US2079744A - Dispenser - Google Patents

Description

lMay11,1937. @AQM'AGUIRE 2,079,744

DISPENSER n Filed Aug. 9, 1955 v z sheets-sneet 1 ama May 11, 1937.; G. A. M AGUIRE 2,079,744

DISPENSER Filed Aug. 9, 1935 2 sheets-sheetl 2 N 171g. N 57 @s 49 Patented May 11, 1937 DISPENSER Garnet Adam Maguire, St. John, New Brunswick,`

l i Canada.

Application August 9, 1935, serialfNo. 35,521

12 Claims.

" AThis invention relates to dispensers and more particularly to dispensers for tooth paste, shaving soap, creams and like products.

An object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of this character which, is of simple construction designed to receive loaded cartridges of the material to be ejected, which maybe inserted and removedwith ease. e

A further objectv of the invention is to Aprovide a dispenser `of rigid construction which is of attractive `appearance and which vwill always maintain its shape. e

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a dispenser of this character` from which the material may beejected very readily, the dispenser being designed to be held and operated by` one hand. e'

A still further object of the inventionV is to provide a construction of attractive appearance, that is non-leaking and is of a sanitary character, all parts being washable.k p n e A still further object of `the 'invention is to provide a construction in which the material e ejected may be readily measured in the ejecting operation.' e p A still further object of the invention is to providea construction wherein the refill cartridge and casing co-operate to provide for ejection of the material to aA full degree and eliminate `seepage as between the casing andrell.

` With these and other objects in view the invention consists essentially in an elongated container having a top provided `:with a `closable dispensing opening, a main hollow body forrer ceiving refill cartridges and ejecting means operable from the base of the container, the ejecting member being carried by the refill and being caused to move upwardly through the rell and container when operated so` `as to eject the contents as required ,through` the opening in the top. The operating means for` the ejector is such as to permit operationby one hand with4 co-operating means to measure the quantity discharged, as well as means to prevent rotation of the ejecting mechanism in the wrong direction.

The container and refill vare specially formed so as to t closely and to co-operate generally so as to avoid leakage and seepage'of the ma- 0 terlal between the refill and the. container. In addition, the ejecting member is formed` to cof operate with said refill and container to this same end to associate with'a the cartridge in such a manner as to avoid rotary movemenaas more fully 'described in the following specication and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form part of the same. l

Figure' 1 is a longitudinal section taken through the container illustrating a refill cartridge positioned therein and also illustrating the mounting of the various parts, including the ejecting mechanism. A

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the top portion ofthe container. n.

` Figure 3 isa side elevation of the cap.`

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail ofthe top of the container overv which the cap ts, illustrating the cut-outv portion to co-operate with a projecting pin in the cap. Y n n Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of that portion of the basev shownin the lower right hand corner of Figure 1. Figure 6 is an enlarged detail section similar to Figure 5 but taken through the base of the container at a different point. e

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section of the base of the refill cartridge. f

Figure 8 is aA section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure?, e l

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective @View of the container carried in a hand illustrating the mannerin which the ejecting mechanism may be operated by one hand. 1

Figure lOis an enlarged planview ofthe base of the dispenser illustrating the forrn` of the projecting mechanism operating member.

Figure 11 is anenlarged fragmentary section taken through the base showing the mounting of the ejecting mechanism and operating means therefor. e

Figure 12 is a plan view of the lower end of the container with the base removed illustrating the serrations or grooving withinthe end of the container wall. p

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the lower end portion` of the container illustrating the sei-rations or cuts in the inner wall.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of a po'rtion of the base of the container illustrating the construction which co-operates with` the ejecting operating member for measur` ing the quantity discharged and Fig. l5` is `a view, of another member that func- `50 tions with the ejecting operating member for measuring Athe quantity of material discharged.

Figure 15de is another view of the ring member shown in Fig. 15.

