US3560100A

US3560100A - Roll-on applicators

Info

Publication number: US3560100A
Application number: US805743A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter B Spatz
Original assignee: Spatz Labs
Current assignee: Spatz Labs
Priority date: 1969-03-10
Filing date: 1969-03-10
Publication date: 1971-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 1988-02-02

Abstract

A SPRING-ACTUATED PISTON FORCES A FLUENT MASS IN A BARREL AGAINST A ROLLABLE BALL IN A FORWARD BARREL PORTION, THE LATTER HAVING A LEFT-HAND THREADED CONNECTION WITH A REARWARD BARREL PORTION WHOSE INNER WALL IS ELLIPTICAL AND SLIDABLY AND SEALINGLY ENGAGED BY THE PISTON. A CAP IS RELEASABLY COUPLED TO THE FORWARD BARREL PORTION. TURNING THE CAP TURNS THE FORWARD BARREL PORTION ON THE REARWARD BARREL PORTION, BINDING THE PISTON AGAINST THE WALL AND THEN THREADING THE FORWARD BARREL PORTION AWAY FROM THE PISTON TO RELIEVE THE FLUENT MASS OF THE SPRING PRESSURE.

Description

Feb. 2,1971- w. a, sPATz 3,560,100

ROLL-ON PPLICATORS v F'iled'uarch 1o, 1969 2 sheets-snaai 1 OTTOfe/VE V.

United States Patent 3,560,100 ROLL-N APPLICATORS Walter B. Spatz, Santa Monica, Calif., assignor to Spatz L aboratories, Venice, Calif., a corporation of Califor- Filed Mar. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 805,743 Int. Cl. B43k 5/06 U.S. Cl. 401-180 27 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A spring-actuated piston forces a fluent mass in a barrel against a rollable ball in a forward barrel portion, the latter having a left-hand threaded connection with a rearward barrel portion whose inner wall is elliptical and slidably and sealingly engaged by the piston. A cap is releasably coupled to the forward barrel portion. Turning the cap turns the forward barrel portion on the rearward barrel portion, binding the piston against the wall and then threading the forward barrel portion away from the piston to relieve the iluent mass of the spring pressure.

The present invention relates to dispensers, and more particularly to dispensers capable of being held in the hand and for applying creams, or other viscous substances, to a desired portion of the human body or any other surface.

Roll-on applicators have been used for dispensing fluent substances, such as deodorants. In general, such applicators depend on inverting the applicator to vcoat the ball, which is then turned when moved against the surface to transfer the material on the ball to the desired surface, such as a portion of the human body. Repeated movement of the bottle to and from an inverted position may be required to apply the desired quantity of the fluent mass, the discharge from the bottle and `its application being non-uniform. If the contents of the dispenser are under pressure, such pressure is present when the applicator is not being used and oftentimes results in leakage of fluid from the container. In most types of applicators referred to above, the replacing of the cap on the bottle is relied upon to effect a seal by forcing the ball against its supporting seat.

In accordance with applicants invention, the contents of the applicator are discharged smoothly and evenly. The applicator will never leak. A constant discharge pressure is applied to the fluent mass in the applicator, so that the ball, or other rollable element, is constantly being coated with the fluent mass and transferred by the ball as it rolls on the surface being treated. However, when the applicator is not in use, the replacement of the cap on the barrel portion of the applicator renders the pressure source of the applicator ineffective and actually relieves the fluent mass of all pressure above atmospheric. In fact, a slight negative pressure in the fluent mass might be produced. Accordingly, if the dispenser is placed in an environment of lesser atmospheric pressure, it will not leak, as, for example, in the event the applicator or dispenser is stored in a suitcase conveyed in an airplane.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

Patented Feb. 2, 1971 ICC FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through an applicator or dispenser embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along the line 2-2 on lFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric projection of part of the forward barrel portion of the applicator, illustrating the right and left hand multiple pitch threads thereon;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through the rearward barrel portion, illustrating the elliptical conguration of the bar-l rel portion and lip seal engaged therewith;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5-5 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through the forward portion of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded, longitudinal section and elevational view through portions of the rear barrel portion, forward barrel portion and cap of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a 360 developed view of the interior details of the coacting parts disclosed in FIG. 7, with the cap tightened; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, with the cap loosened.

The embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings are roll-on applicators for containing and dispensing fluent substances, such as creams or similar viscous materials. As an example, a deodorant may be contained within and dispensed by the apparatus illustrated on desired areas of the human body.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, the dispenser includes an elongate barrel 10 comprising a rearward barrel portion 11 and a forward barrel portion 12 connected thereto. The rear end of the rearward barrel portion or body is closed by a closure member 13 having a skirt 14 snapped into the rearward barrel portion 11, the end closure being retained in its closed position by an internal circumferential rib 15 on the rear barrel portion received within a companion external groove 16 on. the skirt, with a flange 17 on the closure engaging the end of the rear barrel portion. Since the parts are made of an elastic or` plastic material, such as polypropylene, they will deform sulciently to permit the skirt portion 14 to pass within the rib, whereupon the rib 15 will contract i11- herently into its companion groove 16.

The forward barrel portion 12 includes a threaded member 18 having a rearwardly extending, outwardly within companion segmental left-hand grooves or threads 22 in the forward part of the rearward portion 11 of the barrel, so that relative turning of the threaded member 18 will effect its axial feeding within the rearward barrel portion 11.

The threaded member 18 is secured to a tip 23, the rear part of which projects into the threaded member, and which is secured thereto by a plurality of splines 24 disposed circumferentially around an external flange portion of the tip, with companion splines (not shown) in the threaded member 18.

The tip 23 is insertable through the lip portion 19 of the threaded member, its flange 24 deflecting a retaining rib 25 on the threaded member outwardly until the flange meshes with the splines in the threaded member and is engaged with a shoulder 26 of the threaded member, whereupon the rib 25 will deflect or contract inherently to its initial position overlying the flange, thereby effecting an attachment of the tip to the threaded member 18. The threaded member and tip may also be made of a suitable synthetic resin, such as polypropylene, that has elastic properties, and which provide members of sufficient elasticity to permit their ready assembly in the manner described above, and which will also effect an elastic lip seal against the cylindrical surface 20 of the rear barrel portion 11.

The forward portion of the tip has a spherical seat 27 provided by a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs 28 forming feed channels 29 therebetween (FIGS. 1, 5). A rollable element 30, such as a ball, bears against this seat and is rollable therealong, being retained contiguous the spherical seat 27 by the forward end 31 of the nose 32 of the tip extending around the ball and having an internal diameter slightly less than the diameter of the ball. There is a predetermined and comparatively small clearance between the spherical portion 33 of the tip forwardly of the ribs 28 and the ball 30, to permit the fluent material coating the ball to pass to the exterior of the nose 32 of the tip as the ball rolls on its rib seat 27.

Secured to the tip 23 of the forward barrel portion 12 is a shaft 34 disposed centrally in the barrel and extending toward the rear end closure 13. This shaft has a head 35 integral therewith, which has external splines 36 meshing with companion internal splines in the tip, the head being held firmly against the rear ends of the ribs 28 by an internal circumferential rib 37 bearing thereagainst. The head 35 is inserted in the tip and will deflect the rib 37 outwardly until the head comes into full splined engagement with the tip splines and against the longitudinal ribs 28 defining the ball seat 27, whereupon the internal rib 37 will inherently contract over the head to retain it in place.

The shaft 34 is of tubular form and is closed by a suitable plug 38 in its forward end. It is of non-circular shape, such as a square shape (FIG. 2), having rounded corners, a dispensing power piston 39 being slidable along the shaft and also along the barrel 10. The piston has a forwardly facing lip seal 40 conforming to the shaft perimeter, so as to prevent leakage between the piston and the shaft 34. The rear portion of the piston also has a forwardly facing lip seal 41 slidably and sealingly engageable with the main inner wall 42 of the rearward barrel portion 11, which is elliptical in cross-section and which extends from the circular cross-section inner wall 20 against which the other lip seal 19 contacts to the rear end closure 13. As disclosed in FIG. 4, the major axis 43 and the minor axis 44 of the ellipse of the inner wall have lengths that are not too dissimilar from each other. As an example, the elliptical surface 42 may be an 81n ellipse, and the lip seal 41 of the piston has sufficient elasticity as to conform to the elliptical surface of the inner wall 4and retain a slidable sealing contact therewith despite turning of the piston through 90, as hereinafter described, the lip 41 maintaining a circumferentially continuous seal with the elliptical surface 42.

