A46B11/001—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs
- A46B11/002—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means
- A46B11/0024—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means with a permanently displaceable pressurising member that remain in position unless actuated, e.g. lead-screw or ratchet mechanisms, toothpaste tube twisting or rolling devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
- A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
Landscapes
- Brushes (AREA)
- Coating Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
A dispensing mechanism comprises a storage volume characterised by a bladder (30) having an exit orifice (36). A bung (40) having projections (41) is driven by the drive device (42) along the member (44) in one direction in the manner of a ratchet type mechanism as the drive device (42) is oscillated by the lever (50). The member (44) has serrations (46) which engage teeth (49) at one end of lever (50). The lever (50) is pivoted at (52) providing a reduction drive arrangement. A paste, liquid or similar flowable material is contained in the bladder (30) or alternatively within the volume enclosed by the barrel sections (22, 24). In the figure the exit orifice (36) is connected to a brush head having a nipple valve assembly (14) through which the substance is exuded as bung (40) compresses the bladder (30). The dispensing mechanism can be used with other arrangements such as to dispense medicines, paints or the like. The brush head (12) may be a tooth-brush floor brush, shoe brush or similar. Where medicine is dispensed the nipple valve arrangement (14) may comprise a single nipple. When the material being dispensed is not contained in a bladder (30) a seal strip may be employed to contain a material within the volume defined by the sections (22, 24) with the bung (40) having a hollow cavity into which the seal strip is wound as it advances.
Description
~W094/27~5 ~1 6 3 7 6 6 PCTIAU94/00275 DISPENSING MECHANISM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a dispensing ,I mechanism and, in particular to a dispensing mechanism for use in combination with a tooth-brush or an ethical dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE lNv~NlION
Tooth-brushes having integral toothpaste dispensing means are known. One type of paste dispensing tooth-brush is described in PCT/AU84/00154 (WO85/00731) and employs a screw threaded central rod in the cavity cont~;~ing the tooth paste along which a disc is advanced. With this type of dispensing mechanism the central rod reduces the volume of dispensable material that can be accommodated and the mech~nifi~ is difficult to operate or re-charge.
Another type of paste dispensing tooth-brush is described in PCT/US91/07153 (W092/05721) but requires a pressure source to dispense the paste.
SUMMARY OF THE lNV~N'l'lON
The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantage in this type of prior art dispensing mechanism or at least to provide an alternative thereto.
According to one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a dispensing mech~nis~ including a storage volume for storing a dispensable material having at one end a means movable within said storage volume and at the other end an orifice through which said dispensable material may be expelled, driving means exterior to said storage volume and operatively connected to said movable means for effecting W094/27~5 2 ~ 6 ~ ~ ~ PCTIAU94/002 ~
repeatable, uni-directional .l~ovelllent thereof within said volume to thereby dispense said material from said orifice.
According to one aspect of the invention the movable t means preferably comprises a bung and said driving means in combination with said bung comprises a ratchet type drive mech~nism while said storsge volume comprises a bladder.
According to another aspect of the invention there is a provided a paste dispensing tooth brush including a handle portion and a brush head portion, the handle portion further including a barrel cont~i n ing a bladder filled with a dispensable paste, and having a discharge orifice, a bung at a distal end of the handle remote from said brush head having motion effecting means, a drive mechanism including a recriprocating member located within said handle portion adjacent said bladder and having means operatively connected at one end to said bung by engaging said motion effecting means, and engaged by a pivoted member operated by an arm at the other end, said arm being rotatably fixed within said handle portion and having a limited rotational movement;
said head portion including a plurality of dispensing 25 elements, each element being connected to said discharge orifice whereby by said limited rotational movement of said arm said bung moves a prescribed increment uni-directionally within said barrel toward . said brush head portion thereby compressing said 30 bladder and forcing said paste through said dispensing elements.
The dispensing mechanism can also be used for the dispensing of liquid or of other suitable flowable material in fixed quantities, which will be clearer ~ W094l27~5 2 1 6 3 7 G ~ PCTIAU94/00275 from the description below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with respect to the following figures in which:
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention where the dispensing mechanism is incorporated in a tooth-brush;
Figure 2 shows a variation of the embodiment of Figure l;
Figures 3 (a),(b) (c) show in greater detail some of the elements shown in Figures 1 or 2; and Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the dispensing mechanism is incorporated in an ethical dispenser.
PREFERRED MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE lWV~NlION
Figure 1 shows in an exploded schematic form the elements of a re-chargeable tooth-brush incorporating a dispensing mech~nism according to the invention. A
brush head portion 10 includes a plurality of bristles 12 and embedded centrally of the brush head a plurality of nipple valves 14 which in turn are connected to the hollow bore 16 of the brush head 10.
To enable the consumable paste to be replaced the brush head is detachable from the rear barrel section 20.
The barrel section 20 is comprised of two half sections 22, 24 which may be joined in any ~-nner W094/27~5 2 ¦ 6 3 7 6 6 PCT/AU94/002 ~
within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
For example, the two sections 22, 24 may be a sliding or press fit. Alternatively the barrel may comprise a hinged shell with the rear of the barrel parts 22, 24 interconnected first and then rotated shut, the respective parts bearing co-operating members to engage and hold the parts together in the manner of a snap fit when so closed.
