US2767883A

US2767883A - Dispenser for collapsible tubes

Info

Publication number: US2767883A
Application number: US516590A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr John W Patterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-06-20
Filing date: 1955-06-20
Publication date: 1956-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 1973-10-23

Description

1956 J. w. PATTERSON, JR 2,767,883

. DISPENSER FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES,

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1955 INVENTOR fob): Za'paiielzs'omd z /flmwm Oct. 23, 1956 J.- w. PATTERSON, JR 2,767,883

DISPENSER FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20, 1955 l nv United States Patent DISPENSER FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES John W. Patterson, Jr., Sacramento, Calif.

Application June 20, 1955, Serial No. 516,590

16 Claims. (Cl. 222-103) The present invention is directed to, and it is a major object to provide, a novel device for dispensing the contents-such as tooth paste, or shaving creamfrom a collapsible tube.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a dispenser, as above, which includes-4n combination with a case in which the tube is disposed with its neck in register with an outlet spout-a novel finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly operative to compress the tube and cause a controlled quantity of the contents to discharge from the spout.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a dispenser, as in the preceding paragraph, wherein said finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly is operative, progressively from the rear toward the front of the tube and with repeated use of the device, to fully collapse and flatten such tube, whereby all of the contents thereof are ultimately discharged and waste avoided.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser, of the type described, wherein the pressure shoe, its mount, and actuating mechanism therefor, are so arranged that in response to finger manipulation of the device, the manually applied force is compounded and becomes substantially greater at the point of engagement of said pressure shoe with the collapsible tube. In other words, the device-while easy to use-imparts a substantial and positive pressure on the collapsible tube for the purpose of discharging the contents therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for collapsible tubes which is arranged for convenient manipulation by one hand; the other hand remaining free to hold the tooth brush, shaving brush, or the like, onto which a quantity of the contents of the tube is to be deposited.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for collapsible tubes which is constructed in a manner which permits the tube to be quickly and easily placed in, or removed from, the case of the device; the tube when in the case having its neck engaged in a discharge spout, and eifective means being provided to normally lock said neck against accidental escape from said spout.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a dispenser which is designed for ease and economy of manu facture; the device being compact, light weight, and yet sturdy.

A separate object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliable dispenser for collapsible tubes, and one which will be exceedingly efiective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the novel dispenser for collapsible tubes; the slide being shown partially advanced and the finger tab in its lowered position.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the dispenser, with the collapsible tube partly broken away; the pressure shoe, and cooperating parts, being shown in the initial positions occupied thereby at the start of each tube pressing operation.

F ICE) Fig. 3 is a longitudinal elevation of the dispenser, with the case in section, showing the positions of the parts as the pressure shoe is moved downwardly during a dispensing operation; the view also 'showingin dotted linesthe open position of the upper half of the case.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 66 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the novel dispenser for collapsible tubes is preferably-though not necessarily-manufactured, in its major parts, from plastie and includes an elongated hollow case, indicated generally at 1. The case 1 is substantially rectangular in cross section and is split lengthwise centrally between the top 2 and bottom 3, as at 4, to form an upper half 5 and a lower half 6.

The upper and

lower halves

5 and 6, respectively, of the case 1 are hinged together at the rear end, as at 7, so that the upper half 5 may swing from its normally closed position, as in Fig. 1, to an open position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The upper half 5 is normally but releasably latched to the lower half 6 by means of the following arrangement:

A transverse push bar 8 is disposed immediately ahead of the front of the lower half 6 of the case; such push bar 8 being vformed, adjacent the ends, with rigid, rearwardly projecting thrust fingers 9 which slidably extend into the case through corresponding openings. A leaf spring 10 disposed between the push bar 8 and the front of the lower half 6 normally urges said push bar outwardly or forwardly to the limit of its travel. At their inner ends the thrust fingers 9 are pivotally attached to the lower ends of swing levers 11, each being pivoted intermediate its ends--as at 12-to the adjacent side of the lower half 6 of the case. Each of said swing levers 11 projects above its pivot 12 to an upper end termination in a hook 13 which normally but releasably engages with a catch 14 formed on the adjacent side of the upper half 5 of said case.

Such hook and catch assembly, on each side of the case within the same and adjacent the front, normally effectively locks the upper half 5 to the lower half 6. However, to open the upper half 5 for placement of a collapsible tube T in, or to remove such tube from, the case it is only necessary to push inwardly on the bar 8, which swings the levers 11 and releases the hooks 13 from the catches 14, whereupon the upper half 5 may be manually swung upwardly.

