EP3424383B1 - Eingriffsflansch für abnehmbare spenderkartusche - Google Patents

Eingriffsflansch für abnehmbare spenderkartusche Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3424383B1
EP3424383B1 EP18188236.6A EP18188236A EP3424383B1 EP 3424383 B1 EP3424383 B1 EP 3424383B1 EP 18188236 A EP18188236 A EP 18188236A EP 3424383 B1 EP3424383 B1 EP 3424383B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
radially
axially
resilient member
catch
orientation
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.)
Active
Application number
EP18188236.6A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3424383A1 (de
Inventor
Heiner Ophardt
Andrew Jones
Ali Mirbach
Zhenchun Shi (Tony)
Charles S. Charron
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
OP Hygiene IP GmbH
Original Assignee
OP Hygiene IP GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CA2645953A external-priority patent/CA2645953A1/en
Application filed by OP Hygiene IP GmbH filed Critical OP Hygiene IP GmbH
Publication of EP3424383A1 publication Critical patent/EP3424383A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3424383B1 publication Critical patent/EP3424383B1/de
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/38—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/16—Paper towels; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
    • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
    • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
    • A47K5/1202—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume
    • A47K5/1204—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons
    • A47K5/1207—Dispensing from the bottom of the dispenser with a vertical piston

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to dispensers and, more particularly, to dispensers with a replaceable element, more particularly paper roll dispensers and paper rolls adapted for simplified replacement.
  • dispensers of material such as fluid dispensers and paper roll dispensers have removable cartridges which are inserted and removed for replacement after the material to be dispensed carried by the cartridge has been exhausted.
  • Many such dispensers suffer the disadvantage that coupling mechanisms for coupling of the removable cartridges to the dispensers are complex and do no provide any keying or lock out arrangement for limiting use of replacement cartridges to limited configurations.
  • the pump assembly includes a reciprocally movable element which when moved dispenses a quantity of liquid soap from the reservoir.
  • the reservoirs are generally fitted within a permanent housing which includes a movable actuator assembly which engages and reciprocally moves the movable element to dispense the fluid. This has been found to be both a convenient and economical means of fluid supply and dispensation. Since the fluid reservoirs are replaced once the fluid supply is exhausted, it is desirable to manufacture the dispenser and reservoir so as to make replacement of the fluid reservoir as easy and quick as possible.
  • Known fluid dispensers suffer the disadvantage in ensuring the movable element is placed and maintained in a correct dispensing position relative the actuator assembly to properly dispense fluids. To achieve the proper dispensing configuration, the pump assembly must therefore be precisely aligned in the housing to ensure it is properly secured in or coupled to the actuator assembly.
  • a disadvantage arises that after initial coupling of the movable element with the actuator assembly, the moveable element can with use come to be displaced out of proper alignment, for example, radially relative an axis about which the movable element is reciprocally movable.
  • Known fluid dispensers suffer the disadvantage that the coupling mechanism for coupling of the movable element and the actuator assembly permits movable elements having a wide variety of physical shapes and sizes to be coupled to the actuator assembly, and thus do not provide a keying or lock out arrangement for limiting replacement reservoirs which can be coupled to the housing to those with movable elements of limited particular shapes and sizes.
  • Paper dispensers are known in which end plugs for a roll of material are adapted for removable retention in a dispenser such as a paper dispenser disclosed in U.S. Patent 2009/0039099 to Friesen, published February 12, 2009 .
  • End plugs for rolls of material which permit slidable insertion of a roll of paper for coupling a roll of paper to a dispenser are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 2008/0230418 .
  • the applicant has appreciated that end plugs of the type disclosed by Lind et al suffer the disadvantage that relatively substantial structure including resilient mechanisms is provided as a permanent portion of the housing which are liable to lose their resiliency over time and hence render the dispenser unusable.
  • FR 2 9 9 649 A1 discloses a dispenser for sheet material which has a roll of sheet material wound around a core carrying an end plug which is received within a socket of a dispenser housing having a resilient arm to engage the end plug to resist removal.
  • a dispenser for dispensing sheet material comprising at least the features of claim 1.
  • a dispenser for dispensing material comprising a housing, a replaceable cartridge containing material to be dispensed, the housing supporting the cartridge in a dispensing position, the cartridge being insertable into said housing to assume said dispensing position and removable therefrom for replacement, the housing including a catch member, the cartridge including an engagement mechanism disposed about an axis to engage the catch member and releasably couple the cartridge to the housing in a coupled orientation, the engagement mechanism comprising a resilient member extending radially outwardly from the cartridge in an unbiased inherent configuration, the resilient member being resiliently deflectable radially from the inherent configuration to deflected configurations of different radial extents than the inherent configuration and biased to return to the inherent configuration when deflected from the inherent configuration, wherein from the coupled orientation on moving the cartridge radially relative the catch member engagement between the catch member and the resilient member
  • an improved fluid dispenser having a housing and a replaceable reservoir which incorporates as part of a fluid dispensing valve, a movable element.
  • the housing includes a movable actuator assembly for coupling to the movable element.
  • the actuator assembly and movable element are in a coupled orientation, the movement of the actuator assembly moves the movable element axially on an axis to dispense fluid from the reservoir.
  • a resilient member on the movable element while in an unbiased inherent configuration engages with a catch member on the actuator assembly to prevent moving the movable element radially relative the catch member.
  • the movable element is moved radially relative the actuator assembly.
  • the resilient member preferably extends radially outwardly from the movable element in the unbiased inherent configuration and the resilient member is resiliently deflectable radially from the inherent configuration to deflected configurations of different radial extents than the inherent configuration with the resilient member biased to return to the inherent configuration when deflected from the inherent configuration.
  • the actuator assembly may be configured such that the reservoir is not only removable from coupling with the actuator assembly by relative movement in a radial direction but may also be coupled to the actuator assembly by being moved in a radial direction relative the actuator assembly.
  • the actuator assembly may be configured such that the reservoir is removable from coupling with the actuator assembly by relative movement in a radial direction and may also be coupled to the actuator assembly by being moved in an axial direction relative the actuator assembly.
  • the actuator assembly may be configured such that if the reservoir is inserted into the housing in a axial uncoupled orientation relative the actuator assembly, the first activation of the dispenser moves the actuator assembly axially relative to the movable element to a position where the movable element and actuator assembly are secured together in the coupled orientation.
  • the dispenser may thus permit insertion of a replaceable reservoir into the housing with the movable element in various axial positions relative the reservoir.
  • the disclosed dispenser advantageously permits easy replacement and removal of the reservoir.
  • the reciprocally movable element includes a catch assembly.
  • the catch assembly is configured to permit movement of the actuator assembly radially relative to the reciprocally movable element from a coupled orientation to an uncoupled orientation. Once in the coupled orientation, the catch assembly prevents movement of the actuator assembly relative to the movable element to return to the uncoupled orientation unless a resilient member on the movable member is suitably deflected.
  • the reciprocally movable member is a piston element which, on insertion of the reservoir into the housing, is positioned coaxially aligned with the actuator assembly.
  • the piston element includes a resilient member.
  • a catch member of the actuator assembly is to be engaged with the resilient member of the piston element to couple the piston element to the actuator assembly in a coupled orientation.
  • the resilient member on the piston element is deflectable on radial movement of the piston element relative catch member of the actuator assembly to permit uncoupling of the catch member of the actuator assembly with the piston element.
  • the resilient member on the piston element preferably extends radially of the piston element circumferentially about the piston element. Deflection of the resilient member permits the catch member of the actuator assembly to move past the resilient member for uncoupling. When the resilient member assumes its unbiased condition in the coupled orientation, it prevents removal of the piston element from catch member of the actuator assembly by movement in a direction radially of axis and the piston element is reciprocally movable with the actuator assembly to dispense fluid.
  • the resilient member may comprise a set of resilient finger members disposed circumferentially about the piston element extending from fixed ends of the finger member coupled to the piston element to distal ends, and sized to be deflected radially inwardly to pass through a radially extending exitway opening in the catch member of the actuator member.
  • the finger member in their unbiased positions prevent passage of the finger members radially through the exitway opening.
  • the exitway has camming surfaces about the exitway opening which are to be engaged by the finger members on the piston element such that on radial movement of the piston element from the uncoupled orientation, engagement between the camming surfaces and the finger members urges the finger members to adopt a deflected configuration permitting the finger members to pass radially through the exitway to a radial uncoupled orientation.
  • a dispenser for dispensing fluid comprising:
  • a dispenser for dispensing fluid comprising:
  • a dispenser for dispensing material comprising a housing, a replaceable cartridge containing material to be dispensed, the housing supporting the cartridge in a dispensing position, the cartridge being insertable into said housing to assume said dispensing position and removable therefrom for replacement, the housing including a catch member, the cartridge including an engagement mechanism disposed about an axis to engage the catch member and releasably couple the cartridge to the housing in a coupled orientation, the engagement mechanism comprising a resilient member extending radially outwardly from the cartridge in an unbiased inherent configuration, the resilient member being resiliently deflectable radially from the inherent configuration to deflected configurations of different radial extents than the inherent configuration and biased to return to the inherent configuration when deflected from the inherent configuration, wherein from the coupled orientation on moving the cartridge radially relative the catch member engagement between the catch member and the resilient member deflects the resilient member radially from the inherent configuration to one of the deflected configuration permitting the resilient
  • the dispenser being a dispenser for the sheet material disposed on a roll
  • the cartridge is a roll of sheet material wound about an elongate core, a first end plug at one end of the core, the engagement member carried on the first end plug such that the core is coaxial with the axis, the housing carrying first journaling surfaces to engage journalled surfaces on the first end plug when the cartridge is in the coupled orientation to journal the core to the housing for rotation about the axis.
  • FIG. 1 shows a dispenser 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
  • the dispenser 10 comprises a replaceable cartridge 13 and a housing 14.
  • the reservoir 12 only partially shown, comprises a chamber 16 for holding fluid 18 as, for example liquid soap, which is to be dispensed.