Referring more particularly to vthe drawings,

extending dispensing channel or Figure 1 is a general illustration in assembly of one form of construction my invention may take, A indicating the container as a whole, B the ejecting mechanism as a whole and C the ejector operating means. The container is preferably in the form of an elongated casing I0 of any suitable shape, illustrated in the present application as cylindrical. The container may have one end stepped as at I I or curved or otherwise restricted to terminate in the restricted nipple I2 provided with a suitable cap I3. The nipple I2 is preferably formed with a centrally disposed vertically opening I4 which intersects an inclined channel I5, the latter opening on the surface of the nipple to discharge the contents of the container when the ejecting mechanism B is operated. The cap is provided with a main orifice I6 which is rof corresponding shape to the cross section of the channel I5 and is designed to register with this channel when the material in the container is to be dispensed, the cap being formed with an inwardly projecting rib or the like I'I which is spun thereon to engage with a suitable annular groove I8 formed around the nipple so that the cap may be rotated from one position to another, while being rmly held on the nipple against axial movement.

The nipple is preferably cut or Aotherwise formed in one area with a relatively flat and vertically extending surface I9 which provides a recess defined by said `surface and a shoulder 20, into which a pin 2I projecting within the interior of the capmay extend, the shoulder 20 being preferably formedso as to slope upwardly to a slight extent from the point 22 midway between the outer defining edges of the vrecess to the outer defining edgesso that when the pin 2| is disposed at the central point 22 it ls entirely free from engagement with the shoulder 20, but when it is moved to position a, the pin will bind on the surfaces of the shoulder, and likewise when it is moved to position b; Thus in these two positions the cap is held firmly against rotational movement and must be dislodged by pressure. In the position a the opening I6 in the cap will register with the channel I5 in the nipple. In position b the opening I6 is moved completely out of registry with the channel I5 so lthat in use the cap is held firmly in position during the ejecting of the paste, with the opening I6 positioned properly, and when it is being put away the cap is rotated to position b and the opening I6 moved to a closed position and held there to prevent air passing into the interior .of the container and thus affect the contents.

The interior of the container, which is of any desired cross section preferably circular is formed `with smooth walls and the upper end is preferably curved as at 23, although it may be sloped, or otherwise have its surface gradually narrowing towards the dispensing opening ordischarge channel I4 to direct the material within the container towards this opening. The inner end of the t'op'of the container is extended as at 24 to project within the container, the channel I4 continuing through the'extension 26 to open within the container a short distance below'the upper extremity thereof, the extension being bevelled or sloped or otherwise of gradually narrowing character as at 25 to finally merge into the curved or gradually narrowing endwall 23 ,of the container, in effect following the contour of this gradually narrowing wall and forming aco-operating guide for directing the material towards the dispensing opening.

The material is introduced to the container in a cartridge 26 which is constructed from any suitable material, preferably light transparent material which is substantially rigid, although slightly flexible and is moisture proof. The cartridge is round at its upper end as at 2'I, or otherwise formed to coincide with `the shape of the upper end 'of the container and it is orifice-d as at 28 to fit over the extension 24 of the container. In this respect it is pointed out that the bevelled or sloped portion of the extension is preferably an acute or sharp slope, so that upon removal the cartridge will readily come away from the extension 24, and on the other hand when a new cartridge is inserted, it will t upon the extension and snugly abut the curved wall of the container. Thus having regard to the extension and the manner in which the cartridge fits over it in tight abutment with the curved wall of the container, it is apparent that this will provide means for eliminating seepage between the con tainer and the cartridge refill.

Each cartridge is designed to carry ejecting means for the material .contained therein, The ejecting means takes the form of a screw threaded rod 29 upon which is mounted an ejector 30. These parts c an be made very cheaply of light aluminum for instance, and are designed to form a permanent part of the rell, and to be discarded when all the material has been ejected therefrom. The ejector 30 is formed with an upwardlyv curved surface 3l, the central portion of the upper surface being recessed as at 32 to coincide with the extension 24 at the top of the container.

