US2786718A

US2786718A - Dispensing attachment for a liquid container

Info

Publication number: US2786718A
Application number: US521089A
Authority: US
Inventors: William F Middlestadt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-07-11
Filing date: 1955-07-11
Publication date: 1957-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 1974-03-26

Description

March 26, 1957 W. F. MIDDLESTADT DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR A LIQUID CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 11, 1955 FIGB.

ATTORNEY.

March 26, 1957 Filed July IL, 1955 nu un w. F. MIDDLESTADT 2,786,718

DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR LIQUID CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILLIAM FQMIDDLESIADT.

United States Patent DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR A LIQUID O TAIN R William Middlestadt, Baltimore, Md.

Application July 11, 1955, Serial No. 521,089

12 Claims. :(Cl. 299-97) This invention relates to the distribution or dispensing of a liquid from a can and more particularly to a distributor assembly adapted for use with a sealed can to direct its oil contents to a designated location or area.

The conventional squirt oil can consists of a reservoir container to hold oil with an elongated spout extended from it to distribute it. The bottom of the reservoir is manually depressed and acts like a diaphragm to squirt the oil out. The oil is poured in the reservoir by removing the spout and pouring it through its opening from a storage can, where a supply is kept. The amount of oil held in the reservoir is limited, and when poured in is subject to a certain amount of spilling and other incidental obiections. This invention consists of a contrivance of relatively simple construction adapted for attachment to a sealed conventional liquid containing can'sold commonly in the commercial market. It is combined with the latter to form a device for distributing oil or other liquid to a specific area through a spout attachment including an arrangement to provide for forcing the liquid out in s eam, hrou h the manipul io of h hand o h u r 0 1 The invention has among its objects the provision of a new and improved distributing mechanism for a sealed quid n a nin ca or h ike hat will avoi e o more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved distributing mechanism for a liquid in a sealed. container that can be readily attached and provided with e n fo p erc n h a l t r o to get a it C ntents and conduct them through a tubular conveyor for distribution or dispensing through a spout to a selected area, at the discretion of. the user. i

Still o er o e t of he n n o i o pr vi e .a n w and improved mechanism for the manual distribution of oil or other liquidfrom a sealed can that will have means for piercing the can and locating a suction pipe in its contents, including a manually operated pump for positively raising the latter and directing it through a spout in substantial amounts until the can is emptied.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism for piercing a sealed can containing a liquid and distributing or dispensing the contents at will, by a manually operated pump incorporated in its structure, through a spout, and detachable'from the dispensable can when the contents have been emptied by it, and capable of further use with another container in the same manner, indefinitely.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as it is more fully described.

For a better understanding of the invention, and its objects reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein a particular form of the arrangement is disclosed, by way of example, while the following description outlines the details of its structure, use and operation.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sideelevation of a liquid distributor embodying this invention, as applied to a conventional oil 7 2,786,718 Pa nte Map 2. 3

2 container with portions being broken away to clarify ihe manner in which it is used; i

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the ejection unit employed Withthis embodiment;