  • An outlet 20 is provided through a lowermost wall 17 of the chamber 16, across which is located a valve assembly 22 to regulate the flow of fluid 18 outwardly therethrough.
  • the reservoir 12 is made entirely of plastic and is disposable once the supply of fluid 18 is exhausted.
  • Figure 1 shows the housing 14 in an open configuration ready for insertion of the reservoir 12.
  • the housing 14 includes a backplate 21 typically adapted for permanent attachment to a wall.
  • a pair of side walls 23 extend vertically forwardly from each side of the backplate 21.
  • a support flange 24 is provided extending horizontally between the side walls 23 so as to define a cavity 25 above the flange 24 between the side walls 23 and backplate 21 to receive the reservoir 12.
  • the flange 24 has an opening 26 vertically therethrough in the form of a U-shaped slot 27 closed at a rear blind end 28 and open forwardly to the front edge 29 of the flange 24.
  • An actuator assembly 30 is provided on the housing 14, movable relative to the housing.
  • the actuator assembly 30 includes notably a pivoting lever 31 and an actuator plate 32 mounted to the housing to be vertically slidable. Pivoting of the lever 31 moves the vertically slidable actuator plate 32 linearly on a pair of vertically extending guide rods 33 against the bias of springs 34 disposed about the guide rods 33.
  • the actuator plate 32 has a downwardly directed lower surface 35 and an upwardly directed upper surface 36, each extending normal to the linear path of movement of the actuator plate 32.
  • the actuator plate 32 has a catch opening 37 vertically therethrough and open forwardly to the front edge 40 of the actuator plate 32.
  • the two parallel spaced locating rods 33 are fixedly secured at their upper ends 41 to flange 24 and extend downwardly to their lower ends 42 to which respective retaining ferrules 43 are secured.
  • the actuator plate 32 has a pair of cylindrical bores 44 through which the rods 33 pass. The actuator plate 32 is disposed on the rods 33 above the ferrules 43.
  • Springs 34 are provided about each of the locating rods 33.
  • the springs 34 have an upper end which engage the flange 24 and a lower end which engage the upper surface 36 of actuator plate 32 to resiliently bias the actuator plate 32 away from the flange 24 downwardly toward a fully extended position shown in Figures 1 to 3 .
  • the actuator assembly 30 includes the lever 31 which is pivotally connected to the housing14 for pivoting about a horizontal axis 46.
  • the lever 30 is U-shaped having a pair of side arms 47 connected at their front by a horizontal connecting bight 48.
  • a pair of horizontal stub axles 49 extend laterally outwardly from the side arms 47 and are received in holes 50 through the side walls 23 to journal the lever 31 to the housing for pivoting about an axis 46.
  • a rear end 51 of the lever 31 engages the lower surface 35 of the actuator plate 32.
  • Manual urging of the bight 48 of the lever 31 rearwardly by a user moves the actuator plate 32 upwardly against the bias of the springs 33 from the extended position shown in Figure 2 to a retracted position shown in Figure 4 .
  • the force of the springs 33 returns the actuator plate 32 to the extended position.
  • the opening 26 of the flange 24 is positioned to permit the reservoir 12 to be slid rearwardly inward into the housing 14, in the manner illustrated in Figure 1 .
  • the flange 24 is located such that when the reservoir 12 is slid into the housing 14, the flange 24 abuts and supports the lowermost wall 17 of the fluid chamber 16 to assist in maintaining the reservoir 12 in fluid dispensing position.
  • the flange 24 is received in a slotway 52 between the lowermost wall 17 of the fluid chamber 16 and an upwardly directed shoulder 53 on the valve assembly 22 such that the flange 24 is sandwiched between the wall 17 and the valve assembly 22, thereby preventing axial sliding movement of the reservoir 12 as the dispenser 10 is used.
  • the U-shape of the opening 26 of the flange 24 assists in guiding the reservoir 12 as it is inserted into and removed horizontally from the housing 14.
  • FIG. 2 best shows the reservoir valve assembly 22 as comprising a piston pump of the type described in U.S. Patent 5,165,577 to Ophardt issued November 24, 1992 .
  • the valve assembly 22 includes piston chamber forming member 56 and a piston element 57.
  • the piston chamber forming member 56 forms a dispensing chamber 58 having at an inwardmost end an inlet opening 59 opening into the chamber 16.
  • a one-way inlet valve 60 is provided across the inlet opening 59 which permits fluid 18 to flow outwardly from the chamber 16 into the dispensing chamber 58 but prevents flow from the dispensing chamber 58 to the chamber 16.
  • the reciprocally movable piston element 57 is coaxially slidably received within the dispensing chamber 58 for reciprocal relative sliding about an axis 66.
  • the piston element 57 has an axially extending hollow stem 61 which carries a flexible inner flange 62 and an outer sealing flange 63 to engage the inner wall of the dispensing chamber 58 in a manner that reciprocal movement of the piston element 57 axially along the axis 23 in the dispensing chamber 58 causes fluid 18 to flow from the chamber 16 outwardly past the one-way valve 60 and out an outermost end 64 of the piston element 57 via an internal passageway 65 through the stem 61.
  • the piston element 57 has on the stem 61 proximate its outermost end 64 a catch assembly comprising a resilient engagement member 67.
  • the resilient engagement member 67 comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient finger members 70.
  • each of the finger members 70 is coupled to the stem 61 at a radially inner end 71 and extend radially outwardly and axially inwardly to a distal end 72.
  • Each finger member 70 on the outer engagement flange 67 presents an axially outwardly and radially outwardly directed camming surface 73.
  • Each finger member 70 has at its distal end 72 an inwardly directed shoulder 74.
  • Each finger member 70 has an inherent bias to assume an extended position as seen in Figures 1 to 8 but to be deflectable to have its distal ends deflected radially inwardly as shown in Figure 9 .
  • the piston element 57 is to be engaged with the actuator plate 32 in a coupled orientation.
  • FIG. 5 showing in an enlarged schematic view selected portions of the piston element 57 and the actuator plate 32.
  • Figure 5 for convenience of illustration, merely portions of the piston element 57 and the actuator plate 32 are shown.
  • a central portion of the actuator plate 32 indicated in Figure 1 as within dashed lines 99 is shown schematically as a catch member generally indicated as 100.
  • the piston element is shown merely below a horizontal cross-section indicated by section line 3-3' in Figure 3 so the hollow stem 61 is shown cross-sectioned and truncated.
  • FIGs 6 to 13 also only show the truncated catch member 57 and the central portion of the actuator plate 32 as in Figure 5 .
  • the catch member 100 serves to define a cavity 102 therein which is adapted to receive the forward portions of the piston element 57 and, most particularly, the engagement member 67.
  • This cavity 102 includes coaxially therewith a central opening 104 through the actuator plate 32 disposed coaxially about the axis 66.
  • a pair of upstanding catches 106 is provided on opposite sides of the opening 104 with each catch 106 having a side wall 108 with an interior surface 110 facing inwardly and defining the cavity radially therein.
  • Each catch 106 has an inner end wall 112 which has an axially outwardly directed interior surface 114.
  • the inner end wall 112 is axially spaced from the actuator plate 32 which forms, in effect, an outer end wall spaced axially from the inner end wall 112 and with such actuator plate/outer end wall 32 providing as the upper surface 36 of the actuator plate 32 an axially inwardly directed interior surface.
  • the cavity 102 is defined radially between the interior surfaces 110 of the side walls 108 and axially between the interior surfaces 114 of the inner end wall 112 and the upper surface 36 of the outer end wall/actuator plate 32.
  • an exitway 120 is provided from the cavity 102 opening radially forwardly throughout its axially extent relative the axis 66 between the catches 106 through the inner end walls 112, between the side walls 108 and through the actuator plate/outer wall 32.
  • the stem 61 has a radially outwardly extending annular flange 124 which carries finger members 70 at a radially outwardly directed end of the flange 124.
  • the flange 124 is provided with a radially extending axially outwardly directed shoulder surface 126 which merges into an outer surface of the finger members firstly as a curved surface portion 128 which merges into a generally frustoconically disposed camming surface 73.
  • the camming surface 73 ends at its inner end at the axially inwardly directed radially extending shoulders 74.
  • the inner surface of the finger member 70 is shown to have a generally frustoconical portion 129 which merges at its lower end into an inner shoulder surface 130 on the flange 124.
  • the stem 61 extends axially forwardly as a frustoconical locating section 136 tapering outwardly and merging with a generally cylindrical outlet section 134 carrying the discharge outlet 64 at an axially outer end thereof.
  • the cavity 102 of the catch member 100 is provided to have a shape corresponding closely to the shape of the forward portions of the piston element 57 to be received therein.
  • the interior upper surface 36 of the outer end wall 32 inside the cavity 102 closely corresponds to the size of the shoulder surface 126 of the flange 124 on the piston element 57.
  • the interior surface 114 of the inner end wall 112 closely conforms to the shape and size of the shoulder 74 of the finger members 70 of the piston element.
  • the exitway 120 extends through the side walls 108 with the side walls 108 ending at a laterally directed cam surface 136 having an interior edge 138 and an exterior edge 140.
  • Each of the frustoconical interior surfaces 110 of the side walls 108 ends forwardly at the interior edge 138.
  • Figure 8 schematically shows the catch member 100 with the piston element 57 disposed in two different uncoupled orientations.
  • the piston element 57 is shown disposed forwardly of the catch member 100 in a radial uncoupled orientation from which radial uncoupled orientation the piston member 57 may be moved radially horizontally in the directions indicated by the arrow 142 from the radial uncoupled orientation into a coupled orientation and from the coupled orientation radially to the radial uncoupled orientation.
  • Figure 8 also shows the piston element 57 disposed in an axial uncoupled orientation from which by movement axially in the direction of the arrow 144 may be moved from the axial uncoupled orientation to the coupled orientation.
  • the coupled orientation is shown, for example, in each of Figures 5 , 9 and 12 .
  • Figure 12 shows a top view of Figure 5 with the piston element 57 in the coupled orientation with the catch member 100.
  • two of the finger members 70 are seen to underlie the inner end wall 112, with the shoulder 74 of the finger members 70 closely engaging the interior surface 114 of the upper end wall 112, as seen in Figure 9 in cross-section with the camming surface 73 closely engaging the frustoconical interior surface 110 of the side walls 108 and with the flange 124 closely engaging the upper surface 36 of the outer end wall 32.
  • the piston element 57 may be removed from engagement with the catch member 100 by relative movement of the piston element 57 radially relative to the axis 66.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a condition in which the piston element 57 has been moved from a coupled orientation radially forwardly and two opposed finger members 70 adjacent each of the catches 106 has been deflected radially inwardly sufficiently that these finger members 70 may pass radially forwardly through the exitway 120.
  • the finger members 70 In radial movement forwardly from the coupled orientation shown in Figure 12 with the finger members 70 in an unbiased inherent configuration, the finger members 70 come to be deflected to deflected configurations of different radial extents than the inherent configuration. From such deflected configurations, each of the finger members 70, due to its inherent resiliency are biased to return to the inherent configuration. From the coupled configuration shown in Figure 12 , on initial moving radially forwardly, the engagement of the forwardmost portions of the frustoconical interior surfaces 110 of the side walls 108 will assist in urging the finger members 70 radially inwardly at least during initial radial movement of the piston element 57.
  • the exitway 120 is defined by a slotway 38 through the outer end wall 32 from the front edge 40 of the actuator plate 32 into the central opening 104.
  • the slotway 38 has side walls 142 which are spaced sufficiently such that they do permit passage of the frustoconical locating section 136 and the cylindrical outlet section 134 of the piston element 57 radially therethrough.
  • side wall surfaces 144 of the exitway 120 carried on the inner end walls 112 are spaced a sufficient distance radially that they permit the movement of the stem 61 radially forwardly therethrough. From the radially uncoupled orientation shown in Figure 8 , the piston element 57 may be moved radially rearwardly to the coupled orientation.
  • the cam surface 136 of the side walls 108 on either side of the exitway 120 engage the camming surface 73 on the finger members 70 to deflect the finger member 70 radially inwardly such that as seen in Figure 13 , opposed finger members 70 are disposed radially inwardly sufficiently that they may move inwardly past the camming surfaces 136 and into the cavity 102.
  • the finger members 70 due to their inherent resiliency assume their unbiased inherent configuration. In one sense, therefore, on radial movement of the piston element 57 from the uncoupled orientation to the coupled orientation, the finger members 70 are deflected to the deflected configurations and subsequently snap back to assume their inherent configuration.
  • the piston element 57 in a coupled orientation resists movement from the coupled orientation firstly, in an axial direction by reason of the shoulders 74 of the finger members 70 engaging the interior surfaces 114 of inner end walls 112, the shoulder surface 126 of the flange 124 engaging the upper surface 36 of outer end wall 32, as well as the camming surfaces 73 of the fingers 70 engaging the interior surfaces 110 of the side walls 108.
  • movement of the piston element 57 radially relative to the catch member 100 is resisted by the finger members 70 in the inherent configuration engaging the interior surfaces 110 of the side walls 108.
  • the piston element 67 may also be moved from the axially uncoupled orientation shown in Figure 8 to the coupled orientation by relative axial movement.
  • the camming surfaces 73 on the finger members 70 come to engage the side wall surfaces 144 of the inner end wall 112 so as to deflect the finger members 70 from their unbiased inherent configuration to deflected configurations of different radial extents than the inherent configuration permitting the finger members 70 to pass axially past the inner end wall 112 with the cylindrical outlet section 134 and the frustoconical locating portion 136 of the piston element to extend coaxially downwardly into the central opening 104 of the outer wall 32.
  • the piston element 57 may be considered to move downwardly through an axially extending entranceway bordered by the side wall surfaces 144 of the inner end wall 112. Finger members which are deflected to deflected configurations on movement between the side wall surfaces 144 of the inner end wall 112 will snap back to assume their inherent configuration once the camming surface 73 on the finger members 70 passes axially outwardly below the axially outwardly directed interior surface 114 of the inner end wall 112.
  • the cavity 102 is formed to have interior surfaces including the entire interior surface 114 of the inner end wall 112, the entire interior surface 110 of the side wall 108 and portions of the interior surface 36 of the outer end wall 32 to be coaxially about the axis and forming, in effect, keyway portions which lie in a first rotational surface defined by rotation of a corresponding first shape about the axis 66.
  • key portions of the exterior surface of the piston element 67 may be considered to lie in a second rotational surface defined by rotation about the axis 66, when the piston member is coaxial about the axis 66, of a second shape substantially having the same shape as the first shape.
  • Providing the cavity 102 to have keyway portions corresponding in shape to the key portions of the exterior surfaces of the piston element 57 is considered advantageous to limit insertion into the chamber 102 of piston elements which do not have a rotational shape falling within the confines of a shape defined by the keyway portions.
  • the rotational shape of the key portions of the exterior surface of the piston element 57 can be considered to represent a solid of revolution when rotated about the axis.
  • the cavity 100 has interior walls which sufficiently define the cavity 100 to only permit piston element 57 to be received in the cavity 100 when the solid of revolution of the piston element is of a size, shape and configuration to be received within the cavity, that is, within what may be considered a solid of revolution of the cavity 100 when rotated about its axis. Insofar as the solid of revolution of a piston element does not fall within the confines of the solid of revolution of the cavity then the piston element is excluded from use.
  • the relative keyway shape of the cavity 100 determines what particular rotational shape or solid of revolution of key portions of the piston element 57 may be received therein.
  • the preferred embodiments slow the rotational shape of the key portions of the piston element 57 being substantially the same as the rotational shape of the cavity 100, however, this is not necessary and the key portions of the piston element 57 merely need to have a shape, preferably a rotational shape or solid of revolution which permits the key portions of the piston element 57 to fit into the cavity 100 preferably in any rotational portion about the axis.
  • the preferred embodiment illustrated shows the resilient engagement flange 67 as comprising a plurality of discrete circumferentially spaced finger members. This is not necessary.
  • the finger members could be replaced by a continuous annular member, however, with such member having a resiliency which permits radial deflection to suitable deflected configurations.
  • the cavity 102 and the portions of the piston element 57 to be received within the cavity 102 effectively forms a three-dimensional keyway and a complementary key with entrance or exit to the keyway requiring deflection of resilient portions. It is to be appreciated that such entrance or exit to the keywall could also be accommodated by deflection of the key, by deflection of the keyway or by deflection of both the keyway and the key.
  • the piston element 57 With the keyway portions of the catch member 100 and key portions of the piston element 57 each being defined by rotational surfaces rotated about the axis 66, the piston element 57 may in any relative position rotated about the axis 66 be engaged within the cavity 102. This is preferred, however, not necessary and various arrangements may be provided so as to require for proper insertion of the piston element 57 into the cavity 102 that the piston element 57 be rotated about the axis 66 to one or more desired rotational positions.
  • Figure 1 is intended to illustrate the reservoir assembly including the reservoir 16 and the valve assembly 22 in a radial uncoupled orientation ready for coupling to the housing 14 by merely radial rearward movement. From the position shown in Figure 1 , initial horizontal rearward sliding of the entirety of the reservoir 12 will result in the flange 24 of the housing 14 to be received in the slotway 52 between the lowermost wall 17 of the fluid chamber 16 and the upwardly directed shoulder.
  • the piston element 57 With the piston element 57 located in a suitably extended position relative the piston chamber forming member 56, the piston element 57 and the catch member 100 will be in a radial uncoupled orientation, from which by continued further horizontal rearward sliding of the reservoir 12 and valve assembly 22, the piston element 56 may have its fingers 70 deflected and enter the cavity 102 to assume the coupled orientation.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a situation which arises when the reservoir 12 is in inserted into the housing 14 by horizontal rearward sliding with the piston element 57 in a fully retracted position.
  • the flange 24 of the housing is received in the slotway 52 between the lowermost wall 17 and the upwardly directed shoulder 53 of the valve assembly 22.
  • the finger members 70 of the engagement member 67 of the piston element 57 are disposed in the axial uncoupled orientation vertically above the catch member 100 carried by the actuator plate 32.
  • the catch member 100 on first engagement with the finger members 70 will urge the piston element 57 upwardly, as possible, to place the piston element 57 in a fully retracted position in which upward movement of the piston element 57 relative to the piston chamber forming member 56 is prevented as by an inner end of the piston element 57 engaging the inner end of the chamber 58 in the piston chamber forming member 56.
  • Figure 6 which best shows the resilient finger members 70.
  • six finger members 70 are provided each representing an equal segment about the central axis 66 through the piston element 57 and each disposed uniformly spaced from each other by a slot 82.
  • the slot 82 is of a circumferential extent that the distal end 72 of each finger member 70 may be deflected radially a sufficient extent for the finger members 70 to pass through the exitway 120 without circumferential side portions of the distal ends 72 of adjacent finger members 70 engaging.
  • Providing the finger members 70 to extend circumferentially about the outer end of the piston element 57 permits the piston element 57 to have fingers 70 which will engage with the catch member 100 irrespective of the relative rotational position of the piston element 57 within the piston chamber forming member 56.
  • the piston element 57 is preferably injection moulded from a plastic material as a unitary element.
  • the entirety of the reservoir 12 and its pump assembly 22 is preferably disposable as a unit after the contents of the reservoir have been dispensed.
  • the resilient fingers 70 of the piston element 57 therefore merely need to have resiliency which permits coupling with the actuator plate 32 once or at least not more than a few times since an individual reservoir 22 with its disposable pump assembly 22 is typically only expected to be coupled to the housing a single time.
  • the plastic materials from which the resilient fingers 70 are constructed need not be capable of being deflected any significant number of times and still retain their resiliency.