Similarly, the brush head portion 10 and the barrel portion 20 are demountable and joined, for example by being screwed together or by the rear portion 18 of the brush head portion being a snap fit onto the leading portion 26 of the barrel 20.
The barrel 20 houses the bladder 30, which, referring to Figure 3(a), has a rigid disc portion 32 to which is attached a compressible closed cylindrical sleeve 34. A tube 36 extends from the disc portion 32 and is designed to connect to the bore 16 in the brush head portion 10 when the barrel 20 is joined thereto.
A bung 40 having rearwardly directed prongs or projections 41a, 41b is located hehin~ the bladder 30.
A drive device 42 comprising a reciprocating actuating member 44 extends the length of the bladder 30 (in its filled state) to terminate adjacent to the bung 40 and projection 4lb. Member 44 can be accommodated in a groove of the barrel section 22.
Projection 41b of bung 40 rests against member 44 while projection 41a rests against the inside of the upper barrel section 24, the pair 41a, 41b of projections being provided to better align the bung 40 centrally in the barrel during movement. A s~rip (not shown) similar to member 44 may be included fixed to ~W094/27~5 PCT/AU94/0027S
_5_ 21 ~3 766 the inside of the upper barrel section 24 to provide a pathway along which projection 4la can move although the bung 40 is primarily advanced by projection 41b engaging the member 44.
Member 44 has at the opposite end a series of serrations 46 which cooperate with the teeth 49 of the lower foot portion 48 attached to the hand activated lever 50 to oscillate member 44 and thereby advance the bung 40 in one direction (to the left or forwardly as shown in the figure) as will presently be described.
To better enable member 44 to grip the bung 40 the member 44 may be provided with small ramped projections having forwardly inclined rear surfaces and abrupt upright front faces as familiar in cable ties or certain merch~n~ise tags. These latter projections and the projection 41b would co-operate to allow only a uni-directional advance of bung 40, for example in the manner of a ratchet and allowing substantially free movement in the reverse direction.
Alternatively the projection 41b may be sufficiently flexible to allow relatively free rearward movement of member 44 while gripping the member 44 when it is advanced forwardly, for example by projection 41b having a knife edge which catches on member 44 when moving forward.
In place of the co-operation of serrations 46 and teeth 49 to convey the motion of the hand activated lever 50 to the member 44, the lever 50 may be connected directly with the member 44, for example by being connected therewith by a flexible resilient bridge or hinge. Alternatively, the bottom of lever S0 might fit into a funnel shaped cup or a ball joint W094/27~5 2 ~ ~ 3 ~ 6 G 6- PCT/AU94/0027~
pivot formed on the oscillating member 44, the cup or pivot allowing the necessary range of movement to provide the required reciprocation stroke of member 44.
The lever 50 pivots about the pivot point 52 while rotating between the stops 54, 56 provided in the barrel casing 24. The lever 50 may move along a single arcuate path or may be provided with a series of stepped intermediate stop positions along the arcuate path between the limits 54, 56.
The number of serrations 46 and teeth 49 need only be sufficient to accommodate the motion of the lever 50 between the stops 54, 56 (or an intermediate stop position), to in turn correspond to the movement required to advance the bung 40 a predetermined increment to discharge the desired amount from the bladder 30.
A gain mech~ni fi - may be interposed between lever 50 and member 44, for example an overdrive or a reduction mechAnism, to zmplify or reduce respectively the movement of the bung 40 as required. This is provided most easily by the choice of the position of the pivot 52 as near to or as far away from the member 44 as required to provide the desired gain by the principle of leverage.
The nearer to the member 44 the pivot point 52 is positioned the greater the reduction provided. This may be required to provide an enhanced force in cases where a viscous paste or liquid is being dispensed or to provide the required movement to better specify the quantity being dispensed. For example, as shown in Figure 3 (c), by locating the pivot point 52 at a point one fifth of the total length of lever S0 from ~W094/27~5 21 63 7 6G PCT/AU94/00275 member 44, a 1:4 reduction is produced such that an 8mm. arc movement of lever 50 advances the bung 2mm..
Obviously the discharged volume will depend on the diameter of the bladder 30.
Locating the pivot 52 nearer the exterior of the upper barrel section 24 provides an amplified movement of bung 40 compared to that available through the fixed arc of movement of lever 50. This may be useful if the quantity to be dispensed is large and a large movement of lever 50 is impratical or undesired.
Referring to Figure 3(c) the pivot point 52 is defined by an aperture (not shown) in barrel section 20 into which an axle or shaft 53 attached to lever 50 fits.
The aperture may accommodate a ball socket bearing for smoother operation. Lever 50 has an upst~n~ing portion 5Oa with finger operated knob 51, a ring shaped body portion 50b, the central hollow of which allows a path for discharge of the contents of bladder 30, and a lower foot portion 48 carrying teeth 49.