The case 1 is formed, centrally at the front, with a relatively short, forwardly projecting spout 15 normally closed at the front by a swing cover 16. The rear portion of the spout 15, in the upper half thereof, is formed as a separate segment 17 integral with the front of the upper half 5 of the case, while the remainder of said spout is formed integral with the lower half 6.

The purpose of this arrangement-4. e. having the separate segment 17 integral with the upper half 5is as follows:

When it is desired to place a collapsible tube T in the case 1, the upper half 5 is first opened in the manner hereinbefore described. With such opening of the upper half 5 the separate segment 17 is clear of the spout 15 so that when the collapsible tube T is placed in the lower half 6 of the case, the threaded neck N of said tube may be readily disposed, from above, into the rear lower and then cradle-like portion 18 of said spout.

A substantially matching, half-circle locking wire or 19 is fixed in said cradle-like portion 18 of the spout, and when the neck N is received in said portion 18 the wire or rib 19 is engaged in one of the turns of the threads of said neck N. Thereafter, the upper halfS-of the case is closed and latch-engaged against accidental.

opening.

Upon closing of the upper half 5, the. segment 17 returns to place in the spout and lies saddle-like over the neck N in closely adjacent relation; the lockingwire or rib 19 thereafter effectively preventing accidental-displacement of said neck N from the spout The collapsible tube T as thus disposed in the case 1. is in position for use; the contents of such tube being discharged from said spout 15, when the cover is open and asillustratedat C, by means ofa novelfinger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly. indicated generally at 20,.mounted inconnection with the top 2 of case 1. Such finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly 20 is constructed and functions as follows:

The top 20f the case 1 is formed, centrally. of its sides, with a substantially full-length longitudinal slot 21, and a slide block 22 exposed in part above said top 2 is mounted in connection therewith for guided motion along said slot from an initially retracted starting position. with longitudinal, laterally opening grooves 23 in which the edge portions of the top 2 adjacent slot 21 engage; the portion of the slide block 22 which rides beneath thetop 2 being in the form of a guide and retention plate 24. In manufacturing practice the guide and retention plate 24 is preferably an initially separate element, being secured to the remainder of the slide block 22 by suitable means, such as screws 25.

The slide block 22 is adapted to be yieldably maintained in progressive step positions, from its initially retracted starting position, by means of a spring finger 26.

fixed to, and projecting laterally from, one side of the guide and retention plate 24; the outer or free end portion of said spring finger 26 snap-engaging in one of a plurality of notches 27 formed in longitudinally spaced relation in an internal corner shoulder 23 included as an integral part of the upper half 5. As the slide block 22 is manually advanced step by step for the purpose hereinafter described, the s ring finger 26 successively snap-engages in the'notches 27.

The slide block 22 includes, adjacent but short of the front end thereof, a vertical non-circular bore 29 which opens to the bottom of said slide block and terminates adjacent but short of the top thereof.

A plunger 30, hereinafter identified as the secondary plunger, is slidably disposed in, and projects a distance downwardly from, the bore 29; such secondary plunger 30 initially being in a raised position, as in Fig. 2, and the lower end of said plunger 39 terminating a distance above the bottom 3 of the case.

A substantially full-width pressure shoe 31 i disposed substantially centrally below the secondary plunger 30; said plunger being pivoted at its lower end, as at 32-,

to the pressure shoe 31 Ma relatively high point there- The pressure shoe 31 is flat for substantially half its The purpose of the arms 34 is two-fold; firstly, to-

cause the pressure shoe 31. to be disposed in-its entirety at a forward and upward incline when the secondary plunger 39 is in its raised position, andsecondly-to assure that the heel 33 of the pressure shoe 31* always remains very close to the upper surface of the bottom 30f the'case.

The slide block 22 is formed on opposite sides The slide block 22 includes a front depending extension 35 immediately ahead of the bore 29; such depending extension 35 having a rearwardly and downwardly opening recess 36 therein. A longitudinal lever arm 37 is pivoted, as at 38, at its forward end in the recess 36 and for vertical swinging motion. The longitudinal lever arm 37 extendsrearwardly from the pivot 38 through a slot 39 cut in the secondary plunger 30 intermediate its upper and lower ends; said plunger, at the bottom of the slot 39, being formed with a fulcrum 40 adapted for engagement by said lever arm 37. Additionally, the plunger 30, at the top of the slot 39, is convex, asrat 41; the distance between the fulcrum 40 and the convex portion 41 being slightly greater than the height of the lever arm 37.