  • the resilient fingers 70 may be formed from a relatively inexpensive plastic material which, while having some inherent resiliency, need not maintain that resiliency over repeated cycles of deflection.
  • the piston element 57 or at least substantial portions thereof including the engagement member 67 which carries the resilient fingers 70 may preferably be formed as a substantially unitary element from plastic material as by injection moulding.
  • the piston element 57 permits the sliding insertion of the reciprocally movable piston element 57 into the catch member 100 on the actuator plate 32 either into a coupled orientation as shown in Figure 2 or an axial uncoupled orientation where the piston element may move independently from the actuator plate 32 as shown in Figure 4 .
  • the pivotal movement of the lever 31 axially moves the catch plate 32 and piston element 57 between the first rest, extended position and the second fully retracted position to dispense a quantity of fluid 18.
  • the first movement of the lever 31 moves the actuator plate 32 relative to the piston element 57 until the piston element 57 engages the catch member 100 and assumes the coupled orientation of Figure 2 .
  • the dispenser 10 is operative to dispense fluid 18 regardless of whether the piston element 57 is initially inserted into the housing 14 either coupled or uncoupled to the actuator plate 32.
  • the actuator assembly 30 is cycled by the pivotal movement of the lever 31 moving the piston element 57 from the first rest, extended position shown in Figure 2 to a retracted position and released with the springs 34 returning the actuator plate 32 back to the first rest, extended position to complete the cycle.
  • the dispenser 10 advantageously permits insertion of the reservoir 12 into the housing without the requirement of ensuring the piston element 57 is in a particular position relative to its piston chamber forming member 57 or the catch plate 32.
  • Figures 14 to 17 show a second embodiment of a catch member 100 and a forward truncated portion of a piston element 57 for engagement therein.
  • similar reference numerals are used to refer to equivalent elements shown in Figures 1 to 13 .
  • the piston element 57 carried the discharge outlet 64 from which fluid may be discharged for use onto a user's hand.
  • a fluid outlet 64 from the piston element 57 is in sealed communication with a discharge passageway 202 through the catch member 100 with a discharge outlet 214 being carried by the catch member 100.
  • the piston element 57 similarly has an elongate hollow tubular stem 61 with a passageway 65 therethrough which has at its distal end the outer shoulder surface 128 on the flange 126.
  • annular slotway 204 is provided to receive an annular sealing ring 206 which is adapted to be engaged and compressed by the flange 124 of the piston member 57 forming a seal annularly thereabout when the piston element 57 is in the coupled orientation.
  • the catch member 100 is provided with a hollow discharge tube 208 open at an upper end 210 which is coaxial with and in communication with the discharge outlet 64 from the piston member 57.
  • the discharge tube 208 is open at an outer end 212 forming a discharge outlet 214.
  • the inner end wall 112 of the catch member 100 extends circumferentially about the axis 66 greater than 180 degrees and is U-shaped opening radially forwardly.
  • Figure 16 shows a pictorial view similar to Figure 14 , however, with the catch member 100 and piston element 57 shown merely below a horizontal cross-sectional line 1-1' in Figure 15 slightly above the shoulder 74 of the finger members 70.
  • the side wall 108 is provided as three portions including, in addition to two opposing side portions 216, a rear portion 218.
  • the interior surface 110 of the rear portion 218 of the side wall 108 is frustoconical and generally conforming to the shape of the exterior frustoconical camming surfaces 73 of the finger members 70.
  • the side portions 216 of the side wall 108 include a major sloped surface 220 shown to be generally planar lying in a flat plane disposed at an angle to the axis 66 and tapering downwardly and radially inwardly towards the axis 66.
  • a stop member 222 which projects into the cavity 102 relative the sloped surface 220.
  • Each stop member 222 carries the cam surface 136 directed in opposition to a cam surface 136 on the opposite stop member.
  • Each cam surface 136 has an exterior edge 140 and an interior edge 138. The interior edge 138 merges with a bevelled cam surface 224 directed inwardly into the cavity.
  • the piston element 57 may be moved from a coupled orientation to a radial uncoupled orientation or from the radial uncoupled orientation to a coupled orientation by movement radially. As well, the piston element 57 may move from an axial uncoupled orientation to a coupled orientation by movement axially.
  • Figures 15 and 17 illustrate components carried in the discharge tube 208 of the catch member 100 which provide a foam generator assembly for foaming of a mixture of liquid and air which may be discharged from the piston element 57 assuming the piston element may, for example, be of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 6,409,050 to Ophardt .
  • the discharge tube 208 has a stepped configuration adapted to assist in receiving and holding at axially spaced locations a first screen member 226, a porous plug 228 and a second screen member 230.
  • the first screen member 226 is to sit on a first stepped shoulder 232 with the cylindrical foam plug to sit on top of the first screen member 226 and with the second screen member 230 is to sit on a second stepped shoulder 234.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates the catch member 100 of Figure 14 in cross-section along section line 3-3' in Figure 15 without showing the piston member 57.
  • the catch member 100 in Figure 18 is identical to the catch member 100 illustrated in Figures 14 to 17 with the exception that below the sealing ring 206, the discharge tube 208 has been changed with the screen members 226 and 230 and the plug 228 removed, and a spray nozzle assembly has been provided coupled to the discharge tube 208 including a tubular nozzle extension 236, a restrictive nozzle insert 238 and a nozzle end cap 240.
  • the nozzle end cap 240 is secured in a snap or threaded fit onto the end of the nozzle insert 238 and provides a small discharge opening therethrough.
  • the nozzle insert 238 provides relatively small passages for passage of fluid therethrough such that fluid dispensed from the discharge outlet 214 of the nozzle cap 240 will be in the form of a fine mist or atomized spray.
  • providing the discharge tube 208 as part of the catch member 100 assists in reducing the overall length of the piston element 57 which needs to be carried by the assembly of the reservoir 12 and the valve assembly 22.
  • Providing the discharge tube 208 on the catch member 100 assists in extending the discharge outlet 214 so as to be located closer to a user's hand typically disposed below the dispensing apparatus.
  • the finger members 70 of the piston element 57 are received in the catch member 100 in the coupled orientation, the finger members 70 are securely held between the interior axially outwardly directed surface 114 of the inner end wall 112 and the annular sealing ring 206 so as to provide sealed engagement of the discharge outlet 64 of the piston element 57 with the upper end 210 of the discharge tube 208 on the catch member 100.
  • FIG. 27 showing a side view identical to Figure 18 but in which below the sealing ring 206, the discharge tube 208 has been changed such that the discharge tube 208 is adapted to be engaged by a tube 500 which can direct discharged fluid to a remote location as may be advantageous in many applications including automatic dispensing of fluids into washing machines, for water treatment and many other uses without limitation.
  • the tube 500 is preferably a flexible tube secured onto the discharge tube 208 in a friction fit, however, many other coupling arrangements may be used.
  • FIGS 19 and 20 show a modified form of a catch member 100.
  • the catch member 100 in Figure 19 is similar to the catch member shown in Figure 8 , however, has the side wall 108 and the inner end wall 112 extend completely circumferentially about the axis 66 from one side of the exitway 120 to the other side of the exitway 120.
  • the surfaces 142 about the exitway 120 on the outer end wall 32 are shown to have two facets, namely an upwardly directed facet and a downwardly directed facet which form, as seen in Figure 20 in side view, a triangular shape.
  • the inwardly directed surfaces 144 of the inner end wall 122 are circular about the axis 66.
  • Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional side view similar to Figure 9 showing the catch member 100 of Figure 19 together with a new configuration for a movable element 57 only shown in Figure 20 in cross-section.
  • Figure 20 shows that the inwardly directed surfaces 144 of the inner end wall 112 are frustoconical about the axis 66 converging axially outwardly and inwardly.
  • the inner end wall 112 does not extend radially inwardly as far as is the case in the embodiment of Figure 9 to assist in having the fingers 70 snap into the cavity 102.
  • the stem 61 carries above the flange 124 a second radially outwardly extending locating flange 280 with a bevelled outer surface 282 to engage on the frustoconical surface 144 of the inner end wall 112.
  • the finger members 70 having their shoulders 74 engaged underneath the inner end wall 112 and the flange 280 engaging the axially inwardly directed frustoconical surface 144 of the inner end wall 112, the movable element 57 and the catch member 100 are secured together against relative axial movement when in the coupled orientation.
  • Figure 19 shows the inwardly directed surfaces 142 of the outer end wall 32 on either side of the slotway 38 extending inwardly towards each other.
  • the movable element 57 is shown as having its stem 61 modified outwardly of the flange 124 so as to merely comprise a frustoconical portion 132, however, which frustoconical portion 132 has an annular groove 133 extending radially thereinto which annular groove has a profile to match the surfaces 144.
  • annular groove 133 in the stem 61 of the movable element about the frustoconical portion 132 permits the movable element to be slid radially past the inward projections on the outer end wall 32 provided by the surfaces 142 on either side of the slotway 38.
  • Figure 21 shows a cross-sectional view of a catch member 100 and a movable element 57 substantially the same as that shown in Figure 9 , however, with each of the cavity 102 in the catch member 100 and the resilient fingers 57 inverted such that the movable element 57 may be moved from an axially uncoupled orientation below the catch member 100 upwardly axially into the catch member 100.
  • the embodiment in Figure 21 remains capable of moving radially between coupled and uncoupled orientations in an analogous manner to the embodiment in Figure 9 .
  • FIG 22 shows another embodiment of catch member 100 and movable element 57 in cross-section similar to that in Figure 9 .
  • each of the finger members 70 extend forwardly, that is, actually outwardly, and substantially only axially from a support flange 124 provided on the stem 61.
  • Each finger member 70 has a radially outwardly directed camming surface 73 which can assist in permitting the movable element 57 to move from above the catch member 100 in axially uncoupled orientation axially downwardly to a coupled orientation.
  • each of the finger members 70 includes an annular groove 280 thereabout adapted to receive an annularly radially inward extension of the inner end wall 112 therein.
  • the radially open exitway forwardly through the inner end wall 112 should be equal to the widest diameter between the surfaces 144 of the inner end wall 112 throughout the exitway, however, the exitway will be of a reduced diameter radially of the side walls 108 such that radial inward movement of the distal outer ends of the fingers 70 permits radial movement out through the exitway.
  • Figure 23 illustrates an embodiment in which the engagement member 67 comprises a disc which extends radially from the stem 61 and is adapted to have its distal end deflected in an axial direction.
  • the disc 67 is shown to have an axially outwardly and inwardly directed frustoconical camming surface 73.
  • the exitway 120 through the side walls 108 includes a radially extending exit slot 220 having a lower surface 286 and an upper surface 284. Proximate a central portion of the exitway 120, the lower surface 286 of the slot 220 is at the same height as the upper surface 36 of the outer end plate 32.
  • the resilient disc 67 With further radial forward movement of the piston element 57, the resilient disc 67 will come to be curved so as to have its outer distal ends curve upwardly matching the curvature of the exit slot 220 and thus permitting the resilient disc 67 to slide radially outwardly through the slot.
  • the inherent resiliency of the resilient disc 67 will have the disc 67 assume the inherent unbiased configuration shown in Figure 24 coaxially securing the movable element 57 in the coupled orientation within the catch member 100.
  • a plurality of resilient finger members 272 are provided which can on axial insertion come to snap past the inner end wall 112 and present radially inwardly directed catch surfaces 273 to engage the interior surfaces 114 of the inner end wall 112.
  • Figure 25 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figures 23 and 24 but in a partially uncoupled configuration in which the movable element 57 has been moved forwardly into the exitway such that the resilient disc 67 is received in the exit slots 220 and has been deflected at its distal ends upwardly to assume the curved configuration of the exit slots 220 through the side walls 108 as, for example, when the largest diameter portion of the resilient disc 67 is passing through the curved slots 220 in the forward portions of the side wall 108.
  • FIG. 26 showing catch member 100 identical to that shown in Figure 19 , however, with the side wall 108 and inner end wall 112 shown as resilient finger members 370 which extend from a fixed end 302 secured to the outer end wall 32 upwardly and radially inwardly to a distal end 304.
  • Each of these members 370 is resilient and capable of deflecting radially outwardly to assist in permitting a movable element to move from an uncoupled orientation to a coupled orientation with relative axial or radial movement.
  • the resilient members 370 on either side of the exitway 120 may be particularly adapted for movement directly away from each other, that is, in the direction indicated by the arrows 372 in Figure 26 as can be of assistance towards increasing the width of the exitway 120 through which the movable element 57 may radially move. While it is preferred that any movable element 57 carry resiliently deflectable members such as the fingers 70, it is to be appreciated that it is within the skill of a person skilled in the art to adopt a catch member 100 such as shown in Figure 26 so that the catch member carries a resilient member which moves sufficiently to permit radial movement of the movable element 57 through the exitway from an uncoupled orientation.
  • Figures 28 to 37 illustrate views of an outermost portion of a piston element 57 constructed with an arrangement forming a resilient radially extending disc 67 on the stem 41 which can be adapted for deflection axially and/or radially.
  • the piston element 57 is only shown to have the resilient disc 67 with the stem 61 extending downwardly therethrough to the discharge outlet 64.
  • the stem 61 of the piston element 57 would not only extend downwardly from the disc 67 but also upwardly.
  • the disc 67 has a top 505 with an upper surface 506 which is smooth and continuous extending radially outwardly.
  • Individual finger members 70 are formed circumferentially about the outer periphery spaced from each other by slots 84 and adapted to be deflected radially inwardly and/or axially.
  • Each finger 70 has an outer cam surface 508 to assist in movement axially into a suitable catch member.
  • the slots 84 extend axially through the engagement member 67.
  • the slots 84 extend axially from an axially outwardly directed lower surface 507 of the engagement member 67 from an axially open end 512 to an axially closed or blind end 514, with the slots 84 being defined between two circumferentially spaced side walls 516 and 518.
  • the blind end 514 also forms a lower surface of the top 505.
  • the slots 84 are also seen to extend radially from a radially open end 530 on the radially outwardly directed outer cam surface 508 to a radially closed or blind end 522 between the two circumferentially spaced side walls 526 and 528.
  • each finger 70 is also radially separated from portions of the engagement member 67 by an axially and circumferentially extending annular groove or slot 308.
  • Slot 308 as best seen in Figure 33 extend axially from the axially outwardly directed lower surface 507 of the engagement member 67 from an axially open end 310 to an axially closed or blind end 312, with the slots 308 being defined between two radially spaced side walls 320 and 322.
  • each slot 308 varies in its radial width, in the sense that the radial distance between the side wall 320 and 322 is less at circumferential end portions 324 than over a middle portion 326.
  • the axially extending slots 84 and 308 provided in the annular ring-like engagement member 67 assist in permitting the deflection of the resilient member 67 from the unbiased inherent configuration to the deflected configurations, for example, within the deflection of the resilient member from the unbiased inherent configuration to the deflected configurations the spaced side walls 526 and 528 being displaced relative to each other and/ or the spaced side walls 320 and 322 being displaced relative to each other.
  • the slots 84 and 308 provide for reduced dimension bridge portions shown as bridge portions 85 in Figure 33 and thickness bridge portions 309 on Figure 38 where deformation and bending of the engagement member may more easily occur assisting in the engagement member deflecting as may be desired.
  • the bridge portions are reduced in axial dimension compared to other portions of the engagement member and providing such or other reduced width portions can be adopted as one method for providing desired flexibility to the engagement flange.
  • the disc 67 has a grid work of reinforcing ribs 510 which extend axially downwardly from under the top 505 and may easily be molded by injection molding.
  • the disc 67 is adapted to be compressed radially and to also deflect axially.
  • Figures 28 , 29 , 30 and 31 show the piston element 57 with the disc 67 in an inherent unbiased position.
  • Figure 34 to 37 show the piston element 57 with the disc 67 in the same deflected position, which the disc 67 would assume if compressed diametrically as between two arrows shown as 512 and 514 in Figures 34 and 37 , and/or axially as also by arrows 516 and 518 shown in Figure 37 , as with each acting on the surface 508 of the two diametrically opposed fingers 70.
  • the resilient disc 67 is made of resilient material, preferably an elastomer, plastic or rubber, the disc 67 will assume the deflected position shown in Figures 34 to 37 with two of the fingers 70 deflected axially inwardly and marginally radially inwardly.
  • Figure 34 schematically shows on the upper surface 506 solid lines illustrating boundaries between different planes which the upper surface 506 may assume when deflected. These planes 520 are shown to assist in visualizing the changes to the upper surface 506 when deflected.
  • Figures 36 and 37 best show the fingers 70 as deflected axially upwardly and marginally radially inwardly.
  • Each finger 70 is effectively only joined to the piston element 57 by the top 505 which bridges the slots 84 between adjacent finger members 70 as seen in Figure 32 and which bridges the slots 308 between generally a circumferentially extending downwardly extending rib 510 radially inwardly from the finger members 70 as seen in Figure 33 .
  • the relative flexibility, size and thickness of the top 505 as well as those of the finger members 70 can be selected to develop desired abilities of the fingers 70 to deflect.
  • Figure 38 showing a schematic cross-sectional side view of selected portions from Figure 2 including but portions of the actuator plate 32 and a valve assembly 22 similar to that shown in Figure 2 .
  • Figure 38 for convenience other elements such as the reservoir 12 and the other elements of the dispenser other than actuator 32 are not shown.
  • Figure 38 illustrates a modified form of valve assembly 22 over that shown in Figure 2 but otherwise the teachings of Figure 2 are applicable.
  • the valve assembly 22 comprises a piston pump.
  • the piston pump 22 illustrated is a draw back piston pump of the type described in U.S. Patent 7,267,251 to Ophardt issued September 11, 2007 .
  • the piston pump 22 has a piston chamber-forming element 56 and a piston element 57.
  • the piston element 57 has a hollow stem 61 that carries the inner flange 65 and the outer flange 62 to engage the inner wall of the dispensing chamber 58 as in the case in Figure 2 with the difference that in Figure 38 the chamber 58 is stepped in diameter.
  • the piston element 57 carries on its stem 61 the resilient engagement member 67 which removably couples to the actuator plate.
  • the engagement member 67 comprises an annular ring which is supported on the stem 61 at the axial outer end of a cylindrical flange 302 secured at an axial inner end to the stem 61 by a radially extending support flange 304.
  • the engagement member 67 in Figure 38 has an ability to be deflected to engage and disengage with the actuator member 32 by reason of an axially inwardly extending annular slot or groove 308 being provided in the engagement member 67.
  • the engagement member 67 in Figure 38 is a continuous annular member with the annular slot or groove 308 as seen in Figure 39 .
  • the annular groove 308 extends axially inwardly from the axially outwardly directed lower surface 507 of the engagement member 67, however, the annular groove 308 could extend axially outwardly in the axially inwardly directed upper surface 506.
  • Merely one annual groove 308 is shown, however, a plurality of such grooves could be provided.
  • the engagement member 67 preferably is made from a resilient material such as elastomeric plastic material.
  • the resiliency of the material forming the engagement flange 67 can be considered by a person skilled in the art in selecting suitably sized and located annular axially extending grooves such as the groove 308 illustrated so as to provide a desired ability of the engagement member 67 to deflect in a manner as to engage and disengage from engagement with any desired configurations of the actuator plate 32.
  • annular groove 308 is illustrated as being circular about the central axis 66, this is not necessary and the annular groove 308 could have side walls which are not circular about the axis 66 such as being as seen in the end view scalloped or zig-zagged.
  • the annular groove 308 is configured so as to preferably provide for both radially and axially deflection of the engagement member 67 as can be advantageous for engagement and disengagement with various configurations of the actuator plate as are disclosed in the various embodiments.
  • the annular groove has a blind end 312 and extends outwardly to an open end 314 with each of the side walls 320 and 322 tapering from the blind end 312 outwardly to the open end 314. This is not necessary however is generally believed to be preferred.
  • the annular groove 308 is shown as being a continuous annular groove which extends circumferentially about the engagement member 67. This is not necessary and one or more discrete length annular grooves may be provided so as to provide a desired resiliency. It is believed however that an annular groove which extends entirely circumferentially about the engagement flange 67 is preferred.
  • annular groove 308 may be provided as may be desired to provide suitable compromise between resilience and ease of manufacture.
  • the engagement flange 67 may comprise a plurality of finger members 70 as shown, for example, in the first embodiment of Figure 2 , then it would be possible to provide similar such an annular groove 308 on all or selected of the finger members 70.
  • the engagement flange 67 is shown carried on the cylindrical flange 302 which in turn is connected to the stem 61.
  • an engagement member 67 with an annular groove 308 as shown in Figure 38 could be provided or directed supported on the stem 61 to extend radially outwardly therefrom as a disc as in the manner that the finger member 70 are supported on the stem 61 in Figure 2 .
  • Figure 43 is a vertical cross-section through a dispenser 10.
  • the dispenser 10 includes a housing generally indicated 14, a backplate 21, typically to be mounted vertically to a wall as in a washroom and two side walls 23 which extend vertically and forwardly from the back wall 21.
  • a catch member 100 as seen in Figure 44 which is substantially the same as the catch member 100 shown in Figure 8 .
  • Two end plugs 600 are shown each having a stem 61 carrying a roll engaging portion 662 and an engagement member 67.
  • Each end plug 600 has its cylindrical plug portion 662 mounted in a hollow core 670 of a roll of paper 672 carrying rolled layers of paper sheeting 674 which is to be dispensed.
  • the engagement member 67 of each end plug comprises resilient fingers 70 substantially identical to the engagement member illustrated in Figure 6 .
  • Each end plug 600 on an inner end carries the cylindrical portion 662 on its inner end.
  • the cylindrical portion 662 has axially and radially outwardly extending flanges 664 which are adapted to be received in a friction fit inside the hollow core 670.
  • the cylindrical portion 662 also includes a stop flange 663 to limit the extent to which the cylindrical portion 662 may be inserted into the end of the core 670.
  • a fluke portion 666 is provided serving to engage the hollow core 670 and resist or prevent its removal.
  • the catch member 100 in Figures 41 to 43 is substantially identical to the catch member illustrated in Figure 8 with the exception that the radial exitway 120 in Figure 8 is modified firstly to have a width equal to the radius of the central opening 104 through the actuator plate 32 and secondly to have both a frustoconical portion 700 and a cylindrical journaling portion 702 which are marginally larger than corresponding frustoconical surfaces 670 and cylindrical journalled surfaces 672 on the stem 61 outwardly of the engagement member 67.
  • the engagement member 67 is identical to that shown in Figure 6 .
  • the stem 61 outwardly from the engagement member 67 is journalled in the catch member to locate the end plug 600 coaxially about the axis 23 relative to the catch member 100.
  • the roll of paper 672 with the two end plugs 600 secured thereto form a removable cartridge 13 which can be inserted into and removed from the dispenser 10.
  • the dispenser 10 in the preferred embodiment as seen in Figure 42 is to have the exitway 120 of the catch member 100 preferably directed forwardly such that the removable cartridge 720 may be engaged from the dispenser 10 by sliding the cartridge 13 rearwardly such that each of the end plugs 600 have their engagement members 67 slide rearwardly into their respective catch member 100. Removal is by sliding the cartridge 13 forwardly.
  • the catch members 100 can be arranged with their exitways 120 directed in any direction as, for example, upwardly, upwardly and forwardly or rearwardly provided that the removable cartridge 13 with a full roll of paper may be removably coupled and uncoupled therefrom.
  • the dispenser 10 while not shown, may have a removable cover to its housing 14 which may restrict the directions from which the replaceable cartridge may be inserted and removed.
  • Journalling of the hollow core 670 to the catch members 100 may be accomplished in a number of manners.
  • journaling is substantially provided by reason of the stem 61 outwardly from the engagement member 67 being journalled in the central opening 104 of the catch member 100.
  • the engagement member 67 may itself provide a journaling function with the relative gap and spacing between the engagement member 67 and the interior of the cavity 102 of the catch member 100 being selected to provide suitable journaling.
  • Alternate journaling surfaces such as the cylindrical outside surface of the stem 61 between the engagement member 67 and the cylindrical plug portion 662 may be engaged by other bearing members not shown to assist in journaling alternatively with the stem 61 outwardly of the engagement member 67 not providing a journalling function or removed.
  • each catch member 100 may be mounted to the side wall 23 of the dispenser for rotation.
  • the hollow core 670 of the roll of paper may preferably provide for coupling of each end plug 600 to the hollow core 670 against removal other than when all the paper has been removed from the hollow core.
  • the hollow core may preferably have slots 678 to engage the fluke portion 666 and only permit removal of end plug 660 as by destruction of the hollow core 670.
  • the hollow core 670 may be provided, for example, of paper or other materials which merely permit destruction or disassembly of the hollow core 670 easily when all of the paper has been removed therefrom.
  • the core 670 can be made with the end plugs 600 not removable therefrom.
  • FIG. 40 to 44 shows the use of the catch member 100 and engagement member 67 in a dispenser for exchangeable rolls of paper preferably paper rolls. It is to be appreciated that the invention of Figures 40 to 43 is applicable to the dispensers of other roll material such as, for example, paper towels, kitchen paper, toilet paper, foil, plastic wrapping paper and other materials wound onto a roll, whether or not mounted with the axis horizontal or vertical or otherwise.
  • the preferred paper dispenser illustrated shows the replaceable cartridge 13 being able to be inserted merely by sliding of the end plug 600 radially relative to the axis 23 through the individual catch members 100.
  • an advantageous arrangement of a dispenser in accordance with the present invention is to have one of the catch members 100 mounted to its side wall 23 for pivoting about a vertical axis.
  • the pivotally mounted catch member may be pivoted such that its axis 102 is directed forwardly of the dispenser and this in configuration, one of the end plugs 600 may be coupled to the pivoted catch member 100 by the engagement member 67 moving axially into the cavity 102.
  • the catch member 100 which is pivotally mounted to the side wall 23 for pivoting may have its exitway directed vertically upwardly as contrasted, for example, with the other catch member 100 having its exitway directed forwardly or forwardly and upwardly.
  • the configuration of the engagement member 67 and the configuration of the interior cavity 102 can be provided to be of complementary shape so as to prevent insertion of a replaceable cartridge which does not have end plugs 600 carrying engagement member 67 of desired shapes compared to the cavities 100 of the catch members.
  • Figures 40 to 44 illustrates a paper roll dispenser using an engagement member 67 and catch member 100 substantially as shown in Figures 1 to 13 .
  • other embodiments of resilient engagement members shown in the other Figures may readily be adapted for use with the paper roll dispenser.

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Claims (12)

  1. Spender (10) zum Abgeben von Blattmaterial, umfassend:
    ein Gehäuse (14),
    eine austauschbare Kartusche (13), die eine Rolle (672) des abzugebenden Blattmaterials (674) umfasst, das um einen länglichen Kern (670) gewickelt ist,
    wobei die Kartusche (13) einen Endstopfen (600) an einem Ende des Kerns (670) umfasst,
    das Gehäuse (14) die Kartusche (13) in einer Abgabeposition trägt,
    wobei die Kartusche (13) in das Gehäuse (14) einführbar ist, um die Abgabeposition einzunehmen, und aus diesem zum Austausch entfernbar ist,
    das Gehäuse (14) Lagerflächen trägt, um in Lagerflächen an der Kartusche (13) einzugreifen, wenn sich die Kartusche (13) in einer gekoppelten Ausrichtung befindet, um den Kern (670) zur Drehung um eine Achse (23) am Gehäuse (14) zu lagern,
    wobei das Gehäuse (14) ein Rastelement (100) umfasst,
    gekennzeichnet durch:
    der Endstopfen (600) einen Eingriffsmechanismus (57) mit einem um die Achse (23) angeordneten elastischen Element (67) aufweist, um mit dem Rastelement (100) in Eingriff zu kommen und die Kartusche (13) in der gekoppelten Ausrichtung lösbar mit dem Gehäuse (14) zu koppeln,
    sich das elastische Element (67) von der Kartusche (13) in einer nicht vorgespannten inhärenten Konfiguration radial nach außen erstreckt, wobei das elastische Element (67) aus der inhärenten Konfiguration radial in abgelenkte Konfigurationen mit anderen radialen Ausmaßen als die inhärente Konfiguration elastisch ablenkbar ist und vorgespannt ist, um in die inhärente Konfiguration zurückzukehren, wenn es aus der inhärenten Konfiguration abgelenkt wird,
    das Rastelement (100) einen zentralen Hohlraum (102) aufweist, der darin koaxial um die Achse (23) ausgebildet ist,
    wobei der Endstopfen (600) in der gekoppelten Ausrichtung koaxial innerhalb des Hohlraums (102) angeordnet ist,
    das Rastelement (100) einen radialen Ausgang (120) aufweist, der sich radial aus dem Hohlraum (102) für den Durchgang des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) bei der Bewegung aus der gekoppelten Ausrichtung in eine radiale entkoppelte Ausrichtung erstreckt,
    der Ausgang (120) eine Umfangsausdehnung relativ zur Achse (23) aufweist, die eine Bewegung des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) radial relativ zum Rastelement (100) durch den Ausgang (120) erlaubt, wenn sich das elastische Element (67) in einer der abgelenkten Konfigurationen befindet, jedoch eine Bewegung des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) radial relativ zum Rastelement (100) durch den Ausgang (120) verhindert, wenn sich das elastische Element (67) in der inhärenten Konfiguration befindet,
    wobei aus der gekoppelten Ausrichtung beim Bewegen der Kartusche (13) radial relativ zum Eingriff des Rastelements (100) zwischen dem Rastelement (100) und dem elastischen Element (67) das elastische Element (67) radial aus der inhärenten Konfiguration in eine der abgelenkten Konfigurationen abgelenkt wird, wodurch dem elastischen Element (67) ermöglicht wird, sich radial durch den Ausgang (120) des Rastelements (100) aus der gekoppelten Ausrichtung in die radial entkoppelte Ausrichtung zu bewegen.
  2. Spender (10) zur Abgabe von Material, umfassend:
    ein Gehäuse (14),
    eine austauschbare Kartusche (13), die das abzugebende Material enthält,
    wobei das Gehäuse (14) die Kartusche (13) in einer Abgabeposition trägt,
    wobei die Kartusche (13) in das Gehäuse (14) einführbar ist, um die Abgabeposition einzunehmen, und zum Austausch daraus entnommen werden kann,
    das Gehäuse (14) ein Rastelement (100) umfasst,
    die Kartusche (13) einen um eine Achse (23) angeordneten Eingriffsmechanismus (57) aufweist, um in das Rastelement (100) einzugreifen und die Kartusche (13) in einer gekoppelten Ausrichtung lösbar mit dem Gehäuse (14) zu koppeln,
    der Eingriffsmechanismus (57) ein elastisches Element (67) umfasst, das sich von der Kartusche (13) in einer nicht vorgespannten inhärenten Konfiguration radial nach außen erstreckt, wobei das elastische Element (67) aus der inhärenten Konfiguration radial in abgelenkte Konfigurationen mit anderen radialen Ausmaßen als die inhärente Konfiguration elastisch ablenkbar ist und vorgespannt ist, um in die inhärente Konfiguration zurückzukehren, wenn es aus der inhärenten Konfiguration abgelenkt wird,
    wobei aus der gekoppelten Ausrichtung beim Bewegen der Kartusche (13) radial relativ zum Eingriff des Rastelementes (100) zwischen dem Rastelement (100) und dem elastischen Element (67) das elastische Element (67) radial aus der inhärenten Konfiguration in eine der abgelenkten Konfigurationen abgelenkt wird, wodurch es dem elastischen Element (67) und dem Rastglied (100) ermöglicht wird, sich radial aus der gekoppelten Ausrichtung in eine radiale, entkoppelte Ausrichtung zu bewegen, in der die Kartusche (13) aus dem Gehäuse (14) entfernt werden kann,
    in der gekoppelten Ausrichtung das elastische Element (67), während es in der inhärenten Konfiguration befindet, mit dem Rastelement (100) in Eingriff steht, um zu verhindern, dass die Kartusche (13) radial relativ zum Rastelement (100) aus der gekoppelten Ausrichtung in die radial entkoppelte Ausrichtung bewegt wird,
    wobei
    der Spender ist ein Spender für das auf einer Rolle (670) angeordnete Blattmaterial (674), ist,
    die Kartusche (13) die um einen länglichen Kern (670) gewickelte Rolle (672) des Blattmaterials (674) und einen Endstopfen (600) an einem Ende des Kerns (670) umfasst,
    den Eingriffsmechanismus (57) auf dem Endstopfen (600) getragen wird, so dass der Kern (670) koaxial zu einer Achse (23) ist,
    das Gehäuse (14) Lagerflächen trägt, um mit Lagerflächen an der Kartusche (13) einzugreifen, wenn sich die Kartusche (13) in der gekoppelten Ausrichtung befindet, um den Kern (670) zur Drehung um die Achse (23) am Gehäuse (14) zu lagern,
    wobei das Rastelement (100) einen zentralen Hohlraum (102) aufweist, der darin koaxial um die Achse (23) ausgebildet ist, und
    wobei in der gekoppelten Ausrichtung der Eingriffsmechanismus (57) koaxial innerhalb des Hohlraums (102) angeordnet ist,
    wobei das Rastelement (100) einen radialen Ausgang (120) aufweist, der sich radial aus dem Hohlraum (102) für den Durchgang des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) bei der Bewegung von der gekoppelten Ausrichtung in die radiale entkoppelte Ausrichtung erstreckt,
    wobei der Ausgang (120) eine Umfangsausdehnung relativ zur Achse (23) aufweist, die eine Bewegung des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) radial relativ zum Rastelement (100) durch den Ausgang (120) erlaubt, wenn sich das elastische Element (67) in einer der ausgelenkten Konfigurationen befindet, jedoch eine Bewegung des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) radial relativ zum Rastelement (100) durch den Ausgang (120) verhindert, wenn sich das elastische Element (67) in der inhärenten Konfiguration befindet.
  3. Spender nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Hohlraum (102) innerhalb einer sich in Umfangsrichtung axial erstreckenden Seitenwand (108) des Rastelements (100) definiert ist, wobei sich der Ausgang (120) radial durch die Seitenwand (108) erstreckt,
    die Seitenwand (108) eine Innenfläche (110) aufweist, die radial nach innen in den Hohlraum (102) weist,
    Ausgangsnockenflächen (136) an der Innenfläche (110) der Seitenwand (108) an gegenüberliegenden, in Umfangsrichtung beabstandeten Seiten des Ausganges (120) zum Eingriff mit dem elastischen Element (67), so dass aus der gekoppelten Ausrichtung beim Bewegen des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) radial nach außen in den Ausgang (120) der Eingriff zwischen dem entgegengesetzten Ausgangsnockenflächen (136) und dem elastischen Element (67) das elastische Element (67) radial zusammendrückt, um eine Breite des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) senkrecht zur Achse ausreichend zu reduzieren, so dass der Eingriffsmechanismus (57) radial durch den Ausgang (120) aus der gekoppelten Ausrichtung in die radial entkoppelte Ausrichtung passieren kann, und
    in der gekoppelten Ausrichtung das elastische Element (67) in der inhärenten Konfiguration mit der Innenfläche (110) der Seitenwand (108) des Rastelements (100) in Eingriff steht, um zu verhindern, dass der Eingriffsmechanismus (57) radial relativ zum Rastelement (100) aus der gekoppelten Ausrichtung in die radial entkoppelte Ausrichtung bewegt wird, weil der Austrittsweg (120) eine Breite senkrecht zur Achse aufweist, die geringer ist als ein Durchmesser des elastischen Elements (67) in der inhärenten Konfiguration.
  4. Spender nach Anspruch 3, wobei:
    die Seitenwand (108) eine Außenfläche aufweist, die von dem Hohlraum (102) radial nach außen weist,
    Eintrittsnockenflächen an der Außenfläche der Seitenwand (108) an gegenüberliegenden, in Umfangsrichtung beabstandeten Seiten des Ausganges (120) zum Eingriff mit dem elastischen Element (67), so dass von der radialen, entkoppelten Ausrichtung beim Bewegen des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) radial nach innen in den Ausgang (120) der Eingriff zwischen den einander gegenüberliegenden Eintrittsnockenflächen und dem elastischen Element (67) das elastische Element (67) radial zusammendrückt, um die Breite des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) senkrecht zur Achse ausreichend zu reduzieren, so dass der Eingriffsmechanismus (57) radial durch den Ausgang (120) aus der radial entkoppelten Ausrichtung in die gekoppelte Ausrichtung passieren kann.
  5. Spender nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei:
    das Rastelement (100) einen axialen Eingang aufweist, der sich in Umfangsrichtung um die Achse (23) axial in den Hohlraum (102) erstreckt, um den Eingriffsmechanismus (57) beim Bewegen aus einer axialen entkoppelten Ausrichtung, in der der Eingriffsmechanismus (57) axial mit dem Hohlraum (102) ausgerichtet ist, axial beabstandet von der gekoppelten Ausrichtung passieren zu lassen,
    wobei der Eingang eine diametrale Ausdehnung aufweist, die eine Bewegung des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) axial relativ zu dem Rastelement (100) durch den Eingang erlaubt, wenn sich das elastische Element (67) in einer der abgelenkten Konfigurationen befindet, jedoch eine Bewegung des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) axial relativ zu dem Rastelement (100) durch den Eingang verhindert, wenn sich das elastische Element (67) in der inhärenten Konfiguration befindet.
  6. Spender nach Anspruch 5, wobei:
    der Hohlraum (102) zwischen einer sich radial erstreckenden inneren Stirnwand (112) und einer sich radial erstreckenden äußeren Stirnwand (32) definiert ist, die axial von der inneren Stirnwand (112) beabstandet ist,
    sich der Eingang axial durch die innere Stirnwand erstreckt (112),
    die innere Stirnwand (112) eine Innenfläche (114) aufweist, die axial nach außen in den Hohlraum (102) weist,
    Einlassnockenseitenwandflächen (144) an gegenüberliegenden, radial beabstandeten Seiten der inneren Stirnwand (112) um den Eingang herum zum Eingriff mit dem elastischen Element (67), so dass aus der axialen, entkoppelten Ausrichtung beim Bewegen des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) axial der Eingriff des Einganges zwischen den gegenüberliegenden Einlassnockenseitenwandflächen (144) und dem elastischen Glied (67) das elastische Glied (67) radial zusammendrückt, um die Breite des Eingriffsmechanismus (57) senkrecht zur Achse ausreichend zu reduzieren, so dass der Eingriffsmechanismus (57) axial durch den Eingang von der axialen entkoppelten Ausrichtung in die gekoppelte Ausrichtung passieren kann,
    in der gekoppelten Ausrichtung das elastische Element (67) in der inhärenten Konfiguration mit der Innenfläche (114) der inneren Stirnwand (112) des Rastelements (100) in Eingriff steht, um zu verhindern, dass der Eingriffsmechanismus (57) axial relativ zum Rastelement (100) bewegt wird, da der Eingang einen Durchmesser aufweist, der kleiner ist als ein Durchmesser des elastischen Elements (67) in der inhärenten Konfiguration.