The piston 39 is urged in a forward direction within the barrel by a helical compression power spring 45, the rear end of which bears against the closure 13', the spring extending within the power piston 39, which is of hollow form, and with its forward end engaging against a shoulder 46 in the forward part of the piston. The piston will be forced against `a fluent mass M contained within the rearward portion 11 and forward portion 12 of the barrel, the spring 45 being expandable to an extent at which the forward end 47 of the piston is brought closely adjacent to the shaft head 35, and with the lip seal 41 of the piston closely .adjacent to the rear end 48 of the right circular surface 20 of the rearward barrel portion. It is to be noted that the piston is of generally stepped configuration to conform to the stepped configuration of the forward barrel portion 12, so as to insure the dispensing of substantially the entire fluent mass M from the barrel. Such dispensing occurs as a result of the pressure exerted by the spring 45 upon the piston 39 and by the piston upon the fluent mass M, forcing it through ports or passages 50 in the head 35 which communicate with the feed channels 29 between the longitudinal ribs 28, the fluent mass being forced against the surface of the ball 30. As the ball is held against the surface to be coated, and is rolled thereon, the fluent mass is rolled by the ball on such surface, the ball during its rolling action within the tip 23 continually being coated by the fluent mass and dispensing the fluent mass on the persons skin or other surface as itis being rolled therealong.

When the dispenser is not in use, a cap 51 is mounted over the tip portion 23` and is threaded onto the threaded member @18 of the forward barrel portion. As disclosed, the cap has internal right-hand segmental threads 52 of divided pitch meshing with companion external right-hand segmental threads 53 on the threaded member. Turning of the cap 51 to the right will effect quick threading of the cap on the threaded member or barrel portion .18, because of the multiplicity of right-hand thread segments 53 provided thereon. As disclosed, the threads may have a lead several times the pitch of the threads, a plurality of segmental threads engaging one another at the saime time. The cap threads fully onto the threaded member until its rear end 54 engages a shoulder 55 on the threaded member, whereupon a continued turning of the cap will also effect turning of the forward barrel portion 12, including the threaded member 18, tip 23, square shaft 34, and piston 39 relative to the rearward barrel portion 11. Such turning, which may, for example, be 90 in extent, will turn the piston within the elliptical wall surface 42, causing the piston to bind against such surface and preventing the helical spring 45 from shifting the piston in a forward direction within the barrel. However, the turning will result in the forward axial movement of the threaded barrel member 18 and of its lip seal 19 along the rearward barrel portion 11, because of the left-hand threaded

connection

21, 22 therebetween, which will move the forward barrel portion 12 in a direction forwardly of and away from the piston 39, to relieve the fluent mass M in the barrel of all pressure, and which may, in fact, result in such mass being subjected to a negative pressure.

Accordingly, there is no possibility of leakage of the fluent mass from the barrel.

If the dispenser is to be used, the cap 51 is rotated to the left. This will first effect rotation of the forward barrel portion '12 within the rearward barrel portion 111 and a rearward feeding of the forward barrel portion within the rearward barrel portion, as well as a rotation of the piston 39 around the elliptical surface to restore it to its non-binding relation relative thereto, whereupon the spring 45 is again effective to force the piston against the fluent mass M. In one specific example of the invention, the threaded member 18 can turn 90 until its threads 21 stop at the ends of the thread grooves 22 in the barrel, whereupon continued left-hand turning effort on the cap 51 will result in its being unthreaded from the threaded member 18, because of the right-hand threaded

connection

52, 53 therebetween, and removal of the cap from the barrel 10. 'Ihe applicator is now in condition for use with the spring pressed piston 39 maintaining a continuous pressure against the fluent mass M, so that the ball 30 is continuously discharging its contents against the surface along which it is rolled, the fluent mass under pressure continuously coating the ball as its surface shifts from the position externally of the nose to a position internally thereof. During forward feeding of the piston 39 within the barrel 11, its forward lip seal 40 makes a full slidable seal against the periphery of the guide shaft 34, while its rearward lip seal 41 makes a slidable and circumferentially continuous seal against the elliptical wall 42 of the rear barrel portion. The ball 30, or other rollable element that might be used in its place, is continually being charged with the fluent mass M. Regardless of the position of the dispenser, it is unnecessary for the dispenser to be inverted to secure a recharge or recoating on the ball during use of the device.

