GB2368099A

GB2368099A - Hinged closure on a pump dispenser outlet nozzle

Info

Publication number: GB2368099A
Application number: GB0025566A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wayne Blyler; Andrew Wright
Original assignee: Bespak PLC
Current assignee: Consort Medical PLC
Priority date: 2000-10-18
Filing date: 2000-10-18
Publication date: 2002-04-24
Also published as: GB0025566D0

Abstract

A pump action dispenser has a piston 29 which is reciprocated within a pump 2 by pressing an actuator 18. A discharge passage 20 is provided through the actuator 18, leading to a discharge outlet 21 over which is provided a hinged closure 23 which may be opened for dispensing or closed to seal the outlet 21 and prevent product from being dispensed. The closure 23 may have a projection 24 which sealingly fits into the outlet 21 and tabs 25 which snap-fit over corresponding protrusions 26 on outer sides of the outlet 21.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DISPENSING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to dispensing apparatus for use in dispensing fluid products and more particularly to the sealing of such apparatus.

It is known to provide apparatus for dispensing fluids such as liquid soaps, cleaning agents, sun tan lotion and the like, such known dispensing apparatus typically comprising a dispensing unit engagingly sealed to an upper end of a storage container in which product to be dispensed is held. Dispensing apparatus of this kind usually includes an actuator, which comprises a main body portion having means for coupling the actuator to a dispensing pump, this main body portion defining a discharge passage through which, in use, product may be dispensed.

A problem with an actuator of this kind is that the discharge outlet at the end of the discharge passage is always open to the ambient air, which can lead to contamination of the product or leakage therefrom. Leakage or accidental dispensation of the product is of particular concern when the apparatus is being transported, perhaps in a handbag or pocket.

One solution to this latter problem known in the art is to provide the actuator means and collar with inter-engaging screw threads so that when the actuator means is depressed and rotated the two parts are locked together and the product in the storage container is prevented from being dispensed. This is particularly useful during transportation of the dispensing apparatus, during which time dispensation of the product is undesirable. The problem, however, with this closure means is that in order to re-seal the dispensing apparatus, it is necessary to depress the actuator, during which time a quantity of the product is dispensed. With certain products, this

would lead to wastage of the product, as the user of the dispensing apparatus may not necessarily wish to make use of the product when sealing the storage container, perhaps in order to transport it.

Furthermore, this type of closure is complicated, expensive and difficult to manufacture.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an actuator suitable for use with a dispensing pump of the type having a reciprocable piston movable substantially axially within a pump body to effect dispensation of a fluid product, comprising a main body portion having means for coupling the actuator to a dispensing pump, the main body portion defining a discharge passage through which, in use, product may be dispensed, the discharge passage ending in a discharge outlet, wherein the discharge outlet is provided with a hinged closure movable from a first position in which the discharge outlet is closed to a second position in which the discharge outlet is open.

This dispensing apparatus therefore advantageously enables sealing of the discharge outlet from ambient air, which in turn enables the apparatus to be transported, perhaps in a pocket or hand bag, without leakage or contamination of the product, and which can be activated without dispensation of unwanted product.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional side elevation of a known dispensing apparatus incorporating an actuator according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows the actuator of Figure 1, detached from the dispensing pump, in a first position; Figure 3 shows the actuator of Figure 2 in a

second position ; and Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the actuator according to the present invention.

In the following description the terms "downwards","downwardly","upwards"and"upwardly" refer to movement of components of the apparatus when oriented as shown in Figure 1. If the apparatus is oriented in a different direction, these terms should be constructed accordingly. In addition, the terms "lower"and"upper"denote relative positioning of parts of the apparatus when oriented as shown in Figure 1. Again, if the apparatus is oriented in a different direction, these terms should be construed accordingly.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of dispensing apparatus which includes the actuator according to the present invention. The dispensing apparatus 1 comprises a piston, generally designated by reference 29, a pump, generally designated by reference 2, mounted on a storage container (not shown) by means of a closure 3 which covers the mouth of the container.

The closure 3 has a central, substantially cylindrical bore in which is located a collar 4 for positioning the pump relative to the closure 3.

The closure 3 may be of plastics material and be designed to be a screw-fit on to, or push-fit over, an upper rim of the storage container. The closure 3 may alternatively be a ferrule of deformable metal which is crimped to the upper rim of the container. The collar 4 is preferably also of a plastics material.

The pump 2 comprises an elongate pump body 5.

The pump body 5 defines a chamber 6. At a"lower"end of the pump body 5 remote from the closure 3 is an inlet passage 7 which communicates with the chamber 6.

An inlet valve 8,9 is provided to open and close the inlet passage 7 during use. The inlet valve 8,9 may,

for example, comprise a spherical ball 8 which is movable into and out of sealing contact with a valve seat 9. Connected to the inlet passage 7 is a diptube 10 which extends downwardly into the product contained within the storage container. An end of the dip-tube 10 is retained in the pump body 5 by suitable means, such as detent formation 11.

At an"upper"end of the pump body 5 is a substantially hollow stem 27 which is provided in coaxial alignment with the pump body 5. The stem 27 defines an outlet passage 12 and there is provided at an upper end of the stem 27 an outlet duct 13 which is in communication with the outlet passage 12. An outlet valve 14,15 is provided between the"upper" end of the stem 27 and the"lower"end of the outlet duct 13 to open and close the outlet passage 12 during use. This outlet valve 14, 15 may be of the same type as the inlet valve 8,9 or similar thereto. The stem 27 is supported in position by the collar 4. The stem is also provided with a radially extending flexible flange 28 which extends from the external surface of the"lower"end of the stem 27 to contact the internal surface of the pump body 5 and to form a sliding seal therewith.

To allow venting of the storage container during use of the dispensing apparatus, one or more apertures 16 are provided in the wall of the pump body 5. When the apparatus is in use, the flange 28 moves relative to the inner surface of the pump body 5 such that a ventilating : low path is established from an exterior of the apparatus, between the inner surface of the collar 4 and the outer surface of the stem 27, and via aperture or apertures 16 to the interior of the storage container.

A spring 17 extends between a lower end of the pump body 5 and a lower edge of the outlet passage 12, to bias the outlet passage 12 in an upwardly

direction.

An actuator 18 is provided at the end of the outlet duct 13 remote from the collar 4. The actuator 18 comprises a main body portion 19 defining a discharge passage 20 having a discharge outlet 21 at one end and an aperture 22 at the other end which is in communication with the outlet duct 13. The actuator 18 may be removably attached to the outlet duct 13 or it may be an integral part of the outlet duct 13. Far example,-the actuator 18 may be provided with a screw thread to enable it to be screwed onto or into the outlet duct 13 or the actuator 18 may be push-fitted, or provided with projections such as notches or lugs which enable the actuator to be snapfitted, into or onto the outlet duct 13.

Alternatively, the actuator 18 and outlet duct 13 may be integrally moulded from, for example, a plastics material.

According to the present invention, the discharge outlet 21 of the actuator 18 is provided with a hinged closure 23 which is movable from a first position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which the discharge outlet 21 is closed, to a second position as shown in Figure 3, in which the discharge outlet 21 is open.

When the hinged closure 23 is in the first position product is prevented from being accidentally discharged. The hinged closure 23 is provided with a projection 24 which sealingly fits into the discharge outlet 21, to form a hydraulic lock. The hinged closure 23, when in the first position, forms a friction fit inside the discharge outlet 21 wherein the force required to move the hinged closure 23 from the first position to the second position is greater than that typically exerted on the hinged closure 23 by the product when the pump 2 is accidentally operated. Thus, the product remains inside the dispensing apparatus 1 and storage container. The

actuator 18 may be made from any suitable material such as plastics. Preferably the actuator 18 is made of homopolymer polypropylene.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 4, the hinged closure 23 is provided with a tab 25 on one of its edges, which is not its hinged edge, which snap-fits over a protrusion 26 on an outer side of the discharge outlet 21, which is not its hinged side.

In a third embodiment, the hinged closure 23 is provided with a plurality of tabs 25 on one or more of its edges which snap-fit over corresponding one or more protrusions 26 on one or more outer sides of the discharge outlet 21, which is not its hinged side.

Operation of the first embodiment of dispensing apparatus 1 will now be described, starting from the inoperative position shown in Figure 1 with the chamber 6 charged with product.

A user of the dispensing apparatus 1 moves the hinged closure 23 into the second position and depresses the actuator 18 causing the stem 27 to move downwardly. A compressive force is thereby applied to the contents of the chamber 6. Since the inlet valve means 8,9 and outlet valve means 14,15 are closed and the contents of the chamber 6 are virtually incompressible, further downward movement of the stem 27 causes the outlet valve means 14,15 to open. At this point, the now pressurised contents of the chamber 6 are dispensed via the outlet passage 12, outlet valve means 14,15, outlet duct 5 and actuator 18. As the contents of the chamber 6 are discharged, the pressure therein decreases. The reduction of pressure within the storage container due to removal of a quantity of product therefrom causes ambient air to be drawn into the storage container via the ventilating flow path between the inner surface of the

collar 4 and the outer wall of stem 27 and via aperture or apertures 16.

When the user releases the actuator 18, the stem 27 and actuator 18 return upwardly towards the inoperative position of Figure 1 under the biassing force of spring 17. This results in a reduction of pressure within the chamber 6 causing product to be drawn up through dip-tube 10 via inlet passage 7 to unseat ball 8 from valve seat 9 to open the inlet valve means 8, 9 and-re-charge the chamber 6.

If the user of the dispensing apparatus 1 has dispensed sufficient product and wishes to seal the container, the user moves the hinged closure 23 from the second position towards the first position and snap-fits the projection 24 of the hinged closure 23 into the discharge outlet 21 of the actuator 18. The storage container may now be transported without the risk of the actuator 18 being accidentally depressed and therefore preventing undesirable dispensation of the product.

The second and third embodiments of dispensing apparatus are operated in the same way as the first embodiment except that the projection 24 of the hinged closure 23 snap fits into the discharge outlet 21 and the one or more tabs 25 snap fit over the corresponding protrusions 26.

The pump 2, with which the actuator 18 according to the present invention is used in the above described embodiment, is only one of many types which could be used with the actuator 18. The actuator 18 could be used with any axially displaced pump unit.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An actuator suitable for use with a dispensing pump of the type having a reciprocable piston movable substantially axially within a pump body to effect dispensation of product, comprising a main body portion having means for coupling the actuator to a dispensing pump, the main body portion defining a discharge passage through which, in use, product may be dispensed, the discharge passage ending in a discharge outlet, wherein the discharge outlet is provided with a hinged closure movable from a first position in which the discharge outlet is closed to a second position in which the discharge outlet is open.

2. An actuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hinged closure comprises a projection which forms a friction fit in the discharge outlet.

3. An actuator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hinged closure comprises a projection which has a snap-fit into the discharge outlet.

4. An actuator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the hinged closure comprises a tab on one edge which snap-fits over a protrusion on an outer side of the discharge outlet.

5. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hinged closure comprises a plurality of tabs on one or more edges which snap-fit over one or more protrusions on one or more outer sides of the discharge outlet.

6. An actuator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinged closure in the

first position forms a hydraulic lock to prevent discharge of the product.

7. An actuator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuator is removably attachable to a dispensing pump.

8. An actuator as claimed in claim 7, wherein cooperating screw threads are provided for attachment to a dispensing pump.

9. An actuator as claimed in claim 7, wherein a projection is provided for attachment to a dispensing pump.

10. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the actuator is permanently attached to a dispensing pump.

11. An actuator as claimed in claim 10 moulded as an integral part of a dispensing pump.

12. An actuator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims made of a plastics material.

13. An actuator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuator is made of homopolymer polypropylene.

14. A dispensing pump of the type having a reciprocable piston movable substantially axially within a pump body to effect dispensation of product, comprising an actuator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

15. A dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing pump as claimed in claim 14.

16. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 15 additionally comprising a storage container.

17. An actuator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.