Rearwardly of the secondary plunger 30 the lever arm 37 passes between a pair of transversely spaced depending guide webs 42 formed with the plate 24. Immediately to the rear of said, guide webs 42 the lever arm 37 passes through a slot 43 formed in the lower end portion of a vertical plunger 44, hereinafter identified asthe, primary plunger. The primary plunger 44 is slidably carried in matching relation in a non-circular bore 45 in the slide block 22, which bore is open top and bottom. The portion of the lever arm 37 which extends through the slot 43 is disposed at a slight upward and rearward incline, as shown, for leverage increase, and the primary plunger 44, at the top of the slot 43, is tapered, as shown, to provide a contact nose 46 which bears against the lever arm 37 as far to the rear as possible.

At its upper end the primary plunger 44 is provided with a finger tab 47 which projects rearwardly some distance from said plunger, again to provide greater leverage. The slide block 22 also includes, at its rear end, adepending rear extension 48 formed with a forwardly opening recess 49 in which the free rear end portion of the lever arm 37 engages in guided relation.

When the dispenser is to be used, with a collapsible tuberT disposed in the case 1, with the neck N located in thespout 15, the above described slide and pressure shoe assembly 20 is employed in the following manner to effect discharge of a quantity of the contents of said tube; the swing cover 16 of course being opened prior to the dispensing operation.

Such slide and pressure shoe assembly 20, which starts initially retracted, is employed in progressive or step by step positions determined by the spring finger 26 engaging in the notches 27. At each such progressive position the primary plunger 44 starts in a raised position with the lever arm 37 and secondary plunger 30 likewise raised, and at which time the pressure shoe 31 lies at a forward and upward incline from the heel 33 by reason of the pivot 32 being relatively raised, while the shoe positioning arms 34 remain in contact with the plate 24 (see Fig. 2). Also, at such time the rear flat portionof the bottom of the pressure shoe 31 lies against the-collapsible tube T at the inclined rear of the unused portion thereof.

Thereafter, the person usingthe device finger-engages the tab 47 and presses thereon, which slides the primary plunger 44 downwardly and likewise swings the lever arm 37 in a corresponding direction. With such downward swinging of the lever amt 37 it acts-bearing against the fulcrum 40--to force the secondary plunger and pressure shoe 31 downwardly. The pressure shoe 31 is pressed downwardly with substantial force by reason of the compounding of the leverage in the assembly 20, andwherein the fulcrum 40 is much closer to pivot 32 than the point of engagement of contact nose 46 with lever arm 37.

As 30 pressed downwardly, the shoe 31 has a positive heel-to-toe motion imparted thereto; this by reason of the fact that heel33 lies close to bottom 3, and pivot 32 is in a plane aheadof said heel. By disposing the pivot 32 at a relatively high point on the shoe, the line of downward thrust from said pivot initially intersects the bottom of'the shoe at a point relatively close to the heel but as the shoe is moved downwardly, such point advantageously advances relative to said heel whereby to further assure of said heel-to-toe motion. Such motion of the shoe effectively squeezes the engaged portion of the tube T to advance the contents therein, and causes discharge of a quantity of such contents through the neck N and from the spout 15, as at C.

At each position of the finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly 20 several dispensing operations may be accomplished, as the primary plunger 44 is pressed downwardly each time only part way, which is sufficient to obtain the discharge of a normal quantity of the contents of the tube T.

Upon the primary plunger 44 being depressed to the limit of its downward motion, the flat rear portion of the pressure shoe 31 lies very close to the bottom 3 of the case, with the result that the tube T is effectively flattened without the possibility of any substantial portion of the contents escaping rearwardly; the flattened portion of said tube being indicated at F.

After the finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly has flattened the tube T at each of the progressive or step by step positions of said assembly, the latter is moved forward one step by the simple expedient of placing the thumb and index finger in opposed notches 50 of the slide block 22 and then pushing forwardly. This causes the spring finger 26 to escape the engaged notch 27 and to move forwardly until it falls into the next following notch, whereupon the device is ready for subsequent use.

As the finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly 20 is so moved forwardly the pressure shoe 31, riding onto the inclined rear portion of the unused part of the tube, returns all of the parts of said assembly to their starting position; i. e., with the

plungers

30 and 44, and the lever arm 37, in raised position.

. As an aid to the user in ascertaining the correct amount of advance of the slide block 22 to the progressive or step by step positions, said slide block may be formed on one side with a pointer 51 which reads on a scale 52 marked on the top 2 of the case 1.

In lieu of the shoe positioning arms 34, whose action is to always maintain the rear of the pressure shoe 31 with the heel 33 close to the bottom 3, a leaf spring could be used for the purpose between the lower end of the secondary plunger 30 and the rear portion of said shoe at the top thereof.

As the described dispenser isin its over-all dimensioningrelatively small, light weight, and compact, it may be hand supported when in use, oralternatively may be secured to a wall in a fixed position. In either event the dispenser is convenient and effective in use to discharge a controlled quantity of the contents of the tube T, as at C, from the spout 15; the progressive or step by step use of the finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly 20 assuring that substantially all of said contents may be ultimately discharged, thereby minimizing waste in the tube 1 when it is removed from the case and discarded.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as will substantially fulfill the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

' Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having a discharge neck at the front, comprising 6 spaced longitudinal bottom and top supports between which the tube is disposed lengthwise, means to prevent forward displacement of the tube relative to said supports, and a manually actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly mounted on the top support for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, with the pressure shoe disposed and moving forwardly between the supports to engage and progressively collapse the tube; the pressure shoe including a heel permanently disposed adjacent the bottom support and being connected with the slide for recurrent heel-to-toe downward motion from forwardly and upwardly inclined starting positions, and manually actuated means between the slide and shoe operative to cause such motion of the shoe.

2. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having a discharge neck at the front, comprising spaced longitudinal bottom and top supports between which the tube is disposed lengthwise, means to prevent forward displacement of the tube relative to said support, a manually actuated slide mounted on the top support for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, a pressure shoe disposed between the supports for advance to engage and progressively collapse the tube, the shoe including a heel permanently disposed adjacent the bottom support, means connecting the shoe with the slide for advance therewith and for controlled heel-to-toe downward motion from a forwardly and upwardly inclined starting position, and manually actuated means on the slide operative to cause such motion of the shoe.

3. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having a discharge neck at the front, comprising spaced longitudinal bottom and top supports between which the tube is disposed lengthwise, means to prevent forward displacement of the tube relative to said support, a manually actuated slide mounted on the top support for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, a pressure shoe disposed between the supports for advance to engage and progressively collapse the tube, the shoe including a heel adjacent the bottom support, means connecting the shoe with the slide for advance therewith and for controlled heel-to-toe downward motion from a forwardly and upwardly inclined starting position, and manually actuated means on the slide operative to cause such motion of the shoe; the forward lower portion of the shoe curving upwardly, and means included between the slide and rear portion of the shoe operative to main tain the heel in said adjacent relation to the bottom support in all positions of said shoe.

4. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having a discharge neck at the front, comprising,

spaced longitudinal bottom and top supports between which the tube is disposed lengthwise, means to prevent forward displacement of the tube relative to said support, a manually actuated slide mounted on the top support for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, a pressure shoe disposed between the supports for advance to engage and progressively collapse the tube, the shoe including a heel adjacent the bottom support, a plunger slidable in and projecting toward the shoe, means pivoting the plunger and shoe together for recurrent heel-to-toe downward motion of the latter from forwardly and upwardly inclined starting positions and upon downward sliding motion of said plunger, and manually actuated means on the slide operative to cause such downward sliding motion of said plunger.

5. A device, as in claim 4, including a rigid arm upstanding from the shoe rearwardly of the pivot, and the upper end of said arm engaging the slide.

6. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having a discharge neck at the front, comprising spaced longitudinal bottom and top supports between which the tube is disposed lengthwise, means to prevent forward displacement of the tube relative to said support, a manually actuated slide mounted on the top support for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, a pressure shoe disposed between the supports for advance to engage and progressively collapse the tube, the shoe including a heel adjacent the bottom support, a plunger slidable in and projecting toward the shoe, means pivoting the plunger and shoe together for recurrentheel-to-toe downward motion of the latter from forwardly and upwardly inclined starting positions and upon downward sliding motion of said plunger, another plunger slidable in and projecting upwardly from the slide for hand actuation downwardly, and lever means between said plungers operative to cause said downward motion of the first named plunger upon downward actuation of said other plunger.

7. A device, as in claim 6, in which said lever means comprises a longitudinal lever arm pivoted adjacent but clear of said first named plunger, the latter having a slot through which the lever arm extends intermediate its ends, and said other plunger engaging the lever arm at a point opposite the pivot.

8. A device, as in claim 7, in which the distance between the pivot and said first named plunger is less than the distance between the, latter and said other plunger.

