FR2877200A1 - CANTILEVER SPRING AND DISPOSABLE DISPENSER - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spring mechanism comprising an elongated cantilever spring member extending along a longitudinal section coupled at a first end to a first member and a second distal end of the spring member. engaging with a second member such that the spring member inclines the first and second members relative to each other. The spring member has a non-inclined state and can be resiliently deflected and is generally perpendicular to its longitudinal section to ensure deflected states from which the spring member inherently attempts to return to its non-inclined state. The longitudinal section of the spring element preferably remains disposed in a flat plane during the passage of the spring element between a non-inclined state and the deflected states. The spring element is preferably in cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal section, a shape including two lugs arranged to lay on planes parallel to the flat plane and connected by a loop perpendicular to the flat plane. Preferably, the spring element is provided with an elasticity substantially due to the elastic deflection of the opposite parts of the two tabs towards each other and / or at a distance from each other and perpendicular to the flat plane. The spring member preferably comprises a plastics material and may be formed as a unitary, injection molded piece of plastic in the form of a unitary element together with the first element to which it is coupled. . Also disclosed is a dispensing unit designed for single use and preferably affixed to a wall with a reusable wallplate. The dispensing unit is preferably an assembled unit which, as a unit, is mountable and removable from the mounting plate, the assembled dispensing unit preferably being separately functional and the mounting plate is preferably required simply for mounting the distribution unit to the wall.

Description

Cantilever spring and disposable dispenser

  The present invention relates to a disposable dispenser and, more particularly, to a disposable dispenser designed for a single use.

  The present invention also relates to a cantilever spring and, more particularly, to a fluid dispenser having a cantilever spring, preferably made of plastic.

  Wall-mounted soap dispensers for use in washrooms and the like should preferably meet high performance standards regarding distribution in terms of reliability and in terms of the forces to be manually exerted for dispensing. Similarly, it is desired that these soap dispensers adhere to acceptable standards of appearance, which are representative of quality and reliability. Known soap dispensers that meet the standards of performance and appearance generally have the disadvantage of being expensive and not practical when discarded after a single use.

  Known wall-mounted soap dispensers are subject to regular vandalism in which they are physically removed from the wall and often destroyed. Wall-mounted soap dispensers known today do not generally provide practical solutions for use in situations where vandalism is likely to occur.

  Several dispensers and other devices are well known with an actuator that is movable between a first position and a second position with a spring biasing the actuator to a first position and, the actuator being movable to a second position against the inclination of the spring before coming back, thanks to the elasticity of the spring, in second position. Typical springs include metal springs that are selected in view of the inherent elasticity of the metal and the fact that the metal springs are well known for a long service life without failure. Wall-mounted soap dispensers for use in washrooms and the like are known in which a manually activated push button is movable between an extended position and a retracted position to dispense the material, and a spring is provided to bring back the push button to one of these positions. The most commonly used springs include coil springs.

  Several distributors are formed substantially from recyclable plastic. Since a soap dispenser can be formed substantially from a plastic spring other than a metal spring, the metal spring has the disadvantage of reducing the ease with which the dispenser can be recycled to, for example, to be retired and that the plastic is reused.

  The metal spring needs to be removed separately before such a grinding process.

  The proposition of a separate spring, metallic or non-metallic, has the disadvantage of requiring a separate part which requires separate manufacture, storage and assembly.

  In order to at least partially overcome these disadvantages of previously known devices, the present invention provides a dispensing unit designed for single use, and preferably affixed to a wall with a reusable wallplate.

  The present invention provides a liquid material dispenser including a wall plate attached to a wall and a dispensing unit removably coupled to the wall plate. The dispensing unit is preferably an assembled unit which, as a unit, can be mounted and removed from the mounting plate, the assembled dispensing unit preferably being separately operable, and the mounting plate is preferably only required to mount the distribution unit to the wall.

  The dispensing unit preferably comprises a reservoir bottle with an outlet port, a piston pump assembly secured in the outlet port of the reservoir bottle, and an actuator element for manual engagement to activate the reservoir. piston pump assembly and distribute the fluid. The actuator element is coupled to the reservoir bottle.

  The dispensing unit, when coupled to the wall plate, preferably can not be disassembled. The dispensing unit should preferably be assembled prior to being coupled to the wall plate and, once assembled, prevent or at least resist disassembly.

  Preferably, the dispensing unit is releasably coupled to the wall plate by engagement between the reservoir bottle and the wall plate.

  Preferably, the bottle is detachably coupled to the wall plate by vertically sliding the bottle downwardly relative to the wall plate. For example, the laterally extending and laterally spaced latching members on the wall plate can be accommodated in laterally spaced, laterally spaced, and complementary slot channels formed on the rear portion of the bottle. The bottle is preferably formed by blow molding from low density polyethylene, and the laterally extending slot passages may be formed in the rear portion of the bottle during blow molding.

  Preferably, in order to reduce the cost of the dispensing unit, the actuator element is formed from a minimum number of parts. The actuator member has a support member fixedly coupled to the reservoir bottle around its outlet port, and a pushbutton member engaging the piston and pivotally coupled to the support member to effect movement. between an extended position and a retracted position with a spring element tilting the pushbutton member to the extended position. Preferably, the actuator element comprises a unitary injection-molded element made of plastic and including, in the form of a unitary element, the support element and the push-button element, the element of button push-member being coupled to the support member by an integral hinge for pivoting about a hinge axis.

  Several other functional features are preferably obtained with the actuator element, forming an integral part of the unitary element formed by injection molding from plastic. These other functional features include a mechanism for coupling the actuator element to the bottle, a locking mechanism to prevent removal of the bottle placed on the actuator element, snap-in fingers for coupling a movable piston. at the pushbutton member, stop mechanisms for limiting the relative extent of pivoting of the push button member relative to the support member, and the spring member for tilting the support member. and the pushbutton element so as to move them away from each other.

  Each component of the dispensing unit can preferably be formed from a cheap plastic material, preferably low density polyethylene, so that after a single use, the assembled dispensing unit can be removed from the wall plate and jetty, then recycled easily.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a construction for a spring member, which is designed to be made from inexpensive plastic such as low density polyethylene, and provides acceptable spring and elastic characteristics to the spring element. less for a limited life of a single-use product. The spring member preferably comprises an elongate cantilever leaf spring member formed from plastic by injection molding in the form of a unitary member depending on the support member for the spring. The spring element preferably has a cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal section, at least near the point where it merges with its support member, having a U-shape with two legs connected by a loop, and both legs being disposed substantially perpendicular to the support surface. Preferably, the spring member is provided with elasticity substantially due to an elastic deflection of the opposite portion of the two legs towards each other and at a distance from each other. The spring member may be provided in conjunction with a proposed ramp type slide on the other member with which a distal end of the spring member is to engage. The slide is arranged such that the spring member slides longitudinally along the slide as it passes from a non-deflected position to deflected positions. The slide is preferably arranged to facilitate the reduction of the required deflection of the spring element.

