US2792969A - Dispenser - Google Patents

Description

y 1957 J. c. ANDERSON 2,792,969

I DISPENSER Filed July 8, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JOHN G. ANDERSON ATTORN y 1957 J. c. ANDERSON 2,792,969

DISPENSER Filed July 8, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

JOHN G. ANDERSON BY May 21, 1957 J. c. ANDERSON DISPENSER s Sheefs-Sheet 5 Filed July 8, 1955.

BYJOHN 0. ANDERSON- AT OR United States Patent This invention relates to a dispenser, and is concerned.

particularly with the dispensing of liquids supplied initially in sealed cans or containers to be punctured for 1 release of the contents. Various materials such as lubricating oils are commonly packaged in the manner stated, and may be dispensed by means of the device of the present invention.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive dispenser of liquids, which embodies improved means for juncturing and embracing a standard sealed can from which a liquid is to be displaced under pressure.

I Another object is to structurally improve a dispenser of the character stated, with a view to increasing its serviceability and durability, and generally enhancing the desirability for performance of the dispensing function.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dis penser of the kind referred to, embodying improved means to so accommodate a standard can of liquid to be dispensed, as to preclude leakage and possible accidental displacement of the can from the dispensing apparatus.

Another object is to facilitate proper application of the dispenser to a sealed can, so that without waste of time or effort, the device is prepared for instant use.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means disclosed herein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the dispenser of the invention, showing it applied to a can.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the dispenser.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and showing the dispenser in position for application to a can.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4, showing the dispenser in final position upon a can, and ready for use.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 4.

In the drawings, 8 indicates a standard can or container carrying a liquid which may be a lubricating oil or other fluid, commonly packaged in sealed condition to insure the quality and purity of the contents until such time as it reaches the purchaser. The can usually is cylindrical in form, and has a lid 9 permanently applied so that mutilation of the lid or some other part of the can must be resorted to, for gaining access to the contents of the can. It is considered desirable, when the liquid is to be dispensed at intervals, to permit the liquid to.remain in theoriginal container until it is empty, and to then discard the container. In line with this practice, a dispenser is made available for application to the original container with facility and dispatch, and includes means for puncturing the lid and for pumping the contents from thecontainer until such time as the container is empty. In the interim, the dispenser is firmly attached to the container, but may be instantly detached therefrom I when desired, for application to another and similar container.

The dispenser itself comprises a bonnet 10 including a skirt 12 of substantial depth, to serve as a guide when introducing the can 8 into the lower open end 13 thereof as depicted by Fig. 4. The head or top 14' of the bonnet carries upon its outer or upper face a pumping apparatus indicated generally bythe character 15, and upon its inner or lower face a piercing tube, or cutter 16, the purpose of which is to form an opening in the can top as the bonnet is forced downwardly over the can. The upper rim 17 of the can when fully inserted into the bonnet, engages a sealing gasket 18 of neoprene or other suitable material, disposed upon an interior ledge or shoulder 19 of the bonnet in position to circumferentially abut the can rim 116. The can normally is held firmly against the gasket 18, as illustrated by Fig. 5, by means to be described later herein.

The pumping apparatus, indicated generally by the character 15, may comprise a cast or molded body, preferably of metal, bored at one end to provide a pump cylinder 19 in which may be reciprocated a plunger head or piston 20. A compression spring 21 in the pump cylinder performs to yieldingly maintain the plunger head in the retracted position shown in the drawings, whereas by means of the plunger rod 22 and the button 23 fixed to the latter, the plunger head may be advanced manually within the cylinder, against the opposition of the spring 21. As will readily be understood, an operator wishing to actuate the pump will grasp the handle 24, and depress the plunger button with the thumb. The

handle 24 may be welded, soldered, or otherwise fixedly secured to the skirt of the bonnet at the locations 2S--25.

A counterbore 26 in the pump body is in fluid communicative relationship with the inner end of the pump cylinder or bore 19, and constitutes a pressure chamber from which fluid is expelled past the upper check valve 27 and through the dispenser spout 28. For supplying fluid to thepressure chamber 26, an intake tube 29 is provided (Fig. 5), this tube in the operative position being extended downwardly to a location near the bottom of can 8 as shown. The lower end of the tube is open, and carries a hollow housing 30 containing a foot valve,

the purpose of which is to permit unidirectional flow of liquid from the can into the lower open end 31 of the intake tube. The foot valve insures maintaining a head of liquid in the intake tube irrespective of the level of liquid within the can 8. Such valve may be of any approved type, an example of which is shown comprising a check ball 32 yieldingly maintained on an annular seat 33 within the housing 30, by means of a light compression spring 34. Liquid flowing upwardly past the foot valve is released into chamber 26 through holes 35 in thetube, such holes being adequate in size and number to equal or exceed the carrying capacity of the tube 29, by preference.

From the foregoing, and referring to Fig. 5, it will readily be evident that repeated reciprocation of the pump plunger will serve to withdraw liquid from the can by suction, with each retractile movement of the plunger head; then with each advancement of the plunger head, the liquid so withdrawn and lodged within the compression chamber 26, will be forced by the plunger action to unseat and pass the upper check ball 27, whence the' liquid will be dispensed through the spout 28. It will be noted that the liquid in chamber 26, when placed under pressure by the plunger head, must necessarily pass to the spout, since it is precluded from returning to the can, by the action of check valve 32.

The upper 'check valve ball 27 normally rests upon. a seat 36' provided by the small bore 37 which communi:

cates with the chamber 26, and said ball may be suitably caged to preclude accidental loss thereof should the spout locking nut 38 be unscrewed at its threaded connection 39. To cage the ball, a suitable retainer 40 may be tightly fitted within the ball chamber or outlet port 41, at a distance above the ball suflicient to permitunseating thereof. The specific nature of the retainer is unimportant to the present invention, and it need only be such as to permit unrestricted flow of liquid past the valve ball 27 and into the spout. The character 42 indicates a Washer of fiber or the like, to preclude leakage of liquid about the. flange 43 of the spout.

Referring now to'Figs. 4 and 5, it will be'noted that the intake tube 29 is ,reciprocable relative to the pump body, from the inoperative elevated'position of Fig. 4, to the operative 'or lowered position of Fig. 5. The primary purpose of this construction is to permit displacement of the lower end of the intake tube, and its foot valve, to a location within the confines of the piercing tube or cutter 16, where the foot valve will be protected against damage as the cutter is forced through the can lid 9 incident to application of the dispenser to the can body. After the piercing tube or cutter 16 has penetrated the lid and disposed the cut-outor tab 44 to one side, as indicated upon Fig. 5, the intake tube 29 may be lowered to the operative position of Fig. and secured in that position.

In mounting the intake tube 29 for reciprocation as above set forth, the pump body may be provided with a pairof vertically aligned bores 45 and 46, the latter being properly dimensioned to snugly but slidably receive the intake tube. To preclude leakage of liquid from chamber 26 downwardly along the intake tube, a suitable seal is provided about the tube, which seal conveniently may be formed by counter-boring the depending neck 47 of the pump body, as at 48, and seating in the counter-bore an O ring 49 and a retainer 50, as shown. The other bore 45 may be made larger in diameter than the bore 46, to receive therein a plug 51, which may constitute part of the head 52 carried by the upper end 53 of the intake tube. In the preferred form of the invention, the plug portion 51 of the head is externally threaded as at 54, and the bore 45 is complementarily threaded at 55, so that the head may be securely attached to the pump body by means of the threaded connection thereby provided. A washer 56 of fiber or other suitable material may be applied to the head about the plug portion as shown, to preclude leakage of liquid upwardly about the intake tube or the plug. As will be understood, the head 52 is closely fitted to the upper end of the intake tube, as by means of a pressed fit or otherwise. When the intake tube is lowered and secured in the operative position of Fig. 5, the foot valve should be disposed slightly above the bottom of the can 8, as shown.

The piercing tube or cutter 16 may be substantially cylindrical in form, and should preferably have at one end a sharpened cutting edge 57 inclined obliquely to the axis of the tube so as to cut with a progressive shearing'action when pressed against the can lid 9. To prevent complete severance of the tab or cut-out 44 from the can lid, the cutting edge of the piercing tube may be rounded or blunted at one point, such as 157, where no actual shearing may take place as the piercing tube penetrates the lid. The tab or cut-out will thereby remain attached to the lid as shown at 44 of Fig. 5, where it may not interfere with operation of the foot valve. The upper end of the piercing tube includes means for attaching said tube to the lower or inner face of the bonnet 14, which means may be in the form of cars or lugs 58 perforated to receive screws or other fasteners 59 passing through the bonnet and anchored in the pump body at 60. The neck 47 of the pump body provides lateral support for the piercing tube, and lends rigidity thereto. The man- 4 ner of attaching the piercing tube to the bonnet .is of course subject to modification within the skill of the mechanic, however, it is important to note that the piercing tube has no connection whatever with the intake tube 29, and consequently, no stresses or strains resulting from cutting through the can lid may be transmitted to the intake tube. Accordingly, the likelihood of bending or otherwise damaging the intake tube is efiectively minimized with this construction, and if desired, the intake tube may be fabricated from light metal without sacrificing serviceability or efliciency of the dispenser.