Within the recess 32 projects a final ejector 0r discharge member 33 which surrounds the rod 23, the discharge member entering the passage I @when the ejector has just about reached its upward extremity, so that any material in the neighborhoodof the top of theA refill will be discharged well up into the channel I4'. Consequently, when one refill is removed, the interior of the upper part of the container will be entirely clean with no sticky material therearound to contact with the next refill inserted, which might tend to hinder the removal of the refill after it had been positioned'within the container for a short time.

The lower portion of the ejector may be hollow as at 34 preferably for the sake of lightness of structure. It will be noted that the ejector 30 contacts firmly with the interior wall of the reiill and thus all material above the ejector will be moved upwardly within the refill. At the same time contact between the ejector and the refill wall form a means vto prevent the ejector from turning. Thus, when the rod 29 is rotated the ejector, held againstrotation, will move readily upward within the refill.

The ejector may be made of rubber or other `suitable material, my preferred construction being of aluminum. Ordinarily rubber or some fiexible material would be used to permit of firm engagement with the walls of the cartridge, but in view of the fact that the `walls of the refill 26 are slightly iiexible this will permit the use of hard material for the ejector and permit a rather firm engagement as.- between the ejector and refill, even though the rell walls may not be absolutely true, inasmuch as the slight flexibility -will compensateforany unevenness. 'I'he lower portion of the refill shell is formed to ac- .commodate the ejecting mechanism in a practlcalmanner.V .i o It will be noted on referring to Figstl. 5 7,

and 8 that I provide projecting shoulders 35 5 within the shell of the refill `upon which a lower portion of the ejecting member 30 will sit as shown in Figure 1. The projectingshoulder `is preferably pressed intothe wall of the'rell, that portionof `the wallfalling down from the -shoull `der being sloped as at 36 sothat theejector, once therod is positioned withinitherelhmay be pushed upwardly into the refill-andit will` ride over the sloped surfaces finally lodging upon the projecting shoulder 35 which acts somewhat in l the manner of the barb of a shhook,-prevent `ing the ejector from being moved out of the refi1l;1.again.r 1 i y t i :I formthe lower edgeAof theu refill `with reinforcingmembers 31 spaced about its periphery, since the bottomportiorxof the refill isfopen` to the greateststrain, the reinforcing members being formed by an increased thickness in the width ofuthe wall to provide the `desired amount of stifening; `At the same timepthese projecting reinforcements form .a veryconvenient means for grasping the `lower end-.of t the refill in the inserting and removing operations. `'Io accom-- modate these reinforcing projections the lower edge of the containerwall maybe notched as at 38 (see Fig- 13). i -w .The refill cartridge26` is held within the container by means of the container base 39. This may be made in `any'suitable form being pref- `erablyenga'geable with the container by means of the `screw` threading 40. Thebase assists `in t providing clamping means necessary to hold the cartridge firmly in position and also carries the operating means C for actuatingthe ejecting mechanism. The inner` surface `of thevbase `is informed with an annular groove", on oneside of which is aprojecting annular flange 42-which is interiorly screw threadedto engage with the container, and on the other side an annular projection43 extends formed with a `sloped `surface44. i o y `Upon referring to Fig. 1 and Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the lower endo'f the refill cartridge ,26 is positioned between `the sloped surface 44 of the annularl projection 43 and the interior wall 'of the container so that Vwhen the base is screwed tightly into positionithesloped surface` will have a'wedging action upon the refill to clamp it very firmly againstthe lower interior wall of the container. i `This action com- 57, bined withy the notches or` serrations 45 (see particularly Fig. 13) in-thevlower Vend of the container provides avery positive meansfor clamping the refill cartridger against rotational movement.,and-while the reinforcing projections 3,1 on the refill which engage `within the notches 38 would also have atendencygto prevent rotational movement of the refill, thepositive means provided relieve any strain that `otherwise would be applied fon the reinforcing members, which otherwise might be sheared fromthe refill.

The base 39 of the container is centrally oriced as at 46 toreceive` the projecting bushing41 of the ejector operating means C. This may be projected through the openingMi` and secured rotatably therewithin by applying a `small split washer or wire 49 between the intericrwall of 'the base and a projectingvshoulder on the bushing 4'i.` On the` outer portionof thebase sur-l rounding fthe orifice 46 the base is provided with '75 an annular depressed or recessed portion `49 formed with a series of sloped surfaces 50 which terminate in suitable ratchet shoulders5 I. `These may vary in number, butvthere are-preferably four equal surfaces 50. i

, The operating member C carrie'sthe split ringlikemember52 (see Fig.` 15 particularly) which `for instance is substantially the same as a split spring washer, one portion of which is bent downwardlyasat 53 `substantially at right angles to rthe part at which itis attached.`V On `thefother hand the projection `53 might constitute `aiseparate piece attached tothe `ring like memberw52. The projection 53` is designed to fit withinY a corresponding recess within the` operating member` C.

direction, the end 54 ofthe ring like member will slide along one of the surfaces 50 until it reaches the shoulder 5| whereupon it will be dropped into `engagement with 4the next.` and succeeding` surface. As'it drops it will make alight clicking noiseindi`cating the extent `to which the operating member has been turned, and since there are four surfacesf'50 of equal lengthvthe point at which the end` 54 of member 52 disengages with each shoulder 5l will mark a quarter of a turn of the shaft 29. The screwthreading Iof, this shaft is so related to, the ratchet construction that a quarter of a turn willprovide the ejection of enough paste or `material contained within the container for the purpose required, for instance for loading a toothbrush.

It will be noted `that the -lower end of the rod 29l is formed with `a square face 55 which engages with a corresponding recess in the bushing 41, thus the rod will bepositively rotated` in accordance with vthe movement of' the operating member C.A `Similarly the upper end of the rod `29 `may be formed square or of any suitable cross section, .it being restricted in width as indicated at 59 relatively to the cross sectional width of the rod so that when theejector has been moved to its upward extremity,V the screwthreaded bore will be positioned oppositefto they plain reduced end portion, so that theV rod 29 upon further rotationwill justturn idly and the lejector will not be forced upwardly any further. It wouldother- `wise tend tomdam the operating parts of the de .vice and possibly injure the operating structure.

' The operatingmember C, it will be noted, Vtakes `the form of a rotatable member somewhat in the shape of a propeller bladehaving in effect an arm projecting on each side of the axis of the rod 29 being formed with the gradually sloped surfaces 51 andthe acutely slopedsurfaces 58. or

`in other words surfaces at an acute angle to the in an anti-clockwise direction, `since the thumb would merely slipover the gradually sloping sur- Thus the construction of the "operating member C is such as to provide means forrotating the shaft 29 in one direction only. It is apparent therefore that once a rell is'positioned` within they containerready for use, the dispenser will' operate eiliciently and isfproof againstV improper opera- -face 51 without moving the operating member C.` i.

tion, which might cause injury to the working parts. The container wall may be slotted as at 59 adjacent its upper end to provide an indicating orifice which will clearlyshow when the container is about empty.

An outstanding feature of the invention resides in the provision of a structure capable of being held and operated by vone hand of the user. The

container is grasped by the fingers or dig-its of` one hand,v as shown -in Figure 9, and the operating memberC is rotated by theethumb or a digit of the same hand. In this connection it will be noted that the base 39 is-shown recessed or dished as at 39a, the operating member being-of a depth not greater than the recessed or dished portion, "the latter gradually curving and terminating in a defining wall 39h. The dished or'recessed base serves two purposes;

. stand upright without `the operating member con' tacting withr the support onwhicfh it has' been easy operation of the latter.

projecting stepped portion or fiange construction placed and the gradually curved contour and defining wall 39h form afguide for-the thumb or `digit of the operator during therotation of the operating member, providing for the smooth and In addition, the

39C of the base provides a ready means for the digits of the operating hand to grasp and hold the container during operation'. i v

Having regard' tothe foregoing. it will be apparentA that I have yprovided av type lof structure which may be manufactured very readily, since the main parts may be moulded throughout and require verylittle assembling Awork other than the positioning of the operating member in ro- -tational engagement with Vthe base.A The container may be made ofa light vand durable construction, and the refill with its carried projecting parts may be manufactured very easily and very cheaply, so that the complete construction can be marketed in quantities at a comparatively low cost. i

` The refill provides avery handy means for the marketing of quantities of the material used and as the refill is discarded after use and the conc vention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the claims, and therefore the exact forms shown are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense, and it is desired that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are disclosed in the prior art or are set forth in the accompanying claims` What I claim as my invention is:

1. A dispenser comprising an elongated container having'a restricted dispensing opening at its upper end, 'a refill cartridge adapted to t within the container and a base at the opposite vend of thecontainer, means for retaining the refill cartridge against movement within the container, said rell cartridge being formed with a closed end having a centrally located opening therein, the end of` said refill cartridge abutting the interior surface of the upper end of the con- It permits the container to .threaded rod rand an ejector having a screw threaded borev in engagement with said rod,- said ejector being in frictional nonrotational cngage- Y ment with said cartridge, means for retaining the ejecting mechanism within the cartridge, means carried vby the base of the container connecting with the end of said rod in driving cngagement and an operating` member mounted on the base of the container connecting with 'said latter means for rotating said rod whereby upon rotation of said rod said ejector is caused to move upwardly ejecting material through the dispens ing opening of the container. i

2. The device as claimed in claim l in which the ejector is formed with arecess in its upper surface and a final ejecting member 'projecting upwardly within the recess, said recess being designed to surround the projecting extension, said final ejecting member designed to protrude into rthe dispensing opening when said ejector is moved to the upper end of the container.

3. The device as claimed in claim l in which the means forretaining the refill. cartridge against movement within the container comprises an annular projection on the base of the container having a sloped surface projecting within the container and a gripping surface around the interior surface of the lower end of the container between which said refill cartridge is clamped when said base is normally positioned.

4. A dispenser comprisingA an elongated container having a restricted'dispensing opening at one end and its opposite end open, a refill car tridge adapted to fit within the container having a closed end formed with a central vopening adapted to abut the end of the container adjacent to the dispensing opening, said refill cartridge having its opposite end terminating ad: jacent to the open end of the container, a base for closing the open end of the container, means cooperating between the base of the container and said container for clamping the rell cartridge against movement when said base is in normal mounted position, said rell cartridge carrying ejecting means including a screw threaded rod and an ejector having a screw threaded bore in engagement with said rod, saidejector being in frictional non-rotational engagement with said cartridge, means for retaining the ejecting mechanism within the cartridge, means carriedby the base of the container connecting with the end of said rod in driving engagement and an operating member mounted on the base of the'container connecting with said latter means for rotating said rod whereby upon rotation of said rod said ejector is 'caused to move upwardly ejecting material through the'dispensing opening of the container, said operating member being formed with at least one freely exposed arm at least one surface of ,which is at an acute angle to the base, said base being recessed to receive said operating member, the latter being of a depth not greater than the depth of said recess, said operating member having at least one arm extending towards the edge of said recess, the latter having a defining wall adjacent to its edge forming a guide for a digit of the operator during rotation of said operating member whereby the latter may be operated by a digit of the hand holding the container to eject material through the dispensing opening.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 in which` the operating member is formed with two surfaces, the surface at an acute angle to the base being engageable by the digit of the operator to effect rotation of the operating member, and an opposed gradually sloped surface over which the digit of the operator will `slip whereby said operating member may be rotated only in one direction. i

6, In a dispenser includingan elongated container having a dispensing opening at one end and a base closing the opposite end, a refill cartridge thereforcomprising an elongated shell of light semi-rigid material closed at one end and open at its opposite nd, said closed end having a centrally disposed opening adapted to co-operate with said container, ejecting means carried within said cartridge to eject material carried therein through the central opening, said rell cartridge being provided with means to positively hold said ejecting means therein, including at least one projection stamped in the shell, said projection having a sloped surface to permit the insertion of said ejecting means, said sloped surface terminating in ashoulder upon `which an edge of said ejecting means abuts.

7. In a dispenser including an elongated container having a dispensing opening at one end and a base closing the opposite end, a rell cartridge thereforcomprisingan elongated shell of l light semi-rigid material closed at one end and open at its opposite end, said closed end having a centrally disposed opening adapted to co-operate with said container opening, ejecting means carried` within said cartridge to eject material carried therein through the central opening, said rell cartridge being provided with means to positively holdysaid ejecting means therein, `a portion of said shell at its open end being flared between the base and the container for clamping therebetween to hold said shell against movement.

8. A dispenser comprising an elongated container having a restricted dispensing opening at its upper end, a rell cartridge adapted to tv within the container, ejecting means including a movable ejector positioned within the refill and container, a base at the lower end `of the container and operating means mounted on the base for operating the ejecting means, the upper end of the container having an interior surface gradually narrowing towards the dispensing opening, an annular member surrounding the dispensing opening and projecting within the container from itsupper end, said member gradually narrowing towards its lower end and having an exterior surface following the contour oi the upper end of the container, one end of said rell cartridge having a contour coinciding `with the upper end of said container. being designed to abut the latter and formed with an opening adapted to register with the dispensing opening, said annular member projecting through the opening in the refill cartridge, the interior surface of said end of the refill cartridge and the exterior surface of said annular member forming a guide to the dispensing opening for material carried within said cartridge, said ejector having a recess to co-operate with said annular projecting member, the defining walls of said recess cooperating with said graduating surface of the refill and extension to eject substantially all material from the refill.

9. In and for a dispenser, a. refill cartridge comprising an elongated ilexible tubular shell designed to carry material to be dispensed, said member having a restricted end formed with an opening therein, said end gradually narrowing towards said opening, the opposite end being open and flared outwardly, and having a series of inwardly directed projections stamped in the shell and a series of outwardly directed projections circumferentially spaced around the shell adjacent t0 the open end.

l0. In and for a dispenser. an elongated hollow shell having exible walls designed to carry material to be dispensed, said shell being restricted at one end and provided with an opening therein, said end gradually narrowing towards said opening, the opposite end of said shell being open. a closure member for the open end in the form of an ejector positioned within the shell, said ejector being rigid in construction and disposed in pressure engagement with the flexible walls of the shell, said walls being formed with a projection extending within the shell, said projection having a sloped surface to permit insertion of said ejector, the sloped surface terminating in a shoulder to retain said ejector within the shell.

11. In andfor a dispenser, a refill cartridge comprising an elongated flexible tubular shell designed to carry material to be dispensed, said member havinga restricted end formed with an opening therein, said end gradually narrowing towards said opening, the opposite end being open and flared outwardly, andsaid shell having an internal laterally projecting portion stamped therein adjacent to and inwardly of its flared open end.

12. In and for a dispenser, an elongated hollow shell having flexible walls designed to carry material to be dispensed. said shell being restricted at one end and provided with an opening therein, said end gradually narrowing towards said opening. the opposite end of said shell being open, a closure member for the open end in the form oi an ejector positioned within the shell, said ejector being rigid in construction and disposed in pressure engagement with the `flexible walls of the shell, said walls being formed with Aa projection extending laterally within the shell inwardly of its open end into the path of the ejector whereby to retain said ejector within the shell.

GARNET ADAM MAGUIRE.

Images