U.S. patent application number 10/507256 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-18 for fluid product dispenser.
Invention is credited to Phillips, Shaun, Poberezny, Kenneth Paul, Renfrew, Bruce, Spencer, Jeffrey William.
Application Number | 20050178804 10/507256 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9933067 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050178804 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Renfrew, Bruce ; et
al. |
August 18, 2005 |
Fluid product dispenser
Abstract
A dispenser for paste material such as gels and creams as
typically used in pharmaceuticals, personal care and food products,
having a discharge channel (31) consisting essentially of resilient
elastomeric tube (3), with an inlet end connected to receive
material from the paste material container (1,101,201,301) and an
outlet end terminating in a tip with a slit-opening e.g. a duckbill
valve (33,333,433). An actuating element (5,7,8,9,9',405) is
mounted in the container behind the elastomeric tube (3), movable
in a dispensing stroke laterally relative to the tube (3), and
includes a blocking portion (53,253,83,93,93') towards the inlet
end of the tube (3) which moves laterally in advance of a
compression region (55,255,85,95,95') to block the tube (3) wholly
or partly by squeezing it. The compression region
(55,255,85,95,95') then presses along the side of the tube (3) and
squeezes material from the outlet end (36,136,336,436,5381).
Inventors: |
Renfrew, Bruce; (Leicester,
GB) ; Phillips, Shaun; (Whittlesey, GB) ;
Poberezny, Kenneth Paul; (Loughborough, GB) ;
Spencer, Jeffrey William; (Kirby Muxloe, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY, SHARPE, FAGAN, MINNICH & MCKEE, LLP
1100 SUPERIOR AVENUE, SEVENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
9933067 |
Appl. No.: |
10/507256 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 14, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB03/01086 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0055
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 15, 2002 |
GB |
0206176.0 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. A dispenser for dispensing flowable product from a container,
the dispenser having a structure comprising: (a) a tube, the tube
having an inlet end and an outlet end and a resiliently deformable
wall, and defining a discharge flow channel between said inlet and
outlet ends; (b) an actuator element, the actuator element being
mounted beside the tube and being movable laterally relative to the
tube in a dispensing stroke, to deform the deformable wall of the
tube and thereby compress the discharge flow channel, to expel
flowable product in said channel from the outlet end of the
dispenser in use; the actuator element comprising a blocking
portion and a compression portion, the blocking portion moving
laterally in the dispensing stroke to displace a portion of the
deformable wall at an upstream portion thereof, that is, relatively
towards the inlet end of the tube, and a compression portion of the
actuator element extending along the tube downstream relative to
the blocking portion, that is, relatively towards the outlet end,
the blocking portion being movable laterally in advance of the
compression portion in the dispensing stroke to block the tube at
least partially at said upstream position and thereby inhibit flow
of flowable product back towards the inlet during said compression
of the discharge flow channel by the compression portion of the
actuator element; said blocking portion being provided as a
longitudinally-localised lateral projection on a resiliently
flexible limb formed integrally with the actuating element, whereby
flexing of said limb provides for resilient retraction of the
blocking portion relative to the compression portion during the
dispensing stroke.
24. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 in which the actuating
element has a one-piece plastics unit, comprising said limb
carrying the blocking portion integrally with a second limb which
constitutes the compression portion, and an actuating surface.
25. A dispenser as claimed in claim 24 in which the limb carrying
the blocking portion lies behind the limb constituting the
compression portion.
26. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 in which the actuator
element is mounted pivotally.
27. A dispenser as claimed in claim 24 in which the actuator
element is mounted pivotally.
28. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 in which the actuator
element is exposed for direct manual engagement.
29. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 comprising a static reaction
abutment on the opposite side of said tube from the actuator
element, to support the tube against the action of the actuator
element.
30. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 comprising an additional
actuator element opposed to the said actuator element on the
opposite side of the tube, and laterally movable relative to the
tube, for the tube to be compressed between said actuator element
and said additional actuator element.
31. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 in which the outlet end of
the tube has a slit opening, constituting both a discharge opening
and discharge valve of the dispenser.
32. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 in which the outlet end of
the tube has a duckbill valve formation integral with the
deformable wall of the tube and constituting the discharge opening
of the dispenser.
33. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 in which the tube is a
one-piece elastomeric entity.
34. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 comprising, at its inlet
end, a closure cap for a container.
35. A dispenser for dispensing flowable product from a container,
the dispenser having a structure comprising (a) a tube, the tube
having an inlet end and an outlet end and a resiliently deformable
wall, and defining a discharge flow channel between said inlet and
outlet ends; (b) an actuator element, the actuator element being
mounted beside the tube and being movable laterally relative to the
tube in a dispensing stroke, to deform the deformable wall of the
tube and thereby compress the discharge flow channel, to expel
flowable product in said channel from the outlet end of the
dispenser in use; the actuator element comprising a laterally
movable button and a leaf spring, the leaf spring being anchored
into the button and projecting forwardly from it so as to be
engageable with the deformable wall of the tube, the leaf spring
having a forwardly-projecting flange constituting a blocking
portion for indenting the tube towards its inlet end, and a flat
leaf spring portion extending downstream of the blocking portion
for compressing the tube to expel flowable product as aforesaid,
whereby in a dispensing stroke of the actuator element button the
blocking portion, compressing the tube towards its inlet end in
advance of its compression by the flat leaf spring portion
downstream, acts to inhibit flow of flowable product back towards
the inlet during said compression of the discharge flow channel by
the leaf spring in the dispensing stroke in use.
36. A dispenser for dispensing flowable product from a container,
the dispenser having a structure comprising (a) a tube, the tube
having an inlet end and an outlet end and a resiliently deformable
wall, and defining a discharge flow channel between said inlet and
outlet ends; (b) first and second actuator elements opposed to one
another on opposite sides of the tube, the actuator elements being
movable laterally relative to the tube in a dispensing stroke to
deform the tube between them and thereby compress the discharge
flow channel to expel flowable product therein from the outlet end
in use, each of said first and second actuator elements comprising
a blocking portion and a compression portion, the blocking portion
moving laterally in the dispensing stroke to displace a portion of
the deformable wall at an upstream portion thereof, that is,
relatively towards the inlet end of the tube, and a compression
portion of the actuator element extending along the tube downstream
relative to the blocking portion, that is, relatively towards the
outlet end, the blocking portion being movable laterally in advance
of the compression portion in the dispensing stroke to block the
tube at least partially at said upstream position and thereby
inhibit flow of flowable product back towards the inlet during said
compression of the discharge flow channel by the compression
portion of the actuator element.
37. A dispenser as claimed in claim 36 in which each of said
actuator elements comprises a resiliently flexible limb carrying a
longitudinally-localised lateral projection constituting said
blocking portion, and a further limb constituting the compression
portion.
38. A dispenser as claimed in claim 37 in which each of said
actuator elements is made from a one-piece plastics unit comprising
said limbs and a manually-engageable actuating surface.
39. A dispenser as claimed in claim 36 in which the actuator
elements are mounted pivotally in the dispenser.
40. A dispenser as claimed in claim 39 in which pivotal mountings
of the actuator elements are adjacent the inlet end of the
tube.
41. A dispenser package comprising a container for flowable
product, and a dispenser as claimed in claim 23 mounted on the
container.
42. A dispenser package as claimed in claim 41 in which the
container is a rigid container with a follower piston.
43. A dispenser package comprising a container for flowable product
and a dispenser as claimed in claim 35, mounted on the
container.
44. A dispenser package as claimed in claim 43 in which the
container is a rigid container having a follower piston.
45. A dispenser package comprising a container, and a dispenser as
claimed in claim 36 mounted on the container.
46. A dispenser package as claimed in claim 45 in which the
container is a rigid container having a follower piston.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention has to do with dispensers for flowable
materials, particularly viscous liquids such as gels and creams as
typically used in pharmaceuticals, personal care and food products,
and pasty materials such as toothpaste.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Pastes and gels have conventionally been dispensed from
hand-squeezed plastic tubes with rigid plastic nozzles. More
recently, larger paste dispensers have had a dispensing pump at the
top of a free-standing upright container, usually a cylindrical
container with a base in the form of a follower piston which rises
up inside the container as the product is depleted so as to keep
the system airless. A recent alternative for airless systems is to
have paste in a collapsible bag inside an outer container.
[0003] The known pump-type dispensers for pastes are undesirably
expensive, having numerous components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One aspect of the present proposals is a dispenser for
dispensing a flowable material from a container. It includes a tube
defining a discharge flow channel between an inlet end and an
outlet end. The tube has a resiliently deformable wall, and the
dispenser provides for lateral deformation of the deformable wall
across the discharge channel to compress the discharge channel
laterally and thereby expel material from the outlet end. The
dispenser may include an actuator element mounted beside the tube
and movable laterally relative to it, e.g. by means of a sliding or
pivoted mounting, to engage its deformable wall and compress it
sideways.
[0005] The deformable wall, and preferably the entire tube wall
(circumferentially) may be of resiliently deformable material e.g.
elastomer. The thickness and material of the deformable tube wall
may be selected, taking account of the viscosity of the material to
be dispensed and the flow characteristics upstream, to give
sufficient resilience for the restoration of the deformable wall to
its rest condition to refill the discharge channel through its
inlet portion after each dispensing. It may be a tube of
cylindrical cross-section or of other e.g. oblong cross-section; an
oblong cross-section enables a higher dose volume for a given
operating stroke (along the minor axis).
[0006] For efficient operation it is of course preferable that the
resistance to forward flow through the outlet be less than the
resistance to flow back through the inlet. For this purpose an
inlet valve function is preferably provided. This may use a
conventional valve element, e.g. a flow-actuated flap or ball. Such
a valve can close in known manner in response to an increase of
pressure in the discharge channel. However we prefer to provide the
valve function by arranging for a deformable wall portion of the
discharge tube, to the upstream of the deformable wall referred to
previously, to be displaced (e.g. by the same action that
compresses the tube) to wholly or partially block the tube upstream
of the compressed region so inhibiting or preventing flow back
through the inlet as the tube is compressed.
[0007] A preferred way to do this is by arranging for a blocking
portion, e.g. a longitudinally-localised lateral projection, of an
actuator element as proposed above to move the deformable tube wall
at the relatively upstream position in an initial stage of the
actuating stroke so as wholly or partially to block off backflow,
the remainder of the actuation stroke progressively compressing the
tube downstream of the blockage to expel material through the
outlet.
[0008] Irrespective of whether a block is created towards the inlet
side, it is generally preferred that the action of the actuating
element(s) is such that at a given stage of the actuating stroke,
(preferably for more than half of its extent) the degree of
compression of the tube progressively decreases along it in the
downstream direction, favouring forward flow.
[0009] This proposal of using deformation of a discharge conduit
wall to block an inlet (upstream) portion of a deformable pump
chamber or passage at the onset of a pumping stroke, to provide an
inlet valve function, is an independent invention proposed herein
i.e. proposed irrespective of the particular shape and mode of
compression of the discharge channel or pump chamber.
[0010] To keep the system airless and for effective priming, a
discharge valve function at the outlet end is desirable. Again, for
simplicity we prefer this to be achieved by the resilient
deformability of the discharge tube wall. Thus, a discharge opening
in the form of a slit through the discharge tube wall, and most
preferably a forwardly-directed slit on a nozzle tip e.g. a
duckbill formation, is convenient and effective.
[0011] This slit valve preferably constitutes the final discharge
opening of the dispenser.
[0012] Drawing these themes together, a preferred version of our
proposals is a dispenser, e.g. a dispenser for paste material such
as gels and creams as typically used in pharmaceuticals, personal
care and food products, having a discharge channel consisting
essentially of a resilient elastomeric tube with an inlet end
connected to receive material from a product container, preferably
directly i.e. not via any directional inlet valve. It has an outlet
end terminating in a tip with a slit-form opening e.g. a duckbill
valve. An actuating element is mounted in the dispenser next to the
elastomeric tube to be movable in a dispensing stroke laterally
relative to the tube, compressing the tube. The actuating element
includes a blocking portion towards the inlet end of the tube which
moves laterally in advance of other parts of the actuating element
to block the tube wholly or partly by squeezing it. The actuating
element has a compression region extending downstream relative to
the blocking portion, and preferably elongate in the flow
direction, shaped and mounted so as to be brought in to press along
the side of the tube and squeeze material from the outlet
opening.
[0013] Preferably such an actuating element is mounted pivotally in
the dispenser, e.g. extending downstream along the discharge tube
relative to the pivot point. This can encourage an action tending
to squeeze material outwardly. Additionally or alternatively, an
engagement face of the actuating element may be inclined away from
the tube so that compression is initially greater nearer the inlet
than nearer the outlet.
[0014] The blocking portion of the actuating element may be formed
separately from the compression portion that squeezes the product
from the tube. Indeed, they may be on elements which are separate
but move together. A simple and therefore preferred construction
provides the upstream blocking portion and the downstream
compression portion on the same component in one piece. This may be
a component pivoted towards the inlet end of the discharge channel.
Preferably the blocking portion is resiliently retractable relative
to the compression portion, so that as the actuating element is
pivoted further to deform the tube progressively, the blocking
portion does not dig too forcibly into the tube wall and perhaps
damage it, and/or hinder further movement of the actuating
element.
[0015] The dispenser may use one actuating element, preferably with
a static reaction abutment supporting the discharge channel from
the opposite side, or may use opposed movable actuating elements to
squeeze the tube dynamically from opposite sides.
[0016] The actuating element(s) may be exposed for direct manual
engagement, or may be connected via operating mechanism, e.g. a
lever or slider mechanism, to discrete manually-engaged
element(s).
[0017] The product container (a pack consisting of a dispenser
mounted on top of a filled or unfilled container is an aspect of
the invention) is preferably of the airless or volume-adjusting
kind having a collapsible bag or follower piston. However, other
kinds of container may be used. The dispenser may be used either
upright or inverted.
[0018] An advantage of having a slit or duckbill valve at the
outlet is the ability to make a clean cut-off of dispensed
products. A duckbill valve has a relatively acute convexity at its
tip, leaving little forwardly-directed area for the adherence of
dried residues.
[0019] Another benefit achievable with this system is that the
product need not contact relatively movable discrete parts or metal
parts, reducing the likelihood of contamination. Avoiding metal
components may also enable recycling.
[0020] A further benefit with dispensing through a simple squeezed
tube is that, with paste, we find that stripes applied to the paste
survive dispensing in good shape, by contrast with piston-cylinder
pump dispensers which spoil striping if conventional valves are
used. Note that if a one-way follower piston is used in the
container (e.g. having a pawl that engages the container wall to
prevent reverse movement), inlet valve function at the dispenser
inlet can be omitted altogether.
[0021] The dispenser may be provided with a closure component for a
container, e.g. a snap- or screw-fit cap, at its inlet end. This
may be attached to any suitable container. Indeed, it could be
attached to a conventional toothpaste tube in place of its normal
screw cap.
[0022] The deformable tube may be formed integrally in one piece
with a cap or cover to extend over the top of a product container,
and optionally including (in one piece) a sealing periphery adapted
for sealing engagement around the top of a container, e.g. a
cylindrical plastic container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of
example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
[0024] FIG. 1 is an axial cross-section of a dispenser pack
embodying the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows the FIG. 1 dispenser at the end of a dispensing
stroke;
[0026] FIG. 3 is an axial cross-section of a second dispenser pack
embodying the invention;
[0027] FIG. 4(a) shows the top of the FIG. 3 dispenser at the end
of its dispensing stroke, while FIG. 4(b) shows a variant
construction at the bottom of the pack;
[0028] FIGS. 5(a) to (d) show an actuating button in top, oblique,
side and front views respectively;
[0029] FIGS. 6(a) and (b) are front and side views of an
elastomeric discharge tube unit as seen FIGS. 1, 2;
[0030] FIGS. 7(a) and (b) are front and side views of an
alternative embodiment of elastomeric discharge unit;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a front oblique view of the dispensing part of the
assembly seen in FIGS. 3 and 4(a);
[0032] FIGS. 9 and 10 are axial cross-sections through a third
embodiment of dispenser, before and after the dispensing
stroke;
[0033] FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic axial sections showing a
fourth embodiment of dispenser with opposed operating levers,
before and after the dispensing stroke (but shown separate from a
container);
[0034] FIGS. 13 and 14 are axial cross-sections of an alternative
embodiment of the dispenser pack, without and with a toothpaste
tube in place;
[0035] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the components of dispenser
pack seen in FIGS. 13 and 14;
[0036] FIG. 16 is an axial cross-section of an alternative
embodiment of the dispenser pack;
[0037] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the components of dispenser
pack seen in FIG. 16; and
[0038] FIGS. 18 and 19 are axial cross-sections of alternative
embodiments of the dispenser pack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dispenser pack is designed to
hold toothpaste in the internal space 8 of a container 1. In this
embodiment the container consists of a collapsible impermeable bag
1 enclosed by a rigid plastic shell 1' with a hole 11 through its
base. This is a known mode of containment for viscous products
sensitive to air; the bag 1 collapses gradually as product is
dispensed while the outer shell 1' protects and supports it.