Another specific embodiment of the invention is disclosed in FIGS. 6 to 9, inclusive. Only the forward part of the dispenser shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, since the remainder of the roll-on applicator or dispenser is the same as in FIGS. 1 to 5. In fact, the forward barrel portion 12a has been changed somewhat in that its tip 23a and the threaded member 18a are made integral with one another, the threaded member still having its left-hand segmental threads 21, which are received within the companion left-hand segmental thread grooves 22 in the forward part of the rear barrel portion or body alla. The differences between the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS. `6 to 9 and that disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 5 are in the structural and functional relationships between the cap 51a and rear barrel portion 11a, and between the cap and the forward barrel portion 12a.

In FIGS. 6 to 9, the forward part of the rear barrel portion has a circumferential internal grove 70 located forwardly of its threads 22, and communicating with a plurality of short, circumferentially spaced, longitudinal slots 71 opening through the end 72 of the rear barrel portion. The cap 51a has circumferentially spaced external lugs 73 conforming in number to the number of slots 71 in the barrel, these lugs being movable through the slots into the circumferential groove 70. As described hereinbelow, turning of the cap `51a to the right will turn the cap lugs 73 in the circumferential lock groove until they are behind the forward wall 74 of the groove, in effect locking the cap to the forward barrel portion against substantial relative longitudinal movement.

The cap 51a makes a splined connection with the forward barrel portion 12a. Thus, the cap has circumferentially spaced, longitudinal internal grooves 75 which can receive companion longitudinal splines or keys 76 on the forward barrel portion when the cap is slipped over the latter. It is to be noted that a cap groove or keyway 75 and a cap lug 73 lie in the same central radial plane, and that a spline 76 and associated helical rib or thread 21 on the threaded member also lie in the same radial plane, although the spline is not disposed centrally of the thread segment 21.

The parts are so constructed and arranged that the thread segments Z1 on the threaded member 18a are `disposed in their companion internal segmental thread grooves 22 at one end of the latter, with abrupt ends 77 of the thread segments contacting the abrupt ends 78 of the thread grooves on the barrel member Illa, at which time the splines 76 on the threaded member 18a are located in the central radial planes of the barrel slots 71. Accordingly, the movement of the cap 51a in a rearward direction over the forward barrel portion 12a, and with their lugs 73 aligned with the slots 71, would also align the longitudinal cap grooves or keyways 7S with the splines 76, such that the cap can be moved into the rearward barrel portion 11a to locate the lock lugs 73 within the circumferential groove 70, and to also cause the groove portions 75 of the cap to slide over the longitudinal splines 7x6 of the threaded member, rotationally coupling the cap and forward barrel portion 12a together, the parts then being in the relative positions disclosed in the 360 developed view of FIG. 9. Turning of the cap 51a to the right will then turn the forward barrel portion 12a to the right with respect to the rearward barrel portion Ila, causing the left-hand threads 21 to move within the lefthand groove threads 22 of the rearward barrel portion and effect a forward feeding of the cap 51a and forward barrel portion 12a with respect to the rearward barrel portion, until the external thread segments 21 engage the opposite abrupt ends 78a of the thread grooves, which function as stops, at which time the parts are in the relative positions illustrated in the 360 developed view of FIG. 8, the cap being locked to the rear barrel portion 11a because of the disposition of the lugs 73 behind the groove wall 74.

As noted above in connection with the form of invention disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 5, turning of the forward barrel portion 12a to the right also turns the guide shaft 34a and the piston 39 to bind the piston against the elliptical surface 42 of the rearward barrel portion 11a, and prevent the spring 45 from moving the piston forwardly against the fluent mass M in the barrel. Rotation of the forward barrel portion 12a to the right feeds such -portion forwardly within the rearward barrel portion 11a, and thereby relieves the fluent mass of the pressure that had been exerted against it by the helical compression spring 45 and piston.