Assuming the rest position of the lever 50 is forward then moving the lever 50 rearward will discharge paste in the following ~nn~r. When the lever 50 is moved rearward the member 44 is moved forwardly an amount depending on the position of pivot point 52. This movement as stated above may be identical, increased or decreased as the case may be compared to the movement of the knob 51 between the stops 54, 56. As the member 44 moves forward it is grasped by the - projection 41b of bung 40. The movement of bung 40 compresses the material in the bladder 30 thereby forcing it along the tube 36 to the bore 16 and thence from the nipple valve members 14 onto the surface of the brush bristles.
W094/27~S PCTIAU94/002~
21637 ~6 ~
To reset the mechanism the lever 50 is moved forwardly which forces the member 44 rearwardly and in so doing it slides past the projection 41b of bung 40 leaving the bung 40 in its last forward position. This se~uence may be repeated until the contents of the bladder 30 are used up, which fact may be indicated by a gauge, for example a window extending along the barrel viewing the bung's advance and marked with "full and "empty" indications, or a suitable stop may be provided within the barrel.
In addition to the bladder 30 containing toothpaste a further rear chamber 60 may be provided in the barrel 20 to contain dental floss which may be dispensed from an aperture 62 provided with a serrated or knife edge to cut the floss at a desired length. Alternatively, tooth picks may be dispensed from such a chamber.
Referring to Figure 3(a), the nipple valve 14 is shown in greater detail as comprising a base 66 and a series of upst~n~ing discharge elements 68 having a hollow interior 70 terminating in a narrow gap or orifice 72.
The nipple valve 14 is made of 8 resilient material such as rubber or plastics material. The area 74 around the gap 72 is provided with more of the resilient material whereby there is a tendency for the gap 72 to be closed, the gap 72 being opened by the pressure of material being forced into the space 70.
The tendency of the gap 72 to be closed tends to eve~lt desiccation of the paste and consequent seizure or blockage of the paste within the gap 72.
The nipple valve 14 is designed to issue paste level with the bristles 12 and in the middle of the brush head 10, a feature missing from many prior art arrangements.
In addition, the brush head 12 may be provided with a ,~094l27~S PCT/AU94tOOt75 ~ 21 63 7~6 g cover (not shown) which encloses the volume of the brush head and nipple valve 14 thereby limiting desiccation. The cover may be designed to ensure retention of moisture to further reduce desiccation, for example to avail of the moisture remaining on the brush head subsequent to its cleansing after use.
The cover will also protect against contamination of the brush head by lint or other matter. A cover may also be provided to ensure sterility of the brush head prior to sale with the cap being held securely in place by a locking mechanism which is released, for example by using the lever 50.
With the construction shown in Figure 1 it would be possible to replace the bladder 30 by disassembling the barrel 20 from the brush head portion 10, opening the barrel 20 by dividing sections 22, 24, removing the old bladder 30 and replacing with a new bladder of similar ~ ions filled with paste. With the barrel 20 open and before the new bladder is inserted, the bung 40 is reset to the start or ~full~ position. The barrel sections 22, 24 are then reassembled ensuring the lever 50 is located correctly as the sections are re-~oined.
The replaceable insert as shown more clearly in Fig. 3(b) may be provided with a plug (not shown) at the end of the tube 36 to prevent loss or desiccation of the material contained in the bladder chamber 34.
A rigid cover or housing may also be provided to be removed prior to use to ensure esse of transport or - 30 storage so that the bladder 34 is not stressed or compressed in a ~nner that would lead to a rupture of the plug or of the flexible bladder 34 or to prevent flavour degradation of the paste, as the latter is provided for in the manufacture of toothpaste in 35 tubes.
W094/27~5 PCT/AU94/002~
~` 216~76~ , The additional floss dispenser in the volume 60 may also be replaceable in a similar manner, the replacement floss material being contained in a sterile contA i ner with a rupturable seal for dispensing the material when ready for use.
~igure 2 shows a non-refillable version of the embodiment of Figure 1 where like integers are identified by like numerals.
In this embodiment the tooth-brush is made in two halves 100 and 102 which can be joined together, for example, by clipping. There is no bladder 30, the volume 104 between the halves 100, 102 forming the paste storage volume. The bung 106 is adjacent to and at one end of drive rod 108, the equivalent of reciprocating actuating member 44. Drive rod 108 is operated by finger knob 110 and is accommodated in recess 109 of the upper housing 100. In this case it is projection 41a that engages the drive rod 108 and projection 41b of the bung 106 may be accommodated in a groove in the lower barrel section 102.
There is a direct connection from knob 110 to rod 108 although a mechanical advantage or gain may also be provided if required as described above. The bung 106 and arm 108 co-operate to provide a drive mech~nism advancing the bung 106 uni-directionally as described above to provide (preferably) multiple discharges.
Without the containment provided by bladder 30 the paste may ooze from the housing during operation. To avoid this a retractable seal 112 is included along arm 108 between it and the paste contained in volume 104. The "O" ring seal 114 at the front of bung 106 is also included for this reason.
W094/27~5 PCT/AU94/00275 As the bung 106 advances the seal 112 is wound into cavity 116 in the middle of bung 106, peeled off "
with the aid of the forwardly pointed knife edge 118.
Alternatively, the seal strip 112 may pass through cavity 116 and exit through a rear orifice (not shown) in bung 106 to prevent the sea~ strip 112 jamming within cavity 116 and so impeding advance of the bung.
Once the capacity of the volume 104 has been exhausted the tooth-brush can be discarded or the tooth-brush can be used on its own.
In this embodiment the tooth-brush is assembled and the paste is inserted into the volume 104 after assembly. To do this a flexible hollow tube is inserted through an aperture, towards the front of the barrel section 102, which allows access to volume 104 and is moved to the rear of the volume 104. As the tube is withdrawn paste is expelled therefrom into and filling the volume 104. With the volume 104 filled the tube is withdrawn from the aperture which is then sealed, for example by glueing or a screw stopper.
A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4 and comprises an ethical dispenser. The dispenser may be used for delivering quantities of a liquid, cream or paste material in measured amounts, for example as stipulated by a prescription. Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment similar to that described above with respect to Figure 1.
The dispenser as shown incorporates a replaceable bladder 30 although a non-replaceable version of the dispenser as described above with respect to Figure 2 may be used. Equally, it is contemplated that a W094/27~ 2 ~ 6 3 7 6 6 PCT/AU94/0027~
combination of features of these two embodiments may be used, for example a disposable version with a reduction drive rather than a direct drive as illustrated in Figure 2.
Like numerals in Figure 4 are used to describe like features as described above with respect to Figure 1.
In this embodiment in place of the brush head having a nipple valve member with a number of nipple orifices, a single nipple orifice 80 is used which may be screw threaded to the barrel portion 20 as shown at 82.
For convenience the dispensing device may be provided with a foot stand 84 to enable the dispenser to be stored in an upright position. A cap 86 is provided to enclose the nipple 80 and at least the operating mechanism 88. The cap 86 may also be provided of a shape such that it forces closed the nipple valve 80 when the cap is in place. In addition, where applicable, a child proof cap may be employed. The operating mechanism 88 is of the type described above, that is such as to advance the bung 40 uni-directionally.
In some applications, the bladder 30 may be provided with a medicine in powder form to which sterile water has to be added prior to use. To make this easier the bladder 30 may be made such that the tube 36 can be unscrewed from disc 32 to provide a larger hole than would be available by filling via tube 36.
A window may show remaining contents as described above and stick-on labels may be used to indicate when dosages are to be given or can be used to check ~W094/27~5 ~16~ ~6 PCT/AU94/00275 whether they have in fact been given. For example, if a medication is required twice daily the label may have along the window marks corresponding to "a.m."
- and "p.m.", the position of the bung giving when the last dosage was taken. If a dosage is missed this will be indicated by the bung position not corresponding to the time of day.
The dispensing mechanism according to the invention can be applied in the dispensing of any liquid, cream, paste or flowable material. Though the above descriptions have been specific to dental or medical applications it is also contemplated that the dispensing mech~ni~ can be employed in other situations, for example, in place of a tooth-brush, the dispensing mech~ni R~ may be used in combination with a floor or shoe brush such that a fixed quantity of cleansing agent or polish may be dispensed into the area of the bristles.
Equally the mechanism may be used to dispense artist~s paints singly or in combinations. In the latter case ~everal dispensers each storing a primary colour may be combined whereby dispensing colour from each in the required proportions will provide a given intermediete colour, for example red and blue to give purple.
Required shades of colours can also be made up in this way due to the feature of the mech~nism to dispense fixed quantities of material. To prevent the paint from drying out a screw cap can be provided.
It is contemplated that the dispensing mechanism and any associated components are made of a suitable plastics material with the bladder being made of a flexible rubber, latex or similar material though other materials are contemplated within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a dispensing ,I mechanism and, in particular to a dispensing mechanism for use in combination with a tooth-brush or an ethical dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE lNv~NlION
Tooth-brushes having integral toothpaste dispensing means are known. One type of paste dispensing tooth-brush is described in PCT/AU84/00154 (WO85/00731) and employs a screw threaded central rod in the cavity cont~;~ing the tooth paste along which a disc is advanced. With this type of dispensing mechanism the central rod reduces the volume of dispensable material that can be accommodated and the mech~nifi~ is difficult to operate or re-charge.
Another type of paste dispensing tooth-brush is described in PCT/US91/07153 (W092/05721) but requires a pressure source to dispense the paste.
SUMMARY OF THE lNV~N'l'lON
The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantage in this type of prior art dispensing mechanism or at least to provide an alternative thereto.
According to one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a dispensing mech~nis~ including a storage volume for storing a dispensable material having at one end a means movable within said storage volume and at the other end an orifice through which said dispensable material may be expelled, driving means exterior to said storage volume and operatively connected to said movable means for effecting W094/27~5 2 ~ 6 ~ ~ ~ PCTIAU94/002 ~
repeatable, uni-directional .l~ovelllent thereof within said volume to thereby dispense said material from said orifice.
According to one aspect of the invention the movable t means preferably comprises a bung and said driving means in combination with said bung comprises a ratchet type drive mech~nism while said storsge volume comprises a bladder.