[0040] A pumping arrangement is secured at the top of the container
1, consisting essentially of an elastomeric discharge tube unit 3
secured over the opening of the container 1, and a housing body 2
which locates and supports the tube unit 3 in relation to the
container shell 1' and a movable actuating button 5 mounted beside
the tube unit 3.
[0041] The tube unit 3 is shown in isolation in FIG. 6. It is a one
piece elastomeric moulding, e.g. of rubber or thermoplastic
elastomer, and has a cylindrical side wall 32 which is tilted away
from the upright axis of the dispensing package. The top of the
tube converges to a so-called duckbill valve 33, constituted by
opposed convergent faces 35 leading to a linear outlet slit 36. In
a known manner, this readily opens to allow paste to pass out
(arrow A, FIG. 2), but any negative pressure behind the outlet
acts, in concert with the material's resilience, to pull the slit
36 firmly shut and make an airtight seal.
[0042] The base of the cylindrical tube 32 flares out as an
integral annular cap 34 having a peripheral upwardly-opening
U-channel 35. In the assembled pack (see FIGS. 1, 2) this fits down
inside a thickened locating rim 13 of the collapsible bag 1, which
in turn fits in a locating groove 12 at the top of the container
shell 1'. The lower edge of the body shroud 2 has an annular
projection 21 which fits down into the U-channel 35 to lock the
assembly together, in combination with a snap engagement between
shroud 2 and shell 1'.
[0043] This forms a sealed, open communication between the
container interior 8 and the cylindrical discharge channel 31 in
the elastomeric tube 32, closed at the top end by the slit valve
33.
[0044] The body 2 provides a shroud or casing with an eccentric top
opening 23 through which the convergent tip of the elastomer tube
projects. The body 2 also provides an inclined interior abutment 26
against which one side of the tube 32 rests. Opposite that abutment
the housing or body 2 has a side opening 24 which exposes the
actuating surface 51 of the actuating element 5. Looking at FIG. 1,
2 in conjunction with FIG. 5 the actuating element 5 is a one-piece
plastic unit, mounted pivotingly through studs 52 to either side of
the nozzle unit (see also FIG. 8, showing clips 15 to receive the
studs 52 pivotably). The element S can then be pivoted by pressing
on its actuating surface 51 between the positions shown in FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0045] The operating (front) surface of the element 5 features two
downwardly-dependent limbs 54,57 one behind the other. The front
limb 54 presents a generally flat engagement surface 55. The rear
limb 57 projects to below the bottom edge of the front limb 54 and
carries a forwardly-projecting flange 53. The limbs 54,57 are
resiliently flexible relative to one another and to the actuating
surface 51. In the rest condition (FIG. 1) the dimensions of the
element and the positioning of the pivots 52,15 are such that the
forwardly-projecting flange 53 indents a lower part of the
elastomeric tube wall 32 as seen in FIG. 1. However the tube
channel 31 remains substantially open at this region, and most of
the tube interior 31 above is fully open.
[0046] As the actuator 5 is pushed forwardly, towards the position
of FIG. 2, an initial event is further indentation of the lower
part of the tube 32 by the projecting flange 53. Assuming an
initial condition with the container and nozzle channel 31 full of
paste, the effect of this is to tend to block off the escape route
from the discharge channel 31 back into the container space 8. As
the button 5 is further advanced, the extent of this blockage
increases and at the same time, the front engaging surface 55 of
the front limb 57 swings into progressive and compressive
engagement with the tube wall 32; the opposing abutment 26 reacts
to these forces so that the internal discharge channel 31 is
gradually compressed and the nozzle tip 33 keeps its position. The
flattening of the channel 31 expels paste from the nozzle tip
(arrow A in FIG. 2) until the button 5 reaches the limit of its
stroke. During the stroke the force against the end of forward
flange 53 causes its supporting limb 57 to deflect back relative to
the surrounding parts of the element 5. This flexibility avoids
excessive forces being applied against the tube wall and hindering
the movement of the button.
[0047] When the button is released, the resilient re-expansion of
the tube wall 32 pushes the button back to its start position and
generates a negative pressure which draws paste material up into
the nozzle space 31 from the container space 8, the bag 1
collapsing slightly to compensate and venting air entering the
intermediate space between bag 1 and shell 1' through vent hole
11.
[0048] This dispensing action has a number of advantages, in
particular the avoidance of any discrete springs or metal parts in
the product path, the absence of discrete valve components, but
nevertheless a positive pumping action from the valve effect of the
flange 53.
[0049] FIGS. 3 and 4 show some variants, in which the pumping
action is the same as in the first embodiment. In the FIG. 3
embodiment the cylindrical elastomeric tube 32 and its duckbill
valve 33 are the same as before, but the lower end stops short
instead of flaring to form a cap. The container is a rigid plastics
container 101 with a sliding follower piston 102 having a sealing
lip 103 forming a movable base. The top of the container is closed
by a flat top wall 104 having an oblique spigot 105 onto which the
bottom end of the cylindrical elastomer tube 32 fits tightly. In
this embodiment an abutment structure 126 to support the tube 32 is
formed as integral upward projections from the container roof 104;
see also FIG. 8 which shows this embodiment. The clips 15 for the
pivoting button can be formed also on the roof 104, whereas for the
first embodiment they would project in from the skirt of the
housing 2. Note from FIG. 8 that the abutment 126 need not provide
an extended surface to support the tube 32 adequately. Here, three
edge engagements suffice.
[0050] Note also from FIG. 3 that the follower plate has a
downwardly-flaring sealing lip 103 which allows minor quantities of
trapped air to escape during filling of the pack.
[0051] FIG. 4(a) shows the top of the FIG. 3 dispenser at the end
of the dispensing stroke. The action is the same as in the first
embodiment, except that the tube 32 needs to deform across the top
of the spigot 105. In this embodiment the casing 2 is primarily to
support the rubber nozzle 33, and for aesthetic purposes.
[0052] FIG. 4(b) shows an alternative follower plate construction
where the follower plate sealing lips 203 will not allow trapped
air to escape and a central vent 205 is provided instead.
[0053] FIG. 7 shows an alternative construction of the discharge
tube 132, adapted for dispensing a larger volume without increasing
the stroke of the actuating element 5. This is done by making the
cross-section of the tube 133 generally oblong, with a larger
dimension W transverse to the stroke and a smaller dimension D
along the stroke. The nozzle outlet is the same size as before,
however.
[0054] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further embodiment in which, instead
of a swinging button 5 acting against a fixed abutment 26, the
dispenser provides a pair of similar pivoted buttons 5 to either
side of the discharge tube 32 to act counter to one another. Here,
the tube 32 is upright (axial to the container) and the buttons 5
are identical. Such a construction may enable a greater relative
displacement of the tube wall by the lower flanges (a more positive
inlet valve function) and also a more progressive urging of
material along the tube channel 31 in the downstream direction as
the elements 5 swing together. The body casing 2 has a pair of
corresponding openings 24 to expose the two buttons 5.
[0055] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a further variant. Here the
compressible rubber discharge tube 232 is fitted on a top spigot
205 of a screw cap 206 which can be freely transferred from one
container to another, e.g. a conventional toothpaste tube. This
embodiment features an indirect drive mechanism for the actuating
elements 215. A surrounding casing 202 has an upper pivot 71 at
which a pair of opposed actuating levers 7 are pivoted so that they
can be swung between the raised and lowered positions seen in FIG.
11, 12. A common lower pivot 215 mounts the bottom ends of a pair
of opposed actuating elements 215, each having an inwardly bent
supporting arm 256 and a medial forwardly-projecting portion 255
adapted to press the respective side of the tube 232. The initial
inclination of the actuating portions 255 brings their lower ends
253 into engagement initially with the lower part of the tube 232
to provide an inlet valve effect by partial blockage at the lower
end. The upper ends of the support elements 256 enter recesses in
the undersides of the operating levers 7 and are retained there in
slide tracks 72 for the necessary freedom of action. The lever
mechanism gives a significant mechanical advantage, making this
suitable for use by children.
[0056] FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show a further embodiment, in which the
pumping mechanism is different from the previous embodiments. The
tube 3, with deformable wall 332 and duckbill valve 333, is the
same as before, except the lower end has an annular projection 336.
The tube 3 fits tightly over an inner spigot 61 of a container cap
6, with the annular projection 336 of the tube 3 abutting against a
flat top portion 62 of the container cap 6. The cap has sidewall 63
with horizontal portions 64 for locating between a rigid container
shell 201' and the housing body 2. The inner spigot 61 has an inner
screw thread 65, dimensioned such as to allow the container cap 6
to directly replace the cap of a squeeze container containing paste
or gel, e.g. a conventional toothpaste tube. FIG. 14 shows the
arrangement with a toothpaste tube 201 in place.
[0057] The one-piece movable actuator element 5 of the previous
embodiments, with two downwardly dependent limbs 54, 57, is
replaced with a laterally movable button 80 and leaf spring 81. The
leaf spring 81 has a forwardly projecting flange 83, for indenting
the lower part of the deformable tube wall 332, acting as a
blocking portion. Situated above this flange 83 is a flat vertical
portion 85, for compressing the tube and expelling flowable product
through the duckbill valve 333. A horizontal top portion 84 of the
leaf spring 81 is slottedly located between two closely spaced
projections 801 of the inner wall of the actuating button 80.
[0058] FIGS. 16 and 17 show a further embodiment, in which the
pumping action is different again from the previous embodiments.
The dispenser structure is mounted on a container having a follower
piston 302. When the tube is compressed by actuating a compression
member 405, if the force required to open the duckbill valve 433 is
less than the force required to push the follower piston 302
backwards, product will be dispensed through the duckbill opening
436. A specific or discrete blocking portion or inlet valve at the
inlet end of the tube 3 is therefore not necessary.
[0059] FIGS. 18 and 19 show further embodiments, in which the tube
3 is formed from a two-shot moulding process and has portions of
deformable material X and portions of rigid material Y. The tube
comprises a deformable wall 532 of deformable material X. An
actuator member 9,9' is disposed behind the deformable wall 532,
for deforming it in a similar manner to that described in the
previous embodiments of the invention. A ring-shaped elastomeric
member 538 with central hole 5381, and a resiliently biased rigid
valve member 539 covering the hole 5381, combine to provide an
outlet valve to the tube 3. A duckbill valve as used in previously
described embodiments could instead be provided at the outlet end,
although it is understood that various other types of outlet valve
are acceptable.
[0060] The remaining parts of the tube 3, including the flare 534
at the base of the tube 3, are of rigid material Y. Using a
two-shot moulding process to produce a tube of this kind is
substantially cheaper than producing an entirely elastomeric tube,
as elastomeric injection form materials tend to be rather
expensive.
[0061] FIGS. 18 and 19 also show variations in construction of the
movable actuator element 9,9' for providing lateral deformation of
the deformable wall 532 of the tube 3. In both examples the pivot
point 92,92' of the actuator element is adjacent the outlet end of
the tube 3, unlike the embodiments described previously (e.g. FIG.
5(c)).
[0062] A blocking portion 93,93' is provided at the bottom of the
actuator element for indenting the inlet end of the deformable wall
532 of the tube 3, thus acting as an inlet valve. FIG. 18 shows a
blocking portion 93 projecting from a flexible semicircular portion
931 of the actuator element 9. The flexibility avoids, in use,
excessive forces being applied against the tube wall and hindering
full movement of the actuator element. FIG. 19 shows the blocking
portion 93' projecting from a flexible tube portion 931'; a
variation to the semicircular region 93 described above.
[0063] The actuator elements of FIGS. 18 and 19 have different
structures. FIG. 18 shows an actuator element 9 with an arcuate
compression portion 95 that, as it rotates around the pivot point
92, pushes a flexible projection 94 that extends from the rigid
flare 534 at the base of the tube 3 such that its flat front facet
96 lies against the deformable wall 532 of the tube 3. Such a
construction enables a progressive urging of material in the
downstream direction.
[0064] The actuator element shown in FIG. 19 comprises, as a
compression portion, a flexible limb 95' extending upwardly from an
upstream region, with a flat front facet 96' for engagement with
the deformable wall 532 of the tube 3 as the actuator element
rotates around the pivot point 92'. Such a construction again
enables a progressive urging of material in the downstream
direction.
* * * * *