When the cap 51a is to be removed, it is turned to the left from the positions illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, such turning also rotating the forward barrel portion 12a, because of the

splined interconnection

75, 76 between it and the cap, effecting rotation of the cap and forward barrel portion until the external threads 21 engage the opposite ends 78 of the thread grooves 22 in the barrel, such rotation also turning the guide shaft 34 and the piston 39 to the left, the piston being freed from its binding relation to the elliptical surface 42 and again being urged forwardly by the spring 45. The forward barrel portion 12a is also shifted to a slight extent in a rearward direction within the rearward barrel portion 11a, the locking lugs 73 on the cap being Ibrought into alignment with the entry slots 71 of the barrel, allowing the cap 51a to be pulled out of the barrel and removed from the forward barrel portion 12a, the roll-on applicator then being conditioned for use in the same manner as the other form of invention.

I claim:

1. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass comprising a rearward portion and a forward portion having an outlet; piston means in said rearward portion; means for urging said piston means forwardly in said rearward portion toward said outlet and against said mass; means providing a connection between said forward and rearward portions, whereby relative turning between said portions in one direction shifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; and locking means operable in response to such relative turning to prevent forward movement of said piston means in said rearward portion.

2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; wherein said urging means comprises a spring; said connection being a threaded connection.

3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said locking means comprising a non-circular inner wall in said rearward portion and means for transmitting the turning motion of said forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston means in said rearward portion and bind said piston means against said wall.

4. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; wherein said urging means comprises a spring; said connection being a threaded connection; said locking means comprising a non-circular inner wall in said rearward portion and means for transmitting the turning motion of said forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston means in said realrward portion and bind said piston means against said wa l.

5. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; and a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet and for turning said forward portion.

6. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; and a threaded connection between said cap and forward portion of an opposite hand to said other threaded connection, whereby turning of said cap in one direction moves said cap in a rearward direction on said forward portion, a continuation of turning said cap and forward portion in said one direction shifting said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion.

7. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; and a right-hand threaded connection between said cap and forward portion, whereby right-hand turning of said cap shifts said cap in a rearward direction on said forward portion, continuation of right-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifting said forward portion forwardlyof said rearward portion.

8. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; and a threaded connection bet-Ween said cap and forward portion of an opposite hand to said other threaded connection, whereby turning of said cap in one direction moves said cap in a rearward direction on said forward portion, a continuation of turning of said cap and forward portion in said one direction shifting said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; said locking maens comprising a noncircular inner wall in said rearward portion and means for transmitting the turning motion of said forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston means in said rearward portion and bind said piston means against said wall.

9. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; and a right-hand threaded connection between said cap and forward portion, whereby right-hand turning of said cap shifts said cap in a rearward direction on said forward lportion, continuation of right-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifting said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; wherein said urging means comprises a spring; said locking means comprising a noncircular inner wall in said rearward portion, and means for transmitting right-hand turning effort of said forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston means in said rearward portion and bind said piston means against said wall.

10. In a dispenser for a uent mass: a container for the mass comprising a rearward portion and a forward portion having an outlet; a rollable element in said outlet for transferring the fluent mass from the container to the exterior of said outlet; piston means in said rearward portion; means for urging said piston means forwardly in said rearward lportion to force the fiuent mass against said rollable element; means providing a connection between said forward and rearward portions, whereby relative turning between said portions in one direction shifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; and locking means operable in response to such relative movement to prevent forward movement of said piston means in said rearward portion.

11. Apparatus as dened in claim 10; wherein said urging means comprises a spring; said connection being a threaded connection; said locking means comprising a non-circular inner wall in said rearward portion and means for transmitting the turning motion of said forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston means in said rearward portion and bind said piston means against said wall.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10; said connection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; a right-hand threaded connection between said cap and forward portion, whereby right-hand turning of said cap shifts said cap in a rearward direction on said forward portion, continuation of right-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifting said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; said urging means comprising a spring; said locking means comprising a noncircular inner wall in said rearward portion and means for transmitting right-hand turning effort of said forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston means in said rearward portion and bind said piston means against said wall.