Figure 3 is a front elevationjof the pedestalused in this Figure 4 is a rear view ro wa how he v u e s s tiqfi v sw n lin ,7 V. showing the type of clieck'valves incforp ated in this embodiment. i i i Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6 6 of Figure l. Similar reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the drawings. Y i v h c re n t e dr wi s d ate h w the n sn tion is employed in utilizing a' conventional oil container 10 for the dispensing of its oil conte'nts- These containers are sealed and generally of one-quart capacityaiidof cylindrical shape. The container 10 is placed in a vertical position while the liquid distributor is mounted on it. In mounting the distributor, its suction tube 11 is forced through the sealed top 12 with its sharpened angular forating point 13 cutting its way through. The perro or 13 protrudes through the top wall 12 to a depth adjacent the bottom wall. l4. This enables the'suction tube t'o completely empty the contaii'rer. intake check alv e 5 is in a d n he t be 1 arth p in 'a ops th return to the container 10 of any liquid 16' drawn up from the container into the adjacent portion of tube 11. 'A rubber-like thi nble 17 slides on the tube 11 and is brought tightly against the hole in the top wall 12 where the tube 11 passes through into the container. This thimbl functions as a gasket or stufiing box to prevent the liquid from leaking at the hole. 7 i Aileisflo or pump 250 is n alled n t be at a suitable distance above the container and is" adaptedlto raise the liquid 16 and force it through the extended upper t on of the t be t and' ast htau a di s sh k valve 25. The pump or ejection unit'consists of a hou sing 4 v mqunts by a cir ul av r ph a m en i sd b afls S r 3 pr s a .n' Th spring $5 isbraced against the inside face of a wallof he ho si g cppgs e th i hra m and Suitab y settled there t k t in Pasit I e h u g i Partially supported on the tube 11 and pedestal 29. The holes ,40 in the upper and lower walls Zl and 22 of the housing ,44 respectively are surrounded by hosses 23; and enab the tube to be passed'through them so they will be airtight. An opening 45 in the wall of the tube 11 within the housing permits the oil 16 to be "dravvn intothe housing 44 by the diaphragm 19 on the SuCliQfi Stroke and fortied out from it on the compression stroke and out through a fleigib lespout 24. The liquid'ln passes through theupper end of the tube 11 and through the dischargecheck valve 25, on its way to the spout 24. The pout has a suitable head 26 for controlling the type of spray or squirtpassing through it as the liquid 16 is expelled. Couplings 27 attach the discharge check valve 25 and head 26 to the flexible spent 24.

The tube and ejector assembly are supported by a podestal 2 9. The pedestal consists of a barof relativelYflat material and has an L-like foot piece 30 formed on one endto engage over the lip 31 of the 'sealedliquid container 10. Integral brackets 28 and 33'respe ctively extend at right angles from the pedestals have holes 34 through them through which the tube 11 passesto hold the latter. Under the bracket 33 the resilient thimble 17 is placed and pressed down by it to keep the thimble against the container top, as Well as act as one end of clamp in cooperation with the foot piece 30 to grip the container 10 tightly and combine it into the distributor or dispenser assembly. i

as follows.

' The pedestal is bent over above the ejector 20 to form a resilient arm 32 including a convexed hump 41 arranged to align with the diaphragm 19 and operate it. The arm 32 extends beyond the hump 40 and forms a spoon handle 36 to be actuated by the fingers of the user, when the ejector is Worked by him.

The operation of the device is described more in detail First the angular perforating point 13 is pressed through the container top wall 12 and the suction tube 11 inserted into the liquid 16 until the thimble '17 on the pedestal 29 contacts the top wall 12, the foot piece 30 is pulled down and slipped over the bottom lip 31 of the container causing the thimble 17 to compress and seal the hole in the top wall 12 against leakage.

The operator presses and releases the handle 36 until the tube 11 and ejector 20 are filled with the liquid, which is prevented from returning to the container 10 by an inlet or check valve 15. The manipulation of the handle 36 further, squirts the liquid from the spout 24 and its nozzle head 26. The spout by reason of its flexible structure can be bent and diverted to point in any direction selected by the user. The discharge check valve 25 prevents the liquid in the spout from returning to the tube and container. The ejector diaphragm 19 exerts the necessary pressure on the liquid to draw it up from the container into the ejector 20 and then force it out through the spout and head. The pedestal is cut out at 37 to allow the arm 32 to straddle the tube 11, as well as act as a guide and keep the arm aligned while being operated. The check valve 25 comprise a ball 39, a

seat 42 and a coil spring 43 operating in the usual manner. The intake valve 15 comprises a ball 46, a seat 47 and a spring 48 and operates in the usual manner. The coupling 27 enables the spout to be removed for cleaning and inspection purposes. The ejector 26 is attached to the pedestal 29 by screws or other fasteners 50 so it can be detached at any time if required. When the container 10 is emptied it is removed and another container full of liquid is mounted on the dispenser to replace it.