9. A device, as in claim 8, in which said first named plunger includes a fulcrum, in the bottom of the slot, against which the lever arm bears.

10. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having a discharge neck at the front comprising an elongated case having a top, a bottom, and a front; the tube being disposed lengthwise in the case and the front of the latter having an opening into which said neck projects, and a manually actuated slide and shoe assembly mounted on the top for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, with the pressure shoe disposed and moving forwardly between the top and bottom to engage and progressively. collapse the tube; the case including an initially separate upper half and a lower half, means hinging said halves of the case together at the rear for opening of the upper half, and releasable latch means between said halves; there being a spout on and projecting forwardly from the front of the case in register with the opening therein, the neck projecting into the spout, said spout including an upper rear portion on the upper half of the case and the remainder of the spout being on the lower half, and means in the spout operative to secure the neck against retraction from said spout when the case is closed and said portions of the spout are in engagement.

11. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having a discharge neck at the front comprising an elongated case having a top, a bottom, and a front; the tube being disposed lengthwise in the case and the front of the latter having an opening into which said neck projects, and a manually actuated slide and shoe assembly mounted on the top for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, with the pressure shoe disposed and moving forwardly between the top and bottom to engage and progressively collapse the tube; the case including an initially separate upper half and a lower'half, means hinging said halves of the case together at the rear for opening of the upper half, and releasable latch means between said halves; there being a spout on and the top and movable along said-slot, the slide havinglaterally opening longitudinal grooves in the sides and the longitudinal portions of the top adjacent the slot en- 2'5 gaging in said grooves, a pair of longitudinally spaced plungers carried by the slide, one plunger projecting upwardly from the slide for downward manual actuation and the other plunger projecting into the case for downward travel, a presser shoe pivoted in connection with the lower end of said other plunger and adapted upon loweringthereof to collapse the adjacent portion of the tube, and a longitudinal lever arm disposed in the case and pivoted in connection with the slide for downward swinging motion, said one plunger bearing on the lever arm remote from the pivot and the lever arm bearing on said other plunger intermediate said one plunger and such pivot whereby downward actuation of said one plunger causes such lowering of the shoe.

13. A device, as in claim 12, in which said one plunger, said other plunger, and the pivot are spaced apart in said order in a forward direction; said other plunger having a slot through which the lever arm extends intermediate its ends, the lever arm bearing on the bottom of the slot, and said one plunger bearing atop the lever arm a distance rearwardly of said other plunger greater than the distance between the latter and the pivot.

14. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube from the discharge neck thereof, said device com prising a case in which the tube is disposed lengthwise and which case includes top and bottom supports, the tube resting on the bottom support, a manually actuated slide mounted on the top support for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, a depressible pressure shoe mounted on the slide within the case for engagement with the tube, means between the slide and shoe to depress the shoe so as to collapse the adjacent portion of the tube independently of advance of the shoe along the case, and cooperating means on the case and slide yieldably resisting movement of the slide at recurring points in the length thereof; said cooperating means comprising a longitudinal row of spaced notches on the underside of the top support disposed to one side of the slide, and a resilient element on the slide projecting laterally therefrom to engage one notch at a time as the slide advances along the support;

15. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube from the discharge neck thereof, said device comprising a case in which the tube is disposed lengthwise and which case includes top and bottom supports, the tube resting on the bottom support, a manually actuated slide mounted on the top support for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, a depressible pressure shoe mounted on the slide within the case for engagement with the tube, the lower face of the shoe curving upwardly to its forward end and the rear end of such face forming a heel disposed adjacent the bottom support, a plunger slidable in and depending from the slide and to which the shoe is pivoted intermediate its ends, manually actuated means on the slide to depress the plunger, and fulcrum means between the slide and shoe at the rear end of the latter to maintain the heel in a substantially constant level relative to the bottom support irrespective of the shoe depressing movement of the plunger.

16. A device, as in claim 15, in which the fulcrum means comprises an arm. rigid with and upstanding from the shoe adjacent the heel, and means on the slide forming a surface facing and'rockably engaged by the outer end of the arm.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,122,096 Fitchett Dec. 22, 1914 1,981,532 Van Woert, Jr Nov. 20, 1934 2,489,940 Trotta Nov. 29, 1949 2,496,094 Geyer Jan. 31, 1950 2,543,704 Pepin Feb. 27, 1951 2,583,631 Chehak Jan. 29, 1952 2,670,875 Permutter Mar. 2, 1954