13. ln a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass comprising a rearward portion and a forward portion having an outlet; a rollable element in said outlet for transferring the fiuent mass from the interior of said container to the exterior of said outlet; a shaft secured to said forward portion and extending rearwardly thereof within said rearward portion; piston means in said rearward portion slidably sealed against the periphery of said shaft and the inner wall of said rearward portion and connected to said shaft to turn therewith; means for urging said piston means forwardly in said container against the fiuent mass therein to feed the fluent mass against said rollable element; the inner wall of said rearward portion being of non-circular shape in a plane normal to the axis of said rearward portion; means providing a connection between said forward and rearward portions, whereby relative turning between said portions in one direction turns said piston means relative to said rearward portion and binds said piston means against said inner wall and also shifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion and away from said piston means.

14. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein the shape of said inner wall is elliptical.

`15. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein said urging means comprises a spring; the shape of said inner wall being elliptical.

16. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein the shape of said inner wall is elliptical; said connection being a threaded connection.

17. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein said urging means comprises a spring; the shape of said inner wall being elliptical; said connection being a threaded connection.

18. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; said connection being a threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet and rollable element; and a threaded connection between said cap and forward portion of an opposite hand to said other threaded connection, whereby turning of said cap in one direction moves said cap in a rearward direction on said forward portion, continuation of turning of said cap and forward portion in said one direction shifting said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion.

19. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; said connection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet and rollable element; and a right-hand threaded connection between said cap and forward portion, whereby righthand turning of said cap shifts said cap in a rearward direction on said forward portion, continuation of righthand turning of said cap and forward portion shifting said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion.

20. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein said urging means comprises a spring; the shape of said inner wall being elliptical; said connection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet and rollable element; and a right-hand threaded connection between said cap and forward portion, whereby right-hand turning of said cap shifts said cap in a rearward direction on said forward portion, continuation of right-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifting said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion.

21. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; and a spline connection between said cap and forward portion to transfer turning of said cap to said forward portion to shift said forward portion rearwardly or forwardly of said rearward portion.

22. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; a spline connection between said cap and forward portion to transfer turning of said cap to said forward portion to shift said forward portion rearwardly or forwardly of said rearward portion; and coengageable means on said cap and rearward portion for locking said cap to said rearward portion upon turning of said cap and forward portion in one direction relative to said rearward portion.

23. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; a spline connection between said cap and forward portion to transfer turning of said cap to said forward portion to shift said forward portion rearwardly or forwardly of said rearward portion; said cap having a locking lug; said rearward portion having a circumferential groove and a longitudinal slot communicating therewith through which said lug is movable into said groove upon placement of said cap on said forward portion to spline connect said cap to said forward portion, turning of said cap shifting said lug in said circumferential groove to lock said cap to said rearward portion.

24, A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; and a spline connection between said cap and forward portion whereby right-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion.

25. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; a spline connection between said cap and forward portion whereby right-hand turning of Said cap and forward portion shifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; said cap having a locking dog; said rearward portion having a circumferential groove and a longitundinal slot communicating therewith through which said lug is movable into said groove upon placement of said cap on said forward portion to spline connect said cap to said forward portion, turning of said cap shifting said lug in said circumferential groove to lock said cap to said 10 rearward portion; said urging means comprising a spring; said locking means comprising a non-circular inner wall in said rearward portion, and means for transmitting righthand turning effort of said forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston means in said rearward portion and bind said piston means against said wall.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 10; said connection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; and a spline connection between said cap and forward portion whereby right-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 10; said connection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet; a spline connection between said cap and forward portion whereby right-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; said cap having a locking dog; said rearward portion having a circumferential groove and a longitudinal slot communicating therewith through which said lug is movable into said groove upon placement of said cap on said forward portion to spline connect said cap to said forward portion, turning of said cap shifting said lug in said circumferential groove to lock said cap to said rearward portion; said urging means comprising a spring; said locking means comprising a non-circular inner wall in said rearward portion, and means for 1transmitting right-hand turning effort of said forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston means in said rearward portion and bind said piston means against said wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,632,193 3/1953 Gilchrist 401-180 2,780,203 2/1957 Moran et al. 401-180 FOREIGN PATENTS 380,578 9/1964 Switzerland 401-180 LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner