"PORTABLE DISPENSER FOR SEMI-SOLIDS"

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a portable dispenser for semi-solids such as toothpaste, margarine or jam and has for its principal object the provision of a convenient cheap/and simple dispenser which will enable the semi-solid to be fully contained and enclosed except when required and will allow it to be dispensed accurately in measured quantities, avoiding waste and and contamination rness and also preventing deterioration/of the semi- solid through exposure to atmosphere. According to the present invention there is provided a portable dispenser for semi-solids, such as toothpaste, comprising a container for the semi-solid having an outlet, a peripheral wall and a plunger movable within said wall axially of the container toward the outlet to apply pressure to the semi-solid in the container, a valve-controlled discharge assembly releasably connectable to the container to make a fluid-tight connection with the outlet and a base unit having a peripheral wall dimensioned tele- scopically to receive and surround the peripheral wall of the container, spring means being located in the base unit to act between the latter and the plunger and means being provided to hold the base unit and container in a chosen position of telescopic

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adjustment whereby the loading of the spring may be adjusted by relative axial movement of the container and base uni .

Preferably the peripheral wall of the base unit has internal screw-threads which engage external screw-threads on the peripheral wall of the container and telescopic adjustment of the container and base unit is achieved by relatively rotating the same. The spring means is preferably a helical compression spring which extends between location means therefor on the side of the plunger presented outward of the container and on a member spanning the interior of the base unit.

The portable dispenser may further comprise a cartridge of flexible material which, when filled wit the semi-solid, is dimensioned to be received as a sliding fit within the container with an outlet of the cartridge in register with the outlet of the container, the cartridge being adapted to collapse under the influence of the plunger as semi-solid is discharged. The outlet of the cartridge may be in a neck portion of reduced cross-section at one end thereof, said neck, portion having an external screw- thread adapted to engage an internal screw thread of the outlet of the container, and the other end of the cartridge may have a formation engageable by a tool to rotate the filled cartridge relative to the

container when inserted therein so that the screw- thread on the neck will engage the screw-thread of the container outlet.

Formations may be positioned around the outlet of the container to make a bayonet connection with L-shaped slots in the wall of the discharge assembly at one end of a valve-controlled passage therethrough, Accidental release of the bayonet joint may be prevented by a locking element urged by a spring to occupy the outer one of the two limbs of one of the L-shaped slots, the locking element being movable against its spring bias to an inoperative position permitting movement of a formation on the container between the limbs of said slot but when in its operative position serving to trap said formation in the inner limb of said slot.

The valve-controlled discharge assembly prefer¬ ably comprises a passage having a bend across which a tapered end of a screw accessible from outside the passage is movable to adjust the flow rate of semi- solid discharged through the passage . Unintended rotation of the flow rate adjustment screw may be prevented by a sleeve which is non-rotatably but axially displaceably located on the discharge assembly coaxially with respect to the screw, the sleeve having internal splines to engage splines on a head of the screw when urged into engagement

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therewith by a spring, the sleeve being -manually movable against its spring bias out of engagement with the screw head to permit rotation of the latter. The valve which controls discharge from the discharge assembly may comprise a hollow valve member which is a sliding fit in a passage through the discharge assembly for semi-solid, the valve member being integral with a stem which extends out of the passage through a bore in the discharge assembly, is spring-biased to a valves-closed posi¬ tion -in which the valve member extends across a bend in the passage to close the same and is manually movable against its spring bias to a valve- opened position in which the valve member ceases to obstruct the bend in the passage and permits semi- solid to flow through the valve member and round said bend. Alternatively the valve which controls discharge from the discharge assembly may comprise a cylindrical valve body rotatably located in the dis- charge assembly across a passage therethrough for semi-solid, the valve body having a diametral through-hole which, when aligned with the passage, permits semi-solid to flow through the passage.

In either case said valve is preferably in an intermediate position between inlet and outlet ends of the passage and said outlet end may be provided with a resilient nozzle having a normally closed

discharge slit which can be forced open by discharging semi-solid. The resilient nozzle may be detachable to be replaced by a similar nozzle having a discharge slit of different configuration. Alternatively the cylindric body may be integral with a closure for the outlet end of the passage, the arrangement being such that angular movement of the closure to uncover the outlet end of the passage brings the through-hole into alignment with the passage to open the valve. In yet another modification the cylindrical body may be integral with a trigger device which is spring-loaded to a limit stop position in which the valve is closed and is manually movable against .its spring bias to a position in which the valve is opened.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany¬ ing diagrammatic drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a portable dispenser in accordance with the invention,

Figures 2 and- 3 show in perspective two of the components of the assembly ^' of Figure 1,

Figure ^• + shows on an enlarged scale a modified form of the container, Figure is an exploded view of a cartridge-and- cap assembly for use in connection with the container of Figure -+,

Figure 5B illustrates in perspective the bottom of the cartridge of Figure 5A _f

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Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are details on an enlarged scale of the flow rate control screw assembly of the dispenser of Figure 1, Figures 6A and 6B showing a locking sleeve respectively in the locked and un- locked position and Figure 6C showing the components of the assembly in exploded view,

Figures 7A, 7B and 7C are similar views of the bayonet joint locking device of the dispenser of Figure 1, Figures 8A and 8B are respectively a side sectional elevation and an exploded view of a modi¬ fied discharge assembly, and

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8A of another modified discharge assembly. The portable dispenser illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a container 10 for a semi-solid 11 such as toothpaste, a discharge assembly 12 releasably connected by a bayonet joint 13 to an end 1-+ of the container 10 having an outlet 15 and a tubular base unit 16 in which there is coaxially located a helical compression spring 17 which acts between a closure 18 at one end of the base unit 16 and a plunger 19 which spans the interior of the container 10 at its end remote from the outlet 15• The peripheral wall of the base unit 16 has an internal screw thread 20 throughout its axial length

and this engages a. screw thread 21 at the end of the container 10 remote from its outlet 1 and external ^• of the peripheral wall of the container. Thus by relatively rotating the base unit 16 and container 10 their relative axial positions can be adjusted.

Telescopic movement of the container 10 into the base unit 16 increases the loading of the spring 17 and thus the pressure applied by the plunger 19 to the semi-solid 11. To allow relative rotation of the base unit 16 and the plunger 19 without "winding up" the spring 17 one end of the latter is loosely located over a central, circular projection 22 on the inner side of the closure 18 and the other end of the spring 17 carries a plate 23 which locates in a central recess 2-+ of the plunger 19.

As shown in Figure 1 the container 10 has no insert or cartridge and the interior of the rigid container 10 is directly filled with the semi-solid 11. In the modified construction shown in Figures ^• +, A and 5B, however, (in which like parts have like reference numerals with the suffix 'A') the semi-solid 11 is prepacked in a cartridge 25 which has a flexible, ^" collapsible peripheral wall dimensioned to be a sliding fit inside the peripheral wall of the container 10A. The cartridge 25 has at one end a central, discharge neck 26 having an external screwthread which, prior to use, is engaged by the internal screw thread of a cap

27. Before the cartridge 25 is inserted in the container 10A the cap 27 is removed and the screw- thread on the neck 26 can then be engaged with the screw thread 28 on the interior of the outlet 15A of the container, the semi-solid 11 filling the cartridge 25 giving it sufficient rigidity to enable it to be rotated relative to the container 10A. To facilitate this operation the closed end of the cartridge 25 is formed with an annular recess 30 in which there is located a knob 31 like a wing nut (see Figure 5B) by which it can be grasped and turned, rotating the cartridge 25 to screw its nec 26 into the outlet 15A of the container. When the plate 23 is inserted into position at the bottom of the cartridge 25 it causes the cartridge 25 progressively to collapse as semi-solid 11 is discharged. Alternatively the plunger 19A shown in Figure 4 may be positioned between the plate 23 and the bottom of the cartridge 25.

The bayonet joint 13 comprises angularly spaced flanges 32 projecting radially from an annuler collar 32' upstanding from the closed end of the container 10 or 10A around its outlet 15 or 15A, the flanges 32 being engageable in respective L-shaped slots such as 33 at an inlet end of the discharge assembly 12, To prevent accidental detachment of the discharge assembly 12 from the container 10 or 10A

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there is associated with at least one of the slots 33 a locking device 3-+ shown in more detail in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C. The locking device comprises a member 35 guided by grooves 37 in its sides for movement between a locking position, as shown in

Figure 2 and Figure 7B and an unlocking position as shown in Figure 7A. The member 35 is urged by a spring 36 to the locking position in which it passes across the outer limb of the associated L-shaped slot 33, and therefore traps in the inner limb, thereof the associated flange 32, and can be moved manually against the action of the spring 36 to the unlocking position in which it does not obstruct the associated L-shaped slot 33. In use, when the discharge assembly 12 is pushed toward the container 10 or 10A the associated flange 3 pushes the locking member 35 to the position shown in Figure 7A. When now the dis¬ charge assembly 12 and container 10 or 10A are relatively rotated the flange 32 enters the inner limb of the slot 33, enabling the 'spring 36 to return the member 35 to its locked position as shown in Figure 7B. When it is desired to release the discharge assembly 12 from the container 10 or 10A it is necessary manually to move the member 35 from the position of Figure 7B to that of Figure 7A so that, on relative rotation of the discharge assembly and container, the flange 32 can enter and then leave the

outer limb of the slot 33. Alternatively the locking member 35 may be designed to lock into a groove (not shown) on the rim of the flange 32.

The slots 33 are distributed around an inlet end of a passage 38 in the discharge assembly 12, the passage having a bend controlled by the tapered, free end of a flow rate control screw 39. The screw thread on the shank of the screw 39 engages an internal screw thread of a bore -+0 in the discharge assembly 12 entering the passage 38 at the bend therein. Adjustment of the flow rate through the passage 38 is effected by rotating the screw 39 by means of its head .-+1. The periphery of the head -+1 is knurled to be engaged by internal splines -+2 of a sleeve -+3 which surrounds a cylindrical projection of the body of the discharge assembly 12-. This has external splines -4-5 which engage the internal splines of the sleeve -4-3 so that the latter is non-rotatable but axially displaceable relative to the discharge assembly 12. A spring -+6 urges the sleeve -4-3 away from the discharge assembly 12 so that it normally surrounds the,head -4-1 of the screw 39, locking it against rotation as shown in Figure 6A. When it is desired to rotate the screw 39 the sleeve -+3 is pushed against the action of the spring -+6 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 6B until the head -+1 is released, enabling it to be rotated.

The passage 38 is controlled by a valve -+7. This comprises a cylindrical valve body -48 which is

rotatable in a seat -4-9 in the discharge assembly 12 transverse to the passage 38. The valve body -+8 is integral with a closure member 50 having a lip 51 adapted to extend across and close in an airtight manner the outlet end of the passage 38. The valve body -+8 has a diametral through-hole 52 which, when the lip 51 closes the passage 38, is isolated from the passage 38 so that the latter is closed by the valve body -+8, as shown in Figure 1. When, however, the closure member 50 is raised, as shown in Figure 2, so that the lip 51 is moved clear of the outlet end of the passage 38 the valve body -4-8 is rotated to a position in which its through hole 5 is aligned with the passage 38 so that the valve is opened. In use of the dispenser illustrated the nipple at the outlet 15 of a full container 10 is cut open just before being inserted in the inlet end of the passage 3Q as the bayonet connection between the dis¬ charge assembly 12 and the container 10 is effected. The plunger 19 has a peripheral groove 3 on its inner side adapted to prevent leakage. To discharge the semi-solid 11 the closure 50 is lifted, opening the valve -4-8. The rate of flow of semi-solid along the. passage 38 is controlled by the screw 39. As the pressure of the spring 17 on the plunger 19 slackens as material is discharged from the container 10, allowing the plunger 19 to travel toward the outlet

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15, it can be increased again by relatively rotating the container 10 and base unit 16 so that the cont¬ ainer 10 is telescopically received .into the base unit 16. The closed end 18 of the latter has holes 5 to allow air to enter and moisture to escape.

As shown in Figure -4- an annular sealing ring 6*+ may be positioned on the container 10A between the ^* outlet 15A and the bayonet flanges 32. This may be resilient or may co-operate with ah annular recess (not shown) in the discharge assembly 12.

Figures 8A, 8B and 9 illustrate two modified discharge assemblies. Parts which are common to the discharge assembly 12 have the same reference numerals. Each is at an inlet end 53 of its passage 38 adapted to receive the outlet 15 or 15A of a container 10 or 10A and make a bayonet connection therewith. The passage 38 of each is controlled by a screw 39 releasably locked by a splined sleeve -4-3. However, the rotary valve body -4-8 of the assembly 12A shown in Figures 8A and 8B is ^' integral with a trigger 5-4- which has a hole 55 through which passes a curved guide 56 upstanding from the body of the. assembly 12A. ^" The guide 5 is surrounded by a compression spring 57 which urges the trigger + to adopt its position shown in Figure 8A, in which the through-hole 5 ² in the valve body -4-8 is not aligned with the passage 38 and consequently the valve is closed. The valve can be

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opened by depressing the trigger 54 against the action of the spring 57 but will automatically close again as soon as the trigger 54 is released.

To the outlet end of the passage ^' 38 there is fitted a nozzle 58 of a resilient material such as rubber or a suitable plastics material. This has a slit 59 which is normally closed but which will open to allow semi- solid material under pressure to emerge from the nozzle when the valve 48 is opened. The nozzle 58 prevents the ingress of air when the valve 48 is closed.

A variety of interchangeable nozzles of different shapes (not shown) may be attached to the outlet end of the passage 38 to dispense the semi-solid in ribbons of different shapes, such as round (for example for tooth- paste) and broad and flattened (for example for margarine). Any such nozzle may have a removable cap covering it.

The modified discharge assembly 12B shown in Figure 9 also has a resilient nozzle 58 at the outlet end of its passage 38, but the rotary valve body 48 is replaced by a hollow axially movable valve body 60. This is located at a second bend in the passage 38 and is movable from the position shown, in which it closes the passage 38, leftwards as viewed, until it ceases to obstruct the passage 38 and semi-solid material can flow along the passage 38 through the hollow tubular

valve body 60. Displacement of the valve body 60 is by means of an integral stem 61 which extends therefrom out of the body of the assembly 12B through a hole and is connected at its other end to a trigger 62 which is movable toward the body of the assembly 12B against the action of a spring 63 surrounding the stem. The trigger 62 is squeezed toward the body of the assembly 12B to open the valve 60 and when released is returned by the spring 63 to the position shown, thus reclosing the valve 60.