The invention enables a full container of liquid to be mounted on its assembly easily and quickly. This avoids the requirement of filling an oil or other squirt device for distributing its liquid. The assembly handles a relatively large quantity of liquid, and is ready for service after once being pumped to the ejector. The assembly can be carried conveniently as (without the container) it takes up little room. Its mechanism is simple and offers no maintenance problems. It is more powerful in its distribution of liquid than a conventional oil can can be. It can be used in many unusual locations because of the capacity for dispensing liquid under pressure and the flexibility of its spout.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1s:

1. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a foot-piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open,- an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors ofthe ejector and tube connected with one another, and means for actuating said ejector to 4 draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction tube.

2. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a foot piece adapted for en gagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, 21 perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interior of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated.

3. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated, said ejector including a diaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and the arm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuating it.

4. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a foot piece adapated for engagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated, said ejector including a diaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and the arm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuating it, and a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to a designated locus.

5. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the

interiors of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction .tube, said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated, said ejector including a diaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and the arm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuating it, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to a designated locus, and check valve means for controlling the direction of flow through said tube.

6. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated, said ejector including a diaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and the arm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuating it, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to a designated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction of flow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of check valves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tube, one of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, and another to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into the tube.

7. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated, said ejector including a diaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and the arm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuating it, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to a designated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction of flow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of check valves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tube, one of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, and another to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into the tube, said thimble being of rubberlike material adapted to make the passage in the container made by the perforating suction tube liquid tight and allow for adjustment of the pedestal on the container, said arm of the pedestal being rounded to bend down and over the ejector with its protruding mem- 6 her extending outwardly and arcuately operable towards said diaphragm and a handle on said arm to facilitate the operation thereof.

8. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated, said ejector including a diaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and the arm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuating it, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to a designated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction of flow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of check valves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tube one of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, and another to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into the tube, said thimble being of rubberlike material adapted to make the passage in the container made by the perforating suction tube liquid tight and allow for adjustment of the pedestal on the container, said arm of the pedestal being rounded to bend down and over the ejector with its protruding member extending outwardly and arcuately operable towards said diaphragm and a handle on said arm to facilitate the operation thereof, and a spray head on said spout for varying the type of spray of the liquid expelled therethrough.

9. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a footpiece adapted for engagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated, said ejector including a diaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and the arm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuating it, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to a designated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction of flow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of check valves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tube one of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, and another to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into the tube, said thimble being of rubberlike material adapted to make the passage in the container made by the perforating suction tube liquid tight and allow for adjustment of the pedestal on the container, said arm of the pedestal being rounded to bend down and over the ejector with its protruding member extending outwardly and arcuately operable towards said diaphragm, a handle on said arm to facilitate the operation thereof, a spray head on said spout for varying the type of spray of the liquid expelled therethrough, and a coupling for removably attaching the spout to the said tube.

10. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestal including a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of a sealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, a resilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of said container, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on and fasten to said container, 21 perforating suction tube attached to said brackets and including a perforating end piercing through .the top of said container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its other end open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated, said ejector including a diaphragrnic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and the arm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuating it, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to a designated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction of flow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of check valves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tube one of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, and another to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into the tube, said thimble being of rubber-like material adapted to make the passage in the container made by the perforating suction tube liquid tight and allow for adjustment of the pedestal on the container, said arm of the pedestal being rounded to bend down and over the ejector with its protruding member extending outwardly and arcuately operable towards said diaphragm, a handle on said arm to facilitate the operation thereof, a spray head on said spout for varying the type of spray of the liquid expelled therethrough, a coupling for removably attaching the spout to the said tube, the ejector including a housing, with said diaphragm exposed on one side thereof and a'spring braced against the wall of the housing and against the diaphragm for resiliently positioning the latter in contact with said protruding member.

11. A liquid dispenser comprising, in combination, a tube having one end thereof adapted to pierce a wall of a liquid container, means for supporting said tube on the container, inlet and outlet check valve means in said tube, a pump comprising a housing having a diaphragm mounted thereon,'the housing and tube interiors being in communication between the inlet and outlet check valve means.

12. A liquid dispenser according to claim 11, said supporting means including a bracket engaging said tube and resilient means interposed between said bracket and the liquid container to provide a liquid tight seal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 329,067 Nelson Oct. 27, 1885 2,140,257 Butler Dec. 13, 1938 2,257,725 Davis Oct. 7, 1941 2,660,338 Dunn Nov. 24, 1953