  7. Spender nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei:
    das elastische Element (67) eine Vielzahl von elastischen Fingerelementen umfasst, die in Umfangsrichtung der Achse um den Eingriffsmechanismus (57) herum beabstandet sind,
    jedes Fingerelement (70) mit dem Eingriffsmechanismus (57) an einem radial inneren Ende (71) des Fingerelements gekoppelt ist und sich radial nach außen zu einem distalen Endabschnitt (72) erstreckt,
    wobei jedes Fingerelement in der inhärenten Konfiguration eine nicht vorgespannte Position einnimmt,
    wobei jedes Fingerelement aus seiner nicht vorgespannten Position in vorgespannte Positionen elastisch verformbar ist; (a) bei dem der distale Endabschnitt (72) radial nach innen ausreichend bewegt wird, um die distalen Endabschnitte (72) sich radial durch den radialen Austrittsweg (120) des Rastelements (100) in einer radialen Richtung bewegen zu lassen; und (b) bei dem der distale Endabschnitt (72) radial nach innen ausreichend bewegt wird, um die distalen Endabschnitte (72) sich axial durch den axialen Eintrittsweg des Rastelements (100) in einer axialen Richtung bewegen zu lassen.
  8. Spender nach Anspruch 3, 4 oder 5, wobei:
    der Hohlraum (102) zwischen zwei axial beabstandeten, sich radial erstreckenden Endwänden des Rastelements (100) definiert ist, umfassend eine innere Stirnwand (112) mit einer Innenfläche (114), die axial nach außen in den Hohlraum (102) gerichtet ist, und einer äußeren Stirnwand (32) mit einer Innenfläche (36), die axial nach innen in den Hohlraum (102) gerichtet ist,
    wobei in dem gekoppelten Ausrichtungseingriff zwischen axial gerichteten Sperrflächen (74, 126) der Fingerelemente (70) an dem Eingriffsmechanismus (57) und den Innenflächen (114, 36) der inneren und äußeren Stirnwände (112, 114) des Rastelements (100) der Eingriffsmechanismus (57) in dem Hohlraum (102) gegen ein Entfernen aus diesem durch Bewegung in einer axialen Richtung gehalten wird
    das elastische Element (67) eine Vielzahl von elastischen Fingerelementen (70) aufweist, die in Umfangsrichtung der Achse um den Eingriffsmechanismus (57) herum beabstandet sind, wobei jedes Fingerelement (70) mit dem Eingriffsmechanismus (57) an einem radial inneren Ende (71) des Fingerelements (70) gekoppelt ist und sich radial nach außen zu einem distalen Endabschnitt (72) erstreckt,
    jedes Fingerelement (70) in der inhärenten Konfiguration eine unvoreingenommene Position einnimmt,
    wobei jedes Fingerelement (70) aus seiner nicht vorgespannte Position in belastete Positionen, in denen der distale Endabschnitt (72) radial nach innen bewegt wird, elastisch verformbar ist,
    die Fingerelemente (70) aus ihren jeweiligen unvorbelasteten Positionen in vorbelastete Positionen elastisch verformbar sind, in denen die distalen Endabschnitte (72) ausreichend radial nach innen bewegt werden, dass sich die distalen Endabschnitte (72) radial durch das Rastelement (100) in einer radialen Richtung aus der gekoppelten Orientierung in die radiale entkoppelte Orientierung bewegen lassen,
    sich die elastischen Fingerelemente (70) sowohl radial nach außen als auch axial nach innen von ihrem radial inneren Ende (71) zu ihrem distalen Ende (72) erstrecken,
    wobei die Fingerelemente (70) axial nach außen und radial nach außen gerichtete Nockenflächen (73) zum Eingriff mit den Austrittsnockenflächen (136) an gegenüberliegenden, in Umfangsrichtung beabstandeten Seiten des Ausganges (120) aufweisen, um das elastische Element (70) radial zusammenzudrücken,
    wobei die Fingerelemente (70) eine axial nach innen weisende Sperrfläche (74) axial einwärts der Nockenflächen aufweisen, um mit der Innenfläche (114) der ersten inneren Stirnwand (112) in Eingriff zu kommen,
    wobei die Fingerelemente (70) eine axial nach außen weisende Sperrfläche (126) axial außerhalb der Nockenflächen (73) aufweisen, um mit der Innenfläche (36) der äußeren Stirnwand (32) in Eingriff zu kommen
  9. Spender nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei:
    der Kern (670) zwei Enden aufweist,
    die Kartusche zwei der Endstopfen (600) aufweist, wobei sich einer der Endstopfen (600) an jedem Ende des Kerns (670) befindet,
    das Gehäuse (14) zwei der Rastelemente (100) aufweist, wobei jedes Rastelements (100) den darin koaxial um die Achse (23) ausgebildeten zentralen Hohlraum (102) aufweist,
    wobei in der gekoppelten Ausrichtung jeder Endstopfen (600) koaxial innerhalb des Hohlraums (102) eines entsprechenden Rastelements (100) angeordnet ist.
  10. Spender nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei:
    die Kartusche zwei der Endstopfen umfasst, wobei sich einer an jedem Ende des Kerns befindet,
    das Gehäuse (14) zwei der Rastelemente (100) aufweist, wobei das Eingriffselement (67) jedes Endstopfens mit jeweils einem der beiden Rastelemente (100) in Eingriff steht.
  11. Spender nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei das elastische Element (67) ein ringförmiges Ringelement um die Achse aufweist,
    ein oder mehrere in dem ringförmigen Ringelement bereitgestellte, sich axial erstreckende Schlitze (82, 84, 308) die Ablenkung des elastischen Elements (67) aus der unbelasteten inhärenten Konfiguration in die abgelenkten Konfigurationen unterstützen,
    wobei jeder Schlitz (82, 84, 308) aus der Gruppe ausgewählt ist, bestehend aus: (a) einem Schlitz, der sich axial durch das elastische Element (67) erstreckt, und (b) einem Schlitz (308), der sich axial von einem axial offenen Ende (314) des Schlitzes an einer axial gerichteten Oberfläche des elastischen Elements (67) zu einem blinden Ende (312) des Schlitzes in das elastische Element (67) erstreckt.
  12. Spender nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei das elastische Element (67) ein ringförmiges Ringelement um die Achse aufweist,
    ein in dem ringförmigen Ringelement bereitgestellter, sich axial erstreckender ringförmiger Schlitz (308) die Ablenkung des elastischen Elements (67) aus der unbelasteten inhärenten Konfiguration in die abgelenkten Konfigurationen unterstützt,
    wobei sich der Schlitz (308) axial von einem axial offenen Ende (314) des Schlitzes (308) an einer axial gerichteten Oberfläche des elastischen Elements (67) zu einem blinden Ende (312) des Schlitzes (308) in das elastische Element (67) erstreckt, und wobei sich der Schlitz (308) ringförmig um die Achse erstreckt, und
    der Schlitz (308) zwischen einem Paar radial beanstandeter, gegenüberliegender Schlitzseitenwände (320, 322) definiert ist, wobei sich jede Seitenwand von dem blinden Ende (312) zu dem offenen Ende (314) erstreckt,
    wobei bei der Ablenkung des elastischen Elements (67) von der unbelasteten inhärenten Konfiguration zu den abgelenkten Konfigurationen die beabstandeten Seitenwände relativ zueinander verschoben werden.
EP18188236.6A 2008-12-08 2009-12-07 Eingriffsflansch für abnehmbare spenderkartusche Active EP3424383B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2645953A CA2645953A1 (en) 2008-12-08 2008-12-08 Engagement flange for fluid dispenser pump piston
US15970209A 2009-03-12 2009-03-12
US15970209P 2009-03-12 2009-03-12
CA2658501A CA2658501A1 (en) 2008-12-08 2009-03-13 Engagement flange for fluid dispenser pump piston
CA2686981A CA2686981C (en) 2008-12-08 2009-12-03 Engagement flange for removable dispenser cartridge
EP09178194.8A EP2193736B1 (de) 2008-12-08 2009-12-07 Eingriffsflansch für abnehmbare spenderkartusche

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EP09178194.8A Division-Into EP2193736B1 (de) 2008-12-08 2009-12-07 Eingriffsflansch für abnehmbare spenderkartusche
EP09178194.8A Division EP2193736B1 (de) 2008-12-08 2009-12-07 Eingriffsflansch für abnehmbare spenderkartusche

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CA2799509C (en) * 2011-12-22 2019-07-30 Gotohti.Com Inc. Ramp actuator for engagement flange on removable dispenser cartridge
CA2787556C (en) * 2012-08-22 2019-06-25 Gotohti.Com Inc. Rotating keyed dispensing cartridge system

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US2343847A (en) * 1941-01-24 1944-03-07 Craft Mfg Co Cream dispenser
US2858052A (en) * 1954-12-29 1958-10-28 Theodore M Costakos Cream dispenser
US5165577A (en) 1991-05-20 1992-11-24 Heiner Ophardt Disposable plastic liquid pump
CA2341659C (en) 2001-03-20 2007-08-07 Hygiene-Technik Inc. Liquid dispenser for dispensing foam
CA2470532C (en) 2004-06-09 2008-11-18 Hygiene-Technik Inc. Draw back pump
US20070079676A1 (en) 2005-10-07 2007-04-12 Global Plastics Paper dispenser
SI1795479T1 (sl) 2005-12-07 2009-02-28 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Končni čep za zvitek materiala, zvitek materiala in zadrževalni mehanizem v razdelilniku
FR2909649B1 (fr) * 2006-12-11 2009-07-03 Maurice Granger Embout jetable pour bobine de materiau d'essuyage et appareil distributeur de materiau d'essuyage recevant un tel embout
CA2863738C (en) * 2007-06-22 2016-04-26 Op-Hygiene Ip Gmbh Split engagement flange for soap dispenser pump piston

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EP2193736A3 (de) 2017-01-11
EP2193736A2 (de) 2010-06-09
EP3424383A1 (de) 2019-01-09

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