According to another aspect of the invention there is a provided a paste dispensing tooth brush including a handle portion and a brush head portion, the handle portion further including a barrel cont~i n ing a bladder filled with a dispensable paste, and having a discharge orifice, a bung at a distal end of the handle remote from said brush head having motion effecting means, a drive mechanism including a recriprocating member located within said handle portion adjacent said bladder and having means operatively connected at one end to said bung by engaging said motion effecting means, and engaged by a pivoted member operated by an arm at the other end, said arm being rotatably fixed within said handle portion and having a limited rotational movement;
said head portion including a plurality of dispensing 25 elements, each element being connected to said discharge orifice whereby by said limited rotational movement of said arm said bung moves a prescribed increment uni-directionally within said barrel toward . said brush head portion thereby compressing said 30 bladder and forcing said paste through said dispensing elements.
The dispensing mechanism can also be used for the dispensing of liquid or of other suitable flowable material in fixed quantities, which will be clearer ~ W094l27~5 2 1 6 3 7 G ~ PCTIAU94/00275 from the description below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with respect to the following figures in which:
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention where the dispensing mechanism is incorporated in a tooth-brush;
Figure 2 shows a variation of the embodiment of Figure l;
Figures 3 (a),(b) (c) show in greater detail some of the elements shown in Figures 1 or 2; and Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the dispensing mechanism is incorporated in an ethical dispenser.
PREFERRED MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE lWV~NlION
Figure 1 shows in an exploded schematic form the elements of a re-chargeable tooth-brush incorporating a dispensing mech~nism according to the invention. A
brush head portion 10 includes a plurality of bristles 12 and embedded centrally of the brush head a plurality of nipple valves 14 which in turn are connected to the hollow bore 16 of the brush head 10.
To enable the consumable paste to be replaced the brush head is detachable from the rear barrel section 20.
The barrel section 20 is comprised of two half sections 22, 24 which may be joined in any ~-nner W094/27~5 2 ¦ 6 3 7 6 6 PCT/AU94/002 ~
within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
For example, the two sections 22, 24 may be a sliding or press fit. Alternatively the barrel may comprise a hinged shell with the rear of the barrel parts 22, 24 interconnected first and then rotated shut, the respective parts bearing co-operating members to engage and hold the parts together in the manner of a snap fit when so closed.
Similarly, the brush head portion 10 and the barrel portion 20 are demountable and joined, for example by being screwed together or by the rear portion 18 of the brush head portion being a snap fit onto the leading portion 26 of the barrel 20.
The barrel 20 houses the bladder 30, which, referring to Figure 3(a), has a rigid disc portion 32 to which is attached a compressible closed cylindrical sleeve 34. A tube 36 extends from the disc portion 32 and is designed to connect to the bore 16 in the brush head portion 10 when the barrel 20 is joined thereto.
A bung 40 having rearwardly directed prongs or projections 41a, 41b is located hehin~ the bladder 30.
A drive device 42 comprising a reciprocating actuating member 44 extends the length of the bladder 30 (in its filled state) to terminate adjacent to the bung 40 and projection 4lb. Member 44 can be accommodated in a groove of the barrel section 22.
Projection 41b of bung 40 rests against member 44 while projection 41a rests against the inside of the upper barrel section 24, the pair 41a, 41b of projections being provided to better align the bung 40 centrally in the barrel during movement. A s~rip (not shown) similar to member 44 may be included fixed to ~W094/27~5 PCT/AU94/0027S
_5_ 21 ~3 766 the inside of the upper barrel section 24 to provide a pathway along which projection 4la can move although the bung 40 is primarily advanced by projection 41b engaging the member 44.
Member 44 has at the opposite end a series of serrations 46 which cooperate with the teeth 49 of the lower foot portion 48 attached to the hand activated lever 50 to oscillate member 44 and thereby advance the bung 40 in one direction (to the left or forwardly as shown in the figure) as will presently be described.
To better enable member 44 to grip the bung 40 the member 44 may be provided with small ramped projections having forwardly inclined rear surfaces and abrupt upright front faces as familiar in cable ties or certain merch~n~ise tags. These latter projections and the projection 41b would co-operate to allow only a uni-directional advance of bung 40, for example in the manner of a ratchet and allowing substantially free movement in the reverse direction.
Alternatively the projection 41b may be sufficiently flexible to allow relatively free rearward movement of member 44 while gripping the member 44 when it is advanced forwardly, for example by projection 41b having a knife edge which catches on member 44 when moving forward.
In place of the co-operation of serrations 46 and teeth 49 to convey the motion of the hand activated lever 50 to the member 44, the lever 50 may be connected directly with the member 44, for example by being connected therewith by a flexible resilient bridge or hinge. Alternatively, the bottom of lever S0 might fit into a funnel shaped cup or a ball joint W094/27~5 2 ~ ~ 3 ~ 6 G 6- PCT/AU94/0027~
pivot formed on the oscillating member 44, the cup or pivot allowing the necessary range of movement to provide the required reciprocation stroke of member 44.
The lever 50 pivots about the pivot point 52 while rotating between the stops 54, 56 provided in the barrel casing 24. The lever 50 may move along a single arcuate path or may be provided with a series of stepped intermediate stop positions along the arcuate path between the limits 54, 56.
The number of serrations 46 and teeth 49 need only be sufficient to accommodate the motion of the lever 50 between the stops 54, 56 (or an intermediate stop position), to in turn correspond to the movement required to advance the bung 40 a predetermined increment to discharge the desired amount from the bladder 30.
A gain mech~ni fi - may be interposed between lever 50 and member 44, for example an overdrive or a reduction mechAnism, to zmplify or reduce respectively the movement of the bung 40 as required. This is provided most easily by the choice of the position of the pivot 52 as near to or as far away from the member 44 as required to provide the desired gain by the principle of leverage.
The nearer to the member 44 the pivot point 52 is positioned the greater the reduction provided. This may be required to provide an enhanced force in cases where a viscous paste or liquid is being dispensed or to provide the required movement to better specify the quantity being dispensed. For example, as shown in Figure 3 (c), by locating the pivot point 52 at a point one fifth of the total length of lever S0 from ~W094/27~5 21 63 7 6G PCT/AU94/00275 member 44, a 1:4 reduction is produced such that an 8mm. arc movement of lever 50 advances the bung 2mm..
Obviously the discharged volume will depend on the diameter of the bladder 30.
Locating the pivot 52 nearer the exterior of the upper barrel section 24 provides an amplified movement of bung 40 compared to that available through the fixed arc of movement of lever 50. This may be useful if the quantity to be dispensed is large and a large movement of lever 50 is impratical or undesired.
Referring to Figure 3(c) the pivot point 52 is defined by an aperture (not shown) in barrel section 20 into which an axle or shaft 53 attached to lever 50 fits.
The aperture may accommodate a ball socket bearing for smoother operation. Lever 50 has an upst~n~ing portion 5Oa with finger operated knob 51, a ring shaped body portion 50b, the central hollow of which allows a path for discharge of the contents of bladder 30, and a lower foot portion 48 carrying teeth 49.
Assuming the rest position of the lever 50 is forward then moving the lever 50 rearward will discharge paste in the following ~nn~r. When the lever 50 is moved rearward the member 44 is moved forwardly an amount depending on the position of pivot point 52. This movement as stated above may be identical, increased or decreased as the case may be compared to the movement of the knob 51 between the stops 54, 56. As the member 44 moves forward it is grasped by the - projection 41b of bung 40. The movement of bung 40 compresses the material in the bladder 30 thereby forcing it along the tube 36 to the bore 16 and thence from the nipple valve members 14 onto the surface of the brush bristles.
W094/27~S PCTIAU94/002~
21637 ~6 ~
To reset the mechanism the lever 50 is moved forwardly which forces the member 44 rearwardly and in so doing it slides past the projection 41b of bung 40 leaving the bung 40 in its last forward position. This se~uence may be repeated until the contents of the bladder 30 are used up, which fact may be indicated by a gauge, for example a window extending along the barrel viewing the bung's advance and marked with "full and "empty" indications, or a suitable stop may be provided within the barrel.
In addition to the bladder 30 containing toothpaste a further rear chamber 60 may be provided in the barrel 20 to contain dental floss which may be dispensed from an aperture 62 provided with a serrated or knife edge to cut the floss at a desired length. Alternatively, tooth picks may be dispensed from such a chamber.
Referring to Figure 3(a), the nipple valve 14 is shown in greater detail as comprising a base 66 and a series of upst~n~ing discharge elements 68 having a hollow interior 70 terminating in a narrow gap or orifice 72.
The nipple valve 14 is made of 8 resilient material such as rubber or plastics material. The area 74 around the gap 72 is provided with more of the resilient material whereby there is a tendency for the gap 72 to be closed, the gap 72 being opened by the pressure of material being forced into the space 70.
The tendency of the gap 72 to be closed tends to eve~lt desiccation of the paste and consequent seizure or blockage of the paste within the gap 72.
The nipple valve 14 is designed to issue paste level with the bristles 12 and in the middle of the brush head 10, a feature missing from many prior art arrangements.
In addition, the brush head 12 may be provided with a ,~094l27~S PCT/AU94tOOt75 ~ 21 63 7~6 g cover (not shown) which encloses the volume of the brush head and nipple valve 14 thereby limiting desiccation. The cover may be designed to ensure retention of moisture to further reduce desiccation, for example to avail of the moisture remaining on the brush head subsequent to its cleansing after use.
The cover will also protect against contamination of the brush head by lint or other matter. A cover may also be provided to ensure sterility of the brush head prior to sale with the cap being held securely in place by a locking mechanism which is released, for example by using the lever 50.
With the construction shown in Figure 1 it would be possible to replace the bladder 30 by disassembling the barrel 20 from the brush head portion 10, opening the barrel 20 by dividing sections 22, 24, removing the old bladder 30 and replacing with a new bladder of similar ~ ions filled with paste. With the barrel 20 open and before the new bladder is inserted, the bung 40 is reset to the start or ~full~ position. The barrel sections 22, 24 are then reassembled ensuring the lever 50 is located correctly as the sections are re-~oined.
The replaceable insert as shown more clearly in Fig. 3(b) may be provided with a plug (not shown) at the end of the tube 36 to prevent loss or desiccation of the material contained in the bladder chamber 34.
A rigid cover or housing may also be provided to be removed prior to use to ensure esse of transport or - 30 storage so that the bladder 34 is not stressed or compressed in a ~nner that would lead to a rupture of the plug or of the flexible bladder 34 or to prevent flavour degradation of the paste, as the latter is provided for in the manufacture of toothpaste in 35 tubes.
W094/27~5 PCT/AU94/002~
~` 216~76~ , The additional floss dispenser in the volume 60 may also be replaceable in a similar manner, the replacement floss material being contained in a sterile contA i ner with a rupturable seal for dispensing the material when ready for use.
~igure 2 shows a non-refillable version of the embodiment of Figure 1 where like integers are identified by like numerals.
In this embodiment the tooth-brush is made in two halves 100 and 102 which can be joined together, for example, by clipping. There is no bladder 30, the volume 104 between the halves 100, 102 forming the paste storage volume. The bung 106 is adjacent to and at one end of drive rod 108, the equivalent of reciprocating actuating member 44. Drive rod 108 is operated by finger knob 110 and is accommodated in recess 109 of the upper housing 100. In this case it is projection 41a that engages the drive rod 108 and projection 41b of the bung 106 may be accommodated in a groove in the lower barrel section 102.
There is a direct connection from knob 110 to rod 108 although a mechanical advantage or gain may also be provided if required as described above. The bung 106 and arm 108 co-operate to provide a drive mech~nism advancing the bung 106 uni-directionally as described above to provide (preferably) multiple discharges.
Without the containment provided by bladder 30 the paste may ooze from the housing during operation. To avoid this a retractable seal 112 is included along arm 108 between it and the paste contained in volume 104. The "O" ring seal 114 at the front of bung 106 is also included for this reason.
W094/27~5 PCT/AU94/00275 As the bung 106 advances the seal 112 is wound into cavity 116 in the middle of bung 106, peeled off "
with the aid of the forwardly pointed knife edge 118.
Alternatively, the seal strip 112 may pass through cavity 116 and exit through a rear orifice (not shown) in bung 106 to prevent the sea~ strip 112 jamming within cavity 116 and so impeding advance of the bung.
Once the capacity of the volume 104 has been exhausted the tooth-brush can be discarded or the tooth-brush can be used on its own.
In this embodiment the tooth-brush is assembled and the paste is inserted into the volume 104 after assembly. To do this a flexible hollow tube is inserted through an aperture, towards the front of the barrel section 102, which allows access to volume 104 and is moved to the rear of the volume 104. As the tube is withdrawn paste is expelled therefrom into and filling the volume 104. With the volume 104 filled the tube is withdrawn from the aperture which is then sealed, for example by glueing or a screw stopper.
A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4 and comprises an ethical dispenser. The dispenser may be used for delivering quantities of a liquid, cream or paste material in measured amounts, for example as stipulated by a prescription. Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment similar to that described above with respect to Figure 1.
The dispenser as shown incorporates a replaceable bladder 30 although a non-replaceable version of the dispenser as described above with respect to Figure 2 may be used. Equally, it is contemplated that a W094/27~ 2 ~ 6 3 7 6 6 PCT/AU94/0027~
combination of features of these two embodiments may be used, for example a disposable version with a reduction drive rather than a direct drive as illustrated in Figure 2.
Like numerals in Figure 4 are used to describe like features as described above with respect to Figure 1.
In this embodiment in place of the brush head having a nipple valve member with a number of nipple orifices, a single nipple orifice 80 is used which may be screw threaded to the barrel portion 20 as shown at 82.
For convenience the dispensing device may be provided with a foot stand 84 to enable the dispenser to be stored in an upright position. A cap 86 is provided to enclose the nipple 80 and at least the operating mechanism 88. The cap 86 may also be provided of a shape such that it forces closed the nipple valve 80 when the cap is in place. In addition, where applicable, a child proof cap may be employed. The operating mechanism 88 is of the type described above, that is such as to advance the bung 40 uni-directionally.
In some applications, the bladder 30 may be provided with a medicine in powder form to which sterile water has to be added prior to use. To make this easier the bladder 30 may be made such that the tube 36 can be unscrewed from disc 32 to provide a larger hole than would be available by filling via tube 36.
A window may show remaining contents as described above and stick-on labels may be used to indicate when dosages are to be given or can be used to check ~W094/27~5 ~16~ ~6 PCT/AU94/00275 whether they have in fact been given. For example, if a medication is required twice daily the label may have along the window marks corresponding to "a.m."
- and "p.m.", the position of the bung giving when the last dosage was taken. If a dosage is missed this will be indicated by the bung position not corresponding to the time of day.
The dispensing mechanism according to the invention can be applied in the dispensing of any liquid, cream, paste or flowable material. Though the above descriptions have been specific to dental or medical applications it is also contemplated that the dispensing mech~ni~ can be employed in other situations, for example, in place of a tooth-brush, the dispensing mech~ni R~ may be used in combination with a floor or shoe brush such that a fixed quantity of cleansing agent or polish may be dispensed into the area of the bristles.
Equally the mechanism may be used to dispense artist~s paints singly or in combinations. In the latter case ~everal dispensers each storing a primary colour may be combined whereby dispensing colour from each in the required proportions will provide a given intermediete colour, for example red and blue to give purple.
Required shades of colours can also be made up in this way due to the feature of the mech~nism to dispense fixed quantities of material. To prevent the paint from drying out a screw cap can be provided.
It is contemplated that the dispensing mechanism and any associated components are made of a suitable plastics material with the bladder being made of a flexible rubber, latex or similar material though other materials are contemplated within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
Claims (9)
1. A dispensing mechanism including a storage volume for storing a dispensable material a means movable within and through said storage volume locatable at one end of said storage volume and an orifice at the other end of said storage volume through which said dispensable material may be expelled, driving means including a reciprocatable member, which member is exterior to and extends alongside the length of said storage volume and which is operatively connected to said movable means for effecting repeated, progressive, uni-directional movement of said movable means through and within said volume to thereby dispense said material from said orifice.
2. A dispensing mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said movable means is a bung, said bung having motion effecting means, and wherein said reciprocatable member is operatively connected at one end to said bung by engaging said motion effecting means when moving toward said orifice and unconnected therefrom when moving away from said orifice, said reciprocatable member being engaged by a pivoted member operated by an arm at the other end thereof, said arm having a limited rotational movement.
3. A dispensing mechanism as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said storage volume comprises a compressible bladder.
4. A dispensing mechanism as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said bladder is enclosed in a demountable housing.
5. A dispensing mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said storage volume is defined by the volume remaining after enclosing said driving means by a hollow rigid housing.
6. A dispensing mechanism as claimed in Claim 4 in combination with a brush head, said brush head having nipple valve means connected to said orifice.
7. A dispensing mechanism as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said brush is a toothbrush.
8. A dispensing mechanism as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 in combination with a nipple valve means connected to said orifice.
9. A paste dispensing tooth brush including a handle portion and a brush head portion, the handle portion further including a barrel containing a bladder filled with a dispensable paste, and having a discharge orifice, a bung at a distal end of the handle remote from said brush head having motion effecting means, a drive mechanism including a reciprocating member located within said handle portion adjacent said bladder and having means operatively connected at one end to said bung by engaging said motion effecting means, and engaged by a pivoted member operated by an arm at the other end, said arm being rotatably fixed within said handle portion and having a limited rotational movement; said head portion including a plurality of dispensing elements, each element being connected to said discharge orifice whereby by said limited rotational movement of said arm said bung moves a prescribed increment uni-directionally within said barrel toward said brush head portion thereby compressing said bladder and forcing said paste through said dispensing elements.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPL8968 | 1993-05-25 | ||
| AUPL896893 | 1993-05-25 | ||
| AUPM4534A AUPM453494A0 (en) | 1994-03-21 | 1994-03-21 | "Gilmerdrive" pump from a reservoir |
| AUPM4534 | 1994-03-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2163766A1 true CA2163766A1 (en) | 1994-12-08 |
Family
ID=25644461
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2163766 Abandoned CA2163766A1 (en) | 1993-05-25 | 1994-05-25 | Dispensing mechanism |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH08510156A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2163766A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994027465A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102273808A (en) * | 2010-06-08 | 2011-12-14 | 蒋富裕 | Integrated toothbrush |
| KR101196520B1 (en) * | 2010-10-15 | 2012-11-01 | 박승준 | Paste-injection toothbrush |
| KR101437278B1 (en) * | 2013-04-19 | 2014-09-02 | 박승준 | Nipple and Paste-injection toothbrush |
| KR101434099B1 (en) * | 2013-04-19 | 2014-08-26 | 박승준 | Paste-injection toothbrush |
| BR112017024482A2 (en) | 2015-05-15 | 2018-12-11 | Dyson Technology Ltd | cleaning utensil |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE503020C (en) * | 1930-08-20 | Paul Dressler | Commissioned brush | |
| FR819682A (en) * | 1937-03-24 | 1937-10-23 | Hygienic shaving brush with tank and mechanical propulsion of liquid soap | |
| FR2438443A1 (en) * | 1978-10-12 | 1980-05-09 | Godou Claude | Tooth-brush with integral tooth-paste reservoir - has hollow brush head with holes through which paste is squeezed using blade and slide |
| AU2332384A (en) * | 1982-12-21 | 1984-07-17 | Vives, J. | Brosse a dents |
| AU562570B2 (en) * | 1983-08-08 | 1987-06-11 | Glenn Robert Beale | Brush assembly |
| DE3814304A1 (en) * | 1988-04-28 | 1989-11-09 | Geka Brush Georg Karl Gmbh | APPLICATION DEVICE |
| ECSP910782A (en) * | 1990-10-31 | 1992-06-03 | Warner Lambert Co | TOOTHBRUSH WITH SEMIPERMEABLE HOLLOW FIBERS |
| US5088850A (en) * | 1990-12-03 | 1992-02-18 | Jeremy Taichman | Combined paste-dispensing and cleaning unit |
-
1994
- 1994-05-25 JP JP7500024A patent/JPH08510156A/en active Pending
- 1994-05-25 WO PCT/AU1994/000275 patent/WO1994027465A1/en active Application Filing
- 1994-05-25 CA CA 2163766 patent/CA2163766A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1994027465A1 (en) | 1994-12-08 |
| JPH08510156A (en) | 1996-10-29 |
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