For a disclosure of the means employed to hold the can 8 in position relative to the dispenser, reference is made to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. As shown, a pair of yokes or hangers 61 embrace opposite sides of the can, and each includes a pair of inwardly directed fingers 62 adapted to hook under the lower rim or bead of the can. Intermediate the fingers, and at a higher elevation upon each yoke, is provided a hinge barrel 63 in which is hingedly supported an end bearing 64 of a wire spring 65. The spring may be made substantially elliptical in configuration, with upwardly extending arms 66'--66 slightly arched or curved, and terminating in inturned ends 67--67 pivotally attached to the side plates 68-68 of the yoke latch 69. The yoke latch itself has pivotal connection at 70 upon the skirt 12 of the bonnet, and may be swung arcuately downwardly from the Fig. 2 position, for relaxing the tension of the latch spring and releasing the can bottom from the grasp of the yoke fingers 62. The can 8 then may be lowered from the interior of skirt 12 and disassociated from the dispenser.

It may be noted that the hinge point at 69 is so located upon the side plate of the latch, as to be dis posed off-center with respect to the hinge points 70 and 64, thereby to render the latch self-locking in the operative position. That is, when a can is initially supported upon the yoke hooks, and the latches are subsequently swung upwardly about their pivots 70, the yoke springs pass over and beyond the hinges or pivots 70 with a snap action induced by the tension of the latch springs 65, and the resiliency of the springs thereupon holds the latches in operative position against the skirt 12, as shown in Fig. 2. The form of can retainer herein disclosed is simple and effective, and may be manipulated with ease and dispatch to effect can replacements.

The operation of the device is as follows: to prepare the dispenser for application to a sealed can, the operator first makes certain that the intake tube 29 is in the elevated position of Fig. 4, where thefoot valve 30 is drawn completely up into the protective confines of the piercing tube 16. Then with the yokes 61 swung outwardly to avoid interference, the dispenser is lowered bodily over an upstanding sealed can, with the top portion of the can received in the lower open end of the skirt 12, which guides the can in perfect concentricity with the skirt while the piercing tube 16 cuts through the can lid.

When the dispenser has assumed the fully lowered posi-' tion of Fig. 5, with the upper rim of the can abutting the gasket 18, the operator swings the yokes 61 toward the can and places the fingers 62 under the lower rim of the can. Then by swinging the latches 69--69 upwardly until the latches pass the dead center of pivots 70, the can is held securely against the gasket 18 to effect a seal about the upper rim of the can.

The dispenser having been attached to the can as above explained, the operator lowers the intake tube 29 into the can and secures it in place by rotating the cap or head 52 until a tight joint is effected'at the bore 45, Fig. 5. The foot valve 34 will then be located near the bottom of the can. This completes the assembly, and places theapparatus in condition for use. 7 The first inward stroke of the pump plunger will of course displace air from the chambers 19 and 26, but the return-stroke induced by greases the spring 21, will create a partial vacuum or negative pressure in the chambers, causing an upward flow of liquid past the foot valve 34 and through the intake tube, which spills the liquid into the chambers 26 and 19 through the ports 35. A subsequent advancement of the pump plunger by the operator will result in unseating the valve 27, and delivery of liquid from the free open end of the spout. Thenceforth, manipulation of the pump alternately fills the chambers 26 and 19, and discharges the liquid therefrom through the spout.

To allow atmospheric pressure to reach the inside of the can with each advancement of the pump plunger, a small hole 72 may be provided in the forward portion of the bonnet. Atmospheric air entering the hole finds its way into the can through the opening formed in the can lid by the piercing tube, this opening being of course unsealed and therefore capable of venting the can. Similarly, a breather hole 73 may be provided in the wall of the pump body, behind the plunger head 20, to allow for entry and displacement of atmospheric air at that point, during the reciprocative movements of the plunger head.

The device as herein disclosed embodies various improvements and advantages over known devices of a similar nature. For example, the valve arrangement provided insures maintenance of a head of liquid in the spout and chambers 26-19 at all times, so that the dispenser is always primed or conditioned for immediate delivery of fluid without the need for excessive pumping to initiate the flow. As was previously pointed out, the complete independency of the intake tube from the piercing tube or cutter, and the relative disposition of these elements as disclosed, insures adequate protection for these parts with the result that the useful life of the dispenser is prolonged and its serviceability enhanced. It should be observed in thi connection, that the skirt 12 of the bonnet is deeper than the length of the piercing tube, and completely surrounds the same, so that any mishandling or abuse of the dispenser while separated from a can, is unlikely to cause damage to the piercing tube. Likewise, the check valve end of the retractable intake tube is assured protection against damage, by reason of its disposition within the confines of the skirt and the piercing tube, when the dispenser is detached from the can. These and other advantages previously mentioned herein characterize the device of the present invention, and distinguish it from previously known devices of a kindred nature.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser of fluid for application to a sealed standard can having top, bottom, and side walls, said dispenser comprising in combination, an inverted cup-shaped bonnet including a deep circumferential skirt and a perforated top wall spanning the skirt, the skirt being dimensioned to snugly but slidably receive one end of a can, a gasket within the skirt to abut said can end, and elongate pump body fixed to the top wall of the bonnet, said pump body being bored longitudinally to provide a plunger chamberja fluid pressure chamber, and an outlet port, all in fluid communication, a spout associated with the outlet port, and a one-way check valve in the outlet port precluding flow of fluid from the spout toward the pressure chamber, the pump body being bored transversely through the pressure chamber to provide a pair of axially aligned openings to accommodate a slidable intake tube, an elongate intake tube of uniform external diameter slidably received in said aligned openings and shiftable completely through the pump body from an elevated inoperative position to a lowered operative position, the intake tube having upper and lower end portions, the upper end portion being laterally apertured to place the interior of'the tube in communication with the pressure chamber when the tube is lowered to the operative posi tion, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion of the tube precluding gravitation of fluid within the tube, the check valve last mentioned being confined within the limits of the skirt when the intake tube is fully elevated, means including a plunger head within the plunger chamber, actuatable to alternately create pressure and a vacuum in the plunger chamber and the pressure chamber, and a fixed can-piercing tube depending from the bonnet, said piercing tube surrounding the check valve of the intake tube when the latter is disposed to the fully elevated inoperative position.

2. Adispenser as specified in claim 1, in which the combination includes a head fixed on the upper end of the intake tube, and means detachably securing the head to the plunger body in the lowered operative position of the intake tube.

3. A dispenser of fluid for application to a sealed standard can having top, bottom, and side walls, said dispenser comprising in combination, an inverted cup-shaped bonnet including a deep circumferential skirt and a perforated top wall spanning the skirt, the skirt being dimensioned to snugly but slidably receive one end of a can, a gasket within the skirt to abut said can end, an elongate pump body fixed to the top wall of the bonnet, said pump body being bored longitudinally to provide a plunger chamber, a fluid pressure chamber, and an outlet port, all in fluid communication, a spout associated with the outlet port, and a one-way check valve in theoutlet port precluding flowof fluid from the spout toward the pressure chamber, the pump body being bored transversely through the pressure chamber to provide a pair of axially aligned openings to accommodate a slidable intake tube, an elongate intake tube slidably received in said aligned openings and shiftable completely through the pump body from an elevated inoperative position to a lowered operative position, the intake tube having upper and lower end portions,

the upper end portion being laterally apertured to place the interior of the tube in communication with the pressure chamber when the tube is lowered to the operative,

position, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion of thetube, precluding gravitation of fluid within the tube, the check valve last mentioned being confined within the limits of the skirt when the intake tube is fully elevated, means including a plunger head within the plunger chamber, actuatable to selectively create pressure and a vacuum in the plunger chamber, and the pressure chamber, a substantially cylindrical elongate can-piercing tube, and means for fixing said piercing tube to the bonnet in substantial concentricity with the intake tube, the length of the piercing tube being greater than the length of the intake tube check valve, and less than the depth of the circumferential skirt of the bonnet, said piercing tube being of a diameter to receive and house the valve of the intake tube in latter.

4. A dispenser as specified in claim 3, in which the combination includes a head fixed on the upper end of the intake tube, and means associated with said head to etfect a fluid-tight seal between the intake tube and the pump body.

5. A dispenser for fluid for application to a sealed standard can having top, bottom, and side walls, said dispenser comprising in combination, an inverted. cup-shaped bonnet including a deep circumferential skirt. and a perforatcd top wall spanning the skirt, the skirt being dimensioned to snugly but slidably receive one end of a can, means for detachably securing the can within the skirt, an elongate pump body fixed to the underside of the top wall of the bonnet, a depending neck on the body extended through the perforation in the bonnet top wall, said pump body being bored longitudinally to provide a plunger chamber, a fluid pressure chamber, and an outlet port, all in fluid communication, a spout associated with the elevated inoperative position of the the outlet port, and a one-way check valve precluding flow of fluid from the spout toward the pressure chamber, the pump body being bored transversely through the pressure chamber and longitudinally through the depending neck of the body, to provide a pair of axially aligned openings to accommodate a slidable intake tube, an elongate intake tube slidably received in said aligned openings and shiftable completely through the pump body from an elevated inoperative position to a lowered operative position, the intake tube having upper and lower end portions, the upper end portion being laterally apertured to place the interior of the tube in communication with the pressure chamber when the tube is lowered to the operative position, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion of the tube precluding gravitation of fluid within the tube, means including a plunger head within the plunger chamber, actuatable to alternately create pressure and a vacuum in the plunger chamber and the pressure chamber, and an elongate fixed can-piercing tube surrounding the pump body neck and depending therefrom, the length of the piercing tube being greater than the length of the intake tube check valve, and less than the depth of the circumferential skirt of the bonnet, said piercing tube being enlarged suificiently in diameter to receive and house the check valve of the intake tube in the elevated position of the latter.

6. A dispenser as specified in claim 5, in which is ill- 7. A dispenser of fluid for application to a sealed standard'can having top, bottom, and side walls, said dispenser comprising in combination, a bonnet including a deep circumferential skirt and a perforated top wall spanning the skirt, the skirt being dimensioned to slidably receive one end of a can, means for detachably securing the can within the skirt, an elongate pump body fixed to the underside of the top wall of the bonnet, said pump body being bored to provide a fluid pressure chamber and an outlet port in fluid communication, a spout associated with the outlet port, and a one-way check valve precluding flow of fluid from the spout toward the pressure chamber, the pump body being bored transversely through the pressure chamber to provide a pair of axially aligned openings to aecommodate a slidable intake tube, an elongate intake tube slidably received in said aligned openings and shiftable completely through the pump body from an elevated inoperative position to a lowered operative position, the

intake tube having upper and lower end portions, the I upper end portion being laterally apertured to place the interior of the tubein communication with the pressure chamber when the tube is lowered to the operative position, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion of the tube precluding retrograde movement of fluid within the tube, means to create alternate positive and negative pressures within the pressure chamber, and a stationary elongate can-piercing tube fixed relative to the pump body, and depending into the skirt in encircling relationship to the intake tube,said piercing tube being supported by the pump body independently of said intake tube.

8. A dispenser of fluid for application to a sealed can, comprising in combination a bonnet including a deep circumferential skirt and a perforated top wall spanning the skirt, the skirt being'dimensioned to slidably receive one end of a can, means for detachably securing the can within the skirt, an elongate pump body fixed to the top wall, said pump body being bored to provide a fluid pressure chamber and an outlet port influid communication, a spout associated with the outlet port, and a one- Way check valve precluding flow of fluid from the spout toward the pressure chamber, the pump body being bored transversely through said chamber to provide a pair of axially aligned openings to accommodate a slidable intake tube, an elongate intake tube slidably received in said aligned openings and shiftable completely through the pump body from an elevated inoperative position to a lowered operative position, the intake tube having upper and lower end portions, the upper end portion being laterally apertured to register with the pressure chamber when the tube is lowered, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion of the tube precluding retrograde fluid movement within the tube, means to create positive and negative pressures within the pressure chamber, and a stationary elongate ean-piercing tube fixed relative to the pump body, and depending into the skirt in encircling relationship to the intake tube, said can-piercing tube being of sufficient length to completely house the check valve of the intake tube when the latter is disposed to the lowered operative position, and the skirt being of sufficient depth to house the can-piercing tube in all positions of the intake tube.

9. A dispenser of fluid for application to a sealed eontainer having a top, and comprising in combination, a pump body bored to provide a fluid pressure chamber and an outlet port in fluid communication, a spout associated with'the outlet port, and a one-way check valve precluding flow of fluid-from the spout toward the pressure chamber, a circumferential open-ended skirt depending from the pump body to accommodate one end of a container, and means for detachably securing the container within the skirt, means within the skirt for forming an opening in the top as the container is forced into the open end of the skirt, the pump body being bored transversely through the pressure chamber to provide a pair of axially aligned openings to register with the opening formed in the container top, an elongate intake tube slidably received in said aligned openings and siiiftable completely through the pump body from an elevated inoperative position to a lowered operative position, the intake tube having upper and lower end portions, the upper end portion being apertured to place the interior of the tube in communication with the pressure chamber when the tube is lowered to operative position, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion of the intake tube precluding retrograde movement of fluid through the tube, and manual means to selectively create positive and negative pressures Within the pressure chamber.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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