  The present invention provides an arrangement for improved engagement and locking of a bottle on a support member. An elongated hole is provided in a support pedestal of the support member having an enlarged portion at one end of the elongated aperture and the elongate aperture tapering to form a smaller portion at the other end. The neck of a bottle is designed to pass through the enlarged portion of the orifice and then slide laterally so that an annular groove around the neck of the bottle firmly engages the smaller portion of the bottle. orifice. Preferably, the deflectable fingers are provided on the other side of the smaller portion for attaching the neck of the bottle substantially in an interlocking relationship. A detent member is provided on a lower surface of the bottle, away from the neck designed by the detent member to engage within the enlarged portion of the orifice and prevent slippage of the bottle in a direction opposite to the direction required for the insertion of the neck in the smaller part of the orifice. The detent element preferably has a surface which corresponds substantially identically to the inner surface of the enlarged portion of the port to facilitate holding the bottle attached to a support base in a desired centered position and to the against relative rotational movement or side by side.

  In one aspect, the present invention provides a liquid dispenser comprising: a wall plate for securing the dispenser to the wall; a dispensing unit to removably attach to the wall plate; a distribution unit comprising a set composed of.

  a bottle type tank having an outlet port, a piston pump mechanism having a piston chamber member coupled to the tank port and a piston member slidably reciprocable thereon; piston chamber member for dispensing the liquid material from the reservoir through an extension of the piston member extending outwardly from the piston chamber member, an element of an actuator having a support member fixedly coupled to the reservoir around its port and a pushbutton member engaging with the piston extension and pivotally coupled to the support member for movement between an extended position and a retracted position, tilting the push button member to an extended position, in which the manual movement of the pushbutton member between an extended position and a retracted position is effected issuing the piston member in the piston chamber member to dispense the liquid material from the extension of the piston member.

  Preferably, while the dispensing unit is coupled to the wall plate, the dispensing unit can not be disassembled.

  To at least partially overcome other disadvantages among these disadvantages of previously known devices, the present invention provides a cantilever spring construction and, more particularly, a cantilever spring construction adapted to be made from plastic preferably. as an integral part of the distribution unit.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction for an elongated cantilever spring.

  Another object is to provide a construction for a plastic spring.

  Another object is to provide an improved dispenser incorporating an elongated cantilever spring element.

  The present invention provides a spring mechanism comprising an elongated cantilever spring member extending along a coupled longitudinal section, at a first end, to a first member and the second distal end of the spring member. engaging with a second member such that the spring member inclines the first and second members relative to each other. The spring member has a non-inclined state and is resiliently deflectable generally perpendicular to its longitudinal section to accept deflected states from which the spring member inherently attempts to return to its untouched state. The longitudinal section of the spring element preferably remains disposed in a flat plane during the deflection of the spring element between the non-inclined state and the deflected states. The spring element preferably has, in a cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal section, a shape including two lugs arranged to lie in planes parallel to the flat plane and connected by a loop perpendicular to the flat plane. Preferably, the spring element is provided with an elasticity substantially due to the elastic deflection of the opposite parts of the two legs towards each other and / or at a distance from each other, perpendicularly to the flat plane . The spring member preferably comprises a plastics material and may be formed as a unitary, injection-molded piece of plastic in the form of a unitary member associated with the first member to which it is coupled.

  The present invention further provides a liquid dispenser comprising a support member, an actuator, a member reciprocally movable relative to the support member between an extended position and a retracted position for dispensing the material. and a spring mechanism comprising a spring member inclining the actuator member to one of the extended position and the retracted position, wherein the spring mechanism comprises an elongated cantilever spring member extending along a longitudinal section coupled at a first end to a first support member and the actuator member, and the second distal end engaging the other second support member or actuator member. Preferably, the spring member associated with the first one of the push button member and the support member comprises a unitary element injection molded from plastic in the form of a unitary member. Preferably, the spring mechanism comprises two sets of identical springs, spaced from one another.

  In one aspect, the present invention provides a liquid dispenser comprising: a support member, a movable actuator member reciprocating with respect to the support member between an extended position and a retracted position for dispensing liquid material, a spring mechanism including a spring member biasing the actuator member toward one of the extended position and the retracted position, the spring member comprising an elongated cantilever spring member; extending along a longitudinal section, coupled at a first end to a first member of the support member and the actuator member, and the second distal end engaging with the second member element of the support element and the actuator element.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a liquid dispenser comprising: a support member, a movable actuator member reciprocating with respect to the support member between an extended position and a retracted position for dispensing the liquid material, a spring mechanism inclining the actuator member to one of the extended position and the retracted position, a spring mechanism comprising a first spring member and a second spring member, the first spring member comprising an elongated cantilever leaf spring member extending along a longitudinal section of the first spring member from a first end thereof which merges into the support member toward the spring member; actuator to a second distal end thereof, the first spring member having a non-inclined condition and being resiliently deflectable generally perpendicular to its longitudinal section to achieve deflected states from which the first spring member inherently attempts to return to its non-inclined state, the second spring member comprising an elongated cantilever leaf spring member; extending along a longitudinal section of the second spring member from a first end thereof which merges with the actuator member toward the support member to a second distal end thereof, the second spring member having a non-inclined state and being resiliently deflectable generally perpendicular to its longitudinal section towards deflected states from which the second spring member inherently attempts to return to its non-inclined state, the first support member , located near the distal end of it, engaging with the second spring element located near the distal end thereof to interact as a dual leaf spring combined.

  Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective rear view showing a dispenser according to the first embodiment of the present invention; invention with a distribution unit assembled in the process of mounting to a wall plate; Figure 2 shows an illustrated schematic side and rear view of the dispenser of Figure 1 from above, the dispensing unit being integrally mounted on the wall plate; Figure 3 shows a schematic rear and side view of the dispenser of Figure 2 from below; Figure 4 shows an illustrated front and bottom view of the dispenser bottle of Figure 1; Fig. 5 is an illustrated bottom and bottom view of the bottle of Fig. 4; Figure 6 is an illustrated bottom view of the bottle of Figure 4; Fig. 7 is an illustrated front view of the wallplate of the dispenser of Fig. 1; Figure 8 is an illustrated top view of the dispenser as shown in Figure 1, the bottle being in position for insertion on the wall; Fig. 9 is an illustrated view of a piston member used in the embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is an illustrated view of a piston chamber member used in the embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig. 11 is an illustrated view of an assembled pumping mechanism formed by assembling the piston member of Fig. 9 and the piston chamber member of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is an illustrated view of the bottle of Fig. 4, the pump mechanism of Fig. 11 being coupled thereto; Figure 13 is an illustrated view of the actuator element of the dispenser of Figure 1 in the open position; Fig. 14 is an illustrated partially sectional view of the actuator of Fig. 13 as shown from the other side of the actuator as opposed to the view of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is an illustrated view of the underside of the actuator member shown in Fig. 13; Figure 16 is an illustrated view of the actuator of Figure 13 in the closed position; Fig. 17 is a sectional side view of the actuator of Fig. 16, the cross section being adjacent to a spring member; Fig. 18 is a partly sectional and illustrated side view of the actuator element shown in Fig. 16 in a fully extended position, and showing the location of the pumping mechanism of Fig. 11 if the pumping mechanism is received at the interior of a bottle coupled to the actuator element; Figure 19 is a view identical to that of Figure 17; however, the actuator element is in the retracted position; Fig. 20 is a schematic sectional view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 2 along a central plane taken vertically through the dispenser; Figs. 21 and 22 are side sectional views through the pump assembly and the bottle as shown in Fig. 12, through coaxial cross sections at the neck of the bottle, and including a small section of the bottom wall of the bottle. the bottle; Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the fully assembled dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 24 is an illustrated view of the bottle of the dispenser of Fig. 23; Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a pump used with the dispenser of Fig. 23; Fig. 26 is an illustrated view of a back plate of the dispenser of Fig. 23; Fig. 27 is an exploded view illustrating an integral housing member and a push-button member with a removable support plate member for the dispenser of Fig. 23; Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the support member also shown in Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is a partial perspective view of the unitary housing element and the pushbutton element shown in Fig. 27; Fig. 30 is an assembled view of the housing member and the push-button member with the support member assembled as viewed from the back; Fig. 31 is a schematic sectional side view through the dispenser of Fig. 23 showing the bottle in a stable position relative to the housing member; Fig. 32 is an enlarged sectional view of the parts of Fig. 31; Fig. 33 is a sectional side view similar to that of Fig. 32, yet showing the pushbutton member rotated inwardly; Fig. 34 is a sectional side view taken along section line 8-8 'of the spring members of Fig. 32; Fig. 35 is a partially sectional side view taken on the opposite side of the dispensing assembly shown in Fig. 31; however, the bottle is in an unstable position with respect to the housing member, ready to move to a fully inserted stable position; Fig. 36 is a sectional side view similar to that of Fig. 32, but showing modified spring elements; and Fig. 37 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 34, yet showing another composite version in the spring element.

  Reference is made to Figures 1 to 21 which show a first embodiment of a soap dispenser 10 comprising a dispensing unit 12 removably coupled to a wall plate 14. The dispensing unit 12 comprises a set of a reservoir bottle 20, a piston pump mechanism 18 and an actuator element 16.

  The reservoir bottle 20 appears better in FIGS. 4 to 6. The bottle 20 has a rear wall 22, a front wall 23, two side walls 24 and 25, an upper wall 26 and a bottom wall 27. An externally cylindrical threaded collar 28 Bearing helical threads 29 extends downwardly from bottom wall 27 and provides an outlet port 30 for communication with the interior of the bottle.

  The neck 28 also carries an annular collar 31 spaced at a uniform distance from the bottom wall 27 so as to obtain an annular slot passage 32 between the two, designed to couple the bottle 20 to the actuator member 16.

  The bottom wall 27 has a detent ramp 33 for engagement with the actuator member 16 to prevent disengagement of the bottle 20 from the actuator member 16.

  The rear wall 22 of the bottle carries a mounting shim 34 which has spaced apart sidewalls 35 and 36, best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, which are hollowed out in the sense that they provide slit passages extending 37 and 38 to connect the bottle to the wall plate 14.

  The configuration of the mounting shim 34 is preferably designed to facilitate the manufacture of the bottle 20 by blow molding from relatively inexpensive plastics such as polyethylene, preferably low density polyethylene which already allows for safe coupling. the bottle 20 to the wall plate 14.

  The wall plate 14 is best seen in Figures 7 and 8. The wall plate has a planar rear surface 40 for engagement with, for example, a bathroom wall near a sink. The wall plate 14 may be affixed to the wall by known means, preferably by adhesives such as double-sided tape or fasteners such as screws. The orifices 42 for receiving these fasteners are shown and extend through the wall plate 14.

  The front surface 43 of the wall plate carries a wedge-shaped slot 44 defined between two angular shoulder members 45 and 46 which have laterally extending snap-fasteners 48 and 49 which are designed for the slot passages 37 and 38 of each one. The slot 44 is complementary in size and shape to the mounting shim 34 on the bottle.

  The bottle 20 is removably mounted to the wall plate 14 by aligning the mounting shim 34 on the bottle 20 with the groove 44 on the wall plate 14 and sliding the bottle 20 vertically and downwardly. The wall plate 14 preferably carries a latching finger 50 carrying a resilient, deflectable cantilever shoulder adapted to removably lock the wall plate to the actuator member 16.

  As shown in Fig. 8, the mounting shim 34 on the bottle 20 provides a dovetail member to be received in the dovetail slot 44 in the wall plate 14. As schematically shown in Figs. 9 to 12, the mechanism of

  pump 18 comprises a piston chamber member 52 and a piston member 53. The piston chamber member 52 is adapted to be sealingly engaged in the outlet port 30 of the bottle 20 through an internally threaded edge. 54 engaging threadably with the threaded neck 28 of the bottle 20 and placing the piston chamber member coaxially within the neck 28. The piston member 53 is axially slidably received in the piston chamber element 52 for axial sliding inside the element coaxially between an extended position and a retracted position for dispensing the liquid contents contained in the bottle 20.

  Figures 21 and 22 show sectional views of a complete pump mechanism 18 coupled to the bottle 20 shown schematically. The piston chamber member 52 carries a unidirectional inlet valve 55 through which the material contained in the bottle can pass into a chamber 139 within the piston chamber member 53. piston member 53 has an outlet extension tube 56 extending outwardly from the piston chamber member 52 and supporting an annular engagement flange 57 for engagement to move in a directional movement. The piston member 53 has radially outwardly directed flanges 58 for interacting with the chamber 139 within the piston chamber member 52 so as to distributing the material through an outlet passage 140 centrally through the outlet extension tube 56. The piston pump mechanism 18 preferably includes an elastic air release valve 142 to allow the air to enter the bottle 20 to replace the dispensed material, such as when vacuum conditions are created within the bottle 20, which is preferably configured to be rigid or substantially semi-rigid.

  The illustrated pumping mechanism is of a type similar to that described in U.S. Patent Application 5,282,522, published Feb. 1, 1994, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

  Several other similar piston pumps can be used, for example, as described in US patent application 5,676,277, published October 14, 1997, for dispensing liquids preferably and US Patent 6,601,736, published August 5, 2003. preferably for dispensing liquid foam, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other similar piston pump mechanisms designed for coupling to the outlet of the bottles are well known. It is preferred to adopt pumping mechanisms which are entirely made of plastic and which do not incorporate any metal components. The pumping mechanisms may include pumping mechanisms that allow the distribution of more than one component in a single distribution, and may dispense liquefiable solid and granular materials alone or in combination with a paste, liquids or materials. liquefiable or liquid foams. Similarly, the pumping mechanism may provide a nozzle at the end of the extension tube 56 which allows diffusion of the dispensed liquid.

  The actuator member 16 is shown in FIGS. 13 to 19. The actuator member 16 in the preferred embodiment comprises a unitary element preferably injection molded from plastic. The actuator member comprises a support member 60 and a push button member 61 pivotally coupled together to pivot about a hinge axis 62 through an integral hinge 63 which is a thin plastic plate which connects the Support member 60 and push button member 61. Actuator member 16 is shown in Figures 13, 14 and 15, with support member 60 and push button member 61 disposed around the hinge axis 62 in the open position, being a position in which the actuator element is preferably formed during injection molding. From the open position shown in Figs. 13 to 15, the actuator element is bent around the hinge axis 62 to ensure closed functional positions for dispensing as shown in Figs. 16 to 19.

  The closed operating positions illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19 represent a fully extended position of FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, and a retracted position of FIG. 19, effectively showing the relative pivoting range of the support member 60 and FIG. push button element 61 in normal operation to dispense the liquid.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the support member 60 has an open box-type structure with a support base 64 of which upwardly the front wall 65, the rear wall 66 and the interconnected side walls 67 and 68, as shown. Likewise, the pushbutton element 61 has an open box-type structure with a support base 69 to which the front wall 70, the rear wall 71 and the interconnected sidewalls 71 and 72, as shown, are upwardly facing. In the pushbutton element 61, the front wall 70 also extends downward beyond the base 69 in the form of a front wall engaging portion 73 of a manual lever 74 having portions of side walls 75 and 76 which extend downwardly from the side walls 71 and 72. A rear wall 77 of the manual lever 74 closes the rear of the manual lever 74 connecting the engagement portion 73 to the base 69 and the side wall parts 75 and 76 between them.

  As best shown in Fig. 16, the support pedestal 64 of the support member 60 has an elongated port 78 therethrough, including an enlarged inlet portion 79 at a rear end of the port 78 and a port smaller interlocking 80 at the front end of the port 78. Two resilient fingers are provided on both sides of a rear inlet passage toward the interlocking port 80. The interlocking port 80 is designed to be received in the slot passage 32 around the neck 28 of the bottle 20 to couple the bottle 20 to the support member 60 with the elastic fingers 81 to deflect outwardly to allow the neck 28 of the bottle 20 to enter the interlocking orifice 80 and with the fingers 81 to return to their undisrupted state and maintain the neck 28 of the bottle in place securely and fixed inside the interlocking orifice 80 and with the wall lower 77 of the bottle 20 s supported on the support base 64.

  Throughout the dispensing unit 12, the piston pump mechanism 18 is coupled to the bottle 20 by threadingly engaging the piston chamber member 52 on the threaded neck 28 of the bottle with the piston member 53 received in the piston chamber member 52. The subassembly of the bottle 20 and the pump mechanism 18 are then coupled to the actuator member 16 through the neck 28 of the supporting bottle. the piston chamber member 53 around the neck being inserted down through the enlarged inlet portion 79 of the port 78 until the support base 64 is aligned with the slot passage 32 on the collar 28 between the annular flange 31 and the bottom wall 27 of the bottle. Subsequently, the bottle is moved forwardly relative to the support base 64, so that the interlocking orifice 80 engages the slot passage 32 around the neck and reliably engages the bottle 20 in the support element 60.

  The base 69 of the pushbutton member 61 carries an elongated orifice 83 through which the outlet extension tube 56 or the extension tube 56 of the piston member 53 is to extend.

  On both sides of the aperture 83, the pedestal 69 carries two resilient piston latching fingers 84 and 85 which must engage with the engagement flange 57 of the piston member 53 to couple the piston member. 53 for a movement with the pushbutton member 61. The snap-on fingers 84 and 85 have a downwardly-engaged snap-on shoulder 86 and 87 for engagement with an upper surface of the engagement flange 57. pedestal 69 also has two upwardly extending arms 90 and 91 on each side of port 83, having arcuate pivot shoulders 88 and 89 adapted to engage the lower surface of engagement flange 57. The collar engagement 57 must be received between the snap shoulders 86 and 87 and the pivot shoulders 88 and 89, so that with the arcuate movement of the pushbutton member 61 relative to the support member 60 the piston element 53 can slide In a linear manner with respect to the support member 60 axially with respect to the piston chamber element 52, the snap-on fingers 84 and 85 are resilient and adapted to be deflected away from each other in a manner that is allowing the engagement flange 576 of the piston member 53 to move past their distal ends so that after the bottle 20 and the pumping mechanism 18 have been attached to the support member 60, push-button member 61 may be pivoted toward the support member 61 and the distal ends of the snap-on fingers 84 and 85 engage with the side or bottom surfaces 144 of the engagement flange 57, and be inclined by such that the latching fingers 84 and 85 are disposed with their detent shoulders 86 and 87 engaging with the upper surface 143 of the engagement flange 57.

  As best shown in Fig. 14, the support member 60 carries, on its rear wall 66, two inwardly extending hook-type latching elements 94 and 95 which are adapted to be received and to slide, when the actuator element 16 is in the closed position, in two slots 96 and 97 provided in the rear wall 71 of the pushbutton element 61. Each of these slots 96 and 97 has a blind end which forms the elements 98 and 99 to engage with the detent elements 94 and 95 and prevent pivoting of the pushbutton member 61 away from the support member 60 beyond a fully extended position similar to that shown in Fig. 17. The snap elements 94 and 95 are resilient such that, upon initial folding of the actuator member 16 from the open position to the fully extended position, the elements latching 94 and 95 deflects and to prevent further unfolding of the actuator member 16 once a fully extended position similar to that shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 has been reached.

  The latching elements 94 and 95 on the support member 60 engage with the detent elements 98 and 99 on the pushbutton member 60 and limit the pivoting of the pushbutton member 61 away from the support member 60 to a fully extended position and, therefore, against pivoting to a position in which the piston member 53 can be removed from the piston chamber member 52.

  Two elongated spring members 100 and 101 are provided on the support member 60 extending from the support member 60 to the pushbutton member 61 and tilting the pushbutton member 61 to pivot about from the hinge axis 62 until reaching the extended position. In this regard, the spring members 100 and 101 are cantilever leaf spring members carried by the base 64 of the support member 60 and extending from a rear end on the base 64 forwards and outwards. away from the base 64 so that the spring members 100 and 101 extend beyond the plane of the base 64. The spring members have second distal front ends 102 and 103 to engage the sliding ramps 105 and 106. proposed on the pushbutton element 61. The sliding ramps provide slides 107 and 108 between two straight positioning curves 109 on each side of each slideway, which curves 109 facilitate the guiding of the distal ends 102 and 103 of the elements of FIG. spring when sliding longitudinally along the slides 107 and 108.

  Fig. 18 shows a fully extended position in which the distal end 102 of the spring member 100 engages with a front portion of the slideway 107. Fig. 19 shows a retracted position in which the distal end 102 of the spring member 100 engages with a further rearward portion of slideway 107 than in FIG. 18. When pivoting of pushbutton member 61 between the extended and retracted positions, the distal end 102 of the spring element 100 slides on the slideway 107.

  Each spring member 100 and 101 is elongate about a longitudinal section extending along the length of the spring member. Each spring element is deflected substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal section during the transition from the extended position to the retracted position.

  The slides 107 and 108 are shown in an arcuate shape and inclined to be further away from the support member 60 at the front portion with which the distal end 102 engages in an extended position of the rearward part with which the distal portion 102 engages in the retracted position. This arrangement, wherein the slot passages are progressively moved away from the support member 60 a distance from the front end of the slot passage, facilitates the reduction of the required deflection of the spring members to tilt the element. push button 61 from the retracted position to an extended position.

  As shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, each spring member 100 and 101 has an open box-like configuration with a pair of leg members forming parallel side walls 150 and 151, connected by a fixed wall type loop. 152 and with a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal section of the spring element having a U-shape. The elasticity is preferably imparted to the spring elements by elastically deflecting the opposing parts of the legs 150 and 151 together. to others and at a distance from each other.

  The longitudinal section of the spring elements rests on a plane perpendicular to the hinge axis 62 and in deflection with respect to the spring elements between a non-inclined state and deviated states, the longitudinal section of the spring element remains disposed in the same plane perpendicular to the hinge axis.

  The base 64 of the support member 60 has two elongate slots 109 and 110 formed thereon, and each of the support members 100 and 101, as viewed longitudinally disposed above these slots, merging with the base support 64 at the one end of the slots.

  As best shown in Fig. 18, the support member 60 has a hole 111 in its rear wall 66 exposing an edge portion 112 of the support base 64. This edge portion 112 serves as a snap surface for engagement by a snap-on shoulder 113 formed on snap-in member 50 of the wall plate as shown in FIG. 1. When sliding assembled distribution unit 12 downward on wall plate 14 with bottle 20 for engaging with the wall plate 14, the detent 50 engages in the locking engagement on the edge portion 112 to prevent upward sliding of the dispensing unit 12 relative to the wall plate 14. The pushbutton member 61 has its rear wall extending forwardly and inwardly in a central circular portion 113 which provides a vertical passageway 114 upwardly from the bottom portion. of the button-pousso element ir 61 so that the finger of a person engages with the detent element 50 and to move it backwards to allow the withdrawal of the distribution unit 12 of the wall plate 14 through a sliding to the top. Reinforcement of the support base 64 of the support member 60 near the edge portion 112 is provided by a downwardly and vertically extending semi-circular reinforcement collar 115 provided around the rear periphery of the orifice 78.

  When inserting a bottle 20 on the support base 64 of the support member 60, the locking ramp 33 on the bottom wall 27 of the bottle 20 is driven and deflects the lower wall 47 of the bottle upwards. as the bottle moves forward on the edge portion 112 until the locking ramp 33 is fully disposed within the rear portion 79 of the port 78, at this point the locking 33 fits down into the port 78. As best shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the locking ramp 33 has an inclined and forward ramp surface 116 and an arcuate vertical rear surface 117. The engagement between the rear surface 117 and the reinforcing flange 115 around the back of the elongated port 78 substantially prevents the bottle from being disengaged from the support member 60, at least without bending the actuator member 16 to a position open to access and direct The rear surface 117 of the locking ramp 33 has a complementary curved shape with respect to the curved shape of the rear of the port 78 Reinforcing flange 115. This serves to accurately position and center the bottle 20 relative to the support member 60 and to prevent relative pivoting of the bottle 20 or relative movement in the side passages of the bottle 20 relative to to the support base 64.

  The preferred embodiment of the actuator element 16 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 22 is preferably injection molded as a unitary element from a relatively low cost plastic, preferably low polyethylene. density. Therefore, it should be noted that each of the elements of the actuator member 16 is formed as an integral part thereof. The spring members 100 and 101 are particularly configured to provide adequate resiliency even though inexpensive plastic such as low density polyethylene may be used. Such plastics are known for their low elasticity and for being permanently deformed by repeated bending, bending or deformation.

  The dispensing unit 12 may be designed for use as a disposable dispensing unit which will be discarded as soon as the material inside the bottle 20 has been dispensed. A typical bottle size is in the range of from 0.5 to 2 liters, and typically the liquid is dispensed in amounts ranging from about 0.5 ml to 2 ml. Therefore, for example, with a one-liter bottle and dispensing quantities of 0.5 ml, the spring elements need to be able to withstand about 2,000 cycles before breaking. The spring members may preferably be designed to break after a number of cycles such as, for example, 50% or 100% more cycles than required to dispense the liquid from a specific bottle to prevent reuse of the single-use dispensing unit.

  The dispensing unit 12 which can be used as a disposable dispensing unit after a single use is composed of as few components as possible in order to reduce its cost. Accordingly, the actuator member 16 is provided as a unitary member incorporating the spring members, the integral hinge, the piston engaging members and the various other members. It should be noted, however, that while the actuator element 16 is preferably a unitary element according to the present invention, it may comprise a plurality of components. For example, rather than providing an integral hinge 63 as shown in the preferred embodiment, the support member 60 and the pushbutton member 61 may be substantially the same as those illustrated in FIGS. form of two separate elements, each having complementary hinge elements allowing each of the support member 60 and the pushbutton element 61 to be formed as separate elements and, for example, be fitted together by interlocking by their hinge elements to form a hinge between them.

  The spring members are preferably integral with one of the support member 60 or the push-button member 61; however, this is not necessary and separate spring elements can be provided. For example, one or more metal coil springs to be disposed between the support member 60 and the pushbutton member 61 to tilt and separate them. Such separate spring members may be used in the embodiments where the support member 60 and the pushbutton member 61 constitute a unitary element connected by an integral hinge or are separate elements.

  The spring members 100 and 101 have been illustrated as being coupled to the support member with a distal end engaging with the push button member 61. It will be appreciated that this may be reversed, and that the spring members may be provided by being coupled to the pushbutton member 61 with distal ends of the spring members for engagement with the support member 60.

  The integral plastic spring members 100 and 101 are shown extending with their longitudinal section in a plane perpendicular to the hinge axis 62. This is not necessary and similar elongated cantilever leaf spring members may be provided. which extend in other directions such as, for example, perpendicular to the direction in which the spring members are shown in the preferred embodiment.

  Each of the support member 60 and the pushbutton member 61 is provided to have a box or shell-like configuration including a pedestal and a straight wall such that when the actuator member 16 is closed there is provided a closed cover shell or box, which is closed and substantially sits in a closed chamber defined by the spring members, the piston engaging members and the piston member. It is advantageous to prevent manual access to the interior of the closed chamber, and this serves to enhance the characteristic that the dispensing unit, once assembled, can not be disassembled or withstands at least disassembly. In this regard, the bottle 20 because of its locking ramp 33 engaging, in an interlocking manner, effectively within the orifice 78 of the base 64 of the support member 60 substantially prevents the withdrawal of the bottle after it has been coupled to the support member 60. The actuator element 16, when closed, resists any unfolding to an open position because the ratchet elements 94 and 95 on the support member 60 engaging with the detent elements 98 and 99 on the push-button member 61. Therefore, once the dispensing unit 12 is assembled to form an assembly composed of the bottle 20 , the pump mechanism 18 and the actuator element 16, the distribution unit 12 can not substantially be disassembled or withstands at least disassembly.

  The dispensing unit 12 of the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 to 22 is configured such that it must be in an assembled state before being coupled to the wall plate 14.

  While the dispensing unit 12 is coupled to the wall plate 14, the dispensing unit can not be disassembled. In this regard, in order for the bottle 20 to be removed from the support plate 60, it is necessary for the support plate 60 to slide horizontally rearwardly with respect to the bottle. However, the bottle 20 being coupled at its rear portion to the wall plate 14, and the wall plate 14 extending from the bottle 20 rearward immediately downwardly from the support member 60, the plate wall 14 prevents the rearward movement of the support member 60.

  According to the first embodiment, the assembled dispensing unit 12 is coupled to the wall plate 14 through the rear of the bottle 20 engaging with the wall plate. According to a modified form of the invention, the actuator element 16 and, in particular the support element 60 thereof, can also engage with the wall plate 14, for example, by the rear wall of the support member 60 supporting its own mounting block similar to that proposed on the bottle to be received in another uneven slot to be proposed on the wall plate 14. Insofar as the support member 60 and the wall plate 14 must be formed by injection molding, it is possible to provide a greater choice of coupling mechanisms for preferably slidingly coupling the support member 60 to the wall plate 14.

  According to other embodiments of the invention, rather than coupling the bottle 20 to the wall plate 14, the support member 60 may simply be coupled to the wall plate 14 to secure the dispensing unit 12 to the wall plate 14.

  The preferred bottle 20 is a substantially rigid or substantially semi-rigid bottle formed by blow molding. However, it is preferred that the bottle comprises a bottle or a flexible bag, insofar as the appearance of the flexible bottle or the flexible bag is generally considered to be attractive, the use of a bottle or a flexible bag may require the provision of a housing around the bottle or flexible bag, which is undesirable given the cost and may make the dispensing unit more able to disassemble.

  The preferred embodiment of the dispensing unit 12 provides the bottle 20 in the form of a closed container, which is advantageous for shipping with the assembled reverse distribution unit 12. The bottle 20 is preferably purged via the pump mechanism 18 using air which is introduced into the bottle to replace the dispensed material. This is not necessary and the bottle 20 may be provided with an open vent, on its upper wall, to the atmosphere.

  The preferred embodiment illustrates the dispensing unit 12 arranged with an inverted bottle for gravity feed of the material in the bottle to the piston pump mechanism for dispensing from the port 30 disposed at the Bottom part of the bottle. This is preferred but not necessary, and several inverted versions of the dispensing unit may be provided for use with piston pumping mechanisms having a feed tube extending down into a bottle from a dispenser. a piston pumping mechanism disposed at an orifice located at the top of the bottle and with a nozzle from the piston member 52 extending forward beyond the button member; push 61 and then down.

  The bottle 20 is preferably blow molded from the inexpensive plastic material, preferably low density polyethylene, so as to provide a cheap bottle. The operating characteristics of the bottle 20 have been chosen according to the nature of this plastic material from which it is made. Difficulties have typically arisen in blow molding complex structures in bottles when using low cost plastic. The preferred bottle has been chosen for its configuration, especially for the mounting shim 34 configured to have a relative shape and size that can be achieved by inexpensive blow molding techniques commonly used.

  Reference is now made to the second embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 to 37. According to the second embodiment, like reference numerals are used to refer to elements similar to those of the first embodiment. The second embodiment also shows a soap dispenser comprising a dispensing unit 12 adapted to be detachably coupled to a wall plate 14 shown in FIG. 26. The dispensing unit 12 comprises a set of a reservoir bottle Shown in Fig. 24, a piston pump mechanism 18 shown in Fig. 25, and a housing 118. The housing 118 is formed as an integral member having a housing member 119 connected by an integral hinge 63 to a pushbutton member 61 for relative pivoting about a hinge axis 62 as shown in FIG. 27.

  A support member 60 is removably attached to the housing member 119 to be fixedly received therein for example to be assembled as shown in the rear view of FIG. 30 and the side view of FIG. 31, a front edge of a support base 64 being received in a support slot passage 120 on a front wall 121 of the housing member 119, and a lower part 122 of each side wall 123 and 124 of the support member 60 being received in support channels 125 and 126 provided at the rear lower edge of the side walls 127 and 128 of the housing member 119. The side walls 127 and 128 also support locking channels 129 and 130. designed to receive locking projections 131 and 132 disposed on the side walls 123 and 124 of the support member 60, preventing rearward withdrawal of the support member 60 other than by the inclination side walls 127 and 128 of the housing member 119 are spaced from one another. When the support member 60 is assembled to the housing member 119, the support member 60 is securely and firmly attached to the housing member 119 against relative movement, and constitutes a housing subassembly.

  For use, the wall plate 14 is designed to be attached to a wall. The housing subassembly is then coupled to the wall plate 14. The reservoir bottle 20 with the piston pump mechanism 18 pre-attached thereto when a bottle subassembly is coupled to the housing subassembly by the bottle subassembly which is located in engagement with the housing 118 in an unstable position. The unstable position is illustrated in Figure 35; however, for ease of illustration, without the pumping mechanism 18 attached to the bottle 20, with the neck 28 of the bottle 20 extending through the elongated hole 78 of the support base 64, the support base 64 being received in the slot passage 32 on the neck 28 of the bottle 20, and a rear central projection 130 at the upper rear of the bottle 20 being received inside a access opening opening downwards. 132 of a notch 134 provided at the upper rear of the housing member 119. From this unstable position as illustrated in Figure 35, the lower end of the bottle 20 can be pushed backwards to pivot the bottle 20 effectively around an effective fulcrum where the protrusion 130 engages with the front of the access port 132, so that the bottle 20 moves towards the back in a pivoting motion towards a stable position as he lustrous in Figure 31.

  With such insertion of the bottle subassembly in a manner similar to the method described with reference to the first embodiment, two resilient piston snap fingers 84 and 85 carried on the pushbutton member 61 engage with the engagement flange 57 of the piston member 53 for coupling the piston member 53 for movement with the pushbutton member 61. In a manner similar to the method described with the first embodiment, the engagement flange 57 will be engaged between the piston snap fingers 84 and 85 with an upper surface of the engagement flange 57 engaged by downwardly snapped-fitting shoulders 86 and 87 of the fingers and with a surface bottom of the engagement flange 57 to be engaged by arcuate and spaced pivot shoulders 88 and 89. According to the second embodiment, the elastic piston snap fingers 84 and 8 5 are illustrated as being made of plastic in the form of elements integral with the rest of the pushbutton element 61.

  As in the first embodiment, the second embodiment has the support member 60 which carries two elongate spring elements 100 and 101 provided on the support member 60 carried on the base 64 and extending from a rear end on the base 64 forward and away from the base 64 to the distal front ends 102 and 103. However, according to the second embodiment, the pushbutton member 61 also carries two elongate spring members 160 and 161 carried by the base 69 of the pushbutton element 61 and extending from the front end of the base 69 rearwardly and upwardly away from the base 69 so that the elements spring 160 and 161 extend beyond the plane of the pedestal 69. The spring members 160 and 161 have the second distal end ends 162 and 163 which engage with the distal forward ends 102 and 103 of the spring members 100 and 101 p As shown in Fig. 30, the spring members 160 and 161 are provided outwardly from each finger of the piston latching fingers 84 and 85.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the pushbutton member 61 carries on its rear wall 71 two rearwardly extending hook-type latching elements 94 and 95 which are adapted to be received in two slots 96 97 provided on the rear wall 66 of the support member 60. Each of the slots 96 and 97 has a blind end for engaging with the drive links 94 and 95 on the pushbutton member 61 and to prevent pivoting of the the pushbutton member 61 away from the support member 60 beyond a fully extended position shown in Figures 31 and 32. From the extended position of the pushbutton member 61 relative to the Support member 60 shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the pushbutton member 61 may be pivoted about the hinge axis 62 to a retracted position as shown in FIG. 33. The reciprocating motion in a cycle between the extended position of the Fig. 32 and the retracted position of Fig. 33 moves the piston member 53 of the pumping mechanism 18 and distributes the liquid from the bottle 20. In the range of motion between the extended position shown in Fig. 32 and Figs. In the retracted position shown in Fig. 33, the spring members 100 and 101 on the support member 60 engage with the spring members 160 and 161 on the pushbutton member 61 and tilt the pushbutton member. 61 to pivot about the hinge axis 62 to the extended position.

  Referring to Fig. 34 is a sectional side view of the spring members 100 and 160 along the section lines 8-8 'of Fig. 32. As shown, the spring member 100 has a web 152 and a pair of parallel flanges or leg members 150 and 151 extending perpendicularly to the core 152. The spring member 160 of the pushbutton member 61 similarly an elongated core 164 and three parallel leg members 165, 167 and 169 extending perpendicularly with respect to the core 164. As shown in the cross-section of FIG. 34, the flange-like lugs 150 and 152 of FIGS. spring member 100 of the support member 60 is received in the channels 166 and 168 between the tabs 165, 167 and 169 of the spring member 160 contacting the core 164 therebetween. Likewise, the three tabs 165, 167 and 169 of the spring element 160 engage with the web 152 of the spring element 100 on both sides of the tabs 150 and 151. The tabs 150 and 151 on the spring member 100 effectively form, with the portion of the web 152 located therebetween, a U-shaped member. Any of the two legs 165, 167 and 169, with the core 164 between them, forms also a U-shaped element on the spring element 160. The engagement of one leg of a spring element in the channel between the legs of the other spring element provides an advantageous structure, so that the opposed spring members 100, 101 which engage with the spring members 160, 161, respectively, are held longitudinally relative to each other, thereby preventing any displacement of any of the elements of spring laterally with respect to another opposite spring element, as well as ue any release of these elements.

  As shown in the side view of Figs. 32 and 33, the extension extent of any of the flange lugs 150, 151, 165, 167 and 169 from their respective webs 152 and 164 is larger. at a first end of the respective spring member where it is coupled to its respective support member 60 or push button member 61 and decreases toward its remote distal end. This is supposed to be advantageous for distributing the positions where the spring elements can deform elastically.

  The spring members are preferably U-shaped in cross section with tabs perpendicular to the core. It should be noted that other shapes such as T-shaped, L-shaped and the like are suitable for achieving a common and laterally deflectable profile. Any of the two opposing profile members need to be resistant to lateral deviations when the profiles are interlocked; otherwise they engage with each other to prevent a relative lateral deviation. The legs do not need to extend parallel to the common plane and may, for example, extend laterally to the side at an angle having a V-shaped for example.

  The illustrated profile members have a contact width over their entire length. This is not necessary and the width may vary in terms of distance from the first end.

  The deformation of a spring element is preferably effected, at least in part, by the deflection of the lugs of the spring element inwards and outwards towards or away from the lugs on the same spring element. , that is to say, on the side passages as shown in Figure 34.

  Each spring member extends longitudinally about a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is illustrated schematically at 170 and 171 respectively for the spring member 100 and 160 of Fig. 34 and extending along each spring member 100, 160 centrally along its web 152, 164. When deflecting each of the spring members, the spring members may be resiliently deflected from a non-inclined state to a deflected state in a direction generally perpendicular to that longitudinal section and preferably in any spring passing from a non-inclined state to deviated states during displacement, the longitudinal section of the spring element remains disposed in a flat plane and common illustrated, for example, 172 in Figure 34. The flat plane 172 in wherein the longitudinal section of each spring element preferably moves is perpendicular to the hinge axis 62.

  As best shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, each of the webs 152 and 164 of the spring members 100 and 160 extends from its respective first end as a relatively curved portion fusing into a relatively straight portion proximate to its distal end. The straight portions of the opposed spring members overlap when there is engagement between the opposed spring members and with pivoting of the push button member 61 relative to the support member 60, the straight portions of each opposite spring elements are allowed to slide longitudinally relative to one another.

  In the second embodiment according to Figs. 23-36, the pushbutton element 61 including the spring members 160 and 161 is formed as an integral member from plastic by injection molding.

  Reference is now made to Fig. 36 which is a cross section identical to that illustrated in Fig. 32, however, modified from that shown in Fig. 32 such that each spring member 100 made on the support member 60 and the spring member 160 formed on the pushbutton member 61 extend rearwardly. This must be contrasted with FIG. 32 in which one spring element extends forward towards its distal end and the other extends rearward towards its distal end. Likewise, the two opposing spring members may be provided so that their distal ends extend forward. The choice of the location of the spring members and the direction in which they extend may depend on other elements and features that may be desired on the support member and the pushbutton members on which the spring members are to be supported.

  The first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 22 illustrates elongate cantilever spring elements 100 and 101 provided on the support member 60 to engage with the engagement ramps 107 and 108 on the pushbutton element 61. An arrangement similar to that illustrated in the first embodiment, in particular in FIG. 13, can be modified so as to propose, replacing the engagement surfaces 107 and 108, a second set of spring elements on the element. pushbutton 61 similar to the spring members 160 and 161 in the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, two pairs of spring mechanisms are provided, each pair comprising a spring member carried on the pushbutton member 61 for engagement with another proposed spring member on the support member 60 Each of the spring mechanisms is adapted to have its spring elements elongated along a longitudinal section and to deflect with their longitudinal section held in a common flat plane perpendicular to the hinge axis 62, each of the common planes being spaced apart from each other. each other along a spring axis 62 and arranged to lie on opposite sides of the neck of the bottle 20.

  The second embodiment of Figs. 23 to 37 illustrates, as in Fig. 30, a housing subassembly formed from two pieces from the support member 60 and the housing 118 comprising a housing member 119 and a housing element. Actuator 61. It will be appreciated that a non-dissimilar housing subassembly may be formed, if desired, in the form of a unitary portion of plastic by injection molding as in the actuator 16 shown in FIG. 13, however, with a rear wall portion extending upwardly.

  The preferred embodiments illustrate the spring members being formed integrally with the pushbutton member 61 or support member 60 upon which they depend. This is not necessary and it should be noted that, although not typically preferred, each of the spring members may be provided as a separate member to be received, for example, in a solid support designed , in particular by sliding or the like on, for example, their push button element 61 or respective support member 60.

  Cantilever spring members do not need to be made from a plastic material but can be made, while being a less preferred option, from other materials including metal springs, preferably, so continues to have a shape similar to that of souls and paws. Whether the spring elements may or may not be formed from plastics or other materials such as metal, the construction of the spring element to be extended along the longitudinal section, designed to deviate perpendicularly to the longitudinal section and including the web having tabs extending away from the web, preferably perpendicular and parallel to its longitudinal section, is an advantageous configuration. The provision of spring elements in the form of separate elements which are removable can have the advantage of allowing different plastics or other materials to be used to form the spring elements.

  The spring members may comprise a plastic member composite, preferably integrally formed with the pushbutton member 61 or the support member 60 on which it depends, with a metal spring member. In this regard, Fig. 37 shows a modified cross-section with respect to that illustrated in Fig. 34, wherein each spring member 100 and 160 has an elongate channel 172 or 173 disposed along the length of that core 152 and 164 and designed to receive a thin flat piece of spring metal 174 or 175 which has an inherent tendency to take a predefined configuration. Such a metal spring element and such a composite plastic may be advantageous to ensure that the plastic spring will preserve operating characteristics such as, for example, in temperature conditions beyond those normally to be known in places of operation. Housing and work heated and air-conditioned.

  Each of the first and second embodiments shows the use of an integral hinge to couple the pushbutton element 61 to another element to allow relative pivoting. This is advantageous but not necessary. For example, the pushbutton element 61 and the integral hinge 63 illustrated in both embodiments may be replaced by a separate pushbutton element which is adapted to be hingedly coupled including, for example, elements axis for pivoting relative to the member to which the pushbutton member is coupled.

  The preferred embodiments illustrate the use of preferred spring members according to the present invention in a context where they are inclined to be remote from the two members which are pivotally mounted to pivot relative to each other. This is not necessary, but it should be noted that spring elements similar to those illustrated can be used to incline elements to slide linearly or otherwise to move them relative to each other between two positions. For example, a pushbutton member may be provided by being coupled to a piston directly for reciprocating motion in the form of a sliding member parallel to the movement of the piston and with appropriate spring members according to the present invention and proposed for inclining such a sliding element.

  Whether or not the integral hinges are used to provide hinge mechanisms, according to the present invention, a dispensing apparatus may be formed integrally from plastic, for example, as illustrated in the second embodiment in which the spring members 100 , 101 and 160, 161 as well as the piston click fingers 84 and 85 are formed together with the remainder of the actuator element 61 as a unitary plastic unit formed by injection molding.

  While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, several modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, it is necessary to refer to the appended claims.

Claims (22)

  A liquid material dispenser comprising: a support member, a movable actuator member reciprocating with respect to the support member between an extended position and a retracted position for dispensing the liquid material, a mechanism spring member comprising a spring member inclining the actuator member to one of the extended position and the retracted position, the spring member comprising an elongated cantilever spring member extending along a longitudinal section coupled at a first end to a first member of the support member and the actuator member and with a second distal end engaging with the second member of the support member and the second member. actuator.   A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the spring member having a non-inclined condition, being resiliently deflectable and generally perpendicular to its longitudinal section to deflected states from which the spring member attempts to inherent in returning to its non-inclined state; the longitudinal section of the remaining spring element disposed on a flat plane when passing between the non-inclined state and the deflected states.   3. Dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the spring element has a cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal section, a shape including two lugs arranged to rest on planes parallel to the flat plane and connected by a loop perpendicular to the flat plane.   4. Dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the spring element is provided with an elasticity substantially due to the elastic deflection of the opposite parts of the two legs towards each other and / or at a distance from one of the other towards the flat plane.   5. Dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the spring element comprises a plastic material.   The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the spring element and the first one of the pushbutton element and the support member comprise a unitary injection-molded element made of plastic in the form of a unitary element.   The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the support member is pivotally coupled to the actuator member for pivoting about a hinge axis and the flat plane is perpendicular to the hinge axis.   A dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the spring mechanism comprises identical pairs of the first spring member, the flat plane of each of the first spring member is spaced from the flat plane of the other spring member.   9. Dispenser according to claim 2, wherein an elongate slide is provided on the second of the support element or the actuator element for engagement by the second end of the spring element with the second end of the spring member sliding longitudinally on the slide as the actuator member and the support member move relative to each other between the extended position and the retracted position.   A liquid dispenser comprising: a support member, a movable actuator member reciprocating with respect to the support member between an extended position and a retracted position for dispensing the liquid material, a mechanism spring biasing the actuator member toward one of the extended position and the retracted position, a spring mechanism comprising a first spring member and a second spring member, the first spring member comprising a spring member elongated cantilever blade extending along a longitudinal section of the first spring member from a first end thereof which merges into the support member toward the actuator member to a second end distal from it, the first spring member having a non-inclined condition and being resiliently deflectable generally perpendicular to its longitudinally to deflected states from which the first spring member inherently attempts to return to its non-inclined state, the second spring member comprising an elongated cantilever leaf spring member along a longitudinal section of the second member spring from a first end thereof which merges into the actuator member toward the support member to a second distal end thereof, the second spring member having a non-inclined state and being resiliently deflectable generally perpendicular to its longitudinal section to deflected states from which the second spring member inherently attempts to return to its non-inclined state, the first spring member proximate the distal end of the spring member it engages with the second spring element located near the distal end of the to interact in the form of a combined double leaf spring.   A dispenser according to claim 10, wherein, upon movement of the actuator member between the extended position and the retracted position, the longitudinal section of the first spring member and the longitudinal section of the second spring member remain in a position. common plan.   The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the support member is pivotally coupled to the actuator member for pivoting about a hinge axis.   13. Dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the common plane is perpendicular to the hinge axis.   A dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the spring mechanism comprises two sets of identical springs, each spring assembly comprising a pair of the first spring member and the second spring member, the common plane of a spring assembly is spaced from the common plane of the other set of springs.   The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the first spring member together with the support member comprises a unitary member injection molded from plastic in the form of a unitary member.   The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the second spring member together with the actuator member comprises a unitary unit injection molded from plastic in the form of a unitary member.   The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the second spring member together with the actuator member comprises a unitary injection molded element from plastic in the form of a unitary member.   The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the support member is pivotally coupled to the actuator member for pivoting about a hinge axis and the common plane is perpendicular to the hinge axis.   The dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the support member, the actuator member, the first spring member and the second spring member together comprise a unitary injection molded element from plastic, the element actuator pivotally coupled to the support member by an integral hinge for pivoting about a hinge axis, and the common plane is perpendicular to the hinge axis.   The dispenser of claim 10, wherein when the first spring member proximate the distal end thereof engages with the second spring member proximate the distal end thereof. the longitudinal section of the first spring element is substantially parallel to the longitudinal section of the second spring element.   The dispenser of claim 10, wherein, when the first spring member proximate the distal end thereof engages with the second spring member proximate the distal end thereof. a portion of one of the first spring member and the second spring member engages a portion of the other of the first spring member and the second spring member to limit or prevent the relative movement of the first spring member. spring and the second spring element other than between their respective non-inclined states and deviated states.   The dispenser of claim 11, wherein when the first spring member proximate the distal end thereof engages with the second spring member proximate the distal end thereof, a portion of the first spring member and the second spring member engages a portion of the other of the first spring member and the second spring member to limit or prevent relative movement of the first spring member and the second member spring perpendicular to the common plane.