US2537899A

US2537899A - Canned liquid dispenser

Info

Publication number: US2537899A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dow Everett A La
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-04-23
Filing date: 1947-04-23
Publication date: 1951-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1968-01-09

Description

E. A. LA DOW CANNED LIQUID DISPENSER Jan. 9, 1951 Filed April 25,V 1947 Q6 l'mventor Patented Jan. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE` CANNED LIQUID DISPENSER.

Everett A. La Dow, Detroit, Mich. Application April 23, 1947, Serial No. 743,232

(Cl. Z22-83.5)

6 Claims.

This invention relates to dispensing devices and in particular to canned liquid dispensers.

One object of this invention is to provide a canned liquid dispenser which will receive, hold and conceal a can of liquid and which has selfcontained mechanism therein for piercing the can and releasing its contents.

Another object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser having a tubular body for receiving the can and a top unit on the body containing one piercing device for admitting air to the can and another piercing device for providing a conduit which communicates with a spout for pouring out the contents of the can.

lAnother object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser having a tubular body for receiving the can and a top unit with a piercing mechanism which seals itself tightly with the edges of the opening which it creates, thereby preventing leakage of the liquid around the opening and accordingly providing a more sanitary dispenser than hitherto.

Another object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the top unit is removable from the tubular body by a quickly detachable connection so that the dispenser is quickly and easily cleaned.

Another object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the piercing devices are operated by mechanism connected to the handle by which the dispenser is subsequently held for pouring out the contents of the can, the closing motion of the handle operating the two piercing devices.

Another object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the tubular piercing device for entering the can and pouring out the liquid is a pointed member with an angled cutting edge which reaches its maximum diameter at its point of final entry into the can cover, thereby providing a hinge connection for the nap detached from the can cover to fold downward upon without causing tearing of the can cover material and hence providing a tight seal around the piercing device.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a central vertical section through a canned liquid dispensing device, according to a preferred form of the invention, with the piercing mechanism about to be operated to enter the can cover;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the top of the dispensing device of Figure 1, with the top wall removed;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary central vertical section similar toFigure 1, but showing the position of the piercing devices after they have entered the can cover and the liquid is ready to be poured out of the can;

Figure 4 is an enlarged central Vertical section through the lower wall and one of the detent devices for holding the can in the dispenser;

Figure 5 is a vertical section along the line `5-5 in Figure 2, showing the quickly detachable pin and slot connection between the top unit and the tubular body of the dispenser;

Figure 6 is a vertical section along the line B Gin Figure 1, showing the hollow piercing device for pouring out the liquid;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the can showing the aperture and folded flap made by the hollow piercing device in the can cover; and

Figure 8 is a cross-section through a modified can-piercing plunger of approximately semicircular or semi-elliptical cross-section. Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 and 2 show a canned liquid dispenser, generally designated IIJ, according to a preferred form of the invention, with a can Il containing the liquid to be dispensed in position prior to its being pierced. The dispenser lo includes a tubular body unit and a top unit generally designated I2 and I3 respectively, detachably secured thereto and containing the piercing mechanism and pouring spout.

The body unit I2 is tubular to conform to the shape of the can II, and contains a bore I4 for receiving the can I I. The bore M is cylindrie-al in shape to receive a cylindrical can Il, but may also be of rectangular cross-section to receive a can of like shape. In order to retain the can within the bore I4, the lower rim I5 of the body unit I2 is provided with a plurality of transverse substantially radial bores I5 (Figures l and 4) containing detents generally designated I l. Each detent Il consists of a tubular casing I 8 containing a reciprocable rod I9 having a head 29 on the inner end and a handle 2| secured as at 22 to the rod I9. A coil spring 23 mounted within the casing I8 between the outer end wall 24 thereof and the head 20 urges the latter into a position projecting into thebore I4. The head 20 is provided with an angled end 25 to cause the head 20 to yield automatically when the can II is inserted, yet to spring back into position with its upper surface 26 beneath the bottom 2l of the can Il after the latter has passed; The Vhead 2li is grooved as at 28 toreceive a lip or projection` 29 from the casing I8, this serving as a key for preventing rotation of the head 2l) in the reduced diameter counterbore 3i) forming a continuation of the bore l5.

Adjacent the rim i5 near the lower edge oi the body unit l2 a spring clamp 3l (Figure l) is mounted and secured thereto by the screw 32 in the threaded hole 33. The spring clamp 3| is provided with a U-shaped bent portion 3d forming a recess shaped to receive the lower end 35 of a swinging handle 3E. The upper portion of the handle 36 is provided with spaced parallel arms 3l (Figure 2) which pass on opposite sides of a lug 35 and are pivoted thereto by a pivot pin 59 passing through both arms 37 and the lug 33. The lug 38 projects upward from a disc-like plate 40, the edge portions 4! of which engage a ange 42 on the upper end of the body unit I2. The upper side of the edge portion 4I is in turn engaged by the ange portion 43 of a cup-like cover 44 having a hole 45 in the side wall thereof for the passage of the handle 33. Headed pins 43 (Figure 5) seated in sockets 4'1 in the rim portion 42 pass through keyhole slots 48, thereby forming a quickly detachable connection between the top unit I3 and body unit I2 (Figures 2 and 5). The cover 44 is secured to the plate 4D by means of screws 43 passing through the rim portion 43 of the cap 44 into the edge portion 4I of the plate 4l) (Figure 2).

The ends of the arms 31 are bent toward one another (Figure 2) and are joined by a pivot pin 59 which passes through elongated slots 5l and 52 in the adjacent ends of rocking

levers

53 and 54 respectively. The

levers

53 and 54 are mounted upon

lugs

55 and 55 by means of pivot pins 5'! and 53 respectively passing therethrough.

The opposite end of the rocking lever 53 is provided with an elongated slot 59V engaging a pin 53 mounted in the bifurcated upper end BI of a solid piercing plunger 62. The latter reciprocates vertically through a bore 63 in a lug 64 projecting upward from plate 40 (Figures l and 3). The lower end of the piercing plunger 52 is provided with a conical point 55 above which is a reduced diameter neck portion 53.

The outer end of the rocking lever 54 is slotted as at 3'! to receive a pin 53 passing through the bifurcated upper end 59 (Figure 6)' of a hollow piercing plunger l0. The latter is preferably of triangular cross section (Figure 2) and reciprocates vertically in a triangular bore 'H formed in a lug 'i2 projecting upward from the plate 45. The hollow piercing plunger 'lil is provided with an l.-sliapedV passageway 13 which extends from the inclined or oblique lower end T4 thereof upward and outward through the side wall of plunger l5. It will be observed that the point 'l5 of the plunger l5 which rst enters the can il is opposite the side "i3 of the maximum width of the plunger li). rThe side 'I3 enters the cover l? of the can il at the very end of the piercing operation, preventing tearing in the manner explained in connection with the operation. The side wall of the lug 72 is provided with a bore 'i8 which receives the inner end of an upwardly bent pouring spout 'I9 which passes outward through a bore 85 in the cover 44. The spout i9 contains a passageway 8l for the passage of the liquid to be poured.

It will be observed from Figure 6 that the intermediate portion of the hollow piercing plunger F3 is slightly tapered as at 82 as it approaches the oblique lower end i4, thereby enhancing the seal between it and the can cover which it pierces. The latter is also provided with inclined cutting edges 83 converging toward a junction with the vertical edge at the point l5. While a triangular cross-section is preferred for the piercing plunger i3, a semi-circular cross-section may optionally be used, if desired.

Operation In the operation of the dispenser I3, the handle 35 is pulled outward and upward into its solid line position (Figure l) with its lower end 35 detached from the recess 34 in the spring clamp 3|. This action raises the piercing plungers 62 and 'i3 to the tops of their strokes. The can Il is then inserted through the mouth 35 of the bore i4 and pushed upward, the cover thereof engaging the inclined ends 25 of the detent Il and pushing them aside. The detents Il snap back beneath the bottom 2l of the can when the latter is in position (Figure l). Since the dispenser I3 is preferably designed to receive a standard size of can, such as a condensed milk can, the bore I4 from the lower surface 81 of the plate 43 to the top edge 23 of the detent head 2G will have a length substantially equal to the height of such a can.

With the can l I in position within the bore I4 and held by the detents Il, the handle 33 is pushed sharply downward and inward with one hand while the body unit l2 is held by the other h and. ,AsV the handle 35 moves into the dotted line position shown in Figure l and its lower end 35 snaps into the recess 34 of the spring clamp 3l, the inner ends of the

rocking levers

53 and 54 are swung upward into their dotted line positions (Figure l) forcing the piercing plungers 62 and l) downward in theirv bores 53 and 7i, piercing the cover TE of the can Il. The piercing plunger 62 forms a hole 88 of substantially the same diameter as the conical point of the plunger, and the latter comes to rest in the position shown in Figure 3 with the neck portion. 53 within the hole 88. This forms an annular air space between the neck 63 and hole 88 for the air g to enter as the liquid is withdrawn.

Simultaneously with the downward motion of the solid piercing plunger 32, the hollow piercing plunger l5 also moves downward and pierces the cover 'il of the can ll. As the plunger 'i3 moves downward from the position shown in' Figure 1 to that of Figure 3, the point 'I5 and inclined cutting edges 83 of the lower end 'i4 cut out a triangular hole 53 in the can cover 'il (Figure '7) bending downward the triangular flap 3.) thereby produced (Figure 3) When the piercing plunger l5 has fully entered the can Il (Figure 3), the side l5 of maximum width has entered the can cover ll and the tapered intermediate portion has gradually enlarged the hole just before coming to a halt, enhancing the seal around it. As a consequence, the triangular flap 9) hinges at its upper edge 5l of maximum width (Figure '7).

This construction prevents tearing of the ap 3@ or can cover il land insures a snug fit between thev aperture 83 and the hollow piercing plunger it. This in turn prevents leakage of the contents oi the can l i and hence provides a sanitary construction. InY prior constructions, where a piercing plunger of circular cross-section has been employed, or where a plunger of greater than semi-circular cross-section has been employed, a tearing of the cover 'Il of the cani] has.

occurred by reason of the fact that the flap thereby detached `does not hinge at its point of. maximum width. 1n such prior constructions,

5` therefore, leakage occurred in the gap formed by the tear, thereby causing the liquid to soil the interior of the dispenser Il), with unsanitary results.

With the parts moved into their positions shown in Figure 3, the L-shaped passageway 'E3 in the piercing plunger 'Ill lines up with the bore 8| in the pouring spout 79 and the lower end 35 of the handle 36 snaps into the recess 34 in the spring clamp 3l, holding the handle 36 securely in its dotted line position (Figure 1). The user now lifts the dispenser I by means of the handle 35, tilting it forward and downward to pour out the liquid from the can II through the passageway 73 and, bore SI in the piercing plunger 'ID and spout 'I9 respectively. At the same time, air rushes in through the annular space around the neck 66 (Figure 3) replacing the liquid poured out.

When the can II is empty, the operator pulls the handle 36 upward to its solid-line position of Figure 1, retracting the plungers t2 and lll. He then grasps the heads 2| of the detents Ii in the fingers of his two hands and pulls them outward in opposite directions, whereupon the can I I falls out of the bore I4 through the mouth 36 thereof. The device is then ready for the insertion of another can. To clean the top unit I3, the operator grasps the cover 44 and rotates it in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 2) until the heads of the pins 46 move into alignment with the enlargement of the keyhole slots 48. The top unit I3 may then be lifted olf the body unit I2 and cleaned by passing a cloth over the surface 81 and by running a liquid through the passageway i3 and bore 8l with the two moved into alignment (Figure 3) by pressing the handle 36 downward.

The modied hollow piercing-plunger 5I shown in Figure 8 is similar in purpose to the plunger 'lll shown in Figure l and likewise resembles the latter in longitudinal section as in Figure l. The plunger 9! is, however, of approximately semicircular or semi-elliptical cross-section, having an arcuate side wall 92 and a flat side wall Q3 at the maximum width of the plunger. The side 93 thus forms a diameter of the cross-sectioneither the diameter of a semi-circle or the minor diameter of an ellipse. The plunger SI is provided with a passageway 94 similar to the passageway i3, and likewise with an inclined or oblique lower end. The operation of the medihcation shown in Figure 8 is similar to that of the principal form of the invention, and similarly accomplishes the cutting out of a flap from the top of the can, bending it downward without tearing it since the rear wall 93 of the plunger is its maximum width in cross-section.

What I claim is:

1. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receiving recess therein and Y a top member closing the upper end of said recess, said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed bores positioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercing plunger reciprocably mounted in each oi said bores, one of said plungers being hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movable plunger-operating element mounted on said top member, and mechanism on said top member operatively interconnecting said element and said plungers and responsive to the motion of said element for simultaneously urging said plungers downward relatively to said top member into piercing engagement with the cover of said can.

2. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receiving recess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess, said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed bores positioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercing plunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one of said plungers being hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movable plungeroperating element comprising a handle pivotally mounted on said top member, and mechanism on said top member operatively interconnecting said element and said plungers and responsive to the motion of said element for simultaneously urging said plungers downward relatively to said top member into piercing engagement with the cover of said can.

3. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receiving recess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess, said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed bores positioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercing plunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one or said plungers being hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movable plungeroperating element comprising a handle extending downward along said casing and having its upper portion pivotally mounted on said top member, and mechanism on said top member operatively interconnecting said element and said plungers and responsive to the motion of said element for simultaneously urging said plungers downward relatively to said top member into piercing engagement with the cover of said can.

e. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receiving recess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess, said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed bores positioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercing plunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one of said plungers being hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movable plungeroperating element comprising a handle pivotally mounted on said top member, and rocking levers on said top member operatively interconnecting said handle and said plungers and responsive to the motion of said handle for simultaneously urging said plungers downward relatively to said top member into piercing engagement with the cover of said can.

5. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receiving recess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess, said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed bores positioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercing plunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one of said plungers being hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movable plungeroperating element comprising a handle extending downward along said casing and having its upper portion pivotally mounted on said top member, and rocking levers on said top member operatively interconnecting said handle and said plungers and responsive to the motion of said handle for simultaneously urging said plungers downward relatively to said top member into piercing engagement with the cover of said can.

6. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receiving recess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess, said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed bores positioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-.cover-piercing plunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one of said plungers being hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a tubular spout mounted on said top member and communicating with said hollow plunger passageway in the canpiercing position of said hollow plunger, a movable plunger-operating element mounted on said top member, and mechanism on said top member operatively interconnecting said element and said plungers and responsive to the motion of said element for simultaneously urging said plungers downward relatively to said top member into piercing engagement with the cover of said can.

EVERETT